Nostr notes by Nelson Minar

I keep hearing good things about ...

2026-09-03T16:34:48Z

In reply to nevent1q…8w9u
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I keep hearing good things about [BitWarden](https://bitwarden.com/ ) as a replacement. /cc 1Password (npub1ak3…t4td)

was just curious in your photo because that intense red might ...

2026-08-12T22:35:12Z

In reply to nevent1q…kt3x
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was just curious in your photo because that intense red might look even more intense with an HDR source image with broader range.

I don't mean the ugly "HDR" tone curve mapping that ...

2026-08-12T22:34:36Z

In reply to nevent1q…srw4
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I don't mean the ugly "HDR" tone curve mapping that makes things wrong. I mean camera sensors that are more than 8 bits per channel.
My Pixel Pro 10 is writing 10 bits per channel images in a funky JPG format that shoehorns in extra brightness info. I've come to like it now that I have an HDR display that can show them. Why not have 15 stops of range instead of 10?

do you mostly work in hdr photos now?

2026-08-12T19:10:53Z

In reply to nevent1q…tfy3
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do you mostly work in hdr photos now?

I bet you tilt a lot of pinball machines too

2026-08-11T17:29:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…kak6
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I bet you tilt a lot of pinball machines too

I have a friend with it who likes it

2026-07-21T16:19:59Z

In reply to nevent1q…6aek
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I have a friend with it who likes it

are the people or bots?

2026-07-21T13:54:44Z

In reply to nevent1q…ftqn
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are the people or bots?

Do you have a US cell phone on Verizon? Consider switching to ...

2026-07-13T14:46:07Z

Do you have a US cell phone on Verizon? Consider switching to Visible. It's still Verizon but half the monthly price. Been on it a couple of months and quite happy.

After a day at sea we made it to Santorini. It's sort of ...

2026-07-01T14:49:56Z

In reply to nevent1q…pw6l
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After a day at sea we made it to Santorini. It's sort of overwhelmingly touristy but uniquely beautiful as a caldera island.

Malta is also striking for being built almost entirely out of ...

2026-06-30T14:56:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…ztqu
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Malta is also striking for being built almost entirely out of yellow limestone, one of the country's only natural resources.

St. John's also has two [Caravaggio ...

2026-06-30T14:54:56Z

In reply to nevent1q…k7qh
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St. John's also has two [Caravaggio paintings](https://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/the-co-cathedral/caravaggio/ ). I was really struck by this [St. Jerome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Jerome_Writing_(Caravaggio,_Valletta) ). Caravaggio is known as the bad-boy homosexual Baroque painter and has lots of erotic images of young men. Here St. Jerome is quite pious and elderly but also is painted with a sensuality that is the gay male gaze.

One neat thing is the floor of the cathedral is almost entirely ...

2026-06-30T14:38:05Z

In reply to nevent1q…xqgu
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One neat thing is the floor of the cathedral is almost entirely intricate marble tombstones for knights buried underneath. With fascinating graphic design, also inscriptions telling poignant stories. You can browse them in [this map view](https://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/explore/main-map-tombstones/ ).

The highlight of yesterday in Malta was a visit to [St. ...

2026-06-30T14:30:42Z

In reply to nevent1q…96xl
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The highlight of yesterday in Malta was a visit to [St. John's Co-Cathedral](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_John%27s_Co-Cathedral ), the main church of the Knights of Malta. It is remarkable for being almost entirely a consistent Baroque design from one man. It is sumptuous.

Leaving Malta ...

2026-06-29T16:33:07Z

In reply to nevent1q…xcw9
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Leaving Malta

One neat thing in Malta is that the [Maltese ...

2026-06-29T13:01:07Z

In reply to nevent1q…hs7k
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One neat thing in Malta is that the [Maltese language](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maltese_language ) is everywhere: signs, ATM screens, casual local conversation. Europe's only indigenous Semitic language, a vernacular Arabic from when Sicily was Muslim.
Malta is rapidly globalizing now thanks to being the center of "innovative" businesses in Europe (gambling, cryptocurrencies, etc). I wonder if it will maintain its language in another two generations. Everyone already speaks English too.

I appreciate the ubiquitous European cafe where you can sit ...

2026-06-29T08:36:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…sd0s
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I appreciate the ubiquitous European cafe where you can sit outside and have a drink and snack and it is no fuss, just practical and comfortable. I wish we had this in the US.

But the Grandmaster's Palace also has these extraordinary ...

2026-06-28T13:53:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…dnfq
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But the Grandmaster's Palace also has these extraordinary [1710 Gobelins tapestries](https://artsandculture.google.com/story/unique-maltese-masterpieces-the-tapestry-chamber-grandmasters-palace/UAUhKZInQpTAKg?hl=en ) depicting exotic scenes from Africa, India, and the Americas. Just opened and [newly restored](https://heritagemalta.mt/news/the-grand-masters-palace-tapestries-back-home-following-restoration-in-belgium/ ) and they are astonishingly beautiful.

The racism and colonialism inherent in this artistic project is important to understand. But the artistry is also beautiful, I'm glad to have seen them.

The Grandmaster's Palace is a bit of a mixed bag. But ...

2026-06-28T13:40:50Z

In reply to nevent1q…h2el
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The Grandmaster's Palace is a bit of a mixed bag. But it's interesting for the extraordinary wealth the Hospitallers commanded for much of their rule.

Malta has this unique history of a [megalithic ...

2026-06-28T13:32:50Z

In reply to nevent1q…mnzy
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Malta has this unique history of a [megalithic culture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalithic_Temples_of_Malta ) from around 3000 BC that built enormous temples, some of the oldest freestanding buildings in Europe and without precedent on the mainland.

Now we are in Malta for two days. It's a really weird and ...

2026-06-28T13:17:51Z

In reply to nevent1q…czt0
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Now we are in Malta for two days. It's a really weird and interesting country, particularly the period the [Order of St John](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knights_Hospitaller ) ran things 16th-18th century as a sort of religious / corporatist fiefdom. It's also beautiful with honey-colored limestone and everything so Baroque and tidy.

Sicily today! Our cruise ship is parked by ...

2026-06-27T13:23:48Z

In reply to nevent1q…2ms4
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Sicily today! Our cruise ship is parked by [Taormina](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taormina ), a hilltop town. My main activity was enjoying wines at [Gambino](https://www.gambinowinery.com/ ), a winery up on Mt. Etna. Also a stop in the oddly named village of [Linguaglossa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linguaglossa ).

Today we are in Amalfi. It is beautiful but we are having a hard ...

2026-06-26T10:18:26Z

In reply to nevent1q…up4y
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Today we are in Amalfi. It is beautiful but we are having a hard time with the heat and the tourist crowds. We usually do not travel in summer!

Nostr event nevent1qqsylk7cejutvphckddvssgm89szz4qcrtqd5j35j7mel5frdahj0yczyzugy8h050j08hdkm96y03dnr5efpvp4y960d3ujhevuxq4lywz6se2g9ul

2026-06-25T13:24:42Z

In reply to nevent1q…ucur
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Pompeii

Made it to Italy! Our first night was at [La Posta ...

2026-06-24T08:51:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…2png
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Made it to Italy! Our first night was at [La Posta Vecchia](https://www.pellicanohotels.com/en/hotels/la-posta-vecchia-hotel/ ), a lovely seaside hotel in a villa restored by J. Paul Getty in the 1960s. It's decorated with some beautiful pieces including this fine [Piranesi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Battista_Piranesi ) map, the [Ichnographia Campi Martii](https://spencerart.ku.edu/art/collections-online/object/57 ). There's a small museum for the 2nd c. BC Roman villa in the basement.

We liked [our last ...

2026-06-21T14:17:51Z

We liked [our last cruise](https://www.somebits.com/%7Enelson/postcards/2026-italy-france-spain/ ) so much we're going on another! To Italy, Malta, and Greece with some time at the end in Paris.

I'll be sharing postcards in this thread. They will also be [on a nicely formatted web page](https://www.somebits.com/%7Enelson/postcards/2026-italy-malta-greece/ ).

when I was a kid I went to a summer camp that had a strict no ...

2026-05-30T22:47:38Z

In reply to nevent1q…wats
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when I was a kid I went to a summer camp that had a strict no sweets policy for kids. But if you picked a whole #10 can of blackberries then the nice Mennonite ladies in the cafeteria would bake a cobbler for you to share with the other boys. What a treat!

I am very grateful to my markets but blackberries don't taste ...

2026-05-30T22:20:58Z

In reply to nevent1q…8pe5
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I am very grateful to my markets but blackberries don't taste quite as good when you can just buy them by the pint. OTOH I hear there are seedless blackberries in the works and that sounds like a significant improvement!

Nostr event nevent1qqsq3kkk7tnhw4ctzksgwlf4alltlf26z4mtzv7uk72ll7uxlzqkjvszyzugy8h050j08hdkm96y03dnr5efpvp4y960d3ujhevuxq4lywz6s7j8eh9

2026-05-30T17:05:20Z

Home from our lovely trip. Here's a [collection of my ...

2026-03-10T22:54:56Z

Home from our lovely trip. Here's a [collection of my postcard posts](https://www.somebits.com/%7Enelson/postcards/2026-italy-france-spain/gallery.html ) in a nice web viewer.

I'm thinking of turning this Mastodon → web page script I use into a product others can use too. I really like the result.

I can't read Yegge but I had Gemini read it for me. > ...

2026-02-15T19:29:59Z

In reply to nevent1q…2dzj
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I can't read Yegge but I had Gemini read it for me.

> Steve Yegge argues that while advanced AI tools like Claude Code provide a massive productivity boost, they act as "energy vampires" that cause rapid developer burnout through extreme mental exhaustion.

I haven't launched Firefox in months. Today it popped up this ...

2025-12-13T02:11:18Z

I haven't launched Firefox in months. Today it popped up this ad on my Windows machine. Guess it's time to uninstall it entirely.

TIL that % routing of email (ie: ...

2025-10-28T18:28:45Z

TIL that % routing of email (ie: nelson%example.com@relayserver.com is basically dead and gone. It mostly hasn't worked for years because of spam issues but modern mail systems don't even recognize it. Source routes got deprecated in RFC 2821 (from 2001) and fully removed in RFC 5321 (2008).

It is 7:00 a.m. and still dark out in California. Daylight ...

2025-10-22T14:01:46Z

It is 7:00 a.m. and still dark out in California. Daylight savings time is incredibly stupid.

do you think that works well on a 3X retina display?

2025-10-22T11:46:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…zq0w
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do you think that works well on a 3X retina display?

I run a little aggregator for the big ones, see ...

2025-10-16T10:35:49Z

In reply to nevent1q…0unj
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I run a little aggregator for the big ones, see [Feditrends](https://feditrends.com/ ). I didn't write the code, just took it over when the original author got tired of it.

I signed up for the USPS's "send photos of your mail" ...

2025-09-29T14:34:08Z

I signed up for the USPS's "send photos of your mail" service so now every day I get an email with pictures of spam.

The tone curve on this photo is fascinating

2025-09-14T13:19:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…q0we
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The tone curve on this photo is fascinating

this is a good article. The bit about how his non-technical ...

2025-09-02T22:54:08Z

In reply to nevent1q…x9g4
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this is a good article. The bit about how his non-technical friends already have passkeys was particularly interesting to me.

Here's [an archival record of this ...

2025-08-24T22:49:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…ge6a
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Here's [an archival record of this photo](https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102741216/ ). 1957. "From left to right, Donald Cropper, K. C. Krishnan, Grace Hopper, and Norman Rothberg."

just check the 7+ box George.

2025-08-23T20:35:25Z

In reply to nevent1q…y60h
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just check the 7+ box George.

what do you use for email?

2025-08-23T19:03:26Z

In reply to nevent1q…kv2n
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what do you use for email?

Nostr event nevent1qqsgmektc47ttp54678qcqp3c595uca3szmatqvu8c23mclz83lq9xczyzugy8h050j08hdkm96y03dnr5efpvp4y960d3ujhevuxq4lywz6sujg8y9

2025-08-23T18:52:06Z

How many pillows do you have on your bed?

respectfully, that big green button will just capture all the ...

2025-08-22T21:12:05Z

In reply to nevent1q…hmg5
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respectfully, that big green button will just capture all the "I hate all AI and reflexively disable it" sentiment and won't actually measure whether the features are worth a damn. I agree they should have a clear opt-out but what is AI isn't even clear is it? Do you want browser spell correction? URL autocomplete?

I bought a cheap fitness tracker watch. And it has all these ...

2025-08-17T03:04:11Z

I bought a cheap fitness tracker watch. And it has all these incredibly abusive upsells. Here they are offering me a discount because they like how I am sleeping. This is so unethical. How did anyone do this?

I prefer to convey emotions using the settings on my Penfield ...

2025-08-13T20:34:20Z

In reply to nevent1q…gsm3
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I prefer to convey emotions using the settings on my Penfield Mood Organ. Such as here, 742. A brisk impulse to counter a peevish remark with a lightly absurd quip.

Economist is also more or less like that, except they engage more ...

2025-08-07T22:47:47Z

In reply to nevent1q…avl0
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Economist is also more or less like that, except they engage more directly with the Trump stuff and call bullshit on bullshit. It's refreshing to get an outside source. In some other ways the publication is unpleasantly right wing: James Bennet has had an unfortunate influence.

you know, you could expand this last post into a whole article ...

2025-08-05T13:46:26Z

In reply to nevent1q…3cxu
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you know, you could expand this last post into a whole article and it'd be fascinating.

One annoying tech thing is people seem to have forgotten that ...

2025-07-30T15:18:37Z

One annoying tech thing is people seem to have forgotten that filenames matter. My desktop is littered with things like ad3b1359-ba15-4898-8801-23b8213b1f1c.JPEG.jpg

if you had more love in your heart you wouldn't say such mean ...

2025-07-16T17:20:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…wqyz
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if you had more love in your heart you wouldn't say such mean things on fedi.

A particular feature of the Google Play Store for Android apps is ...

2025-07-07T16:54:09Z

A particular feature of the Google Play Store for Android apps is how when you search for an app by name they show you an ad for some other app, trying to trick you into installing that instead.

I never stopped using CGI for simple things. My weblog is still ...

2025-07-06T00:41:58Z

In reply to nevent1q…5nlv
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I never stopped using CGI for simple things. My weblog is still hosted with blosxom.cgi!

@npub1gv2…tlwl how do you know an agent's code works? ...

2025-07-02T14:11:04Z

Simon Willison (npub1gv2…tlwl) how do you know an agent's code works? I'm trying to do more Claude Code and I just don't trust the output. Are you creating elaborate automated testing? Reading the code? Just visually inspecting the output?

some I think, Microsoft is aggressive advertising its own ...

2025-06-27T16:35:26Z

In reply to nevent1q…uez3
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some I think, Microsoft is aggressive advertising its own products

it's remarkable how much cruft MacOS has accumulated over the ...

2025-06-27T15:29:03Z

In reply to nevent1q…q9p4
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it's remarkable how much cruft MacOS has accumulated over the years. At this point it might be easier to get a clean Windows machine than a Mac :-(

The album cover for [Rod ...

2025-06-21T17:40:24Z

The album cover for [Rod McKuen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_McKuen )'s 1977 album "Slide... Easy In"

29 hours plus 0–20 more hours. also you may take a bus.

2025-06-08T14:48:56Z

In reply to nevent1q…08yv
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29 hours plus 0–20 more hours. also you may take a bus.

I've really been moved by Edward White's death and the ...

2025-06-06T23:31:32Z

I've really been moved by Edward White's death and the tributes to him being written. His books have meant a lot to me as a gay man. I [wrote a blog post with more links](https://www.somebits.com/weblog/culture/books/edmund-white-1940-2025.html ), many also shared on Some Bits: Nelson's Linkblog (npub1wzf…u30y)

every time Archive is down it reminds me of how much we all rely ...

2025-06-06T16:53:25Z

In reply to nevent1q…xfn5
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every time Archive is down it reminds me of how much we all rely on it. Which worries me because you're literally the only resource out there like this. Not just Wayback, but the broader Archive. What would we do without it?

Google Photos has a shortcut key for "delete the photo I am ...

2025-06-01T16:11:27Z

Google Photos has a shortcut key for "delete the photo I am looking at". It's not backspace, or delete, or even D. It's #. Yes, Shift-3. Good job, UX experts!

I'm torn between not liking Skarsgård's casting because ...

2025-05-22T03:05:16Z

In reply to nevent1q…wpq5
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I'm torn between not liking Skarsgård's casting because he's too masc and loving him because he's so hot and such a talented actor.

dunno about paper but back in 1999 my colleague [David ...

2025-05-20T11:39:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…lga9
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dunno about paper but back in 1999 my colleague [David Small](https://www.davidsmall.com/about ) was using a laser to [print on food](https://web.archive.org/web/20010224005951/http://www.media.mit.edu/ci/projects/foodforthought.html ). More like etching or ablation but he did some burning too.

I like them better. It took about 90 seconds for the novelty to ...

2025-05-17T19:20:38Z

In reply to nevent1q…e4gm
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I like them better. It took about 90 seconds for the novelty to wear off and me to realize I liked the robot driver better than random Uber humans.

Bonus round: the US also has a "dry pint" unit of volume ...

2025-05-11T16:24:16Z

In reply to nevent1q…9u4c
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Bonus round: the US also has a "dry pint" unit of volume which is about 551mL. Totally different from the "wet pint", 473mL.
A proper pint is 568mL and contains cellar temperature bitter.

I was talking about ounces, the unit of weight (or mass). But we ...

2025-05-11T16:22:10Z

In reply to nevent1q…pqxh
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I was talking about ounces, the unit of weight (or mass). But we also have fluid ounces, a unit of volume.
In the US, a fluid ounce is ¹⁄₁₆ of a pint. It is 29.5735295625 millilitres. Unless you're looking at a food label, in which case it is 30mL.
In the UK, a fluid ounce is ¹⁄₂₀ of a pint. But it's a different pint. It is 28.4130625 mL.
A US fluid ounce weighs 1.041 ounces (varies slightly with temperature).
Fluid ounces can be written ƒ℥.

The English word "ounce" comes from the Latin word ...

2025-05-11T16:13:42Z

The English word "ounce" comes from the Latin word "uncia" meaning 12th. An ounce is a 16th of a pound. Ounces can be written ℥.
The English word "inch" also comes from the Latin word "uncia". An inch is a 12th of a foot. But inches are divided by powers of two, so you talk about ¹⁄₁₆ of ¹⁄₁₂ of a foot. Inches can be written ″.

it's a crowded city and there's a little ambiguity. The ...

2025-05-06T23:01:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…73d9
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it's a crowded city and there's a little ambiguity. The car only encroaches a foot into my driveway so they convince themselves I can just go around. But that's incredibly dangerous and difficult. I just stand by my property rights now.

Third car towed for blocking my driveway this year. They always ...

2025-05-06T22:24:43Z

Third car towed for blocking my driveway this year. They always knock on the door and ask where their car is and then get upset. They never once apologize for blocking my access to my house.

This gave me a sensible chuckle. ...

2025-05-05T03:48:27Z

This gave me a sensible chuckle.

when I was reading your scene I imagined the whole thing with a ...

2025-04-19T00:25:30Z

In reply to nevent1q…hdek
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when I was reading your scene I imagined the whole thing with a Circle Jerks soundtrack

that's what ChromeOS is sorta. Also I think Mint and Ubuntu ...

2025-04-17T22:50:20Z

In reply to nevent1q…m8ym
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that's what ChromeOS is sorta. Also I think Mint and Ubuntu are both pretty Windows-like in their UIs.

I appreciate your courage initiating this conversation.

2025-04-16T23:05:35Z

In reply to nevent1q…3rqa
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I appreciate your courage initiating this conversation.

Google is now outright spamming me, sending me an ad about Google ...

2025-04-16T21:25:41Z

Google is now outright spamming me, sending me an ad about Google Analytics with the footer "You have received this mandatory email service announcement to update you about important changes to your Google Analytics product or account." Here's a screenshot of the "important changes"

I keep thinking about the Florida couple who chose to wear these ...

2025-03-23T19:55:52Z

I keep thinking about the Florida couple who chose to wear these outfits while bicycle touring in Vietnam.

just curious, do you know about ...

2025-03-18T17:05:33Z

In reply to nevent1q…0qfj
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just curious, do you know about [Gemini](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gemini_(protocol) )? It had a little momentum last year as a lightweight web replacement. Gopher-like, but newfangled.

Watching YouTube clips of the coming Pink Floyd Live at Pompeiii ...

2025-03-12T05:04:46Z

Watching YouTube clips of the coming Pink Floyd Live at Pompeiii remaster and re-experiencing high school acid-soaked memories of the VHS bootleg. I have no idea if 1972 psychedelia has any relevance in 2025 but I sure hope so

Good evening from the Aqua Mekong in Cambodia! ...

2025-03-03T11:42:36Z

In reply to nevent1q…xarx
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Good evening from the Aqua Mekong in Cambodia!

Some more shots from our morning: a sunrise, a tuktuk ride, a ...

2025-03-03T03:58:40Z

In reply to nevent1q…lxmf
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Some more shots from our morning: a sunrise, a tuktuk ride, a fancy chicken coop, and some silkworms and cocoons.

The work is intricate but repetitive, seems sort of meditative. ...

2025-03-03T03:50:20Z

In reply to nevent1q…9402
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The work is intricate but repetitive, seems sort of meditative. This woman worked very quickly and precisely. The slide of the shuttle across the warp is particularly satisfying. https://photos.app.goo.gl/54v1owAvUFvJ4RwYA

Woke up this morning for a tour of the silk industry at Koh ...

2025-03-03T03:46:31Z

In reply to nevent1q…ymkw
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Woke up this morning for a tour of the silk industry at Koh Okhnatey, near Phnom Penh. They still hand spin silk and hand weave scarfs on simple looms. A lot of work and very delicate, beautiful fabrics.

Happy birthday to me! A fun thing about being on Asian time is ...

2025-03-02T23:58:19Z

Happy birthday to me! A fun thing about being on Asian time is you get to celebrate your birthday before all the automated robots do.

Good night Phnom Penh! ...

2025-03-02T14:02:42Z

In reply to nevent1q…p7eq
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Good night Phnom Penh!

There's something really special about the light on the Tonle ...

2025-03-02T11:33:55Z

In reply to nevent1q…n6s4
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There's something really special about the light on the Tonle Sap river, a tributary to the Mekong. Limpid sunrise and sunset, a stillness and glow that fills the sky.

The pot making was really impressive. She makes 50 consistent ...

2025-03-02T04:41:32Z

In reply to nevent1q…n5z3
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The pot making was really impressive. She makes 50 consistent round pots a day without a wheel. Mostly walking in a circle around the pot and shaping it with hands and tools. Very high skill for a humble product. Short video clip: https://photos.app.goo.gl/6NujDvrFHzoNDNUGA

This morning's tourist visit was to Kampong Chhnang, an area ...

2025-03-02T04:40:17Z

In reply to nevent1q…s8xm
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This morning's tourist visit was to Kampong Chhnang, an area that has traditional pottery. We had demonstrations of making pots, making clay stoves, and harvesting sugar palm juice.

We are learning a lot this trip that is hard to convey in photos. ...

2025-03-02T04:31:17Z

In reply to nevent1q…vjm8
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We are learning a lot this trip that is hard to convey in photos. Cambodia is poor but developing. And people here seem reasonably comfortable, well fed, sheltered. And most importantly: happy, content? It's humbling. I'm certain some of that well-being comes from Buddhist culture. It is particularly remarkable given the awful history of war and genocide in recent memory.

Kampong Prasat turned out to be more of a new normal village ...

2025-03-02T04:25:55Z

In reply to nevent1q…rl89
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Kampong Prasat turned out to be more of a new normal village (built along a road along the river) and not much left floating. Was a good introduction to what ordinary village life looks like. A lot of fishing, also small scale rice farming.

And religion. Udong is home to the [Cambodia Vipassana Dhura ...

2025-03-01T07:15:01Z

In reply to nevent1q…srry
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And religion. Udong is home to the [Cambodia Vipassana Dhura Buddhist Meditation Center](https://www.cambodiavipassanacenter.com/ ), a well-funded monastery founded by [Som Buntheoun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Bunthoeun ). We got a nice overview of what Buddhist monastic life is like and the role of the religion in daily life. Photos include cute monk boys and a procession for the day's lunch.

Some commerce photos. In Koh Chen they make hammered metalwork, ...

2025-03-01T06:47:59Z

In reply to nevent1q…y38r
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Some commerce photos. In Koh Chen they make hammered metalwork, this one is a copper bowl. And Udong is a domestic tourist site so it has a market selling all sorts of delicious snacks for daytrippers.

It's a new day! Today we visit Koh Chen, a village with ...

2025-02-28T23:46:46Z

In reply to nevent1q…cvy6
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It's a new day! Today we visit Koh Chen, a village with silversmiths. Then Udong, a Buddhist temple site. This afternoon we go to Kampong Prasat, a floating village.

We are on the Tonle Sap river these next few days.

Made it to our cabin on the Mekong River cruise for the next ...

2025-02-28T10:00:01Z

In reply to nevent1q…35fp
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Made it to our cabin on the Mekong River cruise for the next week.

Then a visit to the [National ...

2025-02-28T05:47:12Z

In reply to nevent1q…4ah8
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Then a visit to the [National Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Museum_of_Cambodia ) with beautiful art but also a reminder of how much has been destroyed or stolen.

Morning visit to the [Central ...

2025-02-28T05:41:18Z

In reply to nevent1q…twuz
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Morning visit to the [Central Market](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Market_(Phnom_Penh) ), a 1937 art deco building from the zenith of French colonialism. Center is cheap shlock but the sides of the market have fantastic fresh fish, cooked foods, hair-dressers, toilet paper, etc.

One striking thing about Phnom Penh is how functional the city ...

2025-02-28T02:04:03Z

In reply to nevent1q…d6ma
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One striking thing about Phnom Penh is how functional the city is. The last major war here was just 45 years ago and the economy only normalized around 1990.

Highlight of the trip so far was last night, a [Street Food Tour ...

2025-02-27T05:31:52Z

In reply to nevent1q…6df4
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Highlight of the trip so far was last night, a [Street Food Tour of Phnom Penh](https://urbanforage.co/product/phnom-penh-food-tour/ ). Tuktuk tour of seven different casual food places, sidewalk restaurants and old grandmas making coconut desserts on the side of the road. Super fun and delicious!

I'm very glad I visited these genocide monuments and learned ...

2025-02-27T05:24:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…fanh
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I'm very glad I visited these genocide monuments and learned some of the Cambodian history. It is very recent, a fresh wound.
The US has a role in creating this history and a responsibility for helping Cambodia recover. Unfortunately the Republicans have destroyed USAID, causing great chaos in many social aid programs in a matter of days. I am ashamed.
Back to happier tourist times in Cambodia...

This morning we visited [Choeung Ek ...

2025-02-27T04:53:10Z

In reply to nevent1q…p4wl
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This morning we visited [Choeung Ek (ជើងឯក)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choeung_Ek ), one of the "killing fields" from the Cambodian genocide. More of a memorial than an interpretive museum, it has the feeling of a rough open grave. They've left many bones in the ground, scattered on the surface. Skulls of victims are collected respectfully in a central stupa.

Nostr event nevent1qqsr43fhp5kjv9e2y25q673ukha03rrgsknepjgykcgyp9fd7nzrslszyzugy8h050j08hdkm96y03dnr5efpvp4y960d3ujhevuxq4lywz6swf4vhd

2025-02-26T05:50:24Z

In reply to nevent1q…gz8t
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🖼

We visited the [Tuol Sleng Genocide ...

2025-02-26T05:46:03Z

In reply to nevent1q…kyuc
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We visited the [Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuol_Sleng_Genocide_Museum ) today, very heavy. I've been to a lot of memorials to Nazi victims. This felt similar only the atrocities are from just 45 years ago. And of course a different history, but a similar form of totalitarian murder. Difficult visit but well done, the audioguide in particular was excellent.

Enjoying Phnom Penh's urban vibe. Cambodia has this sort of ...

2025-02-26T05:44:23Z

In reply to nevent1q…qa9l
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Enjoying Phnom Penh's urban vibe. Cambodia has this sort of calm chaos in the traffic, everyone's chill even as motos and cars come from all directions and speeds. Not sure how to photograph it well, these aren't great.

Made it to Phnom Penh. Enjoying colonialist excess at the ...

2025-02-25T11:46:29Z

In reply to nevent1q…3d8v
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Made it to Phnom Penh. Enjoying colonialist excess at the Elephant Bar of Sir Raffles.