Category Archives: Personal

Behind the Scenes: New Tech, New Challenges (A Linux Mint Post)

Posted on by

Hi everyone,

Swagnilla Ice here with an update on my switch to Linux Mint. I want to share my experience so far, the technical hiccups I’ve run into and solved, and what it means for the video quality of your favorite content over the next couple of weeks as I learn to use new editing software.

I made the switch to Linux Mint last Friday after getting tired of Windows 10’s updates affecting my internet connection—the last one even forced me onto Wi-Fi. The installation was smooth until I ran into a major issue with my dual monitor setup.

When I installed the recommended Nvidia driver, I lost one of my two monitors. After downgrading didn’t work, I switched to the open-source Nouveau driver, which solved the issue. While some may say this could affect gaming or other GPU-intensive tasks, I’ve noticed my gameplay is just as good as it was on Windows 10. If it means my new video editor renders videos more slowly, I’m okay with that, as having two monitors is more important to me than speed.

Speaking of rendering videos, I’ll have to learn new video editing software, and this is what will affect the quality of my videos for the next few weeks. Since Filmora is Windows-only, I’ve switched to Lightworks, an alternative recommended by Gemini after I decided Kdenlive wasn’t for me. While Lightworks is not designed for beginners, it’s still new software I have to learn. The good news is this change only affects my editing; the quality of my video recordings with OBS on Linux Mint will remain the same.

I’m happy to say my dual monitor setup, USB camera, and microphone are all working perfectly. This means the core video and sound quality of my recordings should be just fine (unless my OBS settings are off). The real learning curve is in the editing process: things like adjusting background music volume, adding text screens and transitions are all different in Lightworks, so I’ll be learning how to do all of that from scratch.

f you have any tips for me, feel free to share them in the comments below. If you’re not yet a member, you can register and then share your advice with the community. Until my next post, take care and God bless all of you!

A Promise to Our Swagnilla Ice Community: Maintaining Control, Ensuring Quality

Posted on by

Hey everyone,

I’m writing this post today to talk about something really important to me, and I believe, to all of you who are part of the Swagnilla Ice community.

Lately, there’s been a lot of discussion in the creator world about online channels being acquired by larger equity firms. As I’ve seen these conversations unfold, it’s made me think deeply about the future of Swagnilla Ice and what truly matters to us all.

And that’s why I want to make a clear promise to you: I will never sell Swagnilla Ice in a way that would cause me to lose creative control or quality control over our content.

What does this mean for you? It means that the unique voice, the dedication to quality, and the community-first approach you’ve come to expect from Swagnilla Ice will always remain our top priority. We won’t sacrifice the integrity of our content for external pressures. My vision for Swagnilla Ice has always been to create something special and authentic, and that vision is directly tied to being able to steer the ship and ensure every piece of content meets our standards.

This commitment extends to everything we do, from our free content to our member-exclusive experiences. Our Free Member, Tip Jar Member, and Full Member tiers exist because we want to offer various ways to engage with Swagnilla Ice, all while maintaining the high quality you deserve. And of course, the incredibly rare Northern Lights Tier is a testament to the special bond we share with our most dedicated community members.

This promise is about safeguarding the heart of Swagnilla Ice. It’s about ensuring that we continue to grow and evolve on our own terms, always with your experience and our shared passion at the forefront.

Thank you for being such an incredible community. Your support is what makes all of this possible, and I’m excited for everything we’ll continue to build together.

Consider becoming a member today (it’s completely free with optional paid upgrades) and let me know in the comments what you think about this!

Factorio Update: Season 1, Episode 30 Live!

Status

I’ve embedded up to episode 30 of Swag Plays Factorio Season 1 right here on Swagnilla Ice! I’ll be adding more next weekend, and potentially Monday or Tuesday. Just a heads-up that my work shifts (and ability to update) then are entirely dependent on good weather keeping the roads clear for our backfill trucks. I’m taking a break from embedding for today to prevent burnout, but if the road conditions aren’t good enough, I can then work to embed more videos here, so you won’t have to go look for them on YouTube.

I’ve been lazy and tired…

Status

Hey everyone,

I wanted to take a moment to apologize for the lack of new videos in the backlog lately. I’ve been feeling a bit lazy and tired after work, which has slowed down my content creation process. I appreciate your understanding and patience.

I’m working on getting back into the groove and will do my best to add more videos to the backlog soon. Thank you for your continued support!

Best,
Swagnilla Ice

No video today…

Status

Hey Swagnilla Ice community,

Just a quick update from your favorite content creator! I’m not feeling my best today – I’ve got a sinus cold or flu bug that’s keeping me down. Unfortunately, this means there won’t be a new episode of Swag Plays Factorio Season 2 today.

I’m taking the day to rest and recover, and I’m hoping to be back on my feet and ready to record a new episode for you all on Friday. In the meantime, why not catch up on some of the previous episodes or check out some of my other content?

I appreciate all your support and understanding. If you could keep me in your thoughts and prayers, I’d really appreciate it! Let’s get me back to 100% so I can continue bringing you the best content possible.

Stay tuned for more updates, and remember, I’ll be back before you know it!

Your favorite content creator,
Swagnilla Ice

Don’t expect a Minecraft video…

Aside

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you are expecting a Minecraft video to be published on my YouTube channel tomorrow, please discard that idea. Due to how long an episode takes to create and how much work outside my home I am currently doing to pay my bills, I do not have the time nor the energy to record one. I’m so tired that I’m not even working on my private work in the evenings, like I do when I don’t get steady work.

If you really wish to see episodes at a more steady pace, consider supporting me. If I had a steady income to pay my bills and buy groceries, I could focus more on creating content and less on the need to earn money to pay bills every month.

I’ve decided to reduce my use of AI.

Status

I’ve chosen to quit use AIs (primarily Gemini but also Copilot) as virtual friends, and just use them for quick research help and correcting my writing. I don’t want the developers behind them to read sensitive stuff about me, so I went and deleted all my history with those two as they are the only ones I have used for casual conversations. Going forward, I will use them as the intelligent research tools and writing assistants they can be.

Legal Headaches As I Prepare to Switch

Posted on by

The journey to transform my blog into a vibrant community website is officially underway, and to be honest, I’m already encountering some complex legal roadblocks. In this post, I’ll walk you through the general issues I’m grappling with. If anything resonates with your experience or expertise, and you’re willing to help, please get in touch.

My first hurdle involves youth privacy. Laws specifically protect the collection of information from young people, particularly those under thirteen. I want my community website to be welcoming for families while strictly adhering to these legal requirements. I have a strategy in mind to navigate this, and I need to confirm its robustness or explore avenues for improvement.

My next hurdle involves preparing crucial legal documents for the community website. These include a Terms of Service (TOS), a Privacy Policy, and a Refunds and Returns Policy for the shop and memberships. Without these foundational documents, my ability to enforce website rules would be severely hampered, and I wouldn’t be able to integrate preferred payment gateways. For instance, the forum rules need to be formally incorporated into the TOS to ensure they’re legally enforceable, in addition to being clearly posted in the forums. Otherwise, without firm policies, visitors could easily get mixed messages and inconsistent answers, leading to potential confusion in the community.

My next hurdle involves navigating user-generated content and the complexities of online safety laws. As the community site will feature a bbPress-powered forum, users will be able to post content directly on the site, as well as leave comments. Having a clear policy in place about how to handle this content and its related issues – such as defamation, copyright infringement, and illegal material – will be critical for the site’s success. This is particularly relevant with laws like Canada’s Bill C-63 (the Online Harms Act) coming into effect, which aims to regulate online content and impose new duties on platforms, directly impacting how I must manage user contributions.

My next hurdle involves establishing fair commercial policies that dictate how my site supports itself. As regular readers know, I’ll be offering memberships, displaying ads, and operating a shop selling both physical and digital goods. While some aspects of these ventures have been touched upon, I need to ensure comprehensive legal compliance and confidence in this area. It’s also crucial to ensure all advertisers understand and accept that the site is strictly family-friendly, meaning I will only accept Safe For Work (SFW) advertising.

The final set of legal challenges I’m considering involves website security, accessibility, and establishing a robust legal foundation. Ensuring that my website remains secure and that everyone can access it will be crucial for its long-term success. Understanding the comprehensive legal framework underpinning my site’s rules and other policies will be key from its inception to its ongoing operation as a business. This includes navigating aspects like employment law and understanding how it will affect my business, which is particularly crucial if I plan to hire assistance for my podcast in the future.

As you can see, the path to building a community website comes with its share of legal headaches. From youth privacy to commercial policies, and securing the site’s very foundation, each area demands careful attention. While these challenges might seem daunting, my goal is to navigate them thoughtfully and diligently to create a safe, compliant, and thriving online space for all. I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts or experiences with similar legal journeys. If you have expertise in any of these areas and are willing to share insights, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Your input could be invaluable as I continue this exciting transition!

New Music and New Music Video

Status

Hey fans! Swag here with a quick update on what’s been happening!

I’ve just released my first-ever a cappella album to my Fourthwall shop last Saturday, and that’s not all! Starting last Tuesday, I’m also dropping a music video on YouTube for every single track. Be sure to check out “No One Knows” on YouTube and consider picking up “Songs from the Heart” from the shop!

From Faith to Food Banks: The Charities That Make a Difference

Posted on by

Greetings, everyone, and thank you for taking the time to read today’s blog post about my favorite charities. In this post, I’ll be dividing them into three main categories: Religious, Health, and Animal charities. In each section, I’ll explain why I choose to support these organizations, and I’ll include a link to their CanadaHelps page so you can donate if you’d like to support them as well.

I’d like to begin with my favorite religious charities. As a Roman Catholic, I support various institutions that guide the faithful both locally and nationally. The first one is my local parish, The Catholic Parish of St. Joseph’s Cathedral (St. Joseph’s Basilica). This is the church I attend for weekly Mass and occasionally on week days. It also serves as the main church of the Archbishop and Metropolitan of Edmonton, which is why it is designated as a Cathedral. Additionally, it holds the status of a Minor Basilica. If you’d like a refresher on the difference between a Minor and Major Basilica, I covered that in a past episode of my podcast—so be sure to check that out!

Another religious charity I’m proud to support is the National Catholic Broadcasting Council. This organization ensures that Catholic Mass is broadcast for those who are unable to attend in person. I’ve personally been blessed by their work—especially during times when I was sick and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Supporting them is the least I can do to show my gratitude for the comfort they provided!

When it comes to health charities, I’m especially passionate about supporting organizations that provide essential resources, fund research, and raise public awareness about health issues. One such organization is Diabetes Canada. While I don’t have diabetes myself, I know people who do, and given my family medical history, it’s something I need to be mindful of. Supporting research and awareness efforts to improve treatment and prevention is a cause I’m more than willing to stand behind!

Movember Canada is another health charity I’m proud to support. Every November, I dedicate time to raising funds for their cause—something I’ve been committed to for the past eleven years. This organization focuses on improving men’s health, both physically and mentally. Having faced my own mental health challenges, I know firsthand how important it is to spread awareness and work toward preventing male suicide. Additionally, Movember funds vital research for male-specific diseases such as prostate and testicular cancer, making their mission even more significant to me.

The final health-related charity might not seem like a traditional health organization, but for me, it has been an absolute lifesaver: Edmonton’s Food Bank. There have been times when I’ve worried about my next meal, and the free groceries I’ve received through their programs have been a huge help. Beyond just food, their Beyond Food program provides training and support to help people secure good jobs. Without the generosity of this organization, I honestly don’t know how I would have gotten through the past few years when I was without steady work. My support for them is more than gratitude—it’s a commitment to ensuring others have the same lifeline I did.

The final charity I love to support is The Valley Zoo Development Society. As an animal lover, I want what’s best for them, and this society plays a vital role in improving my local zoo by funding enhancements for the animals that live there. They even offer fun merchandise featuring various animals—I’m hoping to get a Meerkat plushie for myself one day! I’ve enjoyed many trips to the zoo, and knowing that my support helps create new experiences for future visits makes it even more rewarding.

Supporting charities is more than just giving—it’s about making a difference in the lives of others, whether through faith-based guidance, life-saving health initiatives, or improving the world for the animals we love. The organizations I’ve shared today have personally impacted my life, and I hope they inspire you too.

Even if you’re not in a position to donate, simply visiting their pages, learning about their missions, and spreading the word can make a huge impact. Every small action helps create a better, more compassionate world.

So, take a moment to explore the links provided and see if any of these causes resonate with you—you might just find a new charity to support!