Nostr notes by 🇺🇦 haxadecimal 🚫👑

At some point after I'd moved away, and the Teletype was in ...

2026-08-23T03:02:41Z

In reply to nevent1q…kelg
_________________________

At some point after I'd moved away, and the Teletype was in her basement, my mother gave it away, thinking that she was doing me a favor. :-(

Supporting lower case (though badly) made the early 9-pin dot ...

2026-08-23T03:01:13Z

In reply to nevent1q…kmlw
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Supporting lower case (though badly) made the early 9-pin dot matrix printers much more attractive, and then the 14-pin printers did it better. In the late 1970s, I was really happy to use the DEC LA36 DECwriter II, which was only nine-pin, because I couldn't have anything better than an on-loan Teletype Model 33 ASR at home. (Even having that was pretty amazing!)

I printed some of my homework in 1978-1980 on a Teletype Model 33 ...

2026-08-22T23:31:50Z

In reply to nevent1q…j8zj
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I printed some of my homework in 1978-1980 on a Teletype Model 33 ASR. Some teachers liked it (compared to handwriting), some thought I was cheating, "having a computer do my homework." Had to explain that it was just an "expensive typewriter."
From 1980, I used dot matrix printers instead. Somewhat different vibe. Still got mixed reactions from teachers in high school and first two years of college.
Started using DEC LN01 laser printer in 1984. No complaints from teachers.

I've used SQL, but I've never used a real object storage ...

2026-08-22T20:29:53Z

In reply to nevent1q…ma0k
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I've used SQL, but I've never used a real object storage facility. I've always wanted to learn about them, especially any formal theory.
My first exposure to the concept was that for their ultimately unsuccessful Intel iAPX 432 (their first 32-bit processor, in 1981, unrelated to x86), the iMAX-432 operating system was supposed to provide "object filing". They published CS papers on their design, but the feature never shipped.

"Whatever hardware they need" is still a major problem.

2026-08-19T18:39:24Z

In reply to nevent1q…tafw
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"Whatever hardware they need" is still a major problem.

Let me know what MB and CPUs you are willing to sell, and what ...

2026-08-19T18:37:16Z

In reply to nevent1q…ymvw
_________________________

Let me know what MB and CPUs you are willing to sell, and what you'd like for them.
Thanks!

BREAKING: Investors still haven't figured out that so-called ...

2026-08-19T18:35:00Z

BREAKING:
Investors still haven't figured out that so-called "AI" companies don't have a viable business model.

I'm possibly interested w CPU & MB. Fine w no cooler. I ...

2026-08-19T04:12:58Z

In reply to nevent1q…8vk7
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I'm possibly interested w CPU & MB. Fine w no cooler. I checked eBay prices and didn't see any particularly good deals.

Now that I think about it, maybe I should buy them from you, and ...

2026-08-19T03:57:24Z

In reply to nevent1q…uc2r
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Now that I think about it, maybe I should buy them from you, and buy a used compatible motherboard and CPU. I need to figure out whether I can budget for it.

That sounds like a great deal! I just checked, but unfortunately ...

2026-08-19T01:07:21Z

In reply to nevent1q…42vy
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That sounds like a great deal!
I just checked, but unfortunately my ECC DDR4 systems only take RDIMMs or UDIMMs. I'm a bit surprised that none of them can handle LRDIMMs.
There's really no technical reason why processor-integrated memory controllers can't handle all three, though perhaps not mixed. They lock them at least in part for deliberate market segmentation
:-(

If she makes a large batch, it is nano de gallo.

2026-08-17T22:43:01Z

In reply to nevent1q…0vwx
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If she makes a large batch, it is nano de gallo.

You've been watching those _Final Destination_ movies again?

2026-08-14T17:40:08Z

In reply to nevent1q…dr0z
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You've been watching those _Final Destination_ movies again?

Now if my friend ever shows up at my door unannounced, I'll ...

2026-08-14T01:21:49Z

In reply to nevent1q…ualu
_________________________

Now if my friend ever shows up at my door unannounced, I'll be afraid that he's trying to take me to deprogramming.

Me: [described progress on FORTRAN parser] Friend: FORTRAN? ...

2026-08-13T22:49:50Z

Me: [described progress on FORTRAN parser]
Friend: FORTRAN? Um...I think this might be where your friends step in for an intervention.
Me: I can stop any time.
Friend: Can you really? There are some very nice programs, staffed with professionals who can help you.
Me: I'm not going into one of those things where they make you accept that there is a higher power.
Although objectively, megawatts are a higher power than I'm presently able to use.

I finally beat the C++ compiler into submission. Of course, from ...

2026-08-13T22:28:08Z

I finally beat the C++ compiler into submission. Of course, from its point of view, it finally beat me into submission.
#CPlusPlus

Radio Shack's computers based on the Motorola MC6809 ...

2026-08-13T19:22:28Z

Radio Shack's computers based on the Motorola MC6809 microprocessor was the Color Computer.
Their computers based on other microprocessors were the Duller Computers.

Strong disagree. The times I've dealt with CAN, it has ...

2026-08-07T08:48:58Z

In reply to nevent1q…qskk
_________________________

Strong disagree.
The times I've dealt with CAN, it has usually torqued me off.

I dreamed that I was taking a midterm in a college math class, ...

2026-08-03T20:27:42Z

I dreamed that I was taking a midterm in a college math class, over material that I barely understood.
Most of my school dreams are about high school.

My Dinner With Andre

2026-08-01T15:53:53Z

In reply to nevent1q…slvx
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My Dinner With Andre

I saw a toot to which I really wanted to reply, as a smartass, ...

2026-07-30T22:39:31Z

I saw a toot to which I really wanted to reply, as a smartass, "pics or it didn't happen," but in this specific case, in doing so, I would have been a major asshole. I managed to restrain myself and not reply. I try not to give in to my asshole tendencies. I'm not always successful. Sometimes my inner asshole manages to do something before my brain recognizes it for what it is.

I might eventually try to get FreeBSD 1.1.5 or a tiny Linux ...

2026-07-22T04:38:12Z

In reply to nevent1q…x8k8
_________________________

I might eventually try to get FreeBSD 1.1.5 or a tiny Linux running on it. The first iteration will likely have only about 4 MiB of fast (10 ns) static RAM.

Initially the only I/O will be a serial port or two, but I'll ...

2026-07-22T04:26:46Z

In reply to nevent1q…x6zc
_________________________

Initially the only I/O will be a serial port or two, but I'll add an interface for an SD card if I can get as far as booting from flash into a monitor.
Has anyone written an open-source x86 (386 or newer) 32-bit protected mode boot/debug monitor for bare metal?
There won't be any secret motherboard/BIOS vendor binary blob code doing sneaky stuff in System Management Mode, and they didn't have the secret Management Engine (ME) crap back then either.
#Pentium #x86 #boot #debug #monitor

I just created EDA devices/symbols/footprints for Socket 7, as ...

2026-07-22T04:22:58Z

I just created EDA devices/symbols/footprints for Socket 7, as used by 90+ MHz Pentium, Pentium MMX, some Pentium Overdrive, and some other vendor's processors, based on the spec in Chapter 17 of the 1997 edition of Intel's _Pentium Processor Family Developer's Manual_ (order number unknown).
I'm thinking about making a homebrew Pentium (P54C or P55) system, by which I mean, not using a purchased motherboard or an Intel chipset.
#retrocomputing

I'm still using some commercial software on Linux, which I ...

2026-07-18T01:47:36Z

I'm still using some commercial software on Linux, which I purchased a million years ago, from a company that no longer exists. It is node-locked to the Ethernet MAC address of a computer that also no longer exists. Some years ago I wrote mac-encheez to deal with this problem, because I couldn't be bothered to reverse-engineer the program to disable the check.
https://github.com/brouhaha/mac-encheez

Computer! End program!

2026-07-10T01:06:49Z

Computer!
End program!

Also, on a related subject, I'm looking for a copy of the ...

2026-07-02T12:07:50Z

In reply to nevent1q…q7ul
_________________________

Also, on a related subject, I'm looking for a copy of the official distribution of ZCPR 3.4 (or even 3.3). It wasn't open source, public domain, or shareware. I'd be perfectly happy to buy it from Echelon, except that they no longer exist. Unfortunately I haven't found any evidence that Echelon ever authorized distribution the way the ZSDOS 1.0 authors did.

#retrocomputing #cpm #zcpr3

Dear lazyweb, Where does one find the official distribution ...

2026-07-02T12:06:18Z

Dear lazyweb,

Where does one find the official distribution release of ZSDOS 2.0, the banked-memory version of ZSDOS? It is a greatly improved CP/M BDOS replacement. The original version is found easily enough, but does not have the banked memory support.
All my searches for ZSDOS 2.0 instead hit disk 2 of the original non-banked ZSDOS.

#retrocomputing #cpm #zsdos

Nostr event nevent1qqszgcj947ww2tkfq683lavsusjsjysgy460fyrpmwsxtm5ex63u44czyzzclnhe993q7n3pk7te45dl22sucgc9kc2p876sgzq2f4me89d2ky97drj

2026-07-01T22:35:00Z

The oxidizer controls the means of reduction.

I won't name names, but there used to be a web site that had ...

2026-06-29T07:58:32Z

I won't name names, but there used to be a web site that had information on a particular minicomputer and particular OS that was hard to find elsewhere. The proprietor had this crazy idea that people linking to pages on his site, rather than top page only, was somehow stealing from him. (There was no actual paywall or advertising.) His policy was linked to from his top page, but if you found a page using a search engine, you wouldn't see that.
1/

Also, watch this amazing new 3D printer! ...

2026-06-07T21:14:55Z

In reply to nevent1q…55nt
_________________________

Also, watch this amazing new 3D printer!

The search keyword is "RTSP".

2026-06-05T14:00:01Z

In reply to nevent1q…rn8g
_________________________

The search keyword is "RTSP".

I'm confused, because when I brew (western) black tea, the ...

2026-06-01T09:20:51Z

In reply to nevent1q…fec7
_________________________

I'm confused, because when I brew (western) black tea, the liquid looks brown to me, not red.

Does anyone have a copy of: AMD Am29040 Microprocessor User's ...

2026-05-31T23:55:23Z

Does anyone have a copy of:

AMD Am29040 Microprocessor User's Manual
1994
Order #18458

I need the full user manual, which is hundreds of pages. I already have the datasheet, which is 31 pages and is readily found online.

Thanks!

#AMD #Am29K #Am29000 #Am29040

I just noticed that the Texas Instruments 74LS06 datasheet, ...

2026-05-25T01:07:23Z

I just noticed that the Texas Instruments 74LS06 datasheet, revised July 2016, has this ridiculous statement:

(1) All unused inputs of the device must be held at VCC or GND to ensure proper device operation. See the Implications of Slow or Floating
CMOS Inputs application report.

That's perfectly true for CMOS parts, but the 74LS06 is NOT a CMOS part.

It's good practice not to leave TTL inputs floating, as floating inputs may pick up noise, but that is _much_ different than the CMOS problem.

My favorite game lately is the C++ compiler, but admittedly the ...

2026-05-24T23:17:50Z

In reply to nevent1q…jwf8
_________________________

My favorite game lately is the C++ compiler, but admittedly the scoring is very subjective.

I invented a machine to send messages back in time to my younger ...

2026-05-08T19:45:36Z

I invented a machine to send messages back in time to my younger self. I know it works, because when I sent my younger self a message to eat healthier and exercise more, I got back a reply, "fuck off."

Doesn't the existence of Kylo Ren imply the existence of Kylo ...

2026-05-05T00:41:11Z

Doesn't the existence of Kylo Ren imply the existence of Kylo Stimpy?

At some point I will want to start shooting videos for demos and ...

2026-05-02T00:39:17Z

In reply to nevent1q…4q5u
_________________________

At some point I will want to start shooting videos for demos and such.
I can't afford any more glass just yet..

A friend was complaining about his computer not doing what he ...

2026-05-02T00:35:22Z

A friend was complaining about his computer not doing what he wants. I told him he has to fight it mano y nano.

My camera spends 99+% of the time on a copy stand, and I almost ...

2026-05-02T00:31:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…8kc7
_________________________

My camera spends 99+% of the time on a copy stand, and I almost exclusively use the zoom and macro lenses for that.

I don't have a wide lens, either. Just a kit zoom, a 50mm ...

2026-05-02T00:19:42Z

In reply to nevent1q…muev
_________________________

I don't have a wide lens, either. Just a kit zoom, a 50mm prime, and a macro. I have yet to try using the good camera and lenses for video.

It would be fun, not trouble. [famous last words?]

2026-05-01T23:17:55Z

In reply to nevent1q…jhjl
_________________________

It would be fun, not trouble.
[famous last words?]

And maybe Android, though it's been nearly 10 years since the ...

2026-05-01T23:16:30Z

In reply to nevent1q…dx6w
_________________________

And maybe Android, though it's been nearly 10 years since the last time I worked on an Android app. That was in Java; now all the cool kids use Kotlin.

I was joking, hence "naive", but if you're actually ...

2026-05-01T23:13:42Z

In reply to nevent1q…wh87
_________________________

I was joking, hence "naive", but if you're actually interested, sure, I'd be happy to do a native Linux port for you.

If you want, I could do a naive port for Linux.

2026-05-01T22:15:04Z

In reply to nevent1q…3x3r
_________________________

If you want, I could do a naive port for Linux.

Say what you will about the sweet miracle of unquestioning faith, ...

2026-04-21T06:51:32Z

In reply to nevent1q…85rn
_________________________

Say what you will about the sweet miracle of unquestioning faith, I consider a capacity for it terrifying and absolutely vile.
– Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

Agnosticism has been criticized for that very thing. It makes no ...

2026-04-21T06:50:21Z

In reply to nevent1q…nns8
_________________________

Agnosticism has been criticized for that very thing. It makes no hypotheses, testable or otherwise. As theoretical physicist Wolfgang Pauli is reputed to have said in a scathing critique, "It isn't right. It isn't even wrong!"
However, I see that as a strength, not a weakness. In my opinion there is no virtue to claiming to know with certainty something which cannot be proven and which is not substantiated by credible evidence.

I don't fully agree with atheism being a religion, but even ...

2026-04-21T06:45:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…49he
_________________________

I don't fully agree with atheism being a religion, but even taking that as a given, I think "soft" agnosticism is not. I don't claim that it's impossible to know metaphysical things, only that _I_ do not know them. I think it is highly unlikely that any supernatural entity that has been described by humans exists, but I don't rule out the possibility.
If soft agnosticism could be considered a religion, it would be the weakest, most wishy-washy religion possible.

I think that there is an objective reality, but I know that the ...

2026-04-21T04:44:03Z

In reply to nevent1q…t6vy
_________________________

I think that there is an objective reality, but I know that the existence of such cannot be proven.
I am agnostic, but when someone asks my religion, I say "atheist," because I don't think their God exists, and "agnostic" takes too long to explain. Replying "atheist" seems to reduce the attempts to convert me. Presumably religious people see agnosticism, "I don't know," as an opportunity to get the camel's nose under the tent, while "There is no god" is definite and unyielding.

I just received by email a new online newsletter, on a subject on ...

2026-04-18T21:34:47Z

I just received by email a new online newsletter, on a subject on which I am very interested.
The body text is light gray on white. I know that is all the rage these days, but it doesn't work so well for those of us with old eyes.
I'd get new eyes, to solve the problem, but unfortunately my health insurance won't cover that.

It's not a "normal" Selectric; that didn't ...

2026-04-17T01:26:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…2mns
_________________________

It's not a "normal" Selectric; that didn't actually exist yet. But it is similar to the later I/O Selectric.(735).

And that is ONLY the console and CE (maintenance) panels. The CPU ...

2026-04-17T01:04:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…z4u2
_________________________

And that is ONLY the console and CE (maintenance) panels. The CPU (7101) was nineteen frames, of which were 20 inches wide, 48 inches deep, and 69 inches tall, except for one frame on the end, which was wider. The CPU weighed 26,290 lb.
That did not include the necessary motor-generator set, power distribution unit, core memory units, or peripherals.

I got it from the toilet seat I got it from the toilet seat It ...

2026-04-16T00:21:32Z

In reply to nevent1q…88sw
_________________________

I got it from the toilet seat
I got it from the toilet seat
It jumped right up
'n' grabbed my meat
Got it from the toilet seat

Why does it hurt when I pee?

2026-04-15T23:49:41Z

In reply to nevent1q…wx2a
_________________________

Why does it hurt when I pee?

Google to start down-ranking web sites that use back button ...

2026-04-14T18:52:52Z

Google to start down-ranking web sites that use back button hijacking!
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/04/websites-that-hijack-your-back-button-must-stop-by-june-15-or-face-googles-wrath/
About effin' time something is done about this.
But I still want a browser configuration option that disables JavaScript modification of the history entirely.

Audiologist: You have moderate hearing loss. Me: What? Could you ...

2026-04-10T19:51:55Z

In reply to nevent1q…ps6z
_________________________

Audiologist: You have moderate hearing loss.

Me: What? Could you please repeat that?

I went to the doctor today. After the tests, she gave me a year, ...

2026-04-10T19:50:38Z

I went to the doctor today. After the tests, she gave me a year, maybe two, tops.

Then I need another audiology exam.

Dear lazyweb, Does anyone happen to know what company introduced ...

2026-04-07T04:51:45Z

Dear lazyweb,
Does anyone happen to know what company introduced the first TTL-compatible metal-can hybrid crystal oscillator in the DIP footprint (like a 14-pin DIP footprint, but with only the four corner pins), and when?
My web searches don't seem to yield relevant results. I'm not looking for the history of crystal oscillators in general. I think the type I've described appeared in the 1970s.
#hybrid #dip #crystal #oscillator

If you want Cherry MX keyswitches for future use, you might want ...

2026-04-03T20:11:26Z

If you want Cherry MX keyswitches for future use, you might want to stock up. Cherry announced last year that production was moving to China, but today Mouser Electronics sent me an obsolescence notice for Cherry MX Blue.
:-(
#MechanicalKeyboard #CherryMX #CherryMXBlue

Dear Lazyweb, Has anyone saved a copy of the M68060 software ...

2026-03-28T09:12:34Z

Dear Lazyweb,
Has anyone saved a copy of the M68060 software package (M68060SP), and its documentation? This includes exception handlers to provide compatibility for the 68K instructions and addressing modes that were omitted from the MC68060 processor.
#Motorola #MC68060 #M68060SP #MC68000

I only have three days left to return it to Best Buy.

2026-03-23T19:35:24Z

In reply to nevent1q…0azk
_________________________

I only have three days left to return it to Best Buy.

I could return the device to Best Buy, but I'm not thrilled ...

2026-03-23T19:32:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…vkyn
_________________________

I could return the device to Best Buy, but I'm not thrilled about doing that to them due to a f**kup on Google's part. But I guess they take that risk as a retailer of any product.

They marked the case as "resolved" and closed the chat. ...

2026-03-23T19:22:47Z

In reply to nevent1q…c47h
_________________________

They marked the case as "resolved" and closed the chat.
Maybe it's time to switch brands.

They keep saying to be patient for this supposed ...

2026-03-23T19:17:32Z

In reply to nevent1q…h2jk
_________________________

They keep saying to be patient for this supposed "rollout", but won't commit to that happening within my 60 day from purchase window of eligibility to purchase the protection plan.

They insist that they are a supervisor. I''ve now asked ...

2026-03-23T19:16:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…jhfa
_________________________

They insist that they are a supervisor. I''ve now asked to be connected to someone with actual authority, though I don't expect that to happen.

Yeah, some respones are word for word identical to the first ...

2026-03-23T19:13:37Z

In reply to nevent1q…veu8
_________________________

Yeah, some respones are word for word identical to the first "representative". Now I've asked to speak to their "supervisor", because I want more of the same.
#GluttonForPunishment

Maybe a real person, but offered Ai-generated responses to send.

2026-03-23T18:56:48Z

In reply to nevent1q…n99v
_________________________

Maybe a real person, but offered Ai-generated responses to send.

Getting mixed vibes from "supervisor". Some responses ...

2026-03-23T18:54:40Z

In reply to nevent1q…umgn
_________________________

Getting mixed vibes from "supervisor". Some responses seem human, some seem auto-generated.

Google's web page for Pixel Care+ clearly states that devices ...

2026-03-23T18:48:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…3ajz
_________________________

Google's web page for Pixel Care+ clearly states that devices purchased from Google's retail partners are eligible. It doesn't say "will be eligible when we gat around to it," or anything about a phased rollout.

When I put the serial number or IMEI into the form, it says not eligible.

On chat with a Google "representative" (AI?) about why a ...

2026-03-23T18:46:23Z

On chat with a Google "representative" (AI?) about why a device purchased new from Best Buy 11 days ago is not eligible for a Pixel Care+ protection plan. They/it keep telling me that Pixel Care+ is in a phased rollout and not yet available for my device, which is bullshit.
I've asked to speak to a supervisor. Will that be AI also?

Yes, doing that requires manually rebuilding the repository, and ...

2026-03-15T22:18:50Z

In reply to nevent1q…8crq
_________________________

Yes, doing that requires manually rebuilding the repository, and effectively invalidates all client checkouts.
:-(

People sometimes ask what my favorite programming language is. ...

2026-03-11T19:24:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…dep4
_________________________

People sometimes ask what my favorite programming language is. Probably Smalltalk, except that I prefer strong typing, and Smalltalk wants to be its own world, like FORTH, rather than being used to create "native" applications. I usually reply that I have no favorite, because all programming languages suck. Some suck less than others.

I'm also feeling nostalgic for MPW Pascal, and the Macintosh ...

2026-03-11T19:21:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…hu6n
_________________________

I'm also feeling nostalgic for MPW Pascal, and the Macintosh Programmer's Workshop in general.
I was sad when Apple ditched Pascal for C.
Pascal was not perfect, by any means. I've programmed professionally in Ada, one of Pascal's successors, and liked it pretty well.
I wanted to use Modula 3, "an elegant weapon for a more civilized age," and dabbled in it a little, but there was no market for it.

Improving LLMs will only make their responses slightly more ...

2026-03-11T17:55:13Z

In reply to nevent1q…fant
_________________________

Improving LLMs will only make their responses slightly more answer-shaped.
People expect otherwise in part because they've seen so much technological advance in computers in general, and think that means more advanced LLMs will follow the usual progression. But mostly they expect otherwise because of the constant propaganda from Sam Altman and other supposed experts, telling them that AGI is right around the corner.

Even if one ignores that, and somehow trains a new model on a ...

2026-03-11T17:50:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…q7jr
_________________________

Even if one ignores that, and somehow trains a new model on a pre-slop training set, LLMs still won't improve, in the sense that people expect. The main improvement everyone wants is for LLMs to have better understanding. That is impossible, as LLMs have NO understanding. A LLM doesn't answer a question or prompt. It generated a statistically plausible output of what an answer might look like. More CPU power, storage, or tweaks to algorithms can't fix that.

The future of LLMs is that they suck worse than they do now, even ...

2026-03-11T17:46:26Z

In reply to nevent1q…lh06
_________________________

The future of LLMs is that they suck worse than they do now, even if hardware gets faster, and regardless of whether they run locally or remotely.
The reason is that LLM generated slop is contaminating the only source of training data. That can only make future models worse.
There is literally no source of high-quality training data for new and improved models.

For no particular reason, I am feeling nostalgic for Turbo ...

2026-03-11T05:31:20Z

For no particular reason, I am feeling nostalgic for Turbo Pascal.

Erwin Schrödinger spent the rest of his life in a superposition ...

2026-03-02T20:53:48Z

Erwin Schrödinger spent the rest of his life in a superposition of being and not being in jail for animal cruelty.

Nostr event nevent1qqsg4ju4vplhjl4vjxra2t472775qxs9p3dq8l5wx5v54a0n5m8mvtqzyzzclnhe993q7n3pk7te45dl22sucgc9kc2p876sgzq2f4me89d2k0jqngg

2026-02-26T06:51:21Z

CAUTION: EVENTS IN CALENDAR ARE SOONER THAN THEY APPEAR

Model F is the general family and technology of a LOT of IBM ...

2026-02-24T17:24:52Z

In reply to nevent1q…erde
_________________________

Model F is the general family and technology of a LOT of IBM capacitive keyboards made starting in 1980. The vast majority of model F keyboards are not the original IBM PC keyboard.
The original IBM PC keyboards is only identified by its part number, 1801449.

I want an IBM PC (5150) keyboard for a project. Looking for ...

2026-02-24T17:07:34Z

I want an IBM PC (5150) keyboard for a project. Looking for genuine, not a clone. They are hard to come by, 45 years later.

An optimist believes that we live in the best of all possible ...

2026-02-21T06:49:37Z

An optimist believes that we live in the best of all possible worlds.
A pessimist fears that that is true.

Nostr event nevent1qqspt6rt7ltgtz2hpflqm6karr6ynrqsdtqgr8xwl279vaeggnn7s8gzyzzclnhe993q7n3pk7te45dl22sucgc9kc2p876sgzq2f4me89d2kqn0ptv

2026-02-20T16:54:05Z

Pizza. It's so much more than just a breakfast food.

How did I go from "Any pillow will do" to "This ...

2026-02-18T14:47:58Z

How did I go from "Any pillow will do" to "This pillow is too firm, that one is too soft, and the other one is 4mm too thick"?

When I first read the Asimov story, I thought that it had to be ...

2026-02-12T20:04:35Z

In reply to nevent1q…jqyx
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When I first read the Asimov story, I thought that it had to be set VERY far in the future. Now I wouldn't have any trouble believing that it was set in next week.
In the story, once he's proven his method, it generates a lot of interest, because computers are expensive. It is not surprising that in 1958, Asimov, and almost all other contemporary SF writers, did not anticipate integrated circuits and Moore's Law. It was common knowledge that computers would keep getting bigger.

Reminds me of a different story, Asimov's "The Feeling of ...

2026-02-12T19:56:59Z

In reply to nevent1q…se58
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Reminds me of a different story, Asimov's "The Feeling of Power", in which a future mathematician discovers that it is possible to do arithmetic without a computer, for instance, using pencil and paper. He hypothesizes that at some point in the past, humans had to do arithmetic that way, because someone had to have programmed the computers to do it. At first, no one believes him, and they all consider him to be a crank. Everyone knows that you need a computer for arithmetic!

I can hardly wait! I just finished reading _Enshittification_, ...

2026-02-12T10:39:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…jvy0
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I can hardly wait!
I just finished reading _Enshittification_, after going to your book signing at The Tattered Cover in Denver.
Previously, I had some inklings of why things were getting so awful, but you've done an excellent job of connecting the dots and explaining the many forces at play.
I hope that, as you've recommended, other countries repeal the DMCA equivalents the USTR forced upon them. Eventually, perhaps that could even lead to the US repealing it.

I hadn't heard of dmsetup messaging before, and even after ...

2026-02-03T06:49:21Z

In reply to nevent1q…2dwa
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I hadn't heard of dmsetup messaging before, and even after reading about it, don't feel like I understand the concept. What's the point of "sending a message" to a target? Is it something asynchronous? How does the target receive messages? Does it send back a reply? I'm just used to issuing commands directly.

Why don't they just spend the $130 million on hookers and ...

2026-01-29T21:59:01Z

In reply to nevent1q…5dac
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Why don't they just spend the $130 million on hookers and blow, instead? They'd at least have a good time, without fucking up the browser for users.

To shoot, more likely. Preemptively prevent them from ever ...

2026-01-28T01:45:17Z

In reply to nevent1q…j7h0
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To shoot, more likely. Preemptively prevent them from ever becoming illegal aliens.

ICE is no longer satisfied with terrorizing people in the USA. ...

2026-01-28T01:39:49Z

ICE is no longer satisfied with terrorizing people in the USA. Now they've decided to invade other countries.
https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-news/watch-ice-agents-attempt-to-enter-ecuadorian-consulate-in-minneapolis-triggering-geopolitical-row-article-153517215

My new plan for next week is to steal $100 million, and ...

2026-01-23T10:12:12Z

My new plan for next week is to steal $100 million, and self-deport to South America. So long, suckers!

Google says: High-Purity Powder (99.5%+): $89–$138 for 10g, ...

2026-01-22T05:46:42Z

In reply to nevent1q…wj0n
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Google says:

High-Purity Powder (99.5%+): $89–$138 for 10g, $294–$347 for 50g.
Industrial Grade: As low as $3/kg.

So will industrial grade provide that benefit, or does it have to be high purity?

Wow! Hadn't heard of it before. Amazing stuff. But what does ...

2026-01-22T05:44:10Z

In reply to nevent1q…w3hv
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Wow! Hadn't heard of it before. Amazing stuff. But what does it cost?

Nostr event nevent1qqs8f6sj2c0rlqesev47unku2qu44ljhldzfja3ggua42act9f4wqsqzyzzclnhe993q7n3pk7te45dl22sucgc9kc2p876sgzq2f4me89d2k09qku5

2026-01-20T02:21:21Z

declaring marital law

I accidentally mixed up the words jacuzzi and Yakuza, and now ...

2026-01-17T06:51:43Z

I accidentally mixed up the words jacuzzi and Yakuza, and now I'm in hot water with the Japanese Mafia.

And don't get me started about how "software ...

2026-01-17T02:15:47Z

In reply to nevent1q…pfz7
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And don't get me started about how "software engineering" doesn't actually exist, and to the limited extent that it can be said to exist, isn't actually done in practice.
(There are, of course, a _very_ small number of exceptions.)

I actually make fun of software developers far more than EEs. As ...

2026-01-17T02:14:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…5dhq
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I actually make fun of software developers far more than EEs. As a software developer, I feel entitled to do that.

I got an EE at a place I worked a few years ago really angry with ...

2026-01-17T02:13:11Z

I got an EE at a place I worked a few years ago really angry with me, when I said my usual thing about "EE is trivial, you just wire together all the pins that have the same name." He must have known I was joking, but still reacted badly.

Starship Troopers

2026-01-15T06:17:43Z

In reply to nevent1q…zejy
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Starship Troopers