It wasn’t why Mastodon. It was why Twitter or twitter-like apps.

Can you guys help explain it to someone completely inexperienced?

I had Twitter but only used it for following music venues to see upcoming events and bars for happy hour updates. I have a Mastodon account but only played with it for a few minutes because i didn’t really get it. I don’t understand following a person. What can one person have to say that i would care enough about to download an app. What am i missing?

Where’s the best place to learn to design things like this? I’ve played with Tinkercad, watched a few videos, and done the tutorials, but i still struggle with actually completing a design. Right now I’m trying to make a mesh football that’s open on both ends to make a zoomball. It shouldn’t be that hard! Why can’t i get it right?!

We were in Cuba one year when they had the vote. I had never heard of it, but it was all over the news there so i thought it actually meant something.

You can bring them back in your luggage - limit is maybe 100 cigars or $1000 worth. Something like that.

They’re trying to cash in on the extended warranties.

$10k over 5 years doesn’t seem like a huge incentive to a doc.

It’s really hard to find the lines between community safety, ‘but it’s for your own good’, and patient autonomy. Severe autism is an area where i think we’re going to see a huge issue within 10 years. Numbers are growing in kids and as parents age/pass it’s going to get bad.

Thank you! That looks awesome!

Thank you for sharing! I talked to a friend about 3d printing on Tuesday, saw the cardboard cutter here Wednesday, and then ordered my first printer that afternoon. My Ankermake M5c arrives Tuesday. I’m super excited but i know nothing, so these ‘how I got started’ posts are very encouraging. I see people talk about Tinkercad. How is it? As someone who is completely new and not a tech person, is that the easiest place to start? Once i get the hang of printing patterns i find online, i want to make scary face parts for a pumpkin (think Mr. Potato Head) and spiral notebook covers with funny sayings. It doesn’t matter how bad the pumpkin face parts are - they’re just going on my porch for a couple of weeks and meant to look weird. I think the only hard part on the notebook covers will be getting the spiral holes correct and getting 20 made by Christmas for my coworkers. Sorry for rambling - I’m just excited and clueless and found your share encouraging. If i make a post asking people to share pics of their first items/ideas, would that be annoying?

Oh that’s a good idea. I should have checked there. Bought the ankermake m5c for 339 including 15# of material and accessories.

I looked at prusa and pretty quickly realized that I couldn’t afford them.

I ordered the m5c. I got the printer, 13 lb of material, and some accessories for $339. Can’t wait to make some Braille Play-Doh presses.

I work with kids with significant disabilities who we keep in public school until they’re age 22. They do unskilled jobs and volunteer ‘work’ and safety is a big concern. If there are five students and one teacher at a table, a plastic device that automatically measures and has a hidden blade is going to be much better for them than scissors or box knives. Yes, we do need to teach children to safely use everyday items and for most kids that’s fine, but there are some for whom ‘just do it my way’ doesn’t work. Your life experience may not be the same as that of other people. Teach generally, but make space for the individual.

Do I need the M5 or can I get away with the m5c? I really know nothing about it or how much material things need. I just want to make cool things. How much filament did your cardboard cutter require?

I’ve been thinking about getting a 3D printer. Well, yesterday I decided I need a 3D printer. I know nothing at all. What should I get?

Awesome! Is that a real device that’s available for sale? Those would be good school or scout projects to donate to animal shelters.

I think it might be kind of nice to be Tom Hanks and have the name [email protected] and just chat and chill.

I don’t work in tech and I’m not a video game player. Am i a normie? I stay on Facebook because of the things you mentioned - i want to know how my old aunt is doing, get the link to my cousin’s music performances, see what play or concert is showing this weekend, and post to my neighborhood when my dogs escape. I only used Twitter to follow local bars, restaurants, and music venues for happy hours and event info. That kinda died with covid so i closed my Twitter account. I don’t really understand influencers. I’d love to see more local content here but I’m not sure we have the people to support it. I guess the way to start is to share the local info i get from Facebook to the Texas and dfw communities here, but that doesn’t draw more people. Among my friends, r/ is sort of made fun of as something their husbands follow for jokes, memes, and boobs.

That sounds terrible- the severance sounds good, but being there for 3 months at a place you hate is awful. What happens if you don’t stay? In the US, 2 weeks used to be customary or considered polite to not leave your employer blindsided. Now you might offer a week or two and they may or may not accept it. You’re usually fired and walked out the door so you don’t fuck stuff up on your way out.