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John Merchant

@johnmerchant.bsky.social
246 followers 603 following 61 posts

👨🏻‍💻 Software Engineer / Consultant 🏭 Whyalla, South Australia

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Reposted by John Merchant
Adelaide .NET User Group @adnug.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
10th June - Generative AI for Beginners (V2), with @johnmerchant.bsky.social Register or find out more at www.meetup.com/adelaide-dot... #dotnet #GenerativeAI #workshop #handson
meetup.com
Generative AI for Beginners (V2), Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 5:30 PM | Meetup
Join us as John will help us run through the newly updated [Generative AI For Beginners course](https://devblogs.microsoft.com/dotnet/generative-ai-for-beginners-dotnet-ver
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John Merchant @johnmerchant.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
I made spotcheck.energy so you can check how a spot price plan like Amber would’ve worked for your home over the last 365 days on the NEM.
spotcheck.energy
Spotcheck — is switching to spot pricing worth it?
A free, independent calculator. Tells you whether switching to a spot-passthrough retailer is actually worth it for your solar + battery + hot water setup — runs a year-long simulation against real wh...
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James Bannan @jamesbannan.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 21/11/2025
Very much enjoying the keynote on AI and software development by @ghuntley #DDDAdelaide
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Chris Meder @evcurvefuturist.com · 16/11/2025
Given that 1.8 million barrels of oil per day are already being displaced by #EVs — before the real S-curve phase hits with 25% YoY growth — the writing’s on the wall. Every km on electrons is demand oil never gets back. No wonder the industry is panicking as it traverses a full-blown death spiral.
discoveryalert.com.au
EVs Set to Displace 10mn b/d Oil by 2035
EVs set to displace 10mn b/d of oil by 2035 as electric vehicle adoption accelerates across global markets.
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John Merchant @johnmerchant.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Mr and Mrs Bluetongue
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John Merchant @johnmerchant.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Murphy’s Haystacks
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John Merchant @johnmerchant.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
This is my rock
Willy Wagtail on a rock
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Chris Meder @evcurvefuturist.com · 30/08/2025
The battery boom has begun 🔋⚡️ 2024: 69 GW storage added, +66% YoY. Growth looks more like smartphones than power plants—modular, fast, unstoppable. With costs still falling, 2025 will likely surge another 60–70%. The fastest-growing energy in history? Batteries + solar. #BESS #Lithium #Solar #LFP
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Not a Tesla App @notateslaapp.com · 29/08/2025
Tesla Officially Launches FSD in Australia & New Zealand; Introduces 30-Day Free Trial
notateslaapp.com
Tesla Officially Launches FSD in Australia & New Zealand; Introduces 30-Day Free Trial
Tesla has officially launched FSD (Supervised) in Australia and New Zealand. A deep dive into the staged rollout, the standard 30-day free trial and the pricing… Read More
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John Merchant @johnmerchant.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
The whale watching operation at Fowlers Bay is conservation best practice. They need to be granted an exemption to continue operations. chng.it/mV5gMcYc6p
chng.it
Sign the Petition
Support EP Cruises: Protect Local Tourism & Conservation Efforts
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Reposted by John Merchant
Sydney EV @sydneyev.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
We’ve normalised traffic danger and pollution for decades. But freedom to drive shouldn’t come at the cost of freedom to walk safely, breathe clean air, or let kids go to school without being gassed. Road harm isn’t inevitabl, it’s a design choice. Let’s choose better.
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John Merchant @johnmerchant.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
Kati Thanda - Lake Eyre
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John Merchant @johnmerchant.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
Telstra satellite direct-to-cell appears to work for my iPhone 15 Pro in outback SA. I can send and receive SMS and iMessage, text only. There are also off-grid Telstra 4G towers with satellite, solar and what appears to be batteries. The speeds and ping are great considering how remote it is!
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John Merchant @johnmerchant.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
Milky Way from Beltana, Flinders Ranges
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John Merchant @johnmerchant.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
Finally, a spot of rain in Whyalla
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Prof Ray Wills @profraywills.futuresmart.com.au · 20/05/2025
“We were surprised” Electric trucks ready to overtake diesel on lifetime cost thedriven.io/2025/05/20/w... @thedriven.io Don't be surprised, just be happy The time for electric trucks is from now on
thedriven.io
"We were surprised:" Electric trucks ready to overtake diesel on lifetime cost
New research shows the tipping point for cost parity for electric trucks and diesel trucks is close than expected. "We were surprised," say the researchers.
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James Newton-King ♔ @james.newtonking.com · 20/05/2025
Aspire 9.3 new dashboard features, day 7: It's release day and there's a surprise dashboard feature. GitHub Copilot is your new AI debugging assistant 🚀 📒 Review hundreds of log messages in one click 🚨 Find root causes of errors faster 🧠 Explain error codes using AI's vast knowledge base
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David Fowler @davidfowl.com · 19/05/2025
.NET Aspire 9.3 is here with copilot. devblogs.microsoft.com/dotnet/intro... #dotnet #aspire #copilot
devblogs.microsoft.com
.NET Aspire 9.3 is here and enhanced with GitHub Copilot! - .NET Blog
.NET Aspire 9.3 is the biggest release of .NET Aspire yet, with the introduction of GitHub Copilot directly into the .NET Aspire Dashboard, updates for integrations, app model enhancements, and more.
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The Driven @thedriven.io · 20/05/2025
A cluster of 100 autonomous electric mining trucks have been put into operation at a giant open pit mine in Inner Mongolia
thedriven.io
100 autonomous electric trucks begin work in giant Mongolia mine
A cluster of 100 autonomous electric mining trucks have been put into operation at a giant open pit mine in Inner Mongolia.
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Auke Hoekstra @aukehoekstra.bsky.social · 18/05/2025
Many people think solar and wind won't be able to keep the grid stable because they lack "inertia". I think solar, wind and batteries will do a BETTER job and I think you can explain it thus: - the old grid is a record player - the new grid a digital player 🧵
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Michael Liebreich @mliebreich.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
Three questions lie at the heart of any discussion of the transition to net zero. How to decarbonize the grid; how to maintain grid stability; and how to do both affordably. How one neglected approach could provide a big part of the answers… mliebreich.substack.com/p/decarboniz...
mliebreich.substack.com
Decarbonizing the last few percent
Three questions lie at the heart of any discussion of the transition to net zero. How to decarbonize the grid; how to maintain grid stability; and how to do both affordably.
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The Driven @thedriven.io · 16/05/2025
Volvo accelerates plans to build heavy electric trucks in Australia after a record order of electric prime movers from transport group Linfox
thedriven.io
Volvo to build heavy electric trucks in Australia after record breaking order
Volvo accelerates plans to build heavy electric trucks in Australia after a record order of electric prime movers from transport group Linfox.
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Lauri Myllyvirta @laurimyllyvirta.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
NEW from me: China's CO2 emissions fell ~1.6% in the first quarter and have now been flat or down for more than a year. This is the first time on record that emissions are falling due to clean energy growth, not slow power demand.
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The Driven @thedriven.io · 15/05/2025
EV sales expected to jump in 2025 to more than 20 million, with price parity reached in key markets, particularly in China and south-east Asia
thedriven.io
Global EV sales to hit 20 million in 2025, as prices hit parity in key markets
EV sales expected to jump in 2025 to more than 20 million, with price parity reached in key markets, particularly in China and south-east Asia.
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John Merchant @johnmerchant.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
I should really spend more time on here, but nonchalantly engaging in Socratic dialogue with the trolls on bird app is somehow an effective learning tool for me. Intellectual resistance training?
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Reposted by John Merchant
David Gardiner @david.gardiner.net.au · 15/05/2025
Roughly a 1600km round trip for Mitch, as he drove over from Victoria to visit us in Adelaide, South Australia. We really appreciate his commitment to the .NET developer community.
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Adelaide .NET User Group @adnug.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
Thanks again @mitchdenny.dev for coming over to show us .NET Aspire. Your enthusiasm was infectious, and we can't wait to see what new features get announced at #MSBuild next week! Safe travels home and we hope you visit again soon 👋 #dotnet #dotnetAspire
Mitch presenting to the group
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Terry Hughes @profterryhughes.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
Correction: This is another example of an entire ecosystem distorted by global warming due to greenhouse gas pollution. Algal blooms are a symptom of ecological degradation, not the ultimate cause.
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Josh @jmil.au · 13/05/2025
People keep saying “$600 billion” because it’s within the realm of sober, cautious estimates, from a trusted source (albeit with a vested interest). Given the Coalition’s history and the global track record of nuclear, it’s arguably a conservative midpoint.
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Visual Studio @visualstudio.com · 04/03/2025
File > New > Bluesky Account...
Visual Studio 2022 in dark mode with the File menu open and GitHub Copilot Chat visible for AI assisted coding. The File menu's New menu is expanded with the Bluesky Account... option highlighted for selection.
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Michael Liebreich @mliebreich.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
UK Climate Change Committee's 7th carbon budget: hydrogen will "play a small but important role, particularly in industrial sectors... however, we see no role in buildings heating and only a very niche, if any, role in surface transport." #HydrogenLadder wins. www.theccc.org.uk/publication/...
theccc.org.uk
The Seventh Carbon Budget - Climate Change Committee
Presented to the Secretary of State pursuant to Section 34 of the Climate Change Act 2008. Footnotes have…
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Michael Liebreich @mliebreich.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
As I have always said, if green steel is ever to achieve globally meaningful scale, it will happen in a country with unlimited high-grade ore, unlimited cheap renewables, and unlimited cheap money. That sounds a lot more like Australia than Sweden. #Hydrogen reneweconomy.com.au/green-iron-f...
reneweconomy.com.au
Green iron fund will lay foundations for Australia to become renewable energy superpower
A Green Iron Investment Fund is exactly what Australia needs to lay the foundations for Australia becoming a Renewable Energy Superpower.
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Scott Hamilton @sdhamiltonvic.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
“We have a #bluesky…” says Whyalla Mayor #auspol #AusVotes25 #DontRiskDutton www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02...
abc.net.au
Contractors and creditors are over the moon, says Whyalla Mayor
Follow the latest news headlines from Australia's most trusted source. Read in-depth expert analysis and watch live coverage on ABC News.
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Jesse Rothstein @jrothst.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
It seems almost unavoidable at this point that we are headed for a deep, deep recession. Just based on 200K+ federal firings & pullback of contracts, the March employment report (to be released April 4) seems certain to show bigger job losses than any month ever outside of a few in 2008-9 and 2020.
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Renew Economy @reneweconomy.com.au · 19/02/2025
@thedriven.ioSouth Australia loses patience with Gupta’s GFG Alliance and seizes control of the Whyalla steelworks, to protect jobs and the state’s green steel and #hydrogen ambitions
reneweconomy.com.au
“Lost confidence:” Government takes control of Whyalla steel works, as hydrogen plan hangs in balance
South Australia loses patience with Gupta’s GFG Alliance and seizes control of the Whyalla steelworks, to protect jobs and the state’s green steel and hydrogen ambitions.
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John Merchant @johnmerchant.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
Despite what the may headlines seem, this is excellent news for the city. We are now in a far better position than we were before.
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John Merchant @johnmerchant.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
Untitled goose gang
A group of geese at Whyalla wetlands during sunset
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John Merchant @johnmerchant.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
Until there’s a customer to actually buy the hydrogen, the money is better spent on battery storage which can provide as much grid firming as hydrogen for half the cost. Rio Tinto have just confirmed that batteries are cheaper than coal for 24/7 smelting. Electric Arc Furnace first, hydrogen later.
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Fuel Cells Works @fuelcellsworks.com · 05/02/2025
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas fears the viability of a $600 million green #hydrogen power plant in Whyalla due to financial uncertainties surrounding GFG Alliance, the steelworks owner. #GreenHydrogen #CleanEnergy #HydrogenNow #FuelCells fcw.sh/ko085m
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Renew Economy @reneweconomy.com.au · 07/02/2025
Carlyle-backed Amp Energy lands first of its kind finance for a major #solar and battery project that will help propel South Australia to net 100 per cent renewables by 2027
reneweconomy.com.au
Huge solar and battery project to help propel South Australia towards 100 pct net renewables and beyond
Carlyle-backed Amp Energy lands first of its kind finance for a major solar and battery project that will help propel South Australia to net 100 per cent renewables by 2027.
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Renew Economy @reneweconomy.com.au · 29/01/2025
New chief scientist endorses CSIRO GenCoset report and says Australia will "miss the bus" if it waits for #nuclear energy, as the Coalition wants to do
reneweconomy.com.au
“We’re going to miss the bus” if we wait for nuclear, says new chief scientist
New chief scientist endorses CSIRO GenCoset report and says Australia will “miss the bus” if it waits for nuclear energy, as the Coalition wants to do.
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Year Progress Bot @yearprogress.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 2.12%
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Rob✅✅ @robdickinson.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
BYD have launched a sub $30k AUD version of the Dolphin Thats ~$33k NZD, compared to our current priced $43k version www.drive.com.au/news/byd-lau...
drive.com.au
BYD launches Australia's first sub-$30,000 electric car with cheaper Dolphin, Atto 3
The price of entry into a new electric car has fallen below $30,000 before on-road costs, with new versions of BYD's smallest models.
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Prof. Eliot Jacobson @climatecasino.net · 02/01/2025
Breaking News! Code UFB!!! 2024 was a record 1.60°C over the 1850-1900 IPCC pre-industrial baseline, using Copernicus data. To be more precise, I got 1.598°C, so we'll have to wait and see whether Copernicus settles on 1.59°C or 1.60°C. Their official announcement will come out on Jan. 10, 2025.
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John Merchant @johnmerchant.bsky.social · 02/01/2025
The sky put on a new years show at Wudinna
Aurora AustralisAurora Australis
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John Merchant @johnmerchant.bsky.social · 29/12/2024
2025 might be the year to up my pedalling game again - it is the most sustainable mode of transportation after all.
Bike leaning against a pole with ocean in the background
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Sasha Darling PHD, MD, DSL @sashadarling.bsky.social · 24/12/2024
I made a gingerbread panopticon
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Michał Sęk @sek-micha.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
We have published version 0.3.1 of react-native-audio-api, which finally brings support of audio files and a lot of other changes! 🎉 What can you do with it? As always, check out the example below, turn your sound on for a christmas vibe 🎄🎵
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John Merchant @johnmerchant.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
The holidays have begun for me
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John Merchant @johnmerchant.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
I love React Native
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