ViennaMike
@viennamike.bsky.social
LLMs (e.g., Claude) can speed up coding but can also short-circuit learning. When I want to learn new skills/tools, I use AI sparingly; for other elements, I lean on it. E.g., I used AI sparingly for RAG development, Llama Index, etc., but used it freely to wrap the results with Gradio for the UI.
February 6, 2026 at 8:21 PM
LLMs (e.g., Claude) can speed up coding but can also short-circuit learning. When I want to learn new skills/tools, I use AI sparingly; for other elements, I lean on it. E.g., I used AI sparingly for RAG development, Llama Index, etc., but used it freely to wrap the results with Gradio for the UI.
Reposted by ViennaMike
![Comic. [Person talking to person with black hat.] PERSON 1: Historically, it refers to a ceremony to predict the weather using a rodent. But nowadays people often use it to mean “a time loop experienced by one person.” PERSON 2: …What. [caption] Easily our weirdest holiday.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreidknpywgj44ox6nphuyzs6si6lozn77jyx75nbh7v67wsjr6dssl4@jpeg)
February 4, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Building on the RAG course I took, and with help from Claude, I've got a tax chatbot running locally. Granted, it takes several minutes to answer a question, but far less water and electricity than ChatGPT and its like.
Next up: a RAG for our HOA covenants, bylaws, and architectural guidelines...
Next up: a RAG for our HOA covenants, bylaws, and architectural guidelines...
February 4, 2026 at 4:07 AM
Building on the RAG course I took, and with help from Claude, I've got a tax chatbot running locally. Granted, it takes several minutes to answer a question, but far less water and electricity than ChatGPT and its like.
Next up: a RAG for our HOA covenants, bylaws, and architectural guidelines...
Next up: a RAG for our HOA covenants, bylaws, and architectural guidelines...
Reposted by ViennaMike
We did not properly punish the confederates. We did not properly punish the insurrectionists on January 6th. We have to punish ICE.
They can’t be allowed to slink back into their communities quietly. Expose them. Arrest them. Convict them. Imprison them.
They can’t be allowed to slink back into their communities quietly. Expose them. Arrest them. Convict them. Imprison them.
January 29, 2026 at 8:28 PM
We did not properly punish the confederates. We did not properly punish the insurrectionists on January 6th. We have to punish ICE.
They can’t be allowed to slink back into their communities quietly. Expose them. Arrest them. Convict them. Imprison them.
They can’t be allowed to slink back into their communities quietly. Expose them. Arrest them. Convict them. Imprison them.
A reminder that the United States did not have an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency until 2002. ICE is not essential to the U.S. ICE is corrupted beyond reform and needs to be abolished as a failed law enforcement agency and reconstitute whatever functions are actually needed
January 23, 2026 at 3:17 AM
A reminder that the United States did not have an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency until 2002. ICE is not essential to the U.S. ICE is corrupted beyond reform and needs to be abolished as a failed law enforcement agency and reconstitute whatever functions are actually needed
Reposted by ViennaMike
every single successful general strike in US history has had union backing through the local AFL-CIO
this is the first time it’s been called for since the 1940s
this is the first time it’s been called for since the 1940s
January 16, 2026 at 9:24 PM
every single successful general strike in US history has had union backing through the local AFL-CIO
this is the first time it’s been called for since the 1940s
this is the first time it’s been called for since the 1940s
I tested whether ChatGPT could pass the IRS VITA/TCE volunteer tax preparer exams. Although it performed well, it failed to reach the required 80% passing score on either the basic or advanced tests, even when I provided official IRS training manuals. Read more here:
www.mcgurrin.info/robots/8298/
www.mcgurrin.info/robots/8298/
January 15, 2026 at 5:33 PM
I tested whether ChatGPT could pass the IRS VITA/TCE volunteer tax preparer exams. Although it performed well, it failed to reach the required 80% passing score on either the basic or advanced tests, even when I provided official IRS training manuals. Read more here:
www.mcgurrin.info/robots/8298/
www.mcgurrin.info/robots/8298/
I think that there are more people who could benefit from DIY investing than do so. But the person who posted this evening that rather than pay a 1% Assets Under Management fee to an advisor, you should rely on ChatGPT for advice? THAT person would be better off with an advisor!
#investing #chatgpt
#investing #chatgpt
January 7, 2026 at 4:10 AM
I think that there are more people who could benefit from DIY investing than do so. But the person who posted this evening that rather than pay a 1% Assets Under Management fee to an advisor, you should rely on ChatGPT for advice? THAT person would be better off with an advisor!
#investing #chatgpt
#investing #chatgpt
Reposted by ViennaMike
No community should be forced to bear the weight of a system that profits from human suffering.
Private, for-profit prisons have no place in a fair and free democracy—and especially profiting off the suffering of an inhumane and undemocratic detention system.
Period.
Private, for-profit prisons have no place in a fair and free democracy—and especially profiting off the suffering of an inhumane and undemocratic detention system.
Period.
December 4, 2025 at 6:03 PM
No community should be forced to bear the weight of a system that profits from human suffering.
Private, for-profit prisons have no place in a fair and free democracy—and especially profiting off the suffering of an inhumane and undemocratic detention system.
Period.
Private, for-profit prisons have no place in a fair and free democracy—and especially profiting off the suffering of an inhumane and undemocratic detention system.
Period.
You can’t define the problem, explore its origins, and propose a solution in a 10 second sound bite. A bit long, but both entertaining and enlightening. I recommend this read. And not just for Canadians 😊 pluralistic.net/2025/11/28/d...
Pluralistic: (Digital) Elbows Up (28 Nov 2025) – Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow
pluralistic.net
November 29, 2025 at 4:46 PM
You can’t define the problem, explore its origins, and propose a solution in a 10 second sound bite. A bit long, but both entertaining and enlightening. I recommend this read. And not just for Canadians 😊 pluralistic.net/2025/11/28/d...
Reposted by ViennaMike
Half a dozen members of Congress who previously served in the military or intelligence community are urging service members and intelligence officials to disobey illegal orders that might be issued by President Donald Trump’s administration.
Democratic lawmakers urge troops to disobey illegal orders | CNN Politics
Half a dozen members of Congress who previously served in the military or intelligence community are urging servicemembers and intelligence officials to disobey illegal orders that might be issued by ...
www.cnn.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Half a dozen members of Congress who previously served in the military or intelligence community are urging service members and intelligence officials to disobey illegal orders that might be issued by President Donald Trump’s administration.
Reposted by ViennaMike
A House panel is holding a hearing on a proposed ban on Congressional stock trading.
This ban is long overdue. Why should members of Congress be able to use privileged information to make money on the stock market, while they’re supposed to be working for you?
This ban is long overdue. Why should members of Congress be able to use privileged information to make money on the stock market, while they’re supposed to be working for you?
November 19, 2025 at 8:15 PM
A House panel is holding a hearing on a proposed ban on Congressional stock trading.
This ban is long overdue. Why should members of Congress be able to use privileged information to make money on the stock market, while they’re supposed to be working for you?
This ban is long overdue. Why should members of Congress be able to use privileged information to make money on the stock market, while they’re supposed to be working for you?
For fellow Virginians: Let Senator Tim Kaine know how you feel about his defection and vote on cloture for the CR. Go to www.kaine.senate.gov/contact/shar... or dial (202) 224-3121 (Capitol switchboard) and ask for Senator Tim Kaine's office.
November 10, 2025 at 8:22 PM
For fellow Virginians: Let Senator Tim Kaine know how you feel about his defection and vote on cloture for the CR. Go to www.kaine.senate.gov/contact/shar... or dial (202) 224-3121 (Capitol switchboard) and ask for Senator Tim Kaine's office.
Reposted by ViennaMike
Despite billionaires spending obscene amounts of money and the Trump regime putting the entire weight of its propaganda machine behind slandering Mamdani, he still won, because we, the people, will always be more powerful than them.
They want us to believe they’re inevitable—the truth is: we are.
They want us to believe they’re inevitable—the truth is: we are.
November 5, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Despite billionaires spending obscene amounts of money and the Trump regime putting the entire weight of its propaganda machine behind slandering Mamdani, he still won, because we, the people, will always be more powerful than them.
They want us to believe they’re inevitable—the truth is: we are.
They want us to believe they’re inevitable—the truth is: we are.
Reposted by ViennaMike
Today, millions of Americans sent a message to the Trump regime.
We are not scared.
We will keep fighting.
We will organize, we will mobilize, and we will resist—over and over again—until this corrupt wannabe authoritarian regime is removed from power.
Because in America, we have No Kings.
We are not scared.
We will keep fighting.
We will organize, we will mobilize, and we will resist—over and over again—until this corrupt wannabe authoritarian regime is removed from power.
Because in America, we have No Kings.
October 19, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Today, millions of Americans sent a message to the Trump regime.
We are not scared.
We will keep fighting.
We will organize, we will mobilize, and we will resist—over and over again—until this corrupt wannabe authoritarian regime is removed from power.
Because in America, we have No Kings.
We are not scared.
We will keep fighting.
We will organize, we will mobilize, and we will resist—over and over again—until this corrupt wannabe authoritarian regime is removed from power.
Because in America, we have No Kings.
Reposted by ViennaMike
October 18, 2025
October 18, 2025
Today, millions of Americans and their allies turned out across the United States and around the globe to demonstrate their commitment to American democracy and their opposition to a president and an ...
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com
October 19, 2025 at 3:06 AM
October 18, 2025
Let me get this straight, in a bit of nonsense, Mike Johnson claimed he couldn't call the House back until after No Kings Day, which is tomorrow. Then, today, he announced that the House wouldn't conduct business through Oct. 23rd. The House hasn't conducted any business since Sept. 19th!
October 18, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Let me get this straight, in a bit of nonsense, Mike Johnson claimed he couldn't call the House back until after No Kings Day, which is tomorrow. Then, today, he announced that the House wouldn't conduct business through Oct. 23rd. The House hasn't conducted any business since Sept. 19th!
I've got a write-up on building my latest Halloween decoration on my blog: www.mcgurrin.info/robots/8236/
October 6, 2025 at 2:36 AM
I've got a write-up on building my latest Halloween decoration on my blog: www.mcgurrin.info/robots/8236/
Happy Tiki'ween!
This is a Michael's faux pumpkin. Primary tools were a pumpkin saw for the cutouts and a Dremel for the etching. Definitely wear a mask -- LOTS of pumpkin dust.
This is a Michael's faux pumpkin. Primary tools were a pumpkin saw for the cutouts and a Dremel for the etching. Definitely wear a mask -- LOTS of pumpkin dust.
October 3, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Happy Tiki'ween!
This is a Michael's faux pumpkin. Primary tools were a pumpkin saw for the cutouts and a Dremel for the etching. Definitely wear a mask -- LOTS of pumpkin dust.
This is a Michael's faux pumpkin. Primary tools were a pumpkin saw for the cutouts and a Dremel for the etching. Definitely wear a mask -- LOTS of pumpkin dust.
Phase 1 of our foundation repair is done and I'm putting stuff back in the unfinished half of the basement. It occurred to me that with no landline, I really don't need these, nor the dozen or so phone cords that were with them.
September 29, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Phase 1 of our foundation repair is done and I'm putting stuff back in the unfinished half of the basement. It occurred to me that with no landline, I really don't need these, nor the dozen or so phone cords that were with them.
3d printed tiki shades for the deck lights! See www.mcgurrin.info/robots/8214/
September 24, 2025 at 9:02 PM
3d printed tiki shades for the deck lights! See www.mcgurrin.info/robots/8214/
“I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag.”
(Molly Ivins)
(Molly Ivins)
August 27, 2025 at 3:44 PM
“I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag.”
(Molly Ivins)
(Molly Ivins)
Reposted by ViennaMike
Folks can argue about the relevancy of the “Democratic socialist” label all day. But if that’s what you’re hung up on, you’re missing the larger point.
People aren’t chasing labels. They’re chasing change. Real, structural, unapologetic change.
🧵
People aren’t chasing labels. They’re chasing change. Real, structural, unapologetic change.
🧵
June 26, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Folks can argue about the relevancy of the “Democratic socialist” label all day. But if that’s what you’re hung up on, you’re missing the larger point.
People aren’t chasing labels. They’re chasing change. Real, structural, unapologetic change.
🧵
People aren’t chasing labels. They’re chasing change. Real, structural, unapologetic change.
🧵
Reposted by ViennaMike
Every machine in a Hospital that diagnoses your body without cutting you open is based on a principle of Physics, discovered by a Physicist who had no interest in Medicine.
If you think the world doesn’t need Basic Science, or that somehow Science has failed you, think again.
If you think the world doesn’t need Basic Science, or that somehow Science has failed you, think again.
June 17, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Every machine in a Hospital that diagnoses your body without cutting you open is based on a principle of Physics, discovered by a Physicist who had no interest in Medicine.
If you think the world doesn’t need Basic Science, or that somehow Science has failed you, think again.
If you think the world doesn’t need Basic Science, or that somehow Science has failed you, think again.