Larry Osterman
@larryosterman.github.io
Long term MSFT employee, Dad, Singer.
Expect cat pictures, tech nerding, etc.
Previous: SMB filesystem, Exchange Store, Windows Audio, Windows Runtime, COM, Confidential computing.
Current: Azure SDK for C++
Proud LGBTQIA+ ally.
Profile pic from Not
Expect cat pictures, tech nerding, etc.
Previous: SMB filesystem, Exchange Store, Windows Audio, Windows Runtime, COM, Confidential computing.
Current: Azure SDK for C++
Proud LGBTQIA+ ally.
Profile pic from Not
Fun story: the dev lead for Windows 3.1 required all his devs to use machines which were dog slow every day because he figured that if they had to put up with slower machines than our customers they would make sure Windows 3 ran REALLY well on all machines.
This laptop PC I got for testing is dog slow. My Parallels VM version of Windows 11 is actually a lot faster.
But it works and it was dirt cheap, so it’s cool for testing because a lot of us have dog slow computers out there.
But it works and it was dirt cheap, so it’s cool for testing because a lot of us have dog slow computers out there.
November 9, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Fun story: the dev lead for Windows 3.1 required all his devs to use machines which were dog slow every day because he figured that if they had to put up with slower machines than our customers they would make sure Windows 3 ran REALLY well on all machines.
Come see me and 180 of my best friends singing our hearts out! Dec 5-23 all over the Puget Sound area.
🔔 The Seattle Men’s Chorus rings in everyone’s favorite holiday tradition: seasonal classics, Christmas comedy, costumes, dancing and the gayest sing-along in Seattle. It’s the holliest, jolliest time of the year! ❄️
Tickets: bit.ly/46CpxIe
Tickets: bit.ly/46CpxIe
November 6, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Come see me and 180 of my best friends singing our hearts out! Dec 5-23 all over the Puget Sound area.
Reposted by Larry Osterman
Dems, congrats on winning some - but I stg pls actually be useful and not just bask in the wins meaning magical overwhelming change.
DO SHIT. Be on some new shit with effective tactics, not performative nonsense. I want to see more than just who can be the lesser of two parties of uselessness.
DO SHIT. Be on some new shit with effective tactics, not performative nonsense. I want to see more than just who can be the lesser of two parties of uselessness.
November 5, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Dems, congrats on winning some - but I stg pls actually be useful and not just bask in the wins meaning magical overwhelming change.
DO SHIT. Be on some new shit with effective tactics, not performative nonsense. I want to see more than just who can be the lesser of two parties of uselessness.
DO SHIT. Be on some new shit with effective tactics, not performative nonsense. I want to see more than just who can be the lesser of two parties of uselessness.
Late last night, I got the following text from King County Elections:
"BALLOT ALERT Your signature has been verified and your ballot will be counted. Thanks for voting!"
I cannot say how happy receiving this kind of alert makes me.
"BALLOT ALERT Your signature has been verified and your ballot will be counted. Thanks for voting!"
I cannot say how happy receiving this kind of alert makes me.
November 3, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Late last night, I got the following text from King County Elections:
"BALLOT ALERT Your signature has been verified and your ballot will be counted. Thanks for voting!"
I cannot say how happy receiving this kind of alert makes me.
"BALLOT ALERT Your signature has been verified and your ballot will be counted. Thanks for voting!"
I cannot say how happy receiving this kind of alert makes me.
Reposted by Larry Osterman
🗳️ Your voice matters — make it heard!
Make sure you exercise your right and VOTE. 💪✨
Make sure you exercise your right and VOTE. 💪✨
November 3, 2025 at 10:26 PM
🗳️ Your voice matters — make it heard!
Make sure you exercise your right and VOTE. 💪✨
Make sure you exercise your right and VOTE. 💪✨
Reposted by Larry Osterman
advice to every Rust organizational decisionmaker out there: shut up, stop making excuses, and take notes from the PSF: bsky.app/profile/pyth...
TLDR; The PSF has made the decision to put our community and our shared diversity, equity, and inclusion values ahead of seeking $1.5M in new revenue. Please read and share. pyfound.blogspot.com/2025/10/NSF-...
🧵
🧵
The official home of the Python Programming Language
www.python.org
October 27, 2025 at 3:35 PM
advice to every Rust organizational decisionmaker out there: shut up, stop making excuses, and take notes from the PSF: bsky.app/profile/pyth...
"How did you spend your Sunday?" Obsessively refreshing the puget sound energy web site to see when we would get power back.
24 hours and counting with no power, heat or water.
24 hours and counting with no power, heat or water.
October 27, 2025 at 12:43 AM
"How did you spend your Sunday?" Obsessively refreshing the puget sound energy web site to see when we would get power back.
24 hours and counting with no power, heat or water.
24 hours and counting with no power, heat or water.
Oh, lovely - a power outage. Good thing we have 5 powerwalls to give us battery backup for over 24 hours.
Wait, what do you mean that a silent change to the Tesla app changed from optimizing for power outages to minimizing grid usage?
So we only have 3 hours of battery left.
Thanks Elon.
Wait, what do you mean that a silent change to the Tesla app changed from optimizing for power outages to minimizing grid usage?
So we only have 3 hours of battery left.
Thanks Elon.
October 26, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Oh, lovely - a power outage. Good thing we have 5 powerwalls to give us battery backup for over 24 hours.
Wait, what do you mean that a silent change to the Tesla app changed from optimizing for power outages to minimizing grid usage?
So we only have 3 hours of battery left.
Thanks Elon.
Wait, what do you mean that a silent change to the Tesla app changed from optimizing for power outages to minimizing grid usage?
So we only have 3 hours of battery left.
Thanks Elon.
Reposted by Larry Osterman
Omg, the solution to CIA's Kryptos being discovered by someone becoming a subject matter expert, going on location, and finding the plaintext sitting in a vault several miles away is the absolute *perfect* ending to Kryptos. You couldn't write it. Just absolutely A+ www.nytimes.com/2025/10/16/s...
A C.I.A. Secret Kept for 35 Years Is Found in the Smithsonian’s Vault
www.nytimes.com
October 17, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Omg, the solution to CIA's Kryptos being discovered by someone becoming a subject matter expert, going on location, and finding the plaintext sitting in a vault several miles away is the absolute *perfect* ending to Kryptos. You couldn't write it. Just absolutely A+ www.nytimes.com/2025/10/16/s...
Sharron made chicken puff tonight and it came out pretty well...
October 10, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Sharron made chicken puff tonight and it came out pretty well...
I've spent the past week working on a perf measurement framework for the Rust sdk, and I was really excited because I was seeing consistent results showing the Rust SDK was 50% faster on the same operations as the C++ SDK.
And then I found the bug in my framework which invalidated the results.
And then I found the bug in my framework which invalidated the results.
October 3, 2025 at 11:57 PM
I've spent the past week working on a perf measurement framework for the Rust sdk, and I was really excited because I was seeing consistent results showing the Rust SDK was 50% faster on the same operations as the C++ SDK.
And then I found the bug in my framework which invalidated the results.
And then I found the bug in my framework which invalidated the results.
We've been working hard to finish up the Azure SDK for Rust and this release brings us that much closer to making it a reality.
October 3, 2025 at 11:51 PM
We've been working hard to finish up the Azure SDK for Rust and this release brings us that much closer to making it a reality.
After dinner tonight there was a discussion about how most video games didn't have beans as a cooking recipe item.
My comment was that was likely because they didn't want to deal with the consequences of the digestive impact of starchy proteins..
My comment was that was likely because they didn't want to deal with the consequences of the digestive impact of starchy proteins..
September 30, 2025 at 1:43 AM
After dinner tonight there was a discussion about how most video games didn't have beans as a cooking recipe item.
My comment was that was likely because they didn't want to deal with the consequences of the digestive impact of starchy proteins..
My comment was that was likely because they didn't want to deal with the consequences of the digestive impact of starchy proteins..
"You cannot operate heavy machinery for 12 hours after this procedure."
I'm pretty sure that a compiler counts as "heavy machinery", right?
I'm pretty sure that a compiler counts as "heavy machinery", right?
September 29, 2025 at 10:43 PM
"You cannot operate heavy machinery for 12 hours after this procedure."
I'm pretty sure that a compiler counts as "heavy machinery", right?
I'm pretty sure that a compiler counts as "heavy machinery", right?
Reposted by Larry Osterman
Microsoft’s guidance to H-1B employees following the $100K visa fee executive order is essentially to not leave the country and return before Sunday if you’re abroad. Same applies to spouses and kids.
The implication being not to expect them to pay your $100K ransom to enter America.
The implication being not to expect them to pay your $100K ransom to enter America.
September 20, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Microsoft’s guidance to H-1B employees following the $100K visa fee executive order is essentially to not leave the country and return before Sunday if you’re abroad. Same applies to spouses and kids.
The implication being not to expect them to pay your $100K ransom to enter America.
The implication being not to expect them to pay your $100K ransom to enter America.
Reposted by Larry Osterman
RIP U.S. innovation.
Between gutting the H-1B program, purging US scientists from civil service, slashing research grants, and disappearing international students off the streets, our government has made a conscious decision to kill America's roll as a global leader in science and innovation.
Between gutting the H-1B program, purging US scientists from civil service, slashing research grants, and disappearing international students off the streets, our government has made a conscious decision to kill America's roll as a global leader in science and innovation.
Hey remember last fall, when members of the press credulously reported that Trump would increase high-skilled immigration?
This will end it pretty much entirely.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
This will end it pretty much entirely.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Trump to Add New $100,000 Fee for H-1B Visas in Latest Crackdown
President Donald Trump is expected to sign a proclamation as soon as Friday that would move to extensively overhaul the H-1B visa program, requiring a $100,000 fee for applications in a bid to curb ov...
www.bloomberg.com
September 19, 2025 at 7:41 PM
RIP U.S. innovation.
Between gutting the H-1B program, purging US scientists from civil service, slashing research grants, and disappearing international students off the streets, our government has made a conscious decision to kill America's roll as a global leader in science and innovation.
Between gutting the H-1B program, purging US scientists from civil service, slashing research grants, and disappearing international students off the streets, our government has made a conscious decision to kill America's roll as a global leader in science and innovation.
Last night, the @seattlemenschorus.bsky.social premiered the documentary based on our concert, Love Beyond Borders.
It is a testimonial of the power of love, the resiliency of humanity, and just what some people go through just to be their authentic selves.
It is a testimonial of the power of love, the resiliency of humanity, and just what some people go through just to be their authentic selves.
Love Beyond Borders | Documentary
YouTube video by Seattle Men's Chorus
www.youtube.com
September 19, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Last night, the @seattlemenschorus.bsky.social premiered the documentary based on our concert, Love Beyond Borders.
It is a testimonial of the power of love, the resiliency of humanity, and just what some people go through just to be their authentic selves.
It is a testimonial of the power of love, the resiliency of humanity, and just what some people go through just to be their authentic selves.
Reposted by Larry Osterman
Since this person volunteered to be embarrassed, though I doubt someone this ignorant has any shame over their own stupidity whatsoever, let me explain to you why the firing of Jimmy Kimmel isn’t your standard “canceling” that the Republican’s are all crowing happily about.
September 19, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Since this person volunteered to be embarrassed, though I doubt someone this ignorant has any shame over their own stupidity whatsoever, let me explain to you why the firing of Jimmy Kimmel isn’t your standard “canceling” that the Republican’s are all crowing happily about.
I just upset my entire team room by shouting "Oh, you goddamned motherfucking sons of a bitch".
September 18, 2025 at 8:06 PM
I just upset my entire team room by shouting "Oh, you goddamned motherfucking sons of a bitch".
What they said.
Moderation rules need to apply to everyone, billionaires and their companies don't get a paswhat say you @moderation.bsky.app?
Moderation rules need to apply to everyone, billionaires and their companies don't get a paswhat say you @moderation.bsky.app?
To @moderation.bsky.app @safety.bsky.app @bsky.app : this vile story by the New York Post is actively attempting to incite mass violence against a vulnerable minority.
The New York Post must not be permitted to remain on this service.
The New York Post must not be permitted to remain on this service.
September 14, 2025 at 2:29 AM
What they said.
Moderation rules need to apply to everyone, billionaires and their companies don't get a paswhat say you @moderation.bsky.app?
Moderation rules need to apply to everyone, billionaires and their companies don't get a paswhat say you @moderation.bsky.app?
Reposted by Larry Osterman
Sometimes, motorsports gets it.
SCCA Solo Nats competitor is protested on Day 1 in a ladies class for being trans. Protest committee rules aggrieved party should get fucked into the sun. Day 2 the rest of class shows support for the protested party on way to her first run. She would go on to win.
SCCA Solo Nats competitor is protested on Day 1 in a ladies class for being trans. Protest committee rules aggrieved party should get fucked into the sun. Day 2 the rest of class shows support for the protested party on way to her first run. She would go on to win.
![A protest form from the Sports Car Club of America national autocross championships, alleging that a trans woman is not eligible to compete in ladies classes for [reasons]. Ruling of protest committee is that the protest has no basis and protesting party is an asshole.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:vgjmwvzjdopkybb2ylfkgzge/bafkreihgqslkpkyxar2votxulxz34vlbrhusk3az4pu74rf5w54npugvba@jpeg)
September 7, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Sometimes, motorsports gets it.
SCCA Solo Nats competitor is protested on Day 1 in a ladies class for being trans. Protest committee rules aggrieved party should get fucked into the sun. Day 2 the rest of class shows support for the protested party on way to her first run. She would go on to win.
SCCA Solo Nats competitor is protested on Day 1 in a ladies class for being trans. Protest committee rules aggrieved party should get fucked into the sun. Day 2 the rest of class shows support for the protested party on way to her first run. She would go on to win.
My new chorus bag arrived just in time for the first rehearsal next week.
September 6, 2025 at 3:40 AM
My new chorus bag arrived just in time for the first rehearsal next week.
Reposted by Larry Osterman
Bringing BASIC back: Microsoft’s 6502 BASIC is now Open Source opensource.microsoft.com/blog/2025/09...
Microsoft Releases Historic 6502 BASIC - Microsoft Open Source Blog
Explore the original 6502 BASIC—now open source! Dive into retro code, history, and emulators. Fork it, run it, and relive computing's roots.
opensource.microsoft.com
September 3, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Bringing BASIC back: Microsoft’s 6502 BASIC is now Open Source opensource.microsoft.com/blog/2025/09...
Reposted by Larry Osterman
The largest wildfire burning in the state of Washington is still alive today thanks to brave federal U.S. Border Patrol and ICE agents who arrested firefighters caught in the act of attempting to kill it.
ICE Arrests Firefighters Caught Attempting to Murder Wildfire: tinyurl.com/255zs4c5
August 28, 2025 at 9:33 PM
The largest wildfire burning in the state of Washington is still alive today thanks to brave federal U.S. Border Patrol and ICE agents who arrested firefighters caught in the act of attempting to kill it.