Mark Goodwin
@computerist.org
I help people use machines and work with information more safely.
I shared this with a recently cat-bereaved friend, who declared it "... wonderful... in fact, perfect"
I've taken the paywall off this eulogy I wrote for my magical, mysterious ex-stray cat George - who died last year - in case anybody would like a read: www.tom-cox.com/lots-of-peop...
October 30, 2025 at 7:03 PM
I shared this with a recently cat-bereaved friend, who declared it "... wonderful... in fact, perfect"
Reposted by Mark Goodwin
📣THREAD: It’s surprising to me that so many people were surprised to learn that Signal runs partly on AWS (something we can do because we use encryption to make sure no one but you–not AWS, not Signal, not anyone–can access your comms).
It’s also concerning. 1/
It’s also concerning. 1/
PSA: we're aware that Signal is down for some people. This appears to be related to a major AWS outage. Stand by.
October 27, 2025 at 10:38 AM
📣THREAD: It’s surprising to me that so many people were surprised to learn that Signal runs partly on AWS (something we can do because we use encryption to make sure no one but you–not AWS, not Signal, not anyone–can access your comms).
It’s also concerning. 1/
It’s also concerning. 1/
Reposted by Mark Goodwin
Updating my LEGO White House
October 23, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Updating my LEGO White House
Today in "everyone claims they do, but no-one does"
October 20, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Today in "everyone claims they do, but no-one does"
At what point does the sign itself count as flytipping? It's been there for years...
October 15, 2025 at 9:22 AM
At what point does the sign itself count as flytipping? It's been there for years...
Scrambled egg on toast. Or any egg-and-bread combo; fried egg sandwich, egg mayo, etc.
What's your favorite low effort meal?
October 15, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Scrambled egg on toast. Or any egg-and-bread combo; fried egg sandwich, egg mayo, etc.
Reposted by Mark Goodwin
it's kinda weird that all the software i am expected to use for work are all written by distributed teams, go, python, postgres, linux, chrome, k8s etc
and despite being told "the best teams work in an office together" i don't know of any software i use that's actually written that way
and despite being told "the best teams work in an office together" i don't know of any software i use that's actually written that way
October 13, 2025 at 5:00 PM
it's kinda weird that all the software i am expected to use for work are all written by distributed teams, go, python, postgres, linux, chrome, k8s etc
and despite being told "the best teams work in an office together" i don't know of any software i use that's actually written that way
and despite being told "the best teams work in an office together" i don't know of any software i use that's actually written that way
We take security seriously
In honor of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand
I'll go first: Six page commercial lease.
I'll go first: Six page commercial lease.
October 13, 2025 at 7:57 AM
We take security seriously
Reposted by Mark Goodwin
🌟 We've assembled a Leicestershire SUPERTEAM and are now looking for a PhD researcher to take forward the 'Seasons of Wellbeing' project - looking at how people experience green spaces across the seasons.
🌐 Learn more and apply: collaboratoryresearchhub.ac.uk/improving-we...
🌐 Learn more and apply: collaboratoryresearchhub.ac.uk/improving-we...
October 8, 2025 at 7:09 PM
🌟 We've assembled a Leicestershire SUPERTEAM and are now looking for a PhD researcher to take forward the 'Seasons of Wellbeing' project - looking at how people experience green spaces across the seasons.
🌐 Learn more and apply: collaboratoryresearchhub.ac.uk/improving-we...
🌐 Learn more and apply: collaboratoryresearchhub.ac.uk/improving-we...
Reposted by Mark Goodwin
The University of Glasgow groundspeople are going to be quite annoyed when they come in to work tomorrow...
October 1, 2025 at 5:59 PM
The University of Glasgow groundspeople are going to be quite annoyed when they come in to work tomorrow...
Reposted by Mark Goodwin
UK is the most nature blind country in Europe www.theguardian.com/environment/...
September 30, 2025 at 8:18 PM
UK is the most nature blind country in Europe www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Mark Goodwin
If anyone else in the UK would like a package just like this, for £10.99 plus £6 p&p, please give me shout at [email protected] (I have four sets left).
Fantastic book post from Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social
Thank you so much Tom, look forward to reading them.
Thank you so much Tom, look forward to reading them.
September 30, 2025 at 4:16 PM
If anyone else in the UK would like a package just like this, for £10.99 plus £6 p&p, please give me shout at [email protected] (I have four sets left).
I got some excellent post! Thank you, @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social, I shall enjoy these (once I've finished Everything Will Swallow You, that is)
September 30, 2025 at 4:50 PM
I got some excellent post! Thank you, @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social, I shall enjoy these (once I've finished Everything Will Swallow You, that is)
True (and that's not the only perverse incentive here)
The government bailing out JLR will send a strong signal to e-crime groups to retarget to the UK.
September 28, 2025 at 10:08 AM
True (and that's not the only perverse incentive here)
"I apologize" from AI tools really grinds my gears. An apology requires an understanding of what you did wrong, an understanding of how it affects the other party and a desire to do better. AI has none of these.
September 25, 2025 at 9:24 AM
"I apologize" from AI tools really grinds my gears. An apology requires an understanding of what you did wrong, an understanding of how it affects the other party and a desire to do better. AI has none of these.
I love this book. Thank you, @jobellwriter.bsky.social !
September 23, 2025 at 9:26 PM
I love this book. Thank you, @jobellwriter.bsky.social !
Reposted by Mark Goodwin
The easiest part of my job is being fighty and mean to powerful people when they are wrong. The hardest part of my job is being constructive and kind to people with less power than me when they are wrong.
September 10, 2025 at 5:52 PM
The easiest part of my job is being fighty and mean to powerful people when they are wrong. The hardest part of my job is being constructive and kind to people with less power than me when they are wrong.
Reposted by Mark Goodwin
I scored 12/28 on jsdate.wtf and all I got was this lousy text to share on social media.
new Date("wtf")
How well do you know JavaScript's Date class?
jsdate.wtf
July 17, 2025 at 6:32 AM
I scored 12/28 on jsdate.wtf and all I got was this lousy text to share on social media.
Reposted by Mark Goodwin
when your values are so important
that you put them up top
and you thought about them so deeply
that they all start with P
then it is no accident
that "privacy" is not one of them
welcome to the AI browser wars 🥳
comet.perplexity.ai#values
that you put them up top
and you thought about them so deeply
that they all start with P
then it is no accident
that "privacy" is not one of them
welcome to the AI browser wars 🥳
comet.perplexity.ai#values
July 11, 2025 at 11:31 AM
when your values are so important
that you put them up top
and you thought about them so deeply
that they all start with P
then it is no accident
that "privacy" is not one of them
welcome to the AI browser wars 🥳
comet.perplexity.ai#values
that you put them up top
and you thought about them so deeply
that they all start with P
then it is no accident
that "privacy" is not one of them
welcome to the AI browser wars 🥳
comet.perplexity.ai#values
Reposted by Mark Goodwin
Bad news: I now can’t make @steelcon.info this week!
Good news: I have one steelcon ticket, free to a good home!
Good news: I have one steelcon ticket, free to a good home!
July 7, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Bad news: I now can’t make @steelcon.info this week!
Good news: I have one steelcon ticket, free to a good home!
Good news: I have one steelcon ticket, free to a good home!
Reposted by Mark Goodwin
The names of Australia’s seasons are Flood, Fire, Drought
May 22, 2025 at 8:57 AM
The names of Australia’s seasons are Flood, Fire, Drought
"Excellence is situational" (the whole thread is good)
I promise you, you didn't find the Dumbest Company in the World as the only place that would employ you.
Excellence is situational.
Amazing employees at one company are rubbish at another; it's not a reflection on you.
Excellence is situational.
Amazing employees at one company are rubbish at another; it's not a reflection on you.
May 14, 2025 at 5:48 PM
"Excellence is situational" (the whole thread is good)
Reposted by Mark Goodwin
Fuck it. I'm going to give away 100 books. If you'd like one of these, signed, email yr address to [email protected]. All I ask is that you give me the postage (£4 UK). If you can give me more, brilliant. If not, no probs.
Stephen Fry called this "hilarious.". I think it's my best non-fiction book.
Stephen Fry called this "hilarious.". I think it's my best non-fiction book.
May 13, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Fuck it. I'm going to give away 100 books. If you'd like one of these, signed, email yr address to [email protected]. All I ask is that you give me the postage (£4 UK). If you can give me more, brilliant. If not, no probs.
Stephen Fry called this "hilarious.". I think it's my best non-fiction book.
Stephen Fry called this "hilarious.". I think it's my best non-fiction book.