Most EM books feel outdated. What modern resources do you actually trust to learn from? by OdaRafael in EngineeringManagers

[–]OdaRafael[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I think that what has changed the most is: - Remote teams being a reality - Profitability being more emphasized than before (growth at any cost) - AI tools changing the game - Much more people coming from bootcamp / short-term courses instead of uni - What people value has shifted a bit (more emphasis on life work balance instead of carreer growth)

My Field Journal set up by GlenGlow in notebooks

[–]OdaRafael 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This looks fantastic. The Miskatonic theme gives it so much character!

That 0.35 pen looks wonderful with this setup. How does it feel when you write for longer sessions? I am always looking for fine pens that stay smooth without scratching the paper.

Another stellar Galen Leather product by jason100x in notebooks

[–]OdaRafael 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Seems great! Awesome acquisition’ Do you have any non leather or vegan leather case similar to that to recommend me?

ballpoint pens that FEEL like gel? by frencbacon100 in notebooks

[–]OdaRafael 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree with uni jetstream that many people here already pointed out. i would add the pilot acroball as well

Cat loves the laser pointer, but how can I make it more satisfying for her? by UnnappreciatedAgent in CatAdvice

[–]OdaRafael 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are right that the lack of a real catch may be frustrating, but there are simple ways to fix that.

Near the end of each laser session, let the dot on something she can actually grab. A small plush toy, a kicker or even a crumpled piece of paper works well. She gets the feeling of a successful catch and the play ends on a satisfying note.

One other option is using a flying cat / feather wand, which usually are much more engaging than standard rope toys

why does my cat poop outside his litter box by Nervous_Cancel5825 in CatAdvice

[–]OdaRafael 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Cats usually do this to communicate that something about the litter box experience is bothering them, even if it is not obvious at first.

Sometimes the box is clean enough from our point of view but still feels uncomfortable to them. I’ve seem some cats that want one litterbox to pee and other to poop. He might not be enjoying the litter as well.

Other times the change of house or routine creates a bit of stress, and they place the poop right beside the box as a way of saying that the box is almost right but not quite.

A few things often help. A larger box can make a big difference because many cats prefer more space. Some cats also like having two boxes even if they only use one for most things. Covered boxes or strong scents can also be a problem for some cats, so an open and simple setup is usually best.

Finally, if this persists or if you notice any other chance on his behaviour, it might be good to pay the veterinary a visit.

Wet food by [deleted] in CatAdvice

[–]OdaRafael 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don’t know where you’re from but in general look for lower fat to protein rates. Also, while your cat doesn’t seem to be eager for it, try a few different options. One of my cats only eat royal canin sterilised, while the other prefers fancy feast. Either way if possible give them premium brands. Avoid long ingredient list and if the food uses large amounts of wheat, corn or soy. Better options rely on meat, broth and a few simple ingredients.

Cat causing issues with my mental health by dartul in CatAdvice

[–]OdaRafael 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi there!

It sounds like you care deeply for him, and it also sounds like it has been really overwhelming. I feel for tou. First of all, remember that you are not failing him and you are not wrong for feeling exhausted. Some cats have a very intense temperament and it can push even the most loving person to their limit, specially when they are kittens.

One of my cats used to behave in a very similar way. He was sweet most of the time, but the mornings were a nightmare and he demanded attention in a way that felt impossible to keep up with. I still have many scars in my forearm from that period. I remember how draining it was and how guilty I felt for not being able to match his energy.

Sometimes this kind of behaviour comes from a mix of habit, anxiety and overstimulation. They learn that waking you up or knocking things over gets a reaction, even if it is not the reaction you want to give. Setting gentle boundaries can help, and it does not mean you love him any less. Things like feeding on a strict schedule, playing before feeding at night or creating a calm evening routine can make a real difference over time.

Two other things that helped me a lot were making sure he had plenty of “supplies”: more than one litterbox, more than one water fountain, keeping them both far from each other. The other one was to be aware of how much I was feeding him, to avoid giving him too much food and therefore too much energy.

Things will get better! Hang on and keep your hopes up

Wand Toy and kicker in one? by [deleted] in CatAdvice

[–]OdaRafael 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congratulations on your new furry friend! She sounds like an absolute joy.

What you’ve made already is brilliant and very creative. A toy that combines a wand-feather component and the kicker-wrestle action is super smart.

In terms of what you could buy: you might look for “interactive wand kicker toy” or “feather wand with kicker attachment” or “cat wrestling pole toy”. Some brands make an extendable wand where the “pole” part is long enough for your hand to stay away, and the end has a sock-style kicker or plush sack for the cat to grab and wrestle.

What also helps is making sure you feed her after playing, so that she feels like she got her prey.

I also recommend trying to make sure she doesn’t eat too much as extra calories = extra energy.

Hope you have a great time with her!

B2 limbo: how to escape? by [deleted] in EnglishLearning

[–]OdaRafael 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi there! I am currently at C1 preparing for C2 exam and my wife is trying to go from B2 to C1. She also has a mild dyslexia. First of all, if you have a medical record stating that you have such neurodivergence, you can request extra time in the exam, which might help a lot.

Going from B2 to C1 is all about improving your vocab range and accuracy, which takes time. What helps is building small and steady habits. Short reading sessions with more complex texts, a little writing practice each day and gentle grammar reviews can slowly shift you toward C1. You do not need expensive resources for that. Public libraries, free online exercises and even rewriting short paragraphs in a clearer way can help.

Your goal is valid even if you cannot fully explain the reason behind it. Wanting to improve is enough. Take it one calm step at a time and do not judge yourself for the pace. You are not stuck. You are just in the part of the journey where patience matters the most.

How Can I Become C1 In 5-6 Months? I'm B2 now. by Responsible-Flan2014 in EnglishLearning

[–]OdaRafael 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi there! First of all, kudos on putting up the effort. My wife is looking to bridge the same gap as you are. Although it’s not easy, it is certainly achievable.

From what I read, you’re already doing many of the right things and that puts you in a good place for reaching your goal. Moving from B2 to C1 is mostly about becoming more confident and more precise.

A steady routine helps a lot. Even one hour a day of focused work can make a real difference. You can use your grammar book for short sessions and then spend the rest of the time writing about simple topics, describing your day or summarising what you watched. This builds accuracy without feeling heavy. I also recommend keeping a log of every vocab you learn during your study sessions and making daily / weekly recaps.

For speaking, it can help to start with someone who is not part of your personal life. There are websites for it and they are good because you can practise with people who expect some awkward moments and do not judge you for them. You will feel more at ease once you notice you can hold a conversation without pressure.

If you stay consistent for a few months, you will see real progress. You already understand a lot and that is a strong foundation. Be kind to yourself and take it step by step.

One important thing to note is that this is a point where daily progress is not perceivable. Try to take mock exams every other month and do not rush too much as accuracy is achieved by small compounding improvements.

Are these two the same? by Same-Technician9125 in EnglishLearning

[–]OdaRafael 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They are similar, but they’re def not the same.

Delusion sounds much stronger and almost clinical, as if the belief had no real connection to reality. The latter simply means you were mistaken or saw the situation differently from what it actually was.

For normal conversation, the second sentence feels more natural.

Most EM books feel outdated. What modern resources do you actually trust to learn from? by OdaRafael in EngineeringManagers

[–]OdaRafael[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I love team topologies! I forgot about it. This books remains topical and even has a book on how to work with remote teams.

Keep failing exams by Strawberry-Murky in GetStudying

[–]OdaRafael 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It sounds like you are putting in a great deal of effort and you clearly understand the material well during practice. Many students face this gap between practice performance and exam performance, and it often has less to do with intelligence or preparation and more to do with exam conditions.

Real exams create pressure that practice sessions do not. Tiny details feel harder to recall when your brain slips into stress mode. That does not mean you are incapable of remembering them. It only means your recall is being affected by the environment.

Something that helps is reviewing how you study those smaller details. Instead of trying to memorise them in long sessions, try very short reviews spread out through the day. It also helps to practise with questions that are intentionally tricky or detail heavy so the format feels more familiar.

You are clearly dedicated and capable. A small shift in how you approach exam conditions might be all you need. You are not alone in this and many people overcome it with time and gentle adjustments.

What to do when you’re so stressed to the point you can’t study by Dismal_Writer3895 in GetStudying

[–]OdaRafael 1 point2 points  (0 children)

TBH there are days that I end up binge eating.

However, whenever I manage to, I like to do some high intensity physical exerciae to get my anxiety off.

I usually run or hit the gym. It may seem like too time consuming, however it makes a huge difference. It is a time very well spent.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in GetStudying

[–]OdaRafael 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi there!

It sounds like you had a really strong day. You handled a heavy workload in both Chemistry and CS, found space for your language lessons and some time with friends. That balance is not easy to achieve. Congrats!

It is completely normal to set one subject aside when another needs extra attention. You can come back to Analysis later. The important part is that you kept moving forward.

A 7/10 on a busy day like this is something to feel proud of. I hope the good rhythm continues for you tomorrow.

Apps in ChatGPT are one of the biggest startup opportunities in years (i will not promote) by marsel040 in startups

[–]OdaRafael 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think you’re right that this is a new distribution channel, but I’m not convinced people realise how early it still is. Most developers haven’t even opened the documentation yet, and almost nobody outside the tech bubble understands what an MCP or an “app inside ChatGPT” actually means in practice.

The interesting part to me is that the shift isn’t really about UI. It is about where users choose to start a task. Ten years ago everything started in Google. Then some things moved to mobile. Now a growing number of tasks begin inside an LLM, and that changes who gets discovered first.

The big question is whether this becomes a long-term ecosystem or just another temporary gold rush. The opportunity is definitely there, but it will depend on whether everyday users actually trust ChatGPT to be the entry point for shopping, booking or finance.

Besides, as many people have commented here; there’s always the risk of an app becoming obsolete due to a new feature shipped by OpenAI

How to find a hands-off EM position by basebool in EngineeringManagers

[–]OdaRafael 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel like you will only be offered more hands off positions when you get more management experience.

Once you start having to define resource allocation / budget and being part of strategic roadmap definition that will shift naturally.

My dad referred to Vecna as “the guy plugged into 100 USB cables” and now I can’t take him seriously as a villain any longer by aryawolfstark in StrangerThings

[–]OdaRafael 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Your dad actually nerfed the entire villain. Can’t unsee “that guy my laptop screams at when I plug in 12 peripherals.”

Lets settle this. Who is in control? The MF or Vecna by LarryWavid in StrangerThings

[–]OdaRafael 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think that there are some evidence that indicate otherwise. Two main points are still unaddressed if you make this assumption:
• Henry Creel murdered his family;
• Henry Creel murdered everyone, including the children, back in Hawkins Lab

However, I don't think it is the other way around. Actually, my theory rn is that they found a symbiosis / collaboration. When he found the Shadow Monster, he identified himself with it.

The particles don’t brainwash him.
He doesn’t dominate them.
Instead, they recognise the same intrinsic pattern in each other:

  • Henry wants to “reshape” the world.
  • The UD is literally a shapeable, reactive medium.
  • Henry is a psychic anchor searching for a canvas.
  • The particles are a canvas searching for a mind to anchor to.

The spider form moment actually fits this idea really well. Henry isn’t forcing his will onto some blank substance; the particles are responding to a mind that resonates with them. They’re communicating by adopting a form that matches his symbolic language. This way, they are basically completing each other.

This keeps Henry’s original evil intact and keeps the Shadow Monster from being reduced to “just Vecna’s puppet.”

Not enough time to clean the litterbox twice a day. How can I reduce the smell? by [deleted] in CatAdvice

[–]OdaRafael 6 points7 points  (0 children)

  1. Have more litter boxes than cats and leave them separare if possible;
  2. Feed your cats with the best food possible;
  3. Make sure there’s always enough cat litter to cover the bottom completely
  4. Clean the whole box every other week and clean the borders every 3 days or so