mihnt

I see at least 8 sub $100 smart phones on craigslist right now. Couple that with pre-paid/barebones plans and it's just as cheap as your "dumb" phone.

You're being pedantic as hell about this and having to make a trip to the library to do online shit after working two jobs, cooking every single meal you eat, most people just don't have the time/energy.

(And btw, that phone you're using as an example is a smart phone running android 11.)

To add to this, I used to buy the AT&T pre-paid phones all the time that were smart phones. Paid $40 for the phone (ZTE Blade Spark Z971) and used it on a regular plan. So, in all reality, it goes right back to how and where you spend your money. Smart phones don't have this huge barrier of entry anymore. They are super easy to get for super affordable prices. The problem you'll run into will be the plans you can get.

It's all in how you spend your money. Like, in his list of "luxuries" you could get basic cable so you have access to news and weather, buy a used video games console/PC, buy your video game second hand and/or wait for sales, or buy a second hand/refurbished phone.

That's frugality and something more people need to practice. However, some people are just terrible with money because they've never seen it used correctly. Or who knows maybe that nice smart phone is the only luxury they allow themselves.

Smart phones are basically a requirement now. With most people not wanting laptops/desktops anymore and with jobs wanting you to apply online instead of on paper. Their usefulness is far beyond a luxury.

What's their policy when someone buys one of these systems from one of these dickheads?

Easier solution is to not install games that are rootkits run by a shitty company.

"Even flatter than Earth 1.0!"

Split the difference and run LMDE.

Have they removed any of the time constraints?

No, I'm actually working through my backlog and it's been the best overall way to track what I've done and haven't done in a game. I've played tons of games without them. (My most played game does not have them.) Fuck, I'd be happy at this point if they added at least a damn guide of all the shit I missed when I wasn't playing. It's just sensory overload when opening up NMS.

Santitas?

That's my issue with it that I've already 100% the game myself a long time ago and every time I've gone back, I've just either been lost as to what to do, or already done with the content they added and then looked at all that had been added and just couldn't be bothered. I wish there was some way to get a reward or whatever for completing objectives, but in the case of this game, I've got a life and missed a lot of the rewards due to running out of time.

For example, maybe they could rework their expedition thing to limited time to start saves, but after you started a save under that expedition you would have unlimited or extended time to finish it.

As far as adding more achievements, I have zero issue with them adding more as long as the content they add them to has no monetary cost. Like with so many other games adding DLC after the fact and adding those achievements then. Especially since the achievements on all the platforms don't seperate the achievements by the content that it belongs to. Like Forza or Fallout where each DLC adds achievements but I have to go and research what is actually base game versus what's DLC or other random bullshit that was added.

Holy shit yes. Even the local brands around here are ridiculous.