My Mac Transition Is Not Going Well - WAN Show February 28, 2025
Mar 1, 2025
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The hosts dive into the latest AMD graphics cards, expressing skepticism about their performance claims while reminiscing about past issues. They share humorous anecdotes about transitioning to MacOS, highlighting usability frustrations and the challenge of connecting external displays. Cybersecurity topics arise with a focus on innovative tools like ThreatLocker. There’s also a lively chat about the release of Command & Conquer source code and its implications for gaming preservation, alongside reflections on the evolving tech landscape and community engagement.
04:15:07
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Quick takeaways
AMD's launch of the RX 9070 and 9070 XT GPUs promises significant performance improvements for the gaming community with advanced technology.
The speaker's struggles with transitioning to macOS highlight the complexities of adapting to new workflows and frustration with the interface.
EA's release of the source code for four Command & Conquer games is seen as a landmark move for game preservation and community engagement.
Transitioning to Mac unveiled unexpected difficulties with display configurations and basic settings, revealing the challenges of compatibility and usability.
AMD's commitment to improved driver support for the RX 9000 series raises skepticism, highlighting past issues and hopes for better performance optimization.
The closure of Monolith Productions leaves a significant gap in the gaming industry, with fans mourning the loss of its innovative creativity.
Deep dives
AMD RX 9070 and 9070 XT Announcement
AMD has introduced the RX 9070 and 9070 XT graphics cards, sparking excitement in the gaming community. Both cards will launch on March 6th, with anticipated prices set at $549 and $599, respectively. These new GPUs will utilize AMD's RDNA 4 architecture, boasting a claimed 40% performance increase compared to their RDNA 3 predecessors. Additionally, both models will come with 16GB of RAM, promising high-end gaming performance with near-native quality through their FSR 4 upscaling technology.
To MacOS or Not
The speaker shares their struggles with the transition to macOS, expressing frustration with the operating system's interface. Meetings with colleagues were often distracting due to constant noise, highlighting the challenges of adapting to a new workflow. Despite the difficulties, the transition still holds promise but has revealed unexpected obstacles in everyday usability. Overall, the experience has proven to be both a learning curve and a test of patience for the speaker.
EA's Source Code Release
EA has made headlines by releasing the source code for four Command & Conquer games, a move that many did not anticipate. This decision has been praised as a step toward game preservation and community engagement. The release includes source XML, shader, and map files, encouraging modding and revitalization of classic games. This is seen as a significant departure from EA's past practices, garnering a positive response from fans and the gaming community.
Mac GPU Stories
AMD is reportedly focusing its future GPU designs on the gaming market, as they announce the Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT. The cards are already receiving early laughs about their naming, but the excitement stems from their enhanced specs and performance promises. The RX 9070 is expected to offer significant advancements in both compute power and functionality, but there's skepticism over the pricing strategy and potential long-term discounts. AMD's strategy includes addressing market demands while managing perceptions of their product tiers.
Mac Transition Update
Transitioning to Mac has introduced multiple challenges, particularly regarding external display configurations and resolution settings. The speaker notes that managing multiple screens and the scaling of displays is more complicated than expected. Issues with fundamental settings, like volume control and resolution handling, have made the experience frustrating. Additionally, performance concerns regarding the GPU's capabilities remain largely unexplored, as the speaker struggles with basic setup tasks.
AMD Driver Support
AMD claims to have improved its driver support for the new RX 9000 series, promising performance optimization through extensive testing. The company has integrated AI into their testing regimes and introduced a bug-report tool for users. However, skepticism exists regarding the actual implementations of these promises, as AMD's past driver support has faced criticism. The hope is that this time around, users will experience a noticeable difference in driver stability and performance.
Monolith Productions Closure
Warner Bros. has officially closed down Monolith Productions, the studio renowned for its work on the Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor series. This decision follows a string of poor financial performances and the cancellation of several key projects. Monolith's innovative Nemesis system, accoladed for its unique gameplay mechanics, will now remain in limbo, unable to be iterated upon. Fans of the studio lament the loss of a creative force in the gaming industry, stressing the studio's impact on the gaming landscape.
Plex Feature Removal
Plex has announced the removal of its Watch Together feature, inciting frustration among its user base. Originally launched during the pandemic to facilitate shared viewing experiences, this feature will remain available only in the web app. The decision, deemed a continuation of Plex's trend of removing previously offered functionalities, has disappointed users who had come to rely on it. Many are now left seeking alternatives for synchronized viewing, highlighting a growing discontent with Plex's direction.
Psionic's Advanced Prosthetic Hand
Psionic has introduced its advanced ability hand, designed for both humans and robots, featuring pioneering touch sensors and a vibration feedback mechanism. This prosthetic aims to improve the quality of life for users by allowing them to interact more naturally with their environment. Users can adjust grip settings based on the application's requirements, enhancing usability for various tasks. The technology represents a significant advancement in the field of prosthetics, merging mechanical engineering with human interface design.
Cloudflare Interview Insights
In a discussion about the use of technical questions in software interviews, the speaker emphasizes the importance of assessing practical skills over rote knowledge. The practice of giving candidates assignments they can complete in their own time is highlighted as effective for gathering honest insights into their abilities. The discussion also acknowledges the tension created by high-pressured interview environments and urges a more humane approach to candidate evaluation. The goal is to foster a collaborative, understanding relationship between employers and potential team members.
Artificial Intelligence Integration
A venture into integrating artificial intelligence across various applications has sparked interest in how it might affect the industry landscape. The discussion focuses on the effects of AI on job security, productivity, and the potential for innovation across domains. While cautioning against overreliance on AI, the speaker acknowledges its benefits in streamlining workflows and achieving heightened efficiency. It remains important to balance AI integration while preserving the human touch in various sectors.
