John Leach

Programmer, sysadmin, guitarist, singer, cyclist. haproxy fan boy. Co-founder Brightbox.

#socialism #feminist #antiracist #lgbtqrights #transrights

He/Him.

Website: https://johnleach.co.uk
Home: Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Work: https://www.brightbox.com
Best Friend: [@louisa_](https://mastodon.social/@louisa_ )

Last Notes

2026-08-11 17:19:27 UTC

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I hadn't really considered them different things but I can see what you mean. Paying enough in whatever way to cover just travel and accommodation for those that need it seems like it could make a big difference on it's own.
But you don't need magic you just need to decide it's a priority and raise the funds the usual way or don't run the conference. Would you be comfortable making that self selection argument for accessible toilets, for example?

2026-08-11 10:07:22 UTC

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collectively I think we miss out on a whole lot if we only ever see talks from people who can afford to come and give them. Any effort to help with that is worthwhile imo. I'm not convinced this is all or nothing though.

2026-03-22 20:28:39 UTC

Spotted my first tiny balancing sheep in the wilds of Wales!
#tinybalancingsheep #wales
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/274/700/938/935/064/original/0ac514f5f355ced3.jpg

2026-03-22 19:52:12 UTC

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if a government freely chooses a fiscal stance that causes a problem then why don't you consider that the cause of the problem?

2026-02-14 11:15:49 UTC

Hickory Shagbark posing in the sunshine and snow at the top of our drive this morning #caturday #blackcat #catsofMastodon
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/068/679/944/697/777/original/e050632c031bc74a.jpg

2025-09-20 18:37:56 UTC

What we should have done is produced St. George's flags with water-soluble red ink and sold them very cheaply on ebay. After all this rain, our streets would just be lined with white flags of surrender.
#flags #flagshaggers

2025-07-31 16:08:53 UTC

Need to change my password again I guess
#dogsofmastodon #opsec
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/948/701/667/848/052/original/71f6c54afb345bd6.jpg

2025-07-16 21:40:20 UTC

I thought the only way to preserve tomatoes was to cook them down into a sauce, but last year we just froze a load of fresh cherry tomatoes from the garden and it's worked out perfectly. We just washed, dried and bagged them.
They don't defrost back to fresh state obviously but are great for cooking with.
I just grab a handful from a bag, microwave for a minute and chuck them in a pasta or a curry or whatever.
#preserving #gardening

2025-05-26 16:26:02 UTC

Went for a walk in some woods in Oughtibridge, Sheffield yesterday and came across this structure.
I've played enough Myst and Riven to know I can click on something here to start playing a video of a slightly lower encoding quality than the static view.
#myst #riven
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/575/040/589/059/917/original/8c6babe56e05a1c5.jpg

2025-03-03 22:24:30 UTC

Three more apple trees arrived for planting out: Laxton's Superb, Baker's Delicious and Chivers Delight. The pear trees from 2023 didn't do very well so I have given up on them for now (though it was mostly sheep and bugs!)
It's quite complicated keeping track of all the different varieties we have, which are compatible pollinators, what time of year they fruit etc. Yes I have a spreadsheet.
#appletrees #gardening

2025-01-25 20:02:58 UTC

Hickory Shagbark on the windowsill in the downstairs loo. No privacy in this house. #caturday #blackcats #CatsOfMastodon
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/113/890/768/320/218/305/original/88a933190a7330b3.jpg

2024-11-03 23:46:03 UTC

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aww poor boy. I can't think how to simulate something loud like that in varying volumes without using real fireworks and various distances, but that'll then scare other nearby dogs and cats!
Wonder if playing on a loud hifi would be enough. Have you tried anything like that?

2024-11-03 21:32:01 UTC

Training a puppy during fireworks season turns out to be ideal! I can take Rosey Bean out any evening to hear some and she is completely unfazed! Though admittedly nobody has set any off super close by - we'll go out this week to get closer. #puppytraining

2024-09-15 22:19:27 UTC

I understand many people like a predictable outgoing direct debit to their energy supplier, but I just want them to take payment for our bill in full every damn month. I don't feel the need to extend a line of credit to them.
Anyone know if this can be arranged? We're with Octopus if it matters.