Blog
Vivaldi's Mastodon instance appears to be down and I have some advice for SNS users
Yikes 😬
My second-most used Mastodon instance is @starrwulfe@vivaldi.net… I hope its scheduled downtime and not a DDOS or worse.
The good thing about federation is they're not the only game in town. My main instance is @starrwulfe@starrwulfe.xyz (which is actually a Wordpress powered blog as well). I practice POSSE so the majority of my nonsense emanates from here and radiates out into the interwebs via syndication thanks to Bridgy and Micro.Blog.
[caption id="attachment_107849" align="alignnone" width="600"] Well that ain't good...[/caption]
I’ll be going into detail on how I’m doing this and maybe the reasons behind the philosophy of why it’s important to cultivate a “digital garden” and maintain your own “outpost on the internet” over the next few weeks, but hopefully you can clearly see the “why you should have your own independent services” part of the conversation expressed in the screenshot above. If you’re as old as me, you’ll remember the fledgling days of 2009~2015 or so when the failwhale would show on the Old Bird, and we’d be incommunicado for some minutes/hours/even-days-that-one-time and the innanet would have to resort to… I dunno, email or Google+/Wave or whatever. 🤣
This is one problem #fediverse is trying to solve. If your email server went down, you’d just send that important email from your backup email account (I know you have at least one backup email account you’re not actively using, right? 😏) Why should social media be any different; we’re using SNS (Social Network Services) just like email these days, so we should be treating how we use it in the same manner.
RCS slated to launch in iOS 18
Its_happening.exe just got loaded!
Later next year, we will be adding support for RCS Universal Profile, the standard as currently published by the GSM Association,” an Apple spokesperson tells 9to5Mac. “We believe RCS Universal Profile will offer a better interoperability experience when compared to SMS or MMS. This will work alongside iMessage, which will continue to be the best and most secure messaging experience for Apple users.”
Now whether that means I can go and become a black sheep by adding an Android phone into my very iPhone carrying family’s group chat on iMessage is up for debate, but just being able to have richer green bubble convos is a good first start finally.
Party like its 1700000000
A rollover event is about to take place and geeks, nerds and neckbeards around the world will be refreshing their date
commands tomorrow evening to check out the counter tick over from 1699999999 to a cool 1700000000 seconds.
Unix date epoch time is a way of measuring time that counts the number of seconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970 at midnight UTC time, not counting leap seconds. This point in time is called the Unix epoch. It is used by Unix and Linux operating systems, as well as many other applications and programming languages. ¹²³
To get the current Unix date epoch time, you can use different commands or functions depending on the programming language or environment you are using. For example, in Python, you can use import time; time.time()
to get the current epoch time in seconds. In C#, you can use DateTimeOffset.Now.ToUnixTimeSeconds()
to get the same result. ¹
The Unix date epoch time is useful for storing and comparing dates and times in a simple and efficient way. However, it also has some limitations. For example, it cannot represent dates before the Unix epoch, and it will reach its maximum value on January 19, 2038, which is known as the Year 2038 problem or Y2038. ¹²
- Source: Conversation with Bing, 11/13/2023
(1) Epoch Converter - Unix Timestamp Converter. https://www.epochconverter.com/.
(2) What Is the Unix Epoch, and How Does Unix Time Work? - How-To Geek. https://www.howtogeek.com/759337/what-is-the-unix-epoch-and-how-does-unix-time-work/.
(3) What Is Unix Time and When Was the Unix Epoch? - MUO. https://www.makeuseof.com/what-is-unix-time-and-when-was-the-unix-epoch/.
(4) Epoch. https://www.epoch101.com/.
I certainly wasn’t about to retype all that in myself!
Happy Epoch Rollover Watching! ↩
Return of "Return to Atlanta"
I really hope the author of this blog indeed does come back to chronicle the changing landscapes of Atlanta’s Beltline.
While I don’t have any “before” pictures to pull, I may consider doing this sort of series myself to at least give feedback from my memories as an on/off/on/off/on again resident here. I remember the Atlanta of the mid 1980’s in my childhood, then again starting 10 years later in my early adult years until 2000– then again for 3 years starting in 2005, and finally the present.
(You know I’ll definitely be doing this for Japan whenever I wander back that way; from what I can tell, Shibuya is largely unrecognizable from even 2 years ago when I was last there.)
Federating the fediverse: BlueSky alpha version
ICYMI:
There’s a way for you to crosspost to BlueSky from your own #indieweb enabled website thanks to Joel’s (@joel@otter.garden) additions to Bridgy (created by Ryan (@snarfed.org@snarfed.org).
Also, I’m actually doing it right now and have been for about a week or so. So you’ll notice likes/reposts and comments coming from over there on my site and can interact from there, as I craft my one-man SNS outpost on the innanetz.
Details on how to do it here: Bridgy Bluesky setupAny way to practice a layout using a regular nonprogrammable keyboard?
I want to jump into the world of ortho keyboards and start trying to learn a more ergonomic key layout. I happen to have a small foldable bluetooth keyboard that is around a 40% size, is regular QWERTY layout but only has 60 keys so there's a Fn
later that puts some of the symbols, all the F
keys and media scroll keys on a different layer. I'm kind of used to using it after 6 years and realized "Hey, I can do a layered setup maybe!"
So I'm thinking I want to build a Corne 36 key with some sort of trackpad/thumbstick setup for precision mousing as I also need that level of control from time to time. My dream setup would be anything incorporating dual thumbsticks from a game controller as I actually use my X-Box D-pad to control presentations when I teach.
I have a true multi OS environment where I'm using NixOS, MacOS, and Windows 11 in a VM all the time. I also use tiling window environments (i3 & Hyprland in Linux; Yabai in MacOS) so having continual access to Super
and Hyper
is a big deal.
I'm thinking about starting with the default Miryoku setup with Coleman DH and see about modding on top as time goes on. Is there some way to change a regular keyboard to get some practice in while I source parts and build the board itself?
In the spirit of POSSE, I just spent 3 hours trying to get some backfeeds from silos like Instagram and Facebook going… I made it work before, but I can’t remember what I did with my last website that made it work.
It's a real head scratcher. I guess I'll need to ensure crossposting is turned on here at StarrWulfe HQ then I won't have to deal with this foolishness again.
If anyone has some experience with Brid.gy and how to do this effectively, please give me a shout. 🙇🏾♀️
#WebsiteWoes
Microtransit: what happens when you add ride hailing to regular city transit bus service.
In parts of Gwinnett, there’s no waiting for a bus at a predetermined stop or route and the fare is just a flat $3 to go within the zone.
(BTW @gwinnettgov, any ETA there?)
…and it works like 🧈.
Can’t wait until we get it in our part of the county
Happy Belated Subway Day
Yesterday was NYCMTA’s Subway Day– On October 27, 1904 the New York City Subway started running it’s then total length between City Hall downtown and 145th Street uptown past Harlem (which was literally countryside back in those days)
Here’s a video they posted on their Threads/Instagram account showing all the different trains they’ve run throughout their 119 years. My personal fav, the R33 Redbird is shown with the ⑦ train mark, just as I used to ride it 35 years ago when I was a kid heading to Corona and Shea Stadium with my dad.
Post by @mtaView on Threads
I really hope Chris doesn’t mind me borrowing literally 90% of his layout, formatting and general overall aesthetic from Boffo Socko when I’m ready to smooth out the edges of my site here.
They way it looks and how information is presented is just what you’d expect of a person who is rather efficient at capturing and categorizing information.
🧑🍳💋
Vergecast: Musings on POSSE, SNS and Indieweb vs ActivityPub
My whole presence in the #fediverse is predicated on POSSE (and PESO) principles along with federated posting and SNS. I'm a semi-active part of the Indieweb community where this grassroots methodology sprang forth. It's one of "build your own website and have others comment on it -- that's the network right there" simplicity.
Just like email is still the most universal messaging app, websites are still the least silo'd SNS app. It seems as if my cause to get back to basics has been taken up by a lot more than I thought lately, so much so, that today a very popular podcast topic was all about this very thing and features just about everyone I've personally tapped at some point for guidance in my own #indieweb journey.
In summary, the article and accompanying podcast talk about:
- POSSE: A way of posting on your own website and syndicating to other platforms. It gives you more control and reach over your content.
- Challenges: POSSE requires technical skills, time, and tools to manage cross-posting and engagement. It also raises questions about platform norms and audience preferences.
- Solutions: Tools like Micro.blog, Bridgy, and WordPress can help with POSSE. A two- or three-step publishing process can allow customization for each platform.
- Future: POSSE is part of a more open and decentralized social web. It might lead to new tools for reading, moderating, organizing, and algorithmizing posts.
Updates
- I goofed the title… It’s ActivityPub not Activity
Web. I don’t know why I keep subconsciously making that mistake. - I’d be remiss if I didn’t link to Tantek’s beautifully crafted summary of his own thoughts about the interview and a deeper reflection/explanation of the subjects therein; Also his site is one of the oldest and comprehensive POSSE/PESO efforts ever seen and should be used as an example. Visit it at ttk.me t5TZ1
- The Indieweb.org site is the perfect place to get all this information about crafting your own effort in this space if you want to give it a go. Visit indieweb.org/start and if you get stuck, you can chat with other enthusiasts and advocates like me thru IRC/Slack/Discord as well.
I usually go and buy a new computing device once every 6 years or so. This year my trusty Late 2017 Apple MacBook Pro i5 8GB/500GB is officially sunsetted. While I’ve been eyeing a new Macbook to take its place, it would be one of the newer Apple Silicon M2 joints. But I really want to jump back into doing all my computing in Linux full time and also game more so… I’m taking a chance here.
I’ve always dreamed of a modular laptop since it’s kind of the only way I can get the specs and ports I want. Framework makes it possible by having this form factor that should never be obsolete; all the parts are user serviceable and replaceable including the motherboard, ports, screen, keyboard, and so on.
My config is the 16 inch Ryzen™ 9 7940HS - Radeon™ RX 7700S - 180W. That’s right, there’s a kick-ass discreet graphics card in there and it’s user swappable! Whenever the new hotness comes along, or other modules like an extra battery or whatever is needed, its a simple 10 minute swap out needing only a screwdriver (which is also included).
The bad news: I gotta wait until Spring 2024. The good news, I can save up the rest of the money by Spring 2024– this thing IS NOT cheap; about $1000 more than my current Mac was when I bought it new in 2017. BUT it will basically become the workhorse PC as I plan on using it for work, home-labbing, and gaming. Any tool you use to make your livelihood off of should have no expense spared (within reason.)
You can check out more here: https://frame.work/products/laptop16-diy-amd-7040
Suddenly a new ATL transit NIMBY group has appeared! 🫢
The whole reason the Beltline even exists is because it was meant to be a transit corridor. A multiuse trail was also part of the design, so both need to be constructed.
But also, since the land developers jumped into the fray and built their car-oriented buildings off the trail, OF COURSE they want to keep it this way.
I’m sick and tired of the false notion that transit BRINGS IN undesirable effects when the exact opposite has always been true. Let’s look at their concerns and I’ll chime in with my opinions on why it’s simply not true.
-
There will be a heat island effect due to the constrained space from having up to 40 feet of ROW taken up with tracks.
That will consume almost all greenspace between the pedestrian trail and the edge of the Beltline corridor. Most existing trees and meadows will be removed to make room for the Streetcar. Less room for public art. Less room for hanging out. And a lot less room for nature.
- False. The streetcar can be designed with this in mind and have grassy tracks and simple stop infrastructure. Even Houston's MetroRail tracks cross a fountain and have a small footprint. Clearly this group has never once visited an established streetcar/tram installation anywhere and seen what can be done with the ROW.
-
The Eastside Trail already is overcrowded with bikes, runners, walkers, scooters, dogs and all manner of mobility devices. It can be dangerous. We need more room for people — perhaps a wider path, or even separate lanes for “heels and wheels.”
- Yes, because the current trail setup was always intended to be TEMPORARY since the transit part needed to be installed at a later date. The final configuration with tram tracks installed will allow for all that. It's done in several other countries and even San Francisco, Portland and San Diego all have sections of their LRT systems set up in similar ways. Obviously trams will be moving along at a slower pace while on the Beltway near trail users.
-
We question spending the largest portion of Atlanta’s transit investment over the next three decades on a light-rail track that circles destinations rather than takes people to them. The Beltline already serves thousands of people daily as a last-mile, human-powered corridor. There’s little evidence of demand for long trips via rail along that corridor.
- The corridor is intended to be a light rail loop with branches that go out into places like Emory, East Atlanta, Westside Reservoir Park and Campbellton Road. Of course, some of these have been turned into BRT but the good thing about that is it can be converted at a later date to light rail. Just ask Seattle. As for demand for travel-- it hasn't been built yet, but just based on car usage alone, getting from one side of midtown to the other is a big want. Getting from the West End to East Atlanta is a big deal. There will be interfaces with MARTA subway on all sides of the Beltway and we really need a "crosstown" transfer solution that doesn't involve going through 5 Points every time. Also, points along the loop can BECOME the destination, just ask Chicago, Tokyo, Berlin, and every other city with a looping railway around their CBD.
-
Will it harm Beltline businesses?
- Are you serious? The businesses weren't even there 10 years ago; the overarching reason the developers got interested in building along the corridor in the first place is because of the TOD aspect of it-- the multi-use trail wasn't even a thing yet. So yeah, adding the rails will be what was intended in the first place and ADD TO THE ACCESSIBLILTY of the path! (my 78-year-old mom will not bike nor walk a long distance along the trail, but she'd definitely take the streetcar along the route in a hop-on-hop-off fashion.)
-
Is this really Atlanta's highest transit priority? Streetcar expansion will run through some of the city’s wealthiest and least diverse neighborhoods. In other parts of the city, residents rely heavily on transit as a necessity. They could benefit from better service.
- ALL OF IT is the highest priority. The CBD (downtown/midtown) has suffered way too long from ineffective crosstown transit options. The LRT loop aspect of the beltline is supposed to change all that. Remember, these used to do the same thing for trains what needs to be done for people without cars-- get them from once part of the CBD to the other and also facilitate a termination for inbound LRTs from other locations.
- Also fact-- MARTA heavy rail probably is too costly to build new lines off of at this point, but links to Cobb and Douglas counties could still be made via LRT and might seem even more palatable if they ran into and terminated on the Beltline. Building the infrastructure needed for this option is key.
- ALL OF IT is the highest priority. The CBD (downtown/midtown) has suffered way too long from ineffective crosstown transit options. The LRT loop aspect of the beltline is supposed to change all that. Remember, these used to do the same thing for trains what needs to be done for people without cars-- get them from once part of the CBD to the other and also facilitate a termination for inbound LRTs from other locations.
-
Are we betting on a technology of the past? Rail on the Beltline was first proposed in 1999. That was before the invention of Facebook or the iPhone. It was well before ridesharing services, e-bikes, scooter rentals, autonomous vehicles and other innovations disrupted how we get around urban areas.
- I can't believe we're conflating modern streetcars with social media evolution. YES, there is still a need for accessing the area physically first. I can't pedal all the way to the Beltline from Gwinnett. But I can take MARTA rail to Inman Park from Indian Creek (now that we have a bus that serves that station from here). I don't have a bike and even if I did, I'm not carrying it on the bus/train every time. If I want to visit my uncle in Ormewood/Grant Park I have to catch a bus or two. Once the trail opens on the south end, I guess I could walk, but it's better if there was an option that was a little faster. Streetcar to the rescue!
- And hey, who's to say that there wouldn't be a branch off this part that would serve the Flat Shoals corridor and head out to Lithonia-- that has been proposed for decades.
- I can't believe we're conflating modern streetcars with social media evolution. YES, there is still a need for accessing the area physically first. I can't pedal all the way to the Beltline from Gwinnett. But I can take MARTA rail to Inman Park from Indian Creek (now that we have a bus that serves that station from here). I don't have a bike and even if I did, I'm not carrying it on the bus/train every time. If I want to visit my uncle in Ormewood/Grant Park I have to catch a bus or two. Once the trail opens on the south end, I guess I could walk, but it's better if there was an option that was a little faster. Streetcar to the rescue!
-
The entire 22-mile loop is expected to be completed around 35 years from now at a cost of $2.5 billion. That’s probably optimistic. Where's the money gonna come from?
- We should just give up because there's no funding for the whole thing right now? That's unfortunate but also how literally everything in this country gets built. We're still waiting for the rest of MARTA to get built from the original 1974 plan. Should we just have threw that one in the trash too? You already know once something is built and used, it rapidly becomes integral, and funding will come. A full Beltline streetcar loop will be something that is rare in this nation and will attract even more development and the money that comes with it. Ask Denver about their similar bet on interurban rail and even our original bet on MARTA --that we only got after Seattle passed on the federal funding. SOME OTHER CITY will get whatever we had coming to us and we'll continue to live in a car-infested hellscape outside of The Beltline.