Sign in

Matt Cengia

@mattcen.aus.social.ap.brid.gy
17 followers 3 following 185 posts

🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺 :they_them: :flag_bisexual: :Flag_Enby: #Linux #SysAdmin, #FOSS advocate, #Scouts Victoria leader, #Bisexual, #Polyamorous, #Autistic, #ADHD geek […] 🌉 bridged from ⁂ aus.social/@mattcen, follow @ap.brid.gy to interact

PostsRepliesMedia
Matt Cengia @mattcen.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 09/10/2026
Big tech has a lot to answer for, using all these projects without offering adequate support to their maintainers. It would take hundreds (probably thousands) of individuals to contribute sufficient sponsorship to secure ongoing support, but just one of the tech giants — Microsoft, Apple, Google […]
aus.social
Original post on aus.social
000
Reposted by Matt Cengia
Kit Bashir @unixbigot.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 23/09/2026
Good news, the mouse plague is going to get solved soon! Thank Hera, I’m so over this. Wait, none of your ideas are ever disaster free. What’s the catch. Oh, this isn’t my idea; I just calculated that it’s happening. What’s happening? Next full moon— —you mean Thursday or the one after? […]
aus.social
Original post on aus.social
014
Matt Cengia @mattcen.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026
I was just trying to find a name for my (current) favourite colour. Something more specific than "purple". I have learned people can't quite agree on the colours of "indigo" and "violet": Indigo: - Wiki: 4000FF (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigo ) - Simple […] [Original post on aus.social]
Colour #6600FF
000
Reposted by Matt Cengia
Gauss :wlf: @fedi.gauss.gay · 13/09/2026
This is one of the funniest Pebble watch faces I've seen :wlfWoozy:
The "what a week huh, Captain it's Wednesday" meme adapted as a Pebble watch face, so that it says the current day, and also shows the time, temperature, and steps
14937
Matt Cengia @mattcen.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 15/09/2026
What do I have to do to *not* have my Copilot access renewed and get monthly emails about it? I didn't ask for subscription and I don't use it!
Your GitHub Copilot access has been renewed. Hi there, Thank you for renewing your free access to GitHub Copilot. Your access to GitHub Copilot will be reviewed on 2026-10-14. GitHub Copilot checks eligibility monthly per our policy. No steps are needed on your end. We hope you enjoy using GitHub Copilot and participating in the developer community.
201
Matt Cengia @mattcen.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 11/09/2026
I almost used my safety razor as a spicy tongue scrubber this morning.
000
Matt Cengia @mattcen.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 10/09/2026
Oh, the irony.
iOS 26.6.2 Downloaded. This update fixes an issue that prevents downloading a software update over a mobile data connection.
000
Reposted by Matt Cengia
Solarbird :flag_cascadia: @moira.mastodon.murkworks.net.ap.brid.gy · 07/09/2026
This is the big LG television surveillance documentary story GN have been working on for a couple of months, and that they previewed a few days ago. The complete pervasiveness of spying upon not just you and what you watch but _every person and every device around every set_ is genuinely […]
mastodon.murkworks.net
Original post on mastodon.murkworks.net
034
Matt Cengia @mattcen.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 29/08/2026
"Help, I'm being mugged!" -- @daedalus while receiving his #PyConAU gift coffee mug. 😂
000
Matt Cengia @mattcen.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 29/08/2026
"How many parts of a vintage sewing making can I change before it is no longer a vintage sewing machine? Or a vintage car? Is it still vintage if I add seat belts?" -- @daedalus #PyConAU I also love that Pratchett's "my grandfathers axe" that has a new handle and a new head is, at least in this […]
aus.social
Original post on aus.social
221
Matt Cengia @mattcen.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 29/08/2026
"You don't just care *about* something; you care *for* it." -- @daedalus #PyConAU
Care is an *activity *. Care is *work*.
034
Matt Cengia @mattcen.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 29/08/2026
The start of this morning's #PyConAU keynote seems to be an excuse for @daedalus to show off his various sticker designs. And I'm not at all disappointed by this!
A design of a sign saying: "DANGER: DO NOT CONNECT TO THE INTERNET"
000
Reposted by Matt Cengia
flere-imsaho 🇺🇦 @mawhrin.fedi.circumstances.run · 27/08/2026
RE: circumstances.run/@mawhrin/11716746… folks, i'm sorry to inform you that justin m. keyes, the primary dev of @neovim absolutely _hated_ the idea of removing an endorsement by a bona fide fascist from the main page of the neovim editor. what happened: i've opened a ticket […]
circumstances.run
Original post on circumstances.run
061
Reposted by Matt Cengia
Alyssa Coghlan @ancoghlan.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 28/08/2026
Uhh, apparently that screenshot is 100% real: naomibashkansky.com/blog/telepathy It seems Silicon Valley is even more thoroughly cooked than I thought #pyconau
211
Matt Cengia @mattcen.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 28/08/2026
Oi @pyconau! Why is this the first time I'm seeing this pic!? Would like a high-res copy plz & thank. #PyConAU
A slide about session chairs, showing a pic of me presenting on stage with wide eyes, and open mouth, and looking like I'm conducting an orchestra
100
Reposted by Matt Cengia
Glyph @glyph.im · 25/08/2026
apparently "I would like to tell my phone to play one song, and then, when it is done playing that song, I don't want it to play anything else" is such a confusing request that YouTube Music's customer service cannot even understand it. they cannot imagine a world in which I do not want my every […]
mastodon.social
Original post on mastodon.social
1110
Reposted by Matt Cengia
Thomas Fricke (he/his) @thomasfricke.23.social.ap.brid.gy · 22/08/2026
If you're an NGO and think you have free services granted by a hyperscale Get up and install your own server. slate.com/technology/2026/08/micros… #microsoft #cloud #digitalsouvereignity
1133
Reposted by Matt Cengia
Chance the Lawyer @chancethelawyer.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
say what you will about the myriad valid concerns with current LLMs but I personally will never get over the fact that Aaron Swartz was prosecuted to his literal death for downloading JSTOR and then a decade later, they downloaded & ingested the entire world and our IP laws just went ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
4645481568
Reposted by Matt Cengia
Anja @maristya.norden.social.ap.brid.gy · 15/08/2026
RE: flipboard.com/@futurism/all-about-a… If you care about a livable future for humanity on this planet, don’t use AI. Just don’t. Not for shopping, condensing literature to shortcut reading or for writing […]
norden.social
Original post on norden.social
3134
Reposted by Matt Cengia
Kojo Idrissa @ Home @kojoidrissa.fosstodon.org.ap.brid.gy · 14/08/2026
And the latest candidate for Most Portland News Story is… youtu.be/Cw-gWAXL1a0?is=cloyW8ZZ9nc…
001
Matt Cengia @mattcen.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 14/08/2026
Dear IVR menu designers: You do not need to encourage me to solve my own query via your website while I wait on hold. If I could have addressed my concern via your website, I *absolutely* would not be on the phone to you right now.
000
Reposted by Matt Cengia
Kit Bashir @unixbigot.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 12/08/2026
“Going to the game?” “Sure!” “Wear tights, not a skirt” “Why?” “Taking my gravity jammer, it’s gonna be a hoot. Also, your bum looks nice in those” “Mind out of the gutter, you” “We’re all in the gutter, darling but some of us are looking at the stars. Well, asterisks.” #Tootfic […]
aus.social
Original post on aus.social
013
Reposted by Matt Cengia
Saul @nomadghostwriter.com · 07/08/2026
This month, I'm offering *free* beta reads and 50% off developmental editing in return for a testimonial on @payhip.bsky.social. Reply or DM me if you want to get in on it. Limited spots available, open to most genres and word counts: payhip.com/b/F9S8H
payhip.com
Developmental Editing
Developmental editing is for you if you've written an outline or a first draft of your book and want to make sure you're on the right track.As your developmental editor, I'll take a big-picture perspe...
002
Matt Cengia @mattcen.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 06/08/2026
This is the third (or fourth?) email I've received with an identical body in the last week. The Internet suggests "revolve" is scammy, which I'd believe, but what surprises me the most is how off base the email is. I've not seriously used C in years, and I don't […] [Original post on aus.social]
Subject: Quick question about your C work

Hi Matthew,

I've been following your work across C, Go, and TypeScript environments, and it's clear you have a unique command over those distinct stacks.

What is the most annoying technical problem in your current stack right now where you keep patching by hand or fighting a framework?

We are the engineers behind renvolve, and if this is something we could build or take off your plate, our CEO would love a quick chat to see if it fits.

Thanks,
Sarah
020
Reposted by Matt Cengia
Jared White (ResistanceNet ✊) @jaredwhite.indieweb.social.ap.brid.gy · 27/07/2026
Yo, I'm heading up a brand-new community project. 👥 We write code by hand. 🤚🏽⌨️ It's a growing opt-in directory of software developers who write code by hand. When you hear someone tell you “nobody does that” you can point to this and say “well these folks […] [Original post on indieweb.social]
A page style layout with the following:

We write code by hand.

We use Natural Intelligence to build software libraries and applications in production today. Some of them you may be using right now.

There are people who say "nobody authors code by hand any longer." We are here to say that's incorrect. Because we do it. All the time.

If you write code by hand, add your name to this list!
98150
Reposted by Matt Cengia
Kit Bashir @unixbigot.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 27/07/2026
“Uh, hi, it’s Kevin…” “Heh, I didn’t know synths used telephones, can’t you just use your head or something” “Karen’s policy, sick leave on her team must be phoned in, voice call no texting. Between you and me it’s borderline racist.” “I didn’t know synths got sick, either.” “Snapped a belt […]
aus.social
Original post on aus.social
023
Matt Cengia @mattcen.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 27/07/2026
RE: mastodon.social/@mrmasterkeyboard/1… It is easy to programmatically detect and filter a list of repos by their license. Heck, GitHub has a search filter for it. These companies are just *choosing* not to do this and instead are expecting opt-out rather than opt-in […]
aus.social
Original post on aus.social
002
Reposted by Matt Cengia
Emma Irwin @sunnydeveloper.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 25/07/2026
@mattcen when I see 'American AI leadership' I recall the White House AI strategy statement : "We need to ensure America has leading open models founded on American values... The new White House plan also aims to ensure these models are free from any ideological biases." If this, is THAT then […]
mastodon.social
Original post on mastodon.social
011
Matt Cengia @mattcen.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 25/07/2026
www.microsoft.com/en-us/corporate-r… > open-source software demonstrated that transparency can be more secure than obscurity Anybody else […]
aus.social
Original post on aus.social
100
Reposted by Matt Cengia
Lesley Carhart :unverified: @hacks4pancakes.infosec.exchange.ap.brid.gy · 20/07/2026
Someone on BlueSky rightly commented, “Queer rights are just a canary for every other human right there”
2732
Reposted by Matt Cengia
Kit Bashir @unixbigot.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 15/07/2026
“Birds” “Mmmn, Those were good. Sunshine on my face. What about you, noob?” “I ate my lunch in the cave full of diamonds yesterday. I counted the glow worms on the ceiling to get to sleep. I’m not missing the surface at all.” “Ah, to see the underworld with fresh eyes. Where you from up top?” […]
aus.social
Original post on aus.social
015
Matt Cengia @mattcen.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 11/07/2026
My stance on using projects which accept LLM-assisted contributions: I am trying to take a pragmatic approach to LLM usage. I hate the theft of training data from others' code, the environmental effects, and the slop, but am trying to be OK with projects that accept LLM-assisted contributions […]
aus.social
Original post on aus.social
000
Reposted by Matt Cengia
Gus @projectgus.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 07/07/2026
A good time to mention that there is a Rust version of "parallel" that is very similar to GNU Parallel, faster than it, I personally found it easier to use, and you won't have to reckon with the GNU maintainers' behaviour. github.com/aaronriekenberg/rust-par… Context […]
aus.social
Original post on aus.social
010
Matt Cengia @mattcen.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 07/07/2026
Is it just me, or does State Library Station smell permanently musty? #MetroTunnelVic
000
Reposted by Matt Cengia
David Gerard @davidgerard.circumstances.run.ap.brid.gy · 07/07/2026
good news, instead of GNU Parallel, use the Debian replacement manpages.debian.org/trixie/moreutil… ht @ilmari
manpages.debian.org
parallel(1) — moreutils — Debian trixie — Debian Manpages
010
Matt Cengia @mattcen.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 05/07/2026
Succinct, clear, precise communication is becoming a rare skill. A 5 minute phone call that could've been a 12-word text message with a one-word answer. 🤷
000
Matt Cengia @mattcen.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 04/07/2026
Tripod specifications: "Minimum height: 12 centimeters. Maximum height: 7.5 inches" What kind of monster does this.
000
Reposted by Matt Cengia
Wesley Moore @wezm.mastodon.decentralised.social.ap.brid.gy · 04/07/2026
@mattcen The Phanpy client (phanpy.social) already does this github.com/cheeaun/phanpy/blob/3dc8… There are issues on the Mastodon tracker that have been open for years, but it hasn't been implemented yet […]
mastodon.decentralised.social
Original post on mastodon.decentralised.social
001
Reposted by Matt Cengia
Kit Bashir @unixbigot.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 03/07/2026
Youfuckinwhatmate? www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-04/fede…
abc.net.au
Government rejects all UN recommendations on LGBTQIA+ rights
The Albanese government has accepted the lowest number of recommendations made by the UN Human Rights Council in 20 years, with none protecting the LGBTQIA+ community.
010
Matt Cengia @mattcen.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 04/07/2026
So #EXIF (metadata for images and other media) defines fields for ImageDescription and UserComment (timestampcamera.net/photo-guides/ex…), both of which could theoretically contain image Alt Text. I wonder if any social media apps (clients for Mastodon of other […]
aus.social
Original post on aus.social
101
Matt Cengia @mattcen.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 03/07/2026
RE: fosstodon.org/@jimsalter/1168510275… OK, so some of these are excellent terms, but they are not traits *exclusively* related to ADHD. Also, it's worth clarifying that (8) is *not* what object permanence means. Object permanence is the understanding (which we gain as toddlers) […]
aus.social
Original post on aus.social
000
Reposted by Matt Cengia
David Gerard @davidgerard.circumstances.run.ap.brid.gy · 28/06/2026
RE: social.treehouse.systems/@ariadne/1… heartwarming thread if you haven't popped a shell on your appliances what are you even doing
social.treehouse.systems
006
Reposted by Matt Cengia
Kit Bashir @unixbigot.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 24/06/2026
“Those constipated people were back again” “WHAT?” “You know, the cat lawyers” “OH! The CONSOLIDATED union of Templekeepers, Ships Mascots and House Cats?” “Yeah them. What did I say?” “Something different. What did they want?” “There’s been a complaint—apparently—about how long it takes […]
aus.social
Original post on aus.social
029
Reposted by Matt Cengia
Terence Eden @edent.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 22/06/2026
🆕 blog! “Cybersecurity for the paranoid business traveller” Over the years, I've worked for organisations with various levels of risk tolerance for business travellers. Some have been (rightly) paranoid and others have been (wrongly) placid about the threats their employees face. The fact is […]
mastodon.social
Original post on mastodon.social
007
Reposted by Matt Cengia
abadidea @0xabad1dea.infosec.exchange.ap.brid.gy · 19/06/2026
RE: retro.pizza/@mrencyclopedia/1167677… Hi it’s me, “English speaker who learned grammatical nightmare Dutch and then randomly decided it was time to get serious about Chinese, and did in fact learn to read Chinese” Make your own flash cards. Write your own notes. Ideally […]
infosec.exchange
Original post on infosec.exchange
2824
Matt Cengia @mattcen.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 15/06/2026
Yikes. Somebody just thanked me (I guess?) in an email by sending me an inline image of dozens of yellow balls with smiley faces on them. The image was scaled to about 250×140px on my screen. The file itself, however, is 4018×2260px. It's 5MB. Ya coulda just said "thanks". Or sent me a thumbs […]
aus.social
Original post on aus.social
001
Matt Cengia @mattcen.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 14/06/2026
I remember reading previously that one shouldn't switch an #ActivityPub server between implementations (e.g. from #Mastodon to #GoToSocial), but never understood why. I know a fair bit about AP but haven't read the full spec. Can somebody please tl;dr this for me? Is it primarily due to the […]
aus.social
Original post on aus.social
102
Reposted by Matt Cengia
Dan Fixes Coin-Ops @ifixcoinops.retro.social.ap.brid.gy · 08/06/2026
You validate your site's valid HTML with some bastard online tool because you've seen the badges on other sites saying "Valid XHTML!" like it matters. You spend some evenings cleaning up your old websites so that they pass the validation and you can get that badge and display it proudly on your […]
retro.social
Original post on retro.social
226