Simon Lyall
@slyall.bsky.social
Living in Auckland, New Zealand.
I write about IT, Public Transport, Auckland, Food, Trailers, Audiobooks & Geeky stuff
Work with Cloud Infrastructure. Kubernetes, AWS, Linux, Monitoring, etc.
Blog: https://blog.darkmere.gen.nz/
I write about IT, Public Transport, Auckland, Food, Trailers, Audiobooks & Geeky stuff
Work with Cloud Infrastructure. Kubernetes, AWS, Linux, Monitoring, etc.
Blog: https://blog.darkmere.gen.nz/
Pinned
Audiobooks – December 2025
After Eden: A short history of the world by John Charles Chasteen 3/5
Ground Combat by Ben Connable 3/5
Breakneck: China’s Quest to Engineer the Future by Dan Wang 4/5
The Devil Reached towards the Sky by Garrett M. Graff 4/5
blog.darkmere.gen.nz/2026/01/audi...
After Eden: A short history of the world by John Charles Chasteen 3/5
Ground Combat by Ben Connable 3/5
Breakneck: China’s Quest to Engineer the Future by Dan Wang 4/5
The Devil Reached towards the Sky by Garrett M. Graff 4/5
blog.darkmere.gen.nz/2026/01/audi...
Reposted by Simon Lyall
There’s already a yawning cultural divide between those who use ChatGPT (et al) so frequently they don’t even register any more and those who wouldn’t let it within 100 miles of any written or creative effort they make.
![You’ve got super fans pausing and zooming in on individuals frames of your documentary. One allegedly shows one of the Duffers with a ChatGPT tab open on their computer. In your presence, what did they use ChatGPT for?
I mean, are we even sure they had ChatGPT open?
I’m personally not, but the internet seems sure.
Well, there’s a lot of chatter where [social media users] are like, “We don’t really know, but we’re assuming.” But to me it’s like, doesn’t everybody have it open, to just do quick research?
I do.
How can you possibly write a storyline with 19 characters and use ChatGPT, I don’t even understand.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7t2urmt3i33jl6tjgiolio6g/bafkreidw2tmcr2ayq74oqmjm5pn2tdox6hlxnpqevhuqqj6oa7nsslx3oi@jpeg)
January 13, 2026 at 10:20 PM
There’s already a yawning cultural divide between those who use ChatGPT (et al) so frequently they don’t even register any more and those who wouldn’t let it within 100 miles of any written or creative effort they make.
Well I just copied a 6 line python script off stackoverflow and ran it.
But it was buggy (I think assumed python2) so I got AI to find the bug
Sometimes you need to use both the old ways and the new ways to fix a problem.
But it was buggy (I think assumed python2) so I got AI to find the bug
Sometimes you need to use both the old ways and the new ways to fix a problem.
January 13, 2026 at 3:16 AM
Well I just copied a 6 line python script off stackoverflow and ran it.
But it was buggy (I think assumed python2) so I got AI to find the bug
Sometimes you need to use both the old ways and the new ways to fix a problem.
But it was buggy (I think assumed python2) so I got AI to find the bug
Sometimes you need to use both the old ways and the new ways to fix a problem.
Just realised I'm old enough to remember when we used to use to have phone-books on every desk in the office
Younger generation probably wouldn't know what they were and how to use one
These days computer screens have better height adjustment or people use reams of printer paper
Younger generation probably wouldn't know what they were and how to use one
These days computer screens have better height adjustment or people use reams of printer paper
January 13, 2026 at 12:32 AM
Just realised I'm old enough to remember when we used to use to have phone-books on every desk in the office
Younger generation probably wouldn't know what they were and how to use one
These days computer screens have better height adjustment or people use reams of printer paper
Younger generation probably wouldn't know what they were and how to use one
These days computer screens have better height adjustment or people use reams of printer paper
No luck swapping drives as don't appear compatible and I don't have the right screwdriver to open one laptop.
Ordered a new drive. Going to cost me $50 for the drive and $80 to put in the laptop
Ordered a new drive. Going to cost me $50 for the drive and $80 to put in the laptop
Checking my laptop and it looks like the drive is busted. All sort of random errors trying to access the file system.
Tried another on I had lying around and that just beeps rather than boots.
I hoping the drive in the busted one still works and I can swap it over.
Tried another on I had lying around and that just beeps rather than boots.
I hoping the drive in the busted one still works and I can swap it over.
January 12, 2026 at 11:52 PM
No luck swapping drives as don't appear compatible and I don't have the right screwdriver to open one laptop.
Ordered a new drive. Going to cost me $50 for the drive and $80 to put in the laptop
Ordered a new drive. Going to cost me $50 for the drive and $80 to put in the laptop
Shower Thought:
Ops people have increasing needed good programming skills to get (and sometimes do) jobs
But AI coding tools are giving everyone a reasonable level of coding skills (which is usually enough for most Ops) so somebody having these skills "native" isn't as important anymore
Ops people have increasing needed good programming skills to get (and sometimes do) jobs
But AI coding tools are giving everyone a reasonable level of coding skills (which is usually enough for most Ops) so somebody having these skills "native" isn't as important anymore
January 12, 2026 at 8:13 AM
Shower Thought:
Ops people have increasing needed good programming skills to get (and sometimes do) jobs
But AI coding tools are giving everyone a reasonable level of coding skills (which is usually enough for most Ops) so somebody having these skills "native" isn't as important anymore
Ops people have increasing needed good programming skills to get (and sometimes do) jobs
But AI coding tools are giving everyone a reasonable level of coding skills (which is usually enough for most Ops) so somebody having these skills "native" isn't as important anymore
Checking my laptop and it looks like the drive is busted. All sort of random errors trying to access the file system.
Tried another on I had lying around and that just beeps rather than boots.
I hoping the drive in the busted one still works and I can swap it over.
Tried another on I had lying around and that just beeps rather than boots.
I hoping the drive in the busted one still works and I can swap it over.
January 11, 2026 at 10:54 PM
Checking my laptop and it looks like the drive is busted. All sort of random errors trying to access the file system.
Tried another on I had lying around and that just beeps rather than boots.
I hoping the drive in the busted one still works and I can swap it over.
Tried another on I had lying around and that just beeps rather than boots.
I hoping the drive in the busted one still works and I can swap it over.
I wonder if weaponised drones are due to become part of the toolkit of protesters soon
Imagine a protest where dozens of drones are circling overhead and harnessing police helicopters or police on the ground
It certainly evens up the force that can be applied by each side
Imagine a protest where dozens of drones are circling overhead and harnessing police helicopters or police on the ground
It certainly evens up the force that can be applied by each side
January 11, 2026 at 6:17 AM
I wonder if weaponised drones are due to become part of the toolkit of protesters soon
Imagine a protest where dozens of drones are circling overhead and harnessing police helicopters or police on the ground
It certainly evens up the force that can be applied by each side
Imagine a protest where dozens of drones are circling overhead and harnessing police helicopters or police on the ground
It certainly evens up the force that can be applied by each side
Reposted by Simon Lyall
Google's Nano Banana Pro keeps doing a weird thing with pictures of people on the phone
The person is wearing a headset but it also puts a phone in their hand to one ear
The person is wearing a headset but it also puts a phone in their hand to one ear
January 7, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Google's Nano Banana Pro keeps doing a weird thing with pictures of people on the phone
The person is wearing a headset but it also puts a phone in their hand to one ear
The person is wearing a headset but it also puts a phone in their hand to one ear
Reposted by Simon Lyall
"After a man turns 30, he has to choose between specializing in the history of the Roman Empire or the World Wars" - Dan Wang
January 10, 2026 at 5:54 AM
"After a man turns 30, he has to choose between specializing in the history of the Roman Empire or the World Wars" - Dan Wang
Reposted by Simon Lyall
Came across this random song. Reminds me of another song I can't place, probably from some film soundtrack
It's called "Current" and it is by the band "Phoria".
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiqN...
It's called "Current" and it is by the band "Phoria".
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiqN...
Phoria - Current (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Phoria
www.youtube.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:48 AM
Came across this random song. Reminds me of another song I can't place, probably from some film soundtrack
It's called "Current" and it is by the band "Phoria".
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiqN...
It's called "Current" and it is by the band "Phoria".
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiqN...
Reposted by Simon Lyall
Overview of my Donations in 2025.
Similar to previous years although it is nice to see the Software in the Public Interest is accepting donations again so I gave them some.
blog.darkmere.gen.nz/2025/12/dona...
Similar to previous years although it is nice to see the Software in the Public Interest is accepting donations again so I gave them some.
blog.darkmere.gen.nz/2025/12/dona...
Donations 2025 – Simon Lyall's Blog
blog.darkmere.gen.nz
December 31, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Overview of my Donations in 2025.
Similar to previous years although it is nice to see the Software in the Public Interest is accepting donations again so I gave them some.
blog.darkmere.gen.nz/2025/12/dona...
Similar to previous years although it is nice to see the Software in the Public Interest is accepting donations again so I gave them some.
blog.darkmere.gen.nz/2025/12/dona...
Reposted by Simon Lyall
I think the main problem with kids in restaurants is not the kid themselves but the phone/tablet playing at full volume that the parents give them
December 28, 2025 at 12:50 AM
I think the main problem with kids in restaurants is not the kid themselves but the phone/tablet playing at full volume that the parents give them
Audiobooks – December 2025
After Eden: A short history of the world by John Charles Chasteen 3/5
Ground Combat by Ben Connable 3/5
Breakneck: China’s Quest to Engineer the Future by Dan Wang 4/5
The Devil Reached towards the Sky by Garrett M. Graff 4/5
blog.darkmere.gen.nz/2026/01/audi...
After Eden: A short history of the world by John Charles Chasteen 3/5
Ground Combat by Ben Connable 3/5
Breakneck: China’s Quest to Engineer the Future by Dan Wang 4/5
The Devil Reached towards the Sky by Garrett M. Graff 4/5
blog.darkmere.gen.nz/2026/01/audi...
January 8, 2026 at 7:31 AM
Audiobooks – December 2025
After Eden: A short history of the world by John Charles Chasteen 3/5
Ground Combat by Ben Connable 3/5
Breakneck: China’s Quest to Engineer the Future by Dan Wang 4/5
The Devil Reached towards the Sky by Garrett M. Graff 4/5
blog.darkmere.gen.nz/2026/01/audi...
After Eden: A short history of the world by John Charles Chasteen 3/5
Ground Combat by Ben Connable 3/5
Breakneck: China’s Quest to Engineer the Future by Dan Wang 4/5
The Devil Reached towards the Sky by Garrett M. Graff 4/5
blog.darkmere.gen.nz/2026/01/audi...
Discussion about which Languages New Zealand kids should learn in school
French speaking New Caledonia is nearest "foreign" territory to NZ. Others then said Samoa is nearest to Tokelau
But France, Chile, Argentina and Norway all have a land border with NZ, so those languages are the "Closest"
French speaking New Caledonia is nearest "foreign" territory to NZ. Others then said Samoa is nearest to Tokelau
But France, Chile, Argentina and Norway all have a land border with NZ, so those languages are the "Closest"
January 8, 2026 at 6:03 AM
Discussion about which Languages New Zealand kids should learn in school
French speaking New Caledonia is nearest "foreign" territory to NZ. Others then said Samoa is nearest to Tokelau
But France, Chile, Argentina and Norway all have a land border with NZ, so those languages are the "Closest"
French speaking New Caledonia is nearest "foreign" territory to NZ. Others then said Samoa is nearest to Tokelau
But France, Chile, Argentina and Norway all have a land border with NZ, so those languages are the "Closest"
Google's Nano Banana Pro keeps doing a weird thing with pictures of people on the phone
The person is wearing a headset but it also puts a phone in their hand to one ear
The person is wearing a headset but it also puts a phone in their hand to one ear
January 7, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Google's Nano Banana Pro keeps doing a weird thing with pictures of people on the phone
The person is wearing a headset but it also puts a phone in their hand to one ear
The person is wearing a headset but it also puts a phone in their hand to one ear
Reposted by Simon Lyall
Review
Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future by Dan Wang
4/5
Contrasts the Lawyer Culture of the US vs China's Engineer Culture. Discusses aspects of China's culture, Government and Industry. Recommend
www.noahpinion.blog/p/book-revie...
Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future by Dan Wang
4/5
Contrasts the Lawyer Culture of the US vs China's Engineer Culture. Discusses aspects of China's culture, Government and Industry. Recommend
www.noahpinion.blog/p/book-revie...
December 27, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Review
Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future by Dan Wang
4/5
Contrasts the Lawyer Culture of the US vs China's Engineer Culture. Discusses aspects of China's culture, Government and Industry. Recommend
www.noahpinion.blog/p/book-revie...
Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future by Dan Wang
4/5
Contrasts the Lawyer Culture of the US vs China's Engineer Culture. Discusses aspects of China's culture, Government and Industry. Recommend
www.noahpinion.blog/p/book-revie...
I went past a place called "Pizza Club" and thought ... That phrase could have another meaning...
January 5, 2026 at 8:43 AM
I went past a place called "Pizza Club" and thought ... That phrase could have another meaning...
Came across this random song. Reminds me of another song I can't place, probably from some film soundtrack
It's called "Current" and it is by the band "Phoria".
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiqN...
It's called "Current" and it is by the band "Phoria".
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiqN...
Phoria - Current (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Phoria
www.youtube.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:48 AM
Came across this random song. Reminds me of another song I can't place, probably from some film soundtrack
It's called "Current" and it is by the band "Phoria".
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiqN...
It's called "Current" and it is by the band "Phoria".
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiqN...
Review:
The Devil Reached towards the Sky: An Oral History of the Making and Unleashing of the Atomic Bomb by Garrett M. Graff
4/5
Structured as quotes from characters delivered by actors. Better coverage of Oak Ridge and Hanford than most books. Pretty good
www.andrewliptak.com/atomic-bomb-...
The Devil Reached towards the Sky: An Oral History of the Making and Unleashing of the Atomic Bomb by Garrett M. Graff
4/5
Structured as quotes from characters delivered by actors. Better coverage of Oak Ridge and Hanford than most books. Pretty good
www.andrewliptak.com/atomic-bomb-...
January 2, 2026 at 5:37 AM
Review:
The Devil Reached towards the Sky: An Oral History of the Making and Unleashing of the Atomic Bomb by Garrett M. Graff
4/5
Structured as quotes from characters delivered by actors. Better coverage of Oak Ridge and Hanford than most books. Pretty good
www.andrewliptak.com/atomic-bomb-...
The Devil Reached towards the Sky: An Oral History of the Making and Unleashing of the Atomic Bomb by Garrett M. Graff
4/5
Structured as quotes from characters delivered by actors. Better coverage of Oak Ridge and Hanford than most books. Pretty good
www.andrewliptak.com/atomic-bomb-...
Reposted by Simon Lyall
I think the Onehunga line is an attractive nuisance for Auckland Transport nerds (and planners)
It seems like something that should be expanded
Reality is it is blocked to the west, no capacity on southern line to the east and runs through low density light industry
Just leave it as-is & carry on
It seems like something that should be expanded
Reality is it is blocked to the west, no capacity on southern line to the east and runs through low density light industry
Just leave it as-is & carry on
December 27, 2025 at 11:59 PM
I think the Onehunga line is an attractive nuisance for Auckland Transport nerds (and planners)
It seems like something that should be expanded
Reality is it is blocked to the west, no capacity on southern line to the east and runs through low density light industry
Just leave it as-is & carry on
It seems like something that should be expanded
Reality is it is blocked to the west, no capacity on southern line to the east and runs through low density light industry
Just leave it as-is & carry on
Overview of my Donations in 2025.
Similar to previous years although it is nice to see the Software in the Public Interest is accepting donations again so I gave them some.
blog.darkmere.gen.nz/2025/12/dona...
Similar to previous years although it is nice to see the Software in the Public Interest is accepting donations again so I gave them some.
blog.darkmere.gen.nz/2025/12/dona...
Donations 2025 – Simon Lyall's Blog
blog.darkmere.gen.nz
December 31, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Overview of my Donations in 2025.
Similar to previous years although it is nice to see the Software in the Public Interest is accepting donations again so I gave them some.
blog.darkmere.gen.nz/2025/12/dona...
Similar to previous years although it is nice to see the Software in the Public Interest is accepting donations again so I gave them some.
blog.darkmere.gen.nz/2025/12/dona...
Had a couple of providers that I wanted to give money money to but their minimum Patreon tier was too high. Most of my Patreons subscriptions are $1/month
So did the trick of joining at a high tier and then cancelling as soon as one payment went though.
A $20 one-off will cover a couple of years
So did the trick of joining at a high tier and then cancelling as soon as one payment went though.
A $20 one-off will cover a couple of years
December 30, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Had a couple of providers that I wanted to give money money to but their minimum Patreon tier was too high. Most of my Patreons subscriptions are $1/month
So did the trick of joining at a high tier and then cancelling as soon as one payment went though.
A $20 one-off will cover a couple of years
So did the trick of joining at a high tier and then cancelling as soon as one payment went though.
A $20 one-off will cover a couple of years
I recognise exactly one name on this poster and I have no idea why they are on it
December 29, 2025 at 11:27 PM
I recognise exactly one name on this poster and I have no idea why they are on it
LinkedIn is weird.
Some guy posted "13 years, countless memories, and a new chapter ahead" etc over a picture of his kids in front of a Christmas Tree.
I thought he was announcing his divorce.
Although to be honest it would be fun to announce your divorce like a LinkedIn post...
Some guy posted "13 years, countless memories, and a new chapter ahead" etc over a picture of his kids in front of a Christmas Tree.
I thought he was announcing his divorce.
Although to be honest it would be fun to announce your divorce like a LinkedIn post...
December 29, 2025 at 9:41 PM
LinkedIn is weird.
Some guy posted "13 years, countless memories, and a new chapter ahead" etc over a picture of his kids in front of a Christmas Tree.
I thought he was announcing his divorce.
Although to be honest it would be fun to announce your divorce like a LinkedIn post...
Some guy posted "13 years, countless memories, and a new chapter ahead" etc over a picture of his kids in front of a Christmas Tree.
I thought he was announcing his divorce.
Although to be honest it would be fun to announce your divorce like a LinkedIn post...