Join Swag in this episode of Swag Plays Banished as he begins with an exciting announcement! Watch as he directs the citizens of Otterview to resume construction on three new homes, strategically assigns workers, and pushes for higher priority on the vital northern bridge project. A second woodcutter is built and assigned, but we’ll have to wait until the next episode to find out if it’s enough to keep the town warm through the rest of winter!
Episode 47: St. Claude de La Colombière
Join Swagnilla Ice in this episode of ‘A Few Moments with God’ as we explore the remarkable life of Saint Claude de La Colombière. Discover how this devoted Jesuit priest, spiritual director, and zealous apostle played a pivotal role in the early understanding and spread of the Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, particularly through his guidance of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque. Learn about his journey from initial reluctance to his profound commitment to God, his challenges in England, and his lasting legacy. This episode offers insights into discernment, unwavering faith, and the powerful impact of a life surrendered to divine will.
Starting to make changes…
I’m starting to make changes to how my blog looks in preparation of turning it into a community website when I get the money I’ve been waiting for (and I’m annoyed that it’s still not been deposited in my bank account). I’ve got all the necessary plugins downloaded already, so I figured I would start work on the changes the site will need to transition to a community website from its current status as my blog. (BTW, I have not written this post or designed any of new pages with the help of AI.)
I’ve also separated my podcast episodes from the main blog posts like this one, as well as the videos. I won’t add my YouTube series videos here until I have the series plugin added when I have a paid hosted site elsewhere, to make it easier for you to find each episode.
Creative Engineering E27: Automating the Sawmill!
In this Creative Engineering episode focusing on the Minecraft Create Mod, I tackle a massive automation project: setting up my very own sawmill! Watch me build intricate processing lines and storage systems, ensuring a constant supply of essential resources. I’ll show you how I automate everything from making bamboo blocks and oak planks to efficiently stripping raw bamboo, oak, and jungle logs. This powerful new setup is crucial for expanding my Steampunk/Industrial base. Got ideas for my next big factory or automation project? Drop your tips and suggestions in the comments below – I’d love to consider them!
I’ve decided to reduce my use of AI.
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.
Swag Plays Factorio S2 E41: Major OVERHAUL & Channel SHAKE UP!
Swag isn’t just waiting around for research—he’s taking efficiency to the next level! Watch as he completely reorganizes the factory, slashing unnecessary labs, relocating idle miners, and upgrading machines for maximum output. But that’s not the only big news: stick around for an important announcement about future Factorio episodes that you won’t want to miss! Tune in to see how the factory evolves and what’s changing next.
Don’t Cry for Me Baby
Buy the MP3 and/or the album at https://swagnilla-ice-85-shop.fourthwall.com/
Get ready to experience the raw emotion of “Don’t Cry For Me Baby” in this official a cappella music video. Let the sound of my singing and heartfelt lyrics wash over you as I explore themes of love, longing, and the promise of a future together. This song is a poignant reminder that even when apart, memories keep us connected and hope brings us home.
Swag Plays Banished S2 E34 | Running Out of Firewood – Winter is Coming!
As Otterview’s citizens emerge from another brutal winter, they face a chilling realization—their firewood stock is running dangerously low. With limited manpower and resources, building a second woodcutter seems impossible. Can they prepare for the next winter with just one? Watch to find out!
Episode 46: St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
Join Swag as he recounts the extraordinary story of Margaret Mary Alacoque, whose life shaped the enduring devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. From divine visions to a multi-century canonization process, discover the remarkable details of her path to sainthood, including incredible physical findings, and reflect on the lasting impact of profound faith.
Legal Headaches As I Prepare to Switch
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!