Random Announcements
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I think some people have Stockholm syndrome from using android for too long. iOS is clearly a better system.
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Indeed. I’ve wanted to throw my android through the wall on multiple occasions. Never had issues with my old iPhone
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I've had maddening experiences on everything I've ever used for a mobile phone, Palm, Blackberry, iOS, Android, Windows, CE, you name it. Pixel 2 with stock Android 8 is far and away better than all of them. Very grateful not to be constantly irritated by my phone anymore.
Android is much more willing to open up to integration and try new things with third parties* (eg, LastPass has worked fine with browsers and apps for many versions) but that experimental mindset may compromise stability. Mimicking Apple's vertical integration with a reference handset (I've had Nexus 6 but Pixel 2 blows that away) so that the OS and apps are stable mitigates that disadvantage.
*including stealing their source code, if you're Oracle
So much the better that it also lacks carrier and manufacturer bloatware.
And I haven't seen a better phone camera, especially in low light.
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I agree with @mclaincausey that stock Android is pretty good.
A lot of phone manufacturers layer apps, visual effects, and other junk on top of the base OS, which doesn't really add anything to the experience.
Then they're slow at pushing updates through. This pie chart shows which versions of Android are in use. Oreo is the latest. Nougat came out in October 2016, Marshmallow in October 2015, Lollipop in October 2014, so most phones are running a two or three year old version of the software.
If you want to be up to date, either buy a Pixel or a Motorola. HTC might be a good option, as Google bought their mobile phone arm, or part of it, recently.
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It's very interesting that Android's biggest feature is that it's so customizable (and open) yet most people prefer to use stock Android in its purest form. Google's Pixel 2 might be the best Android option out now but it only receives software updates for three years (if I recall it correctly). One of which is already over. For comparison: Apple's five year old iPhone 5s will receive the latest iOS 12 this year. This level of software support is amazing.
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Took my boy to the park to practice catching, throwing and hitting for t-ball this morning. He had his plastic bat in hand and says, “dad, watch this!” He swings the bat and in true YouTube teeball blooper form he nails me right in the family jewels and brought me to my knees. Funny not funny
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Of course, it's hilarious. You've most certainly taken your own shots, and you're simply overjoyed it wasn't you, this time.
My condolences, @gaseousclay
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I'm back at work, 2 days after returning from UK and Berlin. It's not fun, I'm working but my body is telling me it's time to have a drink.
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I'm back at work, 2 days after returning from UK and Berlin. It's not fun, I'm working but my body is telling me it's time to have a drink.
Listen to your body Sam.
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It's very interesting that Android's biggest feature is that it's so customizable (and open) yet most people prefer to use stock Android in its purest form. Google's Pixel 2 might be the best Android option out now but it only receives software updates for three years (if I recall it correctly). One of which is already over. For comparison: Apple's five year old iPhone 5s will receive the latest iOS 12 this year. This level of software support is amazing.
Those aren't contrary things. Having stock Android, if anything, affords you more customization, not less. Openness and extensibility aren't mutually exclusive. You can definitely run alternative launchers (UIs), for example.
Random announcement: my puppy seems to shit more than I'm feeding him, while still putting g on something like 2.5lbs a week
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Going to see Foo Fighters tomorrow night with my son. Can’t wait. #fathersonbonding
Nice. Still love these guys. Glad I saw them for their first album
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Anyone else having trouble accessing the forum through google? I can only access through a product page when I click on the “see discusssd in ironheart forum” link. Thanks
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Damn, ceiling fans, wall sconces, pendant lights, recessed cans, undercounter lights, and floodlights add up quick. It's depressing to go over budget on lighting. Not something fun, but lighting.
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Damn, ceiling fans, wall sconces, pendant lights, recessed cans, undercounter lights, and floodlights add up quick. It's depressing to go over budget on lighting. Not something fun, but lighting.
Brandi is an expert at finding deals. There are so often online discount codes and other coupons. Between that and having a master electrician buddy we got pretty lucky.
That said, I like lighting and consider it fun, especially with smart bulbs. Brandi differs with me on the latter.
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Damn, ceiling fans, wall sconces, pendant lights, recessed cans, undercounter lights, and floodlights add up quick. It's depressing to go over budget on lighting. Not something fun, but lighting.
My biggest pet peeve is to walk into a Beautiful home and it has boring, builders grade lighting. You’d be surprised, but custom lighting helps adds a lot of value to the property as well, especially in competitive markets.
Of course, lighting is a very personal thing, but still, having something cool shows you actually think about what’s in your home. Most of us (myself included) didn’t think about it until a few months into ownership and thought “man these lights are boring, too late now” lol
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Agreed, @Anesthetist –and exterior lighting can really make a difference too, from a security, a practicality, and an aesthetic perspective. Not just the light, which can be dramatic and can help you see what the hell is going on at night, but the fixtures themselves can really improve the look of a home. We installed some exterior mission style lantern fixtures, and placed some smart bulbs tuned to a warm color and set on a dusk to dawn cycle. Home or not, the house lights up at night, offering another layer of security. One of them replaces a cheap, janky porch light, and two of them are added fixtures on either side of the garage door. This entirely improved how the house looks at night (and even during the day). We also added solar lawn lights to highlight the house and landscaping.
I think there's a lot of bang for buck if you're smart about lighting. Perhaps it's not the most exciting thing to spend money on, but it carries a lot of satisfaction and ROI if done right.
What I kind of dreaded spending money on was placing a new electrical service, as the only benefit it affords us in the near term is that it's not a fire hazard. If I were a hot tub guy I guess it would be exciting that I can now support that electrically, but it will take some significant expansion of our house and electrical needs for this to provide benefit beyond not having the house burn down.
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My biggest pet peeve is to walk into a Beautiful home and it has boring, builders grade lighting.
Well luckily, we won't have a beautiful home, so our extensive use of can lights won't be out of place.
And in fairness to my wife, who picked everything, there are a few lights that are really cool.I should also note for the record that if we're comparing who shredded the budget most egregiously, I am the clear winner. Lighting may be expensive, but it gets crushed by spray foam insulation and solar panels.
