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#41
Announcements / Upcoming Server Maintenance
Last post by James G. - Sep 17, 2026, 07:24 AMMy host says that there is a planned outage this upcoming Saturday, the 19th, which should last through the morning and possibly into the early afternoon. So if/when we're down during that time, don't be too alarmed!
#42
General Discussion / Re: Reflections in the snow
Last post by Verdauga - Sep 16, 2026, 10:45 PMOh, certainly. It can be quite the blessing to have past actions forgotten, and not simply forgiven.
I think one instance of my view changing is the topic of names, which I believe I've brought up to you before through other means of communication. At the time of our original discussion on it, I placed less emphasis on the name, and more on the essence of the one holding it. But these days, I see it more as a standard to bear, and a legacy to leave. I carry the name of one of my great-grandfathers. I don't know much about him, but I want to learn more.
Regarding 'mellowing out', esp. in regards to religious affairs, I definitely see the progression these days, and have partaken in some of it myself. For me, it is largely about church music-- I am intolerant of many songs, of genres such as rap, hip-hop, and rock, for the worship service. I still raise an eyebrow if a modern (rock/CCM) song was simply made into an orchestra piece, but is still the contemporary, doctrinally-shallow song that lay beneath the melody.
However, if someone wishes to listen to that music for their own edification (yes, I still have my doubts) on their own time, in their own abode, and not in the worship service, I find I care significantly less about it. A "Christian-Rock" song is still rock, but it's healthier to listen to than totally profane music.
On another note about religion, I find many people here (at a Christian college) commonly share the views that being an Independent Fundamental Baptist means one is necessarily judgmental, stodgy, and against progress. I find it a hilariously simplistic view, but that is among my generation-- I cannot say I'm any less a child of my time than they are.
I think I concur about socialization in the real world-- years pass by without much conversation (or much real conversation). I'm actually more sociable 'IRL' than online, and I think I'm okay with that. There are worse flaws.
I'm at a sort of a cross-roads. I want my own place, and if I "had my druthers", it'd be in a rural location, so I'm not bothered. However, I realize that I have to have someone in my life, or else I'll get nothing done, so sticking it out in the dorms with roommates is the best goad for productivity I have.
I think one instance of my view changing is the topic of names, which I believe I've brought up to you before through other means of communication. At the time of our original discussion on it, I placed less emphasis on the name, and more on the essence of the one holding it. But these days, I see it more as a standard to bear, and a legacy to leave. I carry the name of one of my great-grandfathers. I don't know much about him, but I want to learn more.
Regarding 'mellowing out', esp. in regards to religious affairs, I definitely see the progression these days, and have partaken in some of it myself. For me, it is largely about church music-- I am intolerant of many songs, of genres such as rap, hip-hop, and rock, for the worship service. I still raise an eyebrow if a modern (rock/CCM) song was simply made into an orchestra piece, but is still the contemporary, doctrinally-shallow song that lay beneath the melody.
However, if someone wishes to listen to that music for their own edification (yes, I still have my doubts) on their own time, in their own abode, and not in the worship service, I find I care significantly less about it. A "Christian-Rock" song is still rock, but it's healthier to listen to than totally profane music.
On another note about religion, I find many people here (at a Christian college) commonly share the views that being an Independent Fundamental Baptist means one is necessarily judgmental, stodgy, and against progress. I find it a hilariously simplistic view, but that is among my generation-- I cannot say I'm any less a child of my time than they are.
I think I concur about socialization in the real world-- years pass by without much conversation (or much real conversation). I'm actually more sociable 'IRL' than online, and I think I'm okay with that. There are worse flaws.
I'm at a sort of a cross-roads. I want my own place, and if I "had my druthers", it'd be in a rural location, so I'm not bothered. However, I realize that I have to have someone in my life, or else I'll get nothing done, so sticking it out in the dorms with roommates is the best goad for productivity I have.
#43
General Discussion / Re: Reflections in the snow
Last post by James G. - Sep 16, 2026, 11:02 AMI'm glad it's been helpful! I suspected at the beginning that we thought similarly, so it is perhaps to be expected that there would be parallels in the way that we would change over time. If you look at a lot of my older posts, I was often a lot more 'out there'; it isn't always comfortable reading. I'm glad that my web history prior to RAF is largely lost to the mists of time and the sea of forgetfulness.
I'd like to know more about which opinions of yours have changed for the better! The one thing I'd note here about mellowing - I don't mean to imply that this is true of you, but this is a convenient opening to hit on this subject - is that it isn't always a good thing. It's fine to chill when it comes to things that don't matter terribly much, which is a great many subjects (even including a variety of political questions, as vehemently as some - perhaps including my past self - might disagree with that). But I've been saddened to see that many members of communities in "Christendom" have gotten 'mellow' when it comes to their core beliefs and convictions. It's important to love people, and we can try to be more understanding, but the trend now is towards deconstructionism, which practically means that someone just trades all their Biblical values for secular ones. I guess you could say that we need to be flexible and gentle in things that are truly preferences, unyielding in true principles, and wise enough to know the difference.
On the years, internet time has always seemed to work on a different plane to me. But I'm of an age now where I'm beginning to realize that socialization works similarly in the real world; I guess I just haven't historically been involved with it enough to notice.
I'd like to know more about which opinions of yours have changed for the better! The one thing I'd note here about mellowing - I don't mean to imply that this is true of you, but this is a convenient opening to hit on this subject - is that it isn't always a good thing. It's fine to chill when it comes to things that don't matter terribly much, which is a great many subjects (even including a variety of political questions, as vehemently as some - perhaps including my past self - might disagree with that). But I've been saddened to see that many members of communities in "Christendom" have gotten 'mellow' when it comes to their core beliefs and convictions. It's important to love people, and we can try to be more understanding, but the trend now is towards deconstructionism, which practically means that someone just trades all their Biblical values for secular ones. I guess you could say that we need to be flexible and gentle in things that are truly preferences, unyielding in true principles, and wise enough to know the difference.
On the years, internet time has always seemed to work on a different plane to me. But I'm of an age now where I'm beginning to realize that socialization works similarly in the real world; I guess I just haven't historically been involved with it enough to notice.
#44
Site Discussion / Re: 10000 changes wins
Last post by James G. - Sep 16, 2026, 10:22 AM1: I'll probably repost selected blog posts when they fit or can be adapted. The forum posts consisted basically of private messaging between us, so I wouldn't generally expect to see them here. Maybe the ice cream chart could come back.
2-3: Acknowledged.
4: Chapters are great but there isn't a SMF mod for them. SMF's advantages were too much to pass up on. If this is available at some point in the future I'd be happy to bring them back.
5: Acknowledged.
6: 'Evil' is a stretch, but I admit I probably wouldn't have chosen the blue look if it didn't seem to be a great match for the snow/ice theme. This is a quick starter theme, not necessarily something I intend to keep as-is. I can imagine a 'firelight inside igloo' theme.
7. Done.
8. I cover this a bit in the opening announcement, but I admit it might be more clear still, and codified somewhere. The short answer for now is that it is hopefully going to be a cozy and radiant support and discussion community around my creative endeavours. I admit it does look a bit sparse when nothing is up yet.
9. We'll work on it. As for talking to myself, other people have said my self-conversations make for very interesting reading material.
10. People tend to have built-in spellcheckers on their devices. If they go out of their way to avoid them, who am I to stifle their creativity?
2-3: Acknowledged.
4: Chapters are great but there isn't a SMF mod for them. SMF's advantages were too much to pass up on. If this is available at some point in the future I'd be happy to bring them back.
5: Acknowledged.
6: 'Evil' is a stretch, but I admit I probably wouldn't have chosen the blue look if it didn't seem to be a great match for the snow/ice theme. This is a quick starter theme, not necessarily something I intend to keep as-is. I can imagine a 'firelight inside igloo' theme.
7. Done.
8. I cover this a bit in the opening announcement, but I admit it might be more clear still, and codified somewhere. The short answer for now is that it is hopefully going to be a cozy and radiant support and discussion community around my creative endeavours. I admit it does look a bit sparse when nothing is up yet.
9. We'll work on it. As for talking to myself, other people have said my self-conversations make for very interesting reading material.
10. People tend to have built-in spellcheckers on their devices. If they go out of their way to avoid them, who am I to stifle their creativity?
#45
Site Discussion / 10000 changes wins
Last post by Tester - Sep 16, 2026, 07:47 AMlist evthing u can tihink of taht needs added or made difrent or at lest xplaned here!! lets see how fast we can get to 10000. ill start us off.
1. u dont hav any of teh posts from teh old forum or ur blog james. r u goin to erase it all??? if not how r u goin 2 bring it back?
2. u need to put in sum rules. u dont hav any but i know dat if i start makin posts ur goin 2 be like 'oh taht r no good it r a bad post tester'. tell us waht u want 1st.
3. teh blocks under teh names r so ugly tehy need 2 go... fix it james
4. waht hapend to teh chapters?? u went on & on & on bout how grate tehy were. y not hav them now???
5. tehre r 2 boards 4 ur site and 1 board bout tihngs ppl rly care bout. u need to put in some more boards. at lest a game or somethin so there may be somethin fun.
6. y is evthin blu??? u were like 'oh noes blu is an evil colour' bfore. wat changed? at lest add a tehme or somethin if ppl dont like blu.
7. u need some news. nbody likes teh install notice.
8. wat r teh purpose o this bored? teh world wonders. u need to say what it is!!!1
9. u need more peeps. terhe r like 2 ppl on teh forum. r u just gonna talk to urself? tats rly sad james.
10. u needs reel stric spelchekin jams. nbodies wantsa b usin forms tat r lik unredble cuz o misplellins...
1. u dont hav any of teh posts from teh old forum or ur blog james. r u goin to erase it all??? if not how r u goin 2 bring it back?
2. u need to put in sum rules. u dont hav any but i know dat if i start makin posts ur goin 2 be like 'oh taht r no good it r a bad post tester'. tell us waht u want 1st.
3. teh blocks under teh names r so ugly tehy need 2 go... fix it james
4. waht hapend to teh chapters?? u went on & on & on bout how grate tehy were. y not hav them now???
5. tehre r 2 boards 4 ur site and 1 board bout tihngs ppl rly care bout. u need to put in some more boards. at lest a game or somethin so there may be somethin fun.
6. y is evthin blu??? u were like 'oh noes blu is an evil colour' bfore. wat changed? at lest add a tehme or somethin if ppl dont like blu.
7. u need some news. nbody likes teh install notice.
8. wat r teh purpose o this bored? teh world wonders. u need to say what it is!!!1
9. u need more peeps. terhe r like 2 ppl on teh forum. r u just gonna talk to urself? tats rly sad james.
10. u needs reel stric spelchekin jams. nbodies wantsa b usin forms tat r lik unredble cuz o misplellins...
#46
Site Discussion / Re: Announcements Reply Thread
Last post by James G. - Sep 16, 2026, 04:17 AMThanks; hopefully this one will stick (in the way that 'temporary' things always seem to)! If you have anybody you'd like to bring on, feel free to invite them, though I admit it isn't well-focused on a particular subjects yet.
#47
General Discussion / Reflections in the snow
Last post by Verdauga - Sep 15, 2026, 07:56 PMI appreciate the wisdom I've learned from you and Matti, James, but definitely thanks to our time in conversation. I've found many of my opinions have mellowed out over the years (hard to believe it's been six already) and that I've come to a similar way of thinking as you have in a number of subjects. If you wanted to add some reflections here, please, feel free.
It's been a wild ride.
It's been a wild ride.
#48
Site Discussion / Re: Announcements Reply Thread
Last post by Verdauga - Sep 15, 2026, 07:47 PMI like the name, James. I admire your ability to come up with pithy, apt names for things. Thanks for letting me come aboard this ship-- er, castle
#49
Site Discussion / Re: Announcements Reply Thread
Last post by Tester - Sep 14, 2026, 10:41 AMthere u go again...
#50
Site Discussion / Announcements Reply Thread
Last post by James G. - Sep 14, 2026, 10:41 AMThis topic is to reply to whatever I or other staff members recently said in an announcement. I've seen this work before, and it avoids clutter.