Nostr notes by Linux in a Bit

https://getsol.us/ And I recommend the KDE variant for now, until ...

2026-07-31T23:58:58Z

In reply to nevent1q…n2gk
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https://getsol.us/
And I recommend the KDE variant for now, until Budgie gets through its transition to Wayland etc.

It's an independent rolling release that does staged updates ...

2026-07-31T23:55:30Z

In reply to nevent1q…0tpj
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It's an independent rolling release that does staged updates pushed to stable every Friday.
Very stable, and has only broken on me when I've had hardware issues (dying SSD etc.) or done something really incorrectly.
If you like Flatpak (relatively small package repository) and know what you're doing with regards to Linux, I highly recommend it.

Framework 13 Pro reviews came out, just in time for the price of ...

2026-07-27T19:15:40Z

Framework 13 Pro reviews came out, just in time for the price of the one I was eyeing to go up by $800 :blobcat_thisisfine:

Thank goodness for copious amounts of ElectroBOOM and for ...

2026-07-15T00:55:10Z

In reply to nevent1q…24t6
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Thank goodness for copious amounts of ElectroBOOM and for BPS.space making a video about VNAs!

Me when I actually kindof understand the subject of a Veritasium ...

2026-07-15T00:52:48Z

Me when I actually kindof understand the subject of a Veritasium video:

Partially, but also an interface guideline/philosophy problem.

2026-07-13T15:17:18Z

In reply to nevent1q…kx22
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Partially, but also an interface guideline/philosophy problem.

Buttons should look like buttons. Not a list of text. Please, I ...

2026-07-13T06:12:41Z

In reply to nevent1q…x68t
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Buttons should look like buttons.

Not a list of text.

Please, I beg of you.

I think what really kills it for me are the blue outlines around ...

2026-07-13T06:05:37Z

In reply to nevent1q…ka3k
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I think what really kills it for me are the blue outlines around everything, and the density and amount of options that are foisted upon me within a single view.

I just want KDE to look like Gnome, or Gnome to be as usable as KDE. Or maybe just something in the middle... idk :blobcatupsidedown:

Gosh I've been using KDE Plasma for a while and almost forgot ...

2026-07-13T05:56:31Z

Gosh I've been using KDE Plasma for a while and almost forgot just how far behind their UI design language is...

:blobcatreading: Tried out Plasma Mobile, and comparing it directly to Android doesn't do it any favors.

Everything from the shape of the buttons and general UI layout, to the gestures and that rubber band effect when you can't scroll anymore manages to be indescribably *worse*. :blobcat_thisisfine:

#kde #kdeplasma

Oh hey, I haven't done anything concrete yet... Probably ...

2026-07-06T16:11:22Z

In reply to nevent1q…kwdu
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Oh hey, I haven't done anything concrete yet...
Probably won't ever tbh.

Contemplating deleting my account here because I don't use it ...

2026-07-05T22:12:53Z

Contemplating deleting my account here because I don't use it all that much...

Archive my stuff before it's too late!

Never have I seen someone so eloquently explain the biggest ...

2026-05-22T04:55:05Z

Never have I seen someone so eloquently explain the biggest problem with AI-assisted development.

> This is what the AI-coding pitch never confronts. Yes, generate code faster, sure. But the catching — the eye that says no — comes from somewhere AI cannot reach.

https://cekrem.github.io/posts/the-tacit-dimension/

People quote "You will own nothing and you'll be ...

2026-05-20T17:33:35Z

People quote "You will own nothing and you'll be happy" a lot, but I think it's more accurately described as "You will own less and pay more." Why?

:blobcatbusiness: People aren't ignorant to this squeeze, no consumer wants this and they know it. It's a gradual "boiling the frog" so these concerning trends never feel too out of the ordinary.

That's why I believe "You will own less and pay more" is more accurate (though I will admit it's less catchy)

Timeline of major consumer versions of Windows: ...

2026-05-03T02:22:29Z

Timeline of major consumer versions of Windows:

Nah jk. Nintendo's got some good exclusives :blobcatgamer:

2026-05-03T00:59:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…wp7w
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Nah jk.
Nintendo's got some good exclusives :blobcatgamer:

I meannnnn... ...

2026-05-03T00:58:19Z

In reply to nevent1q…99ve
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I meannnnn...
https://store.steampowered.com/steamaccount/addfunds
:blobcat3c:

Me: Can we get a kei truck? :ablobcatbongo: Mom: We have kei ...

2026-05-02T23:24:05Z

Me: Can we get a kei truck? :ablobcatbongo:
Mom: We have kei truck at home.
Kei truck at home:

They watch your videos and go "omg what!?! how???"

2026-05-01T01:30:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…yrtn
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They watch your videos and go "omg what!?! how???"

I know people are mad about Blender taking Anthropic's money ...

2026-04-28T21:21:37Z

I know people are mad about Blender taking Anthropic's money (https://www.blender.org/press/anthropic-joins-the-blender-development-fund-as-corporate-patron/), but I think it's worth taking a moment to read #Blender 's Funding Policy which may help avoid *some* panic:

> The Blender project sets its own strategic roadmap and yearly planning. This is done by the community of contributors together with the development and product leadership. When large donations come in, or when major organizations join the Fund, the existing planning can be accelerated or augmented, but the priorities themselves originate from the project.

> Corporate participation in the Development Fund does not imply alignment between Blender and the donor's mission, products, or strategy. That is not the purpose of the Fund. The only requirement for joining the Fund is to support Blender's mission: building the best 3D creation technology as free and open source software.

- https://fund.blender.org/funding-policy/

https://store.steampowered.com/sale/steamcontroller

2026-04-28T13:23:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…vhjw
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https://store.steampowered.com/sale/steamcontroller

"In the first major update using our 100% AI-assisted ...

2026-04-28T03:31:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…cpmm
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"In the first major update using our 100% AI-assisted development workflow, we believe we will achieve better performance with greater stability and more consumer trust."

The original Steam Controller cost $50 on launch (2015). ...

2026-04-28T00:59:28Z

In reply to nevent1q…u68s
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The original Steam Controller cost $50 on launch (2015).
Accounting for inflation, that's just under $70 today, and it didn't even have two analog sticks, let alone TMR ones.

Also (imo) the closest analog to the Steam Controller; the 8BitDo ...

2026-04-28T00:41:44Z

In reply to nevent1q…3v59
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Also (imo) the closest analog to the Steam Controller; the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DR8V899R doesn't have the Steam Controller's much nicer haptic system, capacitive sensors, or the two entire trackpads, and it's less repairable, yet it still costs $60.
So I can see $100 being a bit too much, but it's not *unreasonable* since they are Valve and it is the Steam Controller with Steam integrations. It most likely *will* sell out, so I don't blame them for pricing it accordingly.

*People acting like the Steam Controller is the only controller ...

2026-04-28T00:21:58Z

*People acting like the Steam Controller is the only controller Steam supports*

Seriously? Just use your PS5 controller on your PC, it's not that hard! :blobcatnotlike:

The Staff of Speed and Time (1979)

2026-04-27T03:05:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…sfgh
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The Staff of Speed and Time (1979)

Best imagery I've ever had the pleasure of reading, 10/10 ...

2026-04-25T23:01:10Z

In reply to nevent1q…zvq6
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Best imagery I've ever had the pleasure of reading, 10/10

> We walked through a high hallway into a bright rosy-coloured space, fragilely bound into the house by French windows at either end. The windows were ajar and gleaming white against the fresh grass outside that seemed to grow a little way into the house. A breeze blew through the room, blew curtains in at one end and out the other like pale flags, twisting them up toward the frosted wedding-cake of the ceiling, and then rippled over the wine-coloured rug, making a shadow on it as wind does on the sea.

If the "thing they didn't want to release" was really ...

2026-04-24T20:19:35Z

If the "thing they didn't want to release" was really as good as they say it is, then why on earth would they not release it?

The only reason they would *actually* not release said product would be if they couldn't make money running it...
huh :blobcatthinkingeyes:

Completely nerd sniped me btw, but it was worth it :)

2026-04-24T01:16:23Z

In reply to nevent1q…4r0u
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Completely nerd sniped me btw, but it was worth it :)

Judging from GSMArena's MSRP estimates, the Redmi 4A cost ...

2026-04-24T01:16:05Z

In reply to nevent1q…eygr
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Judging from GSMArena's MSRP estimates, the Redmi 4A cost about $134.95 accounting for inflation, and the Redmi 5A cost about $120.50 accounting for inflation.
I don't really *trust* GSMArena's estimates, but it's all I could find...

Looking at the budget segment, prices have generally increased ...

2026-04-24T00:40:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…yr4l
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Looking at the budget segment, prices have generally increased ~50% or a little more compared to mid 2010s phones you mentioned, and that trend seems to correlate with flagship prices as well.

It really does suck when thermodynamics catches up with the infinite money printer :/

Nostr event nevent1qqsznwj7yg8jc6s0ewng3h46fj87rcaa239um8s6gwqkhr89vw092rczyr3h6v9efw9nh9yx3g8g5p4vrlj8q4vmyvkxu2v6vmndv8rzsxepkpdkfgd

2026-04-23T02:28:13Z

In reply to nevent1q…pqa8
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Still wondering why the Steam Deck isn't in stock? ...

2026-04-21T02:27:18Z

Still wondering why the Steam Deck isn't in stock?

:blobcatbusiness: Because if it was in stock, this would be the price:

I haven't, but if I could pick one to have it happen with, ...

2026-04-21T00:40:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…smm9
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I haven't, but if I could pick one to have it happen with, I'd pick Affirmation by George Benson :)

No, at least as far as I'm aware.

2026-04-21T00:37:59Z

In reply to nevent1q…j8lr
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No, at least as far as I'm aware.

Maybe it 'rephrased' a typo that turned "Strait of ...

2026-04-19T19:56:33Z

In reply to nevent1q…6vz3
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Maybe it 'rephrased' a typo that turned "Strait of Hormuz" into "Street of Hormus"

Go home Ground News, you're drunk (and probably using an LLM ...

2026-04-19T19:08:27Z

Go home Ground News, you're drunk (and probably using an LLM to generate this newsletter :blobcatnotlikethis:)

Assuming people facepalm on average twice a month, it currently ...

2026-04-16T05:25:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…ge2q
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Assuming people facepalm on average twice a month, it currently sits at 370,000 facepalms per minute.

Per capita or in total?

2026-04-16T04:36:13Z

In reply to nevent1q…lt2f
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Per capita or in total?

Xbox Cloud Gaming

2026-04-09T01:56:10Z

In reply to nevent1q…88ld
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Xbox Cloud Gaming

"This is an Xbox"

2026-04-08T03:18:35Z

In reply to nevent1q…5ahd
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"This is an Xbox"

Ahh, 364.46MB installed, just like the good ol' days. 💿 ...

2026-04-07T00:58:56Z

Ahh, 364.46MB installed, just like the good ol' days. 💿

If you ever see 3 on sale (https://steamdb.info/app/2020860/) ...

2026-04-06T02:47:31Z

In reply to nevent1q…57fu
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If you ever see 3 on sale (https://steamdb.info/app/2020860/) it's totally worth it :blobcatgamer:

Lowkey incredibly hyped for Rush Rally 4... There's a dev ...

2026-04-04T05:08:36Z

In reply to nevent1q…gg5l
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Lowkey incredibly hyped for Rush Rally 4...
There's a dev blog here: https://www.brownmonster.co.uk/blog/category/rush_rally_4/index.html

:blobcatbusiness: Rush Rally is like what would happen if a guy ...

2026-04-04T05:07:16Z

:blobcatbusiness: Rush Rally is like what would happen if a guy with a part in the physics for DiRT 2, F1 2009, MotoGP 10/11, Split/Second, and *both* Sonic All-Stars Racing games, decided he was tired of that, wrote his own game engine and made a few rally games almost entirely by himself.
...
:blobcatthinkingglare: Wait a moment...

Back in my day all the boys were 'ethically using' ...

2026-03-31T21:24:42Z

Back in my day all the boys were 'ethically using' Repl.it for free VPS hosting... Now it's become just another AI slop vendor. :blobcatupsidedown:

Ah how the mighty have fallen. They could've at least least just kept burning their investor's cash on letting children run jerry-rigged Minecraft servers or something, but no!

:blobcatthink: *"The more advanced a technology is, the ...

2026-03-30T02:33:55Z

:blobcatthink: *"The more advanced a technology is, the greater the population that will be unable to distinguish it from magic."*

I've been using https://yunohost.org for the longest time. I ...

2026-03-29T04:39:16Z

In reply to nevent1q…gcku
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I've been using https://yunohost.org for the longest time.
I can give it a pretty solid recommendation, given you're able to work around Debian deciding to break once in a good while.

Ok, that's cool af. :ablobcatheartsqueeze:

2026-03-28T03:55:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…8jxr
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Ok, *that's* cool af. :ablobcatheartsqueeze:

(for the record, if you want something actually stable, secure, ...

2026-03-15T03:33:27Z

In reply to nevent1q…cpt6
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(for the record, if you want something actually stable, secure, and mature, I'd still go for https://git.quad4.io/RNS-Things/MeshChatX or https://github.com/markqvist/nomadnet instead, at least for the time being)

Believe it or not, this isn't #Meshtastic or #Meshcore ...

2026-03-15T01:27:10Z

Believe it or not, this isn't #Meshtastic or #Meshcore

It's #Reticulum :blobcattoot:
That's right, Reticulum is finally running on microcontrollers and there's so many ways to do it:

https://github.com/attermann/microReticulum (C++ implementation of Reticulum; finally getting close to 100% feature complete)
https://github.com/ratspeak/ratdeck (Pictured T-Deck firmware)
https://github.com/torlando-tech/pyxis (T-Deck firmware from the maker of Columba)

@npub1aeh…chz6 Re: ...

2026-02-18T04:03:48Z

Dom 🦻 (npub1aeh…chz6)
Re: https://blog.ctms.me/posts/2026-02-15-offline-world-part-1/

Some offline things I like:

'Offline' communication tools<li>For smaller-scale communication: <a href="https://briarproject.org"; target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no">https://briarproject.org</a> and maybe <a href="https://jami.net"; target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no">https://jami.net</a></li><li>If you wanna build your own internet: <a href="https://reticulum.network/manual/index.html"; target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no">https://reticulum.network/manual/index.html</a> (I wrote <a href="https://linuxinabit.codeberg.page/blog/reticulum"; target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">a blog thing about it</a> a while back)</li>

Mapping tools:<li>Offline maps: <a href="https://www.comaps.app"; target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no">https://www.comaps.app</a></li><li>Everything else you could possibly ever need: <a href="https://kylecorry.com/Trail-Sense"; target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no">https://kylecorry.com/Trail-Sense</a></li>

It's over. ...

2026-02-13T00:20:54Z

It's over.

No matter how much you try to convince them otherwise, people ...

2026-02-10T01:44:46Z

No matter how much you try to convince them otherwise, people generally can't care about very many things.

:blobcatadorable: Looks pretty :blobcatthink: Fully independent ...

2026-02-08T03:58:18Z

:blobcatadorable: Looks pretty
:blobcatthink: Fully independent
:blobcatreading: Rolling release
:blobcathyper2: Doesn't fall apart when you update

https://getsol.us

( #notSponsored , I just like the distro )

What's the most common complaint I've heard about Linux? ...

2026-01-29T23:39:53Z

What's the most common complaint I've heard about Linux?

**Not** the installation process.
**Not** finding a distro.
**Not** getting programs to work.
**Not** troubleshooting.
**Not** hardware compatibility.

The most common complaint about Linux I've seen is this:
For a normal computer user, asking for help is just about impossible.

They ask a simple question and:
People respond "Did you Google it?"
People respond "RTFM"
People get mad??? at them for making an easy mistake.

**You can't expect people to know to, or even know *how* to deal with any of that stuff.** Either walk them through doing those things step by step, or actually try answer their question.

Search engines these days are awful, manuals are hard to read for *most people* (especially stuff [like this](https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Main_page )), and normal people make mistakes we think are easily avoidable.

The solution to making Linux more popular is not ruthless promotion. The solution is to actually help people who are asking for it.
If you don't want to respond in a legitimately helpful way, it's ok to take a break.

It will only be "the year of the Linux desktop" when ...

2026-01-29T22:56:51Z

It will only be "the year of the Linux desktop" when people can use it without knowing what Linux is.

I've been using my phone with animations disabled in the ...

2026-01-22T05:16:26Z

I've been using my phone with animations disabled in the accessibility settings and everything is just so fast and snappy.

I love it! :ablobcatheartsqueeze:

*Note: This is on Android; iOS's "Reduce Motion" settings doesn't disable most animations, it just replaces them with crossfades.*

:blobballfetch: Just realized how good it would be to have an ...

2026-01-22T05:09:16Z

:blobballfetch: Just realized how good it would be to have an Android-like 'Bedtime Mode" on my desktop.

To tell me to "**Go to bed!**" and such.

Sad to see that KDE doesn't have the option, and Gnome requires an extension for the functionality. :blobcatnotlikethis:

KDE Feature Request: https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=474826

Gnome Extension: https://www.omglinux.com/gnome-bedtime-extension-greyscale-mode/

FOSS developers, hard at work saying "no excuses." ...

2026-01-20T05:44:15Z

FOSS developers, hard at work saying "no excuses."

> If it's a bubble, why is it still growing? - Some ...

2026-01-19T04:23:03Z

> If it's a bubble, why is it still growing?

- Some investor; during a bubble

...except for https://www.urbandictionary.com/ - that doesn't ...

2025-07-01T05:19:33Z

In reply to nevent1q…9pl2
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...except for https://www.urbandictionary.com/ - that doesn't count ;)

It means Server Time Protocol obviously 😁 (but yes, I think ...

2025-04-14T16:51:16Z

In reply to nevent1q…z8vv
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It means Server Time Protocol obviously 😁
(but yes, I think you’re right)

Once again, you miss the point of that. I am specifically ...

2024-11-25T14:21:51Z

In reply to nevent1q…rul6
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Once again, you miss the point of that.
I am specifically referring to Linux Mint’s situation where, ex. the system repos are not like Arch where everything is up to date and Flatpaks are already used.

I can only assume you are either wholly incompetent or intentionally and maliciously misinterpreting this argument.
Pretty lame.

You completely missed the point of that. The Xonotic example was ...

2024-11-25T04:29:21Z

In reply to nevent1q…23wm
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You completely missed the point of that.

The Xonotic example was to provide a legitimate reason an actual FOSS project would not verify themselves on Flatpak.

The accessibility concerns extend to massivly popular apps such as JetBrains, Spotify, Chrome, Discord, Steam, VLC, Dolphin, VSCode, Zoom, and many more that a new user might want to install but would not see.

They can then risk actual security issues by installing the app in the system repos (as is the case with at least VLC), set up Snap and install the (also unverified) package from there (a store famous for having horrible package review practices), or download the package off the internet like they used to to on Windows.

ALL of these options are VASTLY inferior to just installing the properly reviewed and up-to-date package from Flathub.

Xonotic’s devs don’t want to verify the package on Flathub ...

2024-11-25T03:31:37Z

Xonotic’s devs don’t want to verify the package on Flathub because they don’t want to support a release channel other than the .zip on their website. Like it or not, that’s their decision.

If this kind of developer verification was enforced on every type of software repository like Linux Mint (npub1l38…ky3k) does to Flatpak, Xonotic would literally not be searchable in any package manager without going into settings and clicking a box warning of a “security risk”.

What would a new Linux user think about that?

Flatpak verification ***should not*** be required to display a package in a package manager by default.

The only real problem here is Adobe, but even that [isn’t as ...

2024-11-21T16:48:04Z

In reply to nevent1q…sgye
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The only real problem here is Adobe, but even that [isn’t as much of a problem anymore](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobe_Inc.#Criticisms ) 🙃

I know [somebody who would ...

2024-11-21T15:07:37Z

In reply to nevent1q…gcxd
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I know [somebody who would disagree](https://www.steamdeck.com/en/ )
But in all seriousness I actually do think distros like Zorin OS or Linux Mint are as ready as they’ll ever be for anyone who knows what an OS is.
With Windows doing everything short of war crimes to its users, I think more people than ever would benefit from the switch.

Dear LibreOffice, I believe it is time to change the default UI ...

2024-11-21T05:39:54Z

Dear LibreOffice,
I believe it is time to change the default UI layout to a design that is much more intuitive, accessible, and easy to understand for those unfamiliar with LibreOffice.
I would like to suggest changing the default interface layout to “Contextual Single,” if only for the sake of those using LibreOffice for the first time.
Thank you! :ablobcatheartsqueeze:

#LibreOffice #UI

True, but you would not be asking that question if you had no ...

2024-11-19T21:14:49Z

In reply to nevent1q…kpga
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True, but you would not be asking that question if you had no plans of doing it.

Is it ethical to ship AI generated assets in a game like, say, ...

2024-11-19T17:33:49Z

Is it ethical to ship AI generated assets in a game like, say, [@speed_dreams_official](https://mastodon.social/@speed_dreams_official ) ?

I do it a bit too, but I don’t think Mastodon is just (or even ...

2024-11-19T04:23:21Z

In reply to nevent1q…6dtu
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I do it a bit too, but I don’t think Mastodon is just (or even primarily) for that. 😅

I see so many posts lamenting the fact that people are moving ...

2024-11-19T03:47:37Z

I see so many posts lamenting the fact that people are moving from X/Twitter to Bluesky and (to a lesser extent) Threads instead of Mastodon and the Fediverse, but I think there’s something those posts miss.

People who want ‘just another platform’ will not find what they’re looking for here because Mastodon is not one.

By comparing Mastodon to other platforms specifically competing for X/Twitter’s user-base, we are trying to make Mastodon something it’s not; a platform for people to shout at the world.

That is a concept so fundamentally opposed to the philosophy of Mastodon and the greater Fediverse that I struggle to even make the comparison.

Mastodon is a tool to form communities where genuine conversations are actually given a chance, and I think that’s something worth holding on to. :blobcatheart:

Though I’ve never taken part in it, that seems to be the trend ...

2024-10-30T04:30:22Z

In reply to nevent1q…c9d6
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Though I’ve never taken part in it, that seems to be the trend with open protocols like ActivityPub.
Once it works, it works, and nobody ever dares to change it after that :/

@npub1nvf…cpws is creating a brand new browser engine *from ...

2024-09-09T02:29:41Z

Servo (npub1nvf…cpws) is creating a brand new browser engine *from scratch*. :blobcatboop:

:blobcatderpy: Servo actually started at Mozilla, but development effectively ended in 2020 and it was given to the Linux Foundation (you know it’s a good project when Mozilla stops caring about it :blobcat3c: ).

:blobcatbusiness: It was brought back to life through community donations because making a browser engine from scratch is pretty hard (who knew?).
Help them out here: https://servo.org/sponsorship :ablobcatrainbow:

:blobcatbusiness: Should @npub163h…mv0n implement [STAR ...

2024-08-28T02:18:56Z

:blobcatbusiness: Should Mastodon (npub163h…mv0n) implement [STAR voting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STAR_voting ) to help curb poll fraud and respondent manipulation?

#poll #polls #vote #voting #mastodon