This is a great article by Jenni Nadler about writing better error messages.

I particularly like this comment: 'Imagine a doctor performing a procedure and then suddenly saying “Oops! Something went wrong…”'

https://wix-ux.com/when-life-gives-you-lemons-write-better-error-messages-46c5223e1a2f

#ux #WebDevelopment

UAW 2865 on strike! #FairUCNow. Pictures from the UC Strike

There is a wonderful, simple meditation that I often do at night. A basic compassionate exercise.

It starts with detaching myself from my thoughts - just letting them float by like clouds. Then, engaging the calming gift of slow belly breath, I get into a rhythm.

As this rhythm settles my heart and mind, I find the frog calls from next door's pond and then the snores of my dogs send me to sleep.

Sending kindness through my breath to all hearts. Life is wonderful. Even in my grief for a loved one lost, I still feel the wonder.

May your own suffering be soothed and eased by the gift of wonder and something as simple and beautiful as your belly breath.

Bless. 🙏❤️

Photos (C) Me.

なんかやたらファボられるけど自動ファボか

Too early to get the Christmas tree up? #retrogaming

For other Mastodon #newbies, here's a good short article with #tips on using #Mastodon: https://techcrunch.com/2022/11/08/what-is-mastodon/

Especially helpful: links to 3 tools to find the people you #follow on Twitter. I'm trying out Debirdify (https://pruvisto.org/debirdify/) and it seems to be working well!

Let’s try this again. Where you at #fediverse? Boosts welcome so we can get the best sample size.

Northern Europe in mid-November has *never* been this warm in recorded history.
#ClimateCrisis #GlobalWarming

A few tips for newcomers, as I have learned myself in the past week...

#AltText Descriptions: Please use them, many folks here depend upon them and have been using them for years before we all arrived.

#CamelCase: when you use hashtags, use Camel Case if you have more than one word: #WelcomeToMastodon is easier to read than #welcometomastodon - so do that. Use WAAAAY more hashtags than you are used to on Twitter. Mastodon is hashtag dependent.

#ContentWarning: If you are posting something that might even in the slightest trigger another person, use the Content Warning (CW) option that you can toggle on at the bottom of the toot window. It's polite here. People can choose how they want to view and interact. Use CW more than you are used to on Twitter.

#Diversity: a few people have commented, "lots of white men here!" Well, ok, but you can also find each other by using hashtags like #WomenInStem #BlackMastodon and many more including my favorites that I started up: #Desi and #MixedDesi (i.e. me). Start your own if you don't see yourself represented, so others can find you, too.

#DMs: are under the globe option in the toot window for privacy setting and they appear in your full list / feed of notifications (don't freak out at that).

#Donations: This is all run by volunteers. Make a donation. Click on the "about this server" at the bottom of your screen (might appear in a different location than on mine) and find out who is running your server and how to make a donation. And thank them!

#Introductions: Please write a friendly intro and use the hashtag #introduction so people can learn about you. Be interested in others. Grow your community through daily, friendly interaction.

Have fun! This is like a big global cafe with many tables to sit at, and conversations to be had.

Lots more tips linked in my feed. Welcome!

Love this. ♥️

Quick reminder. If you see a blue tick in someone’s name? They added that themselves. It’s a cute sticker, not a verification.

Check someone’s profile to see if they have verified themselves using a bit of code on their website. https://fedi.tips/how-to-use-mastodon-and-the-fediverse-advanced-tips/#HowDoIVerifyMyAccount
If they have, the link will be green.

#introduction Hello everyone. Thanks for providing everyone involved in #twittermigration a soft place to land. I strive to be a positive presence in the lives of those I interact with. If that comes to include you then, welcome aboard. I am a retired teacher, a proud Canadian, a family man, a blogger (mostly about music) and I love a hot cup of tea almost as much as I love my family. I look forward to becoming more skilled in how everything functions here. For now, this is me. I am here.