bret barker

Talks at #monktoberfest reminding me that not everything has to suck and there are good things and good people out there still.

@circlejtp.me we all miss you here!

The contagion of fear bcantrill.dtrace.org/2026/09/13/t...

That feel when you can’t breathe very well due to all the wildfire smoke but glad it dropped the temp down from inferno to tolerable.

Today in #apple2 #retrocomputing, I filled up a brand new box of empty floppies with some goodies after punching notches to 2-side them. Then hacked/patched the Conan game to work around the fact that my joystick x-axis pot doesn’t go full range and thus I could run to the right.

New retro toy. Restored apple ][+, with a bunch of add-ons: mockingboard, fujinet etc. + color and green screen monitors. Now to relearn 6502 assembly. #apple2

Leaf That Came Out Too Early Cold As Shit

every time i see a white guy in their fifties radicalized by the twitter algorithm into racism and extremism i think about how it's a total failure of the youtube algorithm to instead radicalize him into home brewing, elaborate A/V setups, or DIY solar

I want to help make a government that isn’t evil and works so well that you don’t really think about it

evergreen

40 years ago today the world was introduced to a small boy and his best friend. Happy birthday Calvin & Hobbes.

Didn't Tuesday's election results show that it actually WAS working???

This right here.

This is what democracy looks like. #NoKings

MSNBC captured the crowd from the Boston "No Kings" rally:

Assuming there aren't other fees or splits I'm not aware of, I will be paid $7500 for my life's work being fed into The Machine, and also they won't be removing my work from The Machine

Computer Anonymous Portland has been meeting up for more than 12 years and it was still nice to see people tonight, people who have been coming the whole time and new faces

It occurs to me that Geordi La Forge was the OG vibes coder.

speaking of @monktoberfest.com content, we've got a ton of incredible proposals as usual, but we're still looking for better diversity amongst our speakers. if you're from a group under-represented in tech, and have thought about talking, do apply within. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Ambassador Spock modeling the proper “fuck you, make me” response to intimidation tactics. Our current-day institutions could learn a lot from him.

Picard ethics tip: The fact that a conflict has many sides does not imply that every side has merit.

If you were in Congress, what would you do for the State of the Union? What do you think Dems should do?

Today we witnessed two opposite ends of the spectrum of class, quality of character, leadership, diplomacy, intelligence, eloquence, and every other human characteristic.

It's weird how everyone in the world knows a Nazi salute when we see it, with the notable exception of journalists and their editors.

Oh hey we get to talk about our secret project now. grafana.com/blog/2025/02...

Picard management tip: Take vacations.

Anyone need some cheap colo space? I found this 2001 postcard as my bookmark in Circles by James Burke.

I don’t know who needs to hear this but the humble socket wrench makes a fantastic fidget toy.

Saco heath

Celebrating Christmas 2024 like it’s 1989. #tetris #nes #retrogames

Tonight’s entertainment. #nes #retrogames

Thanksgiving prep is now well underway. Plan is up, spicy herby mixed nuts are prepped. Gratuitous cat is cat.

Working now on a starter pack for Grafanistas at Grafana Labs! This will grow over time! go.bsky.app/VEcwQQi #grafana #tempo #loki #mimir #k6

Art Nouveau is when stuff looks like it was made by Elves. Art Deco is when stuff looks like it was made by Dwarves.

GTA: Vice City’s release was closer to Miami Vice than today.

Thanksgiving prep has begun. First up: roasted spicy herby mixed nuts.

My house is in this post.

Still the best article the Verge ever wrote

Picard management tip: Be the team coach for your crew, not their loving parent, nor their drill sergeant.

Seems eerily relevant now.

Drop something blue from your gallery

Tri Tip, with chimichurri, mac, and green beans. #bbq

Swoon.