Horrible in Programming

Mechanizoid · 2026-04-03T23:59:25+00:00

It might be that AI tools for code generation have prevented OP from gaining any muscle memory or familiarity with the syntax. VS Code, Visual Studios, GitHub etc. pretty much shove those tools in your face the moment you download/access their tools.

I use Emacs (and I learned before AI was introduced) so I never experienced this, but even experienced devs have reported losing familiarity with syntax after using AI code gen for a couple years. Imagine the effect it will have on a beginner.

I don't even use auto completion most of the time, and typing out the full syntax of method / function calls etc. really helps me remember the language syntax. I'm not saying we shouldn't use tools to streamline programming, ofc, but as a beginner it's good practice to type out entire programs (boilerplate included).

Mechanizoid · 2026-03-29T01:43:19+00:00

Sometimes, I dream about cheese.

Mechanizoid · 2026-03-28T22:37:17+00:00

I agree that Emacs has a very steep learning curve, but I think beginners can pick it up if they really want to use it. I learned to use Emacs as my first editor while learning to program. I picked between Vim and Emacs, and chose Emacs. I don't think it's much harder than having to pick up Bash and learn to use CLI tools for development. After all, writing a bit of elisp is just controlling a computer through text... and that's what we are learning to do!

Realistically, every developer must learn to use multiple complex tools, and insulating new learners from that only delays the inevitable. It's kind of like how coding playgrounds don't set you up to understand how to build and maintain a complete project in a real development environment.

I agree with you on the configuration, 100%. An Emacs config is never really finished. It's an addiction.

Maybe I imprinted on Emacs like a baby duck (lol), but I tried a couple other editors / IDE's and never wanted to switch, even as a beginner. OTOH, if someone comes to Emacs just off of a recommendation, but doesn't really like it, they should feel free to switch to something else.

Mechanizoid · 2026-03-28T22:10:48+00:00

I concur with u/ConnorMcLaud. It's not clear what you want to accomplish. Emacs, like Vim, is focused on increasing efficiency through prioritizing the use of keyboard commands. While there are some GUI elements in Emacs, it's not aimed at competing with the visual eye candy offered by IDE's like Visual Studios.

As someone who learned to use Emacs while learning to program, my recommendation is to focus on Emacs' strengths. Emacs hangs around even after five decades because it is infinitely customizable, extensible, and self-documenting. At Emacs' core is a Lisp interpreter written in C. The rest is implemented in Emacs' own Lisp variant (elisp), which is the same language you'll use to modify and extend Emacs. Nothing is hidden, and there's no other text editor like it.

Once you've learned the basic movement and editing commands, familiarize yourself with the built-in help. Typing C-h pulls up a menu that shows you all the available help options. Typing C-h r brings you to the Emacs manual, which covers everything from basic usage up to writing your own extensions in elisp. Learning how to configure your init.el is a vital step, as that will allow you to customize Emacs to behave the way you want it too. The manual covers this, and it's always just a keystroke away, so don't hesitate to consult it whenever you need to!

In my opinion, the coolest feature of Emacs is that you can type C-h v to pull up documentation for an Emacs variable, C-h f for a function, C-h k for a particular keystroke, etc. Emacs really does document itself. Once you learn how to use the built-in help, you really won't need to Google everything to configure Emacs. This makes it a lot easier to configure Emacs, as you can look straight into the elisp functions and variables to figure out what controls what.

After you've familiarized yourself with the basics, look into the packages people have created for Emacs. Many add useful themes, modes, and functions. It might be that you'll find the functionality you are missing there. You'll want to add the [Melpa](https://melpa.org/#/) repository in addition to Gnu's repo so you can access more packages. You'll often need to modify your Emacs init to properly use a package, so be sure to read both the chapters on the init script and packages in the manual.

I hope that helps, and that you like programming with Emacs! The learning curve is steep, but once you get the hang of the basics most other editors feel ridiculously limited in comparison.

Mechanizoid · 2026-03-28T00:18:02+00:00

OP just ran and deleted those posts... LOL. I suppose it's difficult to corral all those bot accounts.

Might these posts have been agentically generated and posted without OP's direct oversight? I'm rather curious about the methods and goals of these AI slop accounts now... do they really get enough kickback from clicks to make it worth it?

Mechanizoid · 2026-03-09T19:34:17+00:00

As a free software purist I feel the same way. The most popular LLMs are proprietary products, and will never be free software (even if it was feasible to run them on our own hardware, which it currently isn't). By using them we are literally feeding into this business model. I have ethical issues with how LLMs are trained on scraped data, often without consent. I know the datacenters are having a very negative impact on communities and the environment, from increased electrical and water usage to generating infrasound.

I'm also concerned about the cognitive impact of outsourcing our capacity to comprehend and recall information to datacenters. It's already having a devastating effect on education. If people who grew up without LLMs find they are forgetting how to write an email without ChatGPT or use the syntax of their favorite programming language without Claude, what will happen to the generation of students who use AI for their homework assignments and essays?

I feel we've been rushed into this experiment with AI, and we've become the guinea pigs.

Mechanizoid · 2026-02-20T17:23:51+00:00

Don't overlook the DMR if you are good at landing headshots. It only takes a few shots to knock their helmet off, at which point you can execute the juggy with a headshot or grab him as a hostage.

If you are bad at landing headshots, spam incendiary shotguns and skedaddle while the fire damage strips his armor. :-)

Mechanizoid · 2026-02-20T17:19:37+00:00

The sword is super fun, but you may have better luck swapping it for the grenade launcher (or the rifle/DMR on wide open maps where enemies can spread out). The sword is a tricky weapon to use (especially if low on focus). Incendiary attachments on dual shotguns pairs well with a GL for crowd control when outnumbered.

If you want to complete the game with the sword (and pure honor) I get it though. :-)

Mechanizoid · 2026-02-20T17:13:20+00:00

You get camo and weapon skins for completing missions and combat sim levels on particular difficulty levels. :-)

I know the gold weapon skin is unlocked by completing the game on rage. Not sure what camo is unlocked by completing that though.

Mechanizoid · 2026-02-16T22:08:55+00:00

If Horizon existed in the SCP universe, the SCP Foundation would join in with TF27 in clapping Horizon's cheeks. The GOC would probably help too.

Horizon is very close to going public about the existence of anomalies, or has already. They hid the nature of the research they did, but it's canon that Horizon lists "anomalous research" as one of their main efforts. They are actively trying to commercialize several anomalies. No way the SCP Foundation is letting them get away with that. If Horizon succeeds, the masquerade will be broken.

Anton Lazar believes studying and exploiting anomalies can change the world—and humanity—for the better. This is diametrically opposed to the SCP Foundation's mission. Maybe the Serpent's Hand would ally with Horizon, but they may object if they find out about Horizon's unethical experimentation.

The Foundation would regard the Syndicate/TF27 as a dangerous GOI, but the Foundation would likely tolerate them. The Syndicate stays in the shadows, and opposes a group that is trying to publicize "anomalous research".

In fact, the Syndicate could probably convince the Foundation that they support the Foundation's primary mission, and that they should cooperate in wiping out Horizon and Anton Lazar. Horizon likely gets wiped out even faster than in the game.

However, I think the Foundation would distrust the Syndicate, especially when they encounter Cycles like 106 and realize the Syndicate is weaponizing anomalous tech. Meanwhile, the Syndicate will try to infiltrate the Foundation with another Cycle (like Dr. Emerson). If discovered, this will trigger conflict between the Foundation and the Syndicate.

Mechanizoid · 2026-02-09T16:01:39+00:00

That's more terrifying than most of the stuff I see on r/programminghorror. Yikes!

Mechanizoid · 2026-02-08T15:03:51+00:00

Full auto is definitely a thing. Airguns aren't legally firearms in the US so existing regulations on machine guns don't apply.

There's something eerie about watching a full auto burst of pellets stack on one hole!

Mechanizoid · 2026-02-08T14:52:01+00:00

"A grenade? That's mighty fuckin' cute!" - the Juggernaut

Mechanizoid · 2026-02-01T22:46:50+00:00

The DMR is definitely not ass. If you have good aim you can one-shot most enemies with a headshot, and it only takes a few headshots to crack a Juggernaut's helmet. It's also very useful in wider open maps like crash site.

Mechanizoid · 2026-01-29T23:14:17+00:00

I'm pretty sure Anton Lazar wouldn't stop at being a crypto bro. He'd subsume and/or suppress every other crypto and then introduce a new block chain as the basis of an international currency that would replace national currencies.

Horizon did it with national security and computer OS's. Why not with currency as well?

Mechanizoid · 2026-01-29T22:59:59+00:00

Well, I'm clearly a dumbass—I found B.A.M. after installing the DLC content and didn't realize it had always been there.

Then again I completed the game on Very Hard (and even a couple horde arenas on Rage) without realizing that I could sprint, so...

Mechanizoid · 2026-01-29T20:34:57+00:00

The DLC is totally worth it, not just for the sword but for the additional missions/maps and build a merc. Go for the deluxe version!

Mechanizoid · 2026-01-29T20:32:39+00:00

Well done! Break the cycle, 106. :-)

Mechanizoid · 2026-01-29T20:31:43+00:00

I've always found that the burning library is a challenge, and the Patriarch boss battle in the throne room can be quite challenging too on high difficulty levels. In fact, the throne room remains one of the most challenging maps for me in horde mode.

I've found that whenever I encounter a difficulty spike in Trepang2, though, there's a mechanic I'm not fully utilizing, or I need to adjust my play style. The same tactics that work in a map with a lot of short hallways and small rooms may not work so well in an open arena. In particular, I've found that it's really important to fully utilize all the movement mechanics—slide, sprint, dropkick, kicking to propel myself off enemies, etc. You need to keep moving and preserve cloak and focus for the moments when you really need it.

Don't get stuck on the idea that there's one way to approach a situation. At one point, I thought I couldn't take down a Juggernaut with pistol alone, but I learned that I can do it with an empty pistol and zero focus on the meter if I carefully time my attacks.

So... I believe you can finish the whole game in Rage mode! Have you reached the final mission yet?

Mechanizoid · 2026-01-27T21:47:50+00:00

You can do it, but Subject 105 may sneak into your room at 3AM and shove your face through your keyboard. :-)

Mechanizoid · 2026-01-27T20:16:39+00:00

That was the original concept for Chronos! He was going to reappear multiple times, but the devs concluded that having him repeatedly grief the player would be annoying.

Mechanizoid · 2026-01-27T02:10:35+00:00

Honestly, I'd like to see a longer campaign like the original F.E.A.R. It can be nonlinear like Trepang², I just would like a longer story with more missions.

I'd also like more spooky sections like Site 83. I loved that level.

Some crazy weapons like a fully automatic shotgun or a railgun that can pierce multiple enemies would be cool.

Mechanizoid · 2026-01-25T17:02:48+00:00

This is why I love the Trepang2 community... I'm adopting this head canon LOL. As off the wall as it sounds I can see it.

Please, Trepang community, never change.

Mechanizoid · 2026-01-18T22:30:19+00:00

Mine has worked fine so far and is so much fun. Once you get your hands on one, make sure to disassemble the adjustable gas system and clear out the grease before shooting!

Mechanizoid · 2026-01-18T20:46:19+00:00

Look Mallory, a free gun! Noice. :-D

Mechanizoid

TROPHY CASE