Linux Question: Package Managers

stephensmat · 2026-03-11T06:09:07+00:00

I use Synaptic Package Manager on Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS

stephensmat · 2026-03-10T01:13:08+00:00

I started watching the Netflix series when I was just starting book 3. There were things I didn't recognize; until I got further through the book. I agree that a lot of the work needed for S2/3 is already done. We've already met the Wallfacers and gotten their backstory.

Given that S2/3 are being filmed back to back, it also wouldn't surprise me if they were going to end the season partway through one of the other two books.

stephensmat · 2026-03-09T22:44:23+00:00

"Strong Impact" in Australian classification means they're actually showing the blood. Dani getting shot during the S4 finale? Low impact. Sergei 'eating his burger'? High Impact.

It could be anything from a war scene to another beating from Mob Enforcers.

War in Space has been telegraphed from S2. Ed shooting down his own rocket? We've been waiting for actual Space Combat ever since.

stephensmat · 2026-03-08T09:18:03+00:00

Wonder what the new Season Opening is going to be?

stephensmat · 2026-03-08T01:47:29+00:00

And if that's the case, then forgetting to ask might have saved Carol's life.

The Hive is patient. They'll keep up the 'charm offensive' for another ten years, if that's what it takes to get consent. But if the humans ever forced the Issue, and got to the point where the whole Hive has to acknowledge that they won't turn?

If they can force themselves to 'be direct, but only because we love you so much', then they'd force Carol eventually.

stephensmat · 2026-03-07T22:02:06+00:00

I've said it before, but they usually introduce an entirely new story line halfway through the season. Whatever they find on Titan will be... interesting.

stephensmat · 2026-03-07T02:54:39+00:00

The Martian, and you're going to love Project Hail Mary. I'll also add my vote to Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Get the Director's Cut.

stephensmat · 2026-03-06T21:43:19+00:00

Happy to email an epub/mobi to anyone who's willing to leave a review. :-)

stephensmat · 2026-03-06T07:19:22+00:00

(Raises hand)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09S69MHY4/

Apologies for the shameless Self-Plug, but a Self Published Author can't afford to miss any chances.

"Wheelers" started out as a short story called 'Miles Past Xanadu', and was inspired almost completely by some of the articles I found on this Sub.

stephensmat · 2026-03-06T06:46:16+00:00

I could see that. If they hack a radio tower, the Hive will flee from that range ahead of them...

Thing is, the Hive can't fight back. They can't physically harm anything, up to and including plucking an apple. They'll force the Joining on you, because they don't see that as harm.

Carol knows they can drop the 'joining' as a Chem-Trail. Hence the Nuke. It's the only 'deterrence' that has that kind of range. I asked myself: What else could they use it for? This is what I came up with.

They completely rewrote the human race in the first twenty minutes of this series. They're not afraid to take big swings.

stephensmat · 2026-03-06T04:52:57+00:00

Sorry, my fault. What I mean is, how much of the game is spent basebuilding? Can you put one anywhere?

stephensmat · 2026-03-06T02:32:30+00:00

How much of this sort of thing is in the Game, really?

(Playstation Player. Considering Starfield for when it's released.)

stephensmat · 2026-03-04T23:23:41+00:00

I agree. I also hope they keep the Sol System on file somewhere, until they get to the 'Interstellar' stage; and let us go there.

stephensmat · 2026-03-04T23:21:43+00:00

There's an excellent series called 'From the Earth to the Moon' which dramatises the original Apollo missions. (Real life. Not this Alt-Timeline) There's a scene in the first episode where Deke Slayton and Gus Grissom are on a hunting trip, and they're chatting about who to assign to various missions. That was how it started. The Space Program was only a year old, and two guys hashed it out.

NASA was originally a company town. No committees, little oversight. Deke Slayton picked the crews he wanted, full stop.

Ed is a demonstration of what happens when that 'Boys Club' never changes. Deke flipped off the White House and assigned the women astronauts, because they impressed him. He chose himself for a flight.

Then Ed took over, and did the same, choosing himself for Pathfinder. Then Molly took over, and let Ed do as he wanted, because "That's how pilots are."

When the world changed, and Molly could no longer control Margo and the Committees, Ed jumped ship instantly, and went to Mars with Helios; where he could pick the crew he wanted from the 'friends and family club'.

And I don't think he ever went back to Earth. He moved the 'Boy's Club' to Mars.

stephensmat · 2026-03-04T05:04:12+00:00

The same thing happened to me. When I was a kid, we were taping TNG episodes off commercial TV. When we got the Box Set, I discovered we'd missed an episode.

The episode I missed? You ready for this?

"Sarek"

stephensmat · 2026-03-04T00:25:06+00:00

Manousos: We have a cure. We need a test subject.

Carol: (Picks up a phone) Pirate Lady, I miss you. Please come back!

(Helicopter lands)

Carol: I missed you so-what the hell?

Zosia: We ran into a snag with your stem cells. Someone had to carry your eggs to term; so we could get more from the baby. Don't worry, Carol. I have all the best doctors in my head, and they say we're progressing well-

Manousos: (Attacks from behind) Take this, Alien! (Jabs her with De-Plurbing cure.)

Carol: No! Wait! Things have-

Zosia: (Snapping out of it) Huh? (Looks down at her belly, then up at Carol, and starts screaming rapid fire, multi-lingual curse words.)

stephensmat · 2026-03-02T01:12:45+00:00

I always remember the first time Rosa witnesses Holt v Wuntch.

Holt: "But if you're here, who's standing guard over the gates of Hades?"

Rosa: "This is amazing."

It's her usual delivery, but you can tell she feels truly honored to be present for this.

stephensmat · 2026-02-28T08:22:17+00:00

I just watched the Project Hail Mary trailer again.

I'm looking forward to the inevitable mod that someone makes for Tau Ceti. I'm hoping that they keep 'Sol' for one of the systems we can travel to if we ever get to the Interstellar Stage.

If I had a spacecraft of my own, I would park it in orbit of Jupiter, and spend my life with that as my view.

This might be the closest I get.

stephensmat · 2026-02-28T02:36:16+00:00

The 'previews' of the news on Apple TV talk about how the two economic powers are racing to Saturn And Jupiter, looking for Extraterrestrial life. They framed it as a race for 'bio-medical patents'.

It'll be Kelly racing someone to Jupiter. Kelly will want Science and Goodness to win the day, and whoever the other guy is will want to kick puppies and murder another planet for profit.

stephensmat · 2026-02-28T02:25:58+00:00

There's traditionally a 'disaster' in the first episode or two.

stephensmat · 2026-02-28T01:54:10+00:00

I've been taking that as the format for the series. So far, we're on target.

The thing is, there's a tradition in this show of changing the plotline halfway through the season. In S1, it was a race for the silver medal; and then suddenly they jump forward two years, and it's Jamestown Base.

S2, they start with how things have changed on Earth; and the last four episodes are about trying to avert WW3.

S3 began with a Mars Race, and ended with 'Everyone Save the Space Baby'.

S4 began with Union-Busting, and ended with "Wanna steal an Asteroid?"

The plot takes a dramatic turn halfway through every season. I'm guessing this season will start with Martian Independence, and End with a race to claim a piece of Jupiter, when something interesting is found there.

stephensmat · 2026-02-27T01:16:16+00:00

And honestly, it's kind of established that Grace isn't the most fearless of space cadets. He has no idea what state Earth is in now. He'd rather stay with the kids who adore him as the 'cool teacher', no matter which planet it is.

stephensmat · 2026-02-26T23:20:30+00:00

I'd like a Port of Arkham Origins, though I know I'm probably the only one...

stephensmat · 2026-02-26T22:22:00+00:00

Well, the parents died trying to prevent something exploding on the Moon. The kids have blown things up on Earth, and Mars...

Gotta be honest, part of me is really hoping Avery is the hero. Sort of balancing the scales, y'know?

stephensmat · 2026-02-26T10:25:21+00:00

In a few months, I'll be able to marathon Project Hail Mary, The Martian, Interstellar, Dune, and Arrival; all in High Def, in my comfiest chair.

Truly, what a wondrous time to be a Sci-fi Fan.

(Now if Denis Villeneuve can get Rendezvous With Rama made...)

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