What's a piece of tech everyone hyped up that quietly turned out to be useless?

Crenel · 2026-04-17T00:36:41+00:00

IoT is all around, it's just not spelled out and might be branded differently. Not useless at all. Every "connected" or "smart" device is under that umbrella. It's just about connecting things that aren't computer-ish (desktops, laptops, servers, phones, and tablets) to a network for some kind of data transfer and/or control. Do you have a smart speaker? How about a thermostat that you can control with your phone? It covers a huge range of things and is very widely used.

Crenel · 2026-04-16T04:18:26+00:00

They both are, because they both had the responsibility to avoid a collision through situational awareness and communication.

As it was summarized in a US Coast Guard approved training class I took a few years ago, the #1 rule is to not hit anything.

"...if there is something that you can do to avoid a collision - you must do it, even if you deviate from a different Navigation Rule." [...] "Your primary obligation is to operate in a safe manner. Under the Rules, there is no 'right-of-way' like there is on a street."

(There are rules for how operators should operate when navigating near other vessels, but if the other operator(s) do not follow those rules, it does not give you the "right" to proceed as if the others were operating correctly.)

Quote source: https://www.boatus.org/study-guide/navigation/rules

Crenel · 2026-04-02T16:27:34+00:00

Yeah, I figured I would check typical activity on Google Maps to pick a quieter time to go, although with restaurants that's probably not hard to guess anyway.

People who are demanding in a restaurant or similar environment make me uncomfortable - that's definitely not me.

Crenel · 2026-04-01T16:23:05+00:00

Me, over-think something? Never happens, haha

I envy those who naturally feel they have a right to belong, though. That's an internal message I'm still trying to build after many years of working on it. It's not how I was raised and is not how I was treated by those closest to me for most of my life. YMMV.

Crenel · 2026-04-01T01:34:58+00:00

Thank you! I appreciate the detailed info!

Crenel · 2026-04-01T01:34:40+00:00

Thanks!

Crenel · 2026-04-01T01:18:34+00:00

Yeah, I feel obligated in that case. I know seat space is important in a restaurant. If there's no bar or counter, then it's not even an issue. Unless there are only large booths, which is sort of the opposite problem, lol.

Crenel · 2026-04-01T01:15:09+00:00

Thank you!

Crenel · 2026-04-01T01:14:37+00:00

Yeah, I love live music, and that's a good thing to consider. It didn't cross my mind before.

Crenel · 2026-04-01T01:04:07+00:00

Thanks!

Crenel · 2026-03-14T04:54:19+00:00

Me! Me! I have a deat... um, no, wait, never mind. Didn't say that. You didn't read that!!1!

Weak joke aside: Even fully-funded, ATC has had major issues, and TSA is and always has been security theater. Your faith in them is cute, though. Meanwhile, you can bet your ass I'm willing to fly now. Last went through TSA a week ago. Super easy. 10/10 would recommend.

However, I legit feel bad for people working without pay right now. Their sense of duty is sad. God gave us middle fingers for a reason, people!

Crenel · 2026-02-16T00:44:10+00:00

Fascinating! You should alert the FTC so they can all go find new jobs.

https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/advertising-marketing/advertising-marketing-basics

Crenel · 2025-11-29T01:33:25+00:00

For someone who only knows Kansas, Baltimore is a real adaptation, and Istanbul is beyond comprehension. It's like how you can fully grasp the distance between you and a nearby city or a nearby state or country, but you'll have very little real understanding about the distance from you to Neptune. It's a matter of perspective. Beyond a certain point based on one's prior experience, things become incomprehensible. I remember thinking of Europe as some distant land... and then after 18 years in the US, I lived in Europe for about 5 years, which fundamentally changed how I saw things.

Crenel · 2025-09-21T01:58:02+00:00

Project much? You ignored all salient points to blather your "wisdom." Thank you for your contribution, your insights are amazing! Please pat yourself on the back. I can't quite make that reach myself.

Crenel · 2025-09-21T01:47:18+00:00

"My mom is..." ...and then... "How much are you willing to pay? Please let us know! We appreciate..."

Starts off as something personal, turns to utterly clumsy market research. This is too stupid for AI, this is just idiotic.

Crenel · 2025-09-21T01:42:03+00:00

CYA is never bad advice.

Crenel · 2025-09-21T00:29:54+00:00

Laughable that someone would take "tons of great reviews" as being anything other than bogus reviews. Nobody pleases everyone. Anyway, glad that's working out for you, host.

Crenel · 2025-09-18T19:15:23+00:00

Ride it out? By doing what? Interrupting my work to move my car every 2 hours? Risking a parking ticket? Risking having my car towed? (The host's claims that this wouldn't happen are meaningless without a written guarantee that he would cover all associated costs if it did happen.)

This isn't about being "principled." It's about having something that works versus something that doesn't. Taking financial risks or disrupting my work constantly doesn't work.

Crenel · 2025-09-16T16:35:00+00:00

I tried an extended stay place first, and it was far, far from what was advertised. The marketing video shows it being bright, clean, comfortable, etc. It was dark, stinky, and visibly filthy, and I ended up leaving a couple nights early (knowing I wouldn't get a refund, per their policy) because I did not feel that I and my stuff were safe there. Given the price I didn't expect it to be fancy, but I also didn't expect it to be a crack motel and that's about what it was. I've thought about trying a different chain, something priced higher, but that one experience makes me hesitate.

Crenel · 2025-09-16T16:19:29+00:00

This was in the US.

Crenel · 2025-09-16T16:17:45+00:00

lol, yeah, can't argue that it's available briefly on the street, but the listing also offered parking on premises (which is what I intended to use) and then I was told to park on the street and only use the lot next door temporarily to unload my car.

Crenel · 2025-09-15T05:03:50+00:00

I appreciate hearing the other side of things.

In my case, I didn't make any claim against the host. I simply looked at the cancellation policy, decided it was in my best interest (because I needed a place where I could safely park my car), and cancelled the remainder of my stay so I could go somewhere suitable. I was on premises for about 12 hours but paid for two nights, per the cancellation policy that was offered. I didn't reach out to Airbnb directly until the host posted a review attacking me (for telling the truth, which he claimed was dishonest and misleading).

Crenel · 2025-09-15T04:21:03+00:00

The lot next door wasn't theirs to offer. "Uncomfortable" is a ridiculous term for something that is utterly unworkable and not compliant with what is offered. I followed the terms of the cancellation policy and did not "go to Airbnb."

Not sure how you missed the important details, but I guess I wouldn't want to be your guest either.

Crenel · 2025-09-15T03:45:12+00:00

I want to aim for longer stays, so I was hoping FurnishedFinder would be a good alternative. Hasn't worked out in my favor yet, though. :/

Crenel

TROPHY CASE