ReadFanon

joined 1 year ago
MODERATOR OF
neurodiverse
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[CLOSED] Webfishing drop-in peer support - you're invited! in c/neurodiverse@hexbear.net
[CLOSED] Webfishing drop-in peer support - you're invited! in c/neurodiverse@hexbear.net
[–] ReadFanon@hexbear.net 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Ah dammit, it must be a server issue or something. Let me restart and make a new server to see if that fixes anything.

Will update you in a minute or two with a new lobby code.

[CLOSED] Webfishing drop-in peer support - you're invited! in c/neurodiverse@hexbear.net
[–] ReadFanon@hexbear.net 4 points 1 month ago

Care-Comrade

I'm still running the server but it's just me in there at the moment. Feel free to drop by and say hello if you want to.

[CLOSED] Webfishing drop-in peer support - you're invited! in c/neurodiverse@hexbear.net
PeerTube mobile app released in c/technology@hexbear.net
[–] ReadFanon@hexbear.net 5 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Good to see but the app doesn't play well with TankieTube yet, which is a bit disappointing.

For the time being I'm sticking with GrayJay which, unfortunately, requires a bit of fiddling around to get it to work with TankieTube although it offers a lot more functionality (search/subscribe/download/background play/PiP/view comments/video quality options/subscribe to channel/playlists/feed categories/queuing videos etc.)

I'll keep an eye on the official app and hold out hope that this is the start of good things to come but for the time being personally I'm going to stick with GrayJay because it offers a lot of functions that I count as necessary - search, subscribe, and background play are non-negotiable for me.

Woman jailed after using shooting suspect's catchphrase as insurance company denied claim in c/chapotraphouse@hexbear.net
Anyone have resources/suggestions on how to best keep folks warm at a homeless encampment in the winter? in c/askchapo@hexbear.net
[–] ReadFanon@hexbear.net 6 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

It's really hard to say without knowing the conditions of the people you're targeting for aid but ondols, kangs, and rocket mass heaters are a really good solution for creating thermal mass to use as a thermal battery but they are also quite permanent so its much less suitable as a solution for people who are homeless/housing insecure that are more transient (i.e. compared to living in slums or shanties which are permanent or semi-permanent.)

If you are intending on using this sort of heating method for people who are unfamiliar with safe operating, a rocket mass heater is going to be the safest based on the fact that you are able to build this above-ground as opposed to it being underfloor. (Kangs are usually raised platforms but due to construction there are specific considerations for fire safety so I'll put them aside for simplicity's sake.) The only caveats are that a rocket stove needs to have a clear outlet free from combustible materials nearby. For people who are unfamiliar with operating a rocket mass heater who may have impaired judgement due to things like severe mental illness or substance use disorder, I would strongly advise having a straight exhaust as one which curves creates corners that creosote can accumulate upon. Suboptimal operation of a rocket stove will also create more creosote. Straight exhausts are far easier to clear and to visually identify when there is buildup. Realistic worst case scenario you're probably going to have is the exhaust shooting out a few feet of flame as the built up creosote ignites so you want clearance especially with suboptimal operating conditions and a lack of routine maintenance.

For transient populations, it's going to be about what is most portable - so stuff that is lightweight and ideally that packs down or can be easily disassembled and reassembled.

For permanent and semi-permanent populations things like cost and safety of longer-term operation become much more of a consideration.

I'm not sure what the weather is like where you are but if you're only in the early stages of planning I think you might have left your run to late for making a rocket mass heater that uses cob as the thermal mass. I'm assuming that you don't have a location picked out yet and that this is an org that meets once or twice on the weekend before everyone goes back to their day jobs but at a very optimistic timeframe it would look like everything being settled this weekend, including site and sourcing inputs, then the next two weekends constructing with it being ready to go by mid-January. That's assuming that everyone is happy with working through Christmas on this too.

I'm presuming a level of familiarity with cob construction and rocket mass heater construction. If it's a first time job it could easily take an extra couple of weekends. So I'm not sure exactly where that would leave you with regard to the viability of the project and your time frames.

I've never fired cob directly after construction. I would assume that it wouldn't be catastrophic but you could expect to see larger, structural cracks in the cob mass as it dries rapidly due to heat and the inner parts contract much faster than the outer parts. The temp of a rocket mass heater can reach vitrification levels so I'm unsure of the implications of this for the structure of an uncured cob mass - generally speaking cob is easily repaired with patching it however if uncured clay begins to vitrify when it's right beside the burn chamber it might not be so easy to repair and I'm not really sure where to look to find out if anyone has attempted this or what the short and long term results from it would be.

Cob also takes a surprising amount of effort and inputs. I'd strongly recommend using a small cement mixer to make your cob because otherwise the labour input will be very high - this is fine if you have a lot of people and the weather is decent, especially if you are building a lot of walls so you are limited by how high each layer can be constructed before you have to leave it to cure in order to prevent sagging but it's less ideal if you are trying to turn out a rocket mass heater in one day.

Do you know the soil composition of the site that you're considering? This is going to be a major factor with costs and logistics. It's not uncommon that you will need to source one of the two main parts (either sand or clay) to get the ratio right. If you are planning on using what you have on hand then it's possible that you're going to want to use a backhoe or mini excavator to save a large amount of time that digging below the topsoil would take to do manually but it depends on the size of the project and what you have access to including labour power.

Sorry to be a downer about this. I really like cob construction - I'm a big fan of it, although the skin on my feet is too delicate (probably EDS skin) and whenever I've made cob traditionally I always find that any small stones or pebbles end up tearing up my feet so this probably my one and only true complaint that I have about cob lol. It's really not like me to try and ruin someone's enthusiasm for it.

(Ooh look at me! I'm not just a grass-toucher, I'll even brag about having touched dirt!!)

Edit: I completely overlooked my assumption that this was intended to be constructed indoors or, at the very least, in a well-sheltered location (because I figured ondol = inside a home or sheltered location).

If this construction is intended to be outdoors or in a place which is only partially sheltered then it's going to become a lot more complicated and, honestly, unless you are pretty familiar with cob construction I'd just advise against it.

Cob can be used in outdoor construction and it can work well however it comes with significant considerations about the local conditions. Outdoor cob construction in areas that have high groundwater or on low elevation like, idk, Florida sounds like a disaster for outdoor cob construction except if you built on a relatively high elevation for the local area on a site that had sufficient drainange (this is well outside my wheelhouse). Heavy rainfall is going to kill it except under certain circumstances that would take a lot of effort to describe but if you are unsure about this then take it as your sign that it's a bad idea because its really not for beginners. As for areas that get any significant amount of snow this, too, is outside my wheelhouse. My hunch is that unless the rocket stove is being operated on a daily/near daily basis that snowpack piling up on the stove could cause serious problems with getting the exhaust to draft and getting it up to optimal operating temperature - not impossible but unlikely that it would be an easy task and unlikely to be something for beginners. As for snow melt and the damage it could do to a rocket mass heater, again that's way outside my knowledge but it's possible that it could destroy the cob mass, requiring either a major repair job or even a complete teardown and rebuild. Hard to say for sure and it's never something that I've had to consider so this is just speculation.

What is Edrogan/Turkey's beef with the Kurds? in c/askchapo@hexbear.net
[–] ReadFanon@hexbear.net 5 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Kurds have been an ethic underclass in Turkey since the founding of modern Turkey, where Atatürk, for unknown reasons, decided to take a hard-line stance against them. Obviously the ethnic conflict dates back further than that but this traces a direct through line to today.

Then it's basically the same old deal - they got treated like second class citixens, they faced all sorts of government repression and pogroms etc. such that the likelihood of modern Turkey reaching an accord with the Kurds is either a pipedream or its going to take like a century+ of both sides working diligently and in good faith to resolve this conflict.

You know how Romani people are treated as essentially subhumans in Europe, how they are excluded and ostracised and subject to all sorts of repression as well as frequent attempts to displace or exterminate them (at least historically speaking)? Yeah, that's a pretty good match for how Kurds are treated especially in Turkey.

The Kurds in NE Syria are led by the PKK, which is the mortal enemy of Turkey. The PKK leader, Abdullah Öcalan, has been imprisoned on Turkey's own Alcatraz alone for years and years now. The PKK has worked closely with Palestinian liberation movements, especially the PFLP, with training, coordination and mutual support going back decades. The PKK was ML until fairly recently where Öcalan took a sorta libertarian turn, being directly inspired by Murray Bookchin's (kinda) post anarchist Libertarian Municipalism which Öcalan developed into Democratic Confederalism, which the PKK has been attempting to implement in Rojava.

The chances of Rojava surviving intact after the recent turn of events in Syria are slim. Turkey will do whatever it takes to steamroll Rojava imo and if they aren't doing it right now then the only reason is that they're probably drawing up their plans for how to go aboit it. Israel has conducted precision strikes to deal a major blow to Rojava/the SDF's military capacity.

Of all the groups in the Syrian civil war, the SDF is really the only one qualified for the term "moderate rebels" imo, they are secular and progressive and, although I have significant criticisms of Rojava and I think they are glamourised by anarchists undeservedly, in a situation where Assad has been taken off the board they are by far the best option and, being led by the PKK, Rojava is the only shot at something radical left emerging from the Syrian civil war although how hopeful one is about those prospects-not to mention the prospects of Rojava surviving in this new phase of the Syrian civil war-are very much debatable.

Anyone have resources/suggestions on how to best keep folks warm at a homeless encampment in the winter? in c/askchapo@hexbear.net
[–] ReadFanon@hexbear.net 40 points 1 month ago (4 children)

There are a few elements to staying warm in a survival/homelessness situation:

  • Avoiding evaporation

  • Stopping airflow

  • Generating heat

  • Trapping heat

Evaporation kills attempts at staying warm. Things need to be dry or you're just swimming upstream constantly. Spare layers of clothes help as do waterproof layers.

If you have a team and some resources, this method to produce waterproof tarps is ideal. You can use this as a shelter, as a cloak, or as an outer layer for bedding.

Stopping airflow is tricky and it's very contextual. Layering up clothing is a big factor here.

Generating heat is rightly emphasised but I think it's somewhat overemphasised. Unless you have taken efforts especially to prevent things getting wet and thus evaporating and to mitigate drafts, generating heat can require a ton of resources. Bodies themselves generate a significant amount of heat and ideally you want to trap this as your primary heat source since it's just the cost of doing business for mammals. You can get fairly cheap yoga mat-like material that has a layer of foil (I'm guessing it must be Mylar) and this is going to go a long ways to reflecting the radiant heat that is generated back to your body rather than allowing it to be absorbed by the ground. Emergency blankets are also really good at doing a similar thing, although they aren't very durable.

Trapping heat is what tends to get overlooked. There's the reflection of heat, as described above, but developing ways to store heat is an important consideration. Unfortunately materials that work as heat batteries are heavy and bulky. One exception to this rule is stuff that relies on a chemical reaction like sodium acetate, although I'm no materials scientist so hopefully a person who actually paid attention in high school chemistry and physics will chime in here.

a rocket stove type design

Don't take this personally because it's not aimed at you but rocket stoves are so fetishised by certain groups that it drives me to distraction. There are certain design principles necessary for a rocket stove to be a rocket stove and most of what you find being referred to as a rocket stove is just something that is a J-tube.

Honestly I don't think that a true rocket stove is the right option for people who are homeless because they require a significant amount of space and they are heavier than an alternative like a wood gasifier stove that almost certainly archives an equivalenly efficient burn in less time as it doesn't require the burn chamber to reach a high enough temperature in order to achieve recombustion. A wood gasifier stove isn't bound to the same design principles that require a rocket stove riser to be rather high and as they do not require insulation, they are much easier to disassemble and pack down vs a rocket stove.

Don't be an asshole about it with people who are trying to do good work but the next time you see someone touting a rocket stove ask them about the ratio between the diameter of the burn chamber and the length of the riser or what they are using as the insulation and you're going to get blank stares like 75% of the time. This is bad news because a poorly designed "rocket" stove burns inefficiently and the riser will develop a creosote buildup that will become a fire risk over time, all other considerations aside. You also see people wrapping heat exchanges around the burn chamber of rocket stoves which further reduces the efficiency of a "rocket stove" in the most infuriating way - it's like driving while your parking brake is on.

*Permanently Deleted* in c/music@hexbear.net
[–] ReadFanon@hexbear.net 2 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Deep cut Ren & Stimpy reference

*Permanently Deleted* in c/chat@hexbear.net
[–] ReadFanon@hexbear.net 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

That's such a shame that your hardware isn't playing nicely with Linux but it's really cool that you gave it a try and it's just as cool that you actually like it.

It's hard to fault past you for, years and years ago, buying this laptop without considering Linux compatibility - it's not like this would have been on your radar until this point so of course you wouldn't have given it any thought. Them's the breaks, I guess.

Pro Luigi thread in c/chapotraphouse@hexbear.net
[–] ReadFanon@hexbear.net 23 points 1 month ago

Yeah, that's a good point.

I'd say that it would have to be more of an indicator than a measurement; it's not like there's some magic number of CEOs being assassinated that we would need to reach and then, spontaneously, the masses would reach a point where they are ready for revolution but if that number of CEOs were getting merced then for every assassin you could assume that there's at least 10,000 people who are deeply sympathetic. With those sort of numbers you're easily looking at millions of sympathisers and at that point a single spark really can start a prairie fire, in this case.

49
[CLOSED] Webfishing drop-in peer support happening again this Friday - you're invited! (hexbear.net)
submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by ReadFanon@hexbear.net to c/neurodiverse@hexbear.net
30 comments fedilink
 

Hi comrades, it’s yappening again - you're invited to drop in chat about what's on your mind in Webfishing!

We have closed the server for this session. Thanks to all who stopped by!

You will need to enter it when you start the game here in the server menu:

Note that the FAQ has been recently updated.
New questions with answers will be highlighted below:

When is the drop-in server being hosted?
This Friday, 5:00am PST / 2:00am EST / 1:00pm MSK / 10:00am UTC
Click on the UTC link to be taken to Bing search results that will localise the time to your specific region.

Test link to .ics file to add event to your calendar [still figuring this out]

How long will the drop-in server run for?
I'm planning to run it for approximately two hours unless there is demand for it to run longer and I have the spoons for it.
This post will be edited to reflect when the servers are live and when they have closed.

What happens if the server crashes?

If there was about 20 minutes or less before the server was due to close and things were winding down, sorry folks - the party died a little prematurely. But if it looked like the momentum was going to continue and I could keep going then I’ll fire up a new server and send out a new ping inviting you back. If there was 30 minutes or more to go before the promised close time, I’ll do the same.

How can I join the ping list?

Comment below asking to be added or send me a DM with a request and I'll add you to the ping list.

Will you notify me in Element when your server goes live next?

I need to do a viability assessment before I can promise anything. If you want to be on the waiting list, send me a DM to let me know and I’ll put you down and if/when it gets launched I’ll let you know via Element.

Will you hold it at a more reasonable time for North America/my time zone?
I plan to. I intend on holding this drop-in server at different times to cover different time zones so that it's suitable for folks wherever they happen to be.

What is Webfishing anyway?
It's a new little cozy game that's based around fishing and feels a lot like Animal Crossing.

How does it work?
It's basically like a chatroom that has a little game attached to it. You don't have to play the game if you just want to chat. The game itself has a very relaxed vibe without any time pressure or specific goals you have to achieve.

Where do I get the game?
It's available on Steam for around $5 USD, less if you're in a developing country.

What if I can't afford to buy the game at the moment?
If it's the one thing that's stopping you from joining, send me a DM and I'll gift you a copy as long as you are a Hexbear user with an account that isn't brand new.

Can I join if I am a lurker, if I do not have a Hexbear account, or if I found this via another part of the Fediverse?

What if I do not identify as being neurodivergent?

Of course. As long as you adhere to the Server Ground Rules listed at the bottom of this post you are invited to join the server.
You do not have to identify as neurodivergent to join the server, I've just been posting on here as I gradually grow this project and improve it to avoid overextending myself. In due course I hope to start promoting this to the whole site but for now I've still got my training wheels on.

You are not expected to be an active Hexbear user with an account in order to join the server - everyone is welcome.

What are the system requirements?
They are reasonably low. You need a device that can run Steam (like a PC, a laptop, or a handheld device such as a Steam Deck or similar.)
You can read more about the specific system requirements on the Steam page to see if your device is up to the task of running the game.

Can I join the server straight after downloading the game?
There is a brief, mandatory tutorial that the game makes you do when you play for the first time. It should only take you a few minutes to play through though. After you have completed the mandatory tutorial you will be able to join a server and start chatting/playing.

Do I have to RSVP? How long do I have to stay if I join?
You don't need to RSVP, just show up whenever you're ready to while the server is running.
You don't have to stay for any longer than you want to. You can even just pop in to say hello and then head off straight after if you like.
If you mention that you are interested in joining the server for this event in the comments section below, I will ping you when it goes live.
If you want to be part of the main ping list, just say so and every time a new post about the next upcoming peer space gets posted I’ll ping you so you get a notification that another one is happening soon.

Do I have to use my Hexbear username?
No. I'd recommend that you don't so that way you have some separation between your account here and your character in Webfishing.

Will it be moderated?
You bet it will be. I will be in there the whole time and I will moderate the space to maintain its safety.

Is there an age requirement to join the server?
I cannot guarantee with 100% certainty that the server will be safe or suitable for minors so you are only permitted to join if you are 18+.
I will do my best to ensure the server is safe but people may chose talk about heavy subjects or topics that are inappropriate for minors and I do not want to expose minors to undue risks.
I cannot check your ID at the door but please keep in mind that you need to be an adult in order to join.

A Casual, non-Peer Support server are currently being trialled for viability where the rules are stricter on acceptable discussion but which is open to all ages.

If you would like to be added to the non-Peer Support list then please send me a DM requesting to be added to that peer list. All users on the main ping list will also be notified of the casual non-Peer Support server going live.

Please DO NOT comment below letting everyone know that you are a minor – don’t announce your age online in public spaces especially if you aren’t an adult, please.

What's the difference between the Peer Support server and the casual one?

All users will be expected to keep things age-appropriate in the casual server.
Currently the casual server is going live on an ad-hoc basis without advanced notification, mostly by request at the moment.
I will be there to moderate however my engagement is less intensive to allow me to manage the demands on me. Think of it as a low key hang out space to chat with whoever is in the server but not as a space where I will be able to provide peer support.

Can I make a request for you to start the casual server?

You can try.
I will make no guarantees but if I am available, if I have enough energy, and if checked my inbox, I'll probably make it happen.

What can I talk about in the Peer Support server?
Almost anything.
Don't dox yourself or others, don't be abusive or make threats against others, but basically if it wouldn't break the rules here then it won't break the rules in the server.
For more a detailed and explicit explanation of the rules, the Server Ground Rules can be found at the bottom of this post.

What if I don't have anything to talk about?
I don't mind. You can just hang out in the server and play the game or be a part of the group.

Why are you offering this?
I used to be a peer worker and I have worked in the disability and mental health sectors. This is something that I have done professionally (only face to face, not online) and it's a way of providing support to this community if there is anyone who would like to chat or to seek peer support.
It can be hard to access mental health supports for a variety of reasons. This is my modest attempt to make accessing mental health supports a little bit easier.

Is this like a life coaching/neurodivergent coaching thing?
No. While I have been trained in different coaching methods, as it is a group space and as there isn’t necessarily continuity in how your accounts will appear to me in different sessions if you choose to change your details, along with the fact that there is no accountability and goal-tracking being offered alongside consistent bookings (not to mention that I will not be keeping casenotes on my end), formal coaching is beyond the scope of this server.
I may draw upon coaching methods in the server as I see fit but this server is not a suitable space for an ongoing coaching mode of support.

Are you a qualified therapist or doctor?
Absolutely not and I'm not attempting to be one.
I can offer support as a peer, I can share based on my own experiences and understanding of things, but I cannot be more than that.

Is this space a crisis service or an emergency service?
Absolutely not. I am not equipped to handle a mental health crisis for pseudo-anonymous people remotely via an online co-op game.
If you are in crisis, you will need to access the local crisis services available to you.
If it is an emergency, you will need to call your country's emergency number.

Is it a secure platform? How do I protect my identity in this game?
The public info on your Steam profile page will be visible to others so I strongly recommend setting your profile page to private and choosing a profile pic and setting the username to something that doesn't identify you and is generic to make it effectively unsearchable (e.g. using a name like Krupskaya or Azerty or Salton Sea). You can also make a burner Steam account for additional privacy if you like.
The platform is not secure (nor is this one that you're on now), so it is not like Matrix/Element. I strongly recommend using a VPN to conceal your IP. I cannot guarantee what the game has on the back end. Treat it a you would the Hexbear Visual Cuisine on cy.tube.
Be very careful about giving out too much info or info that is too specific. You can be vague, you can throw out false info about your situation, and you can simply choose not to divulge info at all.

How many people are permitted in the server at any given time?
There is a maximum of 12 people allowed in the server currently and it is first come, first serve.
I will try and keep an eye on the numbers and in the unlikely event that the server hits 10+ guests then I will invite people to consider whether they are ready to move on in order to allow other people to join.
I may choose to revise these numbers downwards based on the demands for moderation, my PC’s ability to cope with the demands of hosting the server, and to ensure that people in the server get a chance to chat with me.

What's the server's position on ableism?
Ableism targeting another person is strictly forbidden.
The use of ableist slurs and the denigration of people based on ability/disability is strictly forbidden.
Unfortunately our culture and language is deeply ableist. Casual use of ableist language is discouraged but it is not policed; examples of casual ableism are: "Is it dumb to feel this way?". "I feel like I'm stupid for not figuring this out earlier", and "My boss went completely psycho at me".
There are alternative words that can be used however this space recognises that self-expression is fundamental to its functioning and I cannot demand that people change their use of language instantaneously or to treat communication in the server like it's some sort of crossword puzzle they have to solve in order to get their message across.
"You are dumb" is absolutely not permitted. "[x group of marginalised people] are dumb" is absolutely not permitted. "Why do people have to act so dumb just because they see a guy wearing nail polish?" is a tolerated form of casual ableism in the server—although it is not condoned—while creativity and the use of alternative non-ableist terms is encouraged.
You will be able to prompt me to yap about this topic for as long as you care to listen if you happen to ask me about it in the server.

Are you insured for this?
No.
The pleasure is mine but the liability is yours.

Do you offer refunds?
Sure, but it's a free service so it's not worth asking for a refund on that.
Due to the current limitations of the time-space continuum, I will be unable to refund you your time.

Do you wear wigs?

Server Ground Rules:

  • No oppressive speech - no racism, sexism, queerphobia (including transphobia) etc.
  • Be respectful of others - be kind, don't be a jerk.
  • Don't record the server, don't spread the things that another person has said in the server around to others - if you have any concerns or complaints about my conduct or anyone else's then let me know either in the server or on Hexbear so I can address it.
  • Verbal warnings/kicks/bans are up to my discretion - adhere to the first three ground rules, keep the space safe for yourself and others, and you'll be fine.
  • Use of a VPN is strongly encouraged
  • Keep your OpSec practices in mind at all times
  • Consent is fundamental to every part of the server - you are always allowed to say that you don't want to do something or that you don't want to talk about something. Your choice will be upheld in the server.
  • I am not a therapist or a doctor and I cannot be a replacement for them
  • This is a casual peer support space not a crisis or emergency service.
  • There is a maximum of 12 people allowed in the server and it is first come, first serve
  • The server is for people who are 18+
  • Anyone who agrees to these ground rules is welcome to join the server

Hope to see you there!

52
:log-off-legends: (hexbear.net)
 
31
What's the German translation of the word Hexbear? (hexbear.net)
 

And is it Hexenbär or Sechsbär?

56
:rainbow-stalin: (hexbear.net)
submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by ReadFanon@hexbear.net to c/emoji@hexbear.net
13 comments fedilink
 
75
Webfishing Drop-In Peer Support FAQ & Rules (hexbear.net)
submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 1 month ago) by ReadFanon@hexbear.net to c/neurodiverse@hexbear.net
52 comments fedilink
 

What happens if the server crashes?
If there was about 20 minutes or less before the server was due to close and things were winding down, sorry folks - the party died a little prematurely. But if it looked like the momentum was going to continue and I could keep going then I’ll fire up a new server and send out a new ping inviting you back. If there was 30 minutes or more to go before the promised close time, I’ll do the same.

How can I join the ping list?
Comment below on this post or the one that linked here asking to be added or send me a DM with a request and I'll add you to the ping list.

Will you notify me in Element when your server goes live next?
I need to do a viability assessment before I can promise anything. If you want to be on the waiting list, send me a DM to let me know and I’ll put you down and if/when it gets launched I’ll let you know via Element.

Will you hold it at a more reasonable time for North America/my time zone?
I plan to. I intend on holding this drop-in server at different times to cover different time zones so that it's suitable for folks wherever they happen to be.

What is Webfishing anyway?
It's a new little cozy game that's based around fishing and feels a lot like Animal Crossing.

How does it work?
It's basically like a chatroom that has a little game attached to it. You don't have to play the game if you just want to chat. The game itself has a very relaxed vibe without any time pressure or specific goals you have to achieve.

Where do I get the game?
It's available on Steam for around $5 USD, less if you're in a developing country.

What if I can't afford to buy the game at the moment?
If it's the one thing that's stopping you from joining, send me a DM and I'll buy a code for you to use as long as you are a Hexbear user with an account that isn't brand new.

**Can I join if I am a lurker, if I do not have a Hexbear account, or if I found this via another part of the Fediverse?
Of course. As long as you adhere to the Server Ground Rules listed at the bottom of this post you are invited to join the server.

What if I do not identify as being neurodivergent?
You do not have to identify as neurodivergent to join the server, I've just been posting on here as I gradually grow this project and improve it to avoid overextending myself. In due course I hope to start promoting this to the whole site but for now I've still got my training wheels on.

You are not expected to be an active Hexbear user with an account in order to join the server - everyone is welcome.

What are the system requirements?
They are reasonably low. You need a device that can run Steam (like a PC, a laptop, or a handheld device such as a Steam Deck or similar.)
You can read more about the specific system requirements on the Steam page to see if your device is up to the task of running the game.

Do you have any tips for running the game on Linux with a very low-spec computer?
It's a little bit technical but this guide takes you through the steps to get the most out of a low spec device running Linux.

Can I join the server straight after downloading the game?
There is a brief, mandatory tutorial that the game makes you do when you play for the first time. It should only take you a few minutes to play through though. After you have completed the mandatory tutorial you will be able to join a server and start chatting/playing.

Do I have to RSVP? How long do I have to stay if I join?
You don't need to RSVP, just show up whenever you're ready to while the server is running.
You don't have to stay for any longer than you want to. You can even just pop in to say hello and then head off straight after if you like.
If you mention that you are interested in joining the server for this event in the comments section below, I will ping you when it goes live.
If you want to be part of the main ping list, just say so and every time a new post about the next upcoming peer space gets posted I’ll ping you so you get a notification that another one is happening soon.

Do I have to use my Hexbear username?
No. I'd recommend that you don't so that way you have some separation between your account here and your character in Webfishing.

Will it be moderated?
You bet it will be. I will be in there the whole time and I will moderate the space to maintain its safety.

Is there an age requirement to join the server?
I cannot guarantee with 100% certainty that the server will be safe or suitable for minors so you are only permitted to join if you are 18+.
I will do my best to ensure the server is safe but people may chose talk about heavy subjects or topics that are inappropriate for minors and I do not want to expose minors to undue risks.
I cannot check your ID at the door but please keep in mind that you need to be an adult in order to join.

A Casual, non-Peer Support server are currently being trialled for viability where the rules are stricter on acceptable discussion but which is open to all ages.
If you would like to be added to the non-Peer Support list then please send me a DM requesting to be added to that peer list. All users on the main ping list will also be notified of the casual non-Peer Support server going live.

Please DO NOT comment below letting everyone know that you are a minor – don’t announce your age online in public spaces especially if you aren’t an adult, please.

What's the difference between the Peer Support server and the casual one?
All users will be expected to keep things age-appropriate in the casual server.
Currently the casual server is going live on an ad-hoc basis without advanced notification, mostly by request at the moment.
I will be there to moderate however my engagement is less intensive to allow me to manage the demands on me. Think of it as a low key hang out space to chat with whoever is in the server but not as a space where I will be able to provide peer support.

Can I make a request for you to start the casual server?
You can try.
I will make no guarantees but if I am available, if I have enough energy, and if checked my inbox, I'll probably make it happen.

What can I talk about in the Peer Support server?
Almost anything.
Don't dox yourself or others, don't be abusive or make threats against others, but basically if it wouldn't break the rules here then it won't break the rules in the server.
For more a detailed and explicit explanation of the rules, the Server Ground Rules can be found at the bottom of this post.

What if I don't have anything to talk about?
I don't mind. You can just hang out in the server and play the game or be a part of the group.

Why are you offering this?
I used to be a peer worker and I have worked in the disability and mental health sectors. This is something that I have done professionally (only face to face, not online) and it's a way of providing support to this community if there is anyone who would like to chat or to seek peer support.
It can be hard to access mental health supports for a variety of reasons. This is my modest attempt to make accessing mental health supports a little bit easier.

Is this like a life coaching/neurodivergent coaching thing?
No. While I have been trained in different coaching methods, as it is a group space and as there isn’t necessarily continuity in how your accounts will appear to me in different sessions if you choose to change your details, along with the fact that there is no accountability and goal-tracking being offered alongside consistent bookings (not to mention that I will not be keeping casenotes on my end), formal coaching is beyond the scope of this server.
I may draw upon coaching methods in the server as I see fit but this server is not a suitable space for an ongoing coaching mode of support.

Are you a qualified therapist or doctor?
Absolutely not and I'm not attempting to be one.
I can offer support as a peer, I can share based on my own experiences and understanding of things, but I cannot be more than that.

Is this space a crisis service or an emergency service?
Absolutely not. I am not equipped to handle a mental health crisis for pseudo-anonymous people remotely via an online co-op game.
If you are in crisis, you will need to access the local crisis services available to you.
If it is an emergency, you will need to call your country's emergency number.

Is it a secure platform? How do I protect my identity in this game?
The public info on your Steam profile page will be visible to others so I strongly recommend setting your profile page to private and choosing a profile pic and setting the username to something that doesn't identify you and is generic to make it effectively unsearchable (e.g. using a name like Krupskaya or Azerty or Salton Sea). You can also make a burner Steam account for additional privacy if you like.
The platform is not secure (nor is this one that you're on now), so it is not like Matrix/Element. I strongly recommend using a VPN to conceal your IP. I cannot guarantee what the game has on the back end. Treat it a you would the Hexbear Visual Cuisine on cy.tube.
Be very careful about giving out too much info or info that is too specific. You can be vague, you can throw out false info about your situation, and you can simply choose not to divulge info at all.

How many people are permitted in the server at any given time?
There is a maximum of 12 people allowed in the server currently and it is first come, first serve.
I will try and keep an eye on the numbers and in the unlikely event that the server hits 10+ guests then I will invite people to consider whether they are ready to move on in order to allow other people to join.
I may choose to revise these numbers downwards based on the demands for moderation, my PC’s ability to cope with the demands of hosting the server, and to ensure that people in the server get a chance to chat with me.

What's the server's position on ableism?
Ableism targeting another person is strictly forbidden.
The use of ableist slurs and the denigration of people based on ability/disability is strictly forbidden.
Unfortunately our culture and language is deeply ableist. Casual use of ableist language is discouraged but it is not policed; examples of casual ableism are: "Is it dumb to feel this way?". "I feel like I'm stupid for not figuring this out earlier", and "My boss went completely psycho at me".
There are alternative words that can be used however this space recognises that self-expression is fundamental to its functioning and I cannot demand that people change their use of language instantaneously or to treat communication in the server like it's some sort of crossword puzzle they have to solve in order to get their message across.
"You are dumb" is absolutely not permitted. "[x group of marginalised people] are dumb" is absolutely not permitted. "Why do people have to act so dumb just because they see a guy wearing nail polish?" is a tolerated form of casual ableism in the server—although it is not condoned—while creativity and the use of alternative non-ableist terms is encouraged.
You will be able to prompt me to yap about this topic for as long as you care to listen if you happen to ask me about it in the server.

Are you insured for this?
No.
The pleasure is mine but the liability is yours.

Do you offer refunds?
Sure, but it's a free service so it's not worth asking for a refund on that.
Due to the current limitations of the time-space continuum, I will be unable to refund you your time.

Do you wear wigs?

Server Ground Rules:

  • No oppressive speech - no racism, sexism, queerphobia (including transphobia) etc.
  • Be respectful of others - be kind, don't be a jerk.
  • Don't record the server, don't spread the things that another person has said in the server around to others - if you have any concerns or complaints about my conduct or anyone else's then let me know either in the server or on Hexbear so I can address it.
  • Verbal warnings/kicks/bans are up to my discretion - adhere to the first three ground rules, keep the space safe for yourself and others, and you'll be fine.
  • Use of a VPN is strongly encouraged
  • Keep your OpSec practices in mind at all times
  • Consent is fundamental to every part of the server - you are always allowed to say that you don't want to do something or that you don't want to talk about something. Your choice will be upheld in the server.
  • I am not a therapist or a doctor and I cannot be a replacement for them
  • This is a casual peer support space not a crisis or emergency service.
  • There is a maximum of 12 people allowed in the server and it is first come, first serve
  • The server is for people who are 18+
  • Anyone who agrees to these ground rules is welcome to join the server
3
Nun - Devendra Banhart (1:03) [Freak Folk] (youtube.com)
17
Markdown wizards of Hexbear, how do you link within a comment to a header? (hexbear.net)
submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by ReadFanon@hexbear.net to c/chat@hexbear.net
3 comments fedilink
 

So I'm trying to make a link in a comment that jumps to a header within that same comment but I'm kinda stumped and my attempts have failed thus far. There are different iterations of Markdown so different guides are conflicting and just I'm not sure how to get it to do right.

If you know of a way to do this I wanna hear from you in the comments. Thanks!

Edit: Maybe I should have been a bit more explicit with what I'm asking for:

Example Header

[a wall of extraneous text]

An internal link that, upon clicking, scrolls you back to the Example Header

That's basically what I'm trying to do in Markdown

22
I'm considering making a private server in the game webfishing but I'm in two minds about it (hexbear.net)
submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by ReadFanon@hexbear.net to c/chat@hexbear.net
12 comments fedilink
 

Webfishing is a cosy online co-op game that recently dropped. It's light on demands for system resources and it has a pretty strong Animal Crossing vibe.

I was thinking it might be a nice place to make a private server to hang out and chat with comrades, particularly to use as a low key positive mental health space/peer support space. People seem to recognise my username these days so I guess some people would be aware that mental health is a thing I'm interested in. I have worked as a peer worker previously, including in the mental health sector, so this sorta thing would be within my wheelhouse.

I dunno. I have a lot of ideas and most of them are garbage. If you've ever seen me with a good take it's only by virtue of the fact that I have a mind that constantly flings shit at the wall and I have a high filter for it so I only express the top 0.1% of ideas that stick. And even then, the ideas that do make it past the filter are hit-or-miss. I'm not sure if this idea is one that should have been caught in the filter or if I might be onto something.

On the positive side of running a private server there:

  • It might be a useful way to offer support to the community.
  • Having a real-time space that is a bit sheltered from the wider fediverse might make it more comfortable than it is talking about tricky things on a platform where anyone can access it at any time.
  • It can be really hard for people to access decent mental health supports, sometimes downright impossible, and I feel capable in some small way of providing another avenue for people to seek support.
  • It would be very low pressure. Less than a formal group support session because it would basically be like an online drop-in peer support space.
  • I struggle a lot with writing comments and often I get massive writer's block which paralyses my ability to write out comments in a permanent space, and this would be a way for me to get around that.
  • You can do stuff like draw on the pavement with chalk in-game.

On the negative side:

  • Opsec needs to be given serious consideration.
  • There are always risks inherent to peer spaces and group spaces (although I'm very seasoned when it comes to group facilitation).
  • It requires a steam-capable device.
  • The game costs a couple of bucks to purchase (though if the price of entry was prohibitive to a comrade I'd be willing to foot the bill).
  • My health is trash and there are going to be decent periods of time where I wouldn't be able to make it happen.
  • Being online means I likely won't know the local mental health services to refer people out to nor the emergency response services.
  • It's a fishing game so it's mildly NSFV, although you don't have to participate in the act of fishing and it's far from being a realistic fishing simulator.

I'd be interested in hearing people's thoughts on this.

Edit: Ah fuck it, I think I'm just gonna give it a shot

18
[Documentary] What Happened, Miss Simone? (2015) [1:42:03] (tankie.tube)
submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) by ReadFanon@hexbear.net to c/movies@hexbear.net
0 comments fedilink
 

It is recommended that you use a VPN when accessing TankieTube to protect your anonymity as your IP may be revealed to others

Classically trained pianist, dive-bar chanteuse, black power icon and legendary recording artist Nina Simone lived a life of brutal honesty, musical genius, and tortured melancholy.

25
[Audiobook] How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing by KC Davis (03:02:00) (tankie.tube)
submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) by ReadFanon@hexbear.net to c/neurodiverse@hexbear.net
0 comments fedilink
 

It is recommended that you use a VPN when you access TankieTube to protect your anonymity because your IP may be accessible to others while using the site

It's happening!! There is now a TankieTube channel that has started up which is dedicated to posting audiobooks for people who are neurodivergent.

This book is a real favourite with neurodivergent folks, especially if you struggle with energy, motivation, and executive dysfunction. The title says it all.

The book is quite short and it's divided up into succinct chapters so you don't have to dedicate hours upon hours to slog through it, especially if you happen to be struggling with finding enough time and energy to manage the basics.

Here's a summary of the book from the publisher:

When you are neurodivergent, have undiagnosed ADHD or are struggling with your mental or physical health, keeping on top of the laundry pile and tackling dishes in the sink can feel like climbing a mountain. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Licensed therapist KC Davis has been there. Having relearnt the basics of self-care after an adult diagnosis of ADHD, she is here to revolutionise the way you look after your home and your mind. This gentle guide to staying afloat when life is tough shares practical strategies to create a functional home, make your space work for you rather than against you, and treat yourself with more compassion and kindness.

KC’s philosophy: good enough is perfect. With her help, your home will feel like a sanctuary again.

KC Davis appears on social media here and there so if you want more advice from her then it's worth checking to see if she has an account on your platforms of choice. Supporting her in this way will help her reach a broader audience so even if you can't afford to support her work by purchasing it yourself, you can still contribute something back by helping to raise her profile in the media by following her if you find her advice helpful.

Note that as of posting this audiobook is still in the TankieTube transcription queue so if you encounter any bugs or glitches then give it a while and try coming back to it a bit later
(It is working on my end but ymmv)

42
[Audiobook] Collapse: The Fall of the Soviet Union by Vladislav Zubok (23 hours 50 mins) (tankie.tube)
submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) by ReadFanon@hexbear.net to c/history@hexbear.net
7 comments fedilink
 

Publishers summary:

A major study of the collapse of the Soviet Union - showing how Gorbachev's misguided reforms led to its demise

In 1945, the Soviet Union controlled half of Europe and was a founding member of the United Nations. By 1991, it had an army four million strong, 5,000 nuclear-tipped missiles, and was the second biggest producer of oil in the world. But soon afterward, the union sank into an economic crisis and was torn apart by nationalist separatism. Its collapse was one of the seismic shifts of the 20th century.

Thirty years on, Vladislav Zubok offers a major reinterpretation of the final years of the USSR, refuting the notion that the breakup of the Soviet order was inevitable. Instead, Zubok reveals how Gorbachev's misguided reforms, intended to modernize and democratize the Soviet Union, deprived the government of resources and empowered separatism. Collapse sheds new light on Russian democratic populism, the Baltic struggle for independence, and the crisis of Soviet finances.

151
Alexandria Ocasio-Comprador capitalising on Marcellus Williams' state-sanctioned murder (hexbear.net)
 

Do you want to speak out against Marcellus' execution before it actually occurs?
Do you think you might be able leverage your political influence to do something to stop it?

No? Okay, well maybe just grandstand and exploit his murder so you can gain clout instead.

Liberals are opposed to every war except the current one, they are opposed to every execution except the pending one

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