Jake von Slatt
@vonslatt.bsky.social
Tinkerer, hardware hacker and proprietor of The Steampunk Workshop. He/Him
steampunkworkshop.com
steampunkworkshop.com
My sailboat is named "Janeway" after Voyager's captain. I keep an old iPhone onboard to alert me if she leaves our mooring and so I can check on her via the app Alfred Camera.
A side effect is that I am starting to receive junk mail at the house addressed to "Kathrine Janeway" and I am not mad!
A side effect is that I am starting to receive junk mail at the house addressed to "Kathrine Janeway" and I am not mad!
January 8, 2026 at 10:57 PM
My sailboat is named "Janeway" after Voyager's captain. I keep an old iPhone onboard to alert me if she leaves our mooring and so I can check on her via the app Alfred Camera.
A side effect is that I am starting to receive junk mail at the house addressed to "Kathrine Janeway" and I am not mad!
A side effect is that I am starting to receive junk mail at the house addressed to "Kathrine Janeway" and I am not mad!
Anybody know which packaging is the newest and which is the oldest? Looking at the graphic design I feel this is the sequence from newest to oldest, but I can't find any information confirming that.
January 6, 2026 at 9:50 PM
Anybody know which packaging is the newest and which is the oldest? Looking at the graphic design I feel this is the sequence from newest to oldest, but I can't find any information confirming that.
This is a brand new, factory sealed, laser printer from 1996. It appears identical to an HP LaserJet 4v but is otherwise unbranded. It has no formatter board or front panel and is 220v 50hz so likely made for the U.K. market. I'm hoping to swap the boards from a LaserJet 4mv into it.
January 6, 2026 at 7:54 PM
This is a brand new, factory sealed, laser printer from 1996. It appears identical to an HP LaserJet 4v but is otherwise unbranded. It has no formatter board or front panel and is 220v 50hz so likely made for the U.K. market. I'm hoping to swap the boards from a LaserJet 4mv into it.
Reposted by Jake von Slatt
Night’s swathed in dense fog and the stillness that brings. May well be asleep when 2026 rings in, dreaming of Polly Crisis and her band Jackpot, so here’s wishing you all the best from Vancouver!
January 1, 2026 at 7:05 AM
Night’s swathed in dense fog and the stillness that brings. May well be asleep when 2026 rings in, dreaming of Polly Crisis and her band Jackpot, so here’s wishing you all the best from Vancouver!
Reposted by Jake von Slatt
“It's an invisible need... an invisible center... helping invisible people. Meanwhile, I'm haunted by the invisible impact of the insatiable greed”
@ricksteves.bsky.social I love you
@ricksteves.bsky.social I love you
December 21, 2025 at 7:45 PM
“It's an invisible need... an invisible center... helping invisible people. Meanwhile, I'm haunted by the invisible impact of the insatiable greed”
@ricksteves.bsky.social I love you
@ricksteves.bsky.social I love you
What skill did you master that you will never, ever use again?
I was going to say "compliance testing for classified computing" but then realized that the knowledge of rules and matrices of parameters I used in that process have made me a better Dungeon Master, so never mind.
I was going to say "compliance testing for classified computing" but then realized that the knowledge of rules and matrices of parameters I used in that process have made me a better Dungeon Master, so never mind.
What skill did you master that you will never, ever use again?
While I'm hesitant to ever confine any skill of mine to the dustbin as Shit Does Come Up, I feel it is very unlikely that I will ever be asked to do column chemistry again. It remains useful knowledge however.
While I'm hesitant to ever confine any skill of mine to the dustbin as Shit Does Come Up, I feel it is very unlikely that I will ever be asked to do column chemistry again. It remains useful knowledge however.
What skill did you master that you will never, ever use again?
Summer of '95 I had a job assembling single-use film cameras, which I did enough that I can still perform the actions. I don't think they even sell them anymore, but even if they do I'm certainly never going to be making them again!
Summer of '95 I had a job assembling single-use film cameras, which I did enough that I can still perform the actions. I don't think they even sell them anymore, but even if they do I'm certainly never going to be making them again!
December 9, 2025 at 1:45 PM
What skill did you master that you will never, ever use again?
I was going to say "compliance testing for classified computing" but then realized that the knowledge of rules and matrices of parameters I used in that process have made me a better Dungeon Master, so never mind.
I was going to say "compliance testing for classified computing" but then realized that the knowledge of rules and matrices of parameters I used in that process have made me a better Dungeon Master, so never mind.
Is Galaxy Quest cheating because its a Star Trek parody/homage?
December 8, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Is Galaxy Quest cheating because its a Star Trek parody/homage?
Reposted by Jake von Slatt
I met Deb many years ago at the hight of the "maker movement" frenzy.
Her essays on the infrastructure, systems, people and maintenance that make "making" even possible in the first place have stuck with me since then.
Her essays on the infrastructure, systems, people and maintenance that make "making" even possible in the first place have stuck with me since then.
Friends — after a lengthy hiatus, I am finally rebooting my newsletter, Metafoundry. If you’re already a subscriber, you should have received your first newsletter from my new provider, Buttondown. Otherwise, you can learn more and subscribe here: buttondown.com/metafoundry#...
Metafoundry
The newsletter of Deb Chachra's work and ideas. Musings on infrastructure, technology, culture, design, education, and more. Low volume, no spam, no tracking, unsubscribe whenever. Want a taste of wha...
buttondown.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:20 PM
I met Deb many years ago at the hight of the "maker movement" frenzy.
Her essays on the infrastructure, systems, people and maintenance that make "making" even possible in the first place have stuck with me since then.
Her essays on the infrastructure, systems, people and maintenance that make "making" even possible in the first place have stuck with me since then.
Reposted by Jake von Slatt
Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced. If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you fight for?
November 10, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced. If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you fight for?
Reposted by Jake von Slatt
In Congress, I’ll never abandon my constituents or take Republicans at their word when they say they won’t do the thing that they clearly plan on doing.
But first I have to get there:
Katforillinois.com/donate
But first I have to get there:
Katforillinois.com/donate
Chip in to support Kat Abughazaleh!
Show your support with a contribution.
Katforillinois.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:59 PM
In Congress, I’ll never abandon my constituents or take Republicans at their word when they say they won’t do the thing that they clearly plan on doing.
But first I have to get there:
Katforillinois.com/donate
But first I have to get there:
Katforillinois.com/donate
Reposted by Jake von Slatt
This deal to reopen the government is fucking disgraceful.
Tens of millions will lose their healthcare. Trump will be emboldened.
This is exactly what’s wrong with Democratic Party leadership and why we need more people in Congress who will actually hold the line.
Tens of millions will lose their healthcare. Trump will be emboldened.
This is exactly what’s wrong with Democratic Party leadership and why we need more people in Congress who will actually hold the line.
November 10, 2025 at 12:43 PM
This deal to reopen the government is fucking disgraceful.
Tens of millions will lose their healthcare. Trump will be emboldened.
This is exactly what’s wrong with Democratic Party leadership and why we need more people in Congress who will actually hold the line.
Tens of millions will lose their healthcare. Trump will be emboldened.
This is exactly what’s wrong with Democratic Party leadership and why we need more people in Congress who will actually hold the line.
Here's what my week has been like:
-receive letter that says my health insurance is going from $659/mo to over $1800/mo next year.
-in hospital, robot removes my prostate
-anniversary of my father's death
-released from hospital, my dog dies
1/2
-receive letter that says my health insurance is going from $659/mo to over $1800/mo next year.
-in hospital, robot removes my prostate
-anniversary of my father's death
-released from hospital, my dog dies
1/2
October 30, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Here's what my week has been like:
-receive letter that says my health insurance is going from $659/mo to over $1800/mo next year.
-in hospital, robot removes my prostate
-anniversary of my father's death
-released from hospital, my dog dies
1/2
-receive letter that says my health insurance is going from $659/mo to over $1800/mo next year.
-in hospital, robot removes my prostate
-anniversary of my father's death
-released from hospital, my dog dies
1/2
hey what if I cried too
hey what if I cried
October 25, 2025 at 12:53 PM
hey what if I cried too
I am not enjoying Bluesky. I think I may retreat to just Mastodon, there's more kindness and mutual support over there and a lot less yelling.
Try Mastodon, choose a non-US server, do read their local policies before signing up.
You need to take care of yourself and you can't do that here.
Try Mastodon, choose a non-US server, do read their local policies before signing up.
You need to take care of yourself and you can't do that here.
October 22, 2025 at 12:19 PM
I am not enjoying Bluesky. I think I may retreat to just Mastodon, there's more kindness and mutual support over there and a lot less yelling.
Try Mastodon, choose a non-US server, do read their local policies before signing up.
You need to take care of yourself and you can't do that here.
Try Mastodon, choose a non-US server, do read their local policies before signing up.
You need to take care of yourself and you can't do that here.
My friend are awesome creative people! I just backed Crazy World: A Podcast Sitcom on @kickstarter.com www.kickstarter.com/projects/cra...
Crazy World: A Podcast Sitcom
“Welcome to Higgins!” The apartment complex where everyone has a complex. Presented by A & A Studios.
www.kickstarter.com
October 19, 2025 at 2:46 PM
My friend are awesome creative people! I just backed Crazy World: A Podcast Sitcom on @kickstarter.com www.kickstarter.com/projects/cra...
Got a note from Google that they are going to demonetize my YouTube channel because I have not posted in a while. Trying to decide if I want to continue putting content online, and if I care about monetization.
In the meantime…boosts welcome
m.youtube.com/vonslatt
In the meantime…boosts welcome
m.youtube.com/vonslatt
October 19, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Got a note from Google that they are going to demonetize my YouTube channel because I have not posted in a while. Trying to decide if I want to continue putting content online, and if I care about monetization.
In the meantime…boosts welcome
m.youtube.com/vonslatt
In the meantime…boosts welcome
m.youtube.com/vonslatt
So to my understanding 6 to 7 million people participated in No Kings yesterday.
October 19, 2025 at 1:52 PM
So to my understanding 6 to 7 million people participated in No Kings yesterday.
Reposted by Jake von Slatt
I'm Kat Abughazaleh and I'm running for Congress.
March 24, 2025 at 1:30 PM
I'm Kat Abughazaleh and I'm running for Congress.
Just sent Kat another hundred bucks, she's running for congress in Illinois and these are the kind of people we need on the hill.
This morning, I was hit in the face by a baton.
I’m going to have a pretty gnarly bruise but we need to remember why this is happening: Trump and ICE are rounding up our neighbors, treating them as subhuman, and shipping them off to labor camps in foreign countries. It has to end.
I’m going to have a pretty gnarly bruise but we need to remember why this is happening: Trump and ICE are rounding up our neighbors, treating them as subhuman, and shipping them off to labor camps in foreign countries. It has to end.
October 18, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Just sent Kat another hundred bucks, she's running for congress in Illinois and these are the kind of people we need on the hill.
Reposted by Jake von Slatt
October 12, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Reposted by Jake von Slatt
"For all the words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: 'It might have been.'"
Nurse Chapel seeing her reflection as "Number One," the role Majel Barrett was initially cast for in the first #StarTrek pilot.
M. Streeter, Phaser #fanzine, 1975 #ZineAppreciation
Nurse Chapel seeing her reflection as "Number One," the role Majel Barrett was initially cast for in the first #StarTrek pilot.
M. Streeter, Phaser #fanzine, 1975 #ZineAppreciation
October 11, 2025 at 3:29 PM
"For all the words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: 'It might have been.'"
Nurse Chapel seeing her reflection as "Number One," the role Majel Barrett was initially cast for in the first #StarTrek pilot.
M. Streeter, Phaser #fanzine, 1975 #ZineAppreciation
Nurse Chapel seeing her reflection as "Number One," the role Majel Barrett was initially cast for in the first #StarTrek pilot.
M. Streeter, Phaser #fanzine, 1975 #ZineAppreciation
Reposted by Jake von Slatt
"MORE legacy waste barrels?"
In honour of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand.
“The tapes wouldn’t start”
“The tapes wouldn’t start”
In honour of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand.
“Translate 'yoroshiku onegai shimasu'”.
“Translate 'yoroshiku onegai shimasu'”.
October 12, 2025 at 6:10 AM
"MORE legacy waste barrels?"
Reposted by Jake von Slatt
Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world,... I feel like I can't take it. And my heart is just going to cave in.
October 11, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world,... I feel like I can't take it. And my heart is just going to cave in.
I just got my renewal letter for my health insurance. I'm retired and buy healthcare through the Masachusetts connector. Our monthly bill is going to go from about $600 a month to over $1800 a month. This is going to happen to anyone that buys insurance through their states connector plan.
October 11, 2025 at 9:46 PM
I just got my renewal letter for my health insurance. I'm retired and buy healthcare through the Masachusetts connector. Our monthly bill is going to go from about $600 a month to over $1800 a month. This is going to happen to anyone that buys insurance through their states connector plan.