Talking to people via text is great. But real-time voice would be appreciated.
It would be an interesting way to hold a Doper party.
Loneliness is a problem for many people – it affects health like smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
It is worse for people with Autism.
It’s pretty easy to play games like the JackBox series of games over Zoom. And the videoconferencing software Houseparty has some games built in.
This sticky announcement over in MPSIMS, posted in February 2008, seems like it might be relevant.
It discusses the position of TPTB on posting announcements of real-life meetings. TL;DR seems to be: Yes you may but TPTB disavow whatever may happen.
I would suppose that this could be applied to on-line meetings too like OP envisions.
If the purpose of the discussion is for some off-board project, like a survey, business proposal, etc. then anything along those lines would require moderator approval first. I know that the OP isn’t asking about this sort of thing, but I just wanted to make that rule clear.
If it’s just for social interaction, it’s basically like any other off-board meet-up.
The MPSIMS sticky that Senegoid linked to wasn’t written with things like zoom or skype in mind since those weren’t a thing back then, but those are the basic rules that any sort of online meet-up would fall under. The technology has advanced quite a bit since 2008, but we’re still basically talking about meeting up with other folks outside of the SDMB. It’s just using technology instead of being physically face-to-face.
And actually we have had online meet-ups before, it was just using more primitive technology like IRC (which is text only). So this isn’t actually as new of an idea as you might think.
As the sticky says, we do not vouch for anyone or any meeting of any sort. And since it is basically an off-board thing, if you get into any kind of disagreement with another user, that’s an off-board disagreement. Don’t bring it back here to the SDMB, and don’t expect us to moderate or in any way do anything about it. It’s the same as if you get into a disagreement with someone on facebook or reddit or anywhere else. If it didn’t happen here on the SDMB, it’s not a SDMB issue.
Also, be aware that some of the software packages mentioned may have security issues, so it is possible that unwanted third parties may be eavesdropping in on your video chats (at my job we had to forbid people from using zoom for business meetings due to security issues like these).
Again, you take all of the risk.
As long as it is for social purposes, you do not need to ask us for approval first. You may post about zoom, skype, discord, etc. meet-ups and you can ask if anyone is interested in any sort of online meet-up and discuss potential times and online locations for such meet-ups.
MPSIMS is the usual forum for these types of things.
Sounds like fun!
Our new roomie has mental issues similar to autism, well controlled by medication and video therapy with her normal therapist … she is actually thriving here. We discussed it, we think it is down to environmental issues - no asshole neighbors, her normal person to person socialization Center Club is not always supportive in toto, and she is in a shared living situation with friends not strangers.
I am autistic, so I really understand needing stability and the support of friends and family, while I am not depressed, I do have seasonal affective disease which is sort of a depression that can in me be repaired by application of full spectrum light or sunlight. I think that the environment here is why she is doing so well.
Great! Soon I will announce a meeting.
My own primary problem with autism is loneliness. I hope I can find friends with whom I can talk via zoom.
Note, there are also other message boards specifically operated by and for people on the autistic spectrum.
@CCitizen, @aruvqan, and others, are you aware of any of these?
Three that I happen to know of are Aspie Hangout, The Aspie Lounge, and Asperger and Autustic Adults.
Taking a quick glance at these just now, it looks like they are inactive or only minimally active for a long time. There doesn’t appear to be many, or any, recent activity at any of them.
Is anyone familiar with any of these boards? Does anybody know what is happening (or isn’t happening) with them?
I’m not sure if I would actively participate, but a SDMB listing of scheduled Zoom chats could be a fun addition.
Create a forum called “The Zoom Room”. Anyone wanting to host a meeting would post the announcement in this forum. Example: “Discuss Your Favorite Condiments Saturday, 16th @ 7pm EST” or “General Chit Chat & Gossip, Tuesday, 19th @ 9pm PST” or “Let’s Share Photos of Our Cats, Thursday, 28 @ 3am GMT”.
Those wanting an invitation to participate would IM the host and be sent the meeting password. Or the host may choose to make the meeting open for all. Unruly participants could easily be corn-fielded by the host.
Participants could choose their level of anonymity: lurk only, text, whiteboard, screen-share, video on/off, etc.
I believe it would be a popular SD forum.
I started a GotoMeeting session. It is the same idea as Zoom but there is no time limit on GotoMeeting because it is a paid account.
It is running now. This is the link: GoTo
I will leave it up and running all day so people can drop in when they like.
If you prefer you can install the GotoMeeting app on your phone. The same link will work or you could enter meeting ID: 306-914-973
Thank you.
Proud to be Moderately Autistic!
My Depression is not inherent.
I am sorry. The meeting ID is not valid.