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[Great Order]

Watching Into The Wild for the first time since I was in something like year nine.

I know Christopher McCandless is a bit of a controversial figure, with people arguing between bravery and idiocy.

The guy escapes into the wild, he does the thing that so many people want to do but never will, and he dies for it. I can't help but see a certain sad beauty in it, and I can't help but feel it'd be less beautiful if he'd survived.

Dunno what that means about me. Maybe it's just that I've got a mind that sees the poetic side of morbidity.

Still wish he'd lived though, it's still tragic.

[hector13]

From a quick look on Wikipedia, he sounds like a bellend.

One would suggest if you do intend on trying to survive in the wild, you figure out what skills and equipment you need beforehand.

[dragdeler]

Wait why are you upset then? Yes this is maddening romanticisation. But the better story, to tell and to sell at least. I prefer the hidden ending where he emancipated himself to the the point that even his ancestors can't be mad at him being a genetic cul-de-sac, dying alone out there in the woods, because it's kinda baller how comfortable he was able to make himself until high age.

You know like the most badass ones out of the lineage, like polynesian sailors who settled the new world or whatever, just nodding in agreement and being like "rock on dude, that was kinda valid".

[Great Order]

From a quick look on Wikipedia, he sounds like a bellend.

One would suggest if you do intend on trying to survive in the wild, you figure out what skills and equipment you need beforehand.

Well yeah, guy was underequipped mentally and in terms of actual equipment. As little as a map would have ensured he'd live since he'd have found a nearby bridge to cross the river had he had one.

I can still find a sad beauty in the whole thing.

[McTraveller]

Mom got a new computer, Windows 11.

Tried to install Chrome, and trying to click on it to run, it just flashes something on the screen and immediately closes.

My Dad then calls computer vendor support (instead of, oh, me...) and they walk my parents through like 6 hours of uninstall-reinstall nonsense. Finally they come to the conclusion that you can't run Chrome from an account with admin privileges (WTF!?!?!*).

So they get it working...

But then later find out that during the call, the computer vendor support person had reset the admin password, and my folks didn't write it down... so now they are locked out of any admin features.

Then they call vendor support again and they say they can't do anything with the vendor backdoor remote admin tool, because even though they are clearly online during the call their tool says it thinks they aren't online and need to connect via a hardline, and my parents of course have no hardline.  So I got them instructions to make a Win11 bootable USB straight from MS, hopefully that will work to reset their computer... since they hadn't even gotten to use it yet.

Just...why... on all accounts...

*I think there is a better solution to this, something about Windows HW protection or allow apps not from the store or something, but I dunno why the tech person didn't know that...

[Magmacube_tr]

Mom got a new computer, Windows 11.

First mistake right here. Windows 11 is objectively shit. And that's a fact.

[TurboDwarf]

Could it be that the computer (is it a laptop? i assume so.) is/was in 'S' mode? I don't have windows 11 but off-hand i've heard that's a thing or something? And that it stops running of apps not from the windows app store.

[McTraveller]

First mistake right here. Windows 11 is objectively shit. And that's a fact.

You know that and I know that, but try telling your parents, who live 5 states away, and use some programs for some of their hobbies that are Windows only, and aren't easily able to get a Windows 10 computer.

Could it be that the computer (is it a laptop? i assume so.) is/was in 'S' mode? I don't have windows 11 but off-hand i've heard that's a thing or something? And that it stops running of apps not from the windows app store.

I don't think so, but I wasn't there. Apparently they *could* run Chrome in a non-admin account, but by that time, the computer got in such a strange state they couldn't install anything else, like the aforementioned hobby programs.

[nenjin]

Mom got a new computer, Windows 11.

First mistake right here. Windows 11 is objectively shit. And that's a fact.

Yeah well get ready because the end of support for Windows 10 is October of this year.

[Frumple]

Though I speak from experience it's pretty doable to keep using a windows OS years after support has ended. I was using vista for a good few after mainstream support ended and still after even extended did, and it was... fine. For personal use, anyway.

I'm still just kinda' pissed at 11, though -- not even for its practical issues, but that it exists at all. I remember when 10 came out. We were promised 10 was it, no more numbers past it. It was a lie, obviously, but I'mma hold the blighters to it as long as I bloody well can *shakes fist*

[nenjin]

Using an unsupported version of Windows, especially if you use your PC for work, is asking for trouble. 20 years ago it was a bad idea, now you're basically begging to get your info stolen/get ransomed using an operating system where new vulnerabilities may be found and will not be patched.

[ChairmanPoo]

The abandoned and decaying bus on the Stampede Trail where McCandless died became a pilgrimage destination for fans. In the 1940s, a road crew had taken the bus to a remote trail in Denali Borough, Alaska, 30 miles (50 km) from the nearest town, according to Denali Borough Mayor Clay Walker. Visitors had to cross the dangerous Teklanika River. In 2010, a Swiss woman drowned.[31] In 2019, a newlywed Belarusian woman drowned in the swollen river on her way to the site. Five Italians were rescued in February 2020, with one suffering from severe frostbite, and a stranded Brazilian was rescued in April 2020. In total, 15 search and rescue operations for visitors were carried out between 2009 and 2017.

On June 18, 2020, the bus was removed due to public safety concerns

[nenjin]

Upset about the tragedies, or the removal or....both?

NGL, if you have to hike through the Alaska wilderness to see an old bus from a celebrity hobo.....you kind of signed up for that.

[ChairmanPoo]

Neither. I just wanted to share that tidbit

[hector13]

Neither. I just wanted to share that tidbit

It is deliciously ironic that a man who died being wholly unprepared to survive in the harsh Alaskan wilderness draws pilgrims who are wholly unprepared to survive in the harsh Alaskan wilderness.

It would be funny if it wasn’t so sad.