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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 ]

Posts Replies Media

Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 20/09/2026

@lowqualityfacts Justice needs to be well rested. You don't want justice making mistakes because it's tired, do you?

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?

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.

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.

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

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.

Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 31/07/2026

@joe I also received such an email. There's a distinct air of desperation.

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 […]

Original post on jawns.club

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."

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.

Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 06/07/2026

RE: saga.garden/@vinterkarusell/1168689… Truer words...

Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 16/06/2026

@joe I always liked to say "Kentucky Hut Bell," because I liked the way it flowed. But yours is shorter.

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!

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

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.

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!

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...

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 · 24/03/2026

@raganwald @ilovecomputers I'm coming to believe that the Internet as we knew it from say 1990 to 2010 was the anomaly. Nothing that powerful or that useful can survive as a public good in a capitalist system.

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.

Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 17/03/2026

@chrisjrn Happy to recommend you for anything on here: temporal.io/careers#become-a-tempor… We're doing a lot of hiring these days.

Reposted by Brian MacDonald

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)

Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 17/03/2026

@chrisjrn.fyi Oh crap, dude; that sucks. I'm really sorry to hear that.

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 · 01/03/2026

[Sorry in advance. Joke incoming.] @davep Slow clap. Well played.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 […]

Original post on jawns.club

Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 21/12/2025

Happy Solstice, everybody! Halfway out of the dark.

Brian MacDonald @bmac.jawns.club.ap.brid.gy · 21/12/2025

@kenwhite.bsky.social Maybe I'm just jaded, but on Zillow Gone Wild, they call a place like this "Tuesday."

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 · 16/12/2025

@Gargron @Ameboid It's a loupe boop! (loupe boupe?)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...