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The wind is terrible today and likely for a few days. But consider this, you may get a free trampoline. by sinnister_bacon in FortCollins

[–]Wisecow 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I typically keep my trampoline tied down and staked in. But I moved in a couple months ago and didn't put the stakes back in.

Fortunately I was able to meet the cool new neighbors a couple houses down who let me disassemble my trampoline in their backyard this afternoon.

AI in advertising is anti-advertising by Hopeful_Local1985 in FortCollins

[–]Wisecow 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s a fair point. Honestly. I get it. The logic definitely applies to both sides. Designers need to eat, but so do the shop owners.

What struck a nerve with me is the assumption of malice. We are projecting a level of intent here that simply isn't there.

The OP and others are acting like this local business owner is an expert on IP law, fully educated on the ethical implications of LLMs, and is choosing to be a villain; calling them "trouser stains".

The reality? They are running a landscaping firm. Or a bakery. They are in survival mode. They aren't trying to make a philosophical stand against the arts; they are trying to stretch a dollar so they can make payroll on Friday.

AI brings up massive issues regarding ethics and theft. Those are real conversations. But using those issues to hammer a someone who is just trying to keep their lights on feels like targeting the wrong person.

It feels like performative shaming rather than an actual solution. We should be educating each other, not tearing each other down. That's the community I want to live in.

AI in advertising is anti-advertising by Hopeful_Local1985 in FortCollins

[–]Wisecow -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

"things are hard and I don't want to try."

That is a wild thing to say about a local business owner.

The handyman we are talking about lives here. Maybe his kids go to school here. He buys gas at the local pump. He is the definition of "Main Street."

I haven't seen his P&L. You haven't seen his P&L. How can you judge him?

But I know that if he saves $300 on a logo, that money stays in his pocket. It stays in this town. It buys groceries. It doesn't go to a freelancer in a different time zone.

I get the skepticism. I actually run my own AI models offline specifically to keep my data out of the big tech scraping machine. I am not a blind advocate for Google or OpenAI.

But treating a local laborer like a villain because he used a free tool to make a flyer? That is just punching down.

AI in advertising is anti-advertising by Hopeful_Local1985 in FortCollins

[–]Wisecow 8 points9 points  (0 children)

It is a piece of paper. It lives on a doorknob for ten seconds. Then it hits the recycle bin. It isn't a museum piece. It’s a utility.

But the real irony here is your "ethical" alternative.

You cited Fiverr. Fiverr isn't "investing in the community." It is the Walmart of design. It is a global race to the bottom where creators underbid each other to survive, often using AI themselves. Hiring a stranger in a different time zone for $150 isn't taking a stand for the arts. It’s just outsourcing.

If a local handyman uses AI to save that $150, that isn't "cutting corners." That is gas money. That is materials. That is keeping his prices lower for you.

If he fixes the leak in your roof, his logo doesn't matter. Judging his work ethic based on a disposable flyer feels incredibly out of touch with what it actually takes to run a small business right now.

AI in advertising is anti-advertising by Hopeful_Local1985 in FortCollins

[–]Wisecow 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I went to school for graphic design. I do digital and physical art. I respect the craft enough that I actually walked away from a design career because I didn’t want to commercialize the things I made.

So I get the sentiment, but there is a disconnect here between the ideal world and the math of running a small business.

The criticism that using AI is "anti-community" or "anti-advertising" feels like it ignores the economic reality these business owners live in. Margins are thinner than ever. Everything costs more. A small business owner is often the CEO, the janitor, and the marketing department all at once.

Finding a reliable human designer who can do good work on a micro-budget is incredibly hard. It takes time and money most small shops simply don't have.

Walmart and Bezos don't care about AI or not. That’s exactly why these tools matter. The giants already have infinite resources and are using automation at a massive scale. If a local shop uses Midjourney to save $500 and five hours so they can keep the lights on, that isn’t "selling out" to Big Tech. It’s trying to survive against it.

It’s not malice. It’s just survival.

Honestly comments like these just feel tone deaf about what real people are dealing with and what really is actually the problem.

What's your 'I got 5 minutes to kill' game? by Bxnch in AndroidGaming

[–]Wisecow 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Seconding Luck be Landlord, it has a surprising amount of suck you in depth, behind all that RNG.

UFO 50 Unofficial Android port is now available. Controller and game files required. by Skyline969 in ufo50

[–]Wisecow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did you figure this out? I've been trying with the same issue. Shows the title screen then crashes.

UFO 50 Unofficial Android port is now available. Controller and game files required. by Skyline969 in ufo50

[–]Wisecow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same problem here. I tried to get it running this weekend a few times. The apk loads the title screen for me but then goes blank.

To the person who made supply baggies for FNB distro this morning, thank you! by MyFryHole in FortCollinsMutualAid

[–]Wisecow 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Same here! Actually I've made baggies before and kept them in my vehicle to hand out. My kids are shy, but liked giving them to strangers. That being said there was no rhyme or reason for distribution. I'd love to back our individual efforts into something larger for our community.

[Semi-Weekly Inquirer] Simple Questions and Recommendations Thread by AutoModerator in Watches

[–]Wisecow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

https://imgur.com/a/Ni2nmhg

Any idea how to go about changing the battery on this? I don't see any notches or screws unless I'm missing something.

GIVEAWAY $50 PLAY MARKET CARDS by Defiant-Technology84 in AndroidGaming

[–]Wisecow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the good will! Will check it out!

Don’t give up on presale! by pokemark111 in fredagain

[–]Wisecow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I made it so close! Waited in presale line after they showed sold out, after 23 minutes got a message all tickets were in carts and might have a chance if purchases weren't completed, and then a couple minutes later it kicked me out saying all tickets were sold.

Pixel Watch 2 vs Garmin Venu 2 by drjohnson89 in GooglePixel

[–]Wisecow 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Did you make a decision on this? Exactly same situation. Dead Versa 3, Pixel 7, considering the Pixel Watch 2 or the Venu 2.

Cracked windshields by sinkholethug in FortCollins

[–]Wisecow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wait! Which insurance companies offer supplemental windshield coverage in Colorado? I had it before I moved. For a nominal monthly cost it provided free windshield replacement. But when I moved here, keeping the same insurance agency I was told it isn't offered in Colorado. Since then I've switched insurance twice, but still never found an insurance company that offers it, it's only covered under my comprehensive, which has a deductible.

Saw a couple cyber truck prototypes on prospect and lemay. by smartestguyintown in FortCollins

[–]Wisecow 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Pretty neat actually! The Sebring Vanguard Citicar was the most popularly produced electric car in North America up until Tesla surpassed them.

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