#how to guide

[vintage-tigre]

How to…

[thebearme]

can i ask what programs you use for your animations? and any tips for syncing with sound...?

I have talked about the programs i use in two different occasions

all though im gonna assume that you're asking more in the lines of my newer stuff so here i have made a tutorial!

and that's how i do it, im broke broke so you never will see me paying for any programs or art products like a tablet. It's all done with a 5 yr old iphone, my middle finger and free programs!

[lachiennearoo]

How to Make Friends

A more-or-less clear guide on social interactions

Growing up with heavy ADHD and generalized anxiety, it was always a bit hard for me to make friends and socialize. Despite my yearning for friendship, I was always "the quiet one" and "a loner", simply because I didn't know how to approach certain social situations, and it made any friendship I had extremely unstable (except for my sister @vive-le-quebec-flouffi, who was so extroverted and friendly it was literally impossible to escape her clutches of socialization)

As I grew older, I learned through a lot of trial and error what makes a good friendship.

Or, rather... what's the best way for someone to WANT to be your friend (without being superficial or hypocritical.)

Now, obviously, this doesn't work for everyone. But this is what I found helped me the most in social circles (especially online) and I hope it can help others too

LET'S BEGIN!

1 - Be yourself

Now that sounds very cliche and cringe, I know, but hear me out, because my opinion on this is not the same as all those feelgood inspirational movies and ads.

"Being yourself" isn't as simple as it seems. Because after all, what does "self" imply? If someone is, say, a criminal, would "be yourself" mean that they should embrace their sinful side?

No, obviously not.

"Be yourself" is a bit more nuanced, but I'll try to boil it down for you.

It just means "be unashamed of your qualities which you think are flaws". For example, "be yourself" would apply to someone who sees themselves as ugly, or maybe someone with an odd yet unharmful hobby, or a weird sense of fashion, or someone with say a handicap, a speech impediment. "Be yourself" is a sentence for the specific people who have genuine good in them, but are afraid to show it to others because they have been persecuted in the past, or are scared to be. It does NOT mean to accept genuine flaws. "Be yourself" does not include say violent anger issues, an addiction, a recent crime committed, or a generally unpleasant personality. Those are obviously not things to encourage. You can understand they may be a thing that happen to you, and accept it in your life, but that's different from being proud of it or encouraging it.

Speaking of personalities... let's talk about that

2 - Be kind

Now when some people hear that, they think it means "always smile no matter what, always look happy and positive, always agree with everyone just so you don't hurt their feelings, and never cause any drama", like you're Deku in My Hero Academia or Steven Universe in his titular show.

But that's... not quite that.

Obviously, kindness is something you use to help people feel better, to cheer up, and feel happy, and obviously to be kind, you need to have compassion, heart, empathy, and always put yourself in other people's shoes regardless of who they are. But it is not necessarily all-encompassing.

There's a rule that I think anyone learning kindness must learn. It's that sometimes, kindness means to be firm.

Not mean, of course. Not judgmental, not insensitive. Don't insult anyone, don't belittle or patronize anyone or make them feel inferior to you. That's still very rude and that's not what you want.

But what I mean is that sometimes, if you know that a person's actions towards something are wrong, especially if it's towards someone else, you must be able to point it out, and act accordingly. Don't just stand there and agree with them just because you don't want to hurt their feelings. You must still be able to know right from wrong. Kindness just means you won't be an ass about it, it doesn't mean to stay silent.

Hey, that brings me to point three!

3 - Show your own opinions

If there's one thing people hate just as much as meanness, it's those who stand by and do nothing about it.

Regardless of if you agree with them or not, if you say absolutely nothing when genuinely bad behaviour is happening, out of fear of "starting a fight", you are actively making the person who is being attacked feel alone.

I remember myself, when I was bullied in the first two grades of secondary school (11-13 years old for those who don't know) for "being ugly", I was told by my mother (who was friends with other kid's parents) that some of the kids "didn't hate me" and "didn't agree with the bullying". And I asked her "if they don't hate me, why won't they talk to me?" She never managed to answer that one. And it broke my heart, because outside of my sister, I had no one else.

Don't be like that. You may be scared of acting, but you know who would be grateful if you did act? The victims. And isn't their opinion of you much more important than the opinion of someone who acts with hatred and bigotry?

If you see someone suffering injustice, or even just hear someone who has a rather harmful opinion, don't be scared to tell them that you disagree. Obviously don't be an asshole about it, stay civil, but if you voice out your opinion, you will be seen as someone who stays true to their beliefs and is brave enough to stand up for them if the opportunity comes.

There's obviously much more that comes with social life (nonverbal cues, sense of humor, timing and mood), and I don't know everything (I'm just some random québécois girl on the internet). But I hope this was a bit more helpful. I did have fun writing this, at least. So I guess that's better than nothing!

[victusinveritas]

In case you want to go full Quest for Fire sometime, here you go. (Image is from Art of Manliness, which I remember being quite...kinda douchey, like The Chive but for guys with handlebar mustaches. But maybe that's just me.)

[sweetteafrances]

How I Knit Socks

Because I'm terrible with second sock syndrome (SSS), I learned how to knit two at a time toe-up socks. These are the methods I use for casting on the toes with Turkish cast on, Fleegle heel for the heel, and a Tubular Bind Off at the end. Hopefully this will help you make your own socks!

Okay, the cast on method:

Now this is a good guide for how to work two at a time (2aat) socks:

I use Lifted increases for the toe:

Now the famous Fleegle Heel:

And the bind off for once you've finished your cuff. (Note: this only works for k1p1 cuffs):

[getintheholezine]

YOU, YES YOU, CAN MAKE A ZINE! Part 1

What is a zine?

Zines (shortened from the word “magazines”) are self-published anthologies of art, fiction, and/or nonfiction; usually roughly laid out and cheaply printed. Traditionally, zines were distributed for free, with copies left at cafés and indie bookstores, handed out at events, or sent by mail. Zines played an important role in early fandom communities, and Kirk/Spock zines are today being preserved as cultural artifacts. 

Recently, fanzines have grown to include large-scale projects that use professional printers and even include goodies like keychains and pins – and require a lot of money and expertise to produce. That isn't how zines have to work, though. The old-school option is still available!

Why make a fanzine?

Before the internet, fanzines were the main way fanworks circulated. We don't need them for that anymore. So why go to the trouble of making one? 

You really have to answer that for yourself, if the idea of making a zine appeals to you. Some possibilities:

Getting the satisfaction of creating something cool

Developing new skills, or dusting off old ones

Building community with other fans

Promoting your favorite kinds of fanworks 

Raising money for charity

Seeing your work, and others’, in print

Having fun!

How do you make a fanzine?

Get fanworks (with permission from their creators)

Put fanworks together into a publication of some kind

Distribute the publication

There are a million ways to approach each of these steps, with varying levels of complexity, but that's the basic outline!

If you've never made a zine before, start with the least complex path. Do not start with a lavish, hardbound, merch-laden, fifty-contributor project. Walk before you run.

The simplest option is a small, digital-only, free zine with works by people you already know.

As the zine gets larger, it gets more complicated.

If the zine is printed, it gets more complicated.

Involving money in any way, shape, or form makes the zine more complicated.

Working with strangers makes the zine more complicated.

Think very carefully before adding any of these layers of complexity to your first zine!!! I'm not saying don't – I'm saying, understand what you're getting yourself into. Be realistic. Have a plan.

Continue on to Part 2: https://www.tumblr.com/getintheholezine/772970460218638336/you-yes-you-can-make-a-zine-part-2

[metaphorical-goblin]

So You Want to Start Reading Fanfiction

Hello! So, if you're here, chances are you already read fanfiction. However, it's possible that you don't, and you want to start! I hope this guide will give you a little bit of info to help you get started.

A. Where to Read Fic

We'll start with the basics: where to start? I prefer Archive of Our Own, (colloquially known as AO3), but others use other sites, such as fanfiction.net, Wattpad, and even DeviantArt! But I prefer AO3 because of their comprehensive tagging system.

B. AO3: A Primer

Let's go over some brief definitions and explanations.

Fic: Short for 'fanfiction'.

Tags: labels that people put on stories. Most people think of these as "trigger warnings," but that's not an all-encompassing label, since tags are also used to indicate different types of stories or relationships (for example, Fluff, AU, or Hurt/Comfort).

AU: Short for 'Alternate Universe'. This refers to when an author takes the characters and... well, puts them in a universe that's different from canon. Alternate Universe tags can also come with more specificity (Alternate Universe - Fantasy, Alternate Universe - Coffee Shops and Cafes, or Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, to give some examples).

Canon: short for "canonical." This refers to what actually happened in the original media, as opposed to popular fan theories or headcanons.

MCD: short for "Major Character Death."

Dead Dove: Do Not Eat: this is a term often used on fics with more "extreme" contents. It is meant to be a warning for readers to take the listed tags seriously; i.e., the author means it when they use the listed tags! What you see is what you get, so take time to review the tags and summary carefully.

No Archive Warnings Apply vs. Creator Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings: I won't go into detail about the Archive Warnings here, since AO3 has a very extensive page about this, but the brief summary is: "No Archive Warnings Apply" refers to media that doesn't require any of the warnings (that is, Major Character Death, Graphic Depictions of Violence, etc.). "Creator Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings" means that the creator may have included some content that isn't tagged or listed. It's always wise to proceed with caution!

Character/Character vs. Character & Character: This is a very key distinction! The slash refers to romantic relationships (dating, sex, marriage, etc., like Phoenix Wright/Miles Edgeworth) and the ampersand (&) refers to platonic relationships (friendships, parents, siblings, etc., like Trucy Wright & Apollo Justice). Some fics even use both (Franziska von Karma/Maya Fey; Franziska von Karma & Maya Fey); this is simply used to indicate that these characters might interact in both romantic and platonic ways, or it explores other aspects of their relationship. It's not uncommon to see groups of people all listed together, either as a platonic group or as a polyamorous coupling.

Now, what is an "archive?"

You may be apprehensive (or even nervous!) to read, like, or comment on something that's a few years old. This isn't something to worry about on AO3! The expectation is that you'll be searching for something to read based on your preferred tags (plus, any creator would probably be thrilled that someone is still reading their story a year, five years, even fifteen years later!).

The purpose of an "archive" is to hold all of these stories to share. You wouldn't avoid picking up a book at the library just because it's been there for a while, would you? The archive is the same way!

Getting an Account

AO3 has a bit of a waiting list when it comes to getting an account. This shouldn't deter you from applying to get one! Having an account on AO3 has all kinds of benefits, including:

Access to many other fics that authors have chosen to show to registered members only

The ability to Subscribe to fics and receive emails when they update

The ability to save your favorite fics with Bookmarks for easy access

Keeping a "marked for later" list (instead of having 73 open tabs of fics you want to read at all times)

A record of your history (so you can find the fic you forgot about!) that can be cleared with ease (so... other people can't find the fic you forgot about)

A presence in your fan community (something stellar about being recognized by an author you love...)

And more! ...probably

C. Navigating AO3

There's the occasional critique that AO3 is a bit hard to get around. However, I'd like to show you that this isn't the case!

Finding a Fandom

AO3 has... thousands of fandoms. Probably hundreds of thousands. So, the easiest way to find something that you enjoy is by starting at the fandom page!

If you already know what you're looking for, it's easy to just click on it's corresponding category and Ctrl + F for the title you're looking for (Cartoons & Comics & Graphic Novels -> Ctrl + F -> Owl House). However, if you're not sure what you're in the mood for, I like to click on "All Fandoms" and just see what's popular.

For this example, I'll just use Ace Attorney since... that's where I live.

Narrowing down...

Alright! So you found your fandom... and there are a hundred thousand fics to choose from. What do you do now?

The next step is to find your fic! One idea (and the method that I used when I first started) was simply to scroll through the landing page and see what was recently published.

However, you may want a little more specificity... let's say today that I'm looking for a multichapter fic with a Coffee shop AU where Miles and Phoenix get together. Now, how do I find something like that?

Well... that's where Sort and Filter comes in!

As a side note, if you're on mobile, you'll have to hit the "Filters" button at the top of the screen to open this panel.

Here is where we start adding specifics to what we want to read! Include and Exclude are sort of self-explanatory... "Include" looks for fics that have the tags you asked for, whereas "Exclude" hides everything that you list.

Language Settings are also useful! Selecting the language you want to read fics in (for me, English) also helps narrow down the numbers.

"Relationships" is useful to narrow things down for the specific ship or group that you want to read about. You can include or exclude multiple relationships, as well (personally, I really enjoy stories that explore both romantic and platonic relationships, so I tend to use multiple!).

I don't often include Word Count, but it can be handy if you're looking for a shorter fic (for example, sorting with a max of 5,000 words) or a longer fic (using a minimum of... 10,000 words, I guess).

At the top, you have "Sort By"! This is a very handy tool if you want to change up how you're seeing what the archive pulls up. I tend to sort by Date Updated (if I'm looking for something new) or Bookmarks (if I want to find something popular), but take time to explore all the options!

Now, let's see how the fic numbers change after I put in my filters...

Wow! So just a few filters took my choices from over 38,000, all the way down to 7! There are all sorts of other tags you can use, too, to look for the story you want to read! (Getting together, Family Fluff, DIVORCE!!!)

D. So, You Found a Fic!

Well, you sorted through the tags, read the summaries, and picked the fic you want. What do you do now?

What's a Kudos? Well, 'Kudos' is AO3's version of a 'like'. It's sort of custom to leave a Kudos if you finished reading the fic!

What should I comment? I won't go into detail about comments here, because that's a whole post on it's own. Comments are a step up from Kudos; it's your chance to tell the author what, specifically, you liked about their work (or that you just really, really liked it!). You shouldn't be afraid to leave comments, no matter how old a fic is. In fact, unless the author says otherwise, a Kudos and comment are appreciated at any time!

The Difference between Subscribing, Bookmarking, and "Mark for Later"

Note: All of these features are only available for registered members, so if you don't have an account yet, just slide on past this section!

Subscribing with the Subscribe button is a feature that emails you whenever the author updates that particular fic. Subscriptions are private; the only person who can see that you're subscribed to something is you!

Bookmarking is a tool you can use to save fics you really love. It's like putting your favorite book in a special place! It's important to remember that, unless you mark private, all of your Bookmarks are publicly visible! This means that any comments or notes you leave can be seen both by other users and the author; keep this in mind before you write something mean!

Mark for Later is a button you can use to save a fic that you want to come back to later. It saves it to a special page on your account in your history (in the Marked for Later tab). Like subscriptions, "Mark for Later" is private, and no one will see it. However, you will not get notified if your "Mark for Later" fics are updated, unless you are also subscribed.

E. What now?!?!?

Well... that's kind of all I have to teach you! You can keep modifying tags or fandoms to find things to read, but the best way to learn the website is by exploring it yourself!

After you read a fic, I highly recommend you leave a comment. Aside from the fact that it encourages the author, it also helps you build community with other creators! It's just fun to leave comments, and you can start some great friendships like this!

You might also want to explore the author's other works! This is easy to do; just scroll to the top of the page and click on the author's name, which is listed right under the title. If you liked this fic, odds are you'll probably like their other ones!

If you really really want to go wild, you could even share the fic on other sites (like tumblr!)! I don't do this often, but it's a good way to ask for or give recommendations for fics that you love.

Well... if you read all the way to the end, congratulations! I'm by no means an expert, but if you have any questions, I'd be happy to help you out. Good luck!

[fromhisgrace]

Studying the Bible Effectively: A Beginner's Guide

Studying the Bible can seem daunting at first, but with the right approach and tools, it can allow so much spiritual growth!! Whether you're new to the faith or a seasoned believer, having a structured method can improve and ease your experience. Here's a straightforward guide to help you get started on your Bible study journey!

Choosing a Translation

One of the first decisions to make when studying the Bible is choosing a translation that suits your needs and preferences. There are several translations available, each with its own approach to translation. Here are the three categories they fall into.

1. Word for Word Translation: These translations, such as the King James Version (KJV) or English Standard Version (ESV), aim to follow the original texts as closely as possible, offering a literal rendering of the words and phrases. They are great for detailed study and analysis of the text.

2. Thought for Thought Translation: These translations prioritize clarity and readability, conveying the original meaning in modern language by updating language to be mor relevant to modern readers. They are ideal for easy comprehension, especially for beginners or those looking for a straightforward understanding.

3. Paraphrased Translation: These translations capture the essence or gist of the message rather than focusing on precise wording. They are often easier to understand and are suitable for new believers or younger children. However, they are most likely to stray from the original text and can sometimes be slightly inaccurate.

When I am reading to spend time with God (such as my daily reading) I use NLT, which is a thought for thought translation and therefore easier to understand. However, during bible study it is advisable to keep a word for word translation on hand (I use the KJV translation in the YouVersion bible app alongside a physical copy of the NLT).

Establishing a Study Routine

1. Prayer: Before sitting down to read, it's essential to prepare yourself spiritually and mentally. Begin your study session with a prayer, asking God to open your mind and heart to His word and guide you in your understanding.

2. Reading the Passage: Start by reading the passage without taking notes or annotating. Try to grasp the overall message and what God is communicating to you.

3. Annotation and Reflection: Read the passage again, this time making notes of any observations, questions, or insights that come to mind. Consider who is involved, what is happening, why, when, and how. Reflect on the message God is conveying through the text.

4. Consulting Study Tools: Dive deeper into the passage by using study tools such as Bible commentaries, online resources, or cross-referencing different translations. This helps gain a broader perspective and insight into the text. They often also include historical context and reasons for writing.

5. Application: Reflect on how the passage applies to your life. Identify one or two key messages and think about how you can incorporate them into your daily life. Is the scripture challenging you to change certain behaviours, draw closer to God, or strengthen your faith? Pray for guidance on how to apply these insights. Personally, I like to make an extra effort to apply these in the upcoming week.

Conclusion

Studying the Bible is not just about acquiring knowledge but also about cultivating a deeper relationship with God and living out His word in our lives. By choosing the right translation, establishing a study routine, and seeking guidance through prayer and study tools, you can embark on a fulfilling journey of spiritual growth and understanding. Remember, consistency and patience are key, so keep seeking God's wisdom as you delve into His word.

[skeith-platinumprincess]

Guess who got hired by an actual website to write Fate guides? Even if it isn't the best work I've done this feels nice

[merrymusings]

although i love it , december can be an extremely lonely time of year for people ! so i'm posting my annual reminder/instructions of a very simple , inexpensive way to connect with peopled who may feel forgotten during the holiday season .

one of the easiest ways to make a lonely stranger's holiday season special is by sending christmas and holiday cards , especially patients in hospitals and residents in nursing homes who may not have family anymore or contact with the outside world . this has been my tradition for over a decade , i'm always shocked to find that others don't realize it's something you can do or how to do it - there's many ways and places to send cards , but here's an easy how-to for these two .

HOLIDAY CARDS TO NURSING HOMES —

this is very special because i've been told for some elderly , lonely residents , they don't even realize the cards are coming from strangers sometimes and they think they're from a loved one . for those who realize they're from a stranger , they'll appreciate them very much too !

cards can be handmade or not . typically i'll write a couple sentences about winter , staying warm , having a good holiday season , "sending love" etc. things like that . and sign my first name . you can mail a singular card with a stamp or package of cards to any nursing home and just address it like this :

ATTN: Activities Director to: any lonely resident/any resident (they wont really see the envelope) #### street address city, state, zipcode

if you're outside of the us , this system should work in your country too but obviously address it as you would there . if you don't know where to begin looking for nursing homes , just go to google maps , type in any city/town you want , and search "nursing homes" .

i always send mine completely random - i've been told they will all accept and be grateful . usually i hear nothing back but on rare occasions a staffer may mail a thank you note after christmas , just a heads up .

HOLIDAY CARDS TO HOSPITALS —

i don't do this as often so i don't know every rule ( like if you can just put "any resident" like with nursing homes ,) but !! there are lots of organizations you can mail cards to who will distribute it for you . here's a good one who works year round - you can send christmas/holiday cards or general ones throughout the year !

mail your card to : Cards for Hospitalized Kids 7290 W. Devon Ave. Chicago, IL 60631

this organization distributes the cards to patients , specifically children . they ask that you do not write "get better" "feel better" "get well soon" etc , as some patients are terminal and may never "get better" - this can be extremely upsetting . however , you may be encouraging such as "sending love" and "sending strength" ! also, do not include personal contact info ; only your first name/alias is needed . also , no glitter for these ones please . if you want more info on the organization , their site is here .

there are tons of ways to send cards and greetings to many different populations who really need a pick-me-up during this season , and info is readily available online . just wanted to share a quick couple ideas to spread cheer which impacts real people ! please spread the word , and don't forget to check on those you care about in your life because many people hurt and show no signs of it .

[vintage-tigre]

[inkandpaperqwerty]

can someone tell me how to report someone on ff.net for spam? i am so tired of just deleting all the spam coming into my inbox. i mean, i doubt it will actually do anything, but it will make my brain feel better about it, you feel me? it says spamming can cause account suspension, but i don't see anywhere it actually tells me how to report someone for spam

[fogaminghub]

✨ Dive into the enchanting world of Infinity Nikki with the "Sweet Wishes, Aligned Hearts" quest! 🌸 Help Laurent collect Sunny Orchids, create a special drink, and capture a heartwarming photo with Ceretti! 

Complete this quest before January 23, 2025, to earn amazing rewards 💎💰. Check out our full guide for all the details!

[victusinveritas]

[cranberrylane]

a simple step-by-step guide on how to duplicate a save in stardew valley :3

source: https://www.stardewvalleywiki.com/Saves