this post was submitted on 28 Apr 2026
70 points (100.0% liked)

Ask Lemmy

39310 readers
1607 users here now

A Fediverse community for open-ended, thought provoking questions


Rules: (interactive)


1) Be nice and; have funDoxxing, trolling, sealioning, racism, toxicity and dog-whistling are not welcomed in AskLemmy. Remember what your mother said: if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. In addition, the site-wide Lemmy.world terms of service also apply here. Please familiarize yourself with them


2) All posts must end with a '?'This is sort of like Jeopardy. Please phrase all post titles in the form of a proper question ending with ?


3) No spamPlease do not flood the community with nonsense. Actual suspected spammers will be banned on site. No astroturfing.


4) NSFW is okay, within reasonJust remember to tag posts with either a content warning or a [NSFW] tag. Overtly sexual posts are not allowed, please direct them to either !asklemmyafterdark@lemmy.world or !asklemmynsfw@lemmynsfw.com. NSFW comments should be restricted to posts tagged [NSFW].


5) This is not a support community.
It is not a place for 'how do I?', type questions. If you have any questions regarding the site itself or would like to report a community, please direct them to Lemmy.world Support or email info@lemmy.world. For other questions check our partnered communities list, or use the search function.


6) No US Politics.
Please don't post about current US Politics. If you need to do this, try !politicaldiscussion@lemmy.world or !askusa@discuss.online


Reminder: The terms of service apply here too.

Partnered Communities:

Tech Support

No Stupid Questions

You Should Know

Reddit

Jokes

Ask Ouija


Logo design credit goes to: tubbadu


founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Shout out something you've done lately you're proud of. I spent most of last week building 10 new "soil boxes" for the vegetable portion of my small farm's crops. Fully fenced in, basic irrigation setup and everything in the ground growing or ready to grow.

top 47 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] AstroLightz@lemmy.world 1 points 40 minutes ago

I've been working on a hobby Python project to extract YT URLs from a CSV file, mass download them as audio files, extract their thumbnails and crop them to be square (Like proper album art), then re-encode them again.

I've gotten the functionality of the CSV Extractor and Thumbnail Fixer completed, but I still need proper message displays for them, as well as a menu to select between the 2 functionalities.

If it's possible, I would love to automatically add the title and artist metadata to the files based on the filename, though I haven't figured out a way to do that yet.

[–] Adderbox76@lemmy.ca 2 points 2 hours ago

My desktop that was powerful enough to do most things died a few months ago at the worst possible time; it came on the heels of emptying a lot of my savings on vets to find out that my girl had advanced bone cancer, and then even more on sending her over the rainbow bridge and getting her cremated.

So both as a way to save some money and a way to keep my mind off of her, I've been putting together a new computer using a few spare parts that I have had laying around. Truth is, my old computer, though old, had been upgraded up the wazoo through the years to the point where most of that stuff could just transfer over (750 watt powersupply, Nvidia 3060 12gb card, max amount of RAM that it could take, etc...)

All I really needed was a new mainboard and processor. As long as I bought a used one that used DDR4 instead of 5, I already had everything I needed.

The "Project" is adapting my second-to-last PC case to accept newer components. (upgrading the front USB ports, things like that) Because it's an OEM Acer case, I can't simply order in an upgraded swappable unit, so I'm having to get creative with soldering.

It'll probably fail and I'll have to buy a new case too, but oh well. It's fun to try. I have so many old computer parts laying around, let's see how Dr. Frankenstein I can go.

[–] AceFuzzLord@lemmy.zip 1 points 3 hours ago

Just recently got an upgrade for my desktop computer by getting one from a pawnshop. Had to, a little begrudgingly, get a new monitor and HDMI cable since the TV I have been using as a monitor is too old for this new desktop.

Started getting things set up last night and still have a ways to go to make it feel good, like my laptop does.

[–] STUNT_GRANNY@lemmy.world 1 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

I revived an old car that has sat in my mother's yard for several years. Didn't need much to get going, just a jumpstart and some fresh gas, but now I've got a set of wheels I don't have to care about. Might turn it into a Lemons racer.

[–] moonshadow@slrpnk.net 1 points 3 hours ago (2 children)

Imo if you don't care about it get it to someone who will, wheels are an absolute game changer when you don't have any

[–] STUNT_GRANNY@lemmy.world 1 points 27 minutes ago (1 children)

I'd consider donating this car if it were in better shape; in its current state, sure, the engine is running and it'll move under its own power, but it's still got a long way to go before it'll be road-legal, or even safe to drive.

Right now, any charity organization that'd accept the car would probably just have it crushed, which would just be a waste to me.

[–] moonshadow@slrpnk.net 1 points 12 minutes ago

Didn't mean to give you grief, hope you enjoy whatever you end up doing with it. Matching barely legal beaters with people I see sleeping rough is kind of my Thing, as long as they can gimp between parking spots enough to not get towed it's a huge comeup

[–] Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world 1 points 1 hour ago

Personal hobbies are okay. A life including service shouldn't deprive you of that.

[–] Canopyflyer@lemmy.world 1 points 4 hours ago

After many years, I finally found decent LED lights to replace the incandescent bulbs on my two McIntosh amps (MC7108, MC7100).

Not a huge project, but it was something that I had been wanting to do for many years.

Here is a photo of my MC7108 with the new lights installed.

[–] v3ctors@piefed.blahaj.zone 4 points 17 hours ago

Did timing chains on my partner’s car. Getting ready to change out the bathroom fan and run some cat6.

[–] Jerb322@lemmy.world 19 points 1 day ago (3 children)

Don't know if you'd call it a project but the wife and I have gotten probably 500lbs of metal out of the rivers near us. I'm keeping the wagon wheel. The pile in my truck was just the first trip to scrap.

[–] Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world 8 points 1 day ago

I'd definitely call that a project. Great job cleaning up your area!!!

[–] leoj@piefed.social 7 points 1 day ago (1 children)

You guys magnet fishing or just dragging the old fashioned way?

I had a magnet fishing kit but for some dumb reason I never took it out and ended up giving it away when I moved, kind of want to get one again and see whats in some nearby lakes.

[–] Jerb322@lemmy.world 5 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

Magnets, got them in February. We have fun doing it.

[–] leoj@piefed.social 1 points 22 hours ago

niceee, plus you're cleaning up the lake!

Hope you find something cool :)

[–] snoons@lemmy.ca 2 points 23 hours ago

Excellent work.

[–] Ludrol@szmer.info 16 points 1 day ago (1 children)

As a part of university club, I am building autonomy for a rover than will go for championship.

[–] Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Does that mean you're writing it's code ( if that's correct terminology in this case)? Or building the actual rover? Or both? I haven't worked with robotics since I was in college.

[–] Ludrol@szmer.info 2 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

I am glueing pre-existing libraries inside ROS2 with python. So far I procrastinate writing my own code, but I discovered that I will need to write small plugins.

Also today I discovered that dean wants to use the rover for promotional stuff in a week. So now I will need to get the UI working. (As far as I know the team has vibe coded prototype for testing)

[–] Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world 2 points 21 hours ago

That's fantastic! It must be wicked exciting to get to work on something that'll have so many eyes on it.

[–] quediuspayu@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 points 23 hours ago

I'm on the planning phases of an origami exhibition. At the moment I'm still selecting the figures, and more importantly practising them in order to have exhibition worthy folds.

Inspired by the !superbowl@lemmy.world community I want to showcase how owls are portrayed in origami. Some of the models are complex, so I expect it will take me quite some time to learn them.

[–] justdaveisfine@piefed.social 14 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I had a cracked phone screen (which made ~half the screen unusable) and after an absolute debacle trying to get it fixed at a phone repair place, I finally just ordered the parts and did it myself.

I was intimidated because I haven't messed with phone repairs before, but it came out great and works as it should.

Its not a major project but it was a weird stress and I feel much better having it fixed.

[–] leoj@piefed.social 4 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Any tips you would proffer for someone considering a similar repair? (Iphone SE 2nd gen ~2019)

[–] felixwhynot@lemmy.world 6 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

Ifixit.com! Most screen replacements will come with screwdrivers. If you can get a couple guitar picks that will help with opening. Read the instructions carefully. Take your time. Good luck, it can be done!

[–] leoj@piefed.social 3 points 22 hours ago

Nice, yeah I actually have a pretty sweet little small electronics repair kit and the replacement screen, just haven't gotten around to doing it cause time.

Previously ran into the issue of not grounding properly before getting into the guts of a device and fried a motherboard!

[–] CmdrShepard49@sh.itjust.works 2 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

I havent done an iPhone but a Galaxy and bought the iFixIt kit for my phone (battery replacement) which came with everything and had detailed instructions along with it.

[–] leoj@piefed.social 2 points 21 hours ago (1 children)

Did you feel like the battery replacement lived up to your hype? In the past I have replaced a battery and have wondered afterwards if it actually made much difference... Maybe it was old stock, but I felt like the original battery and the 3rd party replacement were about the same :(

[–] CmdrShepard49@sh.itjust.works 2 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

I gave the phone away after doing it so I can't report back on that, but way back when I had my Note 4 and LG V20, it did seem like the third party batteries I used would wear out quickly. On the other hand, I think modern phones are far easier on their batteries.

If the installed battery is failing or close to failing, you're either going to install 3rd party or toss the phone in the trash so I think its worth a shot. IIRC the actual replacement parts in the kit (separate from all the repair tools which you keep) were fairly inexpensive so it's not a big loss if it doesnt last, especially if you think you might use the repair tools again in the future.

[–] leoj@piefed.social 1 points 2 hours ago

yeah thats fair, I'll prolly wait until my battery is in pretty poor shape before attempting a replacement since I don't want to crack the phone open for a negligible increase in power, will just have to shop around and see who is offering the best replacement batteries when the time comes!

[–] Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Thats fantastic! I wouldn't downplay it you took a risk and it worked out, great job.

[–] Norin@lemmy.world 4 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

The project of cutting my dissertation down into a short book is almost done, and I’m hoping to start shopping it around to publishers soon.

I’ve also recently started laying out the bones for an open access textbook for one of my classes, which will be my summer project.

[–] Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world 2 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

Hell yeah, are you comfortable sharing the very general topic? Don't dox yourself if it's hyper specific though.

[–] Norin@lemmy.world 1 points 19 hours ago (1 children)

The dissertation -> book project is a philosophy of technology.

The text book will be for world religions classes.

[–] Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world 2 points 19 hours ago

Fantastic, that's great!

[–] Sir_Thominick_IV@lemmy.world 4 points 20 hours ago

I've been preparing to run a TTRPG called Death in Space for my friends, and I have poured dozens of hours into map making for one of the bigger locations of the setting. It's called the Iron Ring, and it is a giant orbital structure built around a yellow moon called Inaro.

This screenshot of the map is approximately 150,000 square meters. I plan to have about 5 more locations this size.

[–] HuntressHimbo@lemmy.zip 9 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I restored my families old cast iron dutch oven and tried to make brownies in it. Weeks of scrubbing and different chemical solutions before I finally got it stripped. Now 8 coatings deep of flax and its looking fantastic. Brownies did not come out so hot the first time though...

[–] Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago

Great job! You can always make more batches.

[–] BurgerBaron@piefed.social 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

We're northern prairies Canadian for context, so my bigger projects are on hold until it's finally warm enough outside not to hate being alive out there. Basically starting tomorrow! Hopefully no more false starts to spring weather.

My father wanted to stop paying Americans for his media consumption, especially sports but has not much tech literacy. He's better off than most of his peers at age 68 but piracy isn't part of his knowledge base and my mother was against pirate devices in their house until...well, Trump 2.

So I built him a mini PC for his TV and taught him how to use/update Stremio on Debian and the necessary plugins/debrid service. He has to write down instructions but rarely does he get stuck and ask for help so long as the GUI of anything he's using doesn't suddenly change drastically on him. Having no blackout games and video on demand recordings of recent games without having to manually DVR if he misses one live has him ecstatic.

It's set up to use the Stremio beta Flatpak while browsing using web.stremio.com instead of actually using the app frontend because the built in players are utter crap. Now everything just opens in external mpv with an ideal .conf file we made.

[–] Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

Good for you and your parents. Always support sailing the seas.

[–] Monster96@lemmy.world 3 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

I had time to work on another song! Originally, I started this song to use it in a bigger project that I'm working on but it slowly evolved into its own thing. So, technically it's not finished but it's finished enough

[–] Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world 2 points 21 hours ago

That's great! I appreciate the artists out there doing the shit I'll absolutely never have the ability to haha.

[–] mesamunefire@piefed.social 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I built an ebook reader out of an old heltek since I have an abundance of those recently. It was fun.

Been making loquat bread. Basically take any basic white/wheat bread recipe and replace any sugar with loquat. Its VERY good and tastes almost the same. At some point, my wife and I are planning on making loquat wine (and/or fruit juice?). We have two mature trees that produce enough that the whole neighborhood gets the fruit and we still have left overs!

[–] Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Looks like I'm about to learn what loquat is.

[–] mesamunefire@piefed.social 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Very easy to manage tree if you live in desert/hot conditions. Its also grown for looks too from what I hear.

This website gave me a bunch of different things to try out: https://loquatfest.com/

Excellent video on the trees/fruit itself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNAlxj_ZfvY

[–] Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world 1 points 23 hours ago
[–] mesamunefire@piefed.social 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

What do the soil boxes look like?

[–] Return_of_Chippy@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

They look like I'm an engineer not a carpenter lmao. So kinda shitty but functional. I used 4 X 4 lumber and made them 8 foot by 16 foot. With wrap around wire fencing I dug into the ground then secured to the exterior. Built door frames out of 2 X 4s and with the same wire fencing. Stainless steel hinges, handles and latches. Hope to get a few years out of em before I have to replace stuff.