This stupidly placed light switch has been niggling around near the bottom of my list for nearly three years. It's probably sat there with its wires exposed for closer to thirteen, since the kitchen was remodeled by the previous owners.
I could have hunted down a plate and tried to saw a bit off I guess but we got a 3D printer for Christmas and I finally fixed it:
This was easier than I thought once I discovered that this sort of switch is a Decora Duplex. I grabbed this model from user KHF on 3D Warehouse (thanks!), chopped the edge off in FlashPrint, two failed prints (glue, then hairspray, then figuring out the temperature was wrong) and only slightly sliced open my thumb removing the supports. Welcome to the future!
(Published to the Fediverse as: 3D DIY #etc #3dprint #decoraduplex 3D Printing a Decora Duplex wall plate for a badly positioned electrical socket using 3D Warehouse and FlashPrint. )
I seriously considered giving up Facebook as a New Year's resolution when it became clear that fake news was one of the many things that cost Hillary the election.
Not because of what other people might believe. The problem is me. I get my news primarily from the BBC and NPR. I cruise through RSS feeds and podcasts. I'm a savvy media consumer with a well honed bullshit filter. And then I fell for this:
It just continued to show up in my Facebook feed reposted from various friends and it wormed its way in as something totally Trumpian and plausible and, well, truthy. Which it isn't. I felt like I'd got as far as filling in the wire transfer form before stopping to think that the Nigerian Prince probably didn't need my personal help with expatriating his fortune. I didn't share it or quote it thankfully but it's like that study where everyone thinks they are a better than average driver. I'm vulnerable to this shit.
I keep reading articles about being a better Facebook user and always checking that the site hosting a story is reputable and written by people who have a footprint outside the site and reverse-searching any images to see if they've been used out of context etc etc etc. Which is implausible if you have more than one friend and comes across as victim blaming.
The horrible danger is that if you don't fact check every stupid quote on image meme the power of repetition lodges them somewhere in your subconscious where they become that thing that you read somewhere. Which is OK if you only read quality news but deadly if you want to catch up on old friends quickly.
What I really want is the friend part without the democracy ending bullshit part.
I tried Diaspora and App.net but they make Google Plus look lively. Facebook, I would pay you for an ad-free, brand-free experience. Also a ban on text on images.
I've been trying to block all the fake news sites that show up in my feed but for some reason that option isn't always available. Also that's probably an impossible task unless Facebook decides to offer shared block lists. Which is probably against their best interest.
I wrote this post to talk myself out of not using Facebook but I don't think I've managed to convince myself yet...
(Meme image grabbed from CNN).
(Published to the Fediverse as: I didn't think I'd ever fall for fake news on Facebook #politics #facebook #election #hilary #trump #fakenews Is fake news a good reason to quit Facebook? The screening advice is victim blaming and everyone is vulnerable. )
A few months ago I wrote about my cunning plan to stop Internet of Things botnets: stop them at the router.
It's just possible that these were in the works before that post but Symantec, BitDefender and Intel unveiled router level IoT security at CES this year. Not as hard core as my plan, but looks like a useful start.
(Image from Norton Core website).
(Published to the Fediverse as: Routers to defend against rogue IoT devices #etc #iot #symantec Will Norton follow my plan to prevent IOT botnet attaches at the router? )
This is the first time I've been late with a solstice or equinox post. On the 21st of December at 10:44 UTC it was the start of Winter for the Northern hemisphere, Summer down south. Rendered in Catfood Earth (back dated to the right date and time... Windows, Android).
(Previously, Previously, Previously)
(Published to the Fediverse as: Winter Solstice 2016 #code #earth #solstice #winter #summer #hibernal #southern The exact moment of Winter Solstice 2016 rendered in Catfood Earth. )
Photo of the Train of Lights on the Niles Canyon Railway.
The photograph titled "Train of Lights" captivates with its dynamic energy and ethereal glow. A train adorned with vibrant, multicolored lights whizzes through a darkened landscape. The lights create a vivid streak against the dusky backdrop, blending seamlessly into the purples and blues of twilight. Trees on the left side are blurred into a green sweep, speaking to the speed of the train and the passage of time. The soft illumination of the sky provides a gentle contrast to the striking brilliance of the train's lights, adding depth and dimension to the scene.
The composition is an exhilarating blend of movement and color, employing a panning technique that blurs the background while keeping the lit train slightly crisper. This style efficiently conveys motion, the journey captured in a sweeping rush. The diagonal orientation of the train adds to the dynamic feel of the image, drawing the viewer’s eye along the lighted path. The juxtaposition of vibrant lights against the natural darkness might be the most intriguing aspect, celebrating the contrast between industrial spectacle and natural serenity. However, the lack of a distinct focal point can be disorienting, leaving the eye searching for an anchor amidst the energetic swirl. Nonetheless, the photograph's chaotic beauty is its charm, a visual metaphor for the enchanting allure of transient moments.
(Published to the Fediverse as: Train of Lights #photo #train Photo from the Train of Lights on the Niles Canyon Railway. )
Time-lapse panning over the San Francisco bay area from the Gardner Lookout at the east peak of Mount Tamalpais.
(Published to the Fediverse as: Tam Pan #timelapse #4k #video 4k time-lapse from Mount Tamalpais in Marin County looking over the San Francisco bay area. )
4/5
Review coming with book 3...
4/5
Review coming with book 3...
4/5
I much prefer flashback Reacher to modern day midwest town trauma Reacher. This is one of the best.
Photo of The Helen Madere Memorial Rio Vista Bridge spanning The Sacramento River.
The photograph titled "Rio Vista Bridge" presents a tranquil scene where the bridge stretches across a serene expanse of water. The morning sun glows brightly in the sky, casting a soft luminescence over the scene and creating long shadows on the water. On the left, delicate branches frame the image, their bare forms intricately detailed against the backdrop of a clear blue sky. The silhouettes of trees are faintly visible in the distance, adding depth to the composition. The calm water mirrors the bridge and surrounding elements, lending a sense of symmetry and reflection to the tableau.
The composition of this photograph is a harmonious blend of symmetry and balance. The bridge serves as a leading line, directing the viewer’s gaze across the image while creating an impressive structure that anchors the scene. The sun, placed high in the frame, adds a focal point of brightness that contrasts with the darker tones of the bridge. However, the strong sunlight can be somewhat distracting, pulling attention away from other elements. The framing provided by the tree branches softens the industrial character of the bridge, introducing a touch of nature. The photograph successfully merges natural and man-made elements, yet the intense sunlight may benefit from slight moderation to prevent it from overpowering the delicate reflections below.
(Published to the Fediverse as: Rio Vista Bridge #photo #bridge Photo of The Helen Madere Memorial Rio Vista Bridge spanning The Sacramento River in California. )
A picture of a pitcher at the Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
In this photograph titled "Pitcher Plant," we are drawn into the exotic world of carnivorous flora. The central subject is a pitcher plant, hanging elegantly amidst its green companions. Its vibrant, reddish-brown hue stands in stark contrast to the surrounding verdant foliage. The leathery surface of the plant's body, adorned with subtle patterns, leads up to a slightly curved, glossy lip that invites a closer look. The background is a gentle blur of greens and whites, hinting at a lush, garden setting that remains delicately out of focus, allowing the viewer's attention to remain fixed on the plant's striking form.
The photograph employs a shallow depth of field, which artfully isolates the subject from its environment, enhancing the plant's fascinating features. The composition adheres to the rule of thirds, with the pitcher plant slightly off-center, creating a balanced yet dynamic visual narrative. The natural lighting is soft, enhancing the textures and colors without casting harsh shadows. What captivates me most is the vivid contrast between the plant and its blurred backdrop, creating a sense of depth. However, I find that the tension between the sharpness of the plant and the softness of the background might have benefitted from a slightly tighter focus on the lip of the pitcher, which is the plant's most intriguing feature. Despite this minor critique, the image is a captivating exploration of nature's curious beauty.
(Published to the Fediverse as: Pitcher Plant #photo #pitcher Photo of a Pitcher Plant at the Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California. )
Could be anything... (seen at the Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, do please leave a comment if you know what it is.)
The photograph titled "Unidentified Butterfly" captures a mesmerizing scene where a real butterfly, clad in contrasting black and white stripes, rests exquisitely on a sign that displays an image of a similar butterfly. The butterfly, likely a Zebra Longwing, perches gracefully atop the informational sign, creating a delightful juxtaposition between reality and representation. The sign itself, adorned with vibrant pink and white text, stands against a backdrop of blurred greenery, studded with sporadic bursts of purple and green foliage. The overall tone of the photograph is calm and inviting, drawing attention to the connection between the living creature and its illustrated counterpart.
The composition employs a shallow depth of field, effectively blurring the background to emphasize the butterfly and the sign, the clear focal points of the image. This technique adds depth, enhancing the viewer's focus on the detailed patterns of the butterfly's wings. The diagonal placement of the sign adds dynamic movement to the scene, subtly guiding the viewer's eye through the frame. However, while the colors are vibrant and the subject intriguing, the photograph could benefit from a tighter crop to eliminate some distractions in the background's upper portion. Despite this, the photograph achieves a harmonious balance between the natural and artificial, capturing a serene moment that evokes curiosity and admiration.
(Published to the Fediverse as: Unidentified Butterfly #photo #butterfly What is clearly a zebra longwing butterfly at the Conservatory of Flowers in the Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California. )
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