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PC Gamer recommends RSS readers in a 37mb article that just keeps downloading

stuartbreckenridge.net

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Re: PC Gamer recommends RSS readers in a 37mb article that just keeps downloading

#131

Post by II2II »

kuschku wrote: post #110
reaperducer wrote: post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If someone needs a phone like this for email and job searching and has no other option, 2G speeds will work. It’s not e-waste for the intended purpose. Guess how I know you've never actually tried this. Part of my job is testing the web sites I build in the terrible real-world conditions where our customers are. Places like machine rooms, deep basements, and small towns with only municipal or small-carrier 3G cell se…

I used to have an extremely cheap phone plan that had 500MB data, then 64kbps for the rest of the month. You'd be surprised how far you can get with that. IRC works just fine (as long as you use Quassel w/ Quasseldroid), HN works well, so does reddit (via redreader). RSS readers and wikipedia work as well, and for general web browsing you can set up a readability proxy (basically Firefox' Reader Mode, but server-side…

Been there, done that, and all without the benefit of a home Internet connection. I also created a couple of scripts that I could run on my desktop computer to install new software or update my operating system. After running the scripts on my computer, I would wander over to the library with nothing more than my phone to download the packages along with grabbing some videos to watch offline.

The issue isn't really living with 500 MB/month of data. For most people, it will simply be knowing that you can do that. The next issue they will face is having the technical ability to actually do so. Then, once you've done all of that, the question will remain: will they be interested in the stripped down Internet. A lot of us who frequent HN may be since the results will still reflect our interests. There are people on IRC who we would want to talk to. There is a slant towards tech sites with RSS. And so on. That isn't going to be reflected in sites targeted at a general audience.

Re: PC Gamer recommends RSS readers in a 37mb article that just keeps downloading

#132

Post by tbossanova »

jagged-chisel wrote: post #108
Aurornis wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Three days into the month these phones are just ewaste. If someone needs a phone like this for email and job searching and has no other option, 2G speeds will work. It’s not e-waste for the intended purpose. It would be great if they got higher days caps, though, because let’s be realistic in acknowledging that they’re not only going to use it for Google Maps, email, and job search apps.

How are they supposed to know which job search platforms (app or web) aren’t going to blow their bandwidth limits?

True, and also when you actually go to apply for a job it often kicks you out to another website, that will use who knows how many mbs? And you have to fill in your details again and again. Each one a different flavour. Sometimes saying the same thing multiple times for the same job ad.

Re: PC Gamer recommends RSS readers in a 37mb article that just keeps downloading

#133

Post by tolerance »

acheron wrote: post #92
kelvinjps10 wrote: post #32

The person who wrote the article and the people in charge of the site are different.

The writer chose to write for PC Gamer and sign their name publicly to an article on the site. You don’t get to just say “oh, wasn’t my decision, tee hee” when it’s your name on the article.

At this rate society is going to slowly politicize every profession to the point that the only approved positions will be under a respective party’s ministry.

Re: PC Gamer recommends RSS readers in a 37mb article that just keeps downloading

#135

Post by 3eb7988a1663 »

thevinter wrote: post #79
qingcharles wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've worked with a lot of people at the bottom end of society in the USA. They are given government provided phones they can use so they have access to Google Maps, email, job search apps etc. These phones come with 3GB of regular data per month. After that they drop down to 2G speed, but not in a way that will allow anything to actually load. Three days into the month these phones are just ewaste.

I lived for months with a 4GB roaming plan. Given, I was not using it at home since I had a wifi connection, but I rarely came close to using all my data unless I was watching YT videos when traveling or something. I share your sentiment and I agree we should be more mindful of people with metered/slow connections, but the last statement feels blown out of proportion.

Not using it at home likely discounts a lot of personal consumption. If you can get your fill at nights, less need to access the internet during the day.

Re: PC Gamer recommends RSS readers in a 37mb article that just keeps downloading

#136

Post by tw04 »

bsammon wrote: post #121
tw04 wrote: post #119

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Calling them ewaste is a little dramatic. While sites like this are a cancer, there is free WiFi in basically every town in America. You can get data for free, even if it’s slightly inconvenient.

I think you may be a bit out of date. There was free WiFi in basically every town. Now it's frequently a vestigial, no-longer-maintained free WiFi that works like crap, because there's no maintenance, because "everyone has cellular data nowadays".

Every public library in the US has free wifi. Every Starbucks in the US has free wifi. Every public school has free wifi.

I can tell you don’t actually have to use it because if you did you’d know your statement isn’t accurate.

Re: PC Gamer recommends RSS readers in a 37mb article that just keeps downloading

#137

Post by jasonlotito »

Aurornis wrote: post #73
qingcharles wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've worked with a lot of people at the bottom end of society in the USA. They are given government provided phones they can use so they have access to Google Maps, email, job search apps etc. These phones come with 3GB of regular data per month. After that they drop down to 2G speed, but not in a way that will allow anything to actually load. Three days into the month these phones are just ewaste.

> Three days into the month these phones are just ewaste. If someone needs a phone like this for email and job searching and has no other option, 2G speeds will work. It’s not e-waste for the intended purpose. It would be great if they got higher days caps, though, because let’s be realistic in acknowledging that they’re not only going to use it for Google Maps, email, and job search apps.

For those who can't understand this comment, here is what it means:

"I mean, it's one banana, Michael. What could it cost? 10 dollars?"

Re: PC Gamer recommends RSS readers in a 37mb article that just keeps downloading

#138

Post by [deleted] »

reaperducer wrote: post #128
zamadatix wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> (In spite of what HN believes, there are plenty of places in America with 3G or even zero cell service.) 0 of course, but wasn't 3G all shut down in the US in 2022 to open up the airspace?

0 of course, but wasn't 3G all shut down in the US in 2022 to open up the airspace? One of those HN myths that comes from only being willing to Google (or ChatGPT) information, rather than encountering it in the real world. 3G still exists in rural and remote areas that no major carrier wants to serve, at least as of April, 2025 — the last time I did a round of real-world web testing. Next round is in September. Mayb…

[deleted]

Re: PC Gamer recommends RSS readers in a 37mb article that just keeps downloading

#140

Post by joshuacc »

bsammon wrote: post #121
tw04 wrote: post #119

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Calling them ewaste is a little dramatic. While sites like this are a cancer, there is free WiFi in basically every town in America. You can get data for free, even if it’s slightly inconvenient.

I think you may be a bit out of date. There was free WiFi in basically every town. Now it's frequently a vestigial, no-longer-maintained free WiFi that works like crap, because there's no maintenance, because "everyone has cellular data nowadays".

Nope. Virtually every fast food restaurant has free wifi, to say nothing of public libraries. It’s more common now than it ever was previously.
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