kfwyre's recent activity
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Comment on Tildes Book Club - Future in ~books
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Comment on VR questions, recommendations, tips, and tricks in ~games
kfwyre LinkNot sure how common knowledge this is, but in case it's not well-known: keep your VR lenses out of direct sunlight. They can focus the light and permanently damage the internal screen (think:...Not sure how common knowledge this is, but in case it's not well-known: keep your VR lenses out of direct sunlight. They can focus the light and permanently damage the internal screen (think: burning something with a magnifying glass).
If you store yours in a room that regularly has direct sunlight in it, make sure you store it where the sun won't hit it, put it inside a case, or put some sort of blocker over the lenses. If you plan on using it outside (not recommended), make sure the lenses aren't ever exposed directly to the sun.
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Comment on Save Point: A game deal roundup for the week of September 20 in ~games
kfwyre Link ParentMy personal rule for Ubisoft games is: only ever buy the complete version, and only when it’s on steep (ha!) discount. It’s just not worth it to me trying to do it any other way because then it...My personal rule for Ubisoft games is: only ever buy the complete version, and only when it’s on steep (ha!) discount. It’s just not worth it to me trying to do it any other way because then it feels like homework.
What’s funny is that the games are SO big that I almost never end up finishing them, much less tackling any DLC content. I could just buy the base version and save a lot of money, but buying an incomplete game doesn’t spark joy for me.
Also I used to be Steam or bust but Heroic is so good now that I’m comfortable buying on Steam, GOG, or Epic. For Ubisoft stuff though? Definitely Steam. Trying to get their games running on Linux otherwise is a huge pain.
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Comment on Save Point: A game deal roundup for the week of September 20 in ~games
kfwyre (edited )LinkImmortals Fenyx Rising is 90% off on Steam as part of the current Ubisoft publisher sale. Notably, this includes the Gold Edition with all the DLC as well (Ubisoft often keeps their complete...Immortals Fenyx Rising is 90% off on Steam as part of the current Ubisoft publisher sale. Notably, this includes the Gold Edition with all the DLC as well (Ubisoft often keeps their complete editions much higher in price than the base game: see The Division 2 for example).
The base game is more than enough (took me around 70 hours to 100% it) and I didn't touch the DLC, but I also think the cost difference ($2 USD) is negligible so I'd recommend the Gold Edition anyway just in case it strikes your fancy.
The game often gets compared to Breath of the Wild, sometimes favorably, sometimes pejoratively. What I can say is that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lots to see and do, tons of different little puzzle vaults all around, bright colors, decent humor, and writing that doesn't take itself too seriously. It was genuinely a great time.
Going for the 100% probably stretched it a bit too thin for me (as is the case with Ubisoft games), but I still highly recommend it. Also, it plays great on the Deck.
On that note, Steep is also super cheap for the (mostly) complete edition (some of the game's DLCs have been removed and are no longer available for purchase).
It's a cool game (ha!), and that's a great price, but I only give it a soft recommendation because right as I started to get into it there were server issues that prevented me from playing it (even the single player) for like a week, so I ended up giving up on it. No clue if they ever ended up adding a definitive offline mode like they did for The Crew 2, but given how old Steep is, I kind of doubt it.
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Comment on Colossal Game Adventure: October 2026 - April 2027 schedule in ~games
kfwyre (edited )LinkCourtesy of @Wes: Resident Evil (REmake) is currently available in a Capcom Bundle at Fanatical, and is on sale on its own on Steam. Meanwhile, if you've got the Humble Choice discount, you can...Courtesy of @Wes: Resident Evil (REmake) is currently available in a Capcom Bundle at Fanatical, and is on sale on its own on Steam. Meanwhile, if you've got the Humble Choice discount, you can save a little bit more via the Humble Store instead.
If you're wanting the original Resident Evil (1996) version too, good news! It's also on sale on Steam and the Humble Store. If you prefer it on GOG, the individual game isn't on sale, but the Humble Store has the full OG trilogy on discount.
While we're talking discounts, Another World is on sale over at GOG right now.
Oh, and Sonic Adventure 2 is in Tier 1 of a current Humble Bundle.
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Comment on Twenty-year-old Xbox 360 game Blue Dragon now has a fantastic unofficial PC port that unlocks the FPS, goes 4K, and even adds mod support in ~games
kfwyre Link Parent1.1.0 has been released with a much cleaner VirusTotal report (only one vendor found it suspicious). The main dev changed the issue title on GitHub to say it’s a false positive and marked it as...1.1.0 has been released with a much cleaner VirusTotal report (only one vendor found it suspicious).
The main dev changed the issue title on GitHub to say it’s a false positive and marked it as
cant-fix. One comment also says it is no longer stopped by Windows SmartScreen. -
Comment on Dusklight: an unofficial cross-platform release of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess in ~games
kfwyre Link Parent2.0 Release Trailer ChangelogDusklight 2.0 is here! This update brings mod support, an in-game mod browser, and our own built-in randomizer, alongside more polish, performance improvements, and ways to play. Thank you to everyone who helped make it happen!
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Comment on Colossal Game Adventure: October 2026 - April 2027 schedule in ~games
kfwyre LinkThe schedule is currently still tentative, so if anyone (particularly anyone hosting) has any strong feelings about moving things around then let me know. Here was my thinking: Spooky Mansions for...The schedule is currently still tentative, so if anyone (particularly anyone hosting) has any strong feelings about moving things around then let me know.
Here was my thinking:
- Spooky Mansions for October, natch. (Though it was admittedly tougher to make this call because RE also got chosen).
- Split up the FOUR(!) different Arcade Specials that got chosen.
- Put the shortest game (Another World) in the shortest month (February).
- Pick Sonic Adventure for December because it has a Christmas DLC.
- Split up potentially repeating hosts (Apple and Chippy) so they're not booked back to back.
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Comment on Colossal Game Adventure: October 2026 - April 2027 schedule in ~games
kfwyre (edited )LinkCGA Announcement: Voting has concluded and we now have the new schedule for October 2026 - May 2027. There was an astounding FOUR-way tie for 5th, so we've selected the next 8 months of games to...CGA Announcement: Voting has concluded and we now have the new schedule for October 2026 - May 2027.
There was an astounding FOUR-way tie for 5th, so we've selected the next 8 months of games to play instead of the usual 6!
As always, people who nominated winning games have first dibs on hosting those months.
- Spooky Mansion Adventures: u/CannibalisticApple
- Crystalis: u/zod000
- Sonic the 3D Hedgehog: u/J-Chiptunator
- Resident Evil (REmake): u/sotix
- Another World: u/CannibalisticApple
- Mother 3: u/preposterous
- The Genesis of Treasure: u/J-Chiptunator
Also, The Grue That Binds was an Arcade Special that combined games from three different nominators:
- Border Zone: u/clayh
- Twisted!: u/balooga
- Zork: u/hamstergeddon
Feel free to fight amongst yourselves and determine a victor.Hosting will go to the first one that steps forward and wants to do it!If you want to host your month, let me know so I can officially add you to the schedule. If you do NOT wish to host your month, also let me know and I will open it up to others.
Enjoy the remaining days of Tony Hawk and get yourself ready for
S P O O K Y
O C T O B E RNotification List
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@Boojum
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@CannibalisticApple
@chocobean
@clayh
@datavoid
@Debook
@DistractionRectangle
@dotsforeyes
@dozens
@Dr_Amazing
@endymiion
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@Gummy
@hamstergeddon
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@preposterous
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@SloMoMonday
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@Soggy
@sotix
@Spore_Prince
@SpruceWillis
@squidwiz
@talklittle
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@vili
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@Wes
@xk3
@zod000If you would like to be added or removed from the Notification List, please PM u/kfwyre.
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Colossal Game Adventure: October 2026 - April 2027 schedule
Schedule Month Game Host October 2026 Spooky Mansion AdventuresAlone in the Dark5 Days a StrangerManiac Mansion u/CannibalisticApple November 2026 Crystalis December 2026 Sonic the 3D...
Schedule
Month Game Host October 2026 Spooky Mansion Adventures
Alone in the Dark
5 Days a Stranger
Maniac Mansionu/CannibalisticApple November 2026 Crystalis December 2026 Sonic the 3D Hedgehog
Sonic Adventure
Sonic Adventure 2u/J-Chiptunator January 2027 Resident Evil (REmake) February 2027 Another World u/CannibalisticApple March 2027 The Grue That Binds
Border Zone
Twisted!
ZorkApril 2027 Mother 3 May 2027 The Genesis of Treasure
Gunstar Heroes
McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure
Dynamite Headdy
Alien Soldier
Light Crusaderu/J-Chiptunator
Discussion Topics
Each month will have two discussion topics:
- "Insert Cartridge" - 1st of the month
- "Remove Cartridge" - 28th of the month (25th for February)
Insert Cartridge topics are primarily for getting the game set up and running. Remove Cartridge topics are primarily for reflecting on the game once you've played it. However, the game itself and anything else related to it can be discussed in either one.
Hosting
Each month, the discussion topics will be posted by a different "host" who will act as the emcee for that month.
Hosting is not required, but it is encouraged that people host months for games that they are either already very familiar with or that they are strongly interested in playing.
People who nominated a game will be given preference for hosting, otherwise it will be given to whomever claims it first.
Check out old months to get a feel for what it's like.
Required Hosting Responsibilities
- Editing the templates for the month's "Insert Cartridge" and "Remove Cartridge" topics.
- Posting the month's "Insert Cartridge" and "Remove cartridge topics.
Optional Hosting Responsibilities
- Talking up the game.
- Giving tips/tricks/guides/cheats.
- Sharing your own thoughts/memories/reflections.
- Asking questions.
- Anything else you feel like doing (e.g. setting up a multiplayer tournament, making game-related memes, sharing fun trivia, etc.)
If you would like to host a month, let me know which one and I will add you to the schedule.
Before your month begins, I will send you a "Hosting Package" featuring templates that you can edit to your liking.
If no one claims a month, I will host it as a fallback.
Voting Results
The top 6 games from the voting round were chosen to be played.
Of the remaining games:
- The top 50% will advance to the next round. They will start the next round with a base score of 30% of their vote totals.
- The bottom 50% will be removed from the list.
Removed games will be able to be re-nominated in future rounds if someone chooses to do so.
Rank Game Roll. Votes Total #1 Mother 3 11 33 44 ⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝ #2 Spooky Mansion Adventures 4 33 37 ⬞⬞⬞⬞⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝ #3 Crystalis 10 21 31 ⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝ #3 The Grue That Binds 13 18 31 ⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝ #5 Another World 6 23 29 ⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝ #5 Resident Evil (REmake) 8 21 29 ⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝ #5 Sonic the 3D Hedgehog 0 29 29 ⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝ #5 The Genesis of Treasure 5 24 29 ⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝ ―― ―― ↑ Winners ―― ↓ Rollovers ―― ―― ―― ―― ―― #9 Back in a Flash 5 23 28 ⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝ #9 StarCraft 0 28 28 ⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝ #11 Freddy Pharkas: Frontier Pharmacist 8 16 24 ⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝ #12 Ys Origin 0 22 22 ⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝ #13 Tetris 11 10 21 ⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝ ―― ―― ↑ Rollovers ―― ↓ Cut ―― ―― ―― ―― ―― #14 Descent 5 15 20 ⬞⬞⬞⬞⬞⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝ #15 Ratchet & Clank 0 15 15 ⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝ #16 Beneath a Steel Sky 4 6 10 ⬞⬞⬞⬞⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝ #17 Donkey Kong 64 0 9 9 ⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝ #17 Wizball 0 9 9 ⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝⬝ 13 votes -
Comment on Colossal Game Adventure: September 2026 voting topic in ~games
kfwyre Link ParentKingmakerApple (I won't attempt to sway you -- follow your heart )KingmakerApple
(I won't attempt to sway you -- follow your heart
or whoever offers you the biggest bribe) -
Comment on Colossal Game Adventure: September 2026 voting topic in ~games
kfwyre Link ParentReminder that you've still got 4 votes if you want to use them. Voting closes in 3 hours!Reminder that you've still got 4 votes if you want to use them. Voting closes in 3 hours!
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Comment on VR questions, recommendations, tips, and tricks in ~games
kfwyre (edited )LinkSo, for roomscale games (games in which you can physically move around), it's easy to think that you'll be able to keep track of your physical location and intuitively know when you're getting...So, for roomscale games (games in which you can physically move around), it's easy to think that you'll be able to keep track of your physical location and intuitively know when you're getting near an IRL wall.
This is WRONG. You WILL forget all about them!
The good news is that you can set up a boundary for your playspace, and the headset will pop up a wireframe wall indicator in-game when you get close. Do not ignore this (or think that you don't need it in the first place). You WILL end up punching/faceplanting into a wall otherwise. Many a controller or even finger has been broken because people disregarded the need for a boundary.
A perfect example:
I'm a VR veteran, and just recently re-set up my VR space after having it down for a while. When I set it up, I set it up for Standing/Sitting gaming, meaning I didn't set up a boundary for my walls. No problem, right? I only planned on playing Synth Riders and Beat Saber which have you standing in one spot. I have plenty of space and shouldn't come near any real-life walls!
Except that re-catching the VR bug had me curious about another game: Increment. I installed it and jumped right into it.
Did I remember to set up the boundary? Absolutely not.
Did I unintentionally attempt to put my hand through my IRL wall shortly after starting the game? Of course I did.
Remember how I said you will forget about your actual walls? This was the perfect example, because when I did that, my first response wasn't "oh shit, I hit my wall" it was "what the fuck was that?" Because my brain was calibrated to the VR space I was in (in which there was plenty of open space), it genuinely had no idea what was happening for a moment. VR is that immersive. I'm lucky nothing broke, especially because I've got an Index. I could get new fingers if I needed to, but the Knuckles are irreplaceable. /vrjoke
Anyway, in addition to the software boundary, you can also do things to your physical space to help you with understanding your orientation in the real-world while you're in the headset.
Consider getting a rug that’s slightly smaller than your play space so that there’s a margin near the edges. It’s an easy way for your feet to feel when they're near the limits of where you’re supposed to be.
You can also point a fan at your playspace while you're in it. This is especially good if you've got an irregularly-shaped area. The direction and intensity of the airflow can help you establish your real-world location by feel. Also, if you're doing VR exercise, it's great for cooling you off!
(Note: I have both a rug and a fan and still tried to haymaker my wall, so don't rely solely on these.)
I also like a bit of a gap at the bottom of my headset near my nose. This means I can peek down to see my approximate IRL location without having to take the headset fully off. It's also convenient for checking my watch.
While it's important to secure yourself in your VR space, it's also important to do so for other people/critters too. If you've got pets or children who might wander up to you while you're playing, come up with something that prevents them from getting hit or stepped on.
Similar to the "I'll know where I am" fallacy, there's also the "someone will be able to move out of the way" fallacy of VR. People outside the headset have no idea what you're seeing, which means your movements are completely unpredictable to them. If someone is in your space, the chances of a successful dodge are very low, while the chances of a successful hit are very high.
The easiest way to keep yourself and others safe is to make sure that your space is and remains clear for whenever you're in the headset.
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Comment on Online visual art communities without AI? in ~creative
kfwyre LinkI can't speak to it personally as I'm not on it, but I know this is the goal of Glade Art.I can't speak to it personally as I'm not on it, but I know this is the goal of Glade Art.
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VR questions, recommendations, tips, and tricks
I know we have a few VR veterans around the site, and given that the Steam Frame has finally materialized, we likely have some people who are soon to be new to VR. This is a topic for people to...
I know we have a few VR veterans around the site, and given that the Steam Frame has finally materialized, we likely have some people who are soon to be new to VR.
This is a topic for people to ask any questions they have about VR, as well as for people who are familiar to share recommendations, tips, tricks, and any other thoughts they have.
23 votes -
Comment on Who gets the Steam Frame? Did Valve pick you for the first wave? in ~games
kfwyre LinkCongrats! I’m super excited for you and everyone else who got lucky. Other people have covered the straps (and I agree, you should get them). So here are my thoughts on the other accessories you...Congrats! I’m super excited for you and everyone else who got lucky.
Other people have covered the straps (and I agree, you should get them). So here are my thoughts on the other accessories you asked about:
A replacement face gasket is nice if you’re planning to sweat in your headset (and it sounds like you are!). My exercise one gets soaked every session, but whenever I have friends over and they’re going to be in the headset (playing, say, Taskmaster), I swap it out with a separate clean one.
As for a light blocker, some people like the isolation it gives, but personally, I prefer having the gap at my nose. I can check my watch for the time, notifications, and my heart rate all without taking off the headset. Also, I like being able to peek down and get an idea of my orientation in the real world.
No idea if the head cushion is necessary, but comfort is comfort!
So, none of those are essential but an alternate gasket is great if you’re planning on sharing the headset with anyone else.
I do expect a lot of third party offerings of these same items to pop up soon, so you might be able to save some money by waiting those out.
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Comment on Colossal Game Adventure: September 2026 voting topic in ~games
kfwyre Link ParentCGA Announcement: The Voting Topic closes in 24 hours. If you are interested in voting, please submit (or make your final edits to) your ballot before the deadline. You can view the current...CGA Announcement: The Voting Topic closes in 24 hours. If you are interested in voting, please submit (or make your final edits to) your ballot before the deadline.
You can view the current standings here courtesy of CGA's resident data scientist and splash screen creator, u/Boojum.
Notification List
@1338
@Akir
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@atomicshoreline
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@Bwerf
@CannibalisticApple
@chocobean
@clayh
@datavoid
@Debook
@DistractionRectangle
@dotsforeyes
@dozens
@Dr_Amazing
@endymiion
@Gourd
@granfdad
@Gummy
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@IsildursBane
@J-Chiptunator
@JCPhoenix
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@psi
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@Soggy
@sotix
@Spore_Prince
@SpruceWillis
@squidwiz
@talklittle
@ThatMartinFellow
@tomorrow-never-knows
@Trobador
@Venko
@vili
@Weldawadyathink
@Wes
@xk3
@zod000If you would like to be added or removed from the Notification List, please PM u/kfwyre.
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Comment on Tildes Book Club - Have you started Dr. No by Ian Fleming? in ~books
kfwyre LinkThe ebook anthology volumes for The Original James Bond Collection are all on sale in the US for $4 (not sure about other countries). Dr. No is in Volume 2 in case anyone’s still interested in...The ebook anthology volumes for The Original James Bond Collection are all on sale in the US for $4 (not sure about other countries).
Dr. No is in Volume 2 in case anyone’s still interested in picking it up on the cheap.
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Comment on Colossal Game Adventure: September 2026 voting topic in ~games
kfwyre Link ParentGreat table! Love the added data visualization and cut points.Great table! Love the added data visualization and cut points.
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How have you helped someone without them knowing?
It could be a deliberate anonymous act, or simply a knock-on effect from something you did. Whatever it is, the person didn’t know that you did something to help them, but you absolutely did. The...
It could be a deliberate anonymous act, or simply a knock-on effect from something you did.
Whatever it is, the person didn’t know that you did something to help them, but you absolutely did.
The help can be small or big, serious or funny, meaningful or inconsequential.
Tell us all about it.
29 votes
Echoing the common sentiments of "I like our book club" and also "life is busy and I can't always keep up." I always have the best of intentions when it comes to reading the book each month, but more often than not I don't follow through.
I'd love to see the club continue, but I also think adjusting its cadence might be necessary.
Also, rotating hosts has worked really well for CGA, so I think it could work well here too.
On the other hand, given the number of people saying that they're already busy, I can also see the utility of just having some pre-determined questions that apply to any book that we put in the topic text, that way each month becomes a copy/paste (or even potentially automated) job. It's already a big ask for many of us to even read the book in the first place, so maybe reducing the hosting workload as much as possible is a good optimization?