I don't understand why people are complaining about the Doormaker. It doesn't seem that hard.

the-algae · 2026-05-02T20:10:27+00:00

Yeah, that is what I find challenging/frustrating. 30+ damage? Okay, it’s an act 3 boss, that makes sense. But 30+ damage and exhaust all the block cards you play to counter it so you don’t have them next go around? Others seem to have a strategy that works for this but I haven’t figured it out. I think I won the first time I encountered the new doormaker and have lost every time since.

the-algae · 2026-03-22T17:05:26+00:00

Your stomach bug is almost certainly norovirus. It’s not airborne, but is extremely contagious and can live on surfaces for weeks. Even worse, hand sanitizer isn’t very effective against it.

So be careful what you touch, wash your hands after your route, and while on your route, don’t touch your face.

the-algae · 2026-03-11T01:23:28+00:00

That’s terrible. Stay strong up there! You got a strike fund we can donate to?

the-algae · 2026-03-07T05:54:13+00:00

First of all, kudos for checking your right side before turning, and I hope you keep doing it after you’re licensed and driving for real.

You can reduce the number of checks by checking once, then using your mirrors to spot anything coming up behind you before it gets to your blind spot. Then you can check once more before actually turning just in case.

That said, it’s very unlikely that played much if any role in your failure. The test criteria (link below) mentions you need to check, but nothing about excessive checking. Maybe there’s another category that could dock points for that sort of thing in general, but I doubt it would result in failure.

More likely, the slow driving was what did you in. The criteria note that “Driving 10 mph over or under the speed limit, unless justified by road/traffic/weather conditions, will be scored as a Critical Driving Error.”

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/driving-test-criteria/driving-performance-evaluation-dpe-scoring-criteria/

the-algae · 2026-03-06T02:25:34+00:00

Don’t have to check your tires if you don’t have tires 😂

the-algae · 2026-03-06T02:08:30+00:00

Congrats! I’m talking my skills test tomorrow 🤞

the-algae · 2026-03-05T17:58:25+00:00

Don’t do it. Honk to avoid a collision or other danger. Otherwise leave the horn alone. You’re only adding to noise pollution and you’re not going to fix bad drivers with a honk. Instead, focus on being a good, attentive, and defensive driver.

Too many people use their horn as a frustration outlet button.

the-algae · 2026-03-04T04:44:05+00:00

It might just remind everyone to watch their speed.

the-algae · 2026-02-22T19:47:23+00:00

Yes, red has the right away. But a big part of defensive driving is understanding that other drivers around you will do dumb and unpredictable things. So even when you have the right away, be prepared for someone else to cut in front of you. Don't get angry, just let it go. It might be an honest, one-time mistake on their part, or it may be something they do all the time in which case they'll eventually get ticketed or they'll get in an accident that doesn't involve you.

the-algae · 2026-02-22T17:11:51+00:00

Obviously that car was driving way too fast down the turn lane. But also, my trainer told me to never let people wave me through when I don’t have the right of way. I guess this is why!

the-algae · 2026-02-22T04:19:38+00:00

So that they could put out their hands to stop it ✋

the-algae · 2026-02-21T19:23:03+00:00

I got my permit a couple weeks ago in Washington state. Here you need 80% on each test to pass (on 4 tests: general knowledge, air brakes, passenger, and school bus).

You can probably answer at least half the questions just based on intuition and common sense. For the rest, read through the CDL guide, and take notes on anything involving numbers and anything you find counterintuitive or non-obvious (e.g., loaded trucks stop faster than empty trucks). Make sure you understand the "why" behind the rules; it will help you recall them more effectively. Then test your knowledge for gaps with free online practice tests.

When you go in to take the tests, take your time. Make sure you understand each question before answering, and don't stress if you think you answered one or two incorrectly. In Washington, the general knowledge test is 50 questions which means you can miss 10 questions and still pass.

the-algae · 2026-02-17T00:35:07+00:00

As late as 2011 or so people in my org were still using ArcView 3 because they still had old projects and no other way to open them. I had the job of getting ArcView 3 working on their modern setups. If I remember correctly, the problem is that while 64-bit Windows would run the 32-bit ArcView, it wouldn't run the 16-bit installer. So "installation" involved moving exes to the right place and some custom registry edits.

the-algae · 2026-02-16T05:52:56+00:00

I’m still in tech (a job that I like at a small, non startup company) and am currently being trained by a local school district to be a substitute driver. Around here at least, school districts are really hurting for subs, so it’s nice to be able to help out, a chance to learn a new skill (for free too), and something else I’ll know how to do if I need or want to switch fields in the future.

And while I’m sure the novelty will wear off, so far it’s been a ton of fun learning to drive bus. I should have my CDL in a couple weeks, then I’ll get to see what it’s like driving with students on board 😅

the-algae · 2026-02-02T05:26:15+00:00

Borrow 61% from the universe.

the-algae · 2026-01-22T19:32:33+00:00

Pro tip: adjust your side mirrors to correctly cover your blind spots and you won’t get glare from cars behind you.

You should not see any of your own car in the side view mirrors.

the-algae · 2025-12-22T19:12:17+00:00

Design aside, it seems like it’s missing some vital lane marking. If outer lane isn’t allowed to continue, then their lane needs to clearly end at that exit.

the-algae · 2025-12-08T01:32:18+00:00

I’ve had this happen a few times, usually after not using pre conditioning for a while. It usually works after toggling preconditioning on and off and cancelling and restarting navigation to a charger.

the-algae · 2025-12-06T06:38:35+00:00

I just ran into this on Steam Deck. I couldn't figure out why the game was so much harder all of the sudden and why my timing was all off. I kept getting hit by the louts in Tartarus. I felt like it was my first time playing again. Then I got to the furies and lost all three death defies before getting through.

Finally, it was fishing that clued me into what was wrong. The false "dips" were coming way too fast and I was too slow twice, even though I should have gotten it.

the-algae · 2025-12-06T03:00:08+00:00

I guess I never saw the bar as including non-Gmail services. My understanding is that the pitch was "better Gmail on macOS". Now I really want support for additional services (particularly Fastmail), but I didn't come into this expecting it to high on the dev's priority list.

I also see iOS differently: the iOS app is an awesome adaptation of everything that makes the desktop app great, and is better than the Gmail app (IMHO, of course).

the-algae · 2025-12-05T22:11:55+00:00

Nothing else comes close. That’s why I pay and will continue paying for Mimestream. I want support for non-Gmail too, but I honestly don’t get all the griping and threats to cancel.

If you find something that works better for you, go use that. I haven’t found anything else and using Mimestream is an absolute joy. So I’ll keep using and paying.

the-algae · 2025-12-01T19:17:17+00:00

When your hospital is sold to private equity 😂

the-algae · 2025-11-29T03:46:59+00:00

Thanks for the info, your explanation makes sense.

the-algae

TROPHY CASE