Arjen Poutsma
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poutsma.bsky.social
Arjen Poutsma
@poutsma.bsky.social
Former Spring Framework committer, now writing Call of Cthulhu scenarios.
Today we played our 40th and final session of Black Lancers, my WW2 Pulp Cthulhu campaign following the trail of the Polish Black Brigade through Europe, as the heroes hunt for ancient Christian artifacts.
This was the 2nd time I have run this campaign, and it has been a joy from start to finish.
December 14, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Time for that yearly December tradition: Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn.
December 12, 2025 at 6:37 PM
@clownf1st.bsky.social there is a new comic describing the events that happened on the Batavia in 1629. I think you recommended Mike Dash’s book to me at GROGmeet 2019.
The comic is in Dutch, unfortunately, perhaps a translation is forthcoming.
1 deel 1: De apotheker van de duivel - Standaard Uitgeverij
Lees meer
www.standaarduitgeverij.be
December 11, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Fun Dutch fact: Claude sounds like kloot (“testicle”), as in verkloten (“to fuck up”).
So Claude fucked up the code becomes “Claude heeft de code verkloot”, which rhymes.
December 9, 2025 at 10:51 AM
December 8, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Post one of your favourite 90s comedies…

For me: Delicatessen
November 18, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Reposted by Arjen Poutsma
Hello #JFall! Lots of great choices this afternoon and I hope you'll join me to share a new chapter for Spring Boot.

See you there? Room 9, 2:40PM

@nljug.bsky.social #java
November 6, 2025 at 12:47 PM
@sirlarkins.bsky.social Your Dutch accent was sufficiently gezellig.
Gezelligheid - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
November 3, 2025 at 11:26 AM
ChatJFC
MS Christ or iChrist though? 🤔
An ex-Intel CEO’s mission to build a Christian AI: ‘hasten the coming of Christ’s return’
October 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Brb, just Loom Scrolling.
October 28, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Excellent podcast on Java stewardship with @mreinhold.org
Overcast
Podcast player app for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.
overcast.fm
October 24, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Good APIs are like ogres: they have layers.
But unlike ogres, APIs should be friendly on the outside and complex underneath.
A short post about API layering, simplicity vs. power, and how Spring MVC tries to get it right.

#Java #Kotlin #APIDesign #SpringFramework
Why Good APIs Are Like Ogres · Poutsma Principles
poutsma-principles.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Three of my #CallOfCthulhu scenarios are on sale, so this is your chance to pay me less than usual!
www.drivethrurpg.com
October 21, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Working on Handouts for my Black Lancers campaign, this is for Operation Totalize (8th August 1944).
October 15, 2025 at 8:13 PM
October 14, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Nothing says ‘Defend the Netherlands’ like doing it in English.
October 12, 2025 at 12:48 PM
In a way, this talk was my farewell speech to my former colleagues, and I’m happy that it was so well received by them.

Keep fighting the good fight!
Fantastic and truly entertaining talk. Thank you ❤️🍃
October 9, 2025 at 4:08 PM
My Devoxx talk "A Long Spring: 19 Years of Living with Your Past Mistakes" has been published on YouTube.
Enjoy!
A Long Spring: 19 Years of Living with Your Past Mistakes by Arjen Poutsma
YouTube video by Devoxx
www.youtube.com
October 9, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Getting a “kapsalon” in Antwerp.
October 8, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Reposted by Arjen Poutsma
A long spring, 3 core qualities.

@poutsma.bsky.social at #Devoxx
October 8, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Good afternoon, #Devoxx. I know that there there are a lot of interesting sessions this afternoon, but only one of them will feature dancing!

You know what to do.

See you in room 4, at 15:00, for my session “A Long Spring: 19 Years of Living with Your Past Mistakes”.
October 8, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Listening to The Smiths to get me in the right mood for my presentation this afternoon.
'What Difference Does It Make? (John Peel Session, 5/18/83)' van The Smiths op Apple Music
Nummer· 1984 · Speelduur 3:13
music.apple.com
October 8, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Goedemorgen Antwerpen!
#Devoxx
October 7, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Dutch judge rules Meta must offer an “algorithm-free option.”

Finally, software engineering enters the post-algorithm era.
Rechter: Instagram en Facebook moeten algoritmevrije optie krijgen
Bits of Freedom eiste dat in een rechtszaak en kreeg gelijk van de Nederlandse rechter.
nos.nl
October 2, 2025 at 12:05 PM
No worries, Copenhagen.
I will do so tomorrow.
October 2, 2025 at 10:04 AM