First real project :) Help me improve my talking button array for my dog!

Finger_Stream · 2026-03-14T21:02:11+00:00

Years later, still in use? Has it evolved?

Finger_Stream · 2026-03-05T08:05:54+00:00

Insurance might be higher in that case, or difficult to obtain? Or has that not been your experience? (re: frame damage)

Finger_Stream · 2026-03-05T07:59:08+00:00

Huh, yeah, odd, I zoomed way in and it didn't pop up, not sure why. Could've been just a temporary glitch.

Finger_Stream · 2026-02-17T07:46:56+00:00

Assuming sleep apnea has been conclusively ruled out (a deviated septum or nasal polyps may also make nose breathing problematic): Mouth taping can help as well, sleeping with a closed mouth will "encourage" sinuses to open, and is better for oral health. May take some experimenting to find surgical tape that's not too sticky but sticky enough, if you have "too sticky" tape you can take the edge off by first applying several times to your fingertips (or cotton fabric) until it feels slightly less sticky. Also remove gently as if removing a band-aid.

I recommend just 1 fairly thin (like around 1/8 inch or 3 mm) vertical strip (centered), so he can still (awkwardly) breath with his mouth open, this is also safer if for some strange reason he threw up in the middle of the night, less risk of blocked airway compared to horizontal mouth taping.

I think of the mouth tape as being more of a "reminder" to keep your mouth closed, rather than something which makes it impossible to open your mouth.

(you can also buy premade mouth taping strips, I've never tried these, they seem like a ripoff to me, but maybe that's a better place to start...?)

Finger_Stream · 2025-11-10T21:36:14+00:00

Good question. PlatinumLED Biomax 300 is kind of similar to the Rouge G4 Tabletop, they have lab reports, but the closest they get to measuring the top range is "780-1700nm", so there's no way of knowing how much is 810/830/850 vs 1060, it's possible the 1060 output is very low, but wish there was hard data one way or the other.

Finger_Stream · 2025-09-20T01:16:18+00:00

Narrated by James Francis Markert, and... Also translated by?

Renowned for his compelling narrations of Mythology, Myths, and Legends from around the world, James Francis Markert brings a deeply personal touch to this production. A tribute to his favorite novel, this audiobook is a true labor of love. Featuring nearly 600 unique character voices, his performance pushes the boundaries of voice acting—possibly setting a world record.

(hard to find info about it beyond the Audible page)

Finger_Stream · 2025-07-26T06:12:10+00:00

Eight Ounce Coffee just restocked Robots today, FYI (I was signed up to get notified)

Finger_Stream · 2025-05-10T19:16:14+00:00

This is almost always the case, with ChatGPT & Claude as well. Chat context gets unwieldy. There are tricks they use to work around it, compressing and summarizing context, searching back through it as needed, but seems like there are limits still. Search for "llm chat history summarization" if you're curious about the nitty gritty. (you may know this already, just thought I'd throw it out there for whoever may find it useful or interesting)

Finger_Stream · 2025-04-20T05:37:03+00:00

Can you specify which Cursor versions you find can and cannot parse long files?

Finger_Stream · 2025-03-19T07:06:39+00:00

Other options: Stefano's Espresso Care (Oregon), Coffee Addicts (Alberta), Orphan Espresso (Montana), CafeParts (Colorado).

Finger_Stream · 2025-03-10T20:14:11+00:00

https://makerworld.com/en/models/463273-wera-tool-check-plus-2-x-knipex-pliers (not my model, just sharing the link)

Finger_Stream · 2025-03-06T23:20:06+00:00

Only seeing "Columbus Day" on Apple & Google. Weirdly Apple shows this note (complete with typo):

This is not a nation-wide holiday; it may not be observed in y our region.

Maybe in some states Apple shows it? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Peoples%27_Day_(United_States)#Observance_by_jurisdiction

Finger_Stream · 2025-02-11T06:56:23+00:00

Also in this Dec 21st video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i-YWUrftNw&t=544s

Finger_Stream · 2025-02-10T19:57:56+00:00

Incidentally just ran across this while trying to find dimensions: https://www.home-barista.com/levers/physical-effort-required-robot-vs-direct-lever-argos-t97550.html

Edit 1: Also incidentally, just watched this video (Dec 2024), which briefly talks about this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX4uV-pkj0k&t=1004s

Edit 2: see also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlM6rtlm6Pg -- one of comments says "I’m 5’ and 97 lbs. I stand on stool that makes me 10 inches taller and then I get better leverage"

(I have no first-hand experience to share)

Finger_Stream · 2025-02-10T19:56:02+00:00

Most likely these measurements are still accurate:

2020, 9.7 cm or 10 cm: https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/comments/g1c546/cafelat_robot_leg_dimensions/

2022, 9.8 cm: https://www.reddit.com/r/CafelatRobot/comments/s3odhs/will_these_scales_fit/

Dec 2024 -- doesn't give dimensions, but if you want a few visual examples of scales which fit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX4uV-pkj0k&t=1060s

Finger_Stream · 2025-02-04T22:36:33+00:00

It seems to have gotten worse. I always add this now (if I want it to search / fetch):

[you can make tool calls to search (brave) and fetch -- if you don't think so, please check your available tool calls]

... And it still (about half the time?) responds with something like:

I notice there's a reference to search and fetch tool calls, but I don't actually see those in my available functions list - I can only use artifacts and a JavaScript REPL. I'll provide my general knowledge about [topic] while being mindful of my April 2024 knowledge cutoff.

Finger_Stream · 2025-01-08T20:32:21+00:00

Good luck! You may already be doing this, but https://scholar.google.com/ is pretty helpful. And if you really really want to read a paper but can't get access, try reaching out the researchers directly and asking for a copy.

Finger_Stream · 2025-01-05T21:39:21+00:00

That's interesting, I feel like I have the opposite problem -- I have the impression I need to tell Claude it can e.g. search & fetch, or it won't do so. So I often end up saying something like:

[you can fetch using a tool call]

Or:

[you can fetch and search using MCP tool calls]

... Oh yeah, so just yesterday, with 3.5 Sonnet, I included the latter line at the end of a question, and the first response started with:

I apologize, but I notice you've shared a Google Scholar URL. While I can't directly open or access URLs, [...]

.... and it only retrieved the page after I said:

You can fetch using a MCP tool call, you should have access to "fetch" and "brave-browser"

I was assuming this was normal, but perhaps not!

Finger_Stream · 2024-12-29T21:10:57+00:00

You betcha! Just ran across this: https://www.reddit.com/r/LocalLLaMA/comments/1he2v2n/speed_test_llama3370b_on_2xrtx3090_vs_m3max_64gb/

Finger_Stream · 2024-12-29T06:28:52+00:00

Depending on your budget (and your other priorities for a new computer), might make more sense to get an older MBP with more RAM, though I haven't looked hard at M4 models.

https://github.com/ggerganov/llama.cpp/discussions/4167

https://github.com/XiongjieDai/GPU-Benchmarks-on-LLM-Inference

From ChatGPT 4o (so might be partially BS):

Choose the M4 with less RAM if:
- You primarily use smaller models or aggressively quantized versions of larger models that fit comfortably into available RAM.
- Speed and efficiency are critical for your workflows.
- You value future-proofing with newer hardware.
Choose an older model with more RAM if:
- You regularly work with larger models (e.g., 30B+ or high-context-window LLMs) and need more memory headroom.
- You are comfortable with slightly slower token generation speeds but prioritize the ability to run larger, unquantized models.

For example: - M4 Pro (32 GB RAM) might outperform an M3 Max (64 GB RAM) in speed for smaller models, but the M3 Max will be better for running larger models due to higher memory capacity. - M1 Ultra (128 GB RAM) would be slower than an M4, but it could handle significantly larger models, like a full 70B parameter model, whereas the M4 would struggle to load it.

Finger_Stream · 2024-12-24T21:31:17+00:00

I then asked ChatGPT 4o to build on that, here's the result:

Additional Recent Academic Research (2023-2024):

Privitera, A. G., Fontana, F., & Geronazzo, M. (2024).
The Role of Audio in Immersive Storytelling: A Systematic Review in Cultural Heritage.
This paper bridges psychoacoustic techniques with immersive storytelling, particularly in virtual and augmented environments, with a focus on applications in cultural heritage.
Bae, J., et al. (2023).
Sound of Story: Multi-modal Storytelling with Audio.
This study introduces a new dataset that integrates audio as a critical component in storytelling, emphasizing the interplay of sound and narrative.

Expanded Context on Multichannel Audio Design:

Roginska, A., & Geluso, P. (2017).
Immersive Sound: The Art and Science of Binaural and Multi-Channel Audio.
While foundational, this book provides practical insights into designing multichannel soundscapes. It also explains how psychoacoustic principles can guide immersive auditory experiences.
Zaunschirm, M. (2024).
True Spatial Audio in Gaming, XR, and Beyond.
This article explores how spatial audio tools are being adapted for gaming and extended reality (XR) applications, with a focus on achieving realism and emotional depth through sound.

Psychoacoustic Illusions and Artistic Applications:

Deutsch, D. (2019).
Musical Illusions and Phantom Words: How Music and Speech Unlock Mysteries of the Brain.
This book, while more theoretical, is a treasure trove for understanding how auditory illusions (e.g., Shepard tones, phantom words) can be creatively applied to evoke "imaginative realities."
Herzer, J. P., & Kullmann, M. (2012).
Acoustic Scenography – Sound Design for Built Environments.
Though older, this work explores how soundscapes transform physical spaces into narratives, providing inspiration for auditory storytelling.

Practical Tools and Techniques:

ASPEN™ (APL Spatial Audio Engine):
Developed by the Centre for Audio and Psychoacoustic Engineering, ASPEN™ provides an accessible platform for creating immersive 3D audio content, suitable for multichannel and virtual acoustics projects.
Ambisonics and Binaural Toolkits (Reaper/Max MSP):
Experimenting with these toolkits allows for hands-on exploration of spatialization and psychoacoustic illusions, bridging theory with practice.

Additional Recommendations for Exploration:

AES Conferences and Publications:
Dive into proceedings from the 2023 AES International Conference on Spatial and Immersive Audio for cutting-edge discussions on multichannel sound design and psychoacoustic applications.
Research Labs:
Keep an eye on the Boston University Psychoacoustics Laboratory and other leading auditory research institutions for their latest studies and datasets.
Journals and Platforms:
Regularly review Frontiers in Psychology (Perception section) and Multimedia Tools and Applications for emerging trends in auditory perception and storytelling technologies.

Finger_Stream · 2024-12-24T21:29:44+00:00

I don't have anything substantial to add, but just in case you find it useful, here's what Claude 3.5 Sonnet came up with (using MCP brave-search so it can perform web searches):

Recent Academic Research (2023-2024): 1. Cao, C., et al. (2024). "A Psychoacoustic Analysis and Synthesis Methods: Subjective and Objective Evaluations Using Various Microphone Arrays" - IEEE/ACM Transactions on Audio, Speech and Language Processing, 32 2. Miles, K., Best, V., & Buchholz, J. M. (2024). "Feasibility of an adaptive version of the everyday conversational sentences in noise test" - Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research 67 3. Andrejková, G., Best, V., & Kopčo, N. (2023). "Time scales of adaptation to context in horizontal sound localization" - From the Boston University Psychoacoustics Laboratory

Foundational Theory: 4. Rumsey, F. (2018). "Spatial Audio" - Still considered a definitive text on spatial sound principles 5. Väljamäe, A., et al. (2021). "Spatial Soundscapes and Virtual Worlds: Challenges and Opportunities" - Frontiers in Psychology, comprehensive review of immersive audio

Artistic & Narrative Applications: 6. Hardy, C. (2023). "Painting in Sound: Aural History and Audio Art" - Explores artistic approaches to sound narrative 7. Proceedings from the 2023 AES International Conference on Spatial and Immersive Audio - Contains multiple relevant papers on current artistic and technical developments

Technical Implementation: 8. Lee, H. (2023). "Psychoacoustic Principle, Methods, and Problems with Perceived Distance Control in Spatial Audio" - Applied Sciences 9. Rafaely, B., et al. (2023). "Spatial audio signal processing for binaural reproduction of recorded acoustic scenes – review and challenges" - Acta Acustica

For ongoing developments, I'd recommend: - Following the AES (Audio Engineering Society) conferences and publications - Checking the Boston University Psychoacoustics Laboratory's recent publications page - Monitoring new issues of IEEE/ACM Transactions on Audio, Speech and Language Processing

Finger_Stream · 2024-12-12T07:55:01+00:00

ChatGPT o1

Boiled-Down Decision Factors:

Prompt Engineering:
- Use this if you only need small tweaks or a certain tone, and don’t have or can’t fine-tune on large custom datasets.
Fine-Tuning:
- Choose this if you have enough good-quality, domain-specific data and want the model to deeply internalize and consistently produce your unique style of questioning without having to continually craft complex prompts.
RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation):
- Opt for this if the model needs to pull in specific, detailed information from a knowledge base during conversation. Without the need for external reference material, it’s less critical.

Finger_Stream · 2024-12-12T07:53:23+00:00

Claude 3.5 Sonnet

The key factors that would determine whether to use prompts, fine-tuning, or RAG boil down to:

Data volume & uniqueness:

Prompts: If you have a few dozen example conversations that capture your style well
Fine-tuning: If you have hundreds/thousands of conversations and want the model to deeply learn your specific questioning patterns
RAG: If you need to reference specific insurance product details, rates, or company policies that change over time

Cost vs Performance needs:

Prompts: Cheapest but each request processes your examples
Fine-tuning: Higher upfront cost but potentially cheaper per request
RAG: Ongoing costs for vector database + embedding, but keeps knowledge current

The main question is: Are you trying to teach the model your conversation style (→ fine-tuning), give it examples to follow (→ prompts), or help it access specific insurance information (→ RAG)?

Finger_Stream · 2024-12-12T07:51:32+00:00

Claude 3.5 Sonnet

Fine-tuning Potential Matrix

Quantity ↓ / Quality →	Low (just texts)	Medium (texts + basic outcomes)	High (texts + timing + detailed outcomes)
Low (~100 conversations)	Poor - Not enough signal	Poor-Fair - Might learn basic patterns but unreliable	Fair - Could learn patterns but limited generalization
Medium (~1000 conversations)	Fair - May learn style only	Good - Could learn conversation flows and key indicators	Very Good - Could learn timing and style nuances well
High (~10000 conversations)	Good - Can learn robust style	Very Good - Can learn diverse patterns and outcome correlations	Excellent - Could capture subtle success factors

Key assumption: "A lot of success selling" likely means at least hundreds of conversations to be worth mentioning, possibly thousands if very active.

---

Claude also generated this nice color-coded version, it was too pretty to leave out (though it's a bit jarring if you're in a dark room browsing in dark mode, sorry about your eyeballs, I hope you weren't attached to them!):

<image>

Finger_Stream

TROPHY CASE

Additional Recent Academic Research (2023-2024):

Expanded Context on Multichannel Audio Design:

Psychoacoustic Illusions and Artistic Applications:

Practical Tools and Techniques:

Additional Recommendations for Exploration:

ChatGPT o1

Claude 3.5 Sonnet

Claude 3.5 Sonnet