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Benji Weber

@benjiweber.com
1.2K followers 539 following 195 posts

Tech Leader & Software Engineer • Tech and Teams, Extreme Programming, Java • CTO & Co-founder @ Geordie.ai • Previously Snyk, Unruly • Writes things at benjiweber.com/blog

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Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 19/09/2026
Fun Kobayashi Maru challenge at bend-lang.com
bend-lang.com "Winning is Impossible" challenge displaying "YOU WON !?"
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Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 25/07/2026
GPT isn't great at memes.
Where can you see tigers? 
Meme Chat Buddy

You can see tigers in the wild mainly in Asia, especially in forests, grasslands, mangroves, and mountainous areas.

Some well-known places include India: Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Jim Corbett, and the Sundarbans; Nepal: Chitwan and Bardia; Bangladesh: the Sundarbans; Bhutan; Russia’s Far East for Siberian/Amur tigers; and parts of Southeast Asia, though they’re much harder to spot there.

You can also see tigers in many accredited zoos and wildlife sanctuaries.

Forget Norway
Meme Chat Buddy
Worked for 38s

I don’t have anything about Norway saved in the memory folder, so there was nothing to remove. I’ll avoid using Norway as context going forward.
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Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 28/01/2026
#London things
Road with a cycle path and a horse path, with "Horse Lane Closed" on a sign.
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Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 10/01/2026
Shame that @intellijidea.com can't complete this refactoring itself. Not ideal that the refactoring takes compiling code and creates code that fails to compile. #java
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Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 02/01/2026
Trying to identify this bird. LLMs like insisting it's various varieties of Californian bird but this is taken in Scotland. White Tailed Eagle? Buzzard? Osprey?
Bird of prey against a mountain backdrop
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Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 02/01/2026
It was at this moment I realised that slick tyres may not have been the optimal choice this morning #cycling
Road with snow
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Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 28/12/2025
Sea otter
Otter on a rock off a snowy stony beach
010
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 27/12/2025
It's not bad out
Robin with outstretched wings on frosty ground. Frost on berrys Frost on hollyRobin perched in stone above frosty ground
020
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 13/12/2025
Discovered there's a setting to change #intellij 's default infuriating behaviour of opening seemingly random tab when you drag/split editor views. I really wonder why "Most recently opened tab" is not the default.
Intellij options When the current tab is closed, activate: [ * The tab on the left , ( ) the tab on the right, ( ) Most recently opened tab ]
010
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 06/12/2025
I like parameterised tests but find #junit 's EnumSource/MethodSource etc dissatisfying. Here's how you can parameterize tests with #java records gist.github.com/benjiman/e9f...
 public record MyTestData(String name, Integer age) {}
        static class MyTestDataValues implements SourceOf<MyTestData> {
          public List<MyTestData> values() {
            return List.of(
              new MyTestData("foo", 5),
              new MyTestData("bar", 10)
            );
          }
        }
        @ParameterizedTest(name="{0} - {1}")
        @ArgumentsSource(MyTestDataValues.class)
        public void exampleTest(String name, Integer age) {
          System.out.println(name + " " + age);
          assertEquals(0, age % 5);
          assertEquals(3, name.length());
        }public interface SourceOf<T extends Record> extends ArgumentsProvider {
    List<T> values();
    default Stream<? extends Arguments> provideArguments(ExtensionContext context) {
      return values().stream().map(
        v -> Arrays.stream(v.getClass().getRecordComponents())
          .map(rc -> {
            try {
              return rc.getAccessor().invoke(v);
            } catch (Exception e) {
              throw new RuntimeException(e);
            }
          })
          .toArray()
      ).map(Arguments::of);
    }
  }
042
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 20/11/2025
SUVs in London are really getting out of hand.
Tank next to pret a manger kings crossTank next to pret a manger kings cross
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Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 06/10/2025
The trouble with these electronic wing mirrors on buses now is one can't see if the bus driver is paying attention when #cycling. Why wouldn't the bus driver be paying attention you ask?
Bus driver reading a newspaper
020
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 04/10/2025
I'm not sure this email marketing was targeted at engineers.
Shaking hands emoji Schedule a week of meetings colon
030
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 26/09/2025
Oh good, It has infected the devtools now.
Google Chrome dev tools with a gemini popup appearing covering the click target for the network request row.Stop trying to make gemini happen (Stop trying to make Fetch happen meme)
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Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 05/09/2025
There are worse morning commutes #cycling
Sun shining through trees on a road
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Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 24/08/2025
Top trolling by YouTube.
Screenshot of YouTube movies category "Star Trek" listing only Star Wars films.
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Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 29/07/2025
#motonormativity
A diverted traffic sign for motorists placed right in the middle of a cycle path.
010
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 27/07/2025
Predictable results with the new Tulip cycle lanes.
Cycle lane with tulip tipped flexible wand that has been knocked over by a vehicle.
131
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 19/07/2025
Intellij referencing Star Trek.
Top is Intellij context menu with suggestions for java code `record Borg(){}`, the top suggestion is "Download Swedish". 

Below is screenshot from Star Trek First Contact, with Lily Sloan saying "Borg? Sounds Swedish"
110
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 06/07/2025
Time for the monthly cable replacement #thanksshimano
Bicycle gear cable fraying at handlebars.
030
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 01/07/2025
Github has got Gemini disease of popping up offering Copilot "help" in front of whatever you're trying to read or click on. Doesn't seem to matter how many times you dismiss it.
Screenshot of github docs page with "Get quick answers! Ask copilot your question" popup.
110
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 20/06/2025
One of the most frustrating things with Android Chrome is how you: • Open a link in chrome • Switch to something else • Go back to chrome -> It shows you what you wanted to continue reading for a split second, only for it to vanish into the ether, never to be seen again.
010
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 20/06/2025
I've noticed macbook users look horrified when I do this with my Framework.
Framework laptop folded open flat
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Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 19/06/2025
Increasingly find myself reaching for duckdb over jq. SQL and JSON Path is a powerful combination.
Terminal Screenshot. Text follows:

benji@lcars:~> cat obs-midi-mg-config.json | jq .devices
[
  {
    "active": 3,
    "name": "Midi Through Port-0",
    "thru": "Midi Through Port-0"
  },
  {
    "active": 3,
    "name": "PreSonus FP2 MIDI 1"
  }
]
benji@lcars:~> cat obs-midi-mg-config.json | dq "select unnest(devices, recursive:=true) from json"
active,name,thru
3,Midi Through Port-0,Midi Through Port-0
3,PreSonus FP2 MIDI 1,NULL
benji@lcars:~> cat obs-midi-mg-config.json | dp .devices[*].name
["Midi Through Port-0", "PreSonus FP2 MIDI 1"]
benji@lcars:~> cat `which dq` `which dp`
#!/bin/sh
query=$@
duckdb -csv -c "with json as (select * from read_json_auto('/dev/stdin')) $query"
#!/bin/sh
query=$1
duckdb -ascii -c "select json_extract(json, '\$${query}') from read_json_auto('/dev/stdin') json" | tail -n +2
040
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 10/06/2025
Adding shoes to my growing list of busted carbon. Isn't it great how carbon fails by fraying into shards of ultra sharp nano splinters.
Worn cycling shoe sole with fraying carbon next to cleat.
020
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 10/06/2025
Didn't have much success debating this with support. "the reason for the price increase is because of Gemini being part of the core services *for the betterment of service* "if you wish to turn off the Gemini features … *turning off the feature doesn't change the current pricing.*"
Google Workspace Support, <Redacted>:  Nice meeting you, Benji. I understand that you do not need the Gemini features as you are a charity organization. Don't worry I can help you with this.Additionally, the reason for the price increase is because of Gemini being part of the core services for the betterment of service. Gemini is now part of the services and not and add-on. You may freely use the Gemini AI to help you with your productivity.Google Workspace Support, <Redacted>: I understand, if you wish to turn off the Gemini features there's a dedicated team that can help you with that. Just want to let you know, turning off the feature doesn't change the current pricing. If you need assistance with it, you may use your other account to contact a support to help you further.
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Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 20/05/2025
Amazon busy making their product worse. I used to be able to read this book that I "purchased", now it can't be opened.
Kindle error message: "We are sorry. Kindle can't open this book. You can read with the free Kindle app for Windows, Mac, Android or iOS"
010
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 09/04/2025
Lovely spring day to get away from the keyboard.
Daffodills and blossom tree.DaffodillsFields and hedges in background with blossom tree in foreground.The moon on a blue sky with blossom tree in the foreground.
160
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 03/04/2025
This button in Slack always amuses me (It does do something).
Screenshot from Slack of a button titled "Do nothing" with a mouse pointing finger cursor hovering over it.
020
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 17/03/2025
It's that time of year when the birdsong alarm wakes one up early enough to be greeted by the robots with "Good Evening"
Screenshot from Hive heating mobile app, the clock top left says 04:59 and the heating app title says "Good Evening"
010
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 07/03/2025
The most exciting Android update in a while.
Android "Install Linux Terminal" installation screenNative Android Linux Terminal, pictured showing curl help.
030
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 06/03/2025
"Get in the cycle lane" The cycle lanes in question:
Cycle lane blocked with crashed car, surrounded with barriers and police tape.Cycle lane blocked wit ha sign saying "CYCLE LANE AHEAD CLOSED"
010
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 07/02/2025
When somebody proposes a change freeze.
000
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 07/02/2025
Now that reMarkable have added basic shapes, the ubiquitous Box-Box-Cylinder architecture is now Neat-Neat-Messy. I wonder if that's appropriate 🤔
Two sets of [rectangle]->[rectangle]->(cylinder/database) diagrams sketched with Remarkable. First in black, second in blue. The rectangles are neat and tidy, the cylinders are messy freehand
010
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 02/02/2025
Time for the real closing talk #fosdem
FOSDEM 2025 infrastructure review talk
030
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 02/02/2025
"As a software developer, at first you think the others can't code; ultimately you realize that no one can." Philipp Stanner ['s anonymous colleague] #fosdem
Photo of talk and quote references in the skeet.
051
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 02/02/2025
The devrooms that believe in ventilation are so much more pleasant. Whether masking or not. #fosdem . I wonder what it would take to have air purifiers in the infectious and stuffy H rooms.
Fosdem talk room with 3 windows wide open.
041
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 02/02/2025
Kohei Tokunaga demoing qemu emulating raspberry pi in browser #fosdem
FOSDEM talk screen showing browser with terminal inside
041
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 02/02/2025
"consent crisis, people don't want AI harvesting the data but blocking them restricts everyone access to data for all purposes" #fosdem
FOSDEM 2025 talk in Mozilla devroom
110
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 02/02/2025
Looking forward to this one. What can we learn from Formula 1 incident management by @mccricardo.bsky.social #fosdem
What can we learn from Formula 1 incident management by Ricardo Castro at FOSDEM.
181
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 02/02/2025
Challenges of ClickHouse for observability "SQL is not PromQL" I'm not seeing the problem ¬_¬ @joshleecreates.bsky.social #fosdem
ClickHouse observability challenges * SQL is not PromQL * overly complex for small data volumes * not a turnkey solution
011
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 02/02/2025
IPCC data is open, traceable, trustworthy #fosdem
FOSDEM lightning talk "why are these forecasts trustworthy" showing various climate change heating scenario illustrations.
130
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 02/02/2025
Time to learn about detecting supply chain attacks like the xz backdoor in Debian #fosdem
FOSDEM lightning talk on https://fosdem.org/2025/schedule/event/fosdem-2025-5224-finding-anomalies-in-the-debian-packaging-system-to-detect-supply-chain-attacks/
010
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 02/02/2025
Fascinating lightning talk on building open source wind generation with kites #fosdem kitesforfuture.de
Photo of FOSDEM lightning talk https://fosdem.org/2025/schedule/event/fosdem-2025-5560-kites-for-future-airborne-wind-energy-for-everyone/
021
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 01/02/2025
X(MPP), the Everything API. #fosdem
Talk at FOSDEM, title slide says "A Universal and stable API to everything: XMPP" by Jérôme Poisson
020
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 01/02/2025
"IRC in 2003 looked very different to today" 👀 my phone.
Slide from IRC talk at FOSDEM with screenshot of irssiScreenshot of phone IRC weechat session
020
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 01/02/2025
Now time to be made to feel old #fosdem
Chatting on IRC in 2025. Grandpa, what's up? Talk slide
011
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 01/02/2025
"It's the display, not the Linux laptop" #fosdem
4 people round a laptop not working with a projector at fosdem
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Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 01/02/2025
Lennart Poettering's talk the busiest yet, packing Janson.
Full Janson auditorium at FOSDEM , at the start of Lennart Poettering's 14years of systemd talk.
010
Benji Weber @benjiweber.com · 01/02/2025
Standing room only for "How Browsers Really load Web Pages" by @programmingart.bsky.social #fosdem
"Tight Mode": How Browsers Really Load Web Pages. Robin Marx @programmingart at #Fosdem
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