Souls Like Strings

• I probably should have set up Playwright e2e tests for both projects we're responsible for consecutively
  • Now it's been long enough since the first I forgot the details but feel like it should be easier
  • Doesn't help that this time the React app is embedded in Rails
• Setting Playwright's baseUrl to host.docker.internal:port lets me make the initial request for the index page
  • But then the script/style tags still go to localhost:port since rails server/webpack doesn't know about the docker container
  • Rewriting the host to host.docker.internal fixes the tags, but breaks regular local dev
  • So either...

Atonement by Ian McEwan.

Home & Away style drama but compelling characters

When I look back on the plot it seems simple to the point of ridiculousness, but the emotional highs and lows carried me through so well while reading that I didn't notice. I wasn't expecting to get so attached to a bunch of aristocrats and their ward, but Briony, Cecilia and Robbie are all deeply flawed, deeply interesting people trying to do the best they can in the world as they see it.

Unfortunately for Cecilia & Robbie, Briony sees the world as a creative...

• It's entirely possible to write a Tanstack Query replacement that works
  • You probably shouldn't though, there are a lot of edge-cases/nice QoL features
  • Maybe makes more sense to roll your own for a work project, especially if you can re-use it?
  • Or for a personal project you're doing with the express purpose of learning

Links

The Programmer Identity Crisis - Simon Højberg

Another eloquent AI takedown which expresses my own distaste for the technology better than I ever could. I became a software engineer because I enjoyed writing code, making things and solving problems;...

What if INSIDE was a noir movie?

Why

• Very atmospheric & cinematic
• <2 hours to finish

Why Not

• You're playing on Steam Deck & don't like slideshows
• <2 hours to finish
• Missing the tension/sense of danger from INSIDE

Impressions

This is my first INSIDE-like after enjoying that game and its predecessor LIMBO quite a lot earlier this year. You're a helpless little raven girl in a big scary noir-style world which hates birds, only able to walk, jump and climb ladders.

While INSIDE puts the pressure on right out of the gate by having...

Becoming Superman by Michael J. Straczynski.

A lot darker than you'd expect.

Man, this guy had a rough life. The first few chapters where he lays out the (surface level!) history of his family is a tough read, and I could definitely see people bouncing off there. Things get better eventually, at least for the author, but not without chapter upon chapter of reminders that people can be really fucked up. It would've been pretty incredible for Michael to become just a functioning member of society, but the fact he went ahead and became a massive success...