Kyle Rankin @kyle@librem.one

Today I'm cleaning and refurbishing a 1906 Brunsviga mechanical calculator. It's the oldest calculator in my collection and the first with a pinwheel mechanism.

I got some positive feedback about my articles from a stranger and it surprised me just how much it meant. I've made more of an effort recently to tell people when I appreciate their work because of how rare (but meaningful) positive feedback is.

@ruff Closed: could not reproduce.

Final ant update (I hope): the ant is gone! It must have found a way out of the monitor over the weekend.

I got a free floor loom today! This is a four harness loom made by the Towle company in the 1950s or `60s. Used floor looms are like upright pianos in that they are either very expensive or very cheap/free. This one came with a bench, warping board, and a box full of accessories!

If you have a tech career, retooling is especially important. I've made 4 major career pivots so far (dev->sysadmin->security->executive) and while each was a planned and smooth transition, each required a combination of mentoring/on-the-job training and self-study.

@yaelwrites The next time I see you in person, I will try very hard to pronounce your name correctly, and will still possibly fall short.

I'm encouraged to see the growth of trade schools, not just for young adults who wouldn't be served well by a 4-year degree, but also for older adults who must retool because fewer modern career paths last someone their whole life. https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/12/31/skilled-trade-education-comeback/

@chrichri First, thanks for the recommendations. I have a couple clarifying questions:

For point 2: evaluate packages in which way?

For 3: currently we include all but files that begin with kexec* because they are used *by* PureBoot and some like HOTP counter change each boot, and others like the checksum file itself, have to be excluded.

I wrote about our unique set of high security features for the Librem 14 such as anti-interdiction, Qubes, hardware kill switches, and PureBoot. What other security features would you like to see us add to this in the future? #infosec #hardening https://puri.sm/posts/my-recommendations-for-the-most-secure-librem-14-configuration/

Ant Update 2: Some time overnight, the ant moved again and is facing up toward 12 o'clock. It must still be alive.

Making slow but steady progress on the rug. I'm about a quarter of the way through. #weaving

@th paradice

@yaelwrites Non-Firebreathing Thunderbird.

@yaelwrites Definitely safer when a dragon is on a chain attached to a block...

Update: the ant (somehow?!) seems to have moved a bit...

@silmathoron It's a relatively new 4K Samsung. I have NO idea how the ant got in there...

Bug report: I went to brush this ant off of my monitor and discovered it was *inside* the screen. It is now permanently in my field of view unless I take my monitor apart.