Michael Castellon
@mcastellon.bsky.social
Content strategist and technical comm pro. Private pilot with a flair for tech and equity. Austin-based, Illinois-raised.
Reposted by Michael Castellon
The Internet Archive has to date downloaded 500 terabytes of US government websites, which it crawls at the end of every presidential term. The whole archive is fully searchable. This effort's housed by a donation-funded nonprofit, not a branch of the US government. blog.archive.org/2024/05/08/e...
End of Term Web Archive – Preserving the Transition of a Nation | Internet Archive Blogs
blog.archive.org
February 1, 2025 at 12:58 AM
The Internet Archive has to date downloaded 500 terabytes of US government websites, which it crawls at the end of every presidential term. The whole archive is fully searchable. This effort's housed by a donation-funded nonprofit, not a branch of the US government. blog.archive.org/2024/05/08/e...
Reposted by Michael Castellon
The IRS’ direct file service opened for 25 states today. It’s a historic example of how civic technology can work for good. civic-texts.ghost.io/direct-file-...
Direct File shows how civic tech can work for good
Good evening from Washington, where the news cycles are moving faster than rats on a hot tin roof.
Thanks to all of the news subscribers over the weekend and everyone whose become a member since soft...
civic-texts.ghost.io
January 28, 2025 at 2:35 AM
The IRS’ direct file service opened for 25 states today. It’s a historic example of how civic technology can work for good. civic-texts.ghost.io/direct-file-...
Reposted by Michael Castellon
If you are so inclined, here's "How to delete your Facebook account and take your data with you. Meta has buried account deletion and deactivation within your Facebook settings, but we found them." www.popsci.com/diy/how-to-d...
How to delete your Facebook account and take your data with you
If you want to know how to delete your Facebook account, follow these steps to get rid of it, and also save anything you want to keep.
www.popsci.com
January 10, 2025 at 8:36 PM
If you are so inclined, here's "How to delete your Facebook account and take your data with you. Meta has buried account deletion and deactivation within your Facebook settings, but we found them." www.popsci.com/diy/how-to-d...
North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii
January 19, 2025 at 6:45 AM
North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii
Reposted by Michael Castellon
You’re the US Marines band at the White House and Mavis Staples 👑 walks into the room so you start playing "I’ll Take You There" and this happens👇
December 24, 2024 at 1:37 AM
You’re the US Marines band at the White House and Mavis Staples 👑 walks into the room so you start playing "I’ll Take You There" and this happens👇
Reposted by Michael Castellon
Reposted by Michael Castellon
This is what the internet was supposed to be
About once a year, I remember that I run an enormously popular API for converting ZIP codes to plant hardiness zones, and check the traffic stats. Today's the day!
In the past month, it's averaged 640,000 requests daily. I only keep 60 days of stats, but that's ~233M requests in 2024. 😳
In the past month, it's averaged 640,000 requests daily. I only keep 60 days of stats, but that's ~233M requests in 2024. 😳
December 18, 2024 at 2:50 AM
This is what the internet was supposed to be
Reposted by Michael Castellon
Reposted by Michael Castellon
I just filed a new edition of Civic Texts:
civic-texts.ghost.io/the-drone-my...
It’s a digest, as opposed to a singular essay, clearing out some of my notebook and being open about where things stand with me.
If you find it valuable, please consider subscribing and amplifying to your networks.
civic-texts.ghost.io/the-drone-my...
It’s a digest, as opposed to a singular essay, clearing out some of my notebook and being open about where things stand with me.
If you find it valuable, please consider subscribing and amplifying to your networks.
Why we need more sunshine in government, and less Daylight Saving time in the USA
Good afternoon from Washington, where I’ve been holding down the fort for a tween, two dogs, and a growing end-of-year checklist.
I hope you and yours are well. If you’re receiving this message, it’s...
civic-texts.ghost.io
December 16, 2024 at 7:08 PM
I just filed a new edition of Civic Texts:
civic-texts.ghost.io/the-drone-my...
It’s a digest, as opposed to a singular essay, clearing out some of my notebook and being open about where things stand with me.
If you find it valuable, please consider subscribing and amplifying to your networks.
civic-texts.ghost.io/the-drone-my...
It’s a digest, as opposed to a singular essay, clearing out some of my notebook and being open about where things stand with me.
If you find it valuable, please consider subscribing and amplifying to your networks.
Reposted by Michael Castellon
Polio cases in US states, before and after introduction of the polio vaccine
graphics.wsj.com/infectious-d...
graphics.wsj.com/infectious-d...
December 14, 2024 at 4:00 AM
Polio cases in US states, before and after introduction of the polio vaccine
graphics.wsj.com/infectious-d...
graphics.wsj.com/infectious-d...
Great technical editing goes beyond grammar. Focus on clarity, consistency, and the reader’s perspective. If the audience can’t act on the content, the edits don’t matter. #TechnicalWriting #EditingTips
December 2, 2024 at 5:21 PM
Great technical editing goes beyond grammar. Focus on clarity, consistency, and the reader’s perspective. If the audience can’t act on the content, the edits don’t matter. #TechnicalWriting #EditingTips
Reposted by Michael Castellon
Musk admitted X throttles links, and Threads is only a little better. But social media's quiet war on links has been going on for years. I wrote about how big tech has been draining the open web's lifeblood and giving us "news influencers" instead of the news. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Analysis | Musk admits X throttles links as ‘news influencers’ take over
Hard times for the humble hyperlink and those who depend on it.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 27, 2024 at 2:24 PM
Musk admitted X throttles links, and Threads is only a little better. But social media's quiet war on links has been going on for years. I wrote about how big tech has been draining the open web's lifeblood and giving us "news influencers" instead of the news. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Michael Castellon
The Thanksgiving classic Planes, Trains and Automobiles is more than a comedy about getting home in time for dinner, it’s a lesson about money and the importance of human connection too. @fastcompany.com
The hidden money lessons in the Thanksgiving classic 'Planes, Trains & Automobiles'
The John Hughes comedy classic explores the meaning of friendship—but don’t overlook the important money lessons mixed in with the laughs.
www.fastcompany.com
November 23, 2024 at 3:48 PM
The Thanksgiving classic Planes, Trains and Automobiles is more than a comedy about getting home in time for dinner, it’s a lesson about money and the importance of human connection too. @fastcompany.com
General aviation does more than recreation — it includes 440,000+ aircraft worldwide, supporting medevac, organ transport, disaster relief, and more. #AviationFacts #GeneralAviation
November 22, 2024 at 4:41 AM
General aviation does more than recreation — it includes 440,000+ aircraft worldwide, supporting medevac, organ transport, disaster relief, and more. #AviationFacts #GeneralAviation
Reposted by Michael Castellon
Telling #Ukraine they should give up land currently occupied by Russian forces…
…would be like the U.S. loosing:
Montana
New Mexico
Arizona
Nevada
Colorado
Oregon
Utah
…all together.
That’s not a peace plan, it’s appeasement.
…would be like the U.S. loosing:
Montana
New Mexico
Arizona
Nevada
Colorado
Oregon
Utah
…all together.
That’s not a peace plan, it’s appeasement.
November 19, 2024 at 7:00 PM
Telling #Ukraine they should give up land currently occupied by Russian forces…
…would be like the U.S. loosing:
Montana
New Mexico
Arizona
Nevada
Colorado
Oregon
Utah
…all together.
That’s not a peace plan, it’s appeasement.
…would be like the U.S. loosing:
Montana
New Mexico
Arizona
Nevada
Colorado
Oregon
Utah
…all together.
That’s not a peace plan, it’s appeasement.
Reposted by Michael Castellon
The shift from billionaire-controlled social media to decentralized platforms like Bluesky offers a hopeful change on the internet
🔗 www.404media.co/the-great-mi...
🔗 www.404media.co/the-great-mi...
November 15, 2024 at 3:43 PM
The shift from billionaire-controlled social media to decentralized platforms like Bluesky offers a hopeful change on the internet
🔗 www.404media.co/the-great-mi...
🔗 www.404media.co/the-great-mi...
Reposted by Michael Castellon
Today in relatable science: Gulls making a mysterious daily trip that turned out to be to a potato chip factory
November 15, 2024 at 8:15 PM
Today in relatable science: Gulls making a mysterious daily trip that turned out to be to a potato chip factory
The stakes for clear technical communication have never been higher. When the public can’t grasp policies or scientific info, misinformation fills the gap. Writing with precision isn’t just a skill, it’s a civic duty.
November 16, 2024 at 12:00 AM
The stakes for clear technical communication have never been higher. When the public can’t grasp policies or scientific info, misinformation fills the gap. Writing with precision isn’t just a skill, it’s a civic duty.