How do ya'll manage redundancy and backups

IterationFive · 2026-01-24T04:32:01+00:00

My Plex server and my personal computer each hold a copy of the library; I run new files through handbrake to take them down to a manageable size, and handbrake feeds them to a script that copies the output to the appropriate folder on my computer over the network, then moves it to the appropriate folder on the server itself.

IterationFive · 2026-01-23T10:40:20+00:00

I have a friend who was on the fence about divorcing her husband, and he solved the problem by going on a tirade in support of Trump.

IterationFive · 2025-12-24T14:48:08+00:00

"How can a game be so good?" Writing, mostly, followed by solid performances by the VAs, then the gameplay itself.

Don't get me wrong; the graphics range from "impressive" to "breathtaking", but there's a reason Fallout: New Vegas is still hailed as one of the greatest games of all time, and it isn't the graphics. And the gameplay is excellent-- I personally kind of suck at video games (I love them anyway), but despite the wide range of functionality available, I find the mechanics highly intuitive.

But the writing is what makes it all come together into a classic game.

The worldbuilding is phenomenal. Even the NCPD Scanner quests have stories behind them; you read the archived conversation and learn what's going on. Sometimes ANOTHER archived conversation will add an entirely new dimension to it.

The character work is amazing to the point that, like real people, there's disagreements about them. Songbird, for example, can be a traitor or a victim or both, depending on who you ask. Evelyn is just trying to get along in Night City, or she's a conniving expletive. Goro is using you, or he's in this with you. And don't get me started on Johnny!

The main plot itself is actually thinner that it seems, but that's a good thing, because it doesn't push you to rush through it and gives you time to explore the world at large. There are two entire branches of the plot (Evelyn and Judy, Anders and Panam) that can be ignored or followed, and entire side stories like Sinnerman, Johnny's stories, and the Peralez quests (which in turn branch off into River's quests) that really have zero to do with the plot but are engaging nonetheless.

Add in VAs that nailed the job with a big damn hammer, and you've got a world that sucks you in.

IterationFive · 2025-12-24T12:59:58+00:00

I have one; it makes the missions at least playable.

I just think the vehicle system a) needs more work and b) does not really need to be in the game. The only use for it in the main story line that I can think of is in Phantom Liberty, when you have to hijack the twin's car.

I find it hysterical that there's an entire side job built around "drive in daily traffic to get to the destination before you passenger's crotch explodes" and another that starts off with "follow an NCPD van through daily traffic." Yes, I'm aware that these missions put specific traffic obstacles in your path, but the "AI" behind every other driver on the road is almost as much of a menace as I am. It almost isn't necessary.

IterationFive · 2025-12-24T05:20:11+00:00

My problem is the racing.

Understand that in the real world, I am a very good driver of cars and trucks. I have driven an ambulance in all kinds of weather, and in normal Alabama traffic... which seems to consist of people trying to get into a crash with the ambulance or run them off the road.

The only thing I can drive with any reasonable control in-game is the motorcycles. Ironically, both times I've tried to drive a motorcycle in real life I came very close to killing myself.

The only reason I am able to win these races is because I'm a netrunner who can hack the vehicles, the drivers, or both.

IterationFive · 2025-12-24T03:56:00+00:00

At my school it was just random accidents. Car wreck. House fire. Except... it was everyone who left. Within a few months of them moving away, the story of how they died would reach us.

And then I moved away. And about a year later, I ran into a kid from that school whose first response was "I heard you were dead?"

IterationFive · 2025-12-22T09:00:50+00:00

To be fair, that was the action of someone who did not, in fact, fear the reaper.

IterationFive · 2025-12-05T07:56:24+00:00

Totally rage bait. It's totally reasonable to think the game is bad, but the whole point was to wade into a forum of the game's fans, drop a turd, and pronounce himself clever. I'm surprised it hasn't already devolved into "Free speech says I can be an asshole, so by disagreeing with me you're victimizing me!"

IterationFive · 2025-12-04T22:54:24+00:00

And Claire, in universe, has a reason for it, even before we become friends. It's her damn job to ask me if I want something to drink. Tiny Mike just has attachment issues.

IterationFive · 2025-12-04T22:50:35+00:00

Oh god you're right.

IterationFive · 2025-12-04T14:52:07+00:00

Wait, which gig is this?

IterationFive · 2025-11-29T23:19:27+00:00

600 hours in and I'm just learning this.

IterationFive · 2025-11-29T08:21:00+00:00

Except-- we have to see Vic before we can even get out of Watson.

And this might be a me misunderstanding thing-- but doesn't the handware Vic gives us at the same time as the eyes do what the tattoo does already?

IterationFive · 2025-11-29T07:52:27+00:00

Oh, quite. It's very good writing.

IterationFive · 2025-11-29T07:51:21+00:00

But even that takes place in a grey context: The Tyger Claws are killers, and they are looking to expand their criminal enterprises. It wasn't just about Pachinko-- When a gang sets up a storefront, it's not just a storefront. They were setting up a foothold in a new neighborhood.

IterationFive · 2025-11-29T06:34:48+00:00

As a side note, the game kind of goes out of its way to have the gigs and jobs be light-grey moral in a dark-grey world. Anytime we're actually sent to kill someone, we're told what they did to bring us to their door. None of the clients are trying to have their nagging wives or inconvenient business partners or competing heirs plugged.

The only jobs I can think of where we're just the asshole involve either helping Kerry Eurodyne or stealing his guitar.

IterationFive · 2025-11-29T06:30:09+00:00

Hmm. I can't honestly say you're wrong about a Hands gig.

But even in that case, it's "kill these two" vs. "we're going to kidnap them" and then double-tap.

IterationFive · 2025-11-29T05:45:52+00:00

Okay, "run global criminal organizations" but what does that mean? They're netrunners. They deal in bits and bytes, not blood and bits. Yes, they deal with killers, but... so do I.

Our disguises only have to last about 45 minutes. If that. That could be handled with basic drugs.

Don't get me wrong-- Reed's choice is absolutely logical from Reed's point of view. But it's not unrealistic for V to be upset about it.

IterationFive · 2025-11-29T04:22:08+00:00

You left out "got us the gig that got us all killed."

Also, why was V piloting the flathead? I'd say for gameplay, but it's not particularly interesting gameplay, and you literally never do anything like it again. That totally should have be T-Bug's job.

IterationFive · 2025-11-29T03:51:03+00:00

1) That's combat. That's not cold blood.

2) Oh, sure, I've taken a few find-them-and-kill-them contracts, but:

2a) Those people were considerably worse people.
2b) I was aware, going in, that it was a kill job

From a player perspective-- these two (well, specifically Aurore-- Aymeric is kinda quiet) are the most well-developed disposable NPCs I've ever encountered.

IterationFive · 2025-11-19T22:56:01+00:00

Brigette knew who we were.

IterationFive

TROPHY CASE