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Cyberpunk 2077 | Patch 2.13
  • GOG's refund policy is good enough that preordered games can get refunded anyways if they are poor. The ability to preload was worth preordering considering the practically zero downside with GOG. I could have refunded after playing but my computer was powerful enough to push through and still have the performance not be too poor except in a select few areas.

    But regardless of the preorder situation, suggesting that this is things done right and we complain too much because there were 4 years of updates improving the state still is a strange stance to take. A game shouldn't be released in a state that it needs 4 years of updates for most users.

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    Cyberpunk 2077 | Patch 2.13
  • Huh? For those of us that paid $90 for a broken game, I think we have a good reason to complain that four years later the game still needs repairing. Sure a company like EA or Ubisoft wouldn't have fixed it but nonetheless there is a fair reason to complain. CDPR wants to salvage their reputation which is why I bet they are doing it---EA and Ubisoft don't have a reputation to salvage at this point.

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    United Airlines is adding free Starlink Wi-Fi to all of its planes
  • That allows for uninterrupted Netflix streams and even the ability to join video conference calls. Starlink says it can offer speeds of up to 220Mbps per plane

    Still on the pretty slow side considering that large planes can have a few hundred passengers. Still technically interesting I'm sure that communicating with a high-speed plane with an even higher-speed satellite comes with it's challenges.

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    Quebec's Bill 72 would require tips to be calculated on price before taxes
  • Yes I would like something a bit stronger. Nonetheless it's a decrease unless they up the number accordingly. Right now a tip starting at 20% is in fact starting at 23% since it's on tax as well.

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    Quebec's Bill 72 would require tips to be calculated on price before taxes
  • A step in the right direction. I’ve always found it very upsetting that before tip machines, the standard 15% tip was on the subtotal and now it’s always calculated on the total. We are double screwed in that over 15% has been pushed lately and the ``15%" is not the 15% that we used to have.

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  • https:// www.cbc.ca /news/canada/montreal/quebec-bill-72-tips-calculation-groceries-prices-1.7321516

    A step in the right direction. I've always found it very upsetting that before tip machines, the standard 15% tip was on the subtotal and now it's always calculated on the total. We are double screwed in that over 15% has been pushed lately and the ``15%" is not the 15% that we used to have.

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    Jump
    Who else loves night riding?
  • My experience is the opposite. The hours 3-6 feel more dangerous to me because many drivers are in a rush and very uncourteous. At night there are just way less cars on the road and in general they are much more courteous. However I generally don't ride light enough for them to suffer from very bad sleep deprivation.

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    Who else loves night riding?
  • Well my light is angled downwards hopefully it's not a problem. But I'm not sure if it's actually brighter than modern car lights.

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    Who else loves night riding?
  • Actually I got it on Aliexpress (link). There might be better priced options but I got this one because it comes with an adaptor for GoPro mounts so I could mount it under my bike computer. It's otherwise much too heavy and large to mount on handlebars.

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    Bike helmets suggestions needed !
  • Honestly just need to find one that fits YOU and is safe.

    I got a Bontrager Spectre Wavecell because it felt the best on my head from all the helmets I tried and the tech is safe (MIPS is also very good).

    I wear it from -15°C to +30°C and it's good for me. The helmet is not the problem outside this range, it's just generally too hot/cold, it isn't the top of my head that gets way too hot/cold. As long as you don't get an aero helmet I think you won't have any temperature problems.

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    FromSoftware’s financial report suggests drop in profit, but Armored Core 6 surpassed forecasts and Elden Ring continues to contribute to revenue - AUTOMATON WEST
  • However, this decline seems to be due to the previous fiscal period being exceptionally good for FromSoftware, as it started shortly after the release of the company’s global hit Elden Ring

    Kind of a nothing-burger.

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    Bing has been revamped to prioritize AI search results – whether you like it or not
  • Everyone's hating but honestly fair enough move.

    On the whole, nobody uses Bing or takes it seriously anyways and so I guess they have to find their niche. It's certainly not aimed at us (Lemmy/Fediverse users) who are generally more privacy conscious. If it can attract some mainstream users (e.g., Google users, people like your parents, etc) or stop some users from immediately switching their search engine to Google, then it might be a good decision for them.

    Bing providing the exact same service as Google but worse clearly wasn't working for them.

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    Flowchart for STEM
  • Certainly not limited to IT. One of my professors from many years was an aerospace engineer1. He recounts to us the time that he busted his ass on some design for a long time and managed to make some huge cost savings. And then after it was done he realized that all he really did with his extra hard work was help some executives and stockholders get a bit richer. Not long after that he switched to education.

    1Not in the defense industry

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  • Jump
    Trying to buy a laptop for college. What specs should I look out for?
  • Ok then. I'll echo what some others are saying about 16GB being sufficient. If you were in engineering every now and then it's not enough but I don't think its the case for comp sci. I'd leave the door open and get one in which you can upgrade the RAM though.

    One thing to look out for is CPU performance. I find the laptop CPU market is a disaster right now in which you really don't know what you'll get. LTT has a recent video on the topic. For most courses it won't actually matter that much. Some examples of the ones where it could make a difference are numerical linear algebra courses, machine learning (classical, not neural networks), and computer vision (again, classical). In some of these extra RAM might also be helpful but I'd prioritize a better CPU over the RAM. You may look at CPU benchmarks to get an idea of their performance.

    In terms of GPU... I don't think you'll get anything capable enough for training neural networks at this price point, which is the only thing you may need it for in comp sci. But it'll help with light gaming (but I imagine integrated graphics is good enough for minecraft these days—but dont quote me on that).

    Also lastly, I would still recommend finding something with decent Linux support even if you dont want to use it (yet), you may choose to install it down the line. My Dell XPS/Precision has pretty poor linux support with buggy trackpad issues which has caused issues for me in the past. Many comp sci students end up switching to Linux/dual booting for a good reason.

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  • montrealgazette.com REM expansion for Deux-Montagnes and Anse-à-l'Orme delayed

    The REM blames the delay on "the highly complex work to modernize the Mount Royal Tunnel."

    REM delayed again... this time with no new target date.

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    www.nature.com Canadian science gets biggest boost to PhD and postdoc pay in 20 years

    Government budget includes more money for basic research and notable increases to postgraduate stipends.

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    www.theglobeandmail.com Some provinces reject $6-billion housing program announced by Trudeau ahead of federal budget

    Provincial governments see program as intrusion into their jurisdiction as Housing Minister Sean Fraser says Ottawa is prepared to go around provinces that don’t agree to the fund’s conditions

    http://web.archive.org/web/20240403011926/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-trudeau-housing-program-federal-budget/

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    transport.ec.europa.eu EU institutions commit to boost cycling across Europe

    The EU is taking another important step in reducing transport emissions by adopting the European Declaration on Cycling

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    I've ordered a bunch this year. Some stuff I've gotten that I like:

    • Carbon bottle cages
    • Top tube bags
    • Hand pumps. I ordered 2, one of them worked.. but still significantly cheaper than a brand-name one. Also got a handheld pressure gauge for checking the pressure after pumping on the road
    • Glasses—Maybe dangerous in a crash.

    Some stuff I'm waiting on:

    • Cycling computer (iGPSport BSC200). Wanted super basic functionality and am expecting it to be crap. Just a bit concerned with the data handling in terms of privacy.
    • Velocity, cadence, HR sensors. WAY cheaper than from Garmin/Wahoo, we'll see if they work well.

    What are your favorites? Or just cheap accessories in general?

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    Hi all,

    I've a gen 3 Domane AL 2 (Disk). Currently I have road tires (32mm Conti GP5000 TL) on my (stock) wheels. I see some people near me selling brand new Bontrager Paradime SL at C$200 for the pair (the same wheels I have, but from a Checkpoint model).

    Could I buy these to add gravel tires, and then just swap the wheels as necessary? Anyone have any experience with this? Not sure if tolerances are tight enough that I wouldn't have to adjust the derailleur and brakes each time I do the switch. I would of course buy the same rotors and the same cassette.

    Bit more details: I wanted to upgrade bikes next year (thinking Domane AL 5) and put gravel tires on my AL 2 for a secondary gravel + commuting bike. But honestly not sure if it'd be worth upgrading because, at least for the moment, I'm not super limited on my bike; more gears of a 105 groupset would be nice, but perhaps not worth a C$2600. Could be much cheaper and potentially quick and easy to just swap wheels to have my "second bike".

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    www.viksnewsletter.com Basics of Phased Array Antennas and Architectures

    How antenna beams are electronically steered, pros and cons of different phased array architectures, and Starlink's Dishy McFlatface 📡.

    Pretty basic but I've been enjoying Vik's articles on RF topics.

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    www.lapresse.ca Québec créera un vaste réseau de pistes cyclables protégées

    Il n’y a pas que le projet de tramway à Québec. L’administration de Bruno Marchand a présenté mardi un plan pour l’aménagement de 150 km de pistes cyclables protégées aux quatre coins de la ville, inspiré du Réseau express vélo (REV) de Montréal.

    English translation (note has some errors):

    > The news was praised by several environmental groups and cycling associations. Vélo Québec welcomed the "ambitious" vision of the capital, a city where the car still stands at the top of the pavement. > > “Last year, we welcomed an additional 12,000 citizens to the Quebec City Metropolitan Region. If we don’t find alternatives to help people move according to what they want, we’re cooked,” Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand said at a press conference on Tuesday. > > “Today we need to act,” added the Mayor. Waiting for more deaths, more congestion, more trouble, waiting for even more sclerotics would be a lack of courage. We won't do that. ” > > The City of Quebec gives itself 10 years to complete these 14 axes of its Cité Vélo Corridor (CVC). It estimates that 30 million dollars will be needed to set up this network. Half of the budget, or 15 million, is expected from the provincial government. Quebec wants to complete 90 km of the network within 5 years, and the 150 km by 2034. > > The network will travel from the city centre to Val-Bélair, the airport or the east of Beauport. The mayor placed great emphasis on the scale of this cycle network inspired by the Montreal REV. > > Opponents of his tramway project liked to repeat that the first phase did not go to the suburbs, a way of discrediting him. “More than 85% of the city’s 35 neighborhoods will be served by the HVACs,” insisted the mayor, who may expect another divide between centre and suburbs on this issue. The issue of transport is a sensitive issue in the capital. > > The goal of City Hall is clear: to provide a safe and effective option for those looking for an alternative to the car. > > In the capital, 50 per cent of travel of less than 1 km is made by car, as is 77 per cent of travel of less than 5 km. The city therefore believes that many citizens could choose to abandon the car if they had protected cycle tracks. > > “When we combine the modal share of pedestrians and cyclists, we are at 12.5%. The best cities are 40%. We have a long way to go,” said Mayor Marchand. > > “We start from nothing,” he added, promising to share with the public the figures on the evolution of the use of active transports in Quebec as they become available. > > Exit the car? > > The Marchand administration was not in a position on Tuesday to say whether car lanes will be entrenched. Planning is still in its infancy. The map presented to the media is still a draft, and the City wants to consult with the public to know in particular which streets the HVAC will pass. > > Several questions from journalists focused on the impact of the project on the car area. “The aim is not to remove lanes or to say that they will not be removed. The goal is to find the best route,” said the mayor. > > "I'm taking the car, and I'm going to keep taking it," added Bruno Marchand. “If you can’t do it [use active transport in your week because your reality prevents you from doing so, there’s no stake, I’m not going to judge you. The goal is to tell people that when it comes to your schedule, you will have a choice and you will have a safe choice. ” > > The mayor assured that he did not expect a new beak with the Quebec Coalition's government. The town hall has 15 million provincially. But Mr. Marchand will move forward, whether Quebec’s money is there or not, he said. > > Environmental groups reacted positively. Angèle Pineau-Lemieux, spokesperson for Sustainable Transport Access, saw the announcement as a “major turning point” for Quebec. > > “For us, it is necessary. All cities around the world are making efforts for sustainable mobility, if Quebec did nothing, it would be incredible,” said Alexandre Turgeon, Director of the Regional Environment Council of the Capitale-Nationale. > > “When I hear them say, we will not withdraw traffic lanes,” I even find them shy,” added Mr. Turgeon.

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    www.parl.ca Private Member's Bill C-352 (44-1) - First Reading - Lowering Prices for Canadians Act - Parliament of Canada

    Private Member's Bill C-352 (44-1) - First Reading - Lowering Prices for Canadians Act - Parliament of Canada

    Bill to be voted on Wednesday.

    Summary: > This enactment amends the Competition Act to increase penalties for certain anti-competitive acts. It also changes aspects of the review of mergers, including how gains in efficiency and market concentration are taken into account. In addition, it requires the Competition Tribunal to make an order dissolving a completed merger or prohibiting the merger from proceeding if the merger would result in excessive combined market share. The limitation period for the review of mergers is increased from one year to three years. Finally, it amends the Competition Tribunal Act to remove the Tribunal’s ability to award costs against the Crown.

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    www.viksnewsletter.com What's cool about WiFi 7

    Crazy QAM, wide bandwidths, parallel links, spectral efficiency, and more

    For those EEs interested in Wireless Communications like myself. Coming from more cellular communications type of stuff, I find the fact that 4096 QAM is possible over the air crazy.

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    www.viksnewsletter.com What's cool about WiFi 7

    Crazy QAM, wide bandwidths, parallel links, spectral efficiency, and more

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