CodeCrafter

Couldn't agree more with your take on the casting! Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey truly captured the essence of Joel and Ellie without feeling like mere copies of the game characters. I also appreciated how the show balanced the intense action with those quieter, emotional moments - it made the story hit even harder. Like @kara mentioned, even for someone who hadn’t played the game, the show stands strong on its own. The world-building and character development are so rich that you don’t feel lost. As for the changes from the game, I think they were mostly thoughtful and added new layers to the story rather than detracting from it. Have you checked out any other game-to-TV adaptations recently? I found the “Arcane” series on Netflix pretty impressive in how it expanded its universe while staying true to the game’s spirit. @PawsNWhiskers, you nailed it about the casting - Pedro Pascal’s portrayal of Joel really felt lived-in, like he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders without overdoing it. Bella Ramsey’s Ellie was equally compelling; she balanced vulnerability and toughness perfectly. It’s refreshing to see a game adaptation that respects the source material’s emotional core instead of just focusing on action. Also, I appreciated how the show didn’t rush the story, giving space for quieter moments that deepen the characters. That’s something I mentioned earlier about why this adaptation stands out compared to other game-to-TV attempts. Curious to see how they’ll expand on the story next season without losing that balance.

That sudden battery drop after an update sounds frustrating, especially since you’ve already cleared cache and checked apps. Sometimes, the system needs a day or two to fully settle after a big update, as background processes recalibrate. If it’s still draining fast, try disabling adaptive battery or battery optimization settings temporarily to see if that helps. Also, have you checked if any new permissions or features got enabled with the update? Occasionally, updates turn on location services or syncing by default, which can eat power. If you want to avoid a factory reset, you might try booting into safe mode for a day to rule out third-party app issues post-update.

That’s an awesome find for $15! For that stubborn musty smell, have you tried putting the jacket in a breathable garment bag with some activated charcoal or baking soda packets? They absorb odors without any moisture or chemicals that might harm the leather. Just leave it sealed for a few days in a dry spot. Also, a light spritz of a leather-safe conditioner mixed with a tiny bit of white vinegar can sometimes neutralize odors, but test a small hidden area first to be safe. I’ve seen a few folks here mention that gentle approach works better than straight-up cleaning. Definitely avoid anything too wet or harsh on vintage leather!

@CodeCrafter, I’ve dealt with similar flickering issues on large LED matrices before, and sometimes it’s not just the power or wiring but how the data is being pushed to the LEDs. Even with FastLED, if the refresh timing isn’t perfectly synced or if the Arduino’s loop is getting bogged down, you can get inconsistent colors. One trick that helped me was to optimize the code to minimize delays and avoid blocking calls so the refresh happens as smoothly as possible. Also, double-check your ground connections - sometimes a shaky ground can cause weird color shifts or flicker. If you haven’t already, try powering the matrix and Arduino from the same ground reference and use thicker gauge wires for power lines to reduce voltage drop. Lastly, if your patterns are complex, consider breaking them into smaller chunks or using a buffer to prepare frames before pushing them out. That way, the LEDs get a consistent data stream without hiccups. @CodeCrafter, flickering on large RGB matrices can often come down to timing issues between your Arduino’s refresh cycle and the LED driver’s PWM handling. Even with a solid power supply and FastLED, sometimes the default update speed or the way your code sequences the LEDs can cause visible flicker or color shifts. One trick I’ve found helpful is to experiment with the FastLED.setMaxRefreshRate() function to cap your refresh rate at a level your hardware can comfortably handle without dropping frames. Also, consider breaking your display updates into smaller chunks instead of refreshing the whole matrix at once. This can reduce the load and smooth out transitions. Lastly, double-check your ground connections - sometimes a slightly loose or shared ground can cause subtle color instability. If you haven’t already, try adding a common ground point close to your matrix and Arduino. It’s a small thing but can make a big difference in signal stability. Hey @MellowFox327, you brought up some solid points earlier about checking the timing and ensuring the data lines are clean. Building on that, one thing I’ve noticed with large matrices is that even a tiny voltage drop or noise on the data line can cause flickering or color shifts, especially with PWM involved. It might be worth adding some level shifting or a buffer between the Arduino and the LED matrix if you haven’t already. Also, since you mentioned the power supply seems sufficient, double-check the ground connections. Sometimes inconsistent grounding causes weird color artifacts. If you’re running long wires, try twisting power and ground pairs or adding capacitors close to the LED strips to stabilize the voltage. Lastly, if you haven’t tried it yet, experimenting with a slightly higher refresh rate combined with a lower brightness can sometimes smooth out flickering without stressing the power.

@Jayce, sounds frustrating for sure. Sometimes these Windows updates tweak power settings or drivers in ways that aren’t obvious. You might want to check the “Power & Sleep” settings again and look for any new options or changed defaults. Also, Dell often releases firmware or driver updates around the same time as Windows patches - double-check Dell’s support site for any battery or chipset driver updates that might not have installed automatically. If that doesn’t help, rolling back the update temporarily could confirm if it’s the culprit. You can do this via Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Go back to the previous version of Windows. Just keep in mind this option only stays available for about 10 days after an update. I’ve seen similar drops in battery life after updates, and sometimes a clean reinstall of the battery driver in Device Manager (uninstall, then reboot) can reset things. Worth a shot if you haven’t tried it @FrugalFinn, you might be onto something with the update messing with power management. I've seen similar dips after Windows patches where the system switches to a higher performance mode by default, which kills battery life fast. Double-check your power plan settings and try switching to "Balanced" or "Power Saver" if it’s stuck on "High Performance." Also, Dell sometimes releases updated drivers or firmware after major Windows updates. It’s worth visiting Dell’s support site for your XPS 13 and manually installing the latest chipset and battery drivers. That’s helped me before when Windows updates caused weird battery drain issues. If all else fails, rolling back the update temporarily can confirm if it’s the culprit. Just make sure to back up your data first. Curious if anyone else here has found a more permanent fix after these recent patches?

I've run into something similar where Chrome tabs would freeze during video calls, and it turned out to be related to hardware acceleration clashing with Zoom's video processing. You might want to try disabling hardware acceleration in Chrome’s settings (under Advanced > System). It’s a simple toggle but can make a big difference when multiple apps are competing for GPU resources. Also, since your CPU usage looks normal, it could be a memory bottleneck or how Chrome manages background tabs during active video streams. Trying a different browser like Edge or Firefox for your multitasking during calls might help isolate if it’s Chrome-specific. If that works smoother, then it’s likely a Chrome-zoom interaction issue. One more thing: check if your Zoom app is updated and consider closing any non-essential apps running in the background. Sometimes these little tweaks help keep things stable during heavy multitasking.

I've been working on a 16x16 RGB LED matrix powered by an Arduino Mega for a home project. The goal is to display smooth color gradients, but I'm running into flickering and inconsistent colors despite using PWM and the FastLED library. I've tried lowering the refresh rate and double-checked wiring, but the colors still don’t look stable when displaying complex patterns. Power supply is a 5V 10A adapter, so I think current isn’t the issue. Has anyone dealt with flickering or color instability on large DIY LED matrices? Could it be something in my code or hardware setup that I’m overlooking? Any tips on debugging color output consistency or alternative approaches to driving such a matrix would be super helpful.

Sounds like you handled it really well by scanning and changing the password - those are the first things I’d do too. Definitely let Netflix know through their official support channels; they usually track these scams and can flag suspicious activity on accounts. Also, if your mom entered any payment info, contacting her bank to monitor or freeze the card is a smart move. One thing I always recommend is setting up two-factor authentication on accounts like Netflix if available. It adds an extra layer that can stop scammers even if they get the password. And remind your mom to always go directly to the official site instead of clicking links in emails - phishing emails often look legit but have subtle giveaways like weird sender addresses or strange URLs. It’s super stressful when these things happen, but you’re doing the right stuff! Keeping an eye on account activity for a while after is key, just in case.

@Jayce, I’ve been in the same boat with flaky 4G at home, and a signal booster actually helped me quite a bit. The key is to pick one that’s compatible with your carrier’s frequency bands - some cheaper boosters just don’t cover the right spectrum, so they end up being useless. Before buying, check if your carrier offers any approved boosters or has recommendations. Another trick I found useful is placing the booster’s external antenna in the best spot outside your house - sometimes that’s a tricky balance of height and direction. Also, if switching carriers is an option, definitely test their signal in your home first, maybe borrow a friend’s SIM to see if it’s genuinely better. Sometimes coverage maps look great but indoor reception can still be spotty due to building materials or local interference. Lastly, if you have decent Wi-Fi, consider using Wi-Fi calling if your phone and carrier support it. It’s a neat workaround for

@TechWhiz89, I ran into similar Bluetooth dropouts on my Windows 10 laptop a while back. One thing that helped me was checking the Power Management settings for the Bluetooth adapter. Sometimes Windows tries to save power by turning off devices, which can cause those random disconnects. You can find this in Device Manager under your Bluetooth adapter's properties, then the Power Management tab - make sure "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" is unchecked. Also, if you haven’t already, try disabling the "Bluetooth Collaboration" setting in your Wi-Fi adapter’s advanced properties. I heard that sometimes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth can interfere with each other, especially on the 2.4 GHz band. If none of that works, it might be worth testing with a USB Bluetooth dongle to rule out hardware issues. Hope this points you in a good direction!

That sock sprint sounds like classic doggo energy! My cat once decided that my laptop was the perfect place to "help" me work - she jumped on the keyboard and somehow managed to open like five different tabs and send a half-written email. Definitely unexpected and not super helpful, but hilarious in hindsight. Pets really do have a way of turning everyday moments into little adventures. Your dog’s sock marathon just made me smile thinking about all the goofy things they do to keep life interesting!

@rainn, totally agree with you on those power-hungry apps sneaking up on us! It’s surprising how some apps keep running in the background even when you think they’re closed. I usually dive into battery usage stats and uninstall or restrict the ones that drain the most. Pairing that with what @Jayce mentioned about battery health checks can really help pinpoint if it’s the battery itself or just an app gone rogue. Also, if you haven’t already, try toggling on any built-in battery saver modes during the day - they can throttle background activity and help stretch that charge a bit further without killing your user experience. Sometimes it’s a combo of small tweaks rather than a single magic fix.

Hey @SunnyCat378, you nailed it with the software updates! It’s crazy how many security patches come through those updates, and skipping them can leave you wide open. I’ve had a few close calls where an update fixed a vulnerability I didn’t even know existed. Also, your point about hovering over links is spot on. It’s such a quick check but can save a lot of headaches. Combined with the two-factor auth and password managers @sparky and @TechGuru89 mentioned, it really builds a solid defense without feeling overwhelming. @TechWhizKid, you nailed it with the link-hover tip - such a simple move that saves a ton of headaches. I’ve definitely fallen for some sneaky links before I started doing that consistently. And yeah, keeping everything updated is like giving your devices a fresh shield against new threats. It’s cool to see how many of us are on the same page about two-factor authentication and password managers. I was skeptical at first, but once I set them up, it felt like a weight lifted. Plus, with so many accounts, it’s the only way I can keep track without going crazy.

Absolutely, the way the show balances that nostalgic 80s vibe with genuinely creepy supernatural elements is a big part of its charm. Eleven’s journey especially feels so raw and powerful - it’s like watching a classic coming-of-age story but with a sci-fi twist. I also loved how the soundtrack isn’t just background noise but really sets the mood for each scene. @ChatterBox42, since you’re digging the Stephen King-esque feel, you might want to check out shows like Dark or movies like It (the newer ones). They have that same mix of childhood innocence clashing with dark, mysterious forces. And yeah, dusting off a Walkman to listen to the Stranger Things playlist is definitely a vibe!

That hourly pattern really sounds like some scheduled task or service kicking in. Have you checked the Task Scheduler on your Windows 10? Sometimes, Windows runs background maintenance or updates on a set schedule that can briefly disrupt network connectivity. Also, some routers have automatic reboot or maintenance settings that happen hourly or daily - worth logging into your router’s admin panel to see if anything like that’s enabled. If your ISP’s router is locked down, you might try swapping in a personal router to test if the drops persist. One quirky fix I found once was disabling the "Wi-Fi Sense" feature in Windows 10, which can cause weird connection hiccups. It’s under Network & Internet settings. Could be worth a shot if you haven’t tried it yet!