In the age of GenAI and privacy abuse, open-source software and everyone who is contributing to building, maintaining, and supporting FLOSS are real heroes. Today, I thank all of them on this #ilovefs day.
I appreciate keeping software free so everyone can afford and use it. I love #Vim, #Linux, and #FreeBSD very much.
Thank you.
PS: Please share your gratitude with the #ilovefs tag.
I did not find my name to have it taken from me
I do not give a fuck what label yours laws have slapped me with.
I know my name. The one you want to give me is only written in a book. Mine is written in my fucking heart.
Tell me I'm not who I am a thousand times.
But I lived as the man you pretend I am, and I strangled him with his own fucking name.
I know who the fuck I am.
And I will not let you take her from me.
Bruce Schneier Davi Ottenheimer have written a tremendous piece for Foreign Policy that everyone should read called "DOGE is Hacking America." It clearly explains why what DOGE is doing has to be stopped, and what's at stake here.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/02/11/doge-cyberattack-united-states-treasury/
I used to subscribe to FP but then found it came with my Apple News subscription. But I realize not everyone has that, so:
https://archive.ph/lSHkJ
Here's an excerpt:
"But the most alarming aspect isn’t just the access being granted. It’s the systematic dismantling of security measures that would detect and prevent misuse—including standard incident response protocols, auditing, and change-tracking mechanisms—by removing the career officials in charge of those security measures and replacing them with inexperienced operators.
The Treasury’s computer systems have such an impact on national security that they were designed with the same principle that guides nuclear launch protocols: No single person should have unlimited power. Just as launching a nuclear missile requires two separate officers turning their keys simultaneously, making changes to critical financial systems traditionally requires multiple authorized personnel working in concert.
This approach, known as “separation of duties,” isn’t just bureaucratic red tape; it’s a fundamental security principle as old as banking itself. When your local bank processes a large transfer, it requires two different employees to verify the transaction. When a company issues a major financial report, separate teams must review and approve it. These aren’t just formalities—they’re essential safeguards against corruption and error.
These measures have been bypassed or ignored. It’s as if someone found a way to rob Fort Knox by simply declaring that the new official policy is to fire all the guards and allow unescorted visits to the vault.
The implications for national security are staggering. Sen. Ron Wyden said his office had learned that the attackers gained privileges that allow them to modify core programs in Treasury Department computers that verify federal payments, access encrypted keys that secure financial transactions, and alter audit logs that record system changes. Over at OPM, reports indicate that individuals associated with DOGE connected an unauthorized server into the network. They are also reportedly training AI software on all of this sensitive data."
A quick intro to #Pixelfed, #Flashes, #Pinksky, and #Skygram, i.e. alternatives to #Instagram built on open protocols:
https://techcrunch.com/2025/02/09/these-apps-are-building-instagram-alternatives-on-open-protocols/
(via @TechCrunch)
P.S.: If you know of more new and sustainable #socialmedia services focused on #images, feel free to add them in the replies.
It is tough out there. I'm still searching for Director of engineering and Head of Engineering style roles. Would appreciate any connections you all have!
After Trump killed a report on nature, researchers push ahead with release
Major report was designed to answer the public's biggest questions on nature.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/02/after-trump-killed-a-report-on-nature-researchers-push-ahead-with-release/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
Just in case you are missing a few, here is justsecurity.org's Trump admin litigation tracker https://www.justsecurity.org/107087/tracker-litigation-legal-challenges-trump-administration/
The U.S. government refuses to release the names of DOGE staff but @ProPublica maintains a running list of those they have identified. Very useful. https://projects.propublica.org/elon-musk-doge-tracker/
Believe it or don't, Red Hat is hiring in the PNW. If you already know Ansible, Openshift, or are a Linux geek, consider applying for this SSA position: https://redhat.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Jobs/job/Remote-US-CA/Senior-Solution-Architect_R-043285
@VOANews What, no tariffs?
Four months in of actively looking for #Python people working on #sustainability: I know you’re out there, but definitely not on the Python.org forum 😅 https://discuss.python.org/t/who-works-on-digital-sustainability-in-the-python-world/66890
Where are you all? Where should I be looking?
Hardest thing I've had to write in quite some time:
https://about.iftas.org/2025/02/06/funding-challenges-and-the-future-of-our-work/
tl;dr - we are running out of money and will not be able to pay our bills in April. As such, unless we can secure funding by end of February, we will be closing down some services and re-examining our scope of activities.
"Build something small. Own it completely. Scale it thoughtfully. That’s how you win without cheating." https://www.joanwestenberg.com/you-cant-win-in-tech-unless-you-cheat/
A huge list of trans Girl Scouts that are selling Girl Scout Cookies. “Please consider choosing a trans girl scout to get your cookies from this year — the kids are under attack this year more than ever, so lets give them some joy.” https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/2025-trans-girl-scouts-to-order-cookies
@GeorgeMari on Twitter; Husband, Dad, Software Developer
Ask me about fixing buffer bloat, and how it has changed my life.