Rud @rmerriam@qoto.org
- Github
- https://rmerriam.github.io/
- Me stuff
- Born '48. The Woodlands TX, married
I am a retired software developer. Wrote my first FORTRAN IV in 1968. I am still writing C++. I have worked in embedded systems. I have done amateur robotics (non-destructive), including competing in NASA Centennial Challenges. The header image is from the Space Robotics Challenge.
Wrote for Hackaday.com for a few years about C++ with a focus on Arduino and Pi.
I am an Amateur Radio Operator, or Ham, licensed as K5RUD by the US FCC. That means I can build a transmitter without the FCC checking my build. Nobody but hams can do this.
Father of 2, although I lost my son in 2014. Grandfather of 3 (2m, 1f) and g-grandfather of 1 male.
I follow C++, legal, political, SF authors, and general random discussions.
Joined Nov 2022
Rud
boosted
A few years ago I made this flow chart of which Mastodon posts end up in which timelines!
So, you can see how each instance will have a different local timeline, and even a slightly different federated timeline - and you can see why the federated timeline moves so much faster than the local one, too.
This is why it's important to boost good posts and use hashtags - the fediverse is fragmented and harder to search by nature.
@skyblond Yes with slow mode on.
Rud
boosted
🇳🇱
Well, lets see if they care anymore if I expose this shit on twitter. If you have an account there feel free to show some support:
A circle is a contact list on M. A message is only sent to those in the circle. "You" is you, Soupy, and TonyK.
Could you check your DMs? I don't think that is the problem because I got a response to a DM from someone else in my timeline.
I think a Wiki would be best. People can look for specific topics rather than reading a linear description. I'd be willing to help with a Wiki.
@taz LOL. As I said, those who agree with you.
I've been experimenting with Lists and Circles to see how they help. (But you and @cowgirlcoder haven't responded to a Circle msg, so don't think it works like I thought, e.g., a contact list.)
The issue is the balance between stagnating with a set of people versus dynamic exposure to a wider set.
@rmerriam Perhaps "keeping up" with the Local timeline isn't the point. Certainly you'll never "keep up" with the Federated timeline. I never read ...
Rud
boosted
The thing about Twitter is that it really lacks a lot of the features you'd expect from a true Mastodon replacement.
For example, there's no way to edit your toots (which they, confusingly call "tweets"—let's face it, it's a bit of a silly name that's difficult to take seriously).
"Tweets" can't be covered by a content warning. There's no way to let the poster know you like their tweet without also sharing it, and no bookmark feature.
There's no way to set up your own instance, and you're basically stuck on a single instance of Twitter. That means there's no community moderators you can reach out to to quickly resolve issues. Also, you can't de-federate instances with a lot of problematic content.
It also doesn't Integrate with other fediverse platforms, and I couldn't find the option to turn the ads off.
Really, Twitter has made a good start, but it will need to add a lot of additional features before it gets to the point where it becomes a true Mastodon replacement for most users.
Long ago, one of my courses was a survey of multiple languages. We did Algol, FORTRAN IV, Snobol, and Lisp. Since then, I've used many languages professionally. Exposure to other languages does two things.
First, learning a new language is easier than you might expect. You know some techniques, like loops, exist, so you can look for them—no need to learn about these fundamentals. Even today, if you are doing FP, you know something iterates over collections.
Second, you can read other languages sufficiently to understand the implementation's logic, if not the details. I frequently do this with Python.
Janis Ian "At Seventeen"
"And the rich-relationed hometown queen
Marries into what she needs
With a guarantee of company
And haven for the elderly
Remember those who win the game
Lose the love they sought to gain
In debentures of quality
And dubious integrity"
Rud
boosted
Why is #youtube the default platform for how-to information?
I can #read, you know?
Better than I can understand spoken language actually, which is why this is such a pain.
#AudioProcessingDisorder
Rud
boosted
I know people are giving great advice and linking great articles for those of us new to Mastodon, but here is one I don’t think I’ve seen - flesh out your profile asap. I know this is a more civilized place, but I still don’t like following new accounts on my instance when the profiles are completely empty. You may be missing an opportunity to connect quickly with some like minded folks if we don’t know what you like. #newtomastodon
Rud
boosted
#introduction
Connections are important! So posting again.
I’m here for #rustlang #embedded #linux #electronics #pcb #design and similar. #makers if you’re interested follow I’ll follow back let’s connect
BOOST for visibility please 🙏
How can the H1b visa holders remain employed? Isn't a criteria for them that there isn't a qualified citizen for the position? It is clearly the case that qualified people are available for Twitter.
Middle of the road is anyone I'm just mildly pissed at. /sarcasm off
@mathlover @freemo @taz Are we talking about neutral (apathetic), central, or bipartisan? I got lost somewhere. I blame coffee deprivation.
You should contribute to the discussion rather than observe if you have insights on what works.
@marc good insight..as a political scientists interested in the health of discourse, I'm way more interested in how it grows in a way that promote...
For admins, growth beyond a certain point is a PITA. They have to spend more time and money to sustain their instance. Growth is inevitable. People want to form communities, become informed, and just plain chatter.
Due to federation, you need to be cautious about admonitions like this. Hardly anything applies to all of Mastodon. I saw a "CW politics" request, but it was from a specific instance.
If your instance didn't request this I'd ignore it.
My system analysis brain is saying an algorithm will be necessary on Mastodon.
@jon@social.lot23.com
Take a gander at this thread and discussion on the Twitter UX experience and comments about Mastodon. Whether you agree with the OP's points doesn't matter. The issue of the UX is essential for Mastodon.
How will Mastodon deal with a magnitude increase in people? The local timeline on Qoto is a reasonable read right now. I can get to my previous location in an acceptable time. I then find around a dozen new posts to catch up to the top.
A magnitude increase means I'll never catch up with the local timeline. I can't keep up with the federated timeline today. Will my personal timeline be manageable?
The question isn't whether an algorithm is needed but when and what it will do.
It is a challenging problem because everyone wants something different.
- Github
- https://rmerriam.github.io/
- Me stuff
- Born '48. The Woodlands TX, married
I am a retired software developer. Wrote my first FORTRAN IV in 1968. I am still writing C++. I have worked in embedded systems. I have done amateur robotics (non-destructive), including competing in NASA Centennial Challenges. The header image is from the Space Robotics Challenge.
Wrote for Hackaday.com for a few years about C++ with a focus on Arduino and Pi.
I am an Amateur Radio Operator, or Ham, licensed as K5RUD by the US FCC. That means I can build a transmitter without the FCC checking my build. Nobody but hams can do this.
Father of 2, although I lost my son in 2014. Grandfather of 3 (2m, 1f) and g-grandfather of 1 male.
I follow C++, legal, political, SF authors, and general random discussions.
Joined Nov 2022
