I posted something similar before, but it did not gain too much traction, possibly due to time zones.

It would be cool to see a Lemmy online pen pal/chat pal thread. Tell us about yourself and your hobbies in comments! I’m a person in their 20s who likes world football, theoretical maths and physics, and FOSS stuff. I also like the outdoors and would love to share about outdoor adventures. Feel free to send me a message if you’d like to talk!

1 point

Software developer in his 30s. I built automation for a living. I automate my house as a hobby. I automate all things.

(I also live building racecars)

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2 points

That’s something I want to get into. I want to set up that self hosted software, forget what it’s called, but you can integrate with IoT devices just like you can with a mainstream assistant service like Google Home.

What I really want to do is automate my blinds, which are the chain loop type, so I can say “house, open the living room blinds” like they did in Smart House, the Disney channel original movie (or maybe that was Home Alone 4, but we don’t talk about that one). I found a little motorized device that integrates with these chain blinds but it was a bit pricey. Of course if I tried to make it with my own Arduino etc it would be an ugly mess.

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0 points

Of course if I tried to make it with my own Arduino etc it would be an ugly mess.

A few years back, I found I opened and closed a certain window multiple times a day to better control the environment.

Well- devices to automate opening and closing a window, just aren’t something you find for sale- and, if you do- its not going to be cheap.

I ended up spending 30$ on a linear servo, a esp8266, and a couple of relays, and spent a couple hours automating the process of automatically opening and closing my window, at certain times depending on the inside, and outside temp.

It wasn’t pretty at all, but, it was extremely effective… and did exactly what I needed it to do.

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2 points

Sounds like you’re talking about Home Assistant maybe?

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2 points

That’s the one–thanks!

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10 points

Hi! I’m 70, so retired and have many hobbies and interests. At the moment it’s beekeeping and coastal rowing that take up most of my time. I took up rowing after arthritis put paid to dinghy sailing, and it’s fantastic. I gave up racing this year but I sort of miss it. I keep bees with a community group, we have 15 hives on two sites. I’m also into photography, hill-walking, knitting, travel, gardening, all the old-lady stuff. And I enjoy tinkering with tech, I run a club website and a blog for a friend. What else? Baking, jam-making, DIY… I’m sure there’s something I’ve missed. Oh, I made a pond and some frogs moved in, so I guess frog-watching? Is that a thing?

I always had penpals when I was a kid. My mother had one when she was a girl too, and finally got to meet her when they were in their 60s.

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4 points

Go you! I wish I would be cool as you when I’m 70.

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3 points

I really enjoy video games, crafts, dnd, reading, and taking care of my critters. I have one dog, 2 cats, and 10 ducks. I will be getting a puppy next weekend. My dog is a beagle, my cats are just regular tabbys, and the breeds of ducks I have are: 4 French white muscovies, 1 jumbo Pekin, one regular Pekin that’s crippled, 2 cayugas, a golden layer, and a khaki campbell. The puppy I am getting is a goldendoodle.

I work in IT as a tier one help desk tech as a means to feed and shelter myself and my critters.

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10 points

I’m into

  • Ham radio

  • Powerlifting

  • Books

My life is pretty chill at the moment. Got laid off last month and am still on the job hunt.

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4 points

That is quite the combination.

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2 points

Lol, yeah I don’t quite understand how I’ve managed to get into all of these simultaneously.

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2 points

I want to get into ham radio. Just like the fediverse, it’s decentralized, and it’s the original way to chat across the globe!

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1 point

Do it! If you’re in the US, you can even take the test online now.

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2 points

Ham radio

There are dozens of us. DOZENS!

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1 point

I love video games, board games, music, and traveling. I used to love programming too, but working as a software dev for as long as I have has kind of killed that passion 😅

Life is great! I feel very fortunate to not have a lot of stressors in my life. I hope that’s more common than it seems these days!

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0 points

Yeah, that’s why I never encourage people to work in something they love. It will kill your passion for it. Instead, do something you can put up with and find something you like about it. What video games and music do you like?

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2 points

Oh I completely agree. Funny enough, I never intended to do it as a career. I always wanted to be a pilot. But unfortunately the FAA considers me “medically unfit”, so I had to go with my backup plan.

For video games I’m all over the place lol. I’m a huge fan of 2D platformers, so Spelunky 2 and Hollow Knight are pretty high up on my list. I’ve played a ton of OSRS over the years, but I’ve been taking a hiatus for the last few years. I imagine I’ll start playing again eventually! Besides that, some of my other favorites are Factorio, Terraria, Dark Souls/Elden Ring, and Divinity Original Sin 2. There’s just too many to even name haha.

For music I’m a metal fan, specifically progressive metal. But I really enjoy electronic, rap, and classical as well.

How about you?

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1 point

That’s awesome! Some pretty great games you’ve listed. I also love Dark Souls/Elden Ring and Hollow Knight as well! Those are intense games, but getting the platinum in them is fun. I also love God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn, Mario, and Shadow of Mordor/War. But my favorite game of all time is Zelda and I’ve been playing the new one basically non stop.

I assume you’re excited for Silksong? I just hope it gets released sometime in the next 10 years.

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1 point

Do you like Protest the Hero?

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1 point
*

Wow, similar thing for me, I have a 'bicuspid aortic valve’s which means the aortic valve in my heart is a bit funky and doesn’t push blood through as it should. And that makes the FAA also seem me medically unfit. I think there is a process to get a medical exemption, but with the cost of getting a license so high already, I just decided to stick with MSFS. I get to ‘fly’ a 737 like I wanted as a kid, learn all about it, but I’m not shelling out thousands and years of my life (okay, maybe I am shelling out some money but I like pretty airports!)

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