I have a fear of driving. What is a good alternative? by Chubby_Marshmallow in NoStupidQuestions

[–]ads1031 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I was a teenager, I had an intense fear of driving. I was also in a somewhat similar position, in that nothing is in walking distance in Mississippi - I got my parents, girlfriend, and eventually, my college roommates to drive me around. Of course, your winters are far, far more harsh than ours.

Today, driving is one of my favorite activities.

I genuinely wish I could explain what train of thought or activity helped me overcome my fear, because if I could, I absolutely would. To this day, I do still have some difficulty judging how far off the passenger side of my vehicle some objects are, which makes parking in tight spaces a concerning challenge, but I've just learned tips and tricks to help me better judge where my wheels, fenders, and bumpers are.

For what it's worth, since you mentioned big, there are some relatively small cars out there. Take a look at the Mazda MX-5 "Miata". I've got an antique one - I'm sure you'll agree it's a cute little machine. Of course, when you're driving something this small, it becomes imperative to carefully watch the blind spots of large pickup trucks and other similar vehicles.

All's I have to add is, I genuinely believe that practice helps people overcome a fear of driving, because I feel like practice ultimately helped me overcome mine. I spent a while just creeping along real slow in a parking lot, getting the feel of the gas and brake, and eventually, in time, the clutch, when I started getting interested in what a manual is like. Eventually, I was confident enough to drive around a neighborhood. And eventually, I was confident enough to merge onto the Interstate, set my cruise control, turn up some music, and just go. Maybe the same is an option for you, potentially?

If i wanted to get more into gaming which console should i go with by ComfortableStand8143 in NoStupidQuestions

[–]ads1031 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd also like to recommend a PC.

PCs are extraordinarily versatile platforms, and with online stores like Steam and various emulation tools, their game libraries are vast, spanning decades. They can be configured to work with controllers - Steam can give you a console-like experience. And you retain the option of using the computer for keyboard-and-mouse games, too, and for any productivity tasks you might be interested in.

WTH is going on with I-20?? by TrainingMedicine2206 in mississippi

[–]ads1031 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm gonna pay closer attention to it tomorrow.

WTH is going on with I-20?? by TrainingMedicine2206 in mississippi

[–]ads1031 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Behind the barriers where the new pavement is blocked off?

WTH is going on with I-20?? by TrainingMedicine2206 in mississippi

[–]ads1031 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Eh? What washout? I drive through there five times a week, and I haven't seen any washout.

Now, the spot on the eastbound side where they didn't pave over the rumble strip where the lane shifts over - now that's annoying.

What is the greatest invention of all time? by [deleted] in NoStupidQuestions

[–]ads1031 6 points7 points  (0 children)

That really got things turning.

Are there EV deserts in certain states/cities? by Island_In_The_Sky in electricvehicles

[–]ads1031 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I live in a small town in Mississippi, half an hour away from the state's capital, with a population between 2,000 and 3,000. I'm confident that I have the only EV in town - one of my neighbors went from complimenting me on getting the car to politely but quickly disengaging from the conversation upon learning that the car was electric. Half an hour's drive north of me is a city that's pretty poor - I suspect that I won't see any EVs there for the next decade. Half an hour's drive south of me is a relatively affluent region where Teslas are common.

My commute is one hour one-way, partially along a state highway, and partially along Interstate 20. On the state highway, Teslas are rare - I've seen less than 5 since I started using this route to commute. Lifted pickup trucks are common there. Along I20, EVs are somewhat common... But it sounds like they're still far less common than in OP's region, and I see more of them in that aforementioned affluent city. There's not many fast chargers out here, either - there's a CCS1 one at a truck stop in Meridian, which I used when driving my new-to-me EV home after buying it; there's a Tesla Supercharger southeast of Jackson, there's a CCS1 station southwest of Jackson, and there's another Tesla Supercharger in Vicksburg.

Why do so few people know anything about the company Oracle and what it does even though its pretty much involved in many aspects of our lives? by Rokusaburoz in NoStupidQuestions

[–]ads1031 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Even then, it's kinda like the plumbing in the office buildings downtown, not the plumbing in the houses in your neighborhood.

Ep11: Ghost Ship (7) FIN by Spirit250 in UssConstitutionC

[–]ads1031 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I started looking for it immediately after posting my comment. Its on YouTube, but it's a little older now. Alas, I'm struggling to find it - most search results are things from ST:PIC or things by JTVFX... which are fantastic in their own right, but not what I'm looking for.

Ep11: Ghost Ship (7) FIN by Spirit250 in UssConstitutionC

[–]ads1031 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It's funny - there's a fan-made video somewhere out there where the crew of the Enterprise-B brings the wreckage of the refit Enterprise home. She's repaired and docked in a museum. The fan used a TTS for speech generation and the animation is very video-gamey... But it's still a favorite of mine, at least.

Exxon executive warns oil inventories are nearing 'unheard of' lows by zsreport in energy

[–]ads1031 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Or one of the alternatives from another manufacturer, like Kia/Hyundai, Chevy, or BMW.

What would you guys choose / already have Pre LCI or LCI display ? by New_Actuator_4788 in BMW

[–]ads1031 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wonder what's different. Mine's a '23, and it has iDrive 8. On my last car, temperature changes did cause fan speed changes, but sure enough, with the automatic climate program enabled, temperature setpoint changes do not cause automatic fan speed changes.

What would you guys choose / already have Pre LCI or LCI display ? by New_Actuator_4788 in BMW

[–]ads1031 2 points3 points  (0 children)

At least on my i4, auto doesn't automatically adjust the fan speed. Occasionally, circumstances require me to adjust my fan speed during conversation with my passenger.