FarraigePlaisteach's recent activity

  1. Comment on A court in Poland has ruled that schools must use students' preferred names and pronouns even prior to the change of one's legal name/sex in ~lgbt

    FarraigePlaisteach
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    Fantastic result. That’s a machine translation but I’m glad the judge pointed that out, because technical arguments get used to mask human oppression. It’s very regrettable that we are forcing...

    Fantastic result.

    The judges also drew attention to the attitude of the school, pointing out the lack of empathy and sensitivity to the student's situation.

    That’s a machine translation but I’m glad the judge pointed that out, because technical arguments get used to mask human oppression.

    It’s very regrettable that we are forcing kids to have to take recourse that many adults would find too much to persevere. But humanity has beaten the fossil fuel-funded moral panic this time and that is to be celebrated.

    9 votes

  2. Comment on Here are your choices for a self-hosted ebook server in ~books

    FarraigePlaisteach
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    This is absolutely excellent news! I really wasn’t expecting a decent competitor the the defaults of a trillion dollar company :) Thanks again. I’ll start gradually with the mobile app first and...

    This is absolutely excellent news! I really wasn’t expecting a decent competitor the the defaults of a trillion dollar company :) Thanks again. I’ll start gradually with the mobile app first and listen to a few epubs that way. Eventually I’ll try out the other features.

    I’ll try to stay within the free tier because I’m retired now but if I end up using it often enough I’ll register and subscribe - which might be necessary for some of those features anyway.

    1 vote

  3. Comment on Here are your choices for a self-hosted ebook server in ~books

    FarraigePlaisteach
    Link Parent
    Thanks for this. It’s great to have such a well tailored recommendation! I have the app on my phone now and the TTS is fine for me. It’s what I’m used to and I actually prefer it to some...

    Thanks for this. It’s great to have such a well tailored recommendation! I have the app on my phone now and the TTS is fine for me. It’s what I’m used to and I actually prefer it to some voices/accents I hear on certain audiobooks.

    It seems to sync progress between mobile and desktop too, which is great.

    Can it sync highlights and export them? That’s probably the only other feature I need. Thanks again, I really appreciate the voice of experience.

    2 votes

  4. Comment on Here are your choices for a self-hosted ebook server in ~books

    FarraigePlaisteach
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    I have Calibre-web, but I've found that when it comes to e-books I prefer Apple Books. I usually just transfer one book at a time to it. It means I have TTS on my phone or desktop with automatic...

    I have Calibre-web, but I've found that when it comes to e-books I prefer Apple Books. I usually just transfer one book at a time to it. It means I have TTS on my phone or desktop with automatic page turning. Any highlights I make can be exported (using Klib). This as also supplanted my Kindle e-reader for now.

    That said, I did not realise quite how unethical Apple are as a company when I got into this ecosystem, and I'm planning a gradual exit of big tech one device at a time. So I'll need to figure out something else.

    I actually keep my books in a folder now and find that easiest to browse. The Storygraph is where I find details and leave reviews for books.

    I do use Audiobookshelf for audiobooks, but can't imagine adding e-books to it now with the setup I have.

    3 votes

  5. Comment on The best protest songs of 2025 in ~music

  6. Comment on Telegram CEO vows to fight for app amid Russia pressure in ~tech

    FarraigePlaisteach
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    I both share your exact frustration and feel relief seeing someone describe it so well. I had used Telegram to get family off of US tech, so I'm very disappointed. I hope the https://nfty.sh...

    I both share your exact frustration and feel relief seeing someone describe it so well. I had used Telegram to get family off of US tech, so I'm very disappointed. I hope the https://nfty.sh recommendation by Toric works for you. I'm also looking into SimpleX Chat for contacts who don't want to pay for Threema.

    It's UK-based, though. So you have to weigh up the privacy credentials it has (which I think are excellent) against the leanings of that government.

    2 votes

  7. Comment on Telegram CEO vows to fight for app amid Russia pressure in ~tech

    FarraigePlaisteach
    Link Parent
    Friends in Germany, Switzerland and elsewhere use it. In Ireland, where I live, less so. Besides big tech options, the services that have become common language include Signal and Telegram, so...

    Friends in Germany, Switzerland and elsewhere use it.

    In Ireland, where I live, less so. Besides big tech options, the services that have become common language include Signal and Telegram, so it's easier to find local people on Signal.

    2 votes

  8. Comment on Telegram CEO vows to fight for app amid Russia pressure in ~tech

    FarraigePlaisteach
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    Now that Durov is integrating Musk’s “Grok” - widely considered a CSAM and disinformation machine where I live - I’ll be closing my Telegram account. I’ve just paid for Threema and so far it’s...

    Now that Durov is integrating Musk’s “Grok” - widely considered a CSAM and disinformation machine where I live - I’ll be closing my Telegram account. I’ve just paid for Threema and so far it’s fine, with better privacy and security than Telegram.

    9 votes

  9. Comment on How “grid-forming inverters” are paving the way for 100% renewable energy in ~enviro

    FarraigePlaisteach
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    I really hope we can start crossing some points of no return. We are in dark times and a lot of the breakdown in social cohesion is connected to the tug-of-war between renewables and fossil fuels.

    I really hope we can start crossing some points of no return. We are in dark times and a lot of the breakdown in social cohesion is connected to the tug-of-war between renewables and fossil fuels.

    2 votes

  10. Comment on The truth about AI (specifically LLM powered AI) in ~tech

    FarraigePlaisteach
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    Yes. And this is subjective, but the difference I’m noticing between AI fanatics vs abstentionists is active empathy.

    Yes. And this is subjective, but the difference I’m noticing between AI fanatics vs abstentionists is active empathy.

    13 votes

  11. Comment on A Ukrainian startup develops long-range drones and missiles to take the battle to Russia in ~engineering

    FarraigePlaisteach
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    Something needs to change. According to Katie Hannon's recent interview with Mullen Garman and Chris Weaver (strategic consulting firm in Moscow), sanctions are having little impact....

    Something needs to change. According to Katie Hannon's recent interview with Mullen Garman and Chris Weaver (strategic consulting firm in Moscow), sanctions are having little impact. https://www.rte.ie/radio/podcasts/22494642-russia-worried-that-trump-could-do-a-180-turn/

    1 vote

  12. Comment on A new type of vaccine is needle-free and doubles as dental floss in ~science

  13. Comment on Disabilities: Changing bed sheets over multiple days in ~life

    FarraigePlaisteach
    Link Parent
    If you have allergies, once per week. For everyone else, once every two weeks. At least, that's what I hear most often:...

    If you have allergies, once per week. For everyone else, once every two weeks. At least, that's what I hear most often: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/house-and-home/household-advice/a28407426/how-often-wash-sheets-care/

    I'm currently washing them once per month in practise, but I'm aiming to do it once every two weeks minimum. Growing up, we didn't changed them even nearly that often.

    2 votes

  14. Comment on Disabilities: Changing bed sheets over multiple days in ~life

    FarraigePlaisteach
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    I do find them tedious that way, despite the benefits. I can't sleep without them. It would be ideal to attach them lightly to the bed frame in a way that only allows them limited movement.

    I do find them tedious that way, despite the benefits. I can't sleep without them. It would be ideal to attach them lightly to the bed frame in a way that only allows them limited movement.

  15. Comment on Disabilities: Changing bed sheets over multiple days in ~life

    FarraigePlaisteach
    Link Parent
    I think the term Duvet is British. I've never heard it outside of there. And in Ireland, we didn't have them growing up. I only switched to them due to allergies. I'm guessing they're called...

    I think the term Duvet is British. I've never heard it outside of there. And in Ireland, we didn't have them growing up. I only switched to them due to allergies. I'm guessing they're called comforters in the US. Here's a Wikipedia page that describes it well and actually shows what it looks like under the heading "Description" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duvet

    2 votes

  16. Comment on Meta appoints anti-LGBTQ+ conspiracy theorist Robby Starbuck as AI bias advisor in ~lgbt

  17. Comment on Disabilities: Changing bed sheets over multiple days in ~life

    FarraigePlaisteach
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    We all had to prepare a monologue for the drama society one time, so I chose the scene where he first goes to Dr. Marvin's office. I removed Dr. Marvin's lines and instead tweaked Bob's lines to...

    We all had to prepare a monologue for the drama society one time, so I chose the scene where he first goes to Dr. Marvin's office. I removed Dr. Marvin's lines and instead tweaked Bob's lines to make it clear what he was just asked. It went down really well!

    2 votes

  18. Comment on Disabilities: Changing bed sheets over multiple days in ~life

    FarraigePlaisteach
    Link Parent
    That's a great suggestion, thank you! You're right, I'm in Europe and don't usually use a top sheet these days (although we grew up with them here in Ireland). I'll need a way to "clip" the top...

    That's a great suggestion, thank you! You're right, I'm in Europe and don't usually use a top sheet these days (although we grew up with them here in Ireland). I'll need a way to "clip" the top sheet to the duvet, which shouldn't be too difficult. I have a weighted blanket too and the whole stack does slide around fairly regularly, like a hastily assembled hamburger :) I'll definitely do that, thank you so much!

    2 votes

  20. Comment on Disabilities: Changing bed sheets over multiple days in ~life

    FarraigePlaisteach
    Link Parent
    I really enjoyed that movie when it came out. And yes, that's a good approach has the benefit of helping to get started when there's resistance. I think humour can also a really important tool in...

    I really enjoyed that movie when it came out. And yes, that's a good approach has the benefit of helping to get started when there's resistance. I think humour can also a really important tool in tough times.

    3 votes