Stephen Foskett

Former sysadmin and #storage consultant

Present cat herder for @techfieldday #IT #events and host of @UtilizingAI@TechFieldDay.net #AI #Podcast

Future old man shouting “on-premises” at clouds

Alter ego is @GrailWatch for #watch content

Also posting #photography #homeassistant #linux #apple #uspol #reading #music #science

#Ohio 🇺🇸 #Fedi22

Public Key

npub1x2wd44gw78yp0egkhdgn8p3rarv7pk4j23sm3zk2sp5l363n548sn2p288

NIP-05 Address

sfoskett@techfieldday-net.mostr.pub

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsr98x66580rjqhu5ttk5fnsc373k0qm2e9gcdc3t9gq60cage62ncpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dsc2mrm2

Publishing to

relay.damus.io

nos.lol

Author Public Key

npub1x2wd44gw78yp0egkhdgn8p3rarv7pk4j23sm3zk2sp5l363n548sn2p288

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Last Notes

2025-11-08 23:09:08 UTC

Such an idea! Rather than cancelling commercial flights, the FAA could cut private jet flights. Or close private airports. This would ease the burden on air traffic controllers much more than the 10% cuts we’re currently seeing.
#travel
https://www.fastcompany.com/91437451/faa-should-cancel-all-private-jets-during-shutdown-say-millionaires

2025-10-13 21:12:59 UTC

No, #Portland is still not burning.
https://isportlandburning.com/

2025-08-28 14:38:25 UTC

One of my favorite weird English-isms is “re-sent”, which is often written “resent" now...
…as in “I resent this email”

2025-08-26 01:59:08 UTC

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@nprofile…592h yeah I get legit docusign frequently but this is maddening.

2025-08-25 23:38:58 UTC

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@nprofile…9c3v it’s a document that looks like a login page complete with a clickable button. Obvious scam.

2025-08-23 21:00:13 UTC

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@nprofile…htaz well that’s pretty straightforward

2025-08-23 17:58:03 UTC

Smudgetastic wants some love!
#caturday
https://files.techfieldday.net/media_attachments/files/115/079/373/351/453/769/original/de87d458765867d7.jpeg

2025-08-22 12:22:13 UTC

I bet if the FBI raided your house or mine they could find some kind of crime. And even the optics of this raid on Bolton serves Trump’s need to splash everyone with mud. I’m sure raids on Biden officials are next!

2025-08-20 18:27:49 UTC

Look who I ran into at #SHARECleveland2025
https://files.techfieldday.net/media_attachments/files/115/062/503/436/944/483/original/84b5dd37f2cd3167.jpeg

2025-08-19 14:59:28 UTC

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@nprofile…7yty But isn't it just charming that you can get it to talk enthusiastically about any stupid thing?

2025-08-19 14:14:19 UTC

We're live with Tech Field Day #TFDx at #SHARECleveland2025! Broadcom's WatchTower is an incredible observability platform that can be used in a flexible and scalable manner to meet the needs of critical enterprise applications.

2025-08-19 14:14:19 UTC

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#Broadcom WatchTower is everything a mainframe audience needs, but now also connects to applications, databases, network management, and (notably) Open Telemetry. And it's designed to bring value incrementally as it is deployed and expanded, adapting to fit the needs of each specific environment.

2025-08-19 13:03:21 UTC

Too good to be true (but actually unironically uttered) keynote slipup:
“AI is an exercise in doing less with more”

2025-08-19 12:43:59 UTC

Switching my SHARE posts from #SHAREcle2025 to #SHARECleveland2025 because it appears the official SHARE accounts are using that instead.

2025-08-18 22:17:00 UTC

Checking out the #Cleveland shoreline from above!
https://files.techfieldday.net/media_attachments/files/115/052/079/983/474/608/original/8a54a4fe24ce9183.jpeg

2025-08-18 18:27:13 UTC

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@nprofile…v3wj I wonder if George RR Martin remembers this

2025-08-16 12:33:41 UTC

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@nprofile…7fmf Thanks. Now I fell down a hole learning all the wild zsh expansion capabilities!

2025-08-16 01:15:35 UTC

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@nprofile…8x0h omfg that load!

2025-08-08 04:27:32 UTC

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@nprofile…tvh9 I really liked it on tvOS, seems OK on iPhone, not so great on iPad, downright bad on Mac.

2025-08-06 21:23:19 UTC

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@nprofile…pvmw that I am! It’s really bad. The Rockies aren’t even trying.

2025-08-06 20:44:04 UTC

Meanwhile in #Denver
https://files.techfieldday.net/media_attachments/files/114/983/766/824/714/959/original/a66f14053072575c.jpeg

2025-08-05 22:00:43 UTC

Enjoying an amazing vacation in #Boulder - this is the balcony of our suite at the Hotel Boulderado?
https://files.techfieldday.net/media_attachments/files/114/978/405/969/344/967/original/2ca448eebf814e09.jpeg

2025-08-05 21:59:06 UTC

Enjoying an amazing vacation in #Boulder - this is the balcony of our suite at the Hotel Boulderado?
https://files.techfieldday.net/media_attachments/files/114/978/399/553/218/436/original/511d6e760ba51f81.jpeg

2025-08-04 19:17:15 UTC

Meanwhile in #Boulder…
https://files.techfieldday.net/media_attachments/files/114/972/100/848/238/038/original/a6915fc0e7ff6865.jpeg

2025-08-02 15:30:47 UTC

This ehole paper is absolutely brilliant and sadly appears to be true: If you know the answer, and doctor the question to be doable, almost anything can solve a quantum factorization problem. Even a dog. https://social.chinwag.org/@brad/114958738258290803

2025-08-01 15:14:31 UTC

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@nprofile…xhte He has the face of a lion! Very odd looking. Cries blood like the bad guy in Casino Royale.

2025-08-01 13:31:37 UTC

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@nprofile…xhte Harvey is just the weirdest. He was an almost-dead tiny kitten when we got him from Humane Society. Named him “Harvey" because we are horrible people (half his face was messed up with infection).
He clearly has no idea how to be a cat. Maybe not too smart or maybe just never learned cat stuff. Very talkative. Doesn't like his head touched. Loves “arms out, head down, butt up”. Sits like this all the time!
Super soft, loud purr, love him to pieces.
https://files.techfieldday.net/media_attachments/files/114/953/754/430/033/219/original/cab8ab7420ae26ad.jpeg
https://files.techfieldday.net/media_attachments/files/114/953/754/662/189/114/original/4eddef7c577794f7.jpeg

2025-08-01 10:54:01 UTC

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@nprofile…xhte my one cat is so weird! And so are the other two!

2025-07-31 12:12:17 UTC

"Are there no prisons?" asked Scrooge.
"Plenty of prisons," said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.
"And the Union workhouses?" demanded Scrooge. "Are they still in operation?"
https://c.im/@columbusnewsbot/114947428916073917

2025-07-30 01:02:42 UTC

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@nprofile…t9ta the only good kind of ad

2025-07-26 15:44:27 UTC

Smudge reenacts a famous meme
#cats
https://files.techfieldday.net/media_attachments/files/114/920/303/267/465/296/original/a48b79ab544fdbf9.jpeg

2025-07-26 15:36:35 UTC

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@nprofile…3waz i remember that issue! I was a subscriber.

2025-07-23 02:15:39 UTC

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@nprofile…92y4 haha yeah in the words of Jon Stewart, “apparently the only restaurant in Akron is a place called Luigi’s that only takes cash”

2025-07-23 00:21:19 UTC

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@nprofile…92y4 you’ve never been to Akron…

2025-07-22 11:03:20 UTC

All across rural America there are ramshackle roadside shrines to Trump. How do you convince a member of the cult of personality to tear down their handmade shrine? That’s a huge problem for the opposition as this administration tears down America.

2025-07-21 23:04:32 UTC

@nprofile…ewc6 ooh cool I’m glad to find you here in the fediverse! Been enjoying your blog for a while now!

2025-07-19 18:31:30 UTC

Smudge meets Samwise Gamgee! #cats
https://files.techfieldday.net/media_attachments/files/114/881/323/961/211/950/original/c4f719f8e8fcc4f3.jpeg

2025-07-16 12:00:39 UTC

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@nprofile…0747 maybe someday I too can live this dream

2025-06-25 11:58:53 UTC

Somehow, somewhere, a bug in Apple Game Center decided that my username was “is_home();”
I have embraced this reality and hope my illegal username is causing big “Billy tables” vibes somewhere in iCloud.

2025-06-14 16:21:32 UTC

We’re ready! #NoKings
https://files.techfieldday.net/media_attachments/files/114/682/632/092/336/526/original/f1a39d0c6fb5b082.jpeg

2025-06-12 19:44:27 UTC

When is it going to go too far for the average American? Senator #Padilla was asking a question at a press conference and was dragged out, pushed to the floor, and zip tied. Enough is enough!
https://www.c-span.org/event/us-senate/us-senate/433913

2025-06-09 10:46:13 UTC

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The price goes from $7.20 to $8.40 per user per month. A buck 20 a month for something I literally googled “how do I turn this feature off? “

2025-06-09 10:35:58 UTC

This started out as Gmail. Just Gmail. Then it became Google Suite, then Google Workspace, and now they want to jack up the prices because of a bunch of AI features that I didn’t ask for, don’t use, and don’t want.
I imagine they take rate for “Gmail plus AI” would be pretty low.
https://files.techfieldday.net/media_attachments/files/114/652/961/730/201/280/original/d31758e2439413e1.jpeg

2025-06-01 23:47:05 UTC

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@nprofile…v884 my 12v battery failed. I replaced it at home and reset the computer using an app. Other than that and tires (so many tires) it’s been great.

2025-06-01 17:58:31 UTC

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@nprofile…v884 I guess I have 3 more years before my 2018 needs service.

2025-05-07 14:39:30 UTC

Saw a poster at the airport for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame special exhibit “Pop Music’s Best Year Ever”
Guess the year!

2025-04-24 21:51:16 UTC

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I looked it up and this is apparently related to some serious drama between the head of Wordpress and other companies and people in the community. He's unblocking people on their forum and social media. I don't see why this needs to be announced in a general blog post to the world.

2025-04-24 21:51:14 UTC

This is just asinine. Posted on the #Wordpress blog and completely inscrutable!
https://files.techfieldday.net/media_attachments/files/114/395/150/535/597/218/original/88ff9b6bb7a01f86.jpeg

2025-04-07 17:14:23 UTC

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Business leaders have just about had it as well, and he says that major CEOs are talking about austerity, recession, and even economic depression. Most are putting together rapid response plans to cut spending and reduce investment. Needless to say, this is very bad.
/4

2025-04-07 17:14:23 UTC

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I really don’t want to see the current administration to crash and burn, since I am riding in this plane too, but I think they may have just gone too far for even the right-wing finance types to accept.
/5

2025-04-07 17:14:23 UTC

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The question now is, what can we do about it? Our system of government doesn’t let us make radical changes when politicians go rogue. And I don’t see any appetite in the Republican Party to replace this president, given that the grassroots base still loves him.
/x

2025-04-07 17:14:22 UTC

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Their connections in Washington say there is immense pressure, with Republican senators starting to privately discuss what they can do about the current administration. They can see that it is not at all the tax-focused oligarchy they thought it would be.
/3

2025-04-07 17:14:22 UTC

I just talked to my financial advisor. His firm is very large and they are well informed and well connected across the political spectrum. Probably more on the right than the left. His take was pretty interesting!
/1

2025-04-07 17:14:22 UTC

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He said that he is hearing frustration from every direction regarding the haphazard rollout of these tariffs, and that the right wingers are starting to wonder if maybe there was no plan after all. It’s about time they realized that!
/2

2025-03-31 21:00:38 UTC

My house is officially for sale! No links 'cause privacy/creepy. But it's weird seeing my house on Realtor website.

2025-03-29 12:23:05 UTC

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@nprofile…xhte (some of us still live in #Ohio and are mad as hell)

2025-03-11 17:25:04 UTC

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@nprofile…yfxm Which Whisper model are you using?

2025-03-07 12:09:00 UTC

“So shines a good deed in a weary world”
https://wapo.st/41KVR96

2025-02-18 11:38:18 UTC

Of course my first thought was “OMG they’re eliminating all the bathrooms in Concourse C?!”
https://files.techfieldday.net/media_attachments/files/114/024/690/365/166/593/original/0ac748f0ac2ae836.jpeg

2025-02-12 12:16:31 UTC

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@nprofile…c8ul lots of companies here offering “gigabit” internet with sub-10 mbps uplink. “But it’s a gig!”

2025-02-10 02:24:17 UTC

This is the first #SuperBowl since probably XIX that I’m watching over-the-air using actual rabbit ears. I finally cut the cord.

2024-02-14 17:55:59 UTC

#SymLink: W. Curtis Preston expresses skepticism about the effectiveness of Cohesity's acquisition of Veritas' NetBackup and Alta assets, questioning the future integration of product lines and the fate of BackupExec and Enterprise Vault.
https://backupcentral.com/cohesity-to-acquire-most-of-veritas-whaaaat/

2023-11-07 16:23:58 UTC

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@npub1tv4…080n weirdo

2023-11-07 16:20:11 UTC

Very #Chicago
https://files.techfieldday.net/media_attachments/files/111/370/174/982/372/621/original/cfa01f27d2202494.jpeg

2023-10-05 16:16:11 UTC

@npub1rky…0xq2 I'd love to see you support native scheduling of posts!

2023-09-18 15:53:48 UTC

#SymLink: Michael Levan's "Deploying Container Images With PaaS" explores the use of Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) for deploying containers, describing it as a straightforward method that simplifies containerization and alleviates the need for expertise in areas such as networking and security, while also providing a practical guide for using a PaaS solution called Aptible.
https://dev.to/thenjdevopsguy/deploying-container-images-with-paas-20ag

2023-09-15 19:18:44 UTC

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@npub186s…54uq just like Washington Dulles Airport’s midfield terminal! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dulles_International_Airport

2023-09-15 16:19:28 UTC

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@npub16x7…dkqy Even the "non-profit" healthcare is for profit here...

2023-09-15 13:39:35 UTC

I am angry angry angry about the US healthcare “system".
Talking to a specialist and I asked “how long will treatment last?”
She actually said "as long as your insurance allows.”
This is the problem with American for-profit health care in a nutshell.

2023-09-14 15:54:38 UTC

#SymLink: In the article, Stephen Foskett announces the upcoming Storage Field Day 26, which will explore evolving storage technology through presentations from CTERA, Solidigm, and SNIA, highlighting the critical role of storage in data management, cybersecurity, application performance, and artificial intelligence. @npub1ew9…ed00 @npub1k0f…q0g2 #SDC23 #SFD26
https://gestaltit.com/tech-field-day/stephen/storage-field-day-26-is-headed-to-snias-storage-developer-conference/

2023-09-04 18:34:49 UTC

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@npub1jfd…88d2 @npub136j…ra8g excellent work! Now back to your regular scheduled program.

2023-09-04 18:28:44 UTC

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@npub1jfd…88d2 @npub136j…ra8g how did I never notice that the gun toting astronaut is wearing the Flag of #Ohio ?

2023-08-31 23:22:03 UTC

New #CXL #Podcast episode!
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/utilizingtech/episodes/05x17-Considering-the-Many-Faces-of-Edge-Following-VMware-Explore-with-Roy-Chua-and-Brian-Knudtson-e28k9oq

2023-08-31 14:05:05 UTC

What can #VMware say about the #Broadcom acquisition? Nothing! Here’s another behind the scenes short video I shot at #VMwareExplore!
https://files.techfieldday.net/media_attachments/files/110/984/603/157/505/403/original/0e0cb959c5be6dd4.mp4

2023-08-30 18:47:17 UTC

#SymLink: This TechHead.co article delineates the roles and responsibilities of Platform Engineers and DevOps Engineers, highlighting the former as creators and maintainers of the platform on which software runs, and the latter as facilitators of software deployment, bridging development and operations for efficient workflow.
https://techhead.co/whats-the-difference-platform-engineers-and-devops-engineers/

2023-08-30 18:02:56 UTC

Catch the August 30, 2023 episode of the @npub1ew9…ed00 enterprise IT news #rundown! "Intel, Arm, AMD, and More Announcements from Hot Chips 2023"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPhlqN6aMs0

2023-08-27 15:03:28 UTC

#GoodRead: Casey Handmer's blog post "You Should Be Working On Hardware" emphasizes the importance and potential of the hardware sector, urging his readers to seek out inefficient markets, take initiative in making hardware concepts a reality, and prioritize vision, grit, and commitment over abundant resources.
@npub18lf…77sc
https://caseyhandmer.wordpress.com/2023/08/25/you-should-be-working-on-hardware/

2023-08-27 11:27:46 UTC

#SymLink: This article explores factors to consider when choosing an underlay protocol for a VXLAN network, including vendor support, protocol characteristics, scalability, convergence, policy considerations, and more, with a particular focus on comparing OSPF to BGP protocols.
https://lostintransit.se/2023/08/27/choosing-the-underlay-protocol-in-a-vxlan-network/

2023-08-26 18:55:34 UTC

I’d love some advice. My kid arrived back at college for their senior year, head of a language theme house.
When they arrived they found that one roommate had already moved in with a large dog. The school allows emotional support animals but they’re supposed to be confined to the bedroom. This one was crated in the kitchen and obviously had free range of the house.
My kid is dog phobic. The dog owner is unwilling to comply with the rules and the school says they’re powerless. What to do?

2023-08-26 17:40:23 UTC

#SymLink: The article highlights the ongoing interest in and strategic importance of software company VMware, noting the potential acquisition efforts of tech giants such as Broadcom, Intel, AMD, and Nvidia for its robust enterprise customer base and significant revenue streams.
https://www.nextplatform.com/2023/08/25/everybody-tries-to-leverage-vmware-to-their-advantage/

2023-08-21 17:47:34 UTC

I would very much like to divorce the "chat" UI paradigm from the LLM back end. We need a better way to draw on AI insights that doesn't require this inefficient and unpredictable user interaction paradigm.

2023-08-21 17:39:50 UTC

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@npub1q74…s0le I was literally just talking to one of the other analysts about this! Yeah I wonder what they think #GenAI means and if it has any resemblance to the real world…

2023-08-21 17:39:01 UTC

Every legacy tech company is bending over backwards to work with #NVIDIA and offer a packaged #GenerativeAI solution based on their hardware. With Jensen taking the stage at #VMwareExplore tomorrow I imagine we'll hear something similar!

2023-08-21 17:04:51 UTC

Judging by the analyst and media session at #VMwareExplore the term “Gen AI" is a universal and must-have buzzword for enterprise IT. I've heard it twice in the same sentence from #VMware execs and yet no one thinks they would need to expand that to “generative AI" let alone explain what it means. It's the new “cloud" or "on-premise" I guess…

2023-08-21 13:28:54 UTC

Good morning #LasVegas! I’m ready to get started with #VMwareExplore and #TFDx!
https://files.techfieldday.net/media_attachments/files/110/927/840/469/420/374/original/f861c9d913bd4dec.jpeg
https://files.techfieldday.net/media_attachments/files/110/927/841/266/723/745/original/7de0c522ae2c9af2.jpeg

2023-08-19 21:37:38 UTC

A huge taste of home! #NewHaven #FrannkPepe #Pizza
https://files.techfieldday.net/media_attachments/files/110/918/438/376/065/395/original/ef7958ae273c5350.jpeg

2023-08-19 21:12:56 UTC

A little taste of home! #NewHaven
https://files.techfieldday.net/media_attachments/files/110/918/341/307/130/842/original/7ee9d5068d1e5cc0.jpeg

2023-08-17 15:43:30 UTC

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@npub1tmz…vsgn I was thinking of "the iron triangle" of project management: “fast, good, cheap - pick two”

2023-08-17 15:37:50 UTC

I saw a truck, that said “honest, reliable, affordable” on the side, and my brain immediately added “pick two“. That would really transform their sales pitch, wouldn’t it?

2023-08-16 18:34:26 UTC

Catch the August 16, 2023 episode of the @npub1ew9…ed00 enterprise IT news #rundown! "Business Source License Adopted by HashiCorp"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOdOcSdKHeU

2023-08-15 00:54:25 UTC

I’m officially “mastodon viral” today and it’s … really very pleasant!
I like this place!

2023-08-14 19:43:12 UTC

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@npub1yq6…3w8k I think this is the most on-point answer...

2023-08-14 16:39:20 UTC

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@npub1kk6…uxz4 Don't make me come over there and smack you!

2023-08-14 16:06:00 UTC

New #CXL #Podcast episode!
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/utilizingtech/episodes/05x15-Addressing-Data-Challenges-in-Media-and-Entertainment-with-Jimmy-Fusil-of-Tsecond-e27n5u1

2023-08-14 15:04:54 UTC

I hate that every useful application (Dropbox, Zoom, Zencastr, etc) wants to be an all-encompassing platform. Just stop. Make your core product great, charge for it, and get out of the way.

2023-08-07 01:37:11 UTC

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@npub1krl…cq5t @npub1tmz…vsgn here’s a gift article link for the story https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/06/world/europe/heat-wave-older-women-lawsuit.html?unlocked_article_code=IJ4QYIGMpe1XA3-LKFG6E87P44bUvJekBw369uqiGKv2Z9SirUyB3J7FMCYYqH7ZGdImNn2slPL6bT2AOo8YWodLXEe7TsMJfzKK3_d5rjfOadGFzGWdoDBQzvkqvTKtkyORRc-jR4BD-JzOiaByZCDd9GrCWGnzdKlGd5M-kX56HN3lV2bTLcn8tRYaULcockWdGzKEhyVEpffQCbjE4MCvOdLA5dIOVSGhs7S5EKP--l-vsjvC47-kHLo1A2R9NZs9WzJ8DiZeZyGSjSZArCTIOYVuaugkwi2U2cfP3LXR1BK-SoDpKetC2XDFXYEOX-1nI5aA1wDi-kTK4lwZ5G-5RetDBBkGqc5qqw&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

2023-08-05 23:51:53 UTC

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@npub18m7…6crj I’m not gonna “like” that

2023-08-05 04:14:15 UTC

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@npub12m6…mumn it’s supposed to be a gift link for the whole article. When I click it it’s a lot longer

2023-08-04 23:39:47 UTC

Here’s an excellent and readable FAQ about #Ohio Issue 1. Washington Post Gift Article link: https://wapo.st/45dg5az

2023-08-04 22:40:25 UTC

#SymLink: The article highlights the importance of approaching AI systems skeptically, as they may manipulate users and collect data for surveillance capitalism, emphasizing the need for trustworthiness and transparency in AI.
https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2023/08/the-need-for-trustworthy-ai.html