u/bigchease

I’ve been playing chess for about 2 years now. I’m around 1000 elo and I’d like to study up on the game a bit more.

I’m not sure what chess book to get. There’s so many out there.

I struggle most with end games and opening tactics. I know a few openings but not all their variations. I find that I get stumped when my opponent plays a weird move that’s not normally seen during the first 4-7 moves of the opening.

I’m looking to build up my library some more.

I have collections for different studios like A24, Studio Ghibli, Marvel, etc.

I have shows like South Park and Adventure time as well.

Then there’s more classic films I can watch over and over again like Soylet Green.

What collections do you have in your server?

I read the FAQ on the clear bag policy but I’m seeing comments on there that the policy is not consistent. My bag isn’t clear but I’ve been to festivals with a similar society and it wasn’t an issue brining it.

Should I just leave my small fanny pack at home or is it okay to bring with me? First time at this festival so I’m not sure how strict it is.

When it comes to buying land the idea is daunting to me. I would like to build a home on my own land though.

I understand there’s zoning laws and restrictions for minimum dwelling sizes unique to every area.

Then there’s the land itself. I feel like I get lost in the sauce here trying to figure out what to focus on. Variables like slope, air traffic noise, existing vermin issues, etc.

Maybe I should just buy one of this “For Dummies” books. I’m not sure what to look for first when it comes to buying land. It would be helpful to get a decent idea of the research flow so I can spend my time effectively.

Seems like I have to wait 15 minutes just for one person to join in

Is streaming a game from the Steam desktop app the same as using Steam Link?

I’ve been trying to game on a mini PC at my living room TV while streaming from my gaming PC in my loft. The streams always have input lag it drives me nuts.

Is Steam link better or is it just the same thing as streaming your game? Is there really any difference between clicking stream in the Steam client and Steam link?

I’m not sure if this is something I can self host. I’m looking for a way to have an anonymous phone number like how I have with Google Voice. I use it for one time sign ups often.

Google is selling the data about who calls or texts that number and I just want to have my own version.

Is there a self hosted alternative to Google Voice l?

As I scroll this sub I see a lot of crazy server setups. Not all have explanations on what’s running but the ones that do… I just question it.

My server is a mini PC. I run 42 containers and everything runs smoothly and I have excess processing power for more.

I’m just confused as to what you’re running on your server. I know a lot of people run their own AI servers but that’s only been around for a few years. What were all you doing with these enterprise servers before AI?

The only use case I can imagine is having a ton of storage for a legit Netflix clone/replacement or hosting services for multiple users.

I just don’t see how it’s practical to have a server that costs so much for something relatively simple like photo backups and media hosting. It’s a hobby for people. I get that practicality goes out the window for some cases. But I just can’t wrap my head around why people own servers this big.

Or like, what more can one learn with enterprise equipment compared to a few mini PC’s + small switches and routers? I know people also set these up to learn new things for their career but why is that necessary?

I’ve looked into Trillium and it looks great but I can’t find a mobile app to go along with it for my iPhone.

Are there any alternatives for iPhone users? I’m okay with using a different self hosted notes app as long as it has a mobile app.

(I mean this with love, please don’t recommend your vibe coded project)

I’ve been using HaGeZi DNS blocklists for my PiHole setup.

I used a list for Smart TV’s and specifically my Samsung Smart TV.

I made my smart TV’s their own group and only assigned those blocklists. When I do this the TV’s won’t connect to internet. But when I use all my other blocklists it’s fine.

I think it’s blocking some Samsung CDN but I don’t know which one.

What lists are you using to stop your Smart TV’s from spying on you.

Also, is there anything I can do on my network to isolate my TV’s?

The issue I’ve had with trying to do this is that I can’t access my Jellyfin server. As I would need to connect to a VPN which kind of defeats the whole point of putting my TVs on their own network.

Edit: grammar

I have 2 Lenovo mini PC’s, a 5 bay ORICO DAS, and two JetKVMs. I recently got a UPS backup that I want to include as well.

I do not own a 3D printer. I’m not really open to buying one right now as it’s not in my budget.

My hardware is currently in a cabinet below my TV. I put holes in the back of the cabinet and added a fan for exhaust. Not glamorous but it gets the job don.

I want to clean this up and marry everything together. A rack would also help a lot with wire management.

I’d like something that’s enclosed to reduce the noise from the cabinet as well.

I’m looking around on this sub and these builds look great but I don’t have the means to 3D print my own. I’m open to pay someone to 3D print something but I’m not sure where to go for that. I’ve seen a few racks that aren’t 3D printed but they’re not enclosed.

Ideally I don’t want to hang anything up on my walls and just put this cabinet behind my TV stand.

What would you recommend? Should I pay for a 3D print? Is there anywhere else than Amazon and Newegg to look for racks?

Truly a tragic thing I just found out. My parents recently moved houses. When I came over recently, I noticed the CD collection was gone.

They just donated it to Goodwill! My stepdad is a musician and listens to music all the time. But he started using Spotify a few years ago so I think he started to dislike CD’s.

I wish I knew they were going to do that I would have taken them. I remember CD’s for Metallica, Nirvana, RHCP, Beatles, Pink Floyd, and many others.

RIP I know there’s going to be people selling some of those CD’s for $20+ on eBay.

A few years ago my mother made amends with her estranged father.

Before I was born, she told him to stay away from the family. He did for 20 years.

Grandfather had a stroke in 2023 and was on his deathbed. My mother told me he “cried crocodile tears” and apologized for all of his wrongdoings.

Throughout my life I’ve felt small and unheard in my family. I suck at putting up boundaries. Going to therapy to work on things like that.

My mother told me she made up with her father and we were introduced shortly after. It was awkward, I was 23 at the time, so I didn’t really know what to talk about. I lived my entire life and just graduated college. Maybe it’s the issues from my parents divorce coming up but I don’t “need” a grandpa now. I did when I was a child though.

(I also just need to throw out there, I think deathbed apologies are not genuine. You’re not sorry, you’re scared. If you were sorry you would have apologized in good health.)

In our few interactions, he didn’t say much to me or ask about my life. His wife has spoken to me way more than he ever has. Which is weird because wouldn’t you want to learn everything about the grandkid you never knew?

I’ve always been pretty chill about adding on family in the past. I have step-parents after all. But there was something unspoken here. Like I could have used a good father figure growing up where was my grandpa?

I started avoiding going over when my mother invited me. The dynamic made me feel uncomfortable as I learned more.

Grandpa cheated on my grandma with his now wife. My grandma lives with my mother due to poor health. When grandpa is over for dinner, his ex-wife is too. I just feel uncomfortable being in the same room with all these people and knowing that.

My mother is also mean to my grandmother. They argue a lot and do it in front of anyone. No shame. That dynamic combined with grandpas cheating wife being there all the time is weird as hell.

Then I learned why grandpa was exiled from my life after pressing my mother to tell me. She really tried to avoid it but I had to remind her I was an adult and to be in the dark about why this guy wasn’t around to 20 years is insane.

Grandpa is/was and abuser. He beat my mother, uncle, and my grandmother. Horrible verbal and physical abuse. My mother tires to excuse it, that he’s a Vietnam veteran, but I don’t really care. I don’t want him in my life now either and I’m a grown adult who can make that decision. She’s also tried to justify it my saying “well he’s old now what’s he gonna do?”. I don’t want my partner around this man. Even if he’s not dangerous.

I told my mother I’m not interested in being around him or his wife. I’ve tried to set these boundaries with my mother but she’s not used to me doing that. I told her about my feelings and that I still want to come over but not if grandpa and his wife are there. I quite honestly have nothing good to say to that man.

After explaining this to my mom she seemed to understand a little. But she kept pushing and pushing after I told her this. Still just inviting me to family dinners, which have grown more frequent, and I have to keep saying no.

Last year on my birthday we agreed to have a dinner at my mother’s house. She invited my grandpa and his wife. Made a bigger party out of it. I was pissed. I almost walked out right then and there. I explicitly said I didn’t want them there. I didn’t say a word or look at my grandfather. Truly, I don’t think if I got talking to him it would be appropriate.

I’ve made it very clear to my mother I don’t want a relationship with my grandfather.

This weekend is what is making me feel like an AH. Apparently some family is flying into town for grandpas birthday. Family will be coming in that I have not seen in years. But with my family dynamic it’s like the 5th time I’ve ever seen some of these people.

I booked a vacation/trip this for weekend about three months ago. Been planning it for a while before I knew of this party.

I told my mother I’m not interested in going but wish the family well. I’ve already committed to my trip and importantly, I don’t want to be around grandpa.

This whole week I’ve been feeling like shit and guilty. Mainly because my mother has texted me every day about this. I have friends going on this trip and I don’t want to bail.

I feel bad for missing out on seeing some family members there but I want to respect the boundaries I’ve set for myself and go on this trip I’ve been thinking about for months.

I also need to say I find it weird my mother is trying to be so controlling of me right now. She’s texted every day about this and has been trying to make me feel guilty. It’s kinda working I guess.

But it’s her choice to have a relationship with her father again. I’m an adult who can make their own decisions. I’m not some reward for an apology.

My girlfriend and I really liked the first few episodes of this anime.

Before this we’ve watched Death Note, Tokyo Ghoul, Parasyte, and some One Punch Man.

The Comedy Anime genre is something we’re interested in but not familiar with what to jump into.

Chainsmoker Cat is funny but a little dark. The humor is like a satire of real life.

What would you recommend that similar?

I have spare storage on my server and I have a fun idea to make my own wiki full of 90’s digital encyclopedias.

I’m aware of Anna’s Archive and Internet Archive. I’m wondering if there’s any niche websites that might also have what I’m looking for.

For example:

- Microsoft Encarta
- Compton’s Interactive Encyclopedia
- IBM World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia.
- SoftKey Infopedia
- A.D.A.M. The Inside Story
- RedShift Multimedia Astronomy

It’s important to archive these things since it’s so easy to rewrite digital media today.