Garrett LeSage

computer nerd, UX/interface designer (@ Red Hat), software developer, Free Software / Open Source advocate, photographer, progressive

#BLM, #LGBTQ equal rights, #CripTheVote

#nobot

pronoun: he / his
Equal rights for: all
Black lives: matter
GitHub: https://github.com/garrett

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Last Notes

2026-07-16 08:53:27 UTC

Does #GUADEC have Matrix rooms this year?
The registration has a link, but it seems to not work (and it goes to past years GUADEC chatrooms). The GUADEC website doesn't mention Matrix either.
Chat rooms were mentioned in the stream, so I guess it might exist somehow / somewhere? 🤔

2026-07-10 20:20:55 UTC

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If there is a comedian superhero in Marvel / DC / Image / etc. universes, there should be a life-size cardboard cutout for promos of their graphical novel at bookstores:
A standup comic comic standup.

2026-06-07 10:09:31 UTC

Disney's 101 Dalmatians was based on a book. That original book has a sequel.
It's the most absurd plot. You will NOT guess what happens at all while reading the plot summary on Wikipedia.
(It's definitely worth reading about the plot on Wikipedia. 🤣)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Starlight_Barking

2026-05-10 16:49:42 UTC

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My bank has been this way for months already. They got rid of other 2FA methods they used to support and require a Google-approved Android OS or iOS... even to log in to their banking UI on a desktop/laptop.
It's infuriating, and it means I'm now 100% locked in to a proprietary app on a proprietary OS (controlled by 1 of 2 companies, both headquartered in California, USA) on a proprietary phone for banking and public transit (in Europe), with no alternative possible. 😖

2026-05-04 21:04:16 UTC

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My partner and I just use stock Fedora Silverblue with Steam in a Flatpak in our desktops, but I know people who love Bazzite, which is built for gaming.
(There's a standard desktop version with either GNOME or KDE and also an immersive console-like experience, similar to a Steam Deck.)
https://bazzite.gg/
It's great, as it's ready to go for gaming, even on NVidia computers (in addition to AMD and Intel of course), and the image-based updates means updates are simple and safe.

2026-02-26 22:29:47 UTC

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Nice!
(Coincidentally, I snapped a similar photo today too, over in Germany.)
https://6-28.mastodon.xyz/media_attachments/files/116/139/274/742/322/093/original/f14da742b1d56703.jpg

2026-02-01 13:37:03 UTC

FOSDEM has already started sharing video recordings!
https://video.fosdem.org/2026/
They're grouped by room. It's a massive task, so they're not done yet (FOSDEM is still ongoing as I'm typing this 😉).
Also, you'll want the webm version, not mp4 (unless your device can't use the webm version).
And they have generated captions! While not perfect, they're better than nothing at all. They can help with accessibility, and they're useful for grabbing the text of a talk.
https://video.fosdem.org/2026/FAQ.txt
#fosdem

2026-01-31 10:14:04 UTC

sha256 adoption in git reminds me of ipv6 adoption on the Internet

2026-01-18 10:23:13 UTC

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Cigarette butts are everywhere, and there's a shocking amount of ugly chewing gum blobs on city grounds too.
(Both are plastic, the cigarette filters as well as chewing gum. And they're both single-use as well.)

2025-12-01 14:53:40 UTC

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Of course, most years aren't quite that tricky, but tax preparers and tax offices can figure out ways to mess things up.
So, I agree for the *best case*, easiest scenario: There's still the overhead of dealing with preparers for both countries and the overhead between them. And the layers of needless time and worry on top of all that.
And if the IRS thinks it owes you, it sends a paper check that can't be deposited in EU. But if it thinks you owe them more? Nightmare.

2025-12-01 14:50:13 UTC

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It's both.
When Red Hat was acquired by IBM, it triggered a sudden selloff of stocksI was given as part of compensation.
The profits I made from that were *fully taxed* by both Germany and the USA. It was a giant nightmare to get preparers representing Germany and the US to figure out their part of it. They wouldn't talk to each other, and I had to be the go-between to settle it all.
(I don't even want to think about any inheritance ramifications, no matter how small.)

2025-12-01 14:18:03 UTC

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Nuance:
The US has some agreements in place to de-duplicate some taxes, so there's less double-taxing.
It doesn't cover everything; it only applies to salaries under a certain amount.
It does not cover capital gains (like stocks, even awarded from your workplace), winnings (like lotto or otherwise), and may other exceptions.
It adds unreasonable burdens to non-US financial institutions, so they reject US citizens.
It also requires yearly reporting, which costs headaches and money to file.

2025-12-01 14:09:11 UTC

The other day, I thought yet again about how the formalized government of the USA was officially started because "The Thirteen Colonies" didn't like a nation (England) taxing them from abroad in addition to local taxes...
Yet the US is 1 of 3* countries worldwide that taxes its own citizens who live elsewhere _in addition_ to where they live.
(* The other two countries are the totalitarian dictatorships of Eritrea and North Korea.)

2025-11-12 21:30:39 UTC

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Yeah, the WiFi congestion here is so bad that sometimes even Bluetooth (also 2.4 GHz) is affected.
It looks like it'll stream via WiFi 6 though, so hopefully that sidesteps the issues.
It also does foveated rendering transparently (games don't need to support it; it "just works"), where it makes sure the part you're looking at is high bitrate, making sure the stream is responsive and stable.

2025-11-12 21:04:53 UTC

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Steam Deck made Linux desktop gaming so much, much nicer... so I'm quite hopeful too!
One thing that's super interesting: The Steam Frame VR headset runs SteamOS, including KDE... and it's on ARM! You can run games directly on it too. (And, of course, it can stream games from a more powerful box.)
I wonder if this'll make more of those pesky games that require anti-cheat to flip the switch to support Linux soon. (I don't personally care about most of those, but Fortnite would be nice.)

2025-10-12 11:38:30 UTC

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They exist!
https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/what-are-kiwi-berries/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actinidia_arguta
...and they're amazing! They taste like a good, sweet kiwi, but without having to mess with the kiwi skin. You eat them like seedless grapes.
(They do have seeds, but they're completely edible.)
It's like convenient, bite-sized kiwi "poppers". And they're green on the outside (as well as the inside).

2025-08-16 13:13:45 UTC

I should post photos again. But where?
Flickr?
Pixelfed? (But there's all the drama, sadly.)
Mastodon? (However, I do post other stuff too.)

2025-07-24 07:43:16 UTC

For everyone wishing they were at GUADEC in person (hi all! 👋) but are elsewhere, there are video streams at:
Day 2, track 1:
https://www.youtube.com/live/18Ir6RXkIeA
Day 2, track 2:
https://www.youtube.com/live/SgJWH8l4hfY
Live streams overview: https://www.youtube.com/@GNOMEDesktop/streams
(Note: You're able to jump back in time in streams to catch what you missed also.)
Schedule (you can adjust timezone in the top right): https://events.gnome.org/event/259/timetable/
Matrix chat room: https://matrix.to/#/#GUADEC-Attendees:gnome.org
#GUADEC #GUADEC2025 #GNOME #Linux #FOSS

2025-07-05 10:36:56 UTC

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You're describing a gradient, not a spectrum. A spectrum has variety in different parts; it's not a sliding scale.
Everybody isn't autistic, but autistic people are people too, but with exaggerated experiences due to a different brain and nervous system structure. Everyone who is autistic (3 - 4% of the population) is different enough in several key components to most people, and has different expressions in various ways.
This explains it better:
https://theoraah.tumblr.com/post/142300214156/understanding-the-spectrum
/cc: @npub1jpy…yfwv

2025-07-05 10:18:45 UTC

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Lining up boxes, complex systems with smaller pieces building up to larger frameworks, predictability.
Trains have all of these qualities.
Also fitting these same basic concepts: making mockups, HTML+CSS, programming, many science related fields, manufacturing.
But trains are very visual, physical objects, and large (when you factor in the rails they need). Trains also came before computer-related examples, and are represented in toys for children (unlike the rest of the examples).

2025-06-05 10:34:18 UTC

Reminder that nobody should be using "mom" or "grandma" or "girlfriend" as a generic non-technical person example. It is hugely problematic and sexist (and can even be ageist too for "grandma").
This is *especially* important to keep in mind in communities where there's already a huge bias of boys and men (like FOSS, gaming, and tech in general).

2025-06-05 07:21:36 UTC

Flock to Fedora 2025 is streaming live from Prague.
It's on YouTube @ https://www.youtube.com/@fedora/streams with a stream per room.
The schedule is @ https://cfp.fedoraproject.org/flock-to-fedora-2025/schedule/
The official website is @ https://fedoraproject.org/flock/2025
There's also a Matrix channel @ https://matrix.to/#/%23flock:fedoraproject.org
And there are general announcements @ https://matrix.to/#/#flock-announce:fedoraproject.org
#FlockToFedora #Fedora #Flock

2025-05-25 18:10:57 UTC

Neat! There's a Quick Share app made with Libadwaita on Flathub now, called "Packet".
This means you can now natively send and receive files with Android's "Quick Share", without installing anything on a phone. (It can also send/receive files with another Linux desktop computer using the "Packet" app on both.)
https://flathub.org/apps/io.github.nozwock.Packet

2025-04-28 12:50:17 UTC

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Have you seen this blog post that made the rounds recently? https://lucianonooijen.com/blog/why-i-stopped-using-ai-code-editors/
It's from the viewpoint of an AI-embracing coder (who has scaled way back on "AI" usage), but it's still about being more pragmatic about AI.
(FWIW: That person used "AI" way too much, including on their Tesla on the road... Which is extremely scary and dangerous, IMO.)
Still, if someone who was previously all-in on AI is now even rethinking and scaling back usage, it says a lot... right?

2025-04-28 12:18:49 UTC

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To be clear: I specifically mean some ML models trained on reasonable curated data sets that are task-specific.
For example: models (that are expressly not LLM or meant for generation) trained on detecting health issues, to assist doctors in screening (e.g. cancer). They're small, don't suck down power, and are intended to be used in tandem with someone who knows what they're doing.
I don't think that's controversial in any of the ways mentioned prior? And is used for good.

2025-04-28 12:09:36 UTC

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Just a stream of consciousness I've been pondering about it all, and I don't have answers.
Including more than just LLMs, I think a lot of people can agree that at least *some* "AI" can be good. So there's definitely some "grey area".
(Oh, and I didn't even have room to list the issues with bias in training and therefore outputs too, although that's part of checking as well and not taking whatever the computer says as definitive. But it's very important to mention too.)

2025-04-28 12:05:20 UTC

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Great blog post! I resonate with all of it.
Additional thoughts:
There's also the difference between "AI" (machine learning, really) overall vs. the subset of generative "AI", especially LLMs.
And the split between a proprietary service vs self-hosted. And if the training material is open or not. And the amount of energy it consumes (in both training and running). And what it's used for (generating or augmenting). And if the results are taken as-is or thoroughly checked. And so on.

2025-04-06 07:32:44 UTC

I glanced at a few popular news sites (CNN, USA Today, etc.) and they're finally covering protests in the US.
However, they're almost exclusively using close-up shots of 1 - 5 people; some are close-ups of signs only.
Sure, a few portraits here and there are neat (although identifying 🫤), but where are the ultra-wide angle photos?
It would be nice to show the scope of the protests. The scope of it is the news story.
News orgs know better. This has to be on purpose.
#USPol #news

2025-03-13 10:43:00 UTC

Because the construction noise this week wasn't enough, let's have the country-wide alarm.
Because the city alarms and phones going off were also not enough, let's have a loud parade literally outside my door with people purposefully making noise with literal noisemakers, drums, shouting, and cars honking.
(Still not fully over my migraine yet. Thankful for noise canceling headphones. They're not enough, but they're good to have.)

2025-03-12 11:14:53 UTC

Construction work in multiple apartments around me, loud and shaking the floor
Migraine started last night
Construction work continues today
Migraine continues today as well

2025-02-02 22:02:35 UTC

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Canceling conferences and meetings in the US makes sense, as being in the US is now not safe for:
- LGBTQ+ (especially trans)
- women (especially pregnant)
- people with non-pale skin
- anyone with a food allergy (FDA is shut down)
- anyone with a compromised immune system (CDC is shut down; important health info is being suppressed)
- non-US-citizens
- anyone flying (as the result of the FAA firings; there have been multiple aircraft crashes since)
& whatever's yet to be announced

2025-01-17 10:54:39 UTC

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I'm so thankful for every software team who still makes nice, approachable changelogs for each version. Even moreso when there are documentation improvements.
It's definitely not as easy as copy-pasting "bug fixes and performance improvements" for every release, but your work is very much appreciated!

2025-01-17 10:52:24 UTC

I originally turned off "auto update" for apps on my phone, years ago:
1. To prevent updates when out and about, using up my precious little data allotment on my mobile data plan.
2. To see which apps are have a new version.
3. To see what changed in each app.
That last point over the past few years can now just be summed up as: "Bug fixes and performance improvements"... for nearly *everything*.
At least the first two points still stand.

2024-12-22 20:52:15 UTC

Every time I see the new Mozilla logo, I think of Grundle the green "duck" dragon (in bitey mode) from Adventure on the Atari 2600.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adventure_(1980_video_game)
#Mozilla #RetroGaming
https://6-28.mastodon.xyz/media_attachments/files/113/698/434/109/023/901/original/a5f61754be13e312.png
https://6-28.mastodon.xyz/media_attachments/files/113/698/434/189/486/390/original/1ad30134205b0056.png

2024-11-30 12:25:05 UTC

Syncthing:
- Useful utility
- Confusing interface
- No official desktop client on Linux, just an old, unsupported GTK UI and some broken system tray icons that are basically toggle on/off apps (that round don't work)
- Official Android version discontinued
🤷

2024-11-15 17:45:59 UTC

Me: "We should do another re-watch of The Lord of the Rings!"
Netflix: We have "Return of the King" now.
Me: 👀
https://6-28.mastodon.xyz/media_attachments/files/113/488/205/175/797/167/original/53150144967556c5.png

2024-10-26 12:25:15 UTC

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This reminds me of the excellent blog post where nobody centers anything correctly (vertically and even horizontally):
https://tonsky.me/blog/centering/
At least for the web, there's now a good way to fix vertical alignment:
https://blog.kizu.dev/cap-height-align/
But back to native UIs like those on an iPhone or on Android (where I can tell you, it's often pretty good, but sometimes can be quite bad too): There's no good excuse. Apple & Google both control the fonts, icons, widgets, etc. on the platforms. 🤷

2024-10-10 10:39:32 UTC

Concerning the critical Firefox security version that is fixed in the latest Firefox release (131.0.2 — update ASAP!), you should probably be aware that some Firefox forks haven't been updated yet.
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/mozilla-fixes-firefox-zero-day-actively-exploited-in-attacks/
For example, those using Fennec or Mull on F-Droid? The last update for both was several weeks ago. They're both stuck at 129.0.2.
So you might want to switch browsers, at least until they're updated.
#Android #browser #Firefox #FDroid #Fennec #Mull

2024-10-09 16:58:58 UTC

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I voted yes, but then thought about native Windows, macOS, and iOS apps that compile against platform libraries (to show native widgets) versus something like QT, SDL, GTK, or other open source toolkits.
So I guess overwhelming yes overall from me, but also qualified in some very narrow cases?
You should be able to rebuild the software without having to license anything extra. (Base platform libraries are kind of a special case, right? 🤔)

2024-09-28 17:12:06 UTC

Signal Desktop is corrupting its database in some cases, due to an official update.
I wasn't hit by this (yet? thankfully) but my partner had the botched version installed on her desktop, which "upgraded" her database, rendering everything inaccessible.
The latest version "fixes" the issue, apparently, so hopefully most people won't see this and have to re-link (losing all their chats, etc.)
But if you hit this, details are on the bug: https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Desktop/issues/7029
#Signal #SignalDesktop

2024-09-13 15:32:50 UTC

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There is https://areweanticheatyet.com/ which lists all the games with some form of anti cheat and if the makers flipped the switch to enable support or not.
(Many do work. Too many still don't, but there's no longer any technical reason they shouldn't.)
Perhaps Microsoft's answer to the CrowdStrike kerfuffle might indirectly improve anti-cheat support on Linux. (Microsoft locking down their kernel to prevent kernel-level mods.)
https://www.laptopmag.com/software/antivirus-cyber-security/microsoft-reveals-crowdstrike-outage-could-have-a-surprising-long-term-impact-on-everyday-users

2024-09-13 14:34:47 UTC

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At least in my case, the Steam Deck was a great purchase and the PS5 wasn't. (I've had a PS3, Vita, and PS4 and enjoyed all of those. PS5 is very different.)
These days, I get my games on Linux and Deck and only consider exclusives on Switch (and PS5 when there is actually an exclusive).
Prices on PC are better, selection is better, the hardware is better (portable and comfortable, with lots of great inputs). Steam has lots of sales and Epic gives away freebies (I play via Heroic).

2024-09-13 14:31:04 UTC

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We tried to get a PS5 for years. My partner finally found one and she gave it to me for my birthday 2 years ago.
I've finally started playing the 1 exclusive game I care about on it: Astro Bot.
(I did play others, but they all came to the PC like Ghost of Tsushima, Spider-Man Miles Morales, and Ratchet & Clank. I also played Spider-Man 2 in it, and that's likely to come to PC soon.)
I also play games on a Steam Deck, a desktop (that runs Fedora Silverblue), & a Switch.

2024-09-11 13:52:22 UTC

Firefox's new overscroll animation support ("rubberbanding") is fun to play with when you have a touchpad.
Fling a page up or down and boiiiinnnnnggggg.

2024-08-28 11:40:44 UTC

Why do we still call it a "phone" when we use the flash from the camera as a flashlight at least 1000× more often than the phone app?
Yes, I'm using Mastodon on my flashlight.

2018-09-25 06:30:59 UTC

I realized many of my favorite games are basically about managing technical debt:
- Tetris
- Lumines
- Splatoon 2: Salmon Run
- CSS