Mike Rockwell

Writer of @initialcharge and Happiness Engineer for Pocket Casts and Tumblr at Automattic.

Public Key

npub1wcj9qr3qngtqtxkqfrvqd89fex3zw26fq80j2xspcvcy5fjkt92sxckutj

NIP-05 Address

mike@libertynode-net.mostr.pub

Profile Code

nprofile1qqs8vfzspcsf59s9ntqy3kqxnj5ung389dysrhe9rgquxvz2yet9j4gpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dspwn7gw

Publishing to

relay.damus.io

nos.lol

Author Public Key

npub1wcj9qr3qngtqtxkqfrvqd89fex3zw26fq80j2xspcvcy5fjkt92sxckutj

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Last Notes

2026-07-16 23:46:51 UTC

There’s a local ISP that advertises “transparent pricing” as the top reason that customers choose them.
But you have to enter your email address in order to find out pricing and availability at your address.
So…

2026-06-14 22:42:45 UTC

Why isn’t caller ID a thing on cell phones?
You can see the number calling you, but you only see a name if that number is in your contacts.
Why is it only a thing with landline phones?

2026-04-25 23:31:14 UTC

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@nprofile…g5vw that’s awesome! I also recently dropped caffeine, so I know the struggle.

2026-04-17 21:13:48 UTC

Why do we use the term “micro plastics” instead of just calling them “plastics”?

2026-03-24 15:56:21 UTC

What’s the best way to clone a Linux boot drive? Is it Clonezilla?
I want to move my existing Ubuntu install to an external drive and then start fresh with a new distro using the internal drive.
On a MacBook, I’d just use SuperDuper! will Clonezilla accomplish the same thing or is there a better tool for the job?

2026-02-20 15:57:31 UTC

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@nprofile…62fc it doesn’t seem like that would actually matter, though.
“introducing the materials into the circuit is just like adding a resistor in series, and they’re unlikely to distort the audio too much”
It’s worth noting, I haven’t seen any of the audiophile dudes that I’m reading/watching talk about them either. When they discuss cables it’s all about the connectors on the end, whether the cable untangles easily, and whether the cable straightens out when unfurled.

2026-02-20 15:39:47 UTC

After setting up my iPod again, I’ve been spending a bunch of time deep-diving into audio stuff. Digital audio players, headphones, DACs, etc.
An observation: mainstream tech/gadget enthusiasts don’t even know about the companies that these audiophiles are talking about. It feels like an entirely different, unexplored world.

2026-01-17 15:26:05 UTC

Kodi is under appreciated

2025-12-22 18:24:37 UTC

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@nprofile…dmsw it looks like a fancy kerosene heater.

2025-12-22 16:56:11 UTC

Lame.
https://sixcolors.com/post/2025/12/apple-is-forcing-iphones-to-update-to-ios-26-to-patch-security-holes/

2025-12-21 20:28:26 UTC

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@nprofile…s7qj I’ve thought a lot about installing Linux on my mother-in-law’s iMac since it’s stuck on Catalina, but she uses iMessage on it too much. :\

2025-12-19 17:37:03 UTC

https://libertynode.net/system/media_attachments/files/115/747/443/236/600/878/original/3c3cdcbfc219fcb1.mp4

2025-12-18 01:01:29 UTC

https://libertynode.net/system/media_attachments/files/115/737/866/188/863/854/original/4a9867a70d7c07bd.mp4

2025-12-16 01:00:22 UTC

Watched this with the family tonight. It was very good. We’ll definitely be adding it ti our yearly rotation going forward.
https://www.thetvdb.com/movies/the-best-christmas-pageant-ever-357968

2025-12-15 21:11:26 UTC

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@nprofile…3trr I think my first playthrough of the game, which I didn’t completely finish, was about 110-120 hours.
Accomplishing that in 15 minute increments certainly sounds challenging, lol.

2025-12-15 15:12:14 UTC

Why are Apple’s macOS update servers so darn slow?
I’ve been waiting for a ~4GB update to download for over an hour and it’s not even half way there.

2025-12-14 22:12:26 UTC

This is going to sound stupid, but hear me out.
We had a large IKEA box that’s been sitting in our basement for, what seems like, forever waiting for me to tear it down to put out with our garbage.
This afternoon I crafted it into a little cardboard house for the kids to play in. It has a window, a doorway, and a roof that’s just tall enough for them to stand in it. They will play with this thing for months.

2025-12-12 23:37:07 UTC

https://www.macrumors.com/2025/12/12/ios-26-2-automatic-software-update/
https://libertynode.net/system/media_attachments/files/115/709/222/864/800/132/original/5ce59eb1e4410c70.mp4

2025-12-11 21:44:05 UTC

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@nprofile…hmnx I always dreamed of being as cool as the kid in the pale orange shirt.

2025-12-11 00:01:48 UTC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDGl2albRHk

2025-12-09 22:00:27 UTC

Michael Tsai - Blog - What Happened to Apple’s Legendary Attention to Detail? https://mjtsai.com/blog/2025/10/24/what-happened-to-apples-legendary-attention-to-detail/

2025-12-09 17:30:03 UTC

I tried the new “NKD” Cool Ranch Doritos.
Unfortunately, I think I prefer the regular ones.

2025-12-07 23:55:21 UTC

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@nprofile…ytej my understanding is that most tiny homes are built to be mobile because it allows them to sidestep a bunch of building codes that would make the structure illegal to build as a normal home — with a foundation and whatnot.

2025-12-07 16:30:06 UTC

At Apple’s next event — the glass shatter sounds, Stone Cold’s music hits and Scott Forstall does a run-in.
He boots Tim in the stomach and gives him a stunner on a pile of Vision Pros.
He grabs the mic and cuts a promo on the executive team. He calls out Schiller who does a surprise heel turn — he gives Tim the big boot and spray paints “NWO” on Tim’s back.
They announce a hostile takeover. The two of them have been secretly acquiring stock and they now have the controlling stake.

2025-12-06 23:47:50 UTC

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@nprofile…0j57 cargo pants would be more popular so we could carry all of our single-purpose gadgets.

2025-12-06 23:45:02 UTC

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@nprofile…wn4v it’s a reference to a meeting that Trump had during his first term. Tim Cook was in attendance and Trump referred to him as “Tim Apple”. I’ve heard people use it ever since then — even outside of NA circles.

2025-12-06 23:15:38 UTC

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@nprofile…esv8 there’s a few floating around like that. I actually have the Food Channel installed, but haven’t set it up to enable ordering yet.

2025-12-06 17:46:51 UTC

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@nprofile…na0f I’d put the year we peaked closer to 2012, but that’s mostly because of how poorly tech has advanced since then.

2025-12-06 01:49:25 UTC

If anyone needs me I’ll be in Albania watching YouTube videos of PlayStation 2 homebrew without ads.

2025-12-05 05:06:51 UTC

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@nprofile…9m44 ah, my apologies. 👍

2025-12-03 16:55:11 UTC

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@nprofile…9m44 yes.
People should be able to say what they want. If you’re talking with someone who doesn’t like the phrase and is personally offended by it, it’s generally better to avoid it out of respect. But that shouldn’t preclude them from speaking freely with others who aren’t as sensitive about it.

2025-12-03 16:22:16 UTC

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@nprofile…e9ss
1. iPhone
2. Mac
3. AirPods
4. Apple TV
5. iPad
6. Apple Watch
7. HomePod
8. AirTag
9. Vision Pro

2025-12-01 20:09:14 UTC

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@nprofile…dfpj Cloudron does limit you to two apps with a free account and it’s $15 per month billed yearly if you want to install more.
I recently dropped down to the free plan because I only *needed* two apps. If I was starting today, I’d look into Yunohost more to see if that would be a better fit for my needs. Mostly because it’s free software and, as far as I know, offers similar functionality. Without looking into it more, I’m just not sure if the fit and finish is as nice as Cloudron’s is.

2025-12-01 20:07:57 UTC

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@nprofile…dfpj I’ve been doing this for a handful of years and haven’t regretted it.
Right now I’m using Cloudron on a Linode. Cloudron is a management dashboard with an app store. It handles updates, SSL cert, DNS, backups, and more. It makes it much easier.
I’ve gone through a migration from one server to another and the backup made the whole process a cinch. I basically told the new Cloudron install where my backup was and it restored everything, pointed my domains to the new server, etc.

2025-12-01 17:55:29 UTC

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@nprofile…dfpj I believe Mastodon has scheduling support built-in, but it’s not surfaced in the web app and is not commonly supported in clients.

2025-12-01 05:46:02 UTC

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@nprofile…rpra i completely agree — I bet he’s never even driven a van.

2025-11-30 15:30:27 UTC

Sure, Dawn is good at leaning up ducks, but does it work on dishes?

2025-11-30 00:17:47 UTC

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@nprofile…wn4v “Newo Politics”?

2025-11-29 23:30:25 UTC

The USB Ethernet adapter that I ordered for our Wii arrived today.
We can use the Kirby TV, Nintendo, Wii Room channels, and more without having to connect to my iPhone’s hotspot.
We’ll be able to transfer files over FTP now, too.

2025-11-29 04:15:29 UTC

It’s wild how much of a pain PS2 homebrew/softmodding feels compared to the other consoles I’ve tinkered with.

2025-11-27 16:40:08 UTC

My Apple TV finally auto updated to tvOS 26.
My favorite part of the update is that I can’t read the clock on the Home Screen anymore. It’s actually really cool.

2025-11-26 17:56:06 UTC

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I hope I filled those out correctly.

2025-11-26 17:33:21 UTC

Why’d they have to go and change the tax withholding forms?
I didn’t know what I was doing before, but now it’s even worse.

2025-11-22 16:28:54 UTC

Discord stinks.

2025-11-22 01:55:30 UTC

A Goofy Movie on DVD, played on an old CRT.
The kids are mostly indifferent about it.
#PhysicalMediaFriday

2025-11-21 16:11:25 UTC

I went down a Nintendo Wii rabbit hole and now I'm trying to decide if its a good idea to buy an upscaler, Guitar Hero controller, and/or a USB ethernet adapter.
As an aside and even though its a longshot, if anyone knows where I can find a Cavex channel wad, please let me know.

2025-11-19 15:25:45 UTC

This is breaking news.
I kind of want to buy a PS2 slim to connect to our CRT.

2025-11-17 15:36:12 UTC

Some people have stopped using em dashes in their writing because they don’t want people thinking that they’re using AI tools to write.
But if AI tools are so great, why would there be any embarrassment about people thinking that you’re making use of them?

2025-11-16 01:41:16 UTC

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@nprofile…pldv the kids are only half paying attention, but my wife and I are pointing out all the funny parts to our oldest.

2025-11-16 01:36:47 UTC

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Now we’re all sitting on the floor watching Home Alone.

2025-11-15 23:14:12 UTC

Setup an old CRT TV in our playroom with a DVD player.
We have Frosty the Snowman playing on it now.
It probably won’t be permanent, but will be an interesting change of pace for a few days.

2025-11-14 21:34:42 UTC

I’m surprised Apple hasn’t replaced the trash icon in macOS with a fully square one like they have the rest of their icons.
Maybe they’ll put the current icon on top of a square, colored gradient background and ship that in macOS 27.

2025-11-13 17:15:17 UTC

Another, related bit:
Ask someone to pose for a picture, take a selfie, and then show it to them and ask them if they think it came out well.

2025-11-13 17:08:22 UTC

When you meet a celebrity, ask them if they mind you taking a selfie.
When they say yes, take out your phone and just take a photo of yourself without them even close to being in frame.

2025-11-13 02:47:57 UTC

Valve’s announcement video from today is light-years ahead of every Apple event from the last handful of years.
It’s quick, with no fluff and excellent flow from one product announcement to the next.

2025-11-12 20:11:31 UTC

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@nprofile…g59e words to live by.

2025-11-12 15:42:47 UTC

https://github.com/Automattic/pocket-casts-ios/releases/tag/8.0.0.0

2025-11-11 17:58:09 UTC

Apple should partner with Sheath next to make a bag with two pouches. One for your iPhone and another for your baubles.

2025-11-09 23:28:24 UTC

Caleb is currently sitting in his high chair, counting from 1-10 over and over again, as loud as he possibly can.

2025-11-09 19:18:38 UTC

Anyone else notice that stores and restaurants are unexpectedly busy recently? Or maybe it’s just in my area?

2025-11-09 03:44:21 UTC

Remember when eggs were like $6 a dozen?

2025-11-09 00:22:28 UTC

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@nprofile…dmsw I don’t know if this is useful to you at all. And although I don’t have any personal experience with it, I have heard very good things about CrowdHealth:
https://www.joincrowdhealth.com/

2025-11-08 02:54:37 UTC

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@nprofile…x5fh I’m planning to hold on to Sequoia for as long as I can.

2025-11-07 15:44:56 UTC

If you follow any weblogs or other RSS feeds from sites that cover Linux, retro gaming, the web, mobile apps, or Apple, please send me links.
I’m looking for some new sources in my RSS reader. And don’t hesitate to self promote if you’re publishing something cool.

2025-11-07 03:44:49 UTC

No one who works at Apple cares about good design anymore. The attention to detail started disappearing more than a decade ago.
The pot’s just finally warm enough that everyone’s noticing that it’s boiling.
https://mastodon.social/@marioguzman/115503807101646095

2025-11-06 16:07:51 UTC

Why is Time Machine incapable of deleting old backups to make room for new backups? Isn’t that supposed to just happen by default without any intervention?
Time Machine was introduced 17 years ago.

2025-11-06 15:30:26 UTC

Nothing works today. Everything’s broken.

2025-11-06 02:05:05 UTC

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@nprofile…qyay I’d be curious what the stats looked like if you broke them out based on marital and parental status.

2025-11-06 00:52:46 UTC

The whole family’s dancing to this right now.
https://libertynode.net/system/media_attachments/files/115/500/014/805/307/414/original/df08832e7136987b.mp4

2025-11-06 00:49:04 UTC

The whole family’s jamming to the Wii Homebrew Channel music.
https://libertynode.net/system/media_attachments/files/115/499/999/358/606/438/original/155e692738689f84.mp3

2025-11-05 21:20:49 UTC

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@nprofile…09u9 macOS and Windows are both trash.

2025-11-04 21:28:57 UTC

https://libertynode.net/system/media_attachments/files/115/493/551/133/943/279/original/020ab9e49cea9998.jpeg

2025-11-03 03:44:27 UTC

Me last night: “maybe, with the clocks changing, we can manage to get the kids to bed at a decent hour.”
Tonight:
*youngest doesn’t fall asleep until 10PM*
*oldest is still awake*

2025-10-30 00:05:19 UTC

I wish Mega Man X3 cartridges weren’t $200+.

2025-10-28 22:04:47 UTC

Humming the soundtrack to Mega Man X3 while I mow the back yard.

2025-10-25 16:25:34 UTC

“Hey Siri, set a timer for one second.”

2025-10-23 23:55:26 UTC

We’ve got a skunk in the neighborhood that’s been stinking up the place the past few nights.
It’s driving me nuts.

2025-10-22 02:38:10 UTC

It's Not Just You - The iOS Keyboard is Broken https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hksVvXONrIo

2025-06-04 23:36:24 UTC

@nprofile…8xaf should make a Thunderbolt/USB-C dock that lets you insert expansion cards to customize the ports to your liking.
I bet there are a lot of Mac users that are unlikely to ever purchase a Framework computer, but would love a dock like this.

2025-04-25 16:32:54 UTC

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@nprofile…fpv4 I don’t recall ever seeing clips of him doing standup or even saying anything particularly funny. I’ve only ever seen him discuss politics.

2025-04-12 18:24:27 UTC

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@nprofile…25dv what expansion card setup did you go with?

2025-04-09 16:31:34 UTC

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@nprofile…dlth why don’t you power your servers with wind turbines and solar panels that you own, so you don’t have to rely on your local power company for electricity?

2025-04-07 21:48:08 UTC

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@nprofile…kx50 should we assume the trend line will continue as it has, though?

2025-04-04 16:21:23 UTC

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It’s worth noting, Nintendo knew the tariff announcement was happening later in the day on April 2. They didn’t announce pricing of anything during the Direct. We didn’t know until after the live stream.
If they thought tariffs could have an impact on pricing of their console, they could have just waited to announce pricing and issued a statement to the press saying that they want to wait until they have more information about tariffs before everything is solidified.

2025-04-04 16:17:32 UTC

So Nintendo is delaying preorders to a later date.
The assumption is that prices may increase.
What if they gave their statement in the way that they did so that they could massively exceed expectations by announcing a price *drop*?
People are already upset about the announced pricing, how could they possibly increase it further and expect anyone to buy the system and games?

2025-04-04 12:12:03 UTC

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To me, I don’t see a compelling reason to upgrade. Especially when the cost of entry is so darn expensive.
If I bought a Switch 2 with Mario Kart and the new Donkey Kong game, we’re looking at $580. That’s just not in the realm of justifiable for access to *two* games.

2025-04-04 12:08:31 UTC

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The re-releases gimmick made sense for the Switch because the originals came out on the Wii U and almost no one bought a Wii U. It’s not going to work as well on the Switch 2 when so many people bought the Switch 1.
And you can always just play the original, non-Switch 2 Edition, version of games on the Switch 2 because it’s backwards compatible.

2025-04-04 12:02:43 UTC

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Maybe the whole pricing thing will just blow over, the console and games will sell fine, and everyone will accept it eventually.
But I can see an alternative universe where existing Switch owners hold off on upgrading for a while. Heck, Metroid Prime 4 and Pokémon Z-A are brand new games that are coming to both systems. And many of the games announced for the Switch 2 are just upgraded re-releases of titles that are already available on the Switch.

2025-04-04 11:57:08 UTC

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What’s especially annoying about the pricing for the Switch 2 system and games is that Nintendo consoles have, historically, been less expensive than the alternatives.
The GameCube, Wii, Wii U, and Switch were all cheaper than other consoles in their respective generation. (I don’t remember console pricing prior to the GameCube, so I’m only going back that far.)
But that’s no longer the case. You can get an Xbox Series S for $299. You can get a digital edition PS5 bundled with a game for $399.

2025-04-04 11:50:07 UTC

Seems like the prevailing narritive around the Switch 2 is “everything’s too expensive”. That was my reaction right out of the gate when I saw the price of the console — before I even saw the price increase on games. And it seems many people are in agreement with me.
You can write your own fanfiction about why the prices have increased, but Nintendo hasn’t done a good job justifying it.

2025-03-17 21:59:25 UTC

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@nprofile…gdcs it’s interesting how many of the “right leaning” personalities — with the exact same viewpoints — would have been considered center or center-left just a decade ago.

2025-03-13 16:32:23 UTC

We need something like this, but for AI.
You ask the AI a question that you partially know the answer to. The AI provides an answer that combines some information you know with information you don’t.
Of the portion you know, much of it is wrong. But despite that, the portion of the answer that you didn’t know, you assume is fully correct.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gell-Mann_amnesia_effect

2025-02-10 18:28:21 UTC

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@nprofile…lwkx it almost feels like admins of these instances just lurk the federated timeline of instances they dislike, waiting to see a user from a server they haven’t blocked yet.

2025-01-20 02:29:09 UTC

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@nprofile…zw4s you may have to consider fediblocking your own instance.

2024-10-22 17:33:46 UTC

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@npub12dm…r7ef @npub1e06…4v2p I don’t know how it can be fixed, short of shuttering the federal department of education and instituting school choice in states across the country — including support for home schooling.

2024-10-22 17:33:34 UTC

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@npub12dm…r7ef @npub1e06…4v2p it has been bad for a while, but it all got significantly worse in 2020.
Kids were already below grade level, almost entirely across the board. But at-home learning accelerated the problem and kids are often multiple grade levels behind now.
And there’s no fixing it by holding students back because no school district that I know of even does that anymore.

2024-09-07 15:42:04 UTC

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@npub1s5r…fd0w https://libertynode.net/@mike/113097027107178542

2024-09-07 15:35:39 UTC

Gruber’s lost it.

2024-09-04 14:22:06 UTC

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@npub1ln5…xyw6 don’t forget your VGA adapter for the projector. lol

2024-08-13 15:56:24 UTC

Does anyone have experience running macOS VMs on Linux? Are you able to get App Store apps running without any issues?