Good day all! HUGE week coming up on the show! All times US Eastern, UTC-5.
2025-11-17 1000: @cubicgarden - #Founder and #firestarter of cubicgarden.ltd. Previously at #BBC RD,.
#Emergent #technology expert, #public #service #supporter
2025-11-19 1500: @anca - #Connector, #Instigator, #Maker. #Slime #mold #farmer.
2025-11-20 1500: @gabboman & @javascript creators of #wafrn a #tumblr inspired #fediverse #software.
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I'm really hoping for Fediverse help here.
I have a 14 year old niece. She's incredibly smart and extremely motivated when it comes to engineering things.
I want to get her some electronics stuff, like an Arduino kit, but maybe something with wearables, etc. to make it more relevant to her than just a breadboard.
She'll also need some books on electronics, since she doesn't have the background in that.
Sadly, some limitations:
- I can't help her. Her mother won't let my wife or I talk to her. This gift itself will have to be given through a third party.
- She has a learning disability around reading- likely dyslexia, and so we need material that's easy to read
- Her English is not amazing, especially because of the learning disability.
So I'm looking for a kit with a ton of instructional material. Programming, electronics, breadboard, the whole kit and kaboodle.
If you have ideas, please share, and boost!
I'm really hoping for Fediverse help here.
I have a 14 year old niece. She's incredibly smart and extremely motivated when it comes to engineering things.
I want to get her some electronics stuff, like an Arduino kit, but maybe something with wearables, etc. to make it more relevant to her than just a breadboard.
She'll also need some books on electronics, since she doesn't have the background in that.
Sadly, some limitations:
- I can't help her. Her mother won't let my wife or I talk to her. This gift itself will have to be given through a third party.
- She has a learning disability around reading- likely dyslexia, and so we need material that's easy to read
- Her English is not amazing, especially because of the learning disability.
So I'm looking for a kit with a ton of instructional material. Programming, electronics, breadboard, the whole kit and kaboodle.
If you have ideas, please share, and boost!
A blog post on how I built a second monitor from a dead laptop's screen
https://blog.ianturton.com/cheap/2025/11/09/spare-monitor.html
Maybe we need to update #RTFM. Actual manuals are rare beasts these days. You’re more likely to find the information you need online, whether it’s in the form of PDF datasheets, forum posts or Git gists.
It should really be RTFAI, in which the AI isn’t what you think but stands for ‘Available Information’. But that’s a bit of a mouthful, so perhaps just RTFI. Or we could just say ‘Read’, followed (if you feel strongly about it) by FFS. RFFS?
A blog post on how I built a second monitor from a dead laptop's screen
https://blog.ianturton.com/cheap/2025/11/09/spare-monitor.html
Maybe we need to update #RTFM. Actual manuals are rare beasts these days. You’re more likely to find the information you need online, whether it’s in the form of PDF datasheets, forum posts or Git gists.
It should really be RTFAI, in which the AI isn’t what you think but stands for ‘Available Information’. But that’s a bit of a mouthful, so perhaps just RTFI. Or we could just say ‘Read’, followed (if you feel strongly about it) by FFS. RFFS?
The Youtube algorithm recently got me hooked on videos about making SciFi spaceship miniature models, dioramas, kitbashing, movie prop building, practical effects and sculpting weird aliens, monsters and kaiju from plastic toys and garbage. And I love it!
Now I wonder who on mastodon I can follow, to see more this beautiful weird type of art in my feed.
Any recommendations?
#miniatures #models #kitbash #scifi #diorama #props #modelmaking #kaiju #sculpture #diy #maker #bigbotbash #spaceship
The Youtube algorithm recently got me hooked on videos about making SciFi spaceship miniature models, dioramas, kitbashing, movie prop building, practical effects and sculpting weird aliens, monsters and kaiju from plastic toys and garbage. And I love it!
Now I wonder who on mastodon I can follow, to see more this beautiful weird type of art in my feed.
Any recommendations?
#miniatures #models #kitbash #scifi #diorama #props #modelmaking #kaiju #sculpture #diy #maker #bigbotbash #spaceship
A lovely short (15 minutes long) documentary about the sheep, wool and knitting of the Faroe Islands. Explores the rich history, island yarn producers and designers in their studios/shops, along with the 100+ motifs associated with the island. A worthy watch!
https://youtube.com/watch?v=-1ndWUNmCpc&si=giydHYoR5peJyKQE
#YouTube #Knitting @Knitting #Knitstodon #FiberArts #FibreArts #NeedleArts #Maker #Creator @Crafters #Crafts #HandMade #SurfFeeds
again, I cannot stress enough: put a handle/pushbar on your bike trailer. you will not regret your choices here. do it.
hm, what else.
I could feel the usual assist confusion with the trailer. It was no worse (and maybe less bad) than with the lighter first trailer I made. Everything just seemed more even, including that.
I still need to add some kind of flag attachment, but that's not a test, that's just something I need to do.
Anyway. That's that test taken care. And wow, did it go great. :D
Oh yeah, I didn't make this part so I didn't think of it, but the wheel locking system I inherited from the baby carrier I started with is also a great feature which you should preserve if you can. Having both big wheels lock is FUCKEN GREAT.
So if you decide like I do to watch Craigslist or Buy Nothing for a cheap beat up old infant carrier to turn into a bike cargo trailer, look for that too. I wasn't and just got lucky.
But it's not part I made so. ^_^
Basically this was a triumph, I'm making a note here, huge etc. It's not a cargo trailer for speed - then again, which ones are? - but it handles fine and it totally copes with our big hill.
I'll never take it up the scary end of our driveway, but the handle makes pushing the cart up that slope surprisingly easy. I mean, I'd been thinking "okay the general plan will be get the bike and the trailer down the big slope, then hook up and go, and when coming home, stop at the base, unhook, unload the cart _from_ the base, then roll the bike and trailer up."
NOPE
Stop at the base of the slope, unhook, _push the cart up fully loaded by using the big handle_. It's _fine_.
(continued)
again, I cannot stress enough: put a handle/pushbar on your bike trailer. you will not regret your choices here. do it.
hm, what else.
I could feel the usual assist confusion with the trailer. It was no worse (and maybe less bad) than with the lighter first trailer I made. Everything just seemed more even, including that.
I still need to add some kind of flag attachment, but that's not a test, that's just something I need to do.
Anyway. That's that test taken care. And wow, did it go great. :D
O-KAY!
That went GREAT.
Way better than the previous cart.
For one thing:
1. THE HANDLE IS AMAZING. I was a little "this'll definitely be nice to have upon occasion" but NOPE it's BETTER THAN THAT.
Make a handle for your bike trailer is what I'm saying.
2. The FLATBED. If you make a cart/cargo trailer, GIVE IT A FLAT BED. You will be very happy later. Wood is also a good idea. Things slide on it way less than on plastic.
3. I was worried about the weight but I think the cart being being heavier _helps_? It felt if anything _more_ stable than the previous cart. Less bouncy, less jittery, less _loud_ somehow, probably from all of that.
(continued)
Basically this was a triumph, I'm making a note here, huge etc. It's not a cargo trailer for speed - then again, which ones are? - but it handles fine and it totally copes with our big hill.
I'll never take it up the scary end of our driveway, but the handle makes pushing the cart up that slope surprisingly easy. I mean, I'd been thinking "okay the general plan will be get the bike and the trailer down the big slope, then hook up and go, and when coming home, stop at the base, unhook, unload the cart _from_ the base, then roll the bike and trailer up."
NOPE
Stop at the base of the slope, unhook, _push the cart up fully loaded by using the big handle_. It's _fine_.
(continued)
load up!
not actually all that much just wanted to have it all in there
O-KAY!
That went GREAT.
Way better than the previous cart.
For one thing:
1. THE HANDLE IS AMAZING. I was a little "this'll definitely be nice to have upon occasion" but NOPE it's BETTER THAN THAT.
Make a handle for your bike trailer is what I'm saying.
2. The FLATBED. If you make a cart/cargo trailer, GIVE IT A FLAT BED. You will be very happy later. Wood is also a good idea. Things slide on it way less than on plastic.
3. I was worried about the weight but I think the cart being being heavier _helps_? It felt if anything _more_ stable than the previous cart. Less bouncy, less jittery, less _loud_ somehow, probably from all of that.
(continued)
load up!
not actually all that much just wanted to have it all in there
lake forest park town centre!
the test ride downhill was pleasantly uneventful. it’s heavy but well-behaved.
A lovely short (15 minutes long) documentary about the sheep, wool and knitting of the Faroe Islands. Explores the rich history, island yarn producers and designers in their studios/shops, along with the 100+ motifs associated with the island. A worthy watch!
https://youtube.com/watch?v=-1ndWUNmCpc&si=giydHYoR5peJyKQE
#YouTube #Knitting @Knitting #Knitstodon #FiberArts #FibreArts #NeedleArts #Maker #Creator @Crafters #Crafts #HandMade #SurfFeeds