@electropict@mastodon.scot
@electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

electropict

@electropict@mastodon.scot

I rarely trust anything anyone else says about me so I doubt it’s appropriate to ask anyone to trust anything I say about me. If I’m even real. Perhaps I am the sum of my actions and written thoughts; you can read the latter here, but it’s up to you to judge whether itʼs of interest.

(But I’m likely to post about electronic musical technology, and amongst other things, more politics than I’d like, autism, disability, trans issues, and things little and large in the Hebrides, with pictures.)

This profile is from a federated server and may be incomplete. Browse more on the original instance.

IndyRichard, to random
@IndyRichard@mastodon.scot avatar

Can anyone explain why this is acceptable?

electropict,
@electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

@IndyRichard

The better question is, to whom is it acceptable?

cstross, to random
@cstross@wandering.shop avatar

I remember when I first saw a CPC464 in a shop I was working in, in 1984.

It was a very neat answer to what the market needed in 1982. But by 1984, cassette storage and Z80s were clearly long in the tooth—it came out the same year as the Macintosh, and 12 months late Atari STs and Amigas were showing up.
https://mastodon.social/@keyboards/112351091848131466

electropict,
@electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

@sdarlington @cstross @keyboards

It also had the advantage of a cheap expansion port which allowed third parties to produce add-on packs for mice, extra RAM and graphics capabilities, coprocessors, hard drive connectors and I don’t know what else. Well before these things were affordable on IBM clones. And it was easy to hack physically, hence mine had a DD 3·5″ drive within a year.

https://mastodon.scot/@electropict/112266439344535614

electropict,
@electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

@cstross @sdarlington @keyboards

And multiple programming languages were available. You could draw and print the Mandelbrot set on them, if you had half a day or so spare.

They were great, for the time. As long as no-one wanted to use a TV or radio nearby at the same time. Shielded they were not, and the mice cables packed a punch across the spectrum. Which is how I became a creature of the night. 😉

gratefuldread, to LGBTQ
@gratefuldread@gratefuldread.masto.host avatar

deleted_by_author

    •
    electropict,
    @electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

    @gratefuldread

    Black NeoNazi plots race war, according to the picture? I mean, sure, internalised exists, but in the context of:

    ‘Brannon used racial slurs for various minority groups, “made hateful comments towards all non-white individuals’

    – I have to wonder if the oh so unbiased is being helpful, or what...?

    RickiTarr, to random
    @RickiTarr@beige.party avatar

    Getting tired of being a bipedal, please give me other options.

    electropict,
    @electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

    @RickiTarr

    Be a rolling stone.

    electropict, to Futurology
    @electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

    Continuing the excavation...

    I knew this was there, and have been thinking it should go back on a wall for the last year or so.

    This is probably (1950s?) the oldest device in the house. (With feadan for scale.) No batteries required.

    Formerly used at lews.uhi.ac.uk to teach their use, until these electric things came by.

    ainmosni, to random
    @ainmosni@berlin.social avatar

    Does anybody else ever think how messed up it is that unless you go out of your way (or live in a very rural area), you are bombarded with ads for the entire time you are awake.

    • Ads on your phone
    • Ads on your TV
    • Ads on every place they can buy outside
    • Ads on almost every website

    It is honestly exhausting, and I wonder what a world with heavily limited ads would look like.

    Incidentally, the lack of ads is one of the very nice things about self hosting things, and being on fedi.

    electropict,
    @electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

    @ainmosni

    Perspective?

    Why go out of your way to buy a TV or a phone in the first place?

    (For context, other than occasional banners or posters for upcoming shows and weddings, and small notices for funerals, we generally have no adverts even in urban areas. Keeping Javascript turned off stops most of the web ads.)

    cstross, to random
    @cstross@wandering.shop avatar

    Some thoughts on spam:

    1. Right now it's a single idiot running a scripted Joe Job. But we know how spam ecosystems develop. The next steps are inevitable.

    2. Next, someone will release an activitypub spamming script. It will hammer on servers to create throwaway accounts then use them to post.

    3. This will drive a bunch of small servers off the fediverse and cause acrimonious defederation squabbles.

    4. Surviving servers will limit sign-ups, requiring proof of humanity (or identity).

    /1

    electropict,
    @electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

    @stevendbrewer @cstross

    Likewise, not a whisper of pork scratching at the door. Someone must know what they’re about.

    Concerned that I might have to prove my dubious humanity though. I already fail captchas, generally can’t get voice recognition to recognise, and don’t have what some (e.g. banks) regard as necessary identities either.

    However, it shouldn’t be impossible to build more automated ‘central’ spam monitoring subscription services, as have existed for decades for forum spam.

    RickiTarr, to random
    @RickiTarr@beige.party avatar

    I want to address something I've been thinking about recently. As far as Religion, Afterlife, ect, I'm solidly in the "I don't know" camp, and I'm fine with that. I think any Religion, Religious Institution, or Religious Leader who has used spiritual beliefs to oppress, control, manipulate, or financially gain from other people should be both questioned and mocked, and I have no problem doing it, or with other people doing it.

    The issue I run into on Mastodon is Aggressive Atheism. I have no issue with atheism at all, but I do have a problem if it's used to attack other people for their personal spiritual beliefs. If someone is making a comment about something they believe personally, and they aren't hurting anyone with it, jumping into the comments to say "PROVE GOD IS REAL" is just as annoying and pointless as a couple Religious people knocking on your door, and telling you, you must accept their Lord. This is simply a matter of respecting other people.

    electropict,
    @electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

    @RickiTarr

    Angry atheism (which isn’t always meaningfully radical) has just as murderous a history as angry religion in the last century or two.

    Why any atheists would seek to impress by emulating that, even if only in tone, is no more obvious than why any religious or political people would. And yet, some of all of these do, and seem to get some applauding audiences.

    Wherever it turns up, it’s dangerous, because it’s equally useful to those who are looking for someone to use.

    quixoticgeek, to random
    @quixoticgeek@v.st avatar

    Why is it the only time we build beautiful buildings for the sake of being beautiful buildings, is when religion is involved? Why can't we have nice things without religion...

    electropict,
    @electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

    @quixoticgeek

    Religion has money. Usually.

    garius, to history
    @garius@mastodon.me.uk avatar

    You can actually request ANY UK service record, even if you aren't a relative and can't provide a death certificate, as long as a certain amount of time has passed from their birth.

    There's a few things in this one that will set some historian Spidey Senses tingling.

    electropict,
    @electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

    @garius

    Also not arachnidous ... working out who isn’t a challenge or I couldn’t do it ... but are we supposed be sensing something other than MI6, diamonds, and hypothetical Turkish double agents?

    wikimediafoundation, (edited ) to random
    @wikimediafoundation@wikimedia.social avatar

    Meet the 2023 Wikimedian of the year Winners! https://diff.wikimedia.org/2023/08/16/celebrating-the-2023-wikimedian-of-the-year-winners/

    electropict,
    @electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

    @wikimediafoundation

    In that case you should have a Wikomedian of the year too, à la Ignobels.

    mos_8502, to random
    electropict,
    @electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

    @f4grx @xorn @mos_8502

    A good thing about javascript is that keeping it turned off prevents most ads from appearing. And warns you that many sites are not worth seeing.

    futurebird, to random
    @futurebird@sauropods.win avatar

    Time is a flat circle.

    (This was almost cute until I saw 'earn my own living' and thought about what sort of men would be put off by that-- and WHY.)

    @jorjin has made a crude edit to a screenshot of the famous "eat hot chip and lie" tweet so it lists the things from the comic from the 20s.

    electropict,
    @electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

    @futurebird

    Not sure but the hint might be in “Judge magazine”?

    nunesgh, to TeslaMotors
    @nunesgh@mastodon.social avatar

    "This fight is bigger than – it is a line-in-the-sand moment. If we allow ourselves to be strongarmed by and #X, it will give the green light to every other social media behemoth to do the same to anyone who dares to speak truth to power."
    – Imran Ahmed, founder and CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate US/UK

    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/06/when-we-held-up-a-mirror-to-elon-musks-twitterx-he-tried-to-sue-us-into-silence

    electropict,
    @electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

    @nunesgh

    The more the merrier, at this point.

    alternativeto, to random
    @alternativeto@mas.to avatar

    Vector graphic design software Vectornator has rebranded to Linearity Curve and upgraded to version 5.0. The update includes a new interface, refreshed tool icons, a Templates Hub with over 800 customizable designs and promises future AI-powered tools.
    https://alternativeto.net/news/2023/7/vectornator-rebrands-as-linearity-curve-unveils-version-5-0-with-redesigned-interface-and-new-ai-powered-tools/

    electropict,
    @electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

    @alternativeto

    Are there any alternative graphic design tools which have promised NO AI EVER? I sense a market...

    revk, (edited ) to Multicopter
    @revk@toot.me.uk avatar

    Anyone else having issues with CGM.
    The app froze up, white screen and crash. Yes, I even rebooted the phone. Eventually deleted app to reinstall.
    The app is no longer on Apple Store. Even the link from abbot site fails. Only the “3” app now, which says incompatible sensor!!!
    So right now I have prescription CGM I cannot use.
    Anyone got any clues?

    Update: re-install from "purchased apps". Worked but lost all history.

    electropict,
    @electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

    @revk @neil

    I didn’t even know they did a phone app rather than their standard hardware monitor/alarm thing. Depending on any third party technology/control must increase failure risk. Is anyone actually using a phone as anything other than an alternative to the usual monitor? 😲

    electropict,
    @electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

    @neil @revk

    Well anyone. As far as I knew every prescription for the Freestyle Libre.x comes with a hardware monitor (which seems to be trouble enough and needs replacing every so often). But I suppose it’s possible that it’s optional ... if you sign a contract in leaked blood (of which there has been much) stating you possess a mobile phone and will be responsible for keeping it functional or something.

    (btw I’m the carer and just have to fetch the thing so my knowledge is limited.)

    electropict,
    @electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

    @revk @neil

    • Yes, and
    • No, and there appear to be a growing list of reasons why.
    electropict,
    @electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

    @Stephan @revk @neil

    Medical devices should never be exciting. Abbott have been pretty good to us over the years but they probably need training in the marketing department.

    davidallengreen, to random
    @davidallengreen@mastodon.green avatar

    Good morning followers

    This week I am hoping that my Northern Irish border poll post is ready to be posted.

    I am also hoping to make progress with my post on Orkney and the UK's variable geometry, and also on other posts.

    My blogposts can be done either quickly or very slowly, as rabbit-holes should be either ignored or explored fully.

    I spent part of last week building up an early Threads presence, so that I have a channel for promoting my work there.

    But at heart I prefer Mastodon.

    electropict,
    @electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

    @shrikant @ChrisMayLA6 @davidallengreen

    I don’t think supremacy is a foregone, though.

    VM’s a good approach. But it needs more/more modern hardware than many of us have available. Personally I have no phone or apps, but wholly separate browser profiles for any site (e.g. Mastodon) that requires scripts and cookies. Life without social media is quieter if occasionally less entertaining. (Do I want to know what WA is?)

    Jdreben, to random
    @Jdreben@mastodon.world avatar

    Forget “dying on a hill.” Most people these days, knowingly or unknowingly, “die on a dragon’s hoard.” Refusing or unable to abandon their chosen demon overlord and their products.

    electropict,
    @electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

    @Jdreben
    I seem to recall hearing “copynone” somewhere, somewhen. But I didn’t take a copy...

    sharan, to random
    @sharan@metalhead.club avatar

    In the week where everyone goes batshit crazu about Threads, I have deleted all my Facebook stuff from both page and account, deactivated my TikTok and Instagram, and off the Threads.

    Why? I'm literally sick and tired of algorithm. I am not young anymore, and I can't thrive on drama and force-fed content anymore.

    I need peace and quiet. Communication, yes, but on my own terms.

    electropict,
    @electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

    @sharan
    👏

    ct_bergstrom, to midjourney
    @ct_bergstrom@fediscience.org avatar

    WTF

    electropict,
    @electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

    @ct_bergstrom
    See, that’s why I don’t drink it.

    MissingThePt, to random
    @MissingThePt@mastodon.social avatar

    A Meta Threads post is called a zuck and a repost is a rezuck.

    electropict,
    @electropict@mastodon.scot avatar

    @MissingThePt
    So collectively, it zucks?

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