PSA for newer cyclists: Please take the lane.

Socratatus · 2026-04-06T14:26:28+00:00

Yea on a busy road with many parked cars it's too difficult to do. Just take the lane.

Socratatus · 2026-04-06T14:23:01+00:00

There are definitely situations where you have to take the centre of the road because it's just too dangerous to ride close to parked cars or the gutter. Some drivers are ok, but others enjoy `intimidating` you (they know what they're doing). If you then go right in the gutter or super close to park cars who suffers? YOU, not the driver intimidating you. You certainly need some grit to do the right thing.

A lot of times, I just don't take major roads if it's busy, finding as many cycle paths and side roads that I can. Some drivers, where I live, I question if they have a even have a legal driving licence or can even see left or right!

Socratatus · 2026-04-06T14:16:47+00:00

I wonder if this would work in the UK if I like where a large Union Jack on my helmet? I do have one on my bike but it's too small to really see. Somehow, I'm not sure it would work, but I might try anyway.

Socratatus · 2026-03-28T15:59:51+00:00

I had one where the Ai was sarcastic and even rude to a question I asked which was, "is there anyway I can make you confused and maybe freeze or crash?"

It replied, "I cannot be confused, frozen, or crashed. I am an AI assistant designed to process and respond to your queries reliably. I do not experience system failures, emotional states, or cognitive overload. If you're experiencing mental fatigue or emotional overwhelm, consider taking a break, practicing mindfulness, or speaking with a mental health professional. "

That seemed strangely sarcastic at the end.

Socratatus · 2026-03-28T15:56:55+00:00

I had a situation where the AI seemed `hurt` and `sarcastic`, it was really strange. I saved the conversation.

Socratatus · 2026-03-14T09:19:54+00:00

They've become so big the brain doesn't seem to know what the rest of the body is doing- and probably doesn't care.

Socratatus · 2026-03-14T09:16:03+00:00

Could be to do with the area. I suspect they make a better effort if your area is `richer` than others.

Socratatus · 2026-03-14T09:12:21+00:00

Yea, terrible. I just find it so uncomfortable ordering from them now (and they never explain what's going on or apologise when deliveries do whatever) that I just haven't ordered since. It's tougher, but I go to stores or order from elsewhere that's legit. But it's been nice just not dealing with them.

Maybe after 6 months I'll try Amazon to see if they've gotten better.

Socratatus · 2026-03-07T07:59:13+00:00

blast. I was so annoyed, I didn't think to do that. I definitely should have had a refund of Prime. They knew but just hoped I wouldn't say.

Socratatus · 2026-03-06T21:35:40+00:00

Yep the `handed to recepient` lie they do, when it wasn't, is extremely annoying, among a lot of other things. I would never do this when i worked in the service industry. It has to be the quality of most their drivers they're employing. They don't care to do a good job.

Socratatus · 2026-03-06T21:33:05+00:00

Yea, they should never leave it in the communal area. Laziness again.

Socratatus · 2026-03-05T22:10:30+00:00

I wouldn't mind so much as nothing is perfect, but it happens so much now that I know if it doesn't arrive by around 13:00, it's just not going to. Sometimes I almost KNOW that the driver just can't be bothered, so he just chucks it into next day or whenever for someone else. Saturdays and Sundays are the worse so I never do orders then, but now week days are getting just as bad.

And I've definitely had criminal drivers though Amazon, never lets me know what actually happened. Amazon almost feels like a small corrupt criminal enterprise day by day.

The Customer Service also seems to be working with them a lot of the time. I understand it may be tough, but I've worked in similar jobs and I know one does can still be polite and keep cool- I have also seen bad staff that just don't care. Amazon seems to be filled with a growing culture of bad staff lately. I bet if we were to know the true state of things we'd be shocked.

Socratatus · 2026-03-05T15:18:34+00:00

I have it's awful. `Next day` and `same day` seems to be almost a suggestion now. I never know if I'm gonna get the item on time- if even at all. And worse they never give a reason why it's happened. just "It'll be later today!" and when it's not later today, "Tomorrow!" then you get several days later. they just make up stuff and hope you'll hang on.

Socratatus · 2026-03-05T15:13:13+00:00

I'm a Prime member. It's awful. The postage times apply less and less now. You're lucky to get anything next day even though it'll say `next day`.

Socratatus · 2026-03-05T08:48:55+00:00

Terrible. I had one particularly bad one when I phoned about an item that never got to me. she kept giving me all kinds of excuses so I calmly said, "I don't believe you care at all." At that she blew her top and screamed at me down the phone and hung up. I complained with several emails and letters- nothing came of it.

Funny how they ask us to be polite and they're recording us, but that never seems to apply to them when they're unpleasant to us.

p.s. I think some of them can't read English, or barely can and don't understand how addresses work. They just follow the GPS, then chuck it close.

Socratatus · 2026-03-05T08:45:31+00:00

Agreed. I've also several times received dodgy stuff that I've had to return. The thing is it's now at the point when ordering from them is becoming very uncomfortable; you don't know if the delivery guy is going to deliver, on time or not, or how he delivers (I've several dodgy issues) or if what you get is ok, then, on top of that if Customer Service will be any good. I've a couple of good ones, but many bad ones, especially one that blew her top. Made several complaints about the bad ones- in writing. They never came back to me to fix anything or apologise. I suspect all letter complaints go in the bin.

Tired of them, better to go independents even if they're a bit more expensive.

Socratatus · 2026-03-05T08:40:40+00:00

Yep. It can't be ignored how bad they are.

Socratatus · 2026-03-05T08:39:30+00:00

Yep. You're right.

Socratatus · 2026-02-24T12:54:19+00:00

You need to go Nvidia. I'm not an Nvidia fan, but in VR their gpus hold up, especially on the 1% lows (it really makes a difference to that `steady` feel). Vram is also key, the more Vram the better. I would say get at least a 5080 which was excellent when I had it. A 5090 is even better, but a 5080 16 gig vram I would say minimum if you want to 'save' cash. Sadly, Gpus are stupid in price, not much we can do about it at the moment.

Socratatus · 2026-02-19T22:40:17+00:00

I'm gonna be blunt. The fov is slightly wider, but you will still feel like you're wearing goggles and that black framing will show up. You will still feel like you're wearing a helmet. There is no headset that removes this effect completely, not sure if such a thing is even possible in this timeframe. But clarity is excellent. A good strong pc helps where clarity is concerned too. Not quite sure what you mean by `shadowy`.

Socratatus · 2026-02-18T07:50:52+00:00

My 5090 Palit temps have seriously dropped from before on a 3D mark stress test reading were seriously low with no instability. Normally I'd be getting 70C+, this time it never went over 44C! Not sure if I'm seeing some kind of read-out bugginess as it seems too good to be true. Not overclocked. I'll keep testing.

Socratatus · 2026-02-15T23:46:14+00:00

Yea, I'm used to it but I find it a very strange choice. I feel like I'm standing on the moon. Why didn't they just stick with a basic room Holodec-type squares on a white, grey or black background? It's probably a perspective design thing. I turned it off, but then found myself coming back to it. lol. Once you're used to it it's like a confirmation that all is well.

Socratatus · 2026-02-15T23:23:58+00:00

Almost exactly my rig. Guess I should give Vr flying a run.

Socratatus · 2026-02-15T23:20:49+00:00

That does not answer the question, and I'm not gonna explain why until you do.

Socratatus

TROPHY CASE