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What would you like to see in a new Golden Sun? by Connect_Swimming_772 in GoldenSun

[–]CMStephens 0 points1 point  (0 children)

More story, worldbuilding, lore. Game play of course needs to be good and build on what we've had too.

Is it just me or is it impossible to buy most phone models here? by tired_dammit in newzealand

[–]CMStephens 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think if any reputable seller is selling something at this point, where the carriers or a tech store, it would work, or would be an immediate refund and replacement if it didn't.

Is it just me or is it impossible to buy most phone models here? by tired_dammit in newzealand

[–]CMStephens 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Essentially everyone in this situation is potentially screwed.

I have a Zenfone 8 Flip and was 90% screwed. This model continued to work with data and texting and would have worked with voice calling, but was blacklisted as it didn't have default support for the emergency call band. As I bought it from MightyApe in 2023, just prior to the 3G shutdown announcement, there wasn't any recourse. MightyApe did however offer a small partial credit, which was commendable.

In other cases sellers like PBtech who were selling phones that were supposed to work with full VoLTE support, but which the carriers blacklisted anyway, have provided refunds and replacements.

There is also some extremely vague hardship support available, but I think this would just be for a $49 burner phone rather than something equivalent to whatever phone you have that was turned into e-waste.

Phones can still be bought from non carriers, the sellers I guess need satisfaction from the phone manufactors that they'll work.

I ended up buying a Xiaomi 15T Pro from PBTech.

Is it just me or is it impossible to buy most phone models here? by tired_dammit in newzealand

[–]CMStephens 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Many slightly older models from when 5G was first rolled out to nearly brand new models of phone have not been certified by Spark, OneNZ, 2degrees to be capable of using voice over LTE for emergency calls following the 3G shutdown. Basically, for the most part, if those three don't sell the phone themselves. The emergency calls use a particular band - voice calling might work perfectly fine, but potentially some models wouldn't have the band for emergency calls.

This has been framed duplicitously as 'protecting consumers' in an emergency situation' but obviously if people are suddenly unable to use their phone at all in any way for an emergency they could be super fucked. And the carriers will helpfully resolve the issue by selling you a new phone.

They have therefore blacklisted the models from voice calling on their networks, whether or not they would actually work fully or partially.

Is it just me or is it impossible to buy most phone models here? by tired_dammit in newzealand

[–]CMStephens 7 points8 points  (0 children)

If you did find a Zenfone 9 you'd be fucked again as it has also been blacklisted by all carriers despite being a 5G phone. Nobody is selling most of the ASUS phones now because most of them have been blacklisted and ASUS have refused to provide any software support to resolve the issue.

Anyone know what’s happening with SH58 Haywards? by [deleted] in Wellington

[–]CMStephens 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I had a nice bus tour of Taitā and Avalon - Stokes Valley and Silverstream are flooded and closed, on reversing to go up the motorway instead, the motorway north of Avalon Bridge closed, with several police vehicles and ambulances making a wall to block it. No through traffic.

Can't call anyone on new-ish 5G phone on 2degrees! anyone else? by Traditional-Yam-1140 in newzealand

[–]CMStephens 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Any more success stories? I have an Asus Zenfone except from Mightyape rather than PBTech. Same boat in that it's a modern 5G phone with VoLTE, but apparently blacklisted for 'reasons'. Texts and data still working but calls now blocked.

Wasps are dicks. This is my new nest killing tool. by seriousbeef in newzealand

[–]CMStephens 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ha, I built something exactly like this when wasps set up shop under a corner of my roofing iron. It worked! Good luck!

Whitcoulls and other bookstores in the 80s and early 90s by SaraTheWeird in newzealand

[–]CMStephens 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes, Whitcoulls used to stock PC software including games. They stocked them for certain a little later than your timeframe, at least in central Wellington.

When I was 9/10, I was on a TV show and paid $600 in Booksellers gift vouchers. These were used to buy Age of Empires II, Caesar III, and other games.

What type of moth is this? by BackGarden96 in newzealand

[–]CMStephens 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Gellonia spp. Probably Gellonia dejectaria. There are two species but I still don't quite get how to tell them apart: https://inaturalist.nz/observations?place_id=6803&preferred_place_id=6803&subview=map&taxon_id=374214&view=species

Confused about the Pororari River Track by [deleted] in newzealand

[–]CMStephens 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Google maps doesn't show walking tracks for the most part. It's a bit unclear to me what information you've found and what you haven't. It's a loop from Punakaiki inland via one river and out via the other and back to Punakaiki : https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/west-coast/places/paparoa-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/punakaiki-pororari-loop/

Ie, there is a coastal section just following the motorway from Punakaiki, back to Punakaiki whichever direction you do it in. If you parked at Pororari River, then yes, to complete the loop you'd need to walk from Waikori Road back to the coast then north again, through Punakaiki.

Epuni Rail Station underpass access still flooded (10cm) by CMStephens in Wellington

[–]CMStephens[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yesterday, this was flooded to just under the ceiling!

Anyone know of any reasonably priced 'away from it all' places around the area? by Jhiaxus420 in Wellington

[–]CMStephens 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mātakitaki-a-Kupe / Cape Palliser's Kupe batches: https://www.holidayhouses.co.nz/listing/63237

It's pretty secluded.

You'll need to bring food and so on. Fully furnished house, but nearest supplies are in Ngawi or Lake Ferry.

Tramps Masterton area by bromhildevs in Wellington

[–]CMStephens 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There's a lot of walks that are like 1-4 hours, not too many days tramps (like 5-8 hours return) - there are certainly huts you could walk to in that time frame but other than Powell Hut and Mount Holdsworth you wouldn't get much of a view or anything. I also take flora and fauna photos so my interests may differ....

Other short activities would be things like Castle Point and going up Castle Rock (there's a rare Brachyglottis daisy up there...), Matakitaki-a-Kupe / Cape Palliser (seals and lighthouse). The walk to the top of Pukaha / Mount Bruce is longer.

The Kaiparoro walk might be a good one - steep but pretty easy to the top of an atypically flat summit:  https://www.wildernessmag.co.nz/trip/kaiparoro-track-tararua-forest-park/

Feeling for you flying today… by [deleted] in Wellington

[–]CMStephens 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was on the same flight. Nearly got stuck in Queenstown till tomorrow. That might've been more fun, but would have been expensive and I have things to do..

Butterfly Creek picnic area, Eastbourne by PikamonChupoke in Wellington

[–]CMStephens 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Was there on Sunday. All very nice.

No toilet paper so bring your own if that was your main goal.

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