Vacation Open Thread 6

This is your daily open thread, talk about whatever you like, of course keeping it clean and friendly.

19 Responses to Vacation Open Thread 6

  1. The Atomic Punk says:

    e-Reader or iPad / Tablet? I’m thinking of buying one for my dad for Christmas. I’ve been doing analysis. Most Tablets support e-Books on top of all the other crazy applications.

    Most likely, my dad would use a Tablet to read books, play solitaire, and ignore everything else. That’s what makes an e-Reader more cost-effective. Then again, he might actually LEARN how to use a Tablet (though doubtful).

    I’m leaning toward e-Reader. Anyone use either or both? I find it hard to justify $250+ for a fancy digital paperback.

  2. Myro says:

    Got my fiance a Kindle Fire last year for xmas, and she uses it for all sorts of stuff: books, games, checking e-mail and browsing. So I guess it made more sense for her to have something along the tablet lines instead of just a basic e-reader.

    I’d never get one for myself though. I figure I have a laptop and a smartphone. There isn’t a whole lot I can’t do that one of those devices can’t handle. Also, I tend to like having actual paper books.

    I’d say you’re safer just getting an e-reader for your dad. Unless you actually think he’d actually be interested in having a tablet, there’s no reason to spring for the more expensive device.

  3. Jeff Hebert says:

    I had a regular Kindle until it got stolen and I loved it, but I also have a laptop so an iPad or similar wasn’t really something I would miss. I loved the Kindle. If it were me, I’d get him one of the “white light” new Kindles that you can read in the dark. The reading experience is fantastic and being able to put your whole library on one device rules. It’s something someone who loves to read but who isn’t into technology in general will find super useful without being irritating.

    Now I do all of my eReading on my iPhone, which is not ideal. But once you go electronic for reading it’s hard to go back to print.

  4. Debochira says:

    Just thought I’d share one of my recent creations in Hero Machine with you guys. Took me for ever with his symbol, but here he is.

    (link removed by Jeff)

    Yes, I realized right as i closed the window that I forgot to add his arm spikes. Still, not bad.

  5. Jeff Hebert says:

    Debochira, using HeroMachine to create copyright-infringing images is not its intended function. I do not allow such images to be posted on any site that is my responsibility.

  6. Keric says:

    Debochira:
    Just thought I’d share one of my recent creations in Hero Machine with you guys. Took me for ever with his symbol, but here he is.

    (Link to copyright-violating image removed by Jeff.)

    Yes, I realized right as i closed the window that I forgot to add his arm spikes. Still, not bad.

    Very nice. I have a suggestion for this image.
    I suggest using grey on the boots and gloves outlines or bumping the cape to very dark grey- so the cape doesn’t blend with the boots and gloves.

  7. Worf says:

    Keric: Very nice. I have a suggestion for this image.
    I suggest using grey on the boots and gloves outlines or bumping the cape to very dark grey- so the cape doesn’t blend with the boots and gloves.

    Can I just ask if this was a picture of The Nocturnal-Flying-Mamal-Man ? 😉 😛

  8. Professor Anthrax says:

    Worf: Can I just ask if this was a picture of The Nocturnal-Flying-Mamal-Man ?

    I get the impression that it may have been someone very remarkably similar to “Flying Fox Fellow”. Of course, that’s just an educated guess.

  9. Worf says:

    Professor Anthrax: I get the impression that it may have been someone very remarkably similar to “Flying Fox Fellow”. Of course, that’s just an educated guess.

    Guess we’ll never know since I have no idea where Debochira keeps his/her online archive… oh well….

  10. Keric says:

    Worf: Can I just ask if this was a picture of The Nocturnal-Flying-Mamal-Man ?

    Yes, It was almost SPOT ON version of the night flyer, I was going to mention to Debochira but I did not know how she would take it, and I wanted it to stay up for as long as it could.

  11. Professor Anthrax says:

    Keric: Yes, It was almost SPOT ON version of the night flyer, I was going to mention to Debochira but I did not know how she would take it, and I wanted it to stay up for as long as it could.

    Oh well. Hopefully this will be taken as a learning experience, and Debochira will share another creation with us in future.

  12. Herr D says:

    @Atomic Punk: We are headed for a LOT MORE of device overlap. My wife wound up by quirk of sales prices getting an iPhone for the same price as a new iPod–and she wanted a new phone anyway, so she got everything she wanted and saved money. If you’re not good at making things last, you’ll want to avoid multifunctioning on the same device.
    If you’re talking sharing the device, most peoples’ advice won’t really help because we won’t know your relationship dynamics.

  13. Kaldath says:

    I have the Kindle App on my iphone and love reading on my phone and wish I had a tablet to do my reading on instead. I personally wouldn’t want just an eReader as I prefer my gadgets to be multi-functional. I’d also love a tablet as a better portable movie watching device. I sometimes watch netflix on my phone when I am out and about and the that would be vastly improved by a table over my iphone 4’s small screen. If you’re price conscious you can look for refurbished models of older Devices like the ipad 1 or 2, or the Kindle fire ( since there is a new model the Kindle Fire HD this year ) I have own refurbished apple devices and they come with the same warranty as a brand new unit if it was refurbished by apple.

  14. X-stacy says:

    Herr D: If you’re not good at making things last, you’ll want to avoid multifunctioning on the same device.

    This is why I fear the future. In the future, you’ll have no choice but to have multifunctional devices, and me and technology of any kind don’t get along. It’s not that I don’t take care of my stuff, either. Everything just seems to break down in my presence. If I lived in the universe of Harry Dresden, I’d almost certainly be a wizard, based on how well tech and I get along.

    So if it were me? I’d rather have a straight-up reader than a tablet. Now, assuming Punk’s dad isn’t cursed? I’d still recommend the reader, unless he’s given some sign of interest in tablets. Break him in slowly. If he likes the reader and uses it all the time, you can give him a tablet sometime down the road.

  15. Arioch says:

    Just tired and empty.
    Can barely take care of myself, less and less, and I’m supposed to look after my brother and mother, I can’t do it.
    I don’t seek money or fame, I don’t care about where I live or what I eat. I never cared much about sex, and… Well, ok, I’ve understood not to expect a relationship. So I’m at least trying to have some people in my life that I love and that I can see from time to time, but even that is asking too much, or so I’ve been clearly told, so I guess I must seek nothing here as well.

    I would tell you I just wanna die, but then, my dear “friend” cwi will tell me “and that’s all?” (and nothing else), so I’ll abstain, thanks. I don’t have the strenght for that, anyway, so there’s no need to worry (not that people know that, of course, which proves my worth to cwi’s eyes, since it was the first time I was saying that to someone).
    Just feels like nothing.

  16. Jeff Hebert says:

    Arioch, there are resources available to help you, I am sure. If you’re having suicidal thoughts and you’re in the U.S., please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Otherwise there are surely either governmental, religious, or secular support groups that can either provide emotional counseling, or actual support like helping house-sit/do some shopping, etc. It sounds like you might be fighting chemical depression as well as the actual burdens of getting along with your responsibilities. I hope you can find the energy to ask for and seek out help. Obviously we’re just a bunch of creatives here without training in counseling but if there’s anything we can do to help, please just let us know.

  17. The Atomic Punk says:

    X-stacy: This is why I fear the future.In the future, you’ll have no choice but to have multifunctional devices, and me and technology of any kind don’t get along.It’s not that I don’t take care of my stuff, either.Everything just seems to break down in my presence.If I lived in the universe of Harry Dresden, I’d almost certainly be a wizard, based on how well tech and I get along.

    Funny you should say that. My dad and I don’t own watches because they do break down when we wear them. My older brother wears a watch out of spite. Seriously, it’s like we have an aura or magnetism that causes things to break down.

    Yesterday my dad left me a voicemail on my phone. I checked it then received a notice that I had another vx from October 28th! My phone never rang that day. No missed calls, no caller id. But sure enough, I had a vx from a month ago waiting.

    I work in a building with a Verizon tower on top. People talk on their cell phones on the elevator (which is rude, btw). I can’t get a signal unless I’m three blocks away.

    @Arioch: I sympathize, believe me. I don’t believe in god(s), psychiatrists, or pills. I just carry on.

    For a “family activity,” I suggest going to the zoo, sports venue, or some other public place. Somewhere there is activity enough to be a distraction. You can be around each other but not have to talk. It can be therapeutic. You have the vibe that you’re not alone at the same time you’re non-committal.

  18. Keric says:

    @Arioch: I sympathize, believe me. And I could give you all kinds of advice, sage wisdom and Lessons that my parents gave me…, BUT would that work for you? I thought about it and the answer was More than likely NOT ONE bit!

    I still wish you the best.

    On a not related note you should check out xxxholic, it’s DEEP and you may find a take away or two.