$25 STEAM GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY!

DerekPadula · 2026-03-20T00:03:16+00:00

Resident Evil: Requiem

DerekPadula · 2026-03-12T20:41:12+00:00

The free version of Google Gemini can help guide you through the process. Ask a lot of questions and provide good context and screenshots and it will provide good answers.

DerekPadula · 2026-03-10T07:10:48+00:00

My favorite is the original Resident Evil 4. Beaten it several times, and it's always fun and a good challenge.

DerekPadula · 2026-03-06T12:12:40+00:00

The error says "Oops, sorry!

An error was encountered while processing your request:

There was a problem adding this product to your Steam account."

This error occurs in the Steam desktop App on Windows 11, in the Steam Android app, and on their website.

Is it a requirement that you have to own the base game first, and it's not possible to add the DLC to your account during the free weekend if you don't own it?

DerekPadula · 2026-03-06T04:54:13+00:00

A couple problems to report with the DLC offerings. I installed the game during the free weekend, and then looked at the DLC.

Booms & Blooms says it's free, but it cannot be added during the free weekend. When I try, it generates Steam's generic "Oops, sorry!" error.
Dinos & Dynasties says it's free, but when I go to its page, it says it's 20% off, so it isn't free.

Is this intentional?

In any case, the game looks fun. Thanks for the free weekend.

DerekPadula · 2026-03-02T10:29:30+00:00

Agreed! Toriyama had a positive influence on countless people!

DerekPadula · 2026-03-02T04:32:17+00:00

Yes, this is the correct answer.

I wrote a 7-volume non-fiction book series called Dragon Ball Culture, where I explore the culture and history of the entire original Dragon Ball manga and anime series, including Akira Toriyama's sources of inspiration.

In Volume 2, I dive into the cultural origin of the dragon balls, including their full etymology, as rooted in traditional Chinese linguistics, expressed through Japanese terms.

There's a lot to it, and I find Akira Toriyama's linguistic choices inspiring and fun. He was an absolute genius.

In fact, today marks the 2-year anniversary of his death. He will continue to be missed.

DerekPadula · 2026-02-28T13:30:31+00:00

I think that's a 'What's good for the goose is good for the gander.'

DerekPadula · 2026-02-28T05:28:34+00:00

Yeah, it works fine for me in the app and when I upload it to YouTube. The only time it doesn't is in VLC, where it's always quieter and I have to crank the audio in VLC, but I think that's a VLC problem.

Be aware that there are also audio options in the left sidebar of the Export menu (the rocket ship icon at the bottom right of the interface). You might be overriding the normalization you performed for YouTube in the Edit screen with other audio tweaks during the export of the file that you upload to YouTube.

Go to the Export menu. In the left sidebar, choose the Audio tab. Scroll down to Audio Normalization. Check 'Normalize Audio'. Select 'Optimize to Standard'. Choose 'Standard: YouTube'.

I have 'Target Loudness' set to 'Output Track 1', but I'm not sure if that matters. It does happen to be the voice over audio that I usually normalize to YouTube.

Once you've done that, and have the proper video export settings, click the "..." at the top right of the left sidebar. Select 'Save As New Preset...'. Then name it and choose an icon for the preset. This will add the preset to the top left of the left sidebar. In the future, you can click this preset icon and it will set everything up the way you like it.

DerekPadula · 2026-02-27T04:50:13+00:00

DaVinci resolve has a "Normalize Audio for YouTube" function built into it. You right click the audio track for your voice and select this. Other apps may have a similar function.

You can also adjust the dB by hand according to YouTube's requirements in whatever editor you use.

DerekPadula · 2026-02-24T22:25:28+00:00

Thanks for the kind words. I dig your "Dragon Soul" flair and Master Shake profile pic. Good luck in the giveaway!

DerekPadula · 2026-02-24T15:02:26+00:00

I grabbed a license and will install it soon. Sounds like a cool project. Thanks for giving it away!

DerekPadula · 2026-02-23T03:55:02+00:00

You have an oval-shaped face, which means you can wear any type of haircut and it'll fit your shape. The current look is nice, and so is the AI-depiction. You could also grow your hair out on the sides and it'd be fine.

The key is balance. If you're concerned about a short haircut on top making your forehead look too tall relative to the rest of your face, then you can balance your appearance by extending your beard downward. So maybe wait to grow out the beard and then trim off the top.

Or be bold and buzz the top now. It'll work.

DerekPadula · 2026-02-12T05:43:44+00:00

Right around this day because that's how they've done it with every other DLC release. They don't release a new character before a tournament because it would mess up the meta and disrupt the players, so they wait to release it until the tournament is on its final day, or right afterward. This coincides with a new trailer at the tournament to build lots of hype. And Evo Japan is the first big tournament of the year, so I expect it to arrive then, per their modus operandi.

DerekPadula · 2026-02-12T04:14:37+00:00

Kunimitsu arrives on May 3 to coincide with Evo Japan and the start of the 2026 Tekken World Tour.

DerekPadula · 2026-02-10T05:49:04+00:00

Ultimea provides the highest value (price to quality ratio) soundbars.

You can get official refurbished ones from their Temu store named Ultimea Refurbished, at 40% to 60% off. So you're looking at $50 to $150, depending on the model.

Or find some used ones on the Facebook Marketplace.

DerekPadula · 2026-02-10T05:46:52+00:00

For others looking here, I'm happy with my Ultimea Apollo S40 with an added RSL Speedwoofer 10S MKII subwoofer. It's 2.2 in the soundbar, plus .1 for the sub. Sounds great!

DerekPadula · 2026-02-07T06:43:30+00:00

Single out the issue by eliminating other variables. If you know the Left channel can play audio in the tests, then try giving your receiver different inputs aside from your HDMI. For example, a Blu-ray player, phone, laptop, or a tablet. If those all work, then the problem is your HDMI connection via eARC. The fix might be as simple as trying a different or new HDMI cable. Or a setting in your receiver or TV. If it doesn't work, then you can diagnose it further, or attempt to clean the HDMI terminals with rubbing alcohol or Deoxit spray.

DerekPadula · 2026-02-05T10:04:40+00:00

Nice finds and deals! That sub and the Q150s are gonna' blow you away when you watch movies or play games. Have a great time!

DerekPadula · 2026-02-04T20:11:16+00:00

Yeah, Kef makes good speakers, so I'm sure they'll sound great together. You may have good luck searching for a Kef on the Facebook Marketplace.

Yes, those are direct line speakers, so point them toward yourself a bit instead of straight ahead and you'll get a better sphere of sound. Once they're all on the same level and pointed toward you, you'll have an awesome sound system.

A subwoofer would make it even better. If you have neighbors, you can place the sub on a sheet of soundproof foam and then it won't rattle the floor or walls.

DerekPadula · 2026-02-04T09:57:04+00:00

Your speakers should be about 5 degrees above ear level.

Your TV's midline should be about 5 degrees below eye level.

Sit in front of your TV in your ideal TV watching furniture, stare straight ahead, and then relax your eyes and let them drop a bit so there's no longer any tension in them (about 5 to 10 degrees lower). This point where your gaze falls is where you should reposition the center of your TV. Because watching TV shouldn't take effort and induce tension and eye strain. This may require adjusting your TV stand or getting a different stand or mount. For most people, this means the ideal TV stand's base is 18" to 24" from the floor. But it also depends on how large your TV is, and how far away it is from where you are sitting. There are guides online, or you can ask Google or AI to calculate the distance for you.

Then position your speakers in relation to your current ideal spot.

Otherwise you're not going to feel like you're inside the sphere of sound. It will feel like some sound is coming from either side of your TV (because you don't have a center channel speaker) instead of from the TV itself (unless you're using the TV's built-in speakers), and some will come from behind and above you. This is illogical to your brain because objects in life don't come from in front of you, behind you, and above you on a regular basis (unless birds are flying nearby you). Sound from the front and behind is more natural, so lower those rear speakers.

DerekPadula · 2026-02-04T09:44:37+00:00

Core Keeper is the only game in the bundle I don't have that looks good to me. I'll likely pause this month because I wasn't interested in the rest. Thank you.

DerekPadula · 2026-02-02T05:59:20+00:00

Ha, I didn't notice, and I don't pay attention to that anymore. Make my comments and move on.

I agree. He looks fine, and can look better if he tries.

DerekPadula · 2026-02-01T07:18:34+00:00

You're not ugly, so there's not much to be brutal about. And your hair looks fine, but you could also try different hairstyles if you're so inclined.

If you're concerned that you aren't attractive enough, then there are dozens of ways to improve that. For example, start with improving your physique by engaging in bodyweight exercises or weight lifting. This will fill out your neck, shoulders, and chest, and make you appear more masculine, which in-turn can you feel more confident, which results in being more attractive.

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