Hobofarmer's recent activity
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Comment on Homeworld 3 review from someone who treasures HW as perhaps the best game in 25 years (w/ minor spoilers) in ~games
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Hobofarmer LinkPicked up Homeworld 3 despite probably needing to focus on my schoolwork. I had some extra money though, and Homeworld is such a nostalgia trip for me. It's the first game I played online, one of...Picked up Homeworld 3 despite probably needing to focus on my schoolwork. I had some extra money though, and Homeworld is such a nostalgia trip for me. It's the first game I played online, one of the best RTS games I've ever played, and just holds a lot of warm and fuzzy memories for me.
I'm only on Mission 4 (of... 12? 13? not sure yet) and I feel that they've got the pacing just right. I feel like things are beginning to really ramp up in intensity and I'm excited to see how things progress. I'm not very good at RTS games so I anticipate a few restarts along the way, but I'm also still learning new controls and interactions.
The graphics are pretty, level design is gorgeous, and unit diversity is as expected for a Homeworld game. The new addition I'm really looking forward to trying out is the war games mode - a sort of rogue-like scenario for multiplayer, designed as a PvE mode. I'm trying to find folks who might play with me.
Overall, I've put only 3-4 hours into the game so far but it's holding up.
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Comment on Recipes for chicken thighs in ~food
Hobofarmer LinkSOUP Cook chicken in pot, remove when mostly done. Using the same pot to keep the brown bits, throw in some chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Cook a bit until onion is translucent, and toss in...SOUP
Cook chicken in pot, remove when mostly done. Using the same pot to keep the brown bits, throw in some chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Cook a bit until onion is translucent, and toss in some chopped or pressed garlic. Once that's fragrant, pour in stock. Put in herbs and bring to a simmer, then add chicken again.
Simmer at least half an hour, and from here you have a really basic chicken soup once you shred the chicken. Add noodles, cream, barley, whatever. It's all good. Salt and pepper to taste.
Approx ratio should be about:
- 1 large carrot & onion
- 2 large celery celery stalks
- 3 cloves garlic (or a tbsp garlic powder)
- 4 chicken thighs
- 1 cup stock
- 1 tbsp herbs (whatever you like, thyme is great)
Good luck
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Comment on Most people think playing chess makes you 'smarter', but the evidence isn't clear on that in ~games.tabletop
Hobofarmer LinkI've been teaching chess to 4-6 year old kids for a decade now. My own anecdotal experience is as follows: Most kids can learn to passably play chess at an early age. Of those, some of them will...I've been teaching chess to 4-6 year old kids for a decade now. My own anecdotal experience is as follows:
Most kids can learn to passably play chess at an early age. Of those, some of them will enjoy playing it more than others. Of those that enjoy playing it, a handful will actually be good players, because they are already attentive to patterns, have good memory, and strong cognitive skills.
So what it really means is that chess doesn't make kids smarter, it just allows smarter kids to demonstrate their intelligence in other ways.
My star chess students consistently are ahead in math, reading, and writing skills. It's just another indicator of intelligence.
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Comment on Teacher Appreciation Week: Top school's staff go 'beyond the textbook' in ~life
Hobofarmer LinkAs a teacher, I endorse more autonomy but with some caveats already mentioned. There needs to be administrative support The school itself needs to be able to give the teachers and students the...As a teacher, I endorse more autonomy but with some caveats already mentioned.
There needs to be administrative support
The school itself needs to be able to give the teachers and students the support and guidance which are needed. Having every teacher go willy-nilly is a recipe for disaster. Teachers need to know where their students need to end up, and admins need to be able to track that students are reaching those goals. Teachers should also be encouraged to meet more with each other - both at grade and with neighboring grades - in order to support each other.
A strong curriculum helps immensely, but being able to tweak it or discard it if needed should be allowed
In my school we've implemented a new curriculum and it is absolute garbage. My admins know it, I know, and we've made damn sure that corporate (private school corporation) knows about it. We've consequently been given free reign to implement our own and I have been so much happier for it. I have over a decade of experience to pull from and don't honestly bother lesson planning anymore (even though I should...) but a good curriculum will guide new and experienced teachers alike to do better and also to be more current in their teaching methods and strategies.
Assessments are critical but it shouldn't be the goal
Currently in public schooling - someone who is in the system, let me know if I'm wrong - it seems that most teachers are overly concerned with assessment testing. State testing, local testing, it all serves a purpose (tracking student performance) though how it's actually used is asinine. Low performing schools are de-funded or closed and more students become disenfranchised. Additionally, it tends to lead towards "teaching the test" rather than teaching actual skills.
Project-based learning is the future
What we should focus on, especially with the surge in use of tools such as AI and the presence of the internet and its wealth of knowledge, is a switch to more project-based learning. Do away with papers and exams and instead focus on having students take the time to research and present information collaboratively with others for an actual purpose - to make something, do something, or be something interesting to them. Combine this with smaller class sizes and more resources and freedom for educators, and we can begin to see immense changes.
All of these are my own opinions and I'm open to other ideas!
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Comment on An equitable solution to a problem at work regarding sick leave and staffing? in ~life
Hobofarmer Link ParentOften it's because these are tasks that require some staff present. If enough staff call in (Eg a mass sickness event) then there's a real problem. There isn't really a ready supply of substitutes...Often it's because these are tasks that require some staff present. If enough staff call in (Eg a mass sickness event) then there's a real problem. There isn't really a ready supply of substitutes either, since the pay and hours are garbage.
So we have a catch 22. The staff needs to rest but then patients/students/etc suffer, and that has ripple effects in society.
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Comment on An equitable solution to a problem at work regarding sick leave and staffing? in ~life
Hobofarmer Link ParentWe tried doing some online stuff during covid with the prek group. It did not go well.We tried doing some online stuff during covid with the prek group. It did not go well.
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Comment on An equitable solution to a problem at work regarding sick leave and staffing? in ~life
Hobofarmer Link ParentOh there's definitely some who are more radicalized, but we've also had such a high turnover since then that I've lost many of the connections with people I used to have. I was able to mobilize a...Oh there's definitely some who are more radicalized, but we've also had such a high turnover since then that I've lost many of the connections with people I used to have. I was able to mobilize a majority of the school to at least support an idea two years ago. Now, many of my strongest supporters have moved on.
I'm leaving in a year so even I'm running out of steam.
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Comment on An equitable solution to a problem at work regarding sick leave and staffing? in ~life
Hobofarmer Link ParentThanks - I'm dependant on my job for a few more months due to a scholarship and school opportunity I'm pursuing, so I have to tread a bit carefully until then. Once I finish my schooling I have a...Thanks - I'm dependant on my job for a few more months due to a scholarship and school opportunity I'm pursuing, so I have to tread a bit carefully until then.
Once I finish my schooling I have a year to find a new job with a public school district and then I'll be unionized at least.
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Comment on An equitable solution to a problem at work regarding sick leave and staffing? in ~life
Hobofarmer Link ParentHa! I tried collective action a few years ago to get higher wages and more time off but nobody was willing to go further than "well let's talk about it". Several folks didn't even want to sign the...Ha! I tried collective action a few years ago to get higher wages and more time off but nobody was willing to go further than "well let's talk about it". Several folks didn't even want to sign the letter I penned, which was simply a request not a demand, because of fear of retaliation or fear of being out of work due to a strike (which again, was nowhere threatened in my request).
People are so scared shitless that they'll pass over a good opportunity.
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Comment on Is TV advertising still relevant? Does anybody under 60 even watch traditional TV anymore? in ~tv
Hobofarmer Link ParentFor what it's worth you can usually keep those promos going if you call and make a stink about it. I did it one year, saved $30, and it just hurt my soul being a Karen like that so I don't bother...For what it's worth you can usually keep those promos going if you call and make a stink about it. I did it one year, saved $30, and it just hurt my soul being a Karen like that so I don't bother anymore.
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An equitable solution to a problem at work regarding sick leave and staffing?
Please bear with me as I'm not terribly sure if this is the right place for this, if I'm phrasing it right, or if I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill. I work at a childcare center - a private...
Please bear with me as I'm not terribly sure if this is the right place for this, if I'm phrasing it right, or if I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill.
I work at a childcare center - a private school marketed as "the best in the area". By most metrics, we are exactly that. I've worked here for nearly 15 years in a variety of roles, namely as a prek teacher for over half of that time. I have a good relationship with my directors and the schools owners, despite some issues in the past (I'm eager to champion more rights and privileges for employees).
This week was the sickest I have been in years, and it was the same for several other staffers as well. We couldn't call in, however, because none of us had fevers, vomiting, or diarrhea (the "big three" for what's acceptable to call in for). We all had flu-like symptoms, though those of us who went to the doctor tested negative for anything. Dozens of students had been getting ill with STREP, Influenza A/B, and Fifths in the weeks prior. It just took its time in reaching the staff!
I co-teach in my class and my co-teacher and I both lost our voices for days. Others had full-body aches, tremendous coughing fits, extreme lethargy... It was terrible. However, almost none of us got the time off that we needed to recover. Why? Staffing. The owners/directors don't want to close a room due to illness, even if both teachers in the room are horrendously sick. I spent days with the kids, barely able to talk or move, just trying to get through the day. My coworkers were the same.
Does that seem right?
The directors/owners essentially picked those who were deemed "sickest" to take a day off. While in the moment I understand that decision, it doesn't seem like a terribly good way to handle it either. I want to bring up my grievances about this with the owners (I already have with the directors, they don't disagree with me but "that's just the way it is") but I also know that showing up with a problem and no solution won't go over well. I also know they don't want to close a classroom at all costs, which is my preferred solution. The last time one was closed was when 5/6 teachers in another room had COVID simultaneously and we were mandated to close the room.
Anyone have any thoughts? Even if it's to show me a side I may not be considering here? Thank you for your insight.
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Comment on Three Cheers for Tildes: App updates and feedback (May 2024) — Version 1.0 is out for iOS! in ~tildes
Hobofarmer Link ParentAlso just want to say thanks. I've switched to the app full time now, like I used to with RIF. Thanks for continuing support and I'll be donating again soon to see the new animation.Also just want to say thanks. I've switched to the app full time now, like I used to with RIF. Thanks for continuing support and I'll be donating again soon to see the new animation.
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Comment on Turns out the Rabbit R1 was just an Android app all along in ~tech
Hobofarmer Link ParentAm I crazy here or is saying $200 is "cheap" for an up-jumped app ludicrous? That is not a trivial amount of money for me and many other people. This looks like a neat toy for those that can...Am I crazy here or is saying $200 is "cheap" for an up-jumped app ludicrous? That is not a trivial amount of money for me and many other people.
This looks like a neat toy for those that can afford it, and who want yet another widget to mess about with for a month before something new and shiny comes out.
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Comment on Starfield: May update in ~games
Hobofarmer Link ParentI'm with you - I'll await their "Game of the Year Mega Platinum 10th Anniversary" or whatever edition when everything is settled and done. Maybe we'll even get Elder Scrolls 6 by then!I'm with you - I'll await their "Game of the Year Mega Platinum 10th Anniversary" or whatever edition when everything is settled and done. Maybe we'll even get Elder Scrolls 6 by then!
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Comment on Happy 6th Birthday, Tildes! in ~tildes
Hobofarmer Link ParentAs a user of RIF and now 3C, thank you!As a user of RIF and now 3C, thank you!
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Comment on The tech baron seeking to “ethnically cleanse” San Francisco in ~life
Hobofarmer Link ParentThe article clearly outlines that this guy is a raging fascist. It's like he read the Nazi playbook and decided to apply it to corporate takeover of a democratic state.The article clearly outlines that this guy is a raging fascist. It's like he read the Nazi playbook and decided to apply it to corporate takeover of a democratic state.
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Comment on New evidence found for Planet 9 in ~space
Hobofarmer Link ParentDon't be a rube, it's lizard people.Don't be a rube, it's lizard people.
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Comment on China is battening down for the gathering storm over Taiwan in ~misc
Hobofarmer LinkUkraine part 2: Oriental Boogaloo China sees Russia is getting most of what they want, and now want their own slice.Ukraine part 2: Oriental Boogaloo
China sees Russia is getting most of what they want, and now want their own slice.
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Comment on What makes someone a "decent" person to you? in ~talk
Hobofarmer Link ParentHow do you mean?How do you mean?
Hard agree with you so far, with the caveat that I've only been able to put a few hours into the game. Darn kids!
I've also been playing HW since 1999 - not beta though, I was but a wee lad awestruck by space combat. HW was my first game I played online with anyone. I spent countless hours in the game, messing with mods and appreciating the music and atmosphere. It fueled a love of Prog Rock (my dad was amazed to hear Yes playing a song in game) and sci fi in me.
I also was not a fan of the sub systems in HW2 - it felt convoluted and clunky to me. I was quickly overwhelmed. The squadron system was also less than stellar.
So far, I'm having a lot of fun with HW3. I need to really dig in more, but I'm with you.