Simon

Simon

@devtriplesecops.com

Reducing entropy in my own little corner of the universe. Generalist Polyglot with an interest in all things #Python #DevOps #InfoSec #FOSS 🐘 https://infosec.exchange/@iokiwi 🌐 https://simonmerrick.com 📍 Ōtautahi, Aotearoa

142 followers241 following151 posts

Simon
@devtriplesecops.com

Pet peeve: When mail and sms apps let you use and emoji ‘reacts’ but actually send a whole ass message “x reacted ❤️ to this message” Corollary: people who continue to do so knowing it sends a whole ass message. On a mail list or chain with multiple participants. Exhibit A: my inbox

Simon
@devtriplesecops.com

Flying out of Ōtautahi this morning. Beautiful views of our landscape and investment in renewable energy. First time I’ve seen the solar panels.

Simon
@devtriplesecops.com

@attacus.net is going to say it better in August. 2026.pycon.org.au/schedule/KLT...

2026.pycon.org.auSolutions and Other ProblemsSolutions and Other Problems • By Lilly Ryan • Thursday 27 August 2026 • Tickets available now!
Simon@devtriplesecops.com

As developers we have a bad tendency to try solve every problem with more code - when neither the problem nor solution are in code. AI makes the lowers nominal upfront cost of trying to solve all of our problems with more code.

Simon
@devtriplesecops.com

I went to the Chch AI meetup yesterday and saw a talk titled 'The Doom Thesis' based on a book, 'If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies'. What stood out is LLM Doomerism seems to be the other side of the same LLM hype coin - ascribing significantly more capability/potential to LLMs than is warranted IMO

Simon
@devtriplesecops.com

"Please try again later" except the raw JSON response confirms this will never succeed because the package requires a signature The average user - I.e. anyone other than a web developer - must just tear their hair out at modern technology. AI won't fix your lack of care for the user.

Simon reposted

Bernard Hickey
@bernardchickey.bsky.social

Here we go…

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com

"Pro-Trump activists who say they're in coordination w/the WH are circulating a draft EO that claims China interfered in the 2020 election as a basis to declare a natl emergency that would unlock extraordinary presidential power over voting It'd empower Trump to ban mail ballots & voting machines"

wapo.stTrump, seeking executive power over elections, is urged to declare emergencyActivists who say they are in coordination with the White House are circulating a draft executive order that would unlock extraordinary presidential power over voting.
Simon
@devtriplesecops.com

As developers we have a bad tendency to try solve every problem with more code - when neither the problem nor solution are in code. AI makes the lowers nominal upfront cost of trying to solve all of our problems with more code.

Simon reposted

Firestorm Books
@firestorm.coop

First they came for the immigrants, and the freakiest people you know threw the fuck down because it was never going to end with immigrants.

em cassel@biketrouble.bsky.social

for @autostraddle.bsky.social, i wrote about how minnesota's queer-owned businesses (and queer folks in general) are standing up to ICE and defending their communities:

autostraddle.comHow Minnesota’s Queer-Owned Businesses Are Leading the Fight Against ICEAs the federal occupation continues, community members are committing themselves to standing up to the feds while supporting the state’s immigrant communities in any way possible.
Simon
@devtriplesecops.com

* From Claude Working on docs that started life as a rubber ducking sesh in Claude and need to be validated for production. I've decided the Claude logo is kind of perfect actually...

Simon
@devtriplesecops.com

Lol, why support greens - Because they are the worst party for landlords and property speculators. It's always fascinating watching other side of an issue look at facts and policy fairly lucidly and but framed in alignment with their own interests. www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjP9...

Simon
@devtriplesecops.com

I've actually come to low key rate opes partners content. While despise the property investing they build their business on I feel like their information is reasonable its just that its so transparently aligned with the goal of 'getting rich off property'

Simon
@devtriplesecops.com

KiwiSaver min contributions go to 3.5% in April. I thought it was going to be 4%? Even though thats still not enough for most kiwis to retire on. I haven't done any math on it but it just seems like incrementalism with little real impact. Why bother? Where's the vision for a future for kiwis

Simon
@devtriplesecops.com

Melbourne friends, gonna be in melbourne later this month Feb and looking for recommendations for a place to host a bit of a lunch to catch up with friends and some infosec folk who are around? Suggestions for places that could take a moderate reservation of maybe upt to ~10 peeps

Simon
@devtriplesecops.com

Traumatic first experience bleeding the hydraulic braking system of a 2nd had e bike I picked up last month. Mineral oil everywhere Did not fix the problem. Fml.

Simon
@devtriplesecops.com

Update: Actually now that it’s all cleaned down and reassembled it has mostly fixed the immediate problem of having no rear brake pressure. The next question is why do I keep loosing brake pressure when the bike sits idle. Surely the hydraulic fluid is leaking…but where? 🤔

Simon reposted

Bernard Hickey
@bernardchickey.bsky.social

Housing market with bits tacked on.

Musical Chairs@musicalchairs.bsky.social

So, comparing year to Sept 25 with the preceding 12 months (to Sept 24). What industries are powering our recovery (as measured by silly GDP)? NB graph only shows industries with positive change. Well, we're buying more houses again - so estate agents are back in the money. Great work guys. [🧵 1/n]

Simon
@devtriplesecops.com

Self-care today looks like spending extra time doing some chores that have piled up. Namely, cleaning the coffee machine so that I'm not taunted by the blinking light every time I make a coffee.

Simon reposted

Adam Chalmers
@adamchalmers.com

big deal. I've also been to a Rust meetup.

Them@them.us

Pope Leo XIV Will Have Lunch With 4 Trans Women in "Unprecedented" Meeting https://www.them.us/story/pope-leo-xiv-lunch-trans-activists-alesia-nobile

Simon
@devtriplesecops.com

Partner upgraded her iPhone so, after a decade using mostly Samsungs I am maining her old iPhone 12 for a while as a trial. This will be interesting. The last iPhone I mained was a secondhand iPhone 4 which was given to me free because it wouldn’t boot and I managed to revive it in DFU mode.

Simon
@devtriplesecops.com

Because I am a masochist, I subscribed to a bunch of NZ Personal Finance and property channels, and the way they still talk about property in 2025 is mind-boggling. An increase of $700k to $1M in 5 years assumes a 8.9% p.a. return compounded monthly. Unhinged numbers.

Simon
@devtriplesecops.com

Granted Opes' business is literally convincing punters that their property investment advice will make you rich. Anyways. This is a super pivotal moment for NZ to learn our lesson and correct course. I hope we don't fuck it up and double down on property.

Simon
@devtriplesecops.com

Huh since the Aoeteroa Tech Union doesn't even have a website I don't see how I can stop payments? I'd rather not have to go to my card provider and ask to block them but its looking like the only option.