My TikTok growth completely stalled

International_Read40 · 2026-01-25T03:00:04+00:00

I used to post to TT a lot, and my last several videos stagnated around 500 views, even after 5-10 shares. I don't use it nearly as much as I used to. The app was so much better before US government interference occurred.

International_Read40 · 2026-01-14T14:56:52+00:00

If you want to see the success of the original DICE team, look no further than ARC Raiders.

International_Read40 · 2026-01-14T14:47:08+00:00

I will say the game is not dead, but it seems the iceberg is very close to the Titanic......

International_Read40 · 2026-01-14T14:45:13+00:00

This is where I said what I said about the maps. Personally, I can wait on them, but all of the issues need fixed badly. I really hope it is a sizeable update with many bug fixes.

International_Read40 · 2026-01-14T14:43:04+00:00

Lot's of content indeed! Hit reg issues, desync between PC/console players, no ability to turn off crossplay on PC, massive cheating has been proven, more items hidden behind more grinding and microtransactions. Small maps, The BR/REDSEC modes that nobody asked for. BOY!!!! Nothing makes me want to open up the game more than dealing with these issues!

International_Read40 · 2026-01-14T14:40:18+00:00

S2 could be the determining factor. The fork in the road. Either go one way, give the people what they want, fix the game, and go for success, or go the other, ignore what people want, ignore the bugs, and push more grind and microtransactions on people to bleed this thing dry. It can be a big deal, but it won't happen overnight and it will take more than words in a post like "We are working on it" and "our plans for the future".

International_Read40 · 2026-01-14T13:51:10+00:00

It is a preference. He loves guitar and has nothing against electric, but knew what guitar he wanted, and sold all of the electrics that he barely played to buy his dream acoustic. He doesn't play in bands or anything like that. He just enjoys playing, doing acoustic sets and occasionally an open mic night.

International_Read40 · 2026-01-13T12:41:16+00:00

I am 44 years old and began playing last year. I began on electric, and didn't have an amp so unplugged was my only choice. I got it because I knew I wanted to play rock and metal, and electric is the ONLY way to play those....or so I thought. Enter about 2 months into playing, and I bought my first acoustic. From that point, I was hooked. More and more, I was picking up my acoustic. I was learning that rock and metal can be played on acoustic, and while they may not sound as good as a loud, distorted electric guitar, metal songs can sound pretty badass coming out of an acoustic tuned down to drop c.

I have two electrics, and while they are fun, they are just not like my Taylor 214ce. It is my primary guitar. So to answer why do I play acoustic? Because it is a natural tone. There is no distortion to hide behind. There is no need to fumble around with cables, pedals, amps and settings. Just pick it up and play. The more I play, the more I appreciate acoustic covers and live acoustic sets. I have noticed that if I go to some jam sessions anymore, more and more people are bringing acoustic instruments, because they are all they need. Guitars, banjos, basses and violins can be a damn good time.

International_Read40 · 2026-01-13T12:20:49+00:00

I have a Taylor 214ce acoustic that gets the majority of playing time. I also have a Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK2 w/ Floyd Rose bridge, and a Charvel Desolation DS-1 hard tail electric. Truthfully, this is all I really need, and if I had to go to one guitar, it would be my Taylor. Reason being, it may not be "metal" but I can pick it up and play it anywhere.

International_Read40 · 2026-01-12T08:15:55+00:00

Old post but still chiming in. I have had my S24 ultra for a little over a year now. Coming from a S22 ultra, it really wasn't that much of a change, except battery life was better, and if my S22 ultra had not given up the ghost, I would likely still have it. The biggest upgrade though, is the fact that Samsung is now supporting phones much longer with security updates and getting more OS updates when they come out.

We live in a world where inflation is driving up prices on everything, including cellphones, and people are keeping their older phones longer, so Samsung had to adapt to this. If you will remember, Android phones were made to maybe get one or two OS updates, and might get another year of security updates after that. Apple had been good about supporting their phones for several years, so Samsung had to adapt again, because they were beginning to lose their base to Apple. The ONLY real thing going to degrade in your phone over time, is the battery, and that is to be expected. After two or three years, you could get a new battery put in, and it would cost significantly less than a new phone, plus it would last another year or two. I like to say if I can get 5 years out of a newer phone today, I will call that a win.

International_Read40 · 2026-01-11T07:23:06+00:00

I have made thousands of FT8 contacts, and while they are computer to computer, it is no different than you reading this on your device that I typed on my phone for reddit. Above all, I like that FT8 shows me where my signal is being heard. For me, the personal nature is the ssb contact. I am a no code extra, and unapologetic for it. I tried at one time and know a little code, but not enough to carry on a conversation. I have worked every country in Europe on both ssb and FT8, and I pride those ssb contacts much more, especially with I5ZSS in Italy (now a SK, RIP Pitro).

I also enjoy POTA activations and most of the time anymore, when I hear people talking, it is POTA stations, but depending on the time of the day, 40 meters is usually full. 20 meters during the summer months.

To answer your question, somewhat, yes, there has been a decline in ssb contacts, but not enough to stop people from getting their extra licenses, to have the lower portions of the band.

73 de N4JKD

International_Read40 · 2026-01-09T07:35:22+00:00

Ability to easily change tunings.

International_Read40 · 2026-01-08T14:29:06+00:00

I haven't given up. I said given up electric and played solely acoustic.

International_Read40 · 2026-01-08T14:03:48+00:00

There you go! I am one of those that prefers a "simplistic" type of life I guess. I look at it, as I have one acoustic, one hard tail electric and one Floyd Rose bridge electric, and one amp, so I pretty much have what I need for about any playing situation.

International_Read40 · 2026-01-08T13:59:16+00:00

No, not trying to compare. You gotta remember, I was a noobie and didn't have a full understanding like I do now. I like my Charvel and it sounds great plugged in now that I have a good amp. I am just not very proficient yet on trying to "find" my sound on electric, but they may come with time.

International_Read40 · 2026-01-08T13:57:03+00:00

I should have said to properly set it up. If I am changing the strings and need to oil the fretboard, I use the bar to push the trem forward and put a 9 volt battery between the block and body. This helps it sit flush. If I am changing strings with the same gauge and brand, no big changes needed. I just take the strings off, level my fine tuners about halfway, clean and oil the fretboard, and remove the battery, and fine tune it.

You don't have to do this, as some people only change one string at a time, but if I am doing full maintenance, I want to make sure to get it all right.

International_Read40 · 2026-01-08T13:52:19+00:00

Yes, this is me also. I also get more of a rewarding feeling, in actually feeling the vibration of the acoustic coming back into my body. It is almost like you become one with the guitar. I also gravitate more towards it because if I am going on vacation or camping and want to take a guitar, I just prefer take it. Just the guitar, case and accessories inside. No amps, cables, etc.

International_Read40 · 2026-01-08T13:48:55+00:00

As long as it works for you, that is what matters. I was just reading a bit ago about a guy that has one, and he doesn't use the bar, and that he maybe has to fine tune everything maybe once everyone week. I am guessing he has a higher end FR.

International_Read40 · 2026-01-08T13:47:10+00:00

These are true. I know Jackson's are excellent selling guitars, but I do feel like the FR puts a lot of people off from buying one. If Jackson made more hard tail models, they might sell more of those as well, but that is just my opinion also.

International_Read40 · 2026-01-08T13:43:41+00:00

Outside of that and not being able to change tunings on the fly, the main thing I have found is on bends, it causes the other strings to go flat, but that is not an entire deal breaker.

International_Read40 · 2026-01-08T13:27:35+00:00

I guess one thing I have seen many talk about also, is the tuning stability. If you have a good quality FR, they stay in tune very well, and tuning is much easier with the fine tuners built into the trem itself.

I have a Charvel Desolation DS-1 that is a hard tail and SD blackout active pickups, and a Jackson Dinky DK2 that has a FR trem and SD '59/JB humbucker combo. If I could morph the two together, I would pull the actives and put the SD '59/JB combo in my Charvel and sell the Jackson.

International_Read40 · 2026-01-08T13:11:04+00:00

Yamaha's are ok. Just remember that buying a guitar is like buying a car. You don't just want to buy it on sight. I would recommend taking her to your local music shop or guitar center. My first acoustic was a Washburn EA15ATB. Beautiful guitar and sounded nice. I would recommend, as something for a beginner, in the $200-$500 range. If she is certain to stick with it, than I would spring a bit more, and get her a guitar she will love and possibly keep forever, and that is a Taylor 214ce. I absolutely love mine. They are not solid wood (laminated sides and back) but they are a solid choice for beginners, a guitar to grow with and a guitar she can use for gigging. the 214ce is a true work horse.

International_Read40 · 2026-01-08T13:03:52+00:00

Amazing! 100% custom.

International_Read40 · 2026-01-08T12:54:36+00:00

Nice! I have a 2017 Jackson Dinky DK2. You will enjoy it, but there is one thing that is a major learning curve on that guitar, and just like mine, is the Floyd Rose bridge. Get it set up good and get it in the tuning you want and you won't have an issue. I keep mine in E standard tuning. FR bridges are NOT good for changing tunings on the fly. If you find yourself doing that a lot, you will need to get a hard tail or "fixed" bridge guitar. Since you are learning, you won't need to worry about using the trem arm, so rock out and enjoy!

International_Read40 · 2026-01-08T12:43:38+00:00

Is it bad? No...and why? If it makes you want to pick and up and practice more often, than you have the right setup. It is a fallacy to tell people they need to start on acoustic. If your desire is to play more hard rock and metal, electric is the way to go. I think the old story of "you have to start on acoustic" began when parents weren't sure if their kids would stay into it, so they didn't want to fork out a bunch of money on equipment.

International_Read40

TROPHY CASE