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Brian MacDonald

@bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy
23 followers 1 following 169 posts

Technical writer, editor, speaker, manager, currently slinging docs at Temporal.io. Former DigitialOcean, Pragmatic, O'Reilly. Philly native. Likely to get nerdy about […] [bridged from jawns.club/@bmac on the fediverse by fed.brid.gy ]

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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 10/09/2026
"Thank you for giving me access to your galactic database for my research." "And what did you conclude about the evolution of life on Earth, professor?" "The moon! Such a huge satellite uniquely influenced us." "How so?" "The seasons and the tides pushed evolution forward. And being able to […]
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 09/09/2026
"In there? That's ridiculous!" "Why is it ridiculous? It was built by goblins, so naturally it's sized to fit them, not us." "I'll never fit in there with my armor on. And how am I supposed to swing a sword?" "Well, I certainly don't know. You're the one who said you were an expert at this […]
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 09/09/2026
Here's the thing: If you claim you're calling from my "local roofer / window company / power wash service," but you don't actually say the name of your company, I'm not going to believe you. Does that EVER actually work?
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 05/09/2026
Me: My Mastodon feed seems different today. There's people here I haven't heard from in forever, and much less "everything in tech is awful." I wonder what changed? Also me: Oh, that's not my Mastodon feed; that's my Bluesky.
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 28/08/2026
"Excuse me, Red Hippo Commander?" "Yes, Blue Hippo Pilot?" "I have a question about our battle tactics." "<sigh> Rookie pilots always do. Look, we have to attack as five separate MechaHippos before we combine to form MegaMechaHippo, and then we have to wait before we form the MegaMechaHippo […]
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 23/08/2026
I know jack about plants, and even less about fungi. But we've had a lot of rain here lately, and these shroom bros just appeared on the edge of my lawn. No idea what they are, if they're good for anything, or poisonous, or what. But they're very round and white […] [Original post on jawns.club]
A pair of white-capped mushrooms poke out of a patch of grass. They're a couple of inches tall, and the caps are almost perfectly round.
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 20/08/2026
"And why do you think the dragon has gone too far and needs to be stopped?" "They say it's a collector. It hoards treasure, and books, but now it's collecting princesses." "Well, you see, the collection keeps expanding, so we brought in Jeanne, the archivist, to help out Rachel the librarian […]
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 09/08/2026
I know there's not many coaster fans on fedi, but last night I experienced the Voyage with no trims, and I am a believer
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 05/08/2026
If you've never read "There Will Come Soft Rains" by Ray Bradbury, I suggest you read it today. It's a short story, and easy to find online at no charge. If you *have* read "There Will Come Soft Rains," then you probably know why I suggested reading it today.
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 31/07/2026
"Greetings, delegates of Earth. We've received your application to join our Federation. I'm afraid we have some...cultural concerns." "Is it the crab thing? Your species resembles crabs, and Earth crabs aren't sentient." "And you *eat* them." "I see the problem. Could we speak to one of the […]
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 30/07/2026
I may have inadvertantly created An Art.
A screenshot of a shared post from Brian MacDonald's Mastodon account. The added text, from Brian, reads "Truer words..." The quoted post, however, is blank, and reads "Post unavailable."
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 09/07/2026
Them: Hey, are you going to see The Odyssey this weekend? Me: Hmm...I don't think so. I read the book.
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 06/07/2026
RE: saga.garden/@vinterkarusell/1168689… Truer words...
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 04/06/2026
Oh, come on, Movie Theater Chain! Yes, I went to the movies. No, I don't think that warrants a satisfaction survey. I sat in the chair, I ate popcorn, I saw a movie. This was the expected experience. And "am I likely to recommend you"? Look, I go to your theater because it's close by and the […]
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 15/05/2026
A couple of years ago I got the Lego Dungeons & Dragons, set, "The Red Dragon's Tale." I posted a lot of photos here as I built it. I loved the build, and I ran the adventure it came with for three different groups. It's awesome. This set has just been added to Lego's "retiring soon" list […]
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 05/05/2026
Did we mention that #writethedocs is adjacent to a dog park? Talk about docs, network with professionals, meet dogs!
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 05/05/2026
Having a fantastic time learning and contributing at #writethedocs. Happy to see old friends, meet new ones, and have fascinating conversations with people. The speakers today have been really first-rate. If you're around, and we haven't talked yet, let me know! I'd be happy to speak with you […]
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 03/05/2026
I've only been at #WriteTheDocs for half a day, and I've already had so many interesting conversations. I even ended up talking documentation *on the walk over,* before the conference even started. I love this conference, and this community, so very much
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 02/05/2026
Packing for a trip. Consulted my "packing checklist." ✅ toothbrush ✅ toothpaste 🎵 a flannel for my face... Goddammit. Every time.
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 01/05/2026
Security System: Fault reported! Motion sensor has condition "low battery"! Me: Yeah, OK. <changes batteries> Security System: Alert! The motion sensor reports it has been tampered with!
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 29/04/2026
The Hugo Awards finalists have been announced, and I once again find myself looking at the nominees and seeing names of friends, and friends-of-friends. And that is seriously strange. Not strange that they got nominated; that's normal. They're awesome, they're talented, and they've put in the […]
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 08/04/2026
Hello, credit-card company. Thank you for your concern. I'm aware that my credit card usage jumped this month. I had a rather expensive card maintenance appointment at the beginning of the month, and then some expensive yard work at the end. Unfortunately, they both fell within the same billing […]
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 05/04/2026
Watching "For All Mankind" while there's an actual rocket with humans on it headed to the moon...
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 28/03/2026
Went to #NoKings in West Chester, PA. Parked on the street about a half-mile away and walked in, which turned out to be smart. Stood on the sidewalk across the street from the courthouse, because that was the only spot I could find. Couldn't see much because there were lots of people with signs […]
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 19/03/2026
RE: teh.entar.net/@ckape/11625232450877… Attention @instance-jawns.club Waffles has a good time.
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Christopher Neugebauer @chrisjrn.fyi · 17/03/2026
Some regrettable personal news: As of ~45 mins ago I am no longer employed. I'm still trying to find my bearings, but would be gateful for whatever leads y'all have. (I will say more in a bit, once I actually have the time to spare)
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 07/03/2026
Tune: "Pompeii," by Bastille 🎵 And the king, he believed me when I said that I could turn lead into gold I tried, my experiments all failed, now my blood is runnin' cold 🎵 🎵 And if you close your eyes It'll almost feel like nothing's changed at all And if you close your eyes It'll almost feel […]
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 21/02/2026
<8:00 a.m.> Check me out, responsible human, doing my grocery shopping early, before the storm... <30 seconds later, pulling into parking lot> Ah. Turns out I'm not the only person who can read a weather forecast. Who knew?
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 14/02/2026
As I always do at this time of year, I'll encourage you to take a moment to remember the great publishing imprints of the past. Happy Ballentine's Day.
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 12/02/2026
Random language thought, American English vernacular: If you are "a shit," that's bad. If you are "the shit," that's good.
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 30/01/2026
AI companies: AI can draw pictures for you! Artists: Ugh, no! We don't want that. AI companies: AI can write words for you! Writers: Ugh, no! We don't want that. AI companies: AI can write code for you! Programmers: That's awesome! More like that, please.
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 28/01/2026
Happy Large Boulder the Size of a Small Boulder Day to all who celebrate!
A screenshot of a social media post from the San Miguel Sheriff dated January 27, 2020. Text reads: "Large boulder the size of a small boulder is completely blocking east-bound lane Highway 145 mm78 at Silverpick Rd. Please use caution and watch for emergency vehicles in the area." The accompanying photograph shows a snowy road winding through mountain peaks. The sky is heavily overcast and snow is falling. There is a snow-covered boulder in the center of the image, about the size of a refrigerator on its side, blocking the right lane of the road. In the foreground is a parked SUV with Sheriff department markings.
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 13/01/2026
Company: Your account will be deactivated soon! Me: What's that? Who are you? Company: It's us! The company with the account you haven't used in over a year. We're going to have to delete it if you don't log in soon! Me: Oh, OK. Sounds good; thanks. Company: We don't think you understand! We'll […]
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 21/12/2025
Happy Solstice, everybody! Halfway out of the dark.
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 20/12/2025
It has reached that time of year when I acknowledge that I'm not going to get any new roller coaster credits this year, and look back on the ones I got. Three. I got three credits this year. Patriot and Desert Storm at Castles-n-Coasters in Phoenix, and the new Wrath of Rakshasa at Six Flags […]
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 01/12/2025
[Wordle] Whew
A wordle stats screen showing a win streak of 500, and a "500-day Streak" badge.
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 07/11/2025
Big thanks to everybody who came out to see my talks @techbash today. When I put audience participation sections in my talks, I hope that people will actually participate, and you all never let me down.
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 06/11/2025
I haven't been posting here very much lately. That's it. That's the toot.
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 01/11/2025
Well, shit. I just learned that Pierre Robert has passed away. For those who didn't know, Pierre was the lunchtime DJ at WMMR Philadelphia for over 40 years. His amazing voice and unfailing upbeat attitude brightened many a lunch break throughout my life. In an industry full of manufactured […]
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 19/09/2025
[Wordle] I just got my THIRD hole-in-one on Wordle, just 17 days after my previous one, and less than a year after my first. I know randomness is unexpected by definition, but that was really random. Now I have to find another starter word.
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 01/09/2025
[Wordle] Got my second-ever hole in one today! Woo! ...now I need a new starter word...
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 24/08/2025
Computer can't connect to printer, huh? Printer not found on network, you say? I've got a six-foot USB cable right here, sucker, so how about you tell me if you can find the printer NOW?
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 11/08/2025
I have a lot of writing about some topics I'm interested in, stored privately. Like, if I collected widgets, and whenever I get one, I jot down a few thoughts about it. Now imagine that I've been collecting for decades and I have several thousand of them. I'm in the process of moving this […]
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 10/08/2025
Pun of the day: Somebody threw a bottle of omega-3 pills at my head. Luckily my injuries are only super fish oil.
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 06/08/2025
I KNEW IT! theonion.com/australia-admits-all-t…
theonion.com
Australia Admits All Those Animals Made Up
SYDNEY—Saying the ruse began as a harmless prank about the continent’s mammals having pouches, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese admitted Tuesday that all those animals like wallabies, numbats, quokkas, and bandicoots were completely made up. “We just assumed everyone would have caught on by now, because these creatures are clearly imaginary,” said Albanese, adding that […] The post Australia Admits All Those Animals Made Up appeared first on The Onion.
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Ryan Finnie @ryan.m29.us.ap.brid.gy · 02/08/2025
Void coding #Cats #Caturday
Black cat with her paws crossed on a desk, immediately next to a keyboard, looking at the camera. In the background is a monitor with a black terminal with code. Photographer’s legs are propped up and crossed on the desk too
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 27/07/2025
I learned something today. The *beep* that indicates an item has been scanned at the grocery checkout has a volume control. According to the cashier, when it's very busy in the store, you turn the volume up so that you can be sure the beep you just heard was your beep. Don't know how well that […]
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 26/07/2025
Having a deliberately non-productive day.
A smiling blonde woman holds a small three-toed sloth in her arms. The sloth has one hand on her shoulder and is turning around to look at someone off-camera. The text reads "Embrace the Sloth."
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 26/07/2025
I got a book in the mail! Getting books in the mail is one of my favorite things about the job I used to have, and I'm not sure when it'll happen again. But I now have a complete collection of the works of @vmbrasseur (for now). If you're in FOSS, in tech, or in […] [Original post on jawns.club]
The front cover of "Business Success with Open Source," by VM Brasseur, edited by Adaobi Obi Tulton, published by the Pragmatic Bookshelf. The cover features a row of large, two-pronged metal forks, probably just out of the forge, ranging from bright orange to full red.
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Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 20/07/2025
Me: OK, time to belt up. Slack off, phone in the other room, just me and this article to edit. Focus time! Brain: Hmm-hmm-hmm...🎵 Me: No. Don't do it. Brain: 🎵 Fo-cus time... 🎵 Me: Stop that. Brain: 🎵 Time to turn the Slack off, and see if you can get work done...🎵 Me: Not. Helping. Brain […]
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