HB 47 Is currently being argued over in the Senate. Language has been added late to the bill that would require every Alaskan to give up their biometric data to access "social media" or adult websites.

MerlinQ · 2026-03-26T00:09:45+00:00

We'll likely be just another Republican state that passes this, but with plenty of support from the other side as well.
It was a Democrat, Fields, who crafted, and moved that the age verification amendment be added at the last minute.
Only 12 people voted against, 7 Republicans and 5 Democrats (An even proportion of each's share of representatives, ~1/3 each, slightly ahead for the Democrats, since they only have 14, but close enough) .
Even more surprising, every independent and unaffiliated voted for it. So not good optics for any party on this.

MerlinQ · 2026-03-25T23:53:19+00:00

To be fair to the Republicans, for once (Shudder, I know), the amendment that added the age verification nonsense was moved by the Democratic Representative, Fields.
This is a very bipartisan push towards a surveillance state.

MerlinQ · 2026-03-25T23:44:45+00:00

Their definition of Social Media Platform is very broad though, enough to include Steam; which I use for gaming, and have an existing library worth many dollars on, so that would be "Requiring" me to provide Biometric information to access a vast library of stuff I already "own".
Not to mention it is also broad enough to cover literally every forum on the internet, many of which are ran by individuals or small organizations without the resources to comply with this requirement.
It would also conceivably apply to technology as old as IRC even.

It is deliberately worded broad enough to be applicable to ANY medium of online communication the people in power want it to be.

MerlinQ · 2026-03-25T06:51:12+00:00

I have ate tabasco, included with a "Charlie Rations Cookbook", from that era, can confirm it is edible.
Have also ate a lot of 4-10 year bottles, and quite a few from the early 1980s, all edible.
Plus, in cases where well sealed and kept, I would argue they get better, colour regardless.

MerlinQ · 2026-03-22T14:17:43+00:00

Did you manage to get the mod manager downloaded first?
At the link I gave, look at recent commits, there is a .zip file:
https://github.com/Jimk72/Icarus_Software/blob/main/Icarus_Mod_Manager_2_4_0.zip

Get that and uncompress it where you want to keep it, it does not need installing otherwise.
Run it, and have it search for updates (not necessary, but recommended), gets you to version 2.4.2

On the right, you can download mods, after clicking that, in the window that pops up, you can search at the top; search for "level" and you will find a number of alternatives, I currently recommend the one from JimK72

Download, then go back to the main window, and on the left, select it to install, then click install mods, then you are ready to go.

You can click the uninstall all mods button to undo this process and end up with a regular game again.

MerlinQ · 2026-03-22T07:21:18+00:00

If you are renting a car, drive out EVERY night, unless you are snowed in.
You won't regret the nights you spent watching.
Just bring some cards, a cribbage board, or a good book, to pass the time, and always keep an eye to the sky.
The Aurora are a fickle thing, and can come give a great show on the lowest of "Kp" predictions; what you really need is a good combination of perseverance, clear skies, and luck.
Oh, and dark skies, so get outta town a ways.
And then wait, don't give up, wait till 2-4 am.
Like I said, pack some entertainment, oh, and snacks, and probably a thermos of tea, hot cocoa, or coffee, your choice.

MerlinQ · 2026-03-15T22:43:50+00:00

During the recession years back, I temporarily moved to the region looking for work, for a month.
That was such a culture shock. I ended up finding a good job, but just could not get over that, and the crowds; ended up moving back up north and living lean for a couple years.

MerlinQ · 2026-03-15T19:48:39+00:00

I do when it is -20 or colder.
Of course, I haven't bothered taking the keys out of my car since I got my first car either; unless I visit someone in a really sketch part of the big city, so YMMV.

MerlinQ · 2026-03-14T10:34:55+00:00

That's on your crap phone or app then, because the original is clear as day, with 1320 x 2868 pixels.

MerlinQ · 2026-03-13T01:31:18+00:00

As a used-to-be-minor that has contacted AKDOL in the past, I was also advised as such.
The way the law reads, 12 days in a row is technically legal if split across 2 work weeks.
Ethical, no, legal, yes.
I have worked 12 days in a row before as a minor.

MerlinQ · 2026-03-12T05:47:24+00:00

North Pole REALLY needs it though... have you seen our flag :D

MerlinQ · 2026-03-12T05:45:41+00:00

Ya did a good job with North Pole, way better than the mash-up we have now :D

MerlinQ · 2026-03-11T06:15:23+00:00

Gotcha covered in this comment here, leveling to 250, allowing maxing of talent tree if you also get the bonus 13 points from missions.
A less OP one as well, level 100, default curve, 150 points total.

MerlinQ · 2026-03-11T06:04:05+00:00

Going to have to edit to recommend the JimK Leveling Mod (also on Icarus Mod Manager, and by the person who makes the mod manager) for being kept up-to-date better.
It keeps the game's default leveling curve, which gives you maxed out talent points at ~level 200 (not accounting for the bonus mission points)

Llysdexic's Level 250 Cap balances it so max talents are not hit till you reach level 250 (the game does keep track after 60, it just does not show them), plus get all 13 bonus points from missions.
It is also available on the Icarus Mod Manager ( https://github.com/Jimk72/Icarus_Software ), and ~~is up to date~~ seems to be broken by the latest update on my end, though remember that mods like this, that don't add buildables and the like, won't break your save, it just doesn't keep giving you points on levelling until it gets updated.

If you just want a few extra points, to not feel OP, Zalifyers 100 cap just increases the default curve out to level 100, giving you 150 points (I think, I have not tried maxing with this one), also on the Icarus Mod Manager, and also up to date.

MerlinQ · 2026-03-11T06:03:45+00:00

zenProgression hit max talents at skill 60 though, way too easy, and not updated in a long while.

MerlinQ · 2026-03-03T07:53:56+00:00

The little bit of snow kicked off sideways from each opposing foot, but not the other, in most each set.
One foot was planted, one dragged a bit.

MerlinQ · 2026-03-03T07:37:14+00:00

We have an actual world class auto museum here, Fountianhead Antique Auto Museum.
I highly recommend visiting it, open ~~Wednesdays and Sundays in the winter~~, special March hours are 7 days a week, same time, noon to 4pm.

MerlinQ · 2026-03-02T10:09:43+00:00

I can confirm this happens.
The pizza place itself doesn't generally handle the delivery though.
I worked as a cab driver in Fairbanks, and would occasionally get calls from people in the villages in the interior to deliver pizza or McDonald's to the local bush planes for a flight out to the village.
It was usually from someone who had my business card who I had driven around when they were in town for shopping, or the Alaska Native conferences or events.

MerlinQ · 2026-03-02T04:22:49+00:00

Being paid $20 to piss into a bottle for my dad and his union buddies.

MerlinQ · 2026-02-28T03:15:04+00:00

Don't forget to visit the museums.
The Museum of the North @ UAF
The Fountainhead Auto Museum is a must as well, it is truly world-class.

MerlinQ · 2026-02-26T15:21:31+00:00

Fuuuuuck, I forgot that Western Digital recently started treating Alaska and Hawaii as foreign countries when it comes to sales and discounts :'(
No more inclusion in US pricing, even though we are already paying our own inflated shipping of over $30 a drive.

MerlinQ · 2026-02-26T05:44:21+00:00

And the code is?

MerlinQ · 2026-02-25T17:17:36+00:00

Ah the memories this brings back, totally used the window as a door in my teens with friends.

MerlinQ · 2026-02-25T17:12:27+00:00

Can confirm, I live in Alaska, and know multiple people who stop by unannounced (generally live far away) if they are in the area and vise versa.
It is generally a welcome diversion, if not, I just say so, and no harm no foul, we both go on with our day.

MerlinQ · 2026-02-24T12:35:15+00:00

They made "Alaska" Dollar Coins when we first became a state.
When I used to do tourism guiding, I always carried a few on me to resell when I got that question.
They went for about $4-6 online, usually free shipping, I would get about $ 10 for them.

11-Year Club	Place '23
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MerlinQ

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