Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 29/09/2026I'm feeling this particular strip a lot today. www.schlockmercenary.com/2014-01-20schlockmercenary.comMonday 20 January 2014Daily strip for Monday 20 January 2014 000
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Just watches the opening episode of this weeks Dancing with the Stars. I know, ABC and all... Their online voting suddenly had a problem, and I have to wonder if that was some prediction market folks attempting to stuff the ballot box. 010
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 18/08/2026I guess it's my negative experience early on with NeverLost that made me cynical of these apps to start with. That and Larry Niven's short story. 000
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 10/08/2026today's wild hair involved looking at some domain names. Sticker shock doesn't even begin to cover it. 3.8 million dollars? Seriously? I mean, it's an amazing domain name, and currently available for some reason, but still... 130
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 31/07/2026I am apparently in need of cinnamon rolls for the weekend. 140
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 27/07/2026For some reason, a Pict Song is in my brain today. www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46784/...poetryfoundation.orgA Pict SongWe are the Little Folk—we! Yes—and we Little Folk too, We are busy as they— Working our works out of view— Watch, and you’ll see it some day! We are the… 031
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 15/07/2026Just passed the first hour on hold with the IRS. Tea is low, hold music is monotonous, but still I persist. 270
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 15/07/2026weird thought. If these vehicles are being remote piloted at any time, shouldn't the person doing that remote driving be licensed to drive in the state the vehicle is in? 041
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 08/07/2026not quote the "reactionless thruster" but still quite amazing. 120
Reposted by MartinNo Starch Press @nostarchpress.bsky.social · 03/07/2026It's too hot for full price 🥵 40% off everything, code SUMMERSALE. Ends July 7. 072
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 01/07/2026The July issue is up, and once again a bunch of great stories to read. 061
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 20/06/2026Just going to remind folks of this quote. If the human brain were so simple That we could understand it, We would be so simple That we couldn’t. Emerson M. Pugh quoteinvestigator.com/2016/03/05/b...quoteinvestigator.comQuote Origin: If the Human Brain Were So Simple That We Could Understand It, We Would Be So Simple That We Couldn’t – Quote Investigator® 0112
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 18/06/2026Dumb windows recovery methods... The laptop stopped recognizing its keyboard. Had to load device manager and delete the keyboard driver so Windows would reload it and rediscover the keyboard. 060
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 11/06/2026this was a recent topic of discussion in the house. Solar and farming cohabiting. The article sites a farm near Portland, OR, which is near and dear to me. thetyee.ca/WhatWorks/20...thetyee.caHow Farmers Are Making the Most of Harvesting the Sun | The TyeeAt the cutting edge of agrivoltaics, a new approach precisely manages light and shadow. Result: bigger crops plus clean electricity. 1124
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 11/06/2026Grab a subscription and have good short form SciFi every month. Mine is through Patreon. 051
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 22/05/2026To my L.A. friends, I hope you are safe and sound. www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/g...nbclosangeles.comGarden Grove toxic chemical tank with faulty valve will likely leak or explode, fire officials sayA toxic chemicals tank at an aerospace facility in Garden Grove will either leak or explode due to a faulty valve, fire officials say. 272
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 15/05/2026Edge to stop doing what now? Seriously, this sort of thing just makes my head spin. www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microso...bleepingcomputer.comMicrosoft backpedals: Edge to stop loading passwords into memoryMicrosoft is updating the Edge web browser to ensure it no longer loads saved passwords into process memory in clear text at startup after previously stating it was "by design." 050
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 08/05/2026Lots of friends talking about Mesh Radio and Meshtastic. Here's a really good intro from them. meshtastic.org/docs/introdu...meshtastic.orgIntroduction | MeshtasticDiscover Meshtastic: a community-driven, open-source project using LoRa radios for long-range, off-grid communication. 030
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 03/05/2026I got one of these e-mails recently. Please read, this is yet another clever way to scam folks. 051
Reposted by MartinS. J. Tucker Music @sjtuckermusic.bsky.social · 01/05/2026My beloved Ouachita Mountains are under threat of pit mining-we have until 5/5 to make public comment. Plz help! Here’s my public post w more info & where to comment. Just a few clicks & you’re done. Paraphrase my letter if u wish. www.patreon.com/posts/156677... #GoodTroublepatreon.comPublic Post & call to action: help me protect the Ouachita Mountains | S. J. TuckerPublic Post & call to action: help me protect the Ouachita Mountains by S. J. Tucker on Patreon. Join S. J. Tucker's community for exclusive content and updates. 0138
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 24/04/2026Wow, the drip irrigation controllers the really good yard folks purchased turn out to be pretty terrible. They require an app to do much of anything, and the app is terrible. Then they want me to buy a "hub" for bluetooth to WiFi conversion. B Hyve, not so much. 240
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 22/04/2026I have been observing the disappearance of benches for a while now. This is a well written commentary on the phenomenon. 130
Reposted by MartinMarisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 06/04/2026yet another reason to leave substack (before they make it even harder to leave): 14905415
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 22/03/2026For my Linux using friends, if you would like to depart from the distributions that use systemd, Debian has a fork called Devuan. www.devuan.org No reason you would want to stop using sytemd, but just in case.devuan.orgWelcome to devuan.org | Devuan GNU+Linux Free Operating SystemFree GNU+Linux base OS. Devuan is a fork of Debian without systemd. Devuan provides a safe upgrade path from Debian, to ensure the right to Init Freedom and avoid entanglement. 240
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 28/02/2026Ah, Spring. The local woodpeckers are testing out which parts of the house have the best reverb. 1100
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 24/02/2026One of our local Pine Squirrels is in the bird feeder this morning. I am happy to contribute to their well being. www.nps.gov/articles/000...nps.govDouglas's Squirrel (U.S. National Park Service) 090
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 22/02/20265 authors by whom I've read at least 5 books: Neal Asher Alastair Reynolds Ian Banks Sherri Tepper Fritz Leiber 130
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 13/02/2026Dear Hyatt Hotels, your "AI Assistant" is terrible and frustrating, and if is making me reconsider my choice of hotels. 020
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 11/02/2026Working in Cybersecurity means my reading filters are skewed. I had to read a recent Seattle Times headline twice to figure out why Fish and Wildlife was involved in a fishing incident. I just automatically read phishing, twice. The pun in the article is that he was arrested for poaching salmon. 130
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 09/02/2026Ah, Monday morning hold music. Seriously, the only reason any of us are on hold waiting is because your website doesn't do what we need to do. And yes, we know there's a wait, you don't have to tell us every 30 seconds. 231
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 19/01/2026I think it's adorable that they suggest WA and OR might be able to see northern lights. www.space.com/stargazing/a...space.comNorthern lights may be visible in 24 states tonight as a massive CME slams into EarthAuroras may be visible from Alaska to Colorado tonight as a speedy coronal mass ejection impacts Earth. 120
Reposted by MartinElectronic Frontier Foundation @eff.org · 14/01/2026Age verification mandates are spreading rapidly, despite clear evidence that they do not work and actively harm the people they claim to protect. We're discussing these laws and how we're fighting back tomorrow at 12 PM PT. Join us live! eff.org/livestream-ageeff.orgEFFecting Change: The Human Cost of Online Age VerificationAge verification mandates are spreading fast, and they’re ushering in a new age of online surveillance, censorship, and exclusion for everyone—not just young people. Age-gating laws generally require 28234
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 21/12/2025For those folks that are in the Everett and Lynnwood area, a very short survey. 021
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 12/12/2025Slop not bad enough, AMZN has added a new kindle feature. reactormag.com/new-kindle-f...reactormag.comNew Kindle Feature Uses AI to Answer Questions About Books—And Authors Can't Opt Out - ReactorThe new feature, called Ask this Book, is already drawing controversy and unanswered questions. 010
Reposted by MartinThat Witch Librarian @thatwitchlibrarian.bsky.social · 12/12/2025This is your seasonal reminder that Bookshop.org and libro.fm exist as local-supporting not-Amazon options for all your physical and audiobook needs! Bookshop even gives you the option to add a card and a pretty fabric bag and ship it directly to your giftee!bookshop.orgBookshop.org: Buy books online. Support local bookstores.A better way to buy books online. Every purchase financially supports local independent bookstores. 5266181
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 02/12/2025The whole reason I am calling is your site told me to call because I can't do this task on-line. xkcd.com/3175xkcd.comWebsite Task Flowchart 140
Reposted by MartinNo Starch Press @nostarchpress.bsky.social · 01/12/2025Build your offensive security lab with 18 DRM-free books worth $700+. Download once, read anywhere, keep forever. Pay what you want (starting around $36) and support the EFF while you’re at it: www.humblebundle.com/books/hacking-… 13821
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 24/11/2025with all the rumblings going on about resignations, who has the list of candidates to run to fill the open positions, and who is helping recruit folks to be on that list? 131
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 19/11/2025Looks like it's time to remind people about Maxim 29 again. "The enemy of my enemy is my enemy's enemy. No more. No less." schlockmercenary.fandom.com/wiki/The_Sev...schlockmercenary.fandom.comThe Seventy Maxims of Maximally Effective MercenariesThe Seventy Maxims of Maximally Effective Mercenaries is a popular handbook in the Schlock Mercenary universe. The book's maxims are often quoted by Tagon, as well as other characters. The following i... 020
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 29/10/2025Oh look, something in AWS US-East-1 is having an issue, again. Various sources are noting that this morning is not a good morning for apps that require authentication. 020
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 19/10/2025I am seeing people asking that I subscribe to them on Substack. Please leave Substack, so I can subscribe with a clear conscience. Here is the discussion on why not Substack, and where to be instead. leavesubstack.comleavesubstack.comYou Should Probably Leave SubstackYou should probably leave Substack. Here’s why and how. 121
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 15/10/2025Felt the need to music this morning to help with my focus and energy. 🎶 What are y'all listening to this morning? 020
Martin @helix90.bsky.social · 12/10/2025For those that are interested in managing their own networks, this is a good read about one possible approach. psyonik.tech/posts/a-guid...psyonik.techpSYoniK - Software, Hardware and Tech - In.That.Order. 020
