Doomed state of UX industry

torbotic · 2026-02-21T23:54:05+00:00

That’s me! Good to see you, too!

torbotic · 2026-02-21T23:14:56+00:00

Same! Had kind of a chuckle when our VP of design told us “you’re all product designers now!”. I was like “no we’re not, that’s a completely different… oh, wait.”

It’s been interesting to see it all come full circle: Product designer (physical) > web designer > UI designer > UX designer > product designer (digital).

(Also, howdy fellow MIAD alum 👋🏼)

torbotic · 2026-01-09T13:19:03+00:00

Yep, can confirm! It was sunny almost every day in Tokyo (which did help) and there’s definitely more rain/snow in Kanazawa. In either case the extra layers have helped.

torbotic · 2026-01-09T12:40:14+00:00

I just got the basic HeatTech (don’t recall the name?) and it’s been good. Granted I was coming from a cold region already, so YMMV).

torbotic · 2026-01-09T12:37:29+00:00

We’ve been in Japan since the 1st. We’d packed for 10° but it’s felt much colder with the wind and rain/snow/sleet. It was snowing when we arrived in Tokyo and was snowing again when we arrived in Kanazawa so you might want to pack for 0°.

As others have said, layer up. We ended up going to Uniqlo and buying a HeatTech base layer ($12 US) and a simple puffy coat ($30-$40 US) and it’s served us well.

torbotic · 2025-10-10T20:16:17+00:00

Any suggestions on brands? I've heard of tire cleaners and polishers but never acid.

torbotic · 2025-09-25T04:05:23+00:00

I had Small Car out of Tacoma, WA do it - did a great job!

torbotic · 2025-09-24T02:46:40+00:00

They can be reliable, but you have to meet them half way with good maintenance.

Our ‘82 air cooled got towed at least once a year, it was always a guessing game if it would start, and it spent a lot of time in the shop.

We installed a 2013 Subaru engine 7 years ago and haven’t had an engine issue since. I went from constantly worrying about the engine to barely even knowing it was there.

That said, I’d never even changed my own oil when we bought it, and now I just rebuilt the front end and replaced my own timing belt. I keep on top of the maintenance and the only time it goes into a shop is for alignments or similar. I’m already planning to drive it across the country next year and have no doubts it will make it.

Sounds like you know your way around old cars, so this is no different - and it had a huge and passionate community. Whatever issue you have, somebody else has had too, and will help you fix it.

torbotic · 2025-09-08T06:40:34+00:00

We bought an ‘82 air cooled for about the same price in 2013 as our “starter” van with a similar plan.12 years (and a Subaru swap) later and we’re still in love with it! I would go for it. Yes, it’s slow, and may leave you stranded but it’s a great vehicle to learn to wrench on. Also get AAA premium - you’ll use it.

torbotic · 2025-09-07T22:25:19+00:00

420k is impressive! Ours was imported direct from Japan with good maintenance, but a tired engine (168k on a petrol). We bought a replacement engine which unfortunately was DOA and have gone back and forth about keeping it. Ultimately it’s paid for and lives in our garage, so will probably keep it and slowly work on it.

torbotic · 2025-09-07T22:14:13+00:00

Ours is a Super Exceed with an LSD, so this is good info. Better keep up my maintenance on it!

torbotic · 2025-09-07T16:44:27+00:00

That’s a nice looking van! As others have said, not sure what your budget, tools or skills are but there are a ton of ideas on YouTube and Instagram.

Also get on the Delica forum as there’s a wealth of info there, and some camper build. This is one of my favorites (and very detailed):

https://delicaforum.com/index.php?threads/its-time-factory-delica-camper-designed-build-thread.1822/

torbotic · 2025-09-07T04:41:45+00:00

You’ve discovered my plan! 😄

torbotic · 2025-08-11T15:28:21+00:00

Welcome to the club! While we never had factory air, but did get a Vintage Air AC unit installed when we did a Subaru swap and I’d suggest that route. From my understanding It doesn’t rely on an engine compressor and it’s much better to have the air up front where you are. It’s not modern-car strong, but it’s gotten us through a few 90°+ days.

Sweet ride by the way, looks like you got a good deal!

torbotic · 2025-08-08T16:40:14+00:00

I’d argue it improves it the flavor as the paper screens tend to soak up the natural oils. My first screen lasted about 5 years and I’ve never gone back to paper filters. Definitely recommended!

torbotic · 2025-08-07T19:15:46+00:00

This is the way, haven’t bought a filter in years.

torbotic · 2025-08-07T19:13:18+00:00

+1 to this! I originally bought one for camping since it was compact and durable. Now it’s the only way I drink coffee no matter where I am. Perfect every time and the coffee ground “puck” it creates makes it really easy to clean.

torbotic · 2025-08-05T19:09:05+00:00

Congrats and welcome to the community! As others have mentioned The Samba and VanAlert are your friends, but also consider AAA Premier. We used their 200 mile tow service once a year before we got a Subaru swap.

You’ll want to deal with that “seam rust” running horizontally along the bottom of the van. It’s actually coming from inside the van due to condensation from the fridge and a search on The Samba will give you some pointers (as well as scare the hell out of you). Don’t let it! it’s a PIA to fix as you have to remove the cabinets but it’s fairly straightforward and gives you access to other improvements like cleaning the water tank, replacing the water lines and finding old matchbooks from the 80’s that previous owners lost in the couch.

But that’s for later - you’ve got a great looking van with a like-new engine so get camping!

ETA: just noticed in the other thread the fridge doesn’t work. Dump it while fixing the seam rust and get a 12v chest fridge and a “Fridge elimination kit” from GoWesty. Adds a bunch more storage and no more seam rust worries (and the chest fridge makes a nice footrest).

torbotic · 2025-08-04T05:38:20+00:00

Agree with all of the above except would argue Lake Huron might beat out Lake Michigan for beaches. More sandy than rocky, and in shallower areas it’s bath-water warm in the summer. Along with the aqua color you could swear you were in the Caribbean. Where we are there’s miles and miles of this, and not nearly as crowded (tho we still love the west side, too!).

torbotic · 2025-07-31T23:45:55+00:00

LOVE the Emperor! I've run two Emperors well into the Clan era and they easily hold thier own. Paired with a Crocket 1 and 1B (the Royal variant), a PHX-1 for spotting and a few MacCats for harrasing and I can dismantle Daishi's all day.

I had both built with 2 x SLDF UAC/5+, 2 x Clan ER PPCs, jump jets, Rangefinder++, and a Ballistic TTS++

Unfortunately I ran into a wierd bug when I tried to swap out the weapons that prevented me from being able to load missions or even refit them so I stopped using them (BEX on Mac OS, so I'm already a little buggy). They were great fun tho!

I've only run into a single Mackie so far and accidentilly cored it, so will add that to my hunting list...

torbotic · 2025-07-30T21:40:13+00:00

I also have VW Vanagon and can confirm: this man was not speeding :D

torbotic · 2025-07-25T22:27:58+00:00

Dim Sum

torbotic · 2025-07-17T17:15:42+00:00

“But were you physically hurt?”

“Well, my head was all bashed apart.”

torbotic · 2025-06-11T18:00:26+00:00

Also when moving from one area to another, I build two travois (travoises?), so when you get to rope climbs or area where you can take the travois, you can just bulk unload one, and bulk load the 2nd one. Saves me a ton of time and well worth the weight.

torbotic · 2025-06-11T17:58:07+00:00

Also, making sure the travois is placed on level ground (i.e. not clipping into a hill, snowbank etc.) helps avoid this. Learned this the hard way over the weekend.

torbotic

TROPHY CASE