So long, Skype! FUCK your new update attempts!

Posted on 07-22-2018 by Benie

It’s a shame when things get bought out, or taken over. Cause that’s what happened to Skype. It used to be its own company, and Micro$oft has acquired it to where you’re forced to use what they want you to use.
The only reason I even had Skype, was because of Tulsi (who doesn’t seem to realize that Skype is pretty much dead, just like AIM(AOL Instant Messenger) back in the day), and it’s time to now use Discord (with its ad-free goodness). Of course Discord has turned into Steam (and vice versa with Steam turning into Discord).. and they sure as hell didn’t bother getting our opinion before doing this.

But just like how he cares nothing about Wurm, all I told him was to get Discord after seeing this delightful message, with them literally trying to ram the new update down my throat (Micro$oft is quite well known for ramming things down people’s throats (nomatter the cost).. take Windows 10 when it was free, as a prime example).
However, I’m actually glad Microshit decided to do this. Without Skype, it freed up some system resources (not much, but every little bit helps). So, thanks Microdick.
Also, would you kindly shove your new Skype version back up the ass it got shitted out of? Thanks.

Posted in Personal | Comments Off on So long, Skype! FUCK your new update attempts!

Moderate risk of severe weather.. in July?!

Posted on 07-20-2018 by Benie

When the weathermen and women are using the words “unprecedented” and “unusual” for today, “This is going to be a terrible day…”. A Spring-like super strong cold front, fed with Summer heat and humidity, could potentially breed some really bad storms today.
How this started, was last week. Watching one of the local news stations, showed Friday being typically muggy and hot (what you would expect with summertime), then it shows Saturday the humidity drops down drastically. I thought “we need to watch Friday”.
The next day, the forecast changes.. and it seemed like we would be fine, but then they start talking about severe weather coming Friday.

But this didn’t show itself ’till Tuesday, when the SPC shows us being under a Slight risk. To show a Slight risk three days in advance, is quite concerning. Every day, the risk expanded. The way it looked, I thought there would be an Enhanced risk to the south of us. Instead.. it was over us. And again, it expanded.
Day 1, we’re now under a Moderate risk. And by the time I woke up, it too had expanded in coverage. So, when’s the fucking High risk going to show up?! I get it, SPC! We’re fucked!
And again… this is happening in July. This is Summer, not Spring. We don’t see these types of weather when it’s hot and humid. But… ‘the norm’ seems to be changing as the majority of the government continue to ignore the reality of climate change.

Just dodged a bullet about an hour from now, with a tornado SW of us (estimated 100MPH winds, so guesstimating either a strong EF-1 or weak EF-2). But this is just starting, and could get worse as the day goes on.
The worst is expected by 5-7pm (when the cold front gets closer). All types of severe weather are expected; large hail, damaging to destructive wind gusts, frequent lightning, blinding rain, flash flooding… and of course, a few (with some possibly strong) tornadoes.
And this is (once again) happening …in July. This is NOT NORMAL!
—
Yesterday in Iowa (what happened to Marshaltown with a possible EF-3 going right through the town), was pretty much an example of what is to be expected today.

.
All clear! This highly unusual severe weather event is now over. Came close to losing power from round 2 of this mess. As it slowly approached , we were going through sunset and had this eerie red-orange glow all around us (like the sky was on fire).
Pretty good hail storm and lots of intense lightning, though I heard a loud thud on the roof. Tomorrow we’re going to have to check for storm damage (again).
Just got done having a hole in the roof patched two weeks ago of this freak of nature that sat and parked over us for 20+ minutes, extremely heavy rain, vivid lighting, and small hail. The rain was so persistent, it nearly drowned my AC (forced to turn it off to get all the excess water out).
Lots of storm damage from that one (mainly tree limbs).

Posted in Weather Alerts | Comments Off on Moderate risk of severe weather.. in July?!

The latest from the Best Boi plushie

Posted on 07-15-2018 by Benie

This has been something that’s been just off the radar (just like VRChat), as I’ve been trying to primarily focus on Wurm. But five days ago, I received an email from Budsies (the ones making the plushies) stating that they are now in the design phase (with the first step of selecting (and cutting) fabrics, and the next to sew each and every one of them together (just hopefully not as a big ball of fluff (with a bunch of Best Boi plushies sewed into one), as that would both be cute and horrifying at the same time).

They believe they’ll be done with all the orders by mid-August (which I assume they’ll also be shipped by then). So hopefully I’ll receive my plushie before my 43rd birthday.

Posted in Personal | Comments Off on The latest from the Best Boi plushie

The time to think about purchasing new hardware is coming up soon

Posted on 07-11-2018 by Benie

So my birthday is next month, and I still haven’t really saved up much money to get the parts I need. Though the main reason is because as I had mentioned a very long time ago, my old PCPartpicker list no longer has the RAM that was recommended for me.
So, since I’m taking my break (and my mother reminded me to go on and buy my Ryzen 5 2600), I need to find something that’ll work with my cooler (aka, low profile RAM).
I asked the Modded Minecraft Discord server, and was recommended a new motherboard/RAM. But if said RAM is low profile, they don’t know. Hell, one of them didn’t even know what ‘RGB’ means. I’m honestly surprised there’s a few non-tech savvy people in there.

So it seems I’m going to ask a forum (that’s related to these Java-based games I’m playing), and would hopefully know what I’m looking for (like the Wurm forum), and hope someone in there knows the meaning of ‘low profile’ RAM.
I’ll update this once I finally have a price.

EDIT 1: Being told to think about downgrading to the Ryzen 3 1300X, saying it’s “only 15% less performance”, but it “runs virtually any game”. But when asking if this is a viable alternative for something that’ll last me 5-10 years from now, I got no response.

EDIT 2: I’m now being told the exact opposite of what I was told last year (in the Modded Minecraft Discord server). Got a PM in the Wurm forum, claiming WO “uses very little CPU” — and as more of a GPU-intensive game.
How.. is that even possible? Both games are running Java as their game engine, right? Right and from what I was told (by the Modded Minecraft Discord server), the CPU’s singlethreaded speed is what’s relied on (for Java-based games).
Yet I’m being told it’s different in Wurm? This isn’t Wogic, this is two different answers to one problem. Am I literally being told, WO runs better than Minecraft? That (somehow) Rolf along with Notch (before he created Minecraft), has used a different way to handle packets (and all of that other server mumbo jumbo) than Minecraft? If that’s the case, then how come Notch didn’t take pointers from Rolf?
Heh.. *sigh* one sure way to debunk one of these answers, would be angry (as he (I hope) has dealt with Java’s coding).

I need someone else (or a group of others) that would know Java’s code, and would give me a non-BS answer of what I need to aim for. And I can’t ask the MM Discord server, as there’s a 99% chance that there will be noone in there, that’ll have a clue what ‘Wurm Online’ even is.
Even if I was to ask in the Linus Tech Tips forum, they probably wouldn’t know what it is! So I have no idea which answer I should go with (as either of them could be the wrong one).

.
EDIT 3: I am now at a complete loss, with no idea how to proceed. The person tells me that yes, it’s true that Minecraft (like all Java-based games) are single-threaded games. But then they told me a whole bunch of shit that it could even be.. my drives that could be the reason why I’ve been having low performance. They even keep insisting that Wurm uses “very little CPU”.
God, what a headache. It seems like I’m back to square one, to where I might be literally having to stick with this system for the rest of my life.
What the fuck could I tell this person now? The status of all three of my drives, if I should go all SSD (even though there is a limit (although a large one) to the number of writes it can do until it dies)? Also, what about games like VRChat, or any future CPU-demanding games?
I got no one telling me this shit (that I’ve been used to). In other words, I seem to have lost people I can depend on to make decisions for me. And, this won’t do. I have to find someone willing to help me.

Posted in Computing | Comments Off on The time to think about purchasing new hardware is coming up soon

Fuck world peace … Twitter blows up with #mprraccoon!

Posted on 06-12-2018 by Benie

When I saw ‘#mprraccoon‘ trending on Twitter, I thought this was another E3 thing (or a song/movie/tv series I never heard in my life). Instead, it was a raccoon somehow scaling a skyscraper in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Why said raccoon is doing it is unclear, but Twitter is going fucking NUTS over this, with tweets like “I can’t sleep as long as #mprraccoon is still up there!” Or “let us pray for the raccoon”.

*almost laughs his head off of how hilariously fake some of these comments are*
I honestly had no idea how many people are raccoon fans! What’s even funnier, I can see people being sarcastic with other people who are sarcastic about caring for the vermin’s health and well being, even one poking fun that this is more important than stopping World War 3.
The memelords are at work tonight, that’s for sure. Wake UP, internet! This is a fucking WILD ANIMAL, known to be RABID! ..At least, that’s what my parents believe. But since they gave me a fear of wild animals (coupled with my fear of small things that move (outside of flies, and mosquitoes)), I don’t know if they’re actually right (nor do I really want to find out for myself, by trying to pet one).
And of course, the media isn’t helping by being all “OMG!! THIS IS BIG!! Raccoon climbing on a skyscraper! BREAKING NEWS!!”

1950: In the future, there will be flying cars!
2018: BREAKING NEWS! A raccoon is climbing a skyscraper! #PrayForRaccoon
All the more reason to not wish to be on this planet anymore.
—
On a serious note, I actually do hope for a positive end for this. I also don’t understand why god damn animal control isn’t doing anything about this. They can.. you know, easily open a window, walk out, lasso the raccoon’s neck, get it in a cage before it bites or claws anyone, and safely take it back to the wild.
If this was a human being, don’t you think the fire department would be doing everything they could to rescue them? Sending a ladder, or making a safe spot for the person to jump off? They could do the same thing for the raccoon, without turning the entire thing into a fucking publicity stunt (which is EXACTLY what they’re doing here).

EDIT: The raccoon is now safe. The daring trash panda managed to scale all the way up to the top of the building, where it was safely captured by wildlife control and taken to an ‘undisclosed location’. And now Twitter can get back to what it does best; being a memelord with stupid (but silly) hashtag roundups.
…I’m just kidding. Now they’re demanding the media to follow wildlife control and film the raccoon being released back into the wild. *facepalm* Why not.

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on Fuck world peace … Twitter blows up with #mprraccoon!

History in the making: Trump and Kim Jong-un meet for the first time

Posted on 06-11-2018 by Benie

We are witnessing history in the making (and in my lifetime). For the first time.. ever, a sitting President of the free world, has not only met face to face, but shook hands with the dictator of North Korea. Will we start to lay the ground for world peace, or will we start World War 3? The tensions are absurdly high of the outcome with this historic meeting.
If Trump pulls this off (and gets North Korea to agree to a complete, verified, and irreversible, total denuclearization), not to mention makes it where Americans could go to North Korea (and not be arrested)… I’ll take back every bad thing I’ve ever said to him.
I’m serious, too.

I have high hopes that Trump just might do it (because I do NOT want to die from nucular fallout). And the only way we’ll know if the summit was successful, is if the two agree to more peace talks. If this happens (and the two actually do it), then and only then will we feel safe from a nuclear war.

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on History in the making: Trump and Kim Jong-un meet for the first time

“Fire consumes, you tried and failed! Let there be no doubt, justice (is for the rich)!”

Posted on 06-11-2018 by Benie

The Humanist Report video, here.

What better way to ‘welcome in’ the death of a free and open internet for all Americans, then with God pissed off at you with numerous strong storms moving through your town.
This still isn’t stopping certain states (that aren’t mine) from attempting to pass their own rules. Already, Washington State… is now the only state in the US that still has Net Neutrality. But I’m more pissed off of Indiana’s state representatives. I saw nothing but complete silence from them, and it makes me sick. They haven’t done jack shit to protect my interests!
Do I blame myself for not being ‘the one’ for not going up to Indy, and demanding my congresspeople would do something? Honestly, I don’t know who to blame (outside of Trump for not seeing how important something like this to not only customers, but businesses). He wants to make “America First”, yet he didn’t see this being an issue with it?!

So the changes will not come immediately. It could take months (or maybe even years) until we start to feel the negative effects of throttling and blocking of certain websites. But I’m sure most of it will depend on if everyday Americans forget about the fight. I pray this doesn’t happen.
—
However, state reps (shockingly.. even ones from Indiana) feel there’s now a good chance the ‘Doyle-Markey bill’ should pass the House and get to Trump’s desk. They claim that 170 of them have already signed it, and they need 50 more. If what they say is true, then keep calling your state representatives and force them to fight the good fight. If we can get the bill to pass in the House, and Trump signs it into law, Net Neutrality will be restored.
But there are certain Americans who feel that if this happens, the government will get involved in it. Though I guess I’m too blind to see this being a problem (as long as it’s not Ajit Shitpie (or another corporate asshole who wants to shaft customers for their personal game), I don’t care who takes over the FCC).

Posted in Personal, Politics | Comments Off on “Fire consumes, you tried and failed! Let there be no doubt, justice (is for the rich)!”

2008-2018: 10 years of blogging.. wow!

Posted on 06-06-2018 by Benie

Wow indeed. It was on this day (June 6th, 2008) when I started blogging; 10. years! That is unbelievable!!
It’s funny how it all started from actually having an active homepage with TheBeaverDam.com (back in 1999). And looking back at those old posts (a thing most people do when they reminiscence of their first video or whatever), I’m very glad I’ve changed the way I pronounce my words and phrase paragraphs. It was very, very cringy.
So, here’s to 10 more years of blogging! Hopefully I’ll get even better by then. Sorry that it’s so short, but there’s really not much to say.

Posted in Personal | Comments Off on 2008-2018: 10 years of blogging.. wow!

For those who are curious, the Best Boi plush can now be preordered

Posted on 06-04-2018 by Benie

Since this doesn’t really relate to gaming, I thought it would be perfect to post in the general blog.
So if you’ve heard of the Best Boi’s in VRChat, there’s now a plush version of the furry, that is available for preorders. The plush can be found here, and its base cost is $25 (with all costs in USD). S&H will cost you an additional $9.95 for international orders, and $4.95 for domestic.
Twitchin gets 5% of every order, which she has agreed to divide evenly between herself and Kibble.
—
Now how the website works, orders will remain in a preorder state until a set goal is reached within two weeks from the time of its posting (with the goal being 100).
-If the goal fails to reach, people that have preordered will receive a full refund within 5 business days after it ends.
-But if the goal is reached, the orders will be processed within 6 to 8 weeks, and the cycle begins again.
Not really a fan of this practice.

.
Now I’m not saying the $30 pricetag ($25 including S&H) isn’t worth for what you get (as I know some plushies are twice this amount, depending on their size), but I feel it could go on more important things.
Plus, I’m not really a fan of plushies.

EDIT, 6/17: The window is closing to get your hands on a plushie, as the offer is about to expire, in just under a day from now. The current goal is 52% out of 100.

EDIT2, 6/18 (Immediate rewrite, new info): The window is open through Wednesday (closing midnight EDT Thursday). The goal must be reached by then, or it won’t matter.
So please let these poor plushies get to their new homes, by buying one (or three).
Don’t let them be plushie’less. Current level of the goal (of the 19th), stands at 72% of 100.

EDIT3, 6/20: Less than a day remains until the extension ends, and the goal isn’t anywhere close to completion (the last time I looked, shows 76% of 100).
If a large wave of people don’t come and buy one, it’s likely the goal will (again) not be met. I’d like to hope that isn’t the case, but at this time, I don’t see it. So please, buy one.

EDIT4: WE DID IT!! GOAL REACHED!! My thought that the goal would likely fail to reach, thankfully wasn’t true. Now Twitchin has been buying most of them (and is also planning to give them away during her streams).
Soon it was down to the wire; 99% of 100. It felt like everyone was looking at me, waiting for me to purchase. And after spending a minute thinking hard about it (and how I would explain this ‘new arrival’ to my parents)… I purchased the last one and got the goal at 100% of 100!
I did it for them, and it feels quite good to be the deciding factor (even though someone else probably would had bought it). But we DID IT!
All of you (who bought a plushie), did it! Well done! But most importantly, the ones that decided to give us a second chance to reach it, let’s thank them as well.
—
And with the goal finally reached, the plushie can now be freely purchased (without any minimum purchasing limit).

Posted in Personal | Comments Off on For those who are curious, the Best Boi plush can now be preordered

Huge victory in favor of Net Neutrality, Senate votes to save

Posted on 05-16-2018 by Benie

In this technological age, something simple that most of us do every day –accessing the Internet — is actually having to be fought for. The corporate greed, brought on by Republicans, wants to force ‘fast lanes’ on Americans. People that can afford to pay for these proposed packages, would get the same service as they have now (but be paying more for it). Whilst people that cannot.. would be screwed.
And now, the date when Net Neutrality will officially die, is June 11th. That’s.. next month, people.
This is why it is SO IMPORTANT, if you want nothing to change, to call your state representatives and pressure them to support you in congress (after all, that’s why they got voted in).

But now, after many months of feeling hopelessness that nothing was going in our favor… we can finally declare a victory in one of the fights for Net Neutrality! Today, Senate Democrats (under the authority of the CRA(Congressional Review Act) and Republicans have voted on last week’s motion. And with a nail-biting margin of 6 votes (for a total of 52 Yes, 47 No), the Senate has passed the motion in order to protect Net Neutrality.
To the state Senators that voted Yes: Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for doing the right thing. Thank you for not letting lobbyists and big telecom businesses bully you.

But as I said, this war is far from over. The bill now moves to the Republican-controlled House (which is unlikely to pass), where it must have a majority vote in order to survive. But even if it does, our President (who knows barely anything of the subject) still has the authority to veto or pass it.
And that is why we MUST continue the fight to restore Net Neutrality. Continue to call your state representatives, and get them to continue the fight in the House!
We don’t have much time left. We. MUST. WIN this war, for all Americans!

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on Huge victory in favor of Net Neutrality, Senate votes to save