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mlcarson

Last reply Aug 23, 2013 · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Dish customer service - get the phone number right

Why does Dish even ask for a phone number to reach you at? They don't pass it on to the techs or the automated notification system. This has happened twice to me now - today - and last week. I told them Saturday that the tech from the previous appointment didn't have my number and that I wouldn't be able to be reached at my home number. I gave them my work number and cell phone but they continue to call my home number. I work a block away from my home so it's no big deal to meet the tech when they arrive if they would call but they can't seem to manage that. The customer service person I talked to Saturday said that she would actually change the number associated with my account to my cell phone but yet I still get the notices on my home phone instead. Why is it so difficult to pass a proper phone number?

In addition, the automated system tells me one time window and the Dish website give me a conflicting one. Which is the right one? I'm assuming the website is more up-to-date since it's a later time.

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mlcarson

Aug 19, 2013

An appointment is a specific time -- not a 4 hour window. 4 hrs costs me about $200. If they get it down to a 1 hr window -- OK -- but tell me which one it is -- the phone call or the website. But why are they asking for a contact number??? Do they know what that's for? If I knew for sure they would never call it, I'd know to be at home regardless. This would be better than promising a call which never comes.

Tampa8

Aug 20, 2013

Realistically I can't see expecting much less than a three to four hour window. I look at it as better that than promising within an hour and being two or three hours past it. (All too likely) I suppose if people are willing to pay more for the visit or if not paying then pay more for their ongoing service, more techs could be put on and give an hour window.

Jim5506

Aug 20, 2013

We had Suddenlink internet installed and the first appointment was for a Wednesday between 4 and 6 pm.

Well 6 o'clock came and went, I called, they said he was running behind, so finally about 6:45 he arrived had the wrong info on the work order, wanted to install TV, phone and Internet, not just Internet and phone - plus charge me $40 for each tap they put in (they thought my house was prewired for cable (not)) then decided it was getting too dark to do the install that day (it was about 7:30 pm, sun sets about 8:30), "we'll reschedule".

HE DIDN'T!, so on Friday I called and got an install setup for the next Wednesday, then they called me back and changed it to Monday since they had to abort the first install and found a time to work me in, "You can keep up with the installers progress on our website." - Well the website has me down for a Thursday appointment, the day they switch over my telephone number from the old carrier to the new.

Monday they call and move the arrival time from 12-2 pm to 2-4 pm, 4 pm comes and goes so I call - "He's running a little late." - finally arrives at 6pm.

Looks at the work order, it is wrong still - includes a TV outlet - NOT!

Finally after 2 or 3 calls to the dispatcher, they decide to install the internet/phone modem and send another tech out Thursday to hookup the phone, because if they hook it up now, the other company can't release it if its disconnected.

So Dish is really much better than some other companies - this Suddenlink install was a circus - if I weren't getting 10+ times faster service for the same price, I'd have told them to chuck it - I actually did when I was told there would be a $120 charge for the three outlets which turned out to be one outlet and it was included in the install.

dvrexpander

Aug 20, 2013

mlcarson said:
An appointment is a specific time -- not a 4 hour window. 4 hrs costs me about $200. If they get it down to a 1 hr window -- OK -- but tell me which one it is -- the phone call or the website. But why are they asking for a contact number??? Do they know what that's for? If I knew for sure they would never call it, I'd know to be at home regardless. This would be better than promising a call which never comes.

8am-12pm and 12pm-5pm

That is the two windows, if you can't be available for those times then don't schedule on that date. Keep in mind that even a service call can take a few hours so I could show up at 11:55am for a AM appointment (8-12) and still end up taking about 2+ hours to fix the problem just depends. I let the automated system now with Dish do all my calling and notifications, sure its annoying at times but at least it keeps people informed to an extent. If I see that one of my AM's will maybe go over 12pm I will call them myself and let them know or have my office do it so they will know but if I feel I'll make it by 12pm then I won't bother. People think that a tech should be only for them and them only that day but they complain and raise holy hell about a small tech fee which normally gets waved... where do you people think money comes from to pay me?? I start most days with 4-6 jobs and not all of them are small service calls or simple installs, not all of them are all with in 5 minutes of each other but more likely 30+ minutes sometimes over an hour away from each.

Also keep in mind that automated system takes into account many factors from one job to the next as the tech finishes one - if they start a lunch period (yeah we get to stop and take a break sometimes and eat something), then you get updated again with a new time frame. The system doesn't know where we take a lunch nor will it ever but till Dish lets us go in and manually adjust those times ourselves which likely won't happen then its something everyone has to deal with.

Just keep in mind how I explained the appointment windows, that is just how they work...if you can't be home then reschedule or start it off on a day when you will be.

Sundays are just beyond stupid sometimes, I get people that schedule a AM appointment but then call in to put in the notes won't be home till after 12 from Church. I'm sorry you just got a visit at 9AM and you missed the appointment and now you must wait another week...tough.

papalittle

Aug 21, 2013

that's the reason I tell people to go with local retailer. most will call the day or two before, set up a time and most likely show up near the set time. retailers are not as rushed as dish installers and are better at showing up on time. I am never more than 1 hour late and most of the time show up 1/2 hour early. we set our own schedules and know pretty much when we will be there. I always write down all phone numbers customers give too.

Claude Greiner

Aug 23, 2013

Only appointment that can be guaranteed is the first appointment of the day.

Morning appointments are more likely to be on time.

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SatZach

Last reply A moment ago · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Hello again

I haven't posted in almost 17 years. Over the air, sat, offline, anything-but-the-internet is still one of my avid pursuits. Been playing with offline tv viewing and offline web browsing. I have great appreciations for this site still being here. It's so hard to find public communities that haven't sold out to social media company.

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dishstaller

6 minutes ago

Got to admit, I had to look up "offline web browsing". I had never heard of it.

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Scott Greczkowski

4 minutes ago

Welcome back, as you can see we branched off into a bunch of things since Satellite is what it is now, so lots to talk about here.

Jimbo

A moment ago

dishstaller said:
Got to admit, I had to look up "offline web browsing". I had never heard of it.

From what I understand, it's just saving a article or whatever, to Save it so you can read it later ....
Unless he's talking something entirely different ... the way I am looking at it, you Still need the Internet to load it originally.

Bruce

Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter

Last reply 5 minutes ago · posted in Internet Television (IPTV) Discussion Forum

How things have changed

I was reading this article

Cable TV ‘cord-cutters’ became the majority in 2022

The steady decline of cable and broadcast television, and the rise of streaming services, reached a sort of inflection point over the past year. Last summer, for the first time, streaming ser…

thehill.com

That said this-
Last summer, for the first time, streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime claimed the largest share of the television viewing audience, surpassing both cable and broadcast TV. Streaming captured 34.8 percent of July viewers, according to Nielsen data, compared to 34.4 percent for cable and 21.6 percent for broadcast.

And then, sometime in the second half of 2022, cord-cutters became the majority. The share of cable and satellite television subscribers dipped to 48 percent, according to a report from Samba TV, a television technology company.

Now I do not consider those with YTTV and the likes, Cord Cutters, but they still do not have Traditional Cable/Satellite delivered Live TV, so I decided to do the math.

There are, now, 129 Million Households in the United States.

In 2015, there were 100 Million Cable/Sat Subscribers , no streaming Live TV Service.

Today, there are 66 Million Live TV subscribers, including Cable, Satellite and Streaming.

Roughly, Streaming Live TV has 14 Million subs including all of them.

So that means, Cable/Satellite now has, roughly, 51 Million Households

So in just 8 years, lost 49% of their subscribers and by the end of this year, expected sub count to be, roughly, 45 million households.

That means a total loss of 55% since 2015 at the end of 2023.

But out of 129 Million households, 45 million will mean only 35% will get Cable/Satellite Delivered Live TV by the end of 2023.

Imagine what 2024 will be like.

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Bruce

Today at 8:58 AM

And again, 15 months in a row, streaming wins-

Cable and Broadcast added together-36.4%

Streaming with a massive 49.6%, 13.2% higher than Broadcast/Streaming.

Reactions: MikeD-C05 and Howard Simmons

Jimbo

Today at 11:08 AM

Bruce said:
And again, 15 months in a row, streaming wins-

Cable and Broadcast added together-36.4%

Streaming with a massive 49.6%, 13.2% higher than Broadcast/Streaming.

View attachment 194983

Your Still Thrilled about all this ?

These numbers will Never be accurate as many people use Both still ...

You have services like Hulu Live and You Tube TV that do, what you call Cable, but they ARE Streaming, so Which is is ?

Does it get counted 2x as both Streaming and Cable ?

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b4pjoe

Today at 11:17 AM

Jimbo said:
Your Still Thrilled about all this ?

These numbers will Never be accurate as many people use Both still ...

You have services like Hulu Live and You Tube TV that do, what you call Cable, but they ARE Streaming, so Which is is ?

Does it get counted 2x as both Streaming and Cable ?

I think Hulu Live, YTTV, Fubo, and DIRECTV stream among others like my Internet provider has a TV service like Broadcast/Cable but it streams like the four services I mentioned and would be listed under Broadcast/Cable. Imagine how bad the numbers would be if they were listed under streaming and not Broadcast/Cable. I'm sure someone will correct me if that is wrong though.

Jimbo

Today at 11:19 AM

b4pjoe said:
I think Hulu Live, YTTV, Fubo, and DIRECTV stream among others like my Internet provider has a TV service like Broadcast/Cable but it streams like the four services I mentioned and would be listed under Broadcast/Cable. Imagine how bad the numbers would be if they were listed under streaming and not Broadcast/Cable. I'm sure someone will correct me if that is wrong though.

Well, your showing the same as I am, its impossible to get those that use both, as well as those that ARE both.

b4pjoe

Today at 11:23 AM

Jimbo said:
Well, your showing the same as I am, its impossible to get those that use both, as well as those that ARE both.

Well they are both but I think they are only counted as Broadcast/Cable/Other.

Bruce

Today at 1:08 PM

b4pjoe said:
Well they are both but I think they are only counted as Broadcast/Cable/Other.

Jimbo said:
But, Originally they were Streaming ...

be4joe is correct, YTTV and the likes are not included in streaming, from Nielsen's FAQ-

What about live streaming on Hulu and YouTube?

Linear streaming via vMVPD apps (e.g., Hulu Live, YouTube TV) are excluded from the streaming category.

Jimbo

Today at 1:16 PM

But they ARE Streaming as well, so they Should be counted as both, which would make the Streaming numbers even More prominate.

Q.
Who does the Counting for Streaming ?

Neilson does the Broadcast/Cable ...

b4pjoe

Today at 1:25 PM

Jimbo said:
But they ARE Streaming as well, so they Should be counted as both, which would make the Streaming numbers even More prominate.

Q.
Who does the Counting for Streaming ?

Neilson does the Broadcast/Cable ...

But they are basically airing a number of live channels just like Broadcast, Cable, and Others so that is why they are counted that way.

Bruce

Today at 1:31 PM

Jimbo said:
But they ARE Streaming as well, so they Should be counted as both, which would make the Streaming numbers even More prominate.

Q.
Who does the Counting for Streaming ?

Neilson does the Broadcast/Cable ...

Same.

Ratings for streaming content is extremely accurate, since the service knows who is watching what and when, when we hit ok on our remotes.

Ratings for Broadcast/Cable shows has always been a estimate.

Jimbo

5 minutes ago

Bruce said:
Same.

Ratings for streaming content is extremely accurate, since the service knows who is watching what and when, when we hit ok on our remotes.

Ratings for Broadcast/Cable shows has always been a estimate.

If I flip thru shows on an app, 3-4 in a few minutes, does that still show that I watched the whole episode ?

If I watch the Super Bowl for 5 minutes, does that count as watching the Super Bowl ?
Is it the same if I just watched the Commercials.

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dishstaller

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

12 minutes ago · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Been putting off buying a front/rear dashcam. This Civil Rights Lawyer video now has me moving forward

This was actually one of the more disturbing videos I've seen on this channel. IF this guy hadn't been driving a Tesla which has 360 degree cams, he would probably become a felon and had his life ruined.....all because of a lying cop. The other officers in this video didn't impress me too much either, their whole mentality was how can we nail this guy.
This is a perfect example of why I'm always a bit nervous when I get below Perry, FL. There is a huge difference between north and south Florida and everyone who lives here knows this.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4Q8q0KQQ14

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Bobby

Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter

Last reply 18 minutes ago · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Dish 4K Event Listings (No Discussion)

This is a thread that will keep you apprised of 4K events that will be showing on Dish channel 540. Keep looking here for information.

As of today, 9-27-17, there are no scheduled events posted for the next 2 weeks. That is subject to change on a daily basis.

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Bobby

Tuesday at 1:54 PM

CFB, Indiana at Michigan, Saturday 10-24, 9AM PDT, Channel 148-01.
CFB, BYU at UCF, Saturday 10-24, 12:30PM PDT, Channel 148-01.

Reactions: Foxbat and charlesrshell

Bobby

23 minutes ago

MLB, Rays at Brewers, Friday 10-23, 5PM PDT, Channel 148-01.

Bobby

21 minutes ago

MLB, Rays at Brewers, Saturday 10-24, 5PM PDT, Channel 148-01.

Bobby

19 minutes ago

MLB, Brewers at Rays, Monday 10-26, 5PM PDT, Channel 148-01.

Bobby

18 minutes ago

MLB, Brewers at Rays, Tuesday 10-27, 5PM PDT, Channel 148-01.

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Linus Tech Tips

44 minutes ago · posted in Linus Tech Tips

Guessing Costco Tech Prices

Time for another AWESOME video from Linus Tech Tips!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/FtjH_HHTpeg

Direct YouTube Link - Guessing Costco Tech Prices
Linus on Facebook
The LTT Store

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TWiT Tech Podcast Network

44 minutes ago · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

This Week in Space 233

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP8521ndPdA

Direct YouTube Link - This Week in Space 233
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

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TWiT Tech Podcast Network

44 minutes ago · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

How It Feels Holding an iPhone Duo in Hand

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iFQxaEwwh2k

Direct YouTube Link - How It Feels Holding an iPhone Duo in Hand
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

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Scott Greczkowski

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge

Last reply 51 minutes ago · posted in DIRECTV General Forum

New Gemini Box

The following is from Reddit. -
View: https://www.reddit.com/r/DirectvStream/s/orzHBkmqQW

There appears to be a new DIRECTV Gemini OTT box, the C81KW-650.

The FCC listing is partially available, and a Geekbench entry confirms it uses an Amlogic S905X5, a solid SoC for a set-top box.

I also see 4GB of RAM, and the manufacturer is SEI Robotics.

DIRECTV C81KW OTT Box - Android TV Guide

Ok found a picture of the Box too on Reddit:

View: https://www.reddit.com/r/DirectvStream/comments/1twlex0/comment/opzeqi1/

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GRB1959

Sep 23, 2026

A new Gemini box for DirecTV streaming possibly becoming available in January of 2027? That would be welcome news.

I have been exploring leaving Dish DBS ever since a software update around Aug. 10, version H711 and now H712, is causing problems with IR signals and the Dish Hopper 3. As a result my Sofabaton X2 universal remote no longer works perfectly as it did prior to the H711 and H712 Dish Hopper 3 firmware updates.

I have been a little leary of the current hardware available for DirecTV streaming as the Gemini Ospry box fits my needs, however they are getting a little long in the tooth and finding the 4GB RAM (SKU: 60233) Osprey box complete with remote and power cable is somewhat challenging. I see that the 2GB RAM Osprey boxes (SKU: 60164) can be found on Ebay and at Walmart online used, however a 4GB Osprey box is preferred.

Now I wonder if I should just wait it out until the new Gemini box for DirecTV streaming becomes available. I want a box with an Ethernet port and the Gemini Air is WiFi only. If the new Gemini box does become available in January of 2027 will it be lease only via DirecTV or will we be allowed to purchase them?

slow_poke_pete

Sep 23, 2026

GRB1959 said:
A new Gemini box for DirecTV streaming possibly becoming available in January of 2027? That would be welcome news.

I have been exploring leaving Dish DBS ever since a software update around Aug. 10, version H711 and now H712, is causing problems with IR signals and the Dish Hopper 3. As a result my Sofabaton X2 universal remote no longer works perfectly as it did prior to the H711 and H712 Dish Hopper 3 firmware updates.

I have been a little leary of the current hardware available for DirecTV streaming as the Gemini Ospry box fits my needs, however they are getting a little long in the tooth and finding the 4GB RAM (SKU: 60233) Osprey box complete with remote and power cable is somewhat challenging. I see that the 2GB RAM Osprey boxes (SKU: 60164) can be found on Ebay and at Walmart online used, however a 4GB Osprey box is preferred.

Now I wonder if I should just wait it out until the new Gemini box for DirecTV streaming becomes available. I want a box with an Ethernet port and the Gemini Air is WiFi only. If the new Gemini box does become available in January of 2027 will it be lease only via DirecTV or will we be allowed to purchase them?

there leased at 10.00 per box. unless you can find em at ebay or wally world where people have gotten em before. or you could get a roku apple tv firestick if you don't need the channel numbers

GRB1959

Sep 23, 2026

slow_poke_pete said:
there leased at 10.00 per box. unless you can find em at ebay or wally world where people have gotten em before. or you could get a roku apple tv firestick if you don't need the channel numbers

I appreciate the reply. My wife will be using this as well so a numeric keypad to change channels that actually works is a must and I want it to have a hardwired Ethernet port so that leaves the Gemini box as my only real choice.

dishstaller

Today at 12:43 PM

GRB1959 said:
I want it to have a hardwired Ethernet port so that leaves the Gemini box as my only real choice.

The Roku Ultra series (the larger square box models that attach via hdmi) have ethernet ports

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b4pjoe

Today at 1:28 PM

dishstaller said:
The Roku Ultra series (the larger square box models that attach via hdmi) have ethernet portsView attachment 194992

This thread is about the new box for the DIRECTV Stream service. And yes it has an Ethernet port also.

dishstaller

Today at 1:51 PM

b4pjoe said:
This thread is about the new box for the DIRECTV Stream service. And yes it has an Ethernet port also.

I didn't just mention this for no reason.....see posts #10 and 11 where Roku was clearly brought into the discussion. I'm NOT trying to hijack a thread but ADD information to it.

Scott Greczkowski

Today at 1:51 PM

I know a few people who have gotten one and I am told like most modern streaming boxes this one also has HDR on all the time.

b4pjoe

Today at 1:59 PM

Scott Greczkowski said:
I know a few people who have gotten one and I am told like most modern streaming boxes this one also has HDR on all the time.

My guess it is like the 2 previous boxes where you can turn it off/on but requires a reboot once you make the change for the change to take effect. Not sure if there is some limitation in the hardware that won't allow it to change automatically to what is in the content like other devices do. Even DIRECTV satellites own C61K changes on the fly.

Tom Speer

Today at 2:15 PM

Scott Greczkowski said:
I know a few people who have gotten one and I am told like most modern streaming boxes this one also has HDR on all the time.

I only noticed that as a problem on TVs that handle HDR poorly. They don't have enough peak brightness or enough dimming zones. For instance, TCL makes three lines of TV, sort of like the old Sears model of Good, Better, Best. On my 4 or 5 year end low price model, HDR looked awful (My neighbor likes the TV now). The midrange model from the next model year ithat I have at my Lake home now looks pretty good in HDR all the time. The midrange TCL QM7 model from last year at my other home looks spectacular, as I remember. I haven't seen it for 6 months.

If I had a TV that does HDR poorly, I would configure the Gemini to disable all HDR.

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b4pjoe

51 minutes ago

Tom Speer said:
I only noticed that as a problem on TVs that handle HDR poorly. They don't have enough peak brightness or enough dimming zones. For instance, TCL makes three lines of TV, sort of like the old Sears model of Good, Better, Best. On my 4 or 5 year end low price mode, HDR looked awful (My neighbor likes the TV now). The midrannge model from the next model year ithat I have at my Lake home now looks pretty good in HDR all the time. The midrange TCL QM7 model from last year at my other home looks spectacular, as I remember. I haven't seen it for 6 months.

If I had a TV that does HDR poorly, I would configure the Gemini to disble all HDR.

I agree with that. The 2 LGs that we have Gemini's on looks far better with HDR enabled then it does with HDR off.

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dishstaller

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Today at 2:12 PM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

What supplements have you found that really helped your overall health

Didn't see a thread like this so I figured why not start one. This is about natural supplements. If you aren't into supplements, fine, but please let those of us who do want to discuss this discuss it.

The first one I wanted to mention has been a real life changer. I'm 62 and still do all of my own install work at my business....also do all the yard work at the house. A few years ago I started noticing that I was losing my range of movement, it was even getting hard to bend over and lace up my boots. Almost got stuck in an attic because I couldn't get turned around once the work was done. Didn't think much of it and figured with age comes stiffness that was only going to get worse as time went on.
It was then that I stumbled across a video which was discussing rotator cuff tears and why they were to prevalent these days. Turns out, the culprit is a simple deficiency in MANGANESE which is key in keeping your tendons flexible. Most anti-biotics strip your body of any manganese it might have had which is why certain anti-biotics, especially those in the Cipro family. I actually knew a man who had two tendons tear while on that stuff.
Went to Amazon and ordered some manganese. Now it took a while, it wasn't instant, but gradually I have regained all of my flexibility. I can bend over and touch my toes while standing with no pain and putting on my boots is no longer a chore.
Pretty cheap too. The bottle I ordered was a 200 ct for under $13. They said to take double the normal dose for the first month because most people are severely lacking, then go to one a day.

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TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Today at 2:02 PM · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Advanced Shader Delivery for Starting AAA Games #shorts

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Direct YouTube Link - Advanced Shader Delivery for Starting AAA Games #shorts
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Dish customer service - get the phone number right

Hello again

How things have changed

Cable TV ‘cord-cutters’ became the majority in 2022

Been putting off buying a front/rear dashcam. This Civil Rights Lawyer video now has me moving forward

Dish 4K Event Listings (No Discussion)

Guessing Costco Tech Prices

This Week in Space 233

How It Feels Holding an iPhone Duo in Hand

New Gemini Box

What supplements have you found that really helped your overall health

Advanced Shader Delivery for Starting AAA Games #shorts