John Schrag
@jvschrag.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy
Retired software engineer, interaction designer, and UX exec in the #VFX software field. Original Maya team member. 🏳️🌈
I write about a lot of things […]
[bridged from https://hachyderm.io/@jvschrag on the fediverse by https://fed.brid.gy/ ]
I write about a lot of things […]
[bridged from https://hachyderm.io/@jvschrag on the fediverse by https://fed.brid.gy/ ]
January 26, 2026 at 3:18 PM
It seems the snowfall here is slowing down, so I did a second round of shovelling. We’ve had 60-70cm of accumulation in my neighbourhood, the largest one-day snowfall in Toronto in recorded history, I believe.
Our car is effectively unavailable until further […]
[Original post on hachyderm.io]
Our car is effectively unavailable until further […]
[Original post on hachyderm.io]
January 26, 2026 at 2:29 AM
It seems the snowfall here is slowing down, so I did a second round of shovelling. We’ve had 60-70cm of accumulation in my neighbourhood, the largest one-day snowfall in Toronto in recorded history, I believe.
Our car is effectively unavailable until further […]
[Original post on hachyderm.io]
Our car is effectively unavailable until further […]
[Original post on hachyderm.io]
Cold weather fun for this weekend: once it gets down around -20C/-10F or so there are some fun things you can try.
One is to take a mug of boiling-hot water and throw it into the air outside. It will turn instantly into snow. (Well, not really. Most of it will fall to the ground, but enough of […]
One is to take a mug of boiling-hot water and throw it into the air outside. It will turn instantly into snow. (Well, not really. Most of it will fall to the ground, but enough of […]
Original post on hachyderm.io
hachyderm.io
January 24, 2026 at 1:22 PM
Cold weather fun for this weekend: once it gets down around -20C/-10F or so there are some fun things you can try.
One is to take a mug of boiling-hot water and throw it into the air outside. It will turn instantly into snow. (Well, not really. Most of it will fall to the ground, but enough of […]
One is to take a mug of boiling-hot water and throw it into the air outside. It will turn instantly into snow. (Well, not really. Most of it will fall to the ground, but enough of […]
[Heated Rivalry spoilers and possibly unpopular opinion]
I really enjoyed Heated Rivalry, but I was struck by the stark contrast between the two love stories.
Kip and Scott’s story is one of real courage. Kip is willing to walk away from his rich, famous, smokin’-hot lover because of his […]
I really enjoyed Heated Rivalry, but I was struck by the stark contrast between the two love stories.
Kip and Scott’s story is one of real courage. Kip is willing to walk away from his rich, famous, smokin’-hot lover because of his […]
Original post on hachyderm.io
hachyderm.io
January 23, 2026 at 3:33 PM
[Heated Rivalry spoilers and possibly unpopular opinion]
I really enjoyed Heated Rivalry, but I was struck by the stark contrast between the two love stories.
Kip and Scott’s story is one of real courage. Kip is willing to walk away from his rich, famous, smokin’-hot lover because of his […]
I really enjoyed Heated Rivalry, but I was struck by the stark contrast between the two love stories.
Kip and Scott’s story is one of real courage. Kip is willing to walk away from his rich, famous, smokin’-hot lover because of his […]
Reposted by John Schrag
“In London cyclists now outnumber cars in the City by 2 to 1. Paris, where they now outnumber motorists across the whole city, is catching up with Europe’s traditional bike capitals, Amsterdam & Copenhagen…In Copenhagen, bikes account for almost half of commuter trips to work/school.” @economist.com
Forget EVs. Cycling is revolutionising transport
Pedal power is booming, spinning up a new culture war
www.economist.com
January 23, 2026 at 8:11 AM
“In London cyclists now outnumber cars in the City by 2 to 1. Paris, where they now outnumber motorists across the whole city, is catching up with Europe’s traditional bike capitals, Amsterdam & Copenhagen…In Copenhagen, bikes account for almost half of commuter trips to work/school.” @economist.com
When I was in high school, I was almost failing my history course. I was working really hard at it, too. I just couldn’t seem to impress my teacher.
In the second semester we were studying China. As I was prepping for the final exam, I saw a chapter in our textbook about the Eightfold Path. We […]
In the second semester we were studying China. As I was prepping for the final exam, I saw a chapter in our textbook about the Eightfold Path. We […]
Original post on hachyderm.io
hachyderm.io
January 22, 2026 at 1:53 PM
When I was in high school, I was almost failing my history course. I was working really hard at it, too. I just couldn’t seem to impress my teacher.
In the second semester we were studying China. As I was prepping for the final exam, I saw a chapter in our textbook about the Eightfold Path. We […]
In the second semester we were studying China. As I was prepping for the final exam, I saw a chapter in our textbook about the Eightfold Path. We […]
[Starfleet Academy Episode 2 very minor spoiler]
I’ve finally watched episode 2 of Starfleet Academy — I’m really enjoying it. But I’m a bit puzzled about the Betazoids. In this episode, they were referred to as “a race of empaths”. But canonically they were a race of telepaths. In TNG they […]
I’ve finally watched episode 2 of Starfleet Academy — I’m really enjoying it. But I’m a bit puzzled about the Betazoids. In this episode, they were referred to as “a race of empaths”. But canonically they were a race of telepaths. In TNG they […]
Original post on hachyderm.io
hachyderm.io
January 21, 2026 at 11:33 PM
[Starfleet Academy Episode 2 very minor spoiler]
I’ve finally watched episode 2 of Starfleet Academy — I’m really enjoying it. But I’m a bit puzzled about the Betazoids. In this episode, they were referred to as “a race of empaths”. But canonically they were a race of telepaths. In TNG they […]
I’ve finally watched episode 2 of Starfleet Academy — I’m really enjoying it. But I’m a bit puzzled about the Betazoids. In this episode, they were referred to as “a race of empaths”. But canonically they were a race of telepaths. In TNG they […]
New rule: you are not allowed to say a TV show or movie is “bad” unless you can also clearly specify “for whom/what” and “based on what specific criteria”.
Still allowed/encouraged: You may say “I don’t like it” or “It’s not for me” and you don’t have to give any reason whatsoever.
There are […]
Still allowed/encouraged: You may say “I don’t like it” or “It’s not for me” and you don’t have to give any reason whatsoever.
There are […]
Original post on hachyderm.io
hachyderm.io
January 21, 2026 at 5:17 PM
New rule: you are not allowed to say a TV show or movie is “bad” unless you can also clearly specify “for whom/what” and “based on what specific criteria”.
Still allowed/encouraged: You may say “I don’t like it” or “It’s not for me” and you don’t have to give any reason whatsoever.
There are […]
Still allowed/encouraged: You may say “I don’t like it” or “It’s not for me” and you don’t have to give any reason whatsoever.
There are […]
Normally I pay no attention whatsoever to royalty, but with Greenland in the news I saw for the first time some images of Danish King Frederik X and damn that’s one fine-looking king you got there.
January 18, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Normally I pay no attention whatsoever to royalty, but with Greenland in the news I saw for the first time some images of Danish King Frederik X and damn that’s one fine-looking king you got there.
Well, I finally watched “Tron: Ares”. The three Tron films sort of bracket my career; the first one came out in 1982, when I was just starting University. It was one of the films that inspired me to study computer graphics there. After I graduated my second job was working at Alias Research […]
Original post on hachyderm.io
hachyderm.io
January 18, 2026 at 3:27 AM
Well, I finally watched “Tron: Ares”. The three Tron films sort of bracket my career; the first one came out in 1982, when I was just starting University. It was one of the films that inspired me to study computer graphics there. After I graduated my second job was working at Alias Research […]
Last night I went to see a play about the Labour movement here in Toronto – specifically about the 1872 printers’ strike. It was called “NINE HOURS NOW! The Battle for a Shorter Working Day”. The play was put on by the Toronto Worker’s Theatre Group, and we watched it at a Steelworkers Union […]
Original post on hachyderm.io
hachyderm.io
January 17, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Last night I went to see a play about the Labour movement here in Toronto – specifically about the 1872 printers’ strike. It was called “NINE HOURS NOW! The Battle for a Shorter Working Day”. The play was put on by the Toronto Worker’s Theatre Group, and we watched it at a Steelworkers Union […]
I can’t think of a better place to ask a Linux question than the Fedi, so here goes:
I’m running some usability tests for a volunteer organization, and many of the test participants are using Linux (mostly I’m seeing Ubuntu). I’ve been using Zoom for teleconferencing and screen sharing, but […]
I’m running some usability tests for a volunteer organization, and many of the test participants are using Linux (mostly I’m seeing Ubuntu). I’ve been using Zoom for teleconferencing and screen sharing, but […]
Original post on hachyderm.io
hachyderm.io
January 16, 2026 at 3:12 PM
I can’t think of a better place to ask a Linux question than the Fedi, so here goes:
I’m running some usability tests for a volunteer organization, and many of the test participants are using Linux (mostly I’m seeing Ubuntu). I’ve been using Zoom for teleconferencing and screen sharing, but […]
I’m running some usability tests for a volunteer organization, and many of the test participants are using Linux (mostly I’m seeing Ubuntu). I’ve been using Zoom for teleconferencing and screen sharing, but […]
[Starfleet Academy ep 1 no spoilers]
Damn, that was a strong start. Beautiful visuals, too. I hope to see more of Paul Giamatti’s character, he’s so much fun to watch on screen. I’m saving episode 2 to enjoy on another day.
#StarFleetAcademy
Damn, that was a strong start. Beautiful visuals, too. I hope to see more of Paul Giamatti’s character, he’s so much fun to watch on screen. I’m saving episode 2 to enjoy on another day.
#StarFleetAcademy
January 16, 2026 at 2:38 AM
[Starfleet Academy ep 1 no spoilers]
Damn, that was a strong start. Beautiful visuals, too. I hope to see more of Paul Giamatti’s character, he’s so much fun to watch on screen. I’m saving episode 2 to enjoy on another day.
#StarFleetAcademy
Damn, that was a strong start. Beautiful visuals, too. I hope to see more of Paul Giamatti’s character, he’s so much fun to watch on screen. I’m saving episode 2 to enjoy on another day.
#StarFleetAcademy
I just finished reading the book “How to Change a Memory” by neuroscientist Steve Ramirez. It’s one of the most unique pop-science books I’ve ever read, because this book about memory is also (fittingly) a memoire. Ramirez tells the story of his thesis work on the neural basis of memory (using […]
Original post on hachyderm.io
hachyderm.io
January 15, 2026 at 3:30 AM
I just finished reading the book “How to Change a Memory” by neuroscientist Steve Ramirez. It’s one of the most unique pop-science books I’ve ever read, because this book about memory is also (fittingly) a memoire. Ramirez tells the story of his thesis work on the neural basis of memory (using […]
So now I’m watching Tron Legacy (2010). At the start of the film, we see that two of the lead characters from the previous film have become the co-CEOs of the company, rewarded for their accomplishments. One had written a very popular videogame, and the other some infosec software.
The third […]
The third […]
Original post on hachyderm.io
hachyderm.io
January 11, 2026 at 5:12 PM
So now I’m watching Tron Legacy (2010). At the start of the film, we see that two of the lead characters from the previous film have become the co-CEOs of the company, rewarded for their accomplishments. One had written a very popular videogame, and the other some infosec software.
The third […]
The third […]
I’m re-watching the original “Tron” probably for the first time since it came out in 1982. So much rotoscoping.
The “bad guy” in the film is a big piece of software that can talk. It is going across networks and vacuuming up every bit of code and data in the world, making itself (it claims) […]
The “bad guy” in the film is a big piece of software that can talk. It is going across networks and vacuuming up every bit of code and data in the world, making itself (it claims) […]
Original post on hachyderm.io
hachyderm.io
January 10, 2026 at 7:49 PM
I’m re-watching the original “Tron” probably for the first time since it came out in 1982. So much rotoscoping.
The “bad guy” in the film is a big piece of software that can talk. It is going across networks and vacuuming up every bit of code and data in the world, making itself (it claims) […]
The “bad guy” in the film is a big piece of software that can talk. It is going across networks and vacuuming up every bit of code and data in the world, making itself (it claims) […]
I made some mascarpone cheese yesterday, and it came out really nice. (I can’t buy it lactose-free, so I made my own.)
There are a huge range of dairy products that are easily made at home, differing only in these variables:
1. Do you start with milk or cream?
2. Do you curdle it with acid or […]
There are a huge range of dairy products that are easily made at home, differing only in these variables:
1. Do you start with milk or cream?
2. Do you curdle it with acid or […]
Original post on hachyderm.io
hachyderm.io
January 9, 2026 at 3:30 PM
I made some mascarpone cheese yesterday, and it came out really nice. (I can’t buy it lactose-free, so I made my own.)
There are a huge range of dairy products that are easily made at home, differing only in these variables:
1. Do you start with milk or cream?
2. Do you curdle it with acid or […]
There are a huge range of dairy products that are easily made at home, differing only in these variables:
1. Do you start with milk or cream?
2. Do you curdle it with acid or […]
RE: https://piaille.fr/@romain_leclaire/115848644361922674
Romain Leclaire has written a history of Mastodon and the Fediverse, and made it free to download. If you can read French, check it out!
Romain Leclaire has written a history of Mastodon and the Fediverse, and made it free to download. If you can read French, check it out!
Mon projet de livre sur #mastodon et le #fédivers est enfin terminé. Je suis ravi de vous le partager aujourd'hui. Il se veut facile d'accès dans le but de donner envie aux lecteurs de nous rejoindre? Partagez-le autour de vous et n'hésitez pas à me faire des […]
[Original post on piaille.fr]
[Original post on piaille.fr]
January 7, 2026 at 2:47 PM
RE: https://piaille.fr/@romain_leclaire/115848644361922674
Romain Leclaire has written a history of Mastodon and the Fediverse, and made it free to download. If you can read French, check it out!
Romain Leclaire has written a history of Mastodon and the Fediverse, and made it free to download. If you can read French, check it out!
I just finished listening to the audio version of Ed Yong’s book “An Immense World”, which I found endlessly fascinating. It’s an exploration of the science of the senses — most particularly, how animal senses differ from our own, and how basically every creature lives in a unique world defined […]
Original post on hachyderm.io
hachyderm.io
January 6, 2026 at 3:25 PM
I just finished listening to the audio version of Ed Yong’s book “An Immense World”, which I found endlessly fascinating. It’s an exploration of the science of the senses — most particularly, how animal senses differ from our own, and how basically every creature lives in a unique world defined […]
The Toronto Workers Theatre Group in Toronto is presenting a historical play about the 1872 struggle for shorter working days. The performances are on January 14, 15, and 16. Tickets are free, so if you need a reminder that working people can stand up to business interests successfully, this […]
Original post on hachyderm.io
hachyderm.io
January 5, 2026 at 3:55 PM
The Toronto Workers Theatre Group in Toronto is presenting a historical play about the 1872 struggle for shorter working days. The performances are on January 14, 15, and 16. Tickets are free, so if you need a reminder that working people can stand up to business interests successfully, this […]
I’m in the process of digitizing my late mother’s little hand-typed/written recipe cards to share with my siblings.
Anyone want a recipe for Creamed Salmon on Toast?
Anyone want a recipe for Creamed Salmon on Toast?
January 4, 2026 at 10:12 PM
I’m in the process of digitizing my late mother’s little hand-typed/written recipe cards to share with my siblings.
Anyone want a recipe for Creamed Salmon on Toast?
Anyone want a recipe for Creamed Salmon on Toast?
I’m just assuming that Pierre Poilievre texted Mark Carney’s home address to Trump this morning after reading the morning paper.
#canpoli
#canpoli
January 3, 2026 at 4:58 PM
I’m just assuming that Pierre Poilievre texted Mark Carney’s home address to Trump this morning after reading the morning paper.
#canpoli
#canpoli
Reposted by John Schrag
If you enjoy a year-end review to close out the past twelve months and set intentions for the next, YearCompass (https://yearcompass.com/) is fantastic and just published their 2026 version. It's a free resource that helps you reflect on your achievements and challenges. Doesn't even require you […]
Original post on social.coop
social.coop
December 17, 2025 at 7:27 PM
If you enjoy a year-end review to close out the past twelve months and set intentions for the next, YearCompass (https://yearcompass.com/) is fantastic and just published their 2026 version. It's a free resource that helps you reflect on your achievements and challenges. Doesn't even require you […]