Jack William Bell

Whenever you are past the edge, out in the wind, look for me.

NOTICE: All posts by this account are copyright to the author (Jack William Bell) and may be shared and remixed by human beings. Any use in Large Language Models or other AI training is specifically disallowed and considered an egregious violation of copyright.

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jackwilliambell_at_rustedneuron.com@mostr.pub

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Last Notes

2024-10-30 17:15:19

Today's breakfast: Turkish coffee and left-over pizza.
#food #MountainLiving

2024-09-05 22:02:43

The Right Wing 'influencers' caught up in the Russia propaganda scandal are now portraying themselves as 'victims' and the media is reporting this without adequate commentary.
Why is no one pointing out:
1. They took the money without asking enough questions
2. There was a reason they were being paid, and platformed, and that reason was they were useful idiots for Russia – whether or not they *knew* they were useful idiots for Russia
3. Exactly how were they victimized? They did get paid…

2024-08-19 16:41:16

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@npub10fm…x0qg
Whereas, here in my hotel room on a MBP I installed PopOS on I got it running between asking and you responding. 🙂

2024-08-19 16:36:03

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@npub10fm…x0qg
Wow? A Python-based VPL? I'm gonna steal that for a post!
Is it any good?

2024-08-14 16:08:20

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@npub19st…u9g9
WTF are they? A flock of geese?

2024-08-11 17:40:51

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@npub19st…u9g9
Interestingly, at no point did Kamala Harris publicly encourage the Iranian government to hack the Trump campaign. You would think this would be a detail not even worth noting. Except, well...

2024-08-05 19:36:27

> Visual A* Pathfinding and Maze Generation in #Python. https://github.com/Dicklesworthstone/visual_astar_python?tab=readme-ov-file
> This project provides a high-performance implementation of the A* ("A-Star") pathfinding algorithm (based on this Lisp implementation by Andrew Kravchuck) along with various maze generation techniques to showcase how this algorithm works, as well as an advanced animated visualization of pathfinding in these mazes.
#programming #games #algorithms

2024-08-03 15:28:09

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@npub19st…u9g9
I can raise my hand as someone who has actually used CP/M to do paid work. (Also? I created apps with DBase II on CP/M and created documents in Wordstar.)

2024-07-22 15:54:56

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@npub1hyk…3p33
Sounds like you're CloudStuck!

2024-07-21 21:29:37

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@npub10fm…x0qg
I believe it is already illegal and/or against terms of service to spoof a phone number for texts and phone calls. Why isn't someone enforcing that?

2024-07-16 16:17:03

I think I just found the most bogus #PrimeDay deal ever!
> https://www.amazon.com/Hydroponics-Adjustable-Gardening-Hydroponic-Function/dp/B0CF83WDX6?ref=dlx_prime_dg_dcl_B0CF83WDX6_dt_sl7_4a
It's marked as 94% off with a list price of $899.99. Typical list price for these things is $70 to $100.
#Amazon #ripoff

2024-07-05 17:32:10

It's the day after the #4thOfJuly and things actually went about as well as you can expect around here.
Nearly all the idiots setting off fireworks either ran out or got tired of it by midnight; only a few distant booms after that. There are no new fires nearby and I never heard a siren last night; so injuries are probably minimal.
However, my dog is worn out from being constantly anxious. She has spent the last three days glued to me. Not a happy girl right now.
#MountainLiving

2024-07-04 16:24:09

I'm beginning to think everyone who believes no one is above the law, who support equal opportunity, who feel sexual orientation and gender is your own business and not the government's, who think a woman should control her own body and men should have no say, who are not afraid of immigrants, who put science and facts before nostrums and conspiracy theories …
'
… I'm beginning to think those of us who expect better of our country should be the ones flying the upside-down flags.
#uspol

2024-07-01 23:01:40

When a random spice company finds themselves moved to make a political statement on their website.
> Penzey's – About Republicans. https://www.penzeys.com/shop/about-republicans/
#uspol #food #business #biz

2024-06-19 19:03:25

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@npub10fm…x0qg
Wow. Weird how a mind virus can even overrule your instinct for self-preservation.

2024-06-19 17:06:58

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@npub10fm…x0qg
It sounds like you have a state where `-mouseEntered:` could work as a proxy for `-mouseExited:`…

2024-06-17 21:03:03

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@npub1c4n…ygw9
For anyone born after 1990, the color of a television tuned to a dead channel is 'blue'.

2024-06-17 20:16:43

Checked my strawberry patch and they are starting to come in bigly. I picked more than I could carry in both hands before deciding to get out of the rain.
Some of the ones I'm growing you can only tell if they are ripe by feel, instead of color – as with a normal strawberry. They are 'Pineberries' and are white when ripe. They also taste very much like a pineapple!
> https://leafyplace.com/pineberry/
#gardening #food

2024-06-17 19:41:19

> Scientists may have found an answer to the mystery of dark matter. It involves an unexpected byproduct. https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/17/science/black-holes-dark-matter-scn/index.html
Can we say, "Primordial Black Holes?" I knew we could!
#astrophysics #physics #DarkMatter

2024-06-16 21:38:39

When you start to plan your 10 day trip after the #SFF #Worldcon in Glasgow and you go to your absolute favorite #SingleMalt #whisky distillery's website to book a tour and … they will be closed for essential maintenance during the only time you can visit.
AAAARRRRGGGHHH!!!

2024-06-11 17:53:31

> FEEDING MARS: M.A.R.S. Mars Aquaponic Research Study exhibition at the University of Greenwich. http://www.greenwichunigalleries.co.uk/feeding-mars-m-a-r-s-mars-aquaponic-research-study/
Article on the study:
> Fish and chips on Mars: our research shows how colonists could produce their own food. https://www.rawstory.com/fish-and-chips-on-mars-our-research-shows-how-colonists-could-produce-their-own-food/
#space #food #aquaponics #hydroponics

2024-06-06 17:50:36

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@npub10fm…x0qg
Cherry jam counts as a fruit, right?

2024-06-03 17:48:58

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@npub10fm…x0qg
Are you saying they point to the SAME array? Because that's … I have no words…

2024-05-28 23:45:16

Sometimes I think having #dogs is like having toddlers who never turn into teenagers and tell you how much they hate you.

2024-05-28 23:37:04

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@npub10fm…x0qg
Oh, great! They can close that bug now, right?

2024-05-21 02:24:09

Tonight's dinner was, "Use up stuff I'm almost out of."
In this case I warmed up frozen raviolis and meatballs in the microwave while cooked some onions in olive oil with basil and thyme. Then I added fresh spinach and butter and cooked it with just enough heat to wilt the spinach a little.
Finally I combined everything with parmesan and mozzarella cheese and a scoop of sour creme and put the whole mess back in the microwave for a few minutes.
Served in the cooking bowl with pepper.
#food

2024-05-19 23:04:17

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@npub10fm…x0qg
Oh, yeah. At the very least the touch bar would be useless.

2024-05-14 18:46:11

The long running debate has finally been settled … in court.
> ‘Tacos are Mexican-style sandwiches,’ judge rules in Indiana court. https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4663234-tacos-are-mexican-style-sandwiches-judge-rules-in-indiana-court/
#food #law #WTF

2024-05-12 17:06:15

Turns out? The #craft and #art of #woodworking and construction is a LOT older than previously thought. Like, older than homo sapiens older!
> 476,000-year-old ancient woodworking discovery rewrites early human history. https://www.earth.com/news/476000-year-old-ancient-woodworking-discovery-rewrites-early-human-history/
#history #prehistory #Paleoanthropology

2024-05-09 01:22:51

> "#Python 3.13 just hit feature freeze with the first beta release today. Just before the feature freeze, a shiny new feature was added: a brand new Python REPL."
> My favorite Python 3.13 feature. https://treyhunner.com/2024/05/my-favorite-python-3-dot-13-feature/
They finally fixed the 'exit' thing! Yay! 🎉 🥳 🎈
#programming

2024-04-08 01:26:05

> Nava is a #Python library that allows users to play sound in Python without any dependencies or platform restrictions. It is a cross-platform solution that runs on any operating system, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. https://github.com/openscilab/nava
Currently only supports .wav files, except on OSX it also supports .mp3. Given that it is probably better for games and the like than for #music.
#programming #audio

2024-03-28 17:47:29

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@npub1evu…uf5t
This is easily the least surprising development in the whole mess.

2024-03-04 00:16:48

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@npub10fm…x0qg
Based on my admittedly short experience with it, Rust is a user-hostile language and requires both learning and unlearning.
That said, I like it and would love having a good reason to do a deeper dive. Which shouldn't be a surprise considering my favorite language isn't exactly known for being 'user friendly'. (C)
In any case, I don't think Rust is a good choice for anything you aren't being paid to do. Fun coding should be fun – which is why I use Python for that kind of thing.

2024-02-12 18:56:22

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@npub10fm…x0qg
Well, if you don't own a safe, you should. Get a big gun safe – too big and heavy for two people to cart out of the house easily. It will have plenty of room for a DVR or NAS; just drill a couple of holes for power and other cables.
Most safes are pretty fair protection against fires too; so they are a good place to store data backups and important documents.

2024-02-09 20:43:34

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@npub10fm…x0qg
Why not? After all, the OS is just another dependency.

2024-02-09 20:41:49

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@npub10fm…x0qg
I love Flatpacks for this very reason. Not only do they contain *all* the non OS dependencies, but they run in a minimal sandbox!

2024-02-09 20:36:39

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@npub10fm…x0qg
I'm convinced the best way to ship an app is to include *all* it's dependencies. No need for package management if the package already contains everything.
This is related to my belief software project repos should contain their dependencies as sub-repos and not via package managers or 'make configure' scripts with downloads.

2024-02-09 20:29:39

I was *always* a bit skeptical. But I now believe the experience of the last thirty years has conclusively shown us how Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs) were an epically BAD IDEA from the start.
Almost as bad, in fact, as Package Managers. And for many of the same reasons.
#programming #computers #stupid

2024-02-08 01:30:37

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@npub10fm…x0qg
That answers (2). But is it worth doing in the first place?

2024-01-27 20:39:59

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@npub10fm…x0qg
The sequencer from an electric furnace does EXACTLY that during furnace shutdown. It also turns on separate heating elements discretely on startup to avoid too big a current draw at one time.
I don't know if that information is helpful for your current problem though. Is there such a thing as a mechanical timer with two independent switches you can set for different remaining times?

2024-01-17 15:51:45

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@npub10fm…x0qg
I'm not sure I see the through line between, "I want more money," and, "I need a scapegoat." You'll need to expand on that a bit methinks.
In any case, applying Occam's Razor, perhaps he just needs more money to make his debt payments and support his lifestyle?

2024-01-01 19:05:46

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@npub10fm…x0qg
I'd formulate that as, "The underlying reason for a policy, which doesn't otherwise make a lick of sense, is almost always racism."
There are plenty of policies that really are race-blind. But those are usually solutions to easy to understand problems. It's the ones like heavy penalties for jaywalking you won't find anywhere else in the world that don't make sense without considering racism.

2023-11-20 18:51:31

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@npub10fm…x0qg
Nah. The one for charging your car would be two inches thick. Easy to recognize, if not so easy to coil up and put in a drawer.

2023-10-20 05:17:30

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@npub10fm…x0qg
I'm doing my best to make them. But mine just end up in the compost.

2023-10-13 17:58:03

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@npub10fm…x0qg
Yeah, but every single one of them was a Randian, right?
There used to be such a thing as Libertarian Syndicalists, who I think did have a philosophical leg to stand on. But the Libertarian Party was always Randian to it's core. In the end the Syndicalists were cast out and assimilated into Greater Socialism.
I'm beginning to believe there are only two core political philosophies: Might is Right and Be a Good Neighbor.
And I know which I want to see ascendant.

2023-08-31 21:22:06

> Long COVID Brain Fog Linked to Blood Clots. https://themessenger.com/health/long-covid-brain-fog-oxford-research-england-uk
> Researchers at Oxford University, who published findings Thursday in Nature Medicine, analyzed more than 1,800 adults who had begun to suffer cognitive issues after a COVID-19 illness. They found that the disease could be causing clotting in some patients years down the line.
#COVID19 #science

2023-08-27 16:38:02

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@npub10fm…x0qg
Separately, there's the whole question of funding externalities – such as a carbon surcharge.
Best if you could get the extraction industry to pay an externalities tax, but not gonna happen. Easier, if more of a political football, to push it to the end users.
For carbon only, one gallon of gas burnt results in 20 pounds of CO/CO2. Carbon offset costs are currently ~$8 a ton, but expected to rise a lot over the next few years.
> https://climatekids.nasa.gov/review/carbon/gasoline.html
> https://www.bloomberg.com/professional/blog/carbon-offsets-price-may-rise-3000-by-2029-under-tighter-rules/

2023-08-27 16:14:53

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@npub10fm…x0qg
Also, is that $1.12 on top of or inclusive of the Federal tax?
Here in WA the tax rate is just under 50 cents a gallon, but with the Federal tax it's ~68 cents.
> https://dor.wa.gov/taxes-rates/tax-incentives/deductions/motor-vehicle-fuel-tax-rates
That said, there are tons of businesses who can get partial or full refunds of the State fuel taxes for fuel used in a off-highway manner. I'll bet CA does the same.
> https://www.dol.wa.gov/vehicles-and-boats/taxes-fuel-tax-and-other-fees/fuel-tax/fuel-tax-facts#fueltaxrefunds

2023-08-27 16:10:23

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@npub10fm…x0qg
I've often argued that, over and above other fuel taxes there should be a $5 surcharge for mass transit. Both to build out mass transit and to drive it's usage as a money-saver.

2023-08-16 22:28:19

> Bambu Owners Woke Up Yesterday To Find Their 3D Printers Had Gone Rogue. https://themessenger.com/tech/bambu-owners-3d-printers-malfunction-cloud-print-twice
This, my friends, is why you don't buy #ConsumerElectronics that use a #cloud service. If it won't run without an #Internet connection? DO NOT BUY IT.
(Other reasons to avoid cloud services include privacy issues, devices becoming unusable after purchase, and a high potential for the device to be hacked.)
#3DPrinter #computer #WTF

2023-08-16 01:37:21

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@npub10fm…x0qg
I've been running mine all day. Temp peaked at 98F.
My dog ask to go out a couple of times – and both times wanted right back in. Normally she wants to go out and run, but no way a husky is going to run around in that heat for long.
Even with the AC it's been warm inside as well. But outside is *still* like a furnace at 6:30 PM.

2023-08-03 15:55:01

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@npub144c…hcgq @npub1psd…9sr7 @npub1vu7…nmuv
Years ago my father had a BMW motorcycle with a sticker under the seat that read, "When driving this motorcycle for extended periods at speeds in excess of 100 MPH reduce tire pressure by 10 PSI."
And, yes, they used English with American units.

2023-07-22 00:19:40

Unless you are really old *and* a computer geek you probably have no idea what dBase is. I'm both and I actually wrote code for dBase II on CP/M systems and dBase III (plus variants) on MS/DOS PCs back in the 1980s.
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DBase
Turns out? It's still around. 😲
> Welcome to dBASE® 2019… https://www.dbase.com/
> dBase Classic. https://dbaseclassic.com/
Do I recommend it?
No, not really. There's a reason why you probably haven't heard of it.
#programming #database #history #WTF

2023-07-06 18:50:25

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@npub10fm…x0qg
Context?