Kyle Rankin @kyle@librem.one

The dark grey stands out much better in natural light.

Trying my hand at tweed. #weaving

@yaelwrites Nice set!

I sometimes get asked what the most secure options are for a Librem 14 order. Here are my recommendations: #security #anti-interdiction https://puri.sm/posts/my-recommendations-for-the-most-secure-librem-14-configuration/

Security companies sometimes use "we're in Switzerland" to imply that makes them more secure or private. But better protection from government compulsion doesn't do much good if the company itself decides to collect and sell your location data. #privacy https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-06/this-swiss-tech-exec-is-said-to-have-operated-a-secret-surveillance-operation

@wobin Thank you! The picture hides at least some of the flaws. Somehow the warp had uneven tensioning at the ends (possibly because I used a single warp peg for something this wide, possibly because the warp peg fell off the clamp 2x during warping, which made everything fall into disarray).

I learned a lot in the process though so the next one will be better :)

The plaid table runner is complete. It's imperfect, and needs ironing, but I'm still pretty happy with how it turned out. #weaving

@Hyolobrika @yaelwrites I think the insensitive name (and scenario behind the competition) is one of the reasons why the contest was discontinued.

@yaelwrites Also, I used to watch the "Gringo Warrior" competition at DEF CON which was all about picking locks as fast as possible. EVERY contestant, even the amazingly skilled ones, raked furiously and only dropped to single-pin picking once that didn't work.

@yaelwrites Oh you mean they say that to you after you are pleased with picking a lock you just raked? That sucks. I'm sorry. Find a different crew if you can, those folks have a bad community.

@yaelwrites I imagine it's a case of advice coming from a good place, given badly. Any of those people in a speed competition would rake first.

The longer, and nicer form of the advice would be:

"Raking only works on low security locks and is a less important skill to master than single-pin picking. Even if it does work on a low-security lock, it would be better to practice single-pin picking on that lock instead so when you get to a lock raking doesn't work on, you have the skills you need."

@yaelwrites Actual geniuses would know the use and limits of raking, it's the folks with a medium level in any skill I find to be the most insufferable to compensate for lack of confidence.

A rake isn't cheating if it works, it just means that the lock doesn't have security pins. You'll see Lockpicking Lawyer rake a cheap lock to demonstrate its lack of security pins. I often rake before single-pin picking.

Obviously to pick locks with security pins you want to master single-pin picking too.

@yaelwrites @th A letter sealed with your signet is the only way to know it's authentic and not tampered with!

@yarmo It's pretty great!

Whiskey and #weaving: it's a winning combination.

Last night I discovered I misinterpreted the pattern for a tartan I'm #weaving because it wasn't clear how the pattern repeats. There are 4 additional blue threads including in the warp. The end result will be fine, I doubt anyone will notice, but I'll always know it's wrong.