Collin Donnell

Software developer from Portland Oregon.

📱 #Swift (iOS and Mac)
🚂 #Ruby (and Rails)

Cohost of the #RooftopRuby podcast.

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npub1a9rrcl8chdp6gqxsyc3xecfk9vgfjve2cejgdvrcufat6q90rz9sc4pdlg

NIP-05 Address

collin_at_ruby.social@mostr.pub

Profile Code

nprofile1qqswj33u0nutksayqrgzvgnvuymzkyyexv4vveyxkpuwy74aqzh33zcpz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0wd68ytnsw43q8ngzz0

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relay.mostr.pub

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npub1a9rrcl8chdp6gqxsyc3xecfk9vgfjve2cejgdvrcufat6q90rz9sc4pdlg

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Last Notes

2024-09-27 07:42:13

A few recent photos taken with my Pentax PC35AF-M point and shoot camera on Kodak Gold 200. #filmphotography #analogphotography #portland #pdx
https://cdn.masto.host/rubysocial/media_attachments/files/113/208/388/067/308/940/original/0d72e13405b4d7f1.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/rubysocial/media_attachments/files/113/208/388/419/898/464/original/4f84da6323b5999e.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/rubysocial/media_attachments/files/113/208/388/753/682/866/original/86c681c2fd6806aa.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/rubysocial/media_attachments/files/113/208/389/081/728/586/original/d046955d7361f738.jpeg

2024-09-26 06:33:27

Riding the Portland MAX. #filmphotography
https://cdn.masto.host/rubysocial/media_attachments/files/113/202/455/384/962/719/original/69b958cc7c480039.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/rubysocial/media_attachments/files/113/202/455/759/208/115/original/5a2f8497881dffe6.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/rubysocial/media_attachments/files/113/202/456/275/671/225/original/12694d20dc72d70f.jpeg

2024-09-23 23:15:47

I’ve looked at the scans from my Pentax PC35AF-M, Olympus Trip 35, and Nikon FM2. All film. The first two are point and shoots and the third is an SLR.
The Pentax had a couple of shots where everything came together and looked good, but overall it’s not very sharp. The Trip 35 looks pretty good when you nail the focus. Noticeably sharper than the Pentax.
The Nikon absolutely destroys both by every metric.#filmphotography #film #photography

2024-09-11 22:17:25

Being a one handed programmer sucks about as much as you think it would.

2024-09-09 03:44:30

Took some nice portraits at the Kenton Street Fair a couple of weeks ago. #photography #filmphotography #portland #pdx
https://cdn.masto.host/rubysocial/media_attachments/files/113/105/532/042/930/177/original/611de32c9eb37992.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/rubysocial/media_attachments/files/113/105/532/361/216/391/original/8ea599e901ed78be.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/rubysocial/media_attachments/files/113/105/532/673/476/046/original/838f7cdba3dccaff.jpeg

2024-08-30 21:17:48

Went to the doctor. I’m not going to be able to say I’ve never broken a bone before.

2024-08-27 20:58:35

It’s funny when people discuss equivalent megapixel resolution of film, because they almost never mention that it would be different for every film stock.
Something like Kodak Tri-X 35mm is going to be maybe 10-12, but then a low ISO low grain film like Ektar 100 could potentially be 20+. #photography #filmphotography

2024-08-05 21:50:31

Kodak Tri-X is quite a bit grainer than the Ilford HP5+ I was using, but, I think I like it? #filmphotography

2024-08-04 04:04:43

I don’t know if anyone still uses Flickr, but I’ve started putting up some of my film photography there. #photography #filmphotography
https://flickr.com/photos/192910506@N06

2024-07-30 20:37:57

Lombard Street Bridge, Portland, Oregon. #Portland #filmphotography
https://cdn.masto.host/rubysocial/media_attachments/files/112/877/362/578/530/765/original/4d3d0fad2cbd1d2f.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/rubysocial/media_attachments/files/112/877/362/924/838/615/original/a569269b5a58e75c.jpeg

2024-07-26 01:02:23

I've been using this app called Crown + Flint to get metadata for film photos. Getting the data in there is okay, although I have no idea how I'm going to easily apply this to photos later. #filmphotography

2024-07-25 19:52:51

Interested if anyone has a good workflow for scanning and converting film negatives, preferably one which doesn't require Lightroom. I would love if there was an app that had an Apple Photos extension for dealing with negatives, but that's probably asking too much. #photography #film

2024-07-15 22:44:34

I feel like we're just going to ignore the fact that the person who shot at Trump was a Republican and that people who knew him said he was conservative.

2024-06-30 05:21:43

I’m so frustrated with people saying “we’re fucked either way” or whatever with the election. That attitude is how people disengage and we lose.
We aren’t fucked either way, we’re fucked one way. The other way we might get the Supreme Court back and worst case things continue on the way they’ve been, which is a lot better than four years ago.
Do people not remember how bad those four years with Trump absolutely sucked?

2024-06-14 23:36:07

This is pretty accurate. Portland is really safe and chill compared to other cities, and yet all of these people who don’t live here, and have maybe never been here, have these weirdly strong opinions about it.
Like, why are we living in your brain rent free? I spend zero time thinking about how other places suck. #Portland
https://cdn.masto.host/rubysocial/media_attachments/files/112/617/597/305/238/525/original/ae2a92d68d632767.jpeg

2024-05-18 23:10:50

Where is a nice place I can upload my own videos to link to on Mastodon that will get nice previews in apps like Ivory?
Maybe I should just use YouTube? It would be kind of cool if it was on something where I control it a little more, although I absolutely absolutely do not want to run my own server, so I’m looking for a service I can pay for. #Mastodon #Ivory

2024-05-14 23:38:50

I know I want to record music and publish it, but I find the whole publishing part a bit confusing.
Should I put out a single first? If I put up a single on streaming and then want to add that as a part of an EP, is that easy to do?

2024-04-23 21:28:35

Media literacy should be a required class in high school, like English or math. I am fairly certain there is at least one class we are making kids take that is less valuable.

2024-04-17 19:41:53

Playing with the JetBrains AI thing in their IDEs. The chat seems roughly as good as Copilot for normal rubber ducking.
The completion is different, but close. It operates on a line by line basis, so it kind of works like better autocomplete. It won't do the thing where it generates a whole method for you unless you ask it to. I might grow to prefer that.
#coding

2024-04-12 22:36:25

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@npub1e7v…flg9 That's where I started. You'd need to be able to include specific kinds of metadata. Then you'd have to render this in a reasonable way, which is the hardest part.

2024-04-12 20:43:20

I wonder what a flavor of Markdown for writing song lyrics might look like?

2024-04-11 04:33:39

What iOS text editor do people like that I can point at a folder in iCloud these days?

2024-04-10 18:36:31

I stopped noticing or thinking about it after a while, but, can we take a minute for how horrendous the Safari icon has been for the last ten years?
I’m sure someone lovingly crafted this and can tell me why it’s elegant and beautiful, and I don’t want to belittle their work, but, come on. Just look at this thing 😂
https://cdn.masto.host/rubysocial/media_attachments/files/112/248/369/162/056/606/original/cda01380eaf7de06.jpeg

2024-03-16 22:22:35

This isn’t me picking on my European friends, just an actual question: how much did you learn about European colonialism in school?
I’d say we definitely did not learn about some of the worst things the USA has done, but seeing people talk online, thinking American expansionism is equivalent to the scale of 400 years of classic European colonialism, makes me think maybe they don’t learn much about it?

2024-03-14 21:51:42

If you don't already, you should have Acorn by Flying Meat as an image editor. It’s so fast for the kinds of things I usually have to do. I've been using it since version 1.0 back in like 2008. Plus the person who makes it is a really great guy. https://flyingmeat.com/acorn/

2024-03-03 04:19:25

Look at this fucking content creator 😂
https://cdn.masto.host/rubysocial/media_attachments/files/112/029/831/058/476/929/original/edf46183a2fc80d6.jpeg

2024-02-27 23:20:07

I am so confused. Is it really true that 36% of CO2 emissions from aviation are from private jets?
I believe it, but it doesn’t even seem possible considering how much commercial air traffic there is. that’s absolutely insane, if I’m not misunderstanding something.

2024-02-26 22:36:48

You know if you really want to hire someone to make you a Mac Assed Mac App, the guy who coined the term (me) is pretty good at that and frequently available 🤷‍♂️
I feel like I haven't marketed myself well enough haha.

2024-01-28 23:44:00

Like what you like, but Voyager is one of the weaker Star Trek series. I like it, because I like all Star Trek, but it doesn’t live up to its premise, the writing is often pretty bad, and the characters are a real mixed bag and pretty inconsistent.

2024-01-08 22:50:52

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@npub1y9z…3ykm @npub14nh…50uw I don't want to be a jerk, but, what is up with that design? I usually like how most of their stuff looks, but this is just gross looking.

2023-12-22 00:10:03

It is extremely on brand that no Gen-X person can admit to being Generation X and instead has to reply with how they're some other obscure thing you've probably never heard of, it's pretty underground, and generations are for posers anyway.

2023-10-06 03:27:01

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@npub15ml…2w4s Nope, just one. I forgot to mention I was using a Magic Trackpad.

2023-09-28 03:19:12

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@npub1mp3…qjxj I don't want to insult anyones art, but Systema from what I've seen seemed to fall into the category of not proven to be very functional in real life. Not a reason not to study it, that's just the vibe I got from a little research.

2023-09-15 00:55:02

I think I timed that weed gummy perfectly to hit at takeoff.

2023-09-15 00:54:28

First class was absolutely worth the extra $300. It’s more comfortable, they feed you, and all the other people are nice old people.

2023-09-08 23:20:40

I think when your editor starts taking 60 seconds to launch, there’s no clear way it can ever be fixed, and it hasn’t had a release in two years, that’s a pretty good indication it’s time to look at alternatives.
It’s a shame because TextMate had so much going for it if it had just kept up with the times. I really do get why people love it so much.

2023-08-28 01:18:40

What is a good short book if I want to get really good at #JavaScript? I can’t stand video courses and I don’t need anything to teach me basics of programming or super beginner stuff.

2023-08-26 02:06:31

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@npub1mp3…qjxj they sure are. I appreciate your feedback regardless. Just knowing that other people have felt the same way and gotten better is helpful.

2023-08-26 01:56:39

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@npub1mp3…qjxj I mean being aware probably does help a bit. There’s just a bit more going on there that I can’t just talk my way out of.

2023-08-26 01:16:31

If you've had any luck improving or getting over #RSD (rejection sensitive dysphoria), please let me know how you did it. It's pretty severe for me. I'm constantly worried everyone is mad or disappointed with me and it makes me pretty miserable.

2023-08-23 22:54:59

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@npub1kpw…xzz4 Thanks. I read that page and thought I was doing that. Maybe I'm missing something and there's a different way to achieve what I want.

2023-08-23 22:29:03

Do any #Ruby people know what I have to do to get Solargraph to see my files so I don't get these "require_not_found" warnings? I thought maybe adding something under "require_paths" in my Solargraph config would do it, but either that's not it or I'm doing it wrong.
https://cdn.masto.host/rubysocial/media_attachments/files/110/941/289/575/913/015/original/78cf5e654b5b6860.png

2023-08-23 20:56:06

Seriously, how do you find a small business accountant? I'd really like them to be local to #Portland so I can just go see them.

2023-08-16 22:31:34

I was thinking of GUI tools, but #Vim is obviously the GOAT for running scripts from your editor.

2023-08-15 00:20:28

Are some of these companies not actually hiring developers but keep the listings up for some reason?

2023-08-11 18:27:02

I would pay $200 for a John Siracusa BBEdit course.

2023-07-27 21:37:35

Saying "it's confusing if you don't know how it works" when talking about a programming language is weird. All programming languages are confusing if you don't know how they work. Who's using languages without the expectation they'll have to learn them deeply to do more interesting things?

2023-07-15 00:26:43

Does anyone else remember MUDs? MUDs were cool. I always wanted to make one, but whenever I started thinking about it, it seemed like an incredibly big project.

2023-07-15 00:23:49

Should I be rolling over all my old company 401(k) plans into a Traditional IRA or what? It would be nice to have them consolidated. Is there any downside? #PersonalFinance

2023-07-13 18:55:53

I enjoy that SQLite is in the public domain and doesn't have a license. Kind of nuts, right?

2023-07-08 00:58:02

I am now on all of the Twitters. @collin.blsky.social.

2023-07-03 21:03:02

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@npub1mp3…qjxj I’m not actually worried about it, because mostly I’m just writing for myself, and it blows up, that’s a bonus. I just thought it was kind of wild you can have 60,000 views of one post and 140 of the next 😂

2023-07-03 20:35:08

It’s kind of interesting. I have had three blog posts now sort of blow up a Hacker News, which is cool, but as far as I can tell that doesn’t really translate to new readers. Maybe they are all subscribing via RSS and I don’t have a good way to track that, but mostly my suspicion is that you can get tens of thousands of visits per post and you’re still not really “building an audience.”

2023-07-02 03:22:52

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@npub1mp3…qjxj I think if I were retired and not worried about money stuff, that would help a lot. Most of my anxiety ends up being around work and money.

2023-07-02 02:46:05

CBD is interesting to me because you either hear people say it changed their life or that it did literally nothing for them. I wonder if this is a case where a lot of people are taking two small a dose, is mostly placebo, or if it just really affects people differently based on their brain chemistry and the underlying cause of what they’re trying to improve.

2023-07-02 02:01:06

Is everyone anxious all the time, or am I just weird? I know everyone can’t be as on edge all the time as I can be, but I also have trouble believing other people are doing just fine. Maybe not being able to imagine not being a little anxious all the time is a sign of something?

2023-07-01 01:39:37

My goal right now is just to be able to run 2 miles in 20 minutes without stopping. I feel like that’s pretty modest?

2023-07-01 01:32:03

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@npub1mp3…qjxj I think it’s because it’s through GrubHub and stuff. I don’t think anywhere here has their own delivery people anymore.

2023-06-30 22:25:44

So the thing on food delivery apps where you ask for cutlery definitely goes to dev/null, right?

2023-06-30 02:45:21

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@npub1mp3…qjxj I mean people who need to do Zoom meetings, and spreadsheets and Notion and shit like that and maybe want to edit a video here and there. It is really tight even for that kind of thing and that like feels pretty light use to me.

2023-06-30 02:34:46

They should really make 16GB of ram the minimum on Mac laptops and have 24 or 32 be the next upgrade. 8 GB is kind too low for pretty much anyone who uses their computer for really anything.

2023-06-29 21:32:00

I am anxious enough that just sitting here my heart rate is hovering around 105-120, and that's been happening on and off for at least a week now. Not great.

2023-06-24 02:55:45

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@npub1mp3…qjxj I think I do have a good setup! Fancy chair. Standing desk. I’ve just had my monitor too close.

2023-06-24 02:06:26

I’m reading that you’re supposed to sit something like 20-30 inches from your monitor? Is that right? That’s seems so far.

2023-06-23 02:04:11

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@npub1mp3…qjxj I mean, I think in that part the you I meant was the team, although I’m not going to pretend I was consistent about that. Individuals obviously are going to a variable. I would suspect most people are not the special case though :) You sound like an awesome person to work with though!
Oh, and I didn’t say it, but I think your printing example is a good point. If there is a new API, and you were kind of redoing it, that is going to be a rare chance to really pay down some debt.

2023-06-23 01:08:41

New blog post: “You're Never Going to Fix Your Technical Debt." https://collindonnell.com/youre-never-going-to-fix-your-technical-debt

2023-06-22 23:57:59

I've been experiencing a persistent high heart rate and an increase in blood pressure this week, I think partially due to anxiety and stress. I'm just not feeling very well. If you've experienced this, what are some things you've done which made a real difference?
I've been going for walk as well as trying to stay hydrated and breathe, but it's been hard this week, both mentally and physically.

2023-06-21 02:25:27

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@npub1mp3…qjxj Possibly? That's a good place to start looking anyhow :)

2023-06-21 02:05:58

Can anyone tell me what this font might be? https://i.snap.as/onaddV2k.png

2023-06-17 02:43:00

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@npub1mp3…qjxj oh. I saw the iOS app. It didn’t look great and hadn’t been updated for years.

2023-06-17 02:22:19

Write.as has a really easy to use and complete API. I bet you could make a great app for this. The addressable market would be tiny, but maybe still worth doing just for fun.

2023-06-16 02:48:09

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@npub1e7v…flg9 I’m okay just being able to not embarrass myself in conversation. That all sounds fairly doable?

2023-06-16 02:39:58

How do I learn Spanish well enough to speak with native speakers without embarrassing myself?

2023-06-15 00:21:02

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@npub1mp3…qjxj @npub15wa…ezxc I don’t think I really care about commenting. I feel like ActivityPub support should solve that for me.
I guess I really just want something simple that does all of the blog stuff and has good export options incase it ever goes away?

2023-06-15 00:01:09

I am thinking of moving my blogging to Write.as and trying to post more. Does anyone have experience with it?

2023-06-14 22:24:47

Donnell’s Law: if you say JavaScript sucks on social media, someone will show up to say “actually ECMA Script 6 is really nice.”

2023-05-19 04:27:24

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@npub1eee…e209 Exactly! It’s nuts. I’m starting to realize they aren’t trying to convince non-Christians, they’re saying it to convince each other they’re not hateful and to give cover to people who might otherwise be conflicted over it.

2023-05-19 03:53:59

The idea that there are Christian’s who think you can love gay people but hate their “sin.” You can’t love someone and think a core part of who they are is wrong.
It’s like if someone said they don’t hate Christians, they just hate their beliefs and think they’re wrong and are should stop. Except it’s worse, because being Christian is a choice and something you can stop being.

2023-04-01 21:33:28

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#[0] You can just Google this stuff.
Michael Cohen went to jail for violating campaign finance law because it was done secretly with the purpose of influencing the election. John Edwards was prosecuted for the same thing.
If the prosecution can prove that Donald Trump directed Cohen to do that and was aware of it, he is guilty of the same crime and would presumably face similar consequences.

2023-03-31 20:59:42

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#[0] I think this is drawing an equivalency between the two sides that doesn’t exist and isn’t true.
I find the “enlightened moderate” to be about as enlightened as Republican’s promoting conspiracy theories.

2023-03-31 18:23:16

If they call sub sandwiches grinders and hoagies more on the East Coast, why is Jersey Mike's Subs not called Jersey Mike's Grinders? 🤔
And no, I'm not high. Also, this is a joke. I'm sure people on the East Coast call them subs too.

2023-03-10 17:30:04

I was woken up today by a phone call letting me know that due purely to budgeting changes I’ve been let go from my full-time contracting position I just started in January after being laid off in September.
I am a former #[0] #[1] with 15 years of experience making apps for #[2] and #[3]. I also have experience with #[4]. Available immediately for full time or contract work.
Please boost. #[5] #[6]