JonLim (u/JonLim) - Readit News

JonLim commented on Factorio Friday Facts: Steam Deck, Ghost bugs, Docs improvements factorio.com/blog/post/ff... · Posted by u/picture

willis936 · 4 years ago

The Steam Deck looks pretty cool, but I recently starting using an existing Valve product that nullifies most use cases for me: Steam Link.

If you want a Steam Deck you should first try Steam Link. If it doesn't meet your needs (gaming requiring internet, mobile internet adding too much latency), then the Steam Deck becomes attractive. I hadn't considered this when evaluating the value of the Steam Deck and I suspect most others haven't either (judging from the lack of Steam Link coverage).

JonLim · 4 years ago

As someone who uses (or used to use) Steam Link to be able to use a Windows PC headlessly to game from a macOS machine, I think it's a really compelling argument to consider it before considering a Steam Deck.

However, I'm viewing Steam Deck as a mobile gaming machine, which might be replacing my current Windows gaming laptop, and I can leave my Windows gaming laptop at home (or replace with a tower altogether). And if Steam Link works with a Steam Deck, I can have the best of both worlds (mobile gaming + regular gaming via Steam Link)!

JonLim commented on The number of cities with municipal broadband has jumped over 4x in two years gammawire.com/the-number-... · Posted by u/sharkweek

JohnTHaller · 5 years ago

In NYC, I have exactly one broadband provider. Spectrum (formerly Time Warner). Their highest end package is 500 down / 20 up. I can't get FiOS because, even though Verizon contractually agreed to wire all of NYC up for fiber, they lied and didn't. So, my only other option is Verizon DSL with offers 'up to 7Mbps' down.

T-Mobile is rolling out their home 5g internet now. It doesn't support streaming yet, but it hits around 200+ down and 25 up on my phone, so it may get there.

JonLim · 5 years ago

Depending on where you live, check and see if you have Natural Wireless[0] available in your building/residence. Recently moved into an apartment that is lucky enough to get their service, and we get gigabit for ~$70 a month.

Have had almost zero issues, and their support has been tremendous.

[0]: https://naturalwireless.com/

JonLim commented on I'm Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA · Posted by u/proberts

nrmitchi · 5 years ago

Does that issue you a new TN (with a 3 year term), while maintaining your status with the previous employer, or terminate your status with your previous employer, with validity only matching the previous expiration date?

JonLim · 5 years ago

It's a good question - I believe it's the latter, terminating status with previous employer with validity matching previous expiration date.

JonLim commented on I'm Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA · Posted by u/proberts

nrmitchi · 5 years ago

If I recall correctly, a petition can only be filed with USCIS for a TN if the individual in question is already outside of the US.

Ie, if you are currently within the US on a TN, and looking to switch jobs, you can not file for a new status with USCIS; your options are either to leave the country and apply at a POE, or leave the country, and only then petition with USCIS.

Is this incorrect? Can a current TN holder petition USCIS for a new TN while still within the US?

JonLim · 5 years ago

Going through this right now! Applying for a new TN through change of employer (COE) while residing in the US. I was given the option to fly back and forth to apply at the border, but figured this would be the safest (and lowest friction) option.

However, it's been a slow process, especially with having received word of USCIS requesting additional evidence from my first application.

JonLim commented on ProtonMail CEO calls Apple's forced in-app purchases 'Mafia extortion' techspot.com/news/87043-p... · Posted by u/illuminated

wycy · 5 years ago

> ex: NYT

NYT is a great example of this. It took me multiple attempts over a span of 2 days to cancel my NYT subscription. There have been a few times since then when I've been tempted to re-subscribe (their election results tools are great), but remembering how hard it was to unsubscribe, I don't think I'll go back.

JonLim · 5 years ago

Am curious: what made it so difficult to cancel / unsubscribe?

If you subscribed with a credit card, did the option of chargebacks ever come up? (Asking because these sorts of situations seem perfectly in line for disputing with your credit card provider.)

JonLim commented on I'm Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA · Posted by u/proberts

kpen11 · 5 years ago

I worked for 3 years on a TN visa with no degree of any kind. My job was a Software Engineer, and my TN was classified as a Scientific Technician. This was 2016-2019

JonLim · 5 years ago

Interesting! Thanks for sharing that. What sort of supporting documents did you end up having, to prove that you were supporting "a professional in the scientific field"?

JonLim commented on I'm Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA · Posted by u/proberts

nrmitchi · 5 years ago

I am definitely not a lawyer, but am someone who has done multiple TNs.

It is really important to remember that the actual written requirements are one thing, but the interpretation of those requirements by whoever you talk to at your POE are arguably more important.

If you end up with a border officer who believes that your degree is not applicable, or your experience doesn't count, it is unlikely that you are going to be able to change their mind in that moment. NAFTA officers can be better (as the post writer above mentioned), but it still always feels like a bit of a toss-up of whether you get a "good" border agent.

JonLim · 5 years ago

100%.

The decision to approve or deny is entirely in the hands of the officer, and I managed to get a NAFTA officer who interpreted the agreement in my favour. It's why so much time and effort goes into the supporting documents.

JonLim commented on I'm Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA · Posted by u/proberts

smnrchrds · 5 years ago

Thank you for the write up. So if I understood it correctly, any B.Sc. degree plus 3 years of Computer Systems Analyst experience would qualify one for Computer Systems Analyst TN?

JonLim · 5 years ago

If I understand the requirements correctly, it's _any_ diploma or degree, plus 3 years of Computer Systems Analyst experience.

JonLim commented on I'm Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA · Posted by u/proberts

smnrchrds · 5 years ago

I second this question. Does one need a degree in CS or software engineering to get a TN visa to work in tech, or would a degree in e.g. civil engineering suffice?

JonLim · 5 years ago

It's my second go at getting a TN visa (for Computer Systems Analyst designation) and you don't necessarily need a CS degree, but if you don't have one, you will need at least a two year diploma and three years of experience in the field.

My current TN visa application was held up by USCIS questioning my experience in the field, and the validity of the visa for my new role. (Despite having cleared both last year. Figures.)

I wrote about my first experience [0], if you're curious!

[0] https://jonlim.ca/blog/getting-computer-systems-analyst-tn-b...

JonLim commented on I'm Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA · Posted by u/proberts

JonLim · 5 years ago

Have you seen any issues lately with H1-B/TN visas being granted to technical employees who don't have a degree in CS or software engineering?

Additionally, what questions/documents would you recommend people prepare in advance to make their immigration lawyers' lives easier?

(I sent over a lot of documents to the lawyers preparing my application, but they took only a few in my initial TN visa application, and I ended up with a Request For Evidence from USCIS.)