iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Tom Brossman @tom.je · 11/10/2026

"Crucially, they all bypass the key security measures deployed by Chromium-based browsers." This has been a Chrome problem for at least ten years. Firefox users, just set network.IDN_show_punycode to true in about:config. www.theregister.com/security/202...

theregister.com

Two characters open up a world of typosquatting opportunities in Chromium browsers

Attackers abusing rare Cyrillic and Latin letters to impersonate popular websites

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Reposted by Tom Brossman

Wolfie Christl @wchr.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

The web and mobile apps of major conversational AI engines transmit prompts, titles and conversation permalinks to advertising data firms, alongside device IDs, hashed email and other persistent identifiers. Comprehensive analysis, like always from this team: jorgegarciaherrero.com/wp-content/i...

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 02/10/2026

A $500 fuel stop was so unusual I only did it once, 21 years ago. 164 gallons at a truck stop in California. Sadly this is new normal for long haul because you can burn 80-100 gallons/day. I really enjoyed driving trucks but man, my 1-mile cycle commute to an office job now is so much nicer.

Diesel fuel pump readout showing $540 for 164 gallons at a TA truckstop in Ontario, CA in October 2005.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 21/09/2026

Anyone else seeing "Temporarily out of stock" for loads of items on Amazon when your delivery address is Jersey? If I switch to any random UK postcode, suddenly, back in stock.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 08/09/2026

Zero prosecutions after nine months, and the referenced FOI conspicuously missing from the so-called "disclosure log" on the government's website. And the casualty rate for vulnerable road users in Jersey? Yeah, it's still double the UK's rate. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Zero prosecutions for Jersey's mobile speed camera so far

Jersey Police first demonstrated the mobile speed camera in November 2025.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 12/08/2026

I took the good camera out to get some (partial) eclipse photos, but that was a let-down and this is my only keeper. The fisherman is wearing a Dark Side of the Moon shirt. That album's closing track is "Eclipse". OK good enough, there's my (very partial) eclipse photo.

A woman taking a selfie, with a fisherman in the background.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 17/07/2026

Drivers cutting off cyclists is nothing new, but it takes a special type of asshole driver to sit and wait to cut you off, like this one.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 02/06/2026

Anyone else vote early? Were you able to use up all your choices? Of nine Senator votes to cast, I only used four. And three of five for Deputies. I can see why most people don't bother, but there are a few worth supporting Sunday if you haven't voted yet. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Why is voter turnout so low at Jersey elections?

For the last 30 years Jersey's voter turnout has averaged 44% - one of the lowest in the world.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 30/05/2026

Something Jersey residents can relate to: www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/w...

nytimes.com

No, Not That Georgia. A.I. Compounds a Nation’s Identity Woes.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 28/05/2026

Anyone here in Jersey have a heat pump for both heating AND cooling? Who installed it, please, and are you happy with the results? JEC/JEBS seem to do most local installs, but they confirm theirs do heating only. Not interested, it must also do air conditioning if I'm spending that much.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 18/05/2026

Once, just once, I would like to see a Jersey reporter do a privacy scan of a website launch before writing their article. Need mental health support and want to share that with creepy advertising companies? The Government of Jersey has a new website for you. Privacy not included, as per usual.

Blacklight privacy scan results for recoveryhub.je, confirming the presence of advertising trackers and third-party tracking cookies on a Government of Jersey mental health support page.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 29/04/2026

I just swapped a physical SIM for an eSIM with JT, and it was dead simple. Subscribers can fill out this form, scan a QR code emailed to you in response, type a confirmation code, done. Didn't even have to remove the old one or restart. Recommended. www.jtglobal.com/jthelp/chang...

jtglobal.com

Request an eSIM

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 17/04/2026

Attention Jersey residents: For the first time in 5+ years, Bruno finally made his "rum logs" again, which is his all-time best cream cake (if you disagree, you are wrong, but apparently they don't sell well?). La Bagette Chaude, next to Town Hall. You're welcome.

Chocolate and rum buttercream choux pastries on a plate. The best.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 12/04/2026

@philhendrie.bsky.social Any guidance for expats who want to watch your film? Not available in the UK market.

Screenshot of JustWatch website, confirming no UK streaming options for the 2024 film "Hendrie"

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 14/03/2026

I was worried about the wait to clear airport security at PBI this morning, but breezed right through. Is it because a certain someone also uses this airport? Anyhow, if you are flying be sure to thank TSA for working during the shutdown.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 07/01/2026

At work we have a form we can use to request browser extensions, as everything is locked down. I filled one out 6 months ago, asking for an ad-blocker to be installed company-wide. Thousands of users. I didn't expect it to progress, but today it was approved! Fantastic news, try it at your job.

media.tenor.com

woody and buzz lightyear from toy story standing next to each other with ads everywhere written below them

ALT: woody and buzz lightyear from toy story standing next to each other with ads everywhere written below them

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 03/12/2025

Jersey IT staff, is there a trick to convince local couriers to accept HP or Dell warranty parts returns? The prepaid labels are worthless and we eventually just bin the parcel. Is it the same at your job?

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 15/11/2025

Sad news about Blue Islands shutting down. I know their on-time record wasn't good but the crews were great and they took good care of us on a recent Verona trip. And look how much nicer the view is passing over Nice and the Alps, at half the altitude of a passenger jet!

Sunset view from an airplane window, with large mountain peaks rising above low clouds.

View of Côte d'Azur airport and Monaco from the air.

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Reposted by Tom Brossman

Ryan J. Reilly “paints a vivid and urgent portrait of… disarray” @ryanjreilly.com · 05/11/2025

A ballistic vest meant to stop a bullet “is definitely going to keep you safe from a sandwich thrown at you," Sean Dunn's defense attorney argued.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 04/11/2025

@dieworkwear.bsky.social I'm looking for a nice mid-length wool (or heavyweight linen) coat and noticed a trend towards removable "bibs" in many new coats. This trend is a crime against humanity worse than dress sneakers, right? Any recommendations ~$500 please? Can be new or used.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 03/11/2025

Has someone in Jersey recently had your Cannondale CAAD8 bicycle stolen? This one sitting unlocked for nearly two weeks at my workplace. No rust, nice bike in perfect condition. There is a Mark Pickford's shop sticker, but sadly they don't know whose it is.

A Cannondale CAAD8 bicycle leaning against a wall.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 20/10/2025

Anyone have a working "cellular" connection for your Apple watch in Jersey? I bought one as a gift, and was disappointed to see it warn that Jersey Telecoms network do not support this feature. support.apple.com/en-gb/119601

support.apple.com

Set up cellular on Apple Watch – Apple Support (UK)

With a mobile connection on Apple Watch, you can make calls, reply to messages, receive notifications and more – even while you’re away from your iPhone.

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Reposted by Tom Brossman

Ian Coldwater 🧊🚫 @lookitup.baby · 05/10/2025

I’m not crying, you’re crying

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 20/09/2025

"This item cannot be shipped to your selected delivery location." An ever-increasing number of listings on the Amazon UK website like this. Originally due to air freight restrictions on certain hazardous cargo, but obsolete now that all Jersey freight comes by boat. Is there anything users can do?

Error message displayed on Amazon UK website for products they refuse to ship to Jersey.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 18/09/2025

For years, most dimmable LED bulbs I bought would flicker or buzz annoyingly with touch control lamps. But today at Romeril's, they suggested "trailing edge" dimmable LEDs which work perfectly! I had no idea. You will never find that level of service online, so don't forget to try your local shops.

Four dimmable LED lightbulbs, in their packaging and of different manufacturer and types.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 10/08/2025

Any auto insurance recommendations for Jersey? My policy is up for renewal and I'm looking for a company with better customer service.

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Reposted by Tom Brossman

Paul Waldman @paulwaldman.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

Just read Zeke Faux's "Number Go Up" and that really comes through - there are really only three kinds of people deeply involved in crypto: 1. Scammers 2. Morons 3. Scammers who are also morons

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 29/07/2025

If you like dinosaurs, Pittsburgh's Carnegie Museum of Natural History is not to be missed. That's a huge selection of fossils on display in the Kamin Hall of Dinosaurs. Website: carnegiemnh.org

Two Tyrannosaurus rex fossils facing each other.

Large room with multiple dinosaur fossils on display.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 23/07/2025

I'm visiting beautiful West Virginia and just bought whole milk from a local shop. It is EXCELLENT and wasn't homogenized, which made me double-check the label. "From local Guernsey cows" in fine print at the bottom. Shoulda known...

Half-gallon jug of whole milk with bowl of cereal and fruit behind. In small print at the bottom, the milk jug label states "From local Guernsey cows", with the name of an Ohio, USA farm above.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 13/07/2025

National Westminster Bank Plc (NatWest) emailed me another customer's full details 4 months ago, and refuse to reply or acknowledge a data breach. So, I complained to the UK ICO, who gave them 30 days to reply, which has now passed. Any Data Protection experts out there, and what would you try next?

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Reposted by Tom Brossman

Ed BooOOooOOmila @edburmila.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

If you weren’t so full of liberal bias, you would appreciate that Elon has built SpaceX into the world’s biggest and best fireworks company.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 15/06/2025

Do any indie podcasts about computer security & technology still exist? I am looking for recommendations. If you listened to Radio FreeK America, Binary Revolution Radio, or FBILL Radio back in the day, this is the exact format I'm looking for. No corporate sponsors, no self-important hosts.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 06/06/2025

Can anyone recommend good travel insurance for trips to EU countries, preferably issued by a Jersey insurer? Or does everyone buy UK policies and hope to deal with the "Jersey isn't part of the UK" problem later?

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 05/06/2025

@propublica.org your @cloudflare.social hosted site is on the Google Safe Browsing blocklist? (at least according to NextDNS, so inaccessible to all their users) I'll raise a support request but you might get a quicker response.

Screenshot of NextDNS request log page, showing "Blocked by Google Safe Browsing" error message for ProPublica website.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 25/05/2025

Is there a way to change the call history background in Facetime, so that it doesn't fail accessibility standards for legibilty? A contrast ratio >1.5:1 is shockingly bad (4.5:1 is the recommended minimum).

Screenshot of Facetime iOS app call history, with dark grey text on darker grey background highlighted.

WebAIM online contrast checker, showing the contrast ratio values for Apple's Facetime app failing all possible tests for accessibility. The contrast ratio shown is 1.45:1. A contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is the recommended minimum.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 21/05/2025

Desktop Linux users, if you can't get online after updating and have Mullvad installed, that's why. Latest update enabled its "lockdown mode" by default. Disable it again in Mullvad settings and you are back online.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 18/05/2025

A colleague handed me this recently, saying they were returning "an old company laptop". They weren't joking! That's a 25 year old Sony Vaio in perfect condition. Pentium 3 CPU, Windows 2000 Pro (licence for 1-2 CPUs only) and a 9.04GB, 4200rpm IBM Travelstar hard drive. Will it run Doom?

A Sony Vaio model PCG-3192 laptop from 2000, open and sitting on a desktop.

Three stickers on a laptop next to the screen. An "Intel inside" Pentium 3 sticker, a Windows 2000 Professional sticker and an EISA (Expert Imaging and Sound Association) award sticker.

An IBM Travelstar 9GB 4200 rpm laptop hard drive, with a manufacture date of May 2000.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 02/05/2025

If you use Let's Encrypt with OSCP stapling, this is your reminder to switch off "must staple" before Wednesday. They are deprecating the extension (and soon OSCP responses entirely). letsencrypt.org/2024/12/05/e...

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 01/05/2025

Riding a unicycle, playing Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Call Me The Breeze", headed for Cheapside. Well done, sir. Ronnie would surely be proud of you.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 24/04/2025

"The Battle of Flowers Parade is one of the few parades in the United States produced entirely by women, all of whom are volunteers." Sad to see Jersey's battle cancelled this year, but good to see the women of Texas are still going strong.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 22/04/2025

Two calls to the IRS today and I'm through to an agent in record time. The reason? Their "systems are down" and they can't look up taxpayer accounts. They're on their 3rd commissioner this week and talking about cutting 40% of the workforce. Such a strange state of affairs.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 17/04/2025

Any local computer builders want some free RAM? I've just upgraded and have no further use for these. 4 x 16GB DDR5 6000MT/s Corsair sticks, tested & working.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 03/04/2025

Do any European space agencies make live weather imagery available at high resolution? I can easily find 10000x6000px images like this of North America updated every five minutes, copyright-free. Anything comparable on this side of the Atlantic? For example: www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/GOES/conus.p...

Weather satellite view of North America from NOAA's GOES-East satellite.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 25/03/2025

This is probably my closest "near miss", and I think the big bang is the sound of my bike lock in the pannier bag hitting the van as I skid. Horrendously bad driving and since reported (once my hands stopped shaking), but to the driver's credit he did stop and apologise. Please watch for cyclists!

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 20/03/2025

Once in a while I'll spot-check "redacted" PDFs on the Government of Jersey website. I don't think I have ever failed to find them. This one was uploaded this week and there are more. There are always more. And yes, I've reported these through the proper channels before.

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Tom Brossman @tom.je · 05/03/2025

This misleading FOI response claims "32 pedestrians" and "11 cyclists" were involved in road collisions in 2024. However SoJP choose not to record incidents unless an ambulance and/or tow truck responds. Injured, but not bad enough for A&E? You literally don't count. www.gov.je/government/f...

gov.je

Government of Jersey

States of Jersey Government Website.

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