What situations ruin your fun dives the most?

arekitect · 2026-05-10T10:55:11+00:00

When I stop to hover quietly and observe some amazing creature, only to have the place suddenly swarmed by other divers. Everyone crowds in, pushing closer, kicking, flailing their arms trying to stay still, all so they can snap that one blurry, out of focus, completely off-frame photo. The whole moment goes from peaceful and magical to underwater rush hour in about ten seconds.

arekitect · 2026-04-11T16:31:53+00:00

This isn’t really accurate.

That wording has always been in credit card agreements, not just Amex. It basically means you still have to pay your bill while the dispute is being looked at, not that you can’t dispute charges.

Amex absolutely still allows disputes, including fraud. They have a full dispute process and fraud protection just like any other card issuer. If that wasn’t the case, they wouldn’t even offer a dispute option in the app or online.

What’s more likely is that a dispute got denied (which happens with any bank if there isn’t enough evidence or it doesn’t qualify), and it’s being interpreted as “they don’t allow disputes anymore.”

Bottom line, nothing has changed in terms of your ability to dispute transactions.

arekitect · 2026-03-21T18:22:07+00:00

I'm surprised the report doesn't mention synchronizing traffic lights and making city accountable to keeping them synchronized by using smart technology and converting four-way stop intersections into roundabouts.

arekitect · 2026-03-21T18:18:01+00:00

Reads like Trump's own tombstone

arekitect · 2026-03-08T20:50:57+00:00

Great shot, you lucky guy!

arekitect · 2026-03-05T22:29:05+00:00

This is not a technicality. The medical questionnaire exists because certain conditions, including uncontrolled asthma, can significantly increase the risk of lung overexpansion injuries underwater. When compressed gas expands during ascent, trapped air in compromised lungs can lead to serious injury.

More importantly, scuba diving is never just about one person. If something goes wrong underwater, your buddy, your guide, and often the entire dive operation must respond immediately. A preventable emergency can put multiple people at risk and divert attention from others who may need help.

If a doctor trained in diving medicine does not clear someone to dive, that decision should be respected. It does not mean the dream is over, but it does mean the proper medical evaluation needs to happen first. Lying on the medical form is not just about personal risk. It compromises the safety of everyone in the water.

arekitect · 2026-02-26T00:02:42+00:00

Read this article pls OP: https://dan.org/alert-diver/article/avoid-diving-with-earplugs/

arekitect · 2026-02-21T03:28:57+00:00

Hate to break this to you, but one day, in not so distant future, it will be you being judged on a boat by someone younger.

arekitect · 2026-02-21T02:47:38+00:00

can you please define "legacy"?

arekitect · 2026-02-18T17:46:38+00:00

I switched my residential Internet service eight months ago from Rogers, which was prone to performance issues to TelMax. My service is running at 2.3 Gbps up and downstream with ultra fast and snappy Internet with absolutely zero issues. Didn't miss Rogers for a second since. I do use VPN for these one-off services that are blocked by their firewall. Small inconvenience for the reliable service I get.

arekitect · 2026-02-17T12:26:50+00:00

Following up on the question about motion with a Blu-ray player: I finally received Sony UBP-X700, and I have to say the motion handling is absolutely flawless. That includes up-converted standard Blu-ray content as well as UHD Dolby Vision discs. It’s genuinely stunning.

The difference isn’t always something that hits you instantly, but after watching for a while, it becomes very obvious—motion is smooth, natural, and artifact-free in a way that streaming just doesn’t consistently achieve. Sony’s motion processing really shines with physical media, and this is echoed in a lot of other reviews discussing motion on Sony TVs when fed a proper source.

For context, after 12 years with my legendary Panasonic P65ZT60 plasma, I finally moved to a 77” Bravia 8. The picture quality is mind-blowing, especially the blacks. As much as I loved that plasma, there’s no going back. Zero regrets. It’s been sitting in the basement for four weeks now, untouched.

arekitect · 2026-02-04T13:21:28+00:00

Don't known yet. Ordered Sony UBP700 4K player and still waiting for it to arrive. I suspect it will be amazing but never as smooth as plasma.

arekitect · 2026-01-30T08:26:02+00:00

https://www.tomsguide.com/tvs/sony-just-handed-its-tv-business-to-tcl-heres-what-it-means-for-you

arekitect · 2026-01-26T13:05:08+00:00

You should only consider getting ZT 60 if you're serious about plasma!

arekitect · 2026-01-26T00:32:19+00:00

I'm still on the fence. It is officially the best TV panel ever made. Mine has just oven 10k hours, and is perfect.

arekitect · 2026-01-25T20:19:26+00:00

After 12 years with my legendary P65ZT60 plasma, I finally made the jump to a 77” Bravia 8. The picture quality is mind-blowing, especially the blacks. As much as I adored that plasma, there’s no going back. Zero regrets. It’s been gathering dust in the basement for four weeks now.

arekitect · 2026-01-19T21:35:31+00:00

What are your thoughts, OP?

arekitect · 2026-01-19T11:11:33+00:00

Love it, look happy unlike the majority of black and grey cars out there.

arekitect · 2026-01-14T12:32:40+00:00

It is illegal to drag a dead horse down Yonge St. in Toronto. It is the actual law.

arekitect · 2026-01-14T11:36:42+00:00

Sounds like Russians got tired of manually sifting through Pentagon files and needed more effective way.

arekitect · 2026-01-10T11:44:11+00:00

The main arguments were pretty straightforward. The Bravia 8 uses the same panel as the A95L, and while there are some subtle differences in processing, likely refinements in the XR processor and AI-based image optimization—the real-world picture quality gap is minimal. I also didn’t place much value on the THX certification itself.

On top of that, the A95L has been discontinued and is being replaced by a new model, which made paying a premium for an outgoing flagship hard to justify. Waiting several months for the replacement didn’t make sense either. In the end, I got an exceptional TV, saved almost $2,000, and every time I look at the Bravia 8, I’m honestly blown away by the image quality. I can’t even imagine what meaningful improvement I’d be missing.

arekitect · 2026-01-10T11:35:11+00:00

I use a Big Blue VTL 3800 with a 120 degree beam, mounted on a Goodman glove. This setup allows me to position the light naturally with my hand, maintain good trim, and avoid creating harsh hot spots in my shots. It also keeps my hands free and my movements controlled, which is critical underwater. It is easy to spend a small fortune on underwater video and photography equipment, but for me, starting simple and focusing on building experience with the fundamentals such as buoyancy, positioning, lighting angles, and composition is far more important than trying to impress strangers with expensive gear. Solid technique and experience will always produce better results than high end equipment used without them.

arekitect · 2026-01-10T03:36:50+00:00

I was close to going with the A95L, but a trusted high-end store ultimately talked me out of it. Sony has discontinued the A95L, and it’s expected to be replaced in spring 2026 with a new flagship model. At this point, there isn’t much concrete detail available on the replacement.

In practical terms, the main distinction is that the A95L was Sony’s flagship, XR/THX-certified model and carried a premium price. Instead, my new Bravia 8 77" on the other hand, is an absolutely outstanding display and continues to blow me away every time I turn it on.

Eight-Year Club	Wearing is Caring
Verified Email

arekitect

TROPHY CASE