Hobbies or Projects during COVID-19

Out of curiosity, does anyone have any hobbies or projects they are taking up to cull boredom and stay productive?

I’ve done a few home improvements. I’m not a handyman type, but nothing to brag about.

Besides reading, I’ve been working a lot with a Raspberry Pi 3 B+.

I’ve had it for a while. I reformatted the memory card and started from scratch.

It’s main purpose is RetroPie, or an old school emulator. I’m playing old school Nintendo, Nintendo DS, Sega Genesis, Sega CD, MAME (arcade games), SCUMMVM (Maniac Mansion, Broken Sword) and DOSBOX (Wolfenstein, Doom, Jagged Alliance, Oregon Trail, Civilization, XCOM, Wasteland).

Besides that, I’m also using it as a Linux distribution (Raspbian, a derivative of Debian) and Kodi (multimedia streaming).

I’ve had to remote into the Raspberry Pi via SFTP or SSH, and transfer ROMS and edit config files.

Had to do a lot of research and make some changes. I’m pretty satisfied with how it’s come so far.

Got it configured to use all wireless (keyboard, mouse and Xbox 360 controller).

For running all my games, the Raspberry Pi 3 B+ is doing well. I may upgrade to the new Raspberry Pi 4.

Not meaning to geek out, just wondering what people are doing to be productive.

It’s not really productive but I spend a lot of time on my One X. Playing games with people online is about the only way to socialize safely these days.

Got a couple razpies running emulators when I don’t have much going on or ham radio stuff
Mostly it’s working around the house put in a new sink and painting one of my bathrooms still redoing another bathroom with tile shower

Put in new kitchen bar lights

Figuring out paint for living room dining and kitchen

Cleaning out back yard and taking an old shed down and putting in new wood fence around the back yard lots to do as I have let it go a little and have to beat the jungle back

Grilling a lot

Got to get the drones out and see what’s going on with my mavic pro have an issue with the camera stabilization

Productive you ask? I haven't stopped working so I guess I'm staying productive. HA HA!

Got a couple razpies running emulators when I don’t have much going on or ham radio stuff
Mostly it’s working around the house put in a new sink and painting one of my bathrooms still redoing another bathroom with tile shower

Put in new kitchen bar lights

Figuring out paint for living room dining and kitchen

Cleaning out back yard and taking an old shed down and putting in new wood fence around the back yard lots to do as I have let it go a little and have to beat the jungle back

Grilling a lot

Got to get the drones out and see what’s going on with my mavic pro have an issue with the camera stabilization Originally Posted by Gottahavemore

Seems like we have a lot in common.

I went out and got my FAA part 107B license. It just sucks that there’s so much unrestricted airspace here.

I’m thinking to study for my amateur radio license and leave Morse code.

I repaired my wooden fence last spring. I just assembled a Weber grill about two months ago. I’ve been grilling out a lot.

I’m been thinking to epoxy my garage floor. But, I might go with a professional because they might have better finishes than I have access to.

If we lived closer, I could see we have a lot in common. We could probably be good friends.

For your Mavic Pro, do you think it’s a software or hardware issue?

It’s not really productive but I spend a lot of time on my One X. Playing games with people online is about the only way to socialize safely these days. Originally Posted by Rowan69

I have a One S. I just love the Xbox controller. It’s so ergonomic.

After playing World of Warcraft, I can’t stand to play with others online. LOL.

I’m watching to see what’s going to happen with the new Xbox release later this year.

I wish I would’ve gotten one of the first Nintendo Switches due to the homebrew capabilities it has. You can even turn one into an android tablet or a linux computer. Of course, Android is built off Linux.

What games are you playing on your X?

Camelguy, you’re essential!!! What more can we say?

Last I looked I think I own like 49 games on the Xbox. Now lots of those are the free with gold games but I play several different games. Currently playing World of Warships Legends, Assassin’s Creed, and just started playing Providence Poker. Have played lots of Destiny 2 but not happy with the seasonal lack of content model. Also was playing Division 2 but it’s a little too surreal playing a game based around a virus whipping out 2/3rds of the population.

I typically build houses for a living as a superintendent, so really handy with tools. Built my son a tree house thats 256 sq ft. And tons of around the house stuff.

However hobby wise I’m a big fan of epoxy and wood combos. I’ve made a few river tables, do a lot of lichtenburg burning (pump 10,000 volts through a piece of wood). Just honing my skills. Trying to find that fine line between art and functionality. Just got done with some cutting boards and a hexagon / honey come table. About to start on another rainbow poplar bench and I have a thick piece I’m going to turn into a mantle

Last I looked I think I own like 49 games on the Xbox. Now lots of those are the free with gold games but I play several different games. Currently playing World of Warships Legends, Assassin’s Creed, and just started playing Providence Poker. Have played lots of Destiny 2 but not happy with the seasonal lack of content model. Also was playing Division 2 but it’s a little too surreal playing a game based around a virus whipping out 2/3rds of the population. Originally Posted by Rowan69

I own almost all the Assassin’s Creed games, discounting the mobile games.

I am taking a break from Odyssey. I’m level 96 right now, using a mostly stealth hunter build. I’ve beat the game including all the expansions. Now, I’m just trying to finish up all the side quests.

I don’t play first person shooters. I’m one of the rare types that gets motion-sickness.

Cassandra. Best character they made...

If I ever get a chance to fuck a Greek girl in the ass, I’m going to say, “ella” while she calls me a malaka.

I remember one time Vanessa Ink asked me to play Call of Duty with her online. I felt like a 😸 when I told her I get sick.

I typically build houses for a living as a superintendent, so really handy with tools. Built my son a tree house thats 256 sq ft. And tons of around the house stuff.

However hobby wise I’m a big fan of epoxy and wood combos. I’ve made a few river tables, do a lot of lichtenburg burning (pump 10,000 volts through a piece of wood). Just honing my skills. Trying to find that fine line between art and functionality. Just got done with some cutting boards and a hexagon / honey come table. About to start on another rainbow poplar bench and I have a thick piece I’m going to turn into a mantle Originally Posted by Pcolaman39

I’m sure you could probably trade handyman work for services, if ladies needed something.

My dad came from a family of carpenters. Unfortunately, I don’t have any of those skills, although I wish I did.

I am essentially special !!

I own almost all the Assassin’s Creed games, discounting the mobile games.

I am taking a break from Odyssey. I’m level 96 right now, using a mostly stealth hunter build. I’ve beat the game including all the expansions. Now, I’m just trying to finish up all the side quests.

I don’t play first person shooters. I’m one of the rare types that gets motion-sickness.

Cassandra. Best character they made...

If I ever get a chance to fuck a Greek girl in the ass, I’m going to say, “ella” while she calls me a malaka.

I remember one time Vanessa Ink asked me to play Call of Duty with her online. I felt like a 😸 when I told her I get sick. Originally Posted by blackbird_nevermore

Odyssey is the first Assassin Creed game I’ve played. Great game and even better story. My play style is more rush in with battle axe and destroy everything in sight. Then hunt down who ever has the bounty on my head and take them out. I’m a Titan main in Destiny and that play style trickles down to other games. Anthem is a fun game with some of the best 3rd person shooter combat I’ve played. Just end game is garbage. https://youtu.be/IN9LUlj2HN0

I just beat off twice a day .

The Pi is awesome. I bought a controller on Ebay which you put the Pi inside of. It is an old school arcade controller with Cherry buttons. There are a few games I wish I could get controllers for like Tempest and Missile Command, or even Crazy Climber.

I have used Pis for remote VPN access too. Oh, and also a Zoneminder CCTV camera setup. I set one up in my office as a wireless print server so people can print from their phones.

These things are really cool as you have already discovered. The mini purpose built cases and even some 3d Printed cases are bad ass too. I have a case with a miniature screen I use to plug in to networks for diagnostics too. No monitor necessary but bifocals are, lol

I wish I had a need for 3d printed stuff. That has always fascinated me but it would be an expensive endeavor for which I have no use for.