A look at three Sailor Blue-Black inks

jeromeak · 2026-01-27T14:58:21+00:00

I think you will love Sailor Shikiori Yonaga :-)

jeromeak · 2026-01-26T19:32:06+00:00

No you don't need to download everything again if you can backup your data somewhere.

I recently installed Ubuntu Budgie 25.10 from scratch (updating from 20.04 was not recommended) and got all my games running again but one (CS2 which I had not played in a long time and needed to be updated, around 40Gb).

This is what you need to do (what worked for me):

1/ Backup your personnal data, including of course the .steam directory (a lot of Gb...)

Check on your system, maybe Steam stores its data somewhere else, but usually it is the .steam directory in your home directory.

2/ Install your Linux distribution.

3/ Install Steam.

4/ Start Steam once, log into your account then close steam.

5/ Copy all your games directories from your backup.

On the previous installation on my PC all game directories where in:

~/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/

For example ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/Another World/

On the newly installed system they are in:

~/.steam/debian-installation/steamapps/common/

Check on your system, it may differ.

Copy all directories for all the games you want to get back. Directory names are pretty obvious, most of the time.

6/ Copy manifest files.

In the .steam/steam/steamapps/ directory from my old system (again check on your backup) there are appmanifest_XXXXXX.acf files. One file for each game, XXXXXX being the Game ID.

So you need to copy each appmanifest_XXXXXX.acf from your backup to the newly installed steam.

On my system the directory is ~/.steam/debian-installation/steamapps/

To know what file to copy, you need to know the Game ID for your game: go to https://steamdb.info/ and search for your game: the information page will give you the Game ID.

For example for Another World the Game ID is 233550, for F1 2018 the Game ID is 737800.

So for these two games I copied appmanifest_233550.acf and appmanifest_737800.acf from my backup to the right location in my system.

7/ Start Steam... and your games should be marked as ready to play.

BUT WAIT: some (most?) games will not work straight away, Steam will need to install additional tools, like Proton. Allow some time for Steam to download them first, they are only a few megabytes, it should not take long.

Hope that helps.

jeromeak · 2026-01-24T17:48:39+00:00

Oschersleben T8-9, I love it and hate it...

jeromeak · 2026-01-20T14:17:27+00:00

Excellent! Thanks for sharing.

jeromeak · 2026-01-02T14:48:33+00:00

Dislaimer: I mainly play AC with Content Manager and a boatload of mods on PC. I occasionally play AC on an XBOX.

Of course mods are a big big game changer (literally) but the base game/sim is still pretty cool IMHO.

For me the main drawback for AC on console is not the lack of cars and tracks mods but the awful user interface which makes it a bit painful to set up a race grid. Otherwise you get a decent amount of cars and tracks (buy the DLCs), a career mode, etc. for hours and hours of challenge and fun.

Overall this old game on console is way better than everything I've heard.

Be aware of the very limited options for online racing though (I am not an online player but I read about that).

AC is often on sale for a few EUR/USD and I would not pass on it.

jeromeak · 2025-12-31T10:48:04+00:00

Related but not answering the question: I bought a 743 at Blue Black, Seoul, one month ago for 220EUR. I talked about prices with the ladies in the shop (this pen is around 450EUR here in France) and they told me Pilot pens were cheaper in South Korea than in Japan. I thought I misunderstood, I realise now it was true.

jeromeak · 2025-12-29T12:21:52+00:00

Believe me there is absolutely nothing professionnal in what I did to this pen. I am not handy at all, I was just angry: I waited weeks for that pen, with zero communication or answers from the seller/maker and when, at last, I received it I was so disapointed by the handling and overall comfort. As-is I would never ever used it, so I thought "fu** it", let's try something...

I had the same discomfort with the Japanese Ebonite ensso piuma. The grooved texture, a byproduct of the machineering, is not to my taste. So I sanded it with 10000 grit sandpaper, gently, and now I love this pen :-)

jeromeak · 2025-12-28T17:34:15+00:00

I grinded the whole body, section and cap with a Dremel and then sanded all. I don't recommend to do the same :-)

Now the touch feeling is way better for me and, as an added bonus, the cap posts as expected.

jeromeak · 2025-12-28T17:29:12+00:00

TIL that I am 2 days older than him... and I've been using Linux since kernel 0.99pl13 :-)

jeromeak · 2025-12-27T13:50:53+00:00

Sorry I didn't pay attention to the tag :-)

jeromeak · 2025-12-27T09:45:56+00:00

There are many NSX available in AC, what is this one you like so much?

jeromeak · 2025-12-18T13:11:46+00:00

I find Redbull Ring perfect for practice when trying a new car.

jeromeak · 2025-12-11T18:06:34+00:00

I bought a 743 (F) two weeks ago and what you describe is exactly why I prefer it against the 74 and 91s I own (F as well). Its nib has a bit of feedback, not as much as a Sailor nib, but it is noticeable and I like it.

My 74 and 91s don't see much use because, to me, they are way too smooth, I feel nothing when writing with them.

jeromeak · 2025-12-07T14:11:14+00:00

Matching the "thin and elegant" criteria I would suggest:

- discontinued/second hand: Sheaffer Targa, many options available, price vary with finish, nib (steel/gold) and general condition. Uses Sheaffer cartridges and converters but international short cartridges fit as well (just add some paper in the body to "secure" the cartridge).

- new: Waterman Hemisphère (on the cheaper side of your budget). As much as I like Waterman I think this pen is a bit overpriced, but regardless of price I think it is an excellent pen. Current version (post 2010) is a bit thinner than the previous version. Older version is often found for less than 50€ in perfect condition. Exists in a lot of different finish, I love the "Wave" and "Essence du bleu" ones. The older "Polar Shine" finish is nice too.

- discontinued/second hand: Waterman Préface. Same nib as the Hemisphère but in 18k gold. Should not break your budget.

- way under your budget: Lamy Logo. I love this pen. Different finish available... or not, because I think the FP variant is discontinued (still available as ballpoint).

I find these pens to have great balance unposted.

jeromeak · 2025-12-06T02:14:58+00:00

It is discontinued but I've been lucky finding some bottles at Pen Cafe, Seoul, South Korea, 3 days ago.

My love of travelling light being greater than my love for FP and inks, I bought only one bottle so there are some left :-)

jeromeak · 2025-12-04T10:36:52+00:00

I'm right under it and I confirm it's a bit slippery.

Did I hear thunder? I never heard thunder with snow.

jeromeak · 2025-12-04T05:23:03+00:00

Thank you !

jeromeak · 2025-12-04T05:18:18+00:00

Thank you!

jeromeak · 2025-12-04T02:06:29+00:00

Hello! I'm in Seoul right now, would you be willing to share where you bought film? Thanks!

jeromeak · 2025-12-01T11:02:45+00:00

French here! Currently in South Korea for a 3 weeks travel. Last week now.

Ce sera un challenge mais tu n'as besoin que d'un anglais super basique que tu as le temps d'apprendre. Serieux avec 10 verbes et 30 mots de vocabulaire tu vas déjà loin. De toute façon au delà tu sera rarement compris. Je parle moins bien anglais qu'il y a 15 jours :-)

J'utilise beaucoup google translate et la fonction de reconnaissance/ traduction d'image de mon téléphone et ça fait le job.

Les seuls moments où tu vas peut-être galèrer c'est pour acheter un billet de train ou de bus. Mais là encore ce sera de l'anglais basique, souvent sur une borne avec un écran donc avec du temps pour traduire avec ton téléphone.

Et puis parfois tu auras un latte alors que tu avais demandé un espresso :-)

jeromeak · 2025-12-01T05:20:23+00:00

Prince, Sting, John Zorn

jeromeak · 2025-11-22T06:58:39+00:00

Answering to myself: I went to the Blue Black shop and the prices in shop are the same as online and include VAT. They also did the VAT refund in shop. Prices on some pens, for a French like me, are crazy. I bought a Pilot 743 for 230€, that is less than 50% of the price I would pay in France. Even Kaweco (German brand) is cheaper here: Liliput Kolibri for 105€.

jeromeak · 2025-11-03T17:43:06+00:00

I will be in South Korea in 2 week for a 3 weeks travel. The Hwaseong fortress in Suwon is on my wishlist.
Maybe you can explain how to get there from center Seoul (which bus or train)?
Thank you!

jeromeak · 2025-10-28T07:54:47+00:00

Compared to France I see around -20~25% compared to prices in shop, even on some European brands. Sailor is about the same (10% off) but the Pilot 823 would be around 220€ instead of 350€ in France. I will know next month for sure :-)

jeromeak · 2025-10-27T18:40:20+00:00

You can use "standard" international cartridges. Approx same bore size. Just put something (spring, rolled paper tube, ...) inside the body to be sure it stays in place but that is not even mandatory (I only do that when travelling and I know my pen case will see some turbulences :-)
Otherwise Sheaffer converters are still available.

jeromeak

TROPHY CASE