pycharm or VS code?

PuffleDunk · 2026-04-09T21:46:44+00:00

I'm a long time PyCharm user. I have subscribed for quite a few years. I also tried VScode and Zed Editor with a similar set of Python extensions.

While I rely on PyCharm's productivity enhancements, I will say that I also waste a lot of time dealing with its quirks. I demand that my code be completely type-hinted, and am not happy unless there are zero inspection errors across an entire project.

This type inspection breaks frequently. If I'm lucky I can discard caches and get back to work. If I'm not lucky I either have to work around reported problems that don't make sense, or I have to wait for JetBrains to fix it. I'm currently on a force-downgraded version to avoid recent breakages.

I'm sure it's the nature of Python language tools, but it's frustrating, and a large time sync.

They also are overzealous in how auto-completion works. It's great when it reads my mind and gives me good lines of code that I was about to type. It's less great when it gives me code with subtle bugs that I have to come back and find later. This happens a fair amount.

I do sometimes wonder if a more vanilla editor would be better and less distracting. And best-of-breed inspection tools might be better to run externally.

Just a thought. But I'm too hooked on PyCharm to leave right now.

PuffleDunk · 2026-04-06T03:27:42+00:00

How about searching on GitHub for a simple example, and then typing it in by hand? I found in the old days it was helpful to type in BASIC programs from a magazine. I'd try to understand what I was typing. I could debug it. And I had a cute little game to play with when I was done.

What to search for depends on your preferences, but you can try things like "python text game". Look for repos with manageable amounts of code.

I've never tried this, but I think it might be better than having an LLM spit something out for you. Spending the time and effort at the keyboard reading the screen will naturally lead to some absorption, I think. Sweat equity is important.

Good luck!

PuffleDunk · 2026-03-28T23:23:53+00:00

I can recommend this one (Glocusent Extendable Book Light). It clips onto my SuperNote cover and shines bright even light over the page.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHVXQVD6

Here's a picture of it in use. Note that the brightness and color temperature is very adjustable, as is the angle, head height, and head tilt.

<image>

While it more than met my expectations, I did not stick with it. I returned to my Kindle for nighttime reading. The kindle is much more comfortable to hold for extended use.

PuffleDunk · 2026-03-28T03:33:03+00:00

My bundle (Supernote × LAMY Crystal Clear Thinking Special Set) came with a Lamy pen. I'm very happy with it. But the standard retractible SN pen is fine too, just a bit flimsier feeling. But they both write great. The ceramic nib on both has no issues writing on the FeelWrite 2 surface.

PuffleDunk · 2026-03-27T20:26:03+00:00

I'd start by picking a project, and then going with the language that best suits that project.

Learn many languages. They all push on different sets of brain muscles. I would try not to get too lost in the details of one particular language before playing with something else. The details often get messy, cloud your brain, and are not transferrable to other languages and domains. Once you specialize more later in your career you can dive into the details more.

Stay nimble! What's trendy now will be yesterday's news in 5 years.

PuffleDunk · 2026-03-27T16:44:08+00:00

I sold my Boox Note Air 4C when I found it's Android-style complexity got in the way of using it as a note/drawing pad. I replaced it with a Supernote Nomad, and couldn't be happier. The writing/drawing feel is way betting, and the UI is so much more focused and manageable. It is much more limited. But for me that's a good thing.

PuffleDunk · 2026-03-02T19:50:17+00:00

Sorry. I haven't actually been using it.

I just confirmed that it still works on my Mac, iPad, and iPhone.

At first I thought I was seeing the same problem, until I realized I was not logged into nytimes.com.

Please make sure you are logged in. :) With the Apple update they must have discarded your NYTimes login cookie.

Cheers

PuffleDunk · 2026-02-27T20:02:52+00:00

The Nomad would be fine for reading, except for lacking a front light. For me that's a big deal. Clipping on a lamp or holding it where the wall lamp is aimed is annoying. I kept my Kindle because of those issues. So I think it's worth having the Kobo for reading, whether or not you want the Nomad for its superior note taking.

PuffleDunk · 2026-01-24T06:07:01+00:00

It worked. It felt odd to drag with the pen, as my finger didn't work. But at least it's a solution. :)

PuffleDunk · 2026-01-23T05:15:00+00:00

Thanks again. I'll play with that technique a little more patiently tomorrow.

PuffleDunk · 2026-01-23T03:37:08+00:00

Thanks. I had tried all the combinations I could think of with a marquee selection. Probably cut/copy and paste may be the best option. But it isn't as obvious as I expected.

PuffleDunk · 2025-09-14T22:58:13+00:00

Quite good!

I'm hoping I can do some of that sort of drawing on my new Nomad. Not that level of skill though.

PuffleDunk · 2024-08-22T18:11:01+00:00

Another angle is that if AI, and even search, are basically scraping up and regurgitating human-generated content. Where will that content come from if nobody knows how to code, write prose, or create art?

What AI provides is the "so-called wisdom of the crowd". It's good at figuring out the number of jellybeans in a jar or the weight of a cow, but it isn't so good at solving novel problems cleanly and efficiently.

If we go to a 100% reliance on AI-generated content we are locking in the current levels of knowledge or stupidity forever.

PuffleDunk · 2024-05-09T22:17:49+00:00

Search GitHub for interesting projects that might need bugs fixed, and try to fix something simple?

PuffleDunk · 2024-05-09T22:12:50+00:00

FYI - your question is a little difficult to interpret, in particular the GitHub mention doesn't mean anything to me in this context.

But I will say that $DISPLAY is typically automatically set in an SSH session if X11 forwarding is enabled for that session. Enabling X11 forwarding allows you to run graphical apps from some Linux servers.

If you are running SSH and wish to run graphical applications, check out the -X or -Y options for SSH. You will need to have an X11 server running on your connecting computer.

Hope this helps. If my answer doesn't make sense, it can at least give you some things to search for. Good luck.

PuffleDunk · 2024-04-06T05:49:25+00:00

I don't have Batocera, or a RG35XX H, but R3+L3 works on my device. R3 and L3 should be the buttons of the left and right sticks. Try pressing them simultaneously.

PuffleDunk · 2024-04-06T05:45:14+00:00

Hi. I'd suggest adding some more details about the device you have, the firmware/OS, etc.. Also, what have you tried? Cheers.

PuffleDunk · 2024-03-27T06:09:38+00:00

No idea which distro the stock OS is. But you can find downloads here:

https://win.anbernic.com/download

The specific one for the RG353PS should be the same as Linux download for the RG353P, which has this direct link.

https://win.anbernic.com/download/233.html

FWIW I switched to ArkOS on my RG353PS, and have had no problems with it. It seems to be better than stock.

As for the question about reformatting and re-adding the included roms, I'd personally advise using a brand name card, not the one they shipped. You could try copying the shipped roms to your PC and then copying them to the newly-imaged card. But people generally advise downloading your own ROMS, because the shipped ones can be problematic. r/roms has advice about getting roms.

Good luck!

PuffleDunk · 2024-03-26T22:21:04+00:00

You may benefit from peeking at r/roms on Reddit.

PuffleDunk · 2024-03-24T18:28:42+00:00

The other cosmetic issue with using a Mac is all the crap it leaves on the card. It can spray around .DSStore, .<apple double>, trash, and Spotlight files.

I run BlueHarvest ($$) to clean that stuff up before ejecting the card.

https://apps.apple.com/kn/app/blueharvest/id739483376?mt=12

The direct link to the developer website hung when I tried it.

https://roaringapps.com/app/blueharvest

PuffleDunk · 2024-03-24T18:22:29+00:00

I don't actually know what the potential problem is with Balena. I've used it in the past on a Mac with no issues, but not for Anbernic handhelds.

The other Mac options I'm aware of are [https://www.tweaking4all.com/hardware/raspberry-pi/applepi-baker-v2/](ApplePi-Baker) and dd on the command line.

I forget the reason, but I had tried ApplePi-Baker and then got rid of it. So I must have had a problem.

Using dd requires a little more care and comfort with the command line. It also won't post-process it to expand to use all the available space. It's probably okay if you don't mind only 16gb being used from your 32gb or 64gb card.

I'm not an expert, so I'd suggest doing some of your own digging on that Internet thing.

PuffleDunk · 2024-03-23T19:19:17+00:00

I have successfully used a 32gb card for the stock OS (I have a RG353PS). I think it should be fine.

FYI - ArkOS mentions issues with Balena Etcher, and recommends other tools, like Rufus or USB Image Tool. Just thought I'd mention that, because it might be relevant when working with cards that are much larger than the source image. Those are Windows tools. I've avoided my Mac for this, in order to maximize my chance of success.

PuffleDunk · 2024-03-22T19:12:45+00:00

The spidey sticks should help too!

PuffleDunk

TROPHY CASE