occult

https://vox.ominous.net/@occult

Serving the darker bits.

#engineering #hamradio #meshcore #science #pinball #film #retrocomputing #history #poetry #urbanism #astronomy #NetBSD #FreeBSD #OpenBSD #Plan9 #Linux #Unix #Unix_Surrealism #Boston #CambridgeMA

Website: https://ominous.net
Matrix: occult:ominous.net
Home: Cambridge, MA
Listening To: Eternia (from "Masters of the Universe") - Single - Daniel Pemberton & Brian May

Public Key

npub1c60cc628p2pq7uxfmpjmcdnumh2fkuzjmu727a60dqaw2g48qnzq963dm4

NIP-05 Address

occult_at_vox.ominous.net@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsvd8uvd9rs4qs0wryaseduxe7dm4ymwpfd7090wa8kswh9y2nsf3qprpmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0d4hhxarj9ecxjmntepsng8

Publishing to

relay.momostr.pink

Author Public Key

npub1c60cc628p2pq7uxfmpjmcdnumh2fkuzjmu727a60dqaw2g48qnzq963dm4

Show more details

Published at

2026-05-25T23:39:34Z

Kind type

0 Metadata

Event JSON

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Last Notes

2026-04-03 11:14:41 UTC

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I’d like to bring to your attention that PNLX 9619 is available for lease.
https://www.pnlxrail.com/locomotives
Are we leasing a train?

2026-04-03 03:01:18 UTC

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It’s an Amtrak diesel engine carrying what looks like an Amtrak passenger car to the maintenance yard.

2026-03-17 17:37:23 UTC

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fixed.
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/245/725/674/691/175/original/f396588ac92ed19f.png

2026-03-12 20:56:49 UTC

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I guess I missed that time The X-Files had an episode in Vegas where the Lone Gunmen attended a conference called DEFCON.
@npub12ts…x422, did you know about this at the time? The funny thing is in the episode (S6E20), it was a defense contractor conference and they were not playing “spot the Fed”.
#TheXFiles
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/218/200/570/283/476/original/a26aa69d5bb51588.jpeg

2026-03-08 22:04:38 UTC

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When someone asks me what the #Fediverse, #Mastodon or #ActivityPub is I'll use this illustration from UNIX Review, April 1985.
#UNIX
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/195/810/711/433/547/original/a62ed80a97c43cca.png

2026-03-08 21:58:01 UTC

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These article illustrations are truly something.
UNIX Review, April 1985.
#UNIX #unix_surrealism
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/195/786/463/426/114/original/13d1d13eabead02f.png

2026-03-08 21:21:36 UTC

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Hey @npub1lym…fqe3 is your computer sad or happy?
Is this Mr. Computo?
From the May 1985 issue of UNIX WORLD magazine.
#UNIX
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/195/635/934/244/702/original/b3d5b686dcf54f99.png
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/195/637/248/365/673/original/13d6ab42716ee624.png

2026-03-08 12:33:01 UTC

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Same.
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/193/568/991/836/101/original/53ea031924704086.jpeg

2026-03-06 17:28:27 UTC

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Imagine thinking this illustration was appropriate for UNIX WORLD magazine in 1985, geared toward business users, not realizing that in 2026 it could be used as banner art for an LGBTQ+ self-hosted Mastodon instance.
#UNIX
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/183/405/705/366/842/original/b91463ed6991551d.png

2026-03-06 17:22:01 UTC

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I know these were super serious UNIX business magazines back in 1985, but today they would literally be the cover of some punk zine.
#UNIX
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/183/375/153/887/081/original/22c257ce02df202a.png

2026-03-06 17:15:08 UTC

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They should re-create this steel-bound UNIX reference manual.
#UNIX
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/183/315/705/869/088/original/a067f3f70e95ee7b.png

2026-03-06 16:54:14 UTC

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It's summer, 1985.
I get a call from my buddy to open this month’s issue of UNIX WORLD magazine to page 110.
I see they are preparing to standardize the C programming language.
I say, “This is a good thing" under my breath.
I am still punk as fuck.
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/183/246/504/024/424/original/642c64fbd8f4ca1e.png

2026-03-06 16:42:51 UTC

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Will I see you at UNIX EXPO this year?
I hear pink computers and floppy disks are debuting!
#UNIX
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/183/219/196/254/393/original/42f47f466523bfcb.png

2026-03-06 15:41:56 UTC

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same caption, different photo.
https://vox.ominous.net/@occult/116103841606429399
#note18wz…3pjh

2026-03-06 15:38:37 UTC

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Oh, this is good...
From UNIX World, 1985: "It finds the subtle bugs in my C programs" - Claude B. Finn.
40 years later, people are using Claude to find bugs in programs. What's old is new again.
#Anthropic #LLM #Claude #ClaudeCode #AI #Security #Programming #UNIX #C
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/182/956/196/908/186/original/35aebdfcae324068.png
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/182/967/652/794/285/original/5a5427064f11b6bf.png

2026-03-06 14:46:51 UTC

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Hey #Fediverse! See you all at the 1985 California Computer Show.
#UNIX #RetroComputing
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/182/759/798/068/320/original/78ad700f2df35005.png

2026-03-06 03:27:20 UTC

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This episode also features a hacker working on a clearly self-maintained and repaired laptop held together with duct tape.
This guy obviously adheres to #permacomputing principles and more than likely runs #Plan9.
#TheXFiles
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/180/085/017/946/196/original/b78c7b2c0426bb9c.jpeg
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/180/085/827/828/993/original/4643577d49b32bd8.jpeg

2026-03-06 03:22:57 UTC

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“Killswitch” (S5E11) makes another cryptography reference with a mention of 64-bit encryption. Taking place in 1998, this would be referring to DES, and that same year, the EFF built Deep Crack that could break DES in 56 hours. #TheXFiles
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EFF_DES_cracker?wprov=sfti1
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/180/082/500/539/314/original/fb98b541a844d3e9.mp4

2026-02-27 20:05:44 UTC

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Homer is from Boston!
Last month, I went to the MFA in my own backyard and got to see the largest exhibit of Winslow Homer watercolors.
They are amazing in person! Photographs do not capture their true presence.
https://vox.ominous.net/@occult/115918627400087092
#note1a93…kqn5

2026-02-25 22:34:50 UTC

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You’ve got my attention…

2026-02-25 15:24:40 UTC

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A reference to the Clipper Chip (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clipper_chip) in “Memento Mori" (S4E14) from 1997.
The history of the Clipper Chip project is a fascinating story about the politics and history around strong #cryptography, #surveillance, and #privacy in the early 90s.
See the writing on this topic by @npub1jsl…93xu (https://www.mattblaze.org/papers/escrow-acsac11.pdf) and [@matthew_d_green](https://ioc.exchange/@matthew_d_green ) (https://blog.cryptographyengineering.com/2015/07/20/a-history-of-backdoors/).
It is worth studying and for those who did not live through it.
#TheXFiles
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/131/959/483/631/644/original/8ff4e1da8196a783.mp4

2026-02-25 12:57:34 UTC

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From a 1991 SunExpert magazine article about “What’s to come” for network protocols. The article depicts a man traveling into the 2020’s, seemingly unaware of the chaos he’ll find.
He’s going to pass @npub1lym…fqe3 traveling back in time to 1991 to get some mint condition Sun workstations.
#SunMicrosystems #UNIX
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/131/379/583/898/146/original/d7555035b31ad34e.jpeg

2026-02-24 03:16:15 UTC

Spotted around #CambridgeMA.
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/123/428/991/923/559/original/b7f10302f63c9213.jpeg

2026-02-23 17:11:55 UTC

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Don’t worry @npub1lym…fqe3 I took care of our boys.
#UNIX #unix_surrealism #Boston #CambridgeMA #Blizzard #blizzard2026
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/121/056/539/958/218/original/221bc98dc61e742a.mp4

2026-02-23 16:42:21 UTC

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The Harvard Bridge looking toward Boston from Cambridge.
#Boston #CambridgeMA #Blizzard #blizzard2026
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/116/120/937/826/065/863/original/b952674af4c3537a.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/116/120/939/972/260/451/original/8822cafc4f93046b.jpeg

2026-02-23 16:33:52 UTC

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Cambridge plowed the bike lanes in the middle of the blizzard.
#Boston #CambridgeMA #Blizzard #blizzard2026
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/116/120/907/328/080/643/original/f1521392eadb7474.jpeg

2026-02-23 16:32:47 UTC

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Thought I’d post a rare selfie while I was out.
#Boston #CambridgeMA #Blizzard #blizzard2026
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/116/120/901/077/540/319/original/cad4371ff233fbf1.jpeg

2026-02-23 14:33:24 UTC

Well, it’s snowing.
#Boston #CambridgeMA #blizzard #blizzard2026
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/116/120/279/623/967/074/original/405370522dc00818.mp4

2026-02-20 16:13:48 UTC

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Computing in the year 2029 as depicted in UNIX WORLD magazine, 1985.
#UNIX
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/103/829/652/983/694/original/56ea0821975f88ad.png

2026-02-20 14:54:27 UTC

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Boss: I need art for an article on #UNIX networking technologies for the next issue of UNIX WORLD.
Artist: come back tomorrow.
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/103/519/944/658/980/original/ccc52d3f601ec946.png

2026-02-17 22:33:31 UTC

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Editor: quick! I need art to accompany the article on internationalization of #UNIX for our Dec 1985 issue!
Illustrator on shrooms: say no more.
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/088/341/633/087/165/original/70914ffa3e915ea5.png

2026-02-17 22:27:16 UTC

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we need to normalize Lisp fan art like this.
#lisp
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/116/088/315/027/771/505/original/23fb9ecc2eeafb21.png

2026-02-17 16:05:57 UTC

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There’s an LLM coding joke in here somewhere.
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/116/086/819/523/893/111/original/a353c1538130fb1f.png

2026-02-17 15:59:29 UTC

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new Radiohead album art just dropped (1988).
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/116/086/793/329/192/435/original/ffa8b5ba758e5ba1.png

2026-02-17 15:47:17 UTC

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To think all of this amazing art is buried in 40-year-old computer magazines.
This one is from the July 1988 issue of "VLSI Systems Design."
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/116/086/735/568/361/012/original/dd3ad9319a6a95f1.jpg

2026-02-17 13:15:08 UTC

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This is some proto- @npub1lym…fqe3 art right here.
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/116/086/151/421/367/294/original/78a2deff3cb619f5.jpeg

2026-02-17 13:10:13 UTC

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The art in these ads is incredible. This one for ChipCrafter by SeattleSilicon is pretty great.
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/116/086/131/377/379/238/original/7cf94e86066451ff.jpeg

2026-02-17 13:04:14 UTC

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This is an original ad for a #UNIX computer company.
No AI art here! You can see the artist’s signature over the dragon’s wing.
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/116/086/106/857/738/546/original/fdbe630ba2c67919.jpeg

2026-02-17 12:55:43 UTC

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Here’s an ad for cross-compilers and assemblers for UNIX environments.
My favorite detail here is this brag: “Over the past 3 years, we’ve built over 1MB of working code.” Cross-compilers, assemblers, simulators, and debuggers targeting six architectures across a dozen hosts. This code was dense.
The 80’s #UNIX wars were a wild time.
It’s also very fun to read the articles from the time and see what they were predicting for the future. “UNIX for the masses” was a popular topic.
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/116/086/082/105/256/723/original/798536a26d826483.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/116/086/082/174/321/488/original/033de68a8645740c.jpeg

2026-02-17 12:39:49 UTC

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wivax was a VAX at Wang Laboratories in Lowell, MA where Cadmus was based.
The TELEX number printed right next to it is also interesting. This represents telegraph infrastructure and the infant internet, side by side in a transitional moment.

2026-02-17 12:36:12 UTC

Please don’t be shocked, but I’ve been reading old #UNIX Review magazines on Archive.org, as one does. I’ve been finding a number of interesting artifacts throughout. This June 1984 ad by Cadmus Computer Systems listed a #USENET address: !wivax!cadmus.
This is a UUCP bang path, for the kids who don’t know. The ! separates relay hops, it’s a literal routing instruction. Get to the backbone, reach wivax, forward to cadmus.
No DNS.
Machines screamed at each other to swap data.
#unix_surrealism
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/116/086/078/678/496/096/original/243b19dc7a0bc90e.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/116/086/078/750/884/707/original/9f091eee8426fbc4.jpeg

2026-02-17 02:03:13 UTC

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From “End Game” (S2E17), Mulder uses a handheld GPS. It looks to be a Magellan brand unit. Consumer GPS was still very rare in 1995, and selective availability was still in effect, so GPS accuracy was still ~100 meters.
The display shows real coordinates which actually plots to the Beaufort Sea which is exactly where the episode takes place.
Something I never would have picked up on before, the date displayed “03Feb95” seems to be the original air date.
#TheXFiles
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/083/497/009/143/167/original/25597a87f32379c7.jpeg

2026-02-17 01:43:38 UTC

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Everyone’s favorite episode “Humbug” (S1E20) was a wild ride. It was peak 1995, featuring The Jim Rose Circus, and is an example of what a “monster of the week” episode should be. Everything looks so warm. The visual language of the X-Files seems lost; everything today feels so surgical and sterile.
I was only 13 when I saw this episode air and I remember it being my first time searching the internet for further X-Files discussion.
#TheXFiles
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/083/396/846/099/798/original/1738e6a3fe118389.jpeg
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/083/399/243/891/596/original/f4b353543a331040.jpeg
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/083/400/969/676/163/original/16532fa242e12fee.jpeg

2026-02-17 01:25:24 UTC

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Season 2 of The X-Files was brilliant. The Duane Barry story and introduction of the Scully abduction arc carry more weight now that I know where it goes. I remember making sure I was around every Friday at 9 p.m. to watch; there was no streaming, no binge-watching. I had to watch 22 episodes over as many weeks without missing any.
The show was honest and treated its audience with respect. It assumed a level of intelligence in its viewers without dumbing anything down.
I miss this.
#TheXFiles

2026-02-14 05:41:10 UTC

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NIИ
#Boston #NIИ #NineInchNails
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/116/067/378/732/208/817/original/470766ab3b1e4595.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/116/067/379/035/515/707/original/c9821bd7f110f27f.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/116/067/379/530/456/482/original/7ff7cba0722a5c57.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/116/067/379/949/935/972/original/64160841afb29073.jpeg

2026-02-14 05:38:13 UTC

NIИ
#Boston #NIИ #NineInchNails
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/116/067/368/012/093/046/original/b351a2b55085f333.mp4

2026-02-10 21:31:59 UTC

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In an alternate universe, deep in a datacenter, Scully takes control of the situation and orders Mulder to kill the AI.
“Ghost in the Machine” (S1E7).
#AI #LLM #TheXFiles #ArtificialIntelligence
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/048/458/204/564/928/original/bfff6af81448501f.mp4

2026-02-09 21:54:06 UTC

I have decided to begin re-watching the entire original (seasons 1-9) run of The X-Files.
It has been more than 10 years since I last did this, and I am looking forward to it.
#TheXFiles
https://media.ominous.net/media_attachments/files/116/042/891/196/169/251/original/511c7fd9a23d9ca5.jpg

2026-02-03 21:55:41 UTC

Imperial Beach, CA.
February, 2015.
Sand patterns at low side.
#TextureTuesday
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/116/008/893/668/632/753/original/3a110bdf3ef3974e.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/116/008/893/912/784/411/original/b66ea9a1eab999aa.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/116/008/894/085/220/686/original/7298775fd3316db3.jpeg

2026-02-01 16:25:37 UTC

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for me, once I had reached my new baseline of no phone, suddenly I noticed the buzzing became downright annoying. I knew it wasn't anything important. I was turning on Do Not Disturb mode more often to shut it up.
I went from worrying about what I was missing to being annoyed that I was being pinged so much. Sure enough, I'd take a glance at my screen, and there was nothing I needed to care about.
My behavioral changes are much less dramatic walking around a city, of course.

2026-02-01 16:23:33 UTC

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You know, I've never thought about it like that. My sense of oblivion has been walking around the city of Boston; yours is much different than mine, with higher stakes. My concerns of leaving the phone behind are downright comical compared to your adventures in and out of oblivion.
I think you're more qualified to write about that kind of mindset than I!

2026-02-01 16:16:14 UTC

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thank you for the feedback.
There’s a lot I wish I could have covered but it would have gone on too many tangents.
I believe what you're describing is temporary, people adjust to this and let go of those anxieties, I know I did eventually.
Everyone will be different on how they acclimate, suddenly you go out on a 2-hour walk without the phone and you didn’t even notice you left it behind.
This change in behavior is just our lizard brains trying to deprogram from our baseline.

2026-02-01 13:27:18 UTC

I've published a new essay on my website.
“Into the Dark Wood: The Right to Be Unknown.”
Oblivion, autonomy, surveillance, and resisting a world that refuses to let us disappear.
https://ominous.net/The_Right_to_Be_Unknown.html
#Privacy #Surveillance #DigitalRights #DigitalAutonomy

2026-01-31 15:35:37 UTC

Hey @npub1lym…fqe3, look what I found. It’s like finding ancient Roman coins around an archaeological dig site.
#Sun #SunMicrosystems #SPARC
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/990/436/595/923/024/original/b6feae7c4db09ec8.jpeg

2026-01-30 19:17:53 UTC

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So... interesting timing. This is exactly what my next essay is about, to be published on my site next week titled "Into the Dark Wood: The Right to Be Unknown." I've been refining it the last few days, preparing to publish it. I think you'll appreciate it.

2026-01-28 17:54:57 UTC

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let me know when the standards committee forms I'll join. ;)

2026-01-28 03:14:04 UTC

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nice! I love this trend. Added your RSS so now you have to keep updating it!

2026-01-26 23:46:43 UTC

Since my last update on the #Boston #MeshCore network, we’ve grown a couple more repeaters and are now within spitting distance of bridging CT!
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/964/064/559/860/718/original/f176faa4de63b874.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/964/064/653/820/252/original/e34bada0d231046b.jpeg

2026-01-22 15:54:29 UTC

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I've also created an image gallery.
https://img.ominous.net/
In the same vein as https://subversive.pics/ by @npub1lym…fqe3, I will be curating and dumping random images I find on the internet or take around town.
There's an RSS feed and a Mastodon mirror @npub17d8…rg2c available.

2026-01-22 15:49:41 UTC

I've created a personal website.
https://www.ominous.net
It is built with the Oscean static site engine written in Uxn by @npub1z8r…mrq6, who along with @npub1lym…fqe3 and their respective websites, have inspired me to develop my own.
I have set a goal to write a long form essay once a month with my first being “The Stars in Your Eyes Are Stolen: Æon Flux and Decentralized Power Systems” found here: https://ominous.net/Æon_Flux.html
I hope folks enjoy my little corner of the internet. I intend to expand it often.

2026-01-20 17:23:28 UTC

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and isn't it amazing how bad the original Newton's handwriting recognition was?

2026-01-19 22:53:49 UTC

Went to the Boston Science Museum with my buddy and saw the largest Van de Graaff generator, which was built by Jan de Graaff himself. They had a number of Tesla coils on display, and it was all pretty rad.
#Science #Museum #Boston
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/924/213/622/833/826/original/2974e6d8b3872f01.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/924/214/506/806/187/original/b69b8142fc4058ad.jpeg
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2026-01-19 01:31:58 UTC

Started playing Beyond Oasis for SEGA Genesis with @npub1uqm…xl0q. It has similar game mechanics to Light Crusader. Big sprites, pleasant color palettes, I especially love the water effects.
#SEGA #MegaDrive #RetroGaming #VideoGames
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/919/179/665/992/999/original/69039d97a29bc1af.mp4
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/919/180/093/421/446/original/709e7ca6a8d0cb52.png

2026-01-18 23:11:23 UTC

Went to the Winslow Homer exhibit at #MFA. I had not realized he was from #Boston and grew up in #CambridgeMA.
The watercolors are quite striking in person and flat photographs don’t do it justice. The exhibit ended today, but if you get the opportunity to see them, I recommend it.
#Art #Watercolor
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/918/619/423/088/795/original/b67fa71bdb1374ba.jpeg
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2026-01-18 16:22:13 UTC

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How timely! I just started taking my first steps into #Uxn by setting up Oscean as my site engine. I wrote a static image gallery generator as well to dump random things.
The about -> now section actually updates my status in realtime via various scripts/webhooks and nginx SSI.
I’m still filling out the website and expanding its sections each day as part of my 2026 goals.

2026-01-11 18:21:36 UTC

Went to the #Boston #Museum of Fine Arts yesterday. Nice to have such beautiful things in my backyard. Saw some Monet and Dutch masters.
Don't forget to visit your local #library and museums this year!
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/877/840/206/628/871/original/5c304e508c1a64ff.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/877/843/835/791/911/original/91c66d85f5f3a683.jpeg
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2026-01-09 22:17:54 UTC

RE: https://blahaj.social/@maartje/115867225088740197
I am old enough to remember using WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) when I first got a cell phone in 2001.
Originally built for accessing mobile websites over cellular data but now over #Meshcore!
#note1wm3…tcx7

2026-01-07 21:53:51 UTC

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zh-9rBYmGow&feature=youtu.be
https://youtu.be/FdpggGnA3Kw

2026-01-07 21:53:05 UTC

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You can, and folks have booted it on real hardware!
https://vox.ominous.net/@occult/115759331681756867

2026-01-05 21:16:34 UTC

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The network is now expanding the into New Hampshire and are closing in on linking with Hartford, CT.
We are hoping to deploy more repeaters south into Rhode Island, where there are pockets of #Meshtastic users wanting to connect to the #MeshCore network in New England.
Once connected and with MeshCore's stability over tens of hops there's no reason we can't have someone from CT or RI reliably message folks in NH via routes through Boston and eventually via redundant paths.
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/844/552/409/899/792/original/3788771e3100626c.png

2026-01-05 21:05:37 UTC

Our #Boston #MeshCore community has rapidly grown over the last few months. We went from a single repeater in my window to over 100 with as many users in the Boston metro area spanning over 300mi².
One of our users created a live map of the network, which parses the packet routes and visualizes them in real time as well as showing the history of routes weighted by activity. Remember every dot is a former #Meshtastic user.
Watch the packets zip around our mesh live:
https://live.bostonme.sh/?lat=42.36010&lon=-71.15000&zoom=12&layer=light&history=on&heat=on&labels=off&nodes=on&legend=on&units=mi&history_filter=0
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/844/508/671/984/989/original/aea778b2bb98be51.png
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/844/508/699/283/061/original/a1cccd95f874873c.png

2026-01-02 02:12:37 UTC

I just learned that Stewart Cheifet passed away only a few days ago on December 28th, 2025. For those unfamiliar with him, he was the creator and host of The Computer Chronicles in the 80s and 90s and over 400 episodes.
It’s fascinating to go back and watch old episodes. This isn’t just a time capsule of retro-computing, they actually aired informative, highly technical, computer-oriented television on PBS like this episode from 1985 on UNIX.
#UNIX #RetroComputing #PBS
https://archive.org/details/UNIX1985
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/823/080/594/717/025/original/beae6d1e71319c1e.jpeg

2026-01-01 20:30:50 UTC

"...and uh, the most advanced operating system."
“It’s called UNIX."
Stanley Kubrick definitely would have been a Plan 9 user.
#UNIX #unix_surrealism #9Front #Plan9
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/821/723/753/680/536/original/79dc3d2bd35ee8ac.mp4

2025-12-29 19:32:48 UTC

Fun talk by @npub1aw0…7ktg at #39C3
"Celestial navigation with very little math."
An analog computer that turns a sextant reading into your latitude, solving spherical trigonometry with rotating rings.
Replacing 100+ pages of nautical tables with a single slide rule.
https://media.ccc.de/v/39c3-celestial-navigation-with-very-little-math

2025-12-28 21:05:13 UTC

Catching up on #39C3 talks from #CambridgeMA / #Boston.
Make sure to see @npub1wh2…zlqx discussing geostationary satellite signals interception and insecurities.
https://www.wired.com/story/satellites-are-leaking-the-worlds-secrets-calls-texts-military-and-corporate-data/
Recording: https://media.ccc.de/v/39c3-don-t-look-up-there-are-sensitive-internal-links-in-the-clear-on-geo-satellites

2025-12-20 19:03:12 UTC

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I would buy her side-project solo album on vinyl.

2025-12-15 14:10:21 UTC

#Amtrak #Acela from #Providence to #Boston after a quick visit this weekend.
#Trains #Transit
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/723/978/160/714/800/original/51b165f39e31e016.jpeg

2025-12-09 04:00:46 UTC

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Watching it today, I get the sense that the world depicted would incorporate collapse computing or #permacomputing.
See https://wiki.xxiivv.com/site/collapse_computing.html and https://wiki.xxiivv.com/site/permacomputing.html for explanations courtesy of @npub1z8r…mrq6 for more info.
The stories and characters are nuanced, have extreme depth and surprising relevancy to our world 30 years later. It's required multiple viewings over decades to grasp it all and apply it to the context of the present.
It's worthy of a complete viewing every ten years.

2025-12-09 03:52:02 UTC

We need to talk about Æon Flux.
I see a lot of people talking about fighting fascism or discussing #anarchy but no one seems to remember the icon that was Aeon.
I remember watching this episode "Thanatophobia" (S03E03) back in 1995 and this opening scene punched me in the face the same way 30 years later.
If you've not watched ÆonFlux I recommend it. I still hum this to myself all these years later.
It's anarcho-biopunk-core with #CyberPunk elements and much more.
#AeonFlux #Animation #90s
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/687/473/702/118/028/original/e02d32b602b873e0.mp4

2025-12-06 17:59:49 UTC

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it would appear @npub1lyn…ve6v dropped the ball by never updating their client and neglecting their users while the competition passed them by. I've given up on them and have switched to @npub1frs…09cc and will be giving them money. Even @npub1cnh…wtw0 which is completely free has surpassed Ivory and I recommend it if Mona isn't going to work for you.
I'm not a subscription fan either, but I will upgrade. I believe in Mastodon and ActivityPub and will support the ecosystem where I can.

2025-12-06 17:28:58 UTC

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yeah, zero contacts made. I did not bother with Meshtastic, not worth it.
My friends and I have plans to link Williamsburg to Gowanus via our buildings and some carefully placed nodes around the canal.
We did a site survey and some testing to make sure it was viable.
Next up is to look at SDR waterfall and make sure things are looking clean in order to use recommend settings.
There will be an organized Brooklyn MeshCore group in 2026 if I can help it.

2025-12-04 02:50:39 UTC

Doing some #MeshCore in #Brooklyn.
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/659/021/373/649/830/original/49d0f76d790c7f13.jpeg

2025-11-29 02:11:15 UTC

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Another friend just tried it, not logged in, and had no account and again it was able to look up their location.
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/630/555/626/564/187/original/414da140ae434b10.jpeg

2025-11-29 02:03:42 UTC

After seeing some #AI #privacy posts about #ChatGPT claiming to not be able to see your location, IP, or anything I decided to test it.
With no account or history, I asked it a few questions, and sure enough, it not only knows exactly where I am but is gaslighting me into thinking it was pure coincidence.
A friend followed the same instructions and got the same results in his location as well.
Yikes.
#ArtificialIntelligence #OpenAI
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2025-11-26 22:05:33 UTC

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Where is this?!

2025-11-18 13:45:37 UTC

#CloudFlare may be down, but the Japanese Maple in #CambridgeMA are fine. Go outside and visit your local tree.
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/570/998/778/871/664/original/3a6052410daf8317.jpeg

2025-11-18 12:32:03 UTC

Cloudflare may be down, but #MeshCore is up.
#Boston #CambridgeMA @npub1lcc…lcye https://cyberplace.social/@GossiTheDog/115570551884305954
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/570/707/097/912/335/original/181cec4c704ff016.jpeg

2025-11-13 14:35:00 UTC

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Yes.
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/542/883/674/517/539/original/82b586b14dbb70fb.jpeg

2025-11-13 14:26:17 UTC

Never mind the dead internet theory - we're about to have AI agents calling other AI agents and having English language conversations about what’s in stock to buy.
https://www.theverge.com/news/819431/google-shopping-ai-gemini-agentic-checkout-calling

2025-11-07 17:33:07 UTC

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yeah, I wasn't sure if it has become a thing in the sailing community. I feel like it fits in nicely, but it's obviously a bit redundant, I suppose, given the many established and reliable means of communication available.
With it becoming more popular, it might not hurt to have a node when you're hanging off the coast somewhere!
Regardless, I've been enjoying reading the many adventures of cool hackers at sea!

2025-11-07 17:24:45 UTC

@npub1z8r…mrq6 @npub1z2c…laft I’ve been reading posts about your travels aboard PINO as well as Permacomputing principles and have wondered if you’ve ever tried MeshCore or Meshtastic while sailing. I should include @npub1aw0…7ktg in this question as well.
It seems like something that would fit nicely into permacomputing and your low bandwidth/limited communication needs. There’s a large community of users in the PNW and we have created a very large mesh here in Boston.

2025-11-07 16:30:49 UTC

#Boston area #MeshCore has continued to grow over the last few weeks thanks to both the local volunteers who make stuff, design stuff, hike up hills, and install repeaters, as well as a number of very generous people donating time and money to make it happen.
We have been deploying nodes north into New Hampshire and increasing overall repeater density, which has brought redundancy to various links.
Every dot is a former #Meshtastic user repurposing gear.
New live map:
https://analyzer.letsme.sh/map?lat=42.36888&long=-71.06654&zoom=10
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/509/358/508/040/513/original/85d19b1021bb224f.png

2025-11-06 15:40:25 UTC

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I feel like someone should reach out to the Mamdani / NYC administration and explain to them why having a Mastodon presence would be beneficial to their portfolio of social media outreach.
Perhaps also for NYC services and announcements.
Someone like Zohran may be receptive to including it in their overall strategy. Now is the time!

2025-11-05 20:08:50 UTC

Just received a very exciting email about testing the new Virtual Charlie Card for #MBTA!
From the looks of it, I may be able to test a Charlie Card tied to my monthly pass using my iPhone Wallet, so Apple Watch and iPhone tap and go will work for monthly passes.
It says I should receive testing materials in a few weeks.
#Boston #CambridgeMA #Transit
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/498/884/471/660/373/original/4468b29541cba246.png

2025-10-20 19:36:46 UTC

Does anyone in #Seattle know where the best vegetarian friendly Mexican food is for my buddy @npub19h2…lv9e? https://vox.ominous.net/@rolento/115404167143934586
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/408/171/337/130/829/original/f45d496f1685cfaf.jpeg

2025-10-18 21:23:50 UTC

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Cities around the country should be thinking about how projects like #Meshtastic and #MeshCore fit into events such as #NoKings.
It requires the support of technical members of the community taking the time to set up this infrastructure, which has a cost and is certainly not free.
I’d estimate some members of the #Boston MeshCore network have spent thousands of dollars on equipment.

2025-10-18 17:51:39 UTC

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For context this is what the whole #Boston #MeshCore map looks like right now.
The bulk of all traffic is concentrated around the area of #NoKings downtown.
The #mesh is certainly doing its job right now.
Community run, #decentralized, #encrypted, open-access #infrastructure at work.
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/396/427/544/713/474/original/b5002d1a3ba8b89e.png

2025-10-18 17:36:06 UTC

Seeing an increase in #MeshCore traffic around the downtown #Boston area today. Glad to see folks out using it during #NoKings.
This is an example of community-run, #decentralized, off-the-grid #mesh networking #infrastructure playing an important role in society.
Folks are reporting that cell phones are essentially unusable due to the volume of people but MeshCore and Meshtastic are both functioning.
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/396/346/969/221/926/original/18c033c0cf1abe99.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/voxominousnet/media_attachments/files/115/396/346/984/295/268/original/56bdedd2f92fecdd.jpeg

2025-10-15 02:32:27 UTC

My #Introduction.
I talk about life in #CambridgeMA and #Boston, MA, #engineering, #science, #radios (#SDR, #HAM, #LoRa, #MeshCore, and others), #pinball, #film, retro computers/video games, and more.
Occasionally I collect #art, watch #LaserDiscs, study #horology, visit museums often (The Met, MFA, Harvard Art Museum) and support my local libraries.
I read #poetry and books on #architecture, #design, and #urbanism.
I walk or take public #transit everywhere.
Posts auto-delete after 30 days.