...in a bit of a mess today. My housemate had to put her dog to sleep last night. Meg was 16 and had gradually been getting frailer with a growing lump in her stomach, but seemed generally ok apart from some bladder issues. Here's a photo of her from happier times. Like all pets, she was an integral member of the family for everyone who knew her
"The difference between technology and magic is that technology works regardless of whether you believe in it or not."
"So computers are magic?"
"Computers are magic."
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories
Senator Blumenthal Mad That Zoom Not Offering the Encryption His Law Will Outlaw
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20200401/16571344217/senator-blumenthal-is-super-mad-that-zoom-isnt-actually-offering-end-to-end-encryption-his-law-will-outlaw.shtml
(submitted by pwg)
I stare into the void. It is black, unfathomable.
I wait.
Eventually, I hear it. A warm, comforting rumble, the sound of a universe working, yet at peace.
My gaze widens, my view opens, the void shrinks, and I find myself looking at my cat, asleep, softly purring.
I am comforted.
#MicroFiction #TootFic #SmallStories
Things Covid has proven:
1. The job you were told couldn't be done remotely can be done remotely
2. Many disabled workers could have been working from home, but corporations just didn't want them to.
3. Internet is a utility, not a luxury.
4. Universal healthcare is a necessity.
Ummm.... the washing machine had been out of action since just before Christmas until a few weeks ago due to a hose problem. We got that fixed but it started making rattling noises during a wash a few days ago and basically exploded today.
This is a fitting ending to a stupid set of events. The electrical engineer who had to fight Oregon's Engineering and Land Surveying certification board after daring to suggest traffic light improvements without having paid money for a engineer's license (and won a law suit) has had his changes adopted by the Institute of Transport Engineers
https://ij.org/press-release/oregon-engineer-makes-history-with-new-traffic-light-timing-formula/
I was having a discussion with my boss about the Payments Times Reporting Framework legislation that the govt is developing. He emphasized the issue of pissing off your big customers by pressing for on-time payment or by making it known that they pay late.
I suspect that it's not just our customers who absolutely hate paying for services and who would retaliate against small businesses who speak up about the power imbalances inherent in the market. We need to load the sun gun now!
Another wonderful essay by Rebecca Solnit on the evolution of feminism and why the current generations of women and feminists deserve more respect from people stuck on their old feminist icons.
Fair warning - it discusses difficult subjects like sexual violence.
I just read an interview with Carol Kaye who is amazing. When I was in high school, and playing bass guitar in the school covers band, I was really inspired by walking bass riffs and that whole sense of melodic support you could bring to a song via the bass. What I didn't realise at the time was that I was trying to copy Carol's style as she was an unknown outside her industry. Now I need to go down a youtube rabbit-hole :)
Australian former pro road cyclist Loren Rowney talks about her issues with bulimia and depression and how it's better not to suffer in silence.
https://www.lorenrowney.com/blog/2020/2/11/throwing-the-watts-per-kg-out-the-window
What do you do with people who ignore emails because they're busy doing "more important" things" and then complain that they didn't know about what you mailed them and have now checked in broken code based on their ignorance?
Holy shit! I didnt realise that a fire in in the mid-north coast of NSW had been burning for 7 months. Apparently it was in dehydrated wetlands, and they had to pump seawater into the area to control it. The latest heavy rains finally extinguished it.
I was today years old when I learned of Ashley Boone Jr., the first black president of a major Hollywood studio
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/he-was-star-wars-secret-weapon-why-was-he-forgotten-1275211
I've got to say that I'm not very surprised that British Cycling has been racist. I'd guess that the problem still exists - how many non-white UK cyclists are racing now? Zero AFAIK, although I'd be happy to be proven wrong.
At any rate, this is an important story about a top black UK racer denied the chance to represent his country.
@bestthingsbot finding out I'm going to be an uncle. My sister-in-law is pregnant; they held off telling people until they were sure there were no complications. Our mother is very happy too since it'll be her first (only?) grandchild.
I hate Joomla! (not looking for help, just ranting). The problem is always file permissions (not DNS). You might have fixed the permissions months ago, but they'll be wrong again when you go to check 😖