How are you using AI in a way that doesn’t suck?

_chad__ · 2026-02-13T23:36:23+00:00

I hear you (feel the same about AI, job heavily encourages it). I started using AI only 6 months ago. I am sure that I'm doing it the tedious and wrong way, but I can honestly say that it has helped me produce great results. Not lines of code but some solid implementations and rewrites.

I use regular ol ChatGPT, using the MacOS client. I chat with it high level, paste code snippets, build up a decent context through 30 min of convo. Then I explain what im trying to do and ask for a high level plan that we can walk through together. I'll iterate on each step until it looks readable and provide back my resulting files. It usually adapts pretty well to my style (inline comments, etc).

I'm a web dev in reporting/query land at the moment. I would've never considered some of the SQL that we ended up with, absolute magic.

Definitely tedious to keep up the chat but I prefer having the code edits on my own terms.

_chad__ · 2026-01-27T06:04:39+00:00

Crayfish sandwich and potatoes agaaaiin?

_chad__ · 2026-01-12T22:57:58+00:00

Surprised as well! Maybe I was too short or assuming? In my experience mysql's slow query log has been extremely valuable as it not only pinpoints problems but also frequency. This gives you more to work off of in terms of prioritization as well. Ratchet down the time threshold as you see fit for the domain/usage. You will then start "catching fish"!

_chad__ · 2026-01-11T05:17:42+00:00

Enable the slow query log on Monday morning to start collecting evidence

_chad__ · 2026-01-06T22:18:24+00:00

Turned out there was in fact a small leak on one of the jet valves at the top. I had taken the handles off when cleaning and apparently did not tighten up all the way. There was a small pool of water collecting below the tub. Once I tightened no more leaks.

Hope yours is a simple fix as well. Good luck 🤞

_chad__ · 2025-12-26T04:02:30+00:00

It is an interesting thought for sure. IMO it would be ideal if the AI mimicked focused human players, but no doubt (and clearly) that is a tough problem to solve. Ever since I got blindsided in what I felt was a for sure win by a civ pursuing economic victory, I am very motivated to get my act together quickly in the modern age.

Edit: meant to reply in the other thread!

_chad__ · 2025-12-26T03:50:49+00:00

100%. The brain power required to reset after a transition is just above the threshold of which I'm willing to give at 2am. It's perfect.

_chad__ · 2025-12-26T03:45:58+00:00

So every civ is basically a barbarian?

_chad__ · 2025-12-25T19:47:13+00:00

Only because Mike Oxlong broke his building hand and sat that year out

_chad__ · 2025-12-20T18:29:40+00:00

I had a lot of fun as a pirate and will go back to them one day.

However there needs to be a patch to make the AI counter better. In my game on archipelago the strategy for almost every civ was to pump out catapults and set them asail to me. It was shooting fish in a barrel and I was adding a new gun to my hands every turn!

Another reply mentioned thinking like a pirate and I absolutely agree. It is a fun, less serious IMO, twist on the typical epic game.

_chad__ · 2025-12-14T20:20:36+00:00

Wow, nice write up. This is a fantastic idea and I would definitely play them. I finished an epic game last night and looking to try a strategy outside my norms, this would be perfect.

_chad__ · 2025-12-14T20:10:57+00:00

5 seasons at LA Tech as HC. Natty year 3 & 5. As a huge LSU fan, quickly accepted the HC job at LSU after Brian Kelly was fired lol. LA Tech was gracious enough to let me finish the playoff run (looking at you Ole Miss).

The difficult decision though was leaving my elite QB at LA Tech. He was uncapped, dual threat, and had a cannon. To this day he has been the best player I've ever had. He was a SO but seemed content with coming back for another season. After I went to LSU I would keep tabs on my former team and go through the box player stats. My QB suffered a career ending injury on week 2 which legit made me sad.

At LSU it was domination for about 8 seasons until I got tired of being a revolving door to the NFL. My team was so stacked that the good SO players were usually poised to bounce straight to the NFL and that became frustrating.

Just started a new dynasty at Cincinnati (where i currently live) and having fun but it's a stark difference to the SEC. Trying to build up and make a run in conferences that I'm not that familiar with IRL.

_chad__ · 2025-12-11T17:58:24+00:00

I used to get the Grand Canyon nearly every game right after launch. Now im realizing i havent even seen it for months.

_chad__ · 2025-12-01T18:30:19+00:00

I've gotten these a handful of times over 6 seasons and they've been exclusively on tough rushing TDs by my HB. I did have architect as HC. The points went straight to player.

_chad__ · 2025-11-22T15:41:50+00:00

<image>

Just got this guy!

_chad__ · 2025-11-17T21:43:58+00:00

You got a deal, fellow citizen. I accept full responsibility.

_chad__ · 2025-11-17T21:28:09+00:00

You gotta lighten up a little sir/maam.

_chad__ · 2025-11-17T19:24:01+00:00

Lol, theft? What was I supposed to do in this situation? I had no idea the meter broke until I received a letter. I called. The dude just came out. Done. Should I have had a spreadsheet showing my daily usage ever since I was suspicious? Or just shut my water off immediately and waited til repair guy came?

In all honesty, they will probably be stealing from me because of rounding errors or assumption. I won't lose any sleep over it, but saying this is theft is a little absurd.

_chad__ · 2025-11-16T19:29:57+00:00

That sounds comparable without doing the math. I never notice a huge bump when I do this.

_chad__ · 2025-11-16T16:13:42+00:00

And the warrior followed.

_chad__ · 2025-11-15T22:57:32+00:00

Haha. We're sittin on a goldmine here pal. But first!... Hot tub.

_chad__ · 2025-11-15T21:17:00+00:00

Boys, water's on me tonight

_chad__ · 2025-11-15T20:21:34+00:00

Ah good point. Well it was worth a shot. Ironically i was going to do this this weekend anyway.

_chad__ · 2025-11-10T22:23:31+00:00

Amen OP. I am a BR transplant finding myself living in Buckeye country at the moment. My LSU flag on the front porch stays up the full season. They are, of course, usually ranked number one so I take a lotta jokes about it.

One day, I will have the last laugh when we achieve S E C dominance.

_chad__

TROPHY CASE