The website https://nobsgames.stavros.io/ helps surface these, and let's you filter out based on different things.

One that I like in particular is Gauguin. It's a Sudoku-like with different math-y rules.

Anuto TD is a tower defense game that is also really good, but not so low stress.

Lichess, if you're into Chess. It's a great, no compromise, high quality app. Stressful if you get too worked up about competitive, but puzzles are at least relaxing.

Not really federated so far, right? They talk a lot about being open, but (when) will they be really? Can I sign up for an account that intereacts with Bluesky through any other provider?

I mean, I signed up, it seems interesting enough. If nothing else it has some recognizable accounts to follow, better network effect than Mastodon.

Generally I read HackerNews and Lemmy communities like this one. Once in a while interesting projects will get highlighted.

But for the most part, once I identify a need, I'll look through alternativeto.net and see what the popular open source options are.

Well said. Within the existing framework of copyright law, the emergency open library thing that got them sued seems obviously illegal, despite it being a good thing. What's good and what's legal don't always line up.

The Internet Archive's work is too important. The library portion (that does controlled digital lending of published books) is nice, but I wouldn't be too hurt if it goes down. Regular public libraries can fill a lot of that role. But the archive itself is incredible, and losing that would be a huge shame.

Legally, I don't know that admitting fault and saying sorry does much good, but it certainly isn't surprising that they got into hot water here.

Yeah, somewhat agree.

It's great just to see it exist. And not every game needs to reinvent the wheel, especially when the series hasn't had a game in 15 years.

But by the end of it, I was kinda left wanting some new hook.

Sylux showing up was a cool moment though. I didn't expect them to honor that tease from Prime 3, and I appreciate it.

Nice! This is the one thing in other browsers that I wish I had in Firefox.

First step definitely would be to identify specifically what you'd like to improve. To say 'tech skills' is to cast a wide net. If you want to learn all sorts of things that's fine, but to get started with that and identify resources you have to be at least temporarily specific.

Are you thinking along the lines of system administration? Networking? Programming? Hardware setup/troubleshooting?

Have you checked your local library? Can be hit or miss, but many have a variety of digital and CD resources available.

Should be interesting.

I haven't kept the closest eye on this - rumor is they're planning to port more of their games to competing platforms, maybe allow 3rd party Xbox hardware, and phase out most physical Xbox games, right? Or am I way off the mark?

Excellent book. It's very far from hands-on, and doesn't even address UI in particular most of the time. Won't tell you how to lay out anything, but puts you on the right empathetic mindset for design in general.

Based on OP's description, might be just the ticket, but may also be too general for some tastes.

SNES was my favorite growing up, but over time my nostalgia for the GameCube has really kicked in! I think it might have to be my answer now.

I think what you're describing at the end there is basically what Brave (browser) tried to do.

I had similar happen to me. Put all of it together, turned it on, then panicked a little when it wouldn't boot up.

Turns out one stick of RAM was not fully slotted in, so obviously that's not OK. Was easy to spot once I double checked components. Popped it back out and in, then it was good to go.

You didn't rule it out, so my first thought is: play video games! It's certainly on the line between consuming something and learning to do something. Some individual games can be a whole skill to study and hone for years (eg, learning a fighting game or a speedrun, etc etc)

Spirit of the question though, that would probably be considered content.

Other ideas, most already covered by other comments: art, photography, music, writing, programming, cooking, woodworking, or learning a new language.

Ehh, I know it's not the original source, but I saw it there. Then it was either link to that or Twitter.

Ebooks have their convenience, and once in a while I'll take a free one if offered, or pick them up cheap in a bundle.

But physical books capture my interest way better. More satisfying to hold and look at. Having a physical object around is a reminder to read. And paper books are better for tuning out distractions. If I try to read ebooks on a phone, tablet, or PC I can easily lose focus (though nice dumb-device readers are surely out there, I don't have one).

And I meant to say, most helpful resource for me was the website rtings. Most review and best of lists I can find by searching are so spammy, it's hard to get any signal. But at least that one let's me filter a table of printers by features. I just don't know how many they're missing.

Had to get a new one recently too. I've had good experiences w/ Brother in the past too, but couldn't find one that quite fit the bill. Needed color and for it to be able to handle cardstock.

Ended up getting an Epson, one that's in the eco tank line. Has been great so far. Works just fine out of the box on Linux (LTS Ubuntu, anyway)