Ian Cooper
@icooper.bsky.social
Principal Engineer, speaker, gamer, geek. Tattooed, pierced, and bearded. The 'guv' on https://github.com/BrighterCommand Line Editor at Chaosium for QuestWorlds: https://github.com/ChaosiumInc/QuestWorlds
#Tech - tech posts
#TTRPG - rpg posts
#Tech - tech posts
#TTRPG - rpg posts
I have noticed the phenomenon of people forming a queue at bars… this is not the way
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
‘It’s ridiculous’: publicans bemused by rise of single-file queues to get served
Bar owners say they struggle to dissuade people from forming a line as behavioural experts point to post-pandemic ‘new norms’
www.theguardian.com
February 1, 2026 at 9:40 AM
I have noticed the phenomenon of people forming a queue at bars… this is not the way
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
I’m enjoying a Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, though I enjoyed the books too. I’ll like the small tale, as opposed to just the big tales, of Westeros.
For me, there have been some cracking episodes so far.
For me, there have been some cracking episodes so far.
January 28, 2026 at 8:44 PM
I’m enjoying a Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, though I enjoyed the books too. I’ll like the small tale, as opposed to just the big tales, of Westeros.
For me, there have been some cracking episodes so far.
For me, there have been some cracking episodes so far.
Reposted by Ian Cooper
Business Process Automation has been around a long time - what are the latest approaches?
@icooper.bsky.social talks on RunAs Radio at runasradio.com/Shows/Show/1... about his work building BPA workflows in organizations.
@icooper.bsky.social talks on RunAs Radio at runasradio.com/Shows/Show/1... about his work building BPA workflows in organizations.
January 28, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Business Process Automation has been around a long time - what are the latest approaches?
@icooper.bsky.social talks on RunAs Radio at runasradio.com/Shows/Show/1... about his work building BPA workflows in organizations.
@icooper.bsky.social talks on RunAs Radio at runasradio.com/Shows/Show/1... about his work building BPA workflows in organizations.
Reposted by Ian Cooper
Big news in #AppSec: the #OWASP Top 10 2025 is now available! I'm part of the project team and ALL OF US want every dev, security engineer, and leader to read it (please).
https://twp.ai/E6ERYy
1/5
https://twp.ai/E6ERYy
1/5
January 27, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Big news in #AppSec: the #OWASP Top 10 2025 is now available! I'm part of the project team and ALL OF US want every dev, security engineer, and leader to read it (please).
https://twp.ai/E6ERYy
1/5
https://twp.ai/E6ERYy
1/5
We have just released version 10.1.0 of Brighter. www.nuget.org/packages/Par...
The minor version bump is due to improvements in the management of the resources we create in our factories. Brighter uses a DI-friendly framework approach, which means we implement factories for DI providers.
The minor version bump is due to improvements in the management of the resources we create in our factories. Brighter uses a DI-friendly framework approach, which means we implement factories for DI providers.
Paramore.Brighter 10.1.0
The Command Dispatcher pattern is an addition to the Command design pattern that decouples the dispatcher for a service from its execution. A Command Dispatcher component maps commands to handlers. A…
www.nuget.org
January 26, 2026 at 9:01 AM
We have just released version 10.1.0 of Brighter. www.nuget.org/packages/Par...
The minor version bump is due to improvements in the management of the resources we create in our factories. Brighter uses a DI-friendly framework approach, which means we implement factories for DI providers.
The minor version bump is due to improvements in the management of the resources we create in our factories. Brighter uses a DI-friendly framework approach, which means we implement factories for DI providers.
It’s interesting, as part of working on QW Glorantha to go back over Hero Wars and HeroQuest trying to find nuggets from Greg Stafford and Robin on how to present Glorantha.
I’m reminded of why Hero Wars, despite being rushed out, electrified me.
I’m reminded of why Hero Wars, despite being rushed out, electrified me.
January 25, 2026 at 10:43 AM
It’s interesting, as part of working on QW Glorantha to go back over Hero Wars and HeroQuest trying to find nuggets from Greg Stafford and Robin on how to present Glorantha.
I’m reminded of why Hero Wars, despite being rushed out, electrified me.
I’m reminded of why Hero Wars, despite being rushed out, electrified me.
I think @taylorlorenz.bsky.social's voice on the banning of social media needs to be heard widely in any UK debate, before we follow Australia into folly. Having lived through the original "satanic panic", the hysteria now is reminiscent of that era.
youtu.be/2yVJffNplJc?...
youtu.be/2yVJffNplJc?...
The New Satanic Panic Is Here
YouTube video by Taylor Lorenz
youtu.be
January 24, 2026 at 5:38 PM
I think @taylorlorenz.bsky.social's voice on the banning of social media needs to be heard widely in any UK debate, before we follow Australia into folly. Having lived through the original "satanic panic", the hysteria now is reminiscent of that era.
youtu.be/2yVJffNplJc?...
youtu.be/2yVJffNplJc?...
Instead of banning social media on devices, as Australia has done, a better step for the UK would be to raise the digital age of consent to 16 from 13, allowing parents to make decisions about which apps their children can use for longer.
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/o...
Britain should raise the digital age of consent | Letters
Letters: Where Denmark is going, the UK must follow, says Daniel Kebede of the National Education Union
www.theguardian.com
January 22, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Instead of banning social media on devices, as Australia has done, a better step for the UK would be to raise the digital age of consent to 16 from 13, allowing parents to make decisions about which apps their children can use for longer.
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/o...
If I predict that developers read Brighter and Darker's documentation less than agents, one question is how to help agents work with our documentation. Whilst GitBook supports llms.txt, my supposition is that Skills may be more important as a mechanism.
January 20, 2026 at 11:19 AM
If I predict that developers read Brighter and Darker's documentation less than agents, one question is how to help agents work with our documentation. Whilst GitBook supports llms.txt, my supposition is that Skills may be more important as a mechanism.
Monday: Someone at MS gifts me a VS Subscription. Guessing it might be OSS work, and that's nice, helps with the Azue bill
Thursday: Someone at MS removes my VS Subscription.
I mean, easy come and easy go, but a fellow could become paranoid about the conversations happening right now :-D
Thursday: Someone at MS removes my VS Subscription.
I mean, easy come and easy go, but a fellow could become paranoid about the conversations happening right now :-D
January 15, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Monday: Someone at MS gifts me a VS Subscription. Guessing it might be OSS work, and that's nice, helps with the Azue bill
Thursday: Someone at MS removes my VS Subscription.
I mean, easy come and easy go, but a fellow could become paranoid about the conversations happening right now :-D
Thursday: Someone at MS removes my VS Subscription.
I mean, easy come and easy go, but a fellow could become paranoid about the conversations happening right now :-D
Came back from #Grogmeet last night to avoid Sunday rail chaos. It’s a shame as I didn’t get to catch up with a lot of folks post-con. Still lovely to catch up with those I did.
Still, I played some excellent games of WFRP1e, Bushido and Everywhen. I also ran a QuestWorlds Glorantha game.
Still, I played some excellent games of WFRP1e, Bushido and Everywhen. I also ran a QuestWorlds Glorantha game.
January 11, 2026 at 12:24 PM
Came back from #Grogmeet last night to avoid Sunday rail chaos. It’s a shame as I didn’t get to catch up with a lot of folks post-con. Still lovely to catch up with those I did.
Still, I played some excellent games of WFRP1e, Bushido and Everywhen. I also ran a QuestWorlds Glorantha game.
Still, I played some excellent games of WFRP1e, Bushido and Everywhen. I also ran a QuestWorlds Glorantha game.
For anyone interested, the Brighter team meeting is live now at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=G33Q...
Brighter Team Meeting
www.youtube.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:09 AM
For anyone interested, the Brighter team meeting is live now at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=G33Q...
So in House of Ashur (and Spartacus) one joy is the English with a pseudo-Latin syntax and word choice.
But what happens in TV markets where English is not the language? If they dub or translate, how do they handle it?
But what happens in TV markets where English is not the language? If they dub or translate, how do they handle it?
January 4, 2026 at 11:56 PM
So in House of Ashur (and Spartacus) one joy is the English with a pseudo-Latin syntax and word choice.
But what happens in TV markets where English is not the language? If they dub or translate, how do they handle it?
But what happens in TV markets where English is not the language? If they dub or translate, how do they handle it?
Reposted by Ian Cooper
Now available to play on Wikisource: 'Consider the Consequences!' (1930) by Doris Webster and Mary Alden Hopkins.
My New year project has been transcribing this newly out-of-copyright game book, the first one ever published [1/2]
My New year project has been transcribing this newly out-of-copyright game book, the first one ever published [1/2]
en.wikisource.org
January 4, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Now available to play on Wikisource: 'Consider the Consequences!' (1930) by Doris Webster and Mary Alden Hopkins.
My New year project has been transcribing this newly out-of-copyright game book, the first one ever published [1/2]
My New year project has been transcribing this newly out-of-copyright game book, the first one ever published [1/2]
Reposted by Ian Cooper
D&D’s spell list is the most essential part of the D&D setting. The spells exist between editions, and a key expression of those rules is how those spells will work THIS TIME. They implicitly tell a story of *how* magical the world is, and approximately set the bounds of magic.
January 4, 2026 at 6:07 PM
D&D’s spell list is the most essential part of the D&D setting. The spells exist between editions, and a key expression of those rules is how those spells will work THIS TIME. They implicitly tell a story of *how* magical the world is, and approximately set the bounds of magic.
As 2025 ends, we have started to think about Brighter's roadmap for 2026. V11 would be DEC 2026 at earliest (we don't like to do major version changes more frequently than that) but there is a lot we have planned for V10.
Brighter Roadmap for 2026 · BrighterCommand Brighter · Discussion #3958
Introduction As its new year, I thought it might be worth talking about our roadmap for 2026. Some of this is under construction, some no one has looked at yet. The earliest we would release a V11 ...
github.com
December 31, 2025 at 3:15 PM
As 2025 ends, we have started to think about Brighter's roadmap for 2026. V11 would be DEC 2026 at earliest (we don't like to do major version changes more frequently than that) but there is a lot we have planned for V10.
Reposted by Ian Cooper
Happy Twixmas!
We hope you’re enjoying some well-earned time off. If you're craving a little quiet though, why not make a start on your proposal? Our CFP is open til 9th Jan so you’ve still got time. But remember, the more people you show it to, the better!
Submit here ➡️ devoxxuk26.cfp.dev
We hope you’re enjoying some well-earned time off. If you're craving a little quiet though, why not make a start on your proposal? Our CFP is open til 9th Jan so you’ve still got time. But remember, the more people you show it to, the better!
Submit here ➡️ devoxxuk26.cfp.dev
December 29, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Happy Twixmas!
We hope you’re enjoying some well-earned time off. If you're craving a little quiet though, why not make a start on your proposal? Our CFP is open til 9th Jan so you’ve still got time. But remember, the more people you show it to, the better!
Submit here ➡️ devoxxuk26.cfp.dev
We hope you’re enjoying some well-earned time off. If you're craving a little quiet though, why not make a start on your proposal? Our CFP is open til 9th Jan so you’ve still got time. But remember, the more people you show it to, the better!
Submit here ➡️ devoxxuk26.cfp.dev
I think that a simpler question is: what are rules for? After all we can role-play without them, and often did as children.
The simple answer might be that rules arbitrate outcomes where we want uncertainty to create tension.
The simple answer might be that rules arbitrate outcomes where we want uncertainty to create tension.
This is a good post on a topic near and dear to my heart, and I agree with the emotion of it, but I’m kind of a jerk and also gonna niggle a bit.
But most critically, the key point that treating ideas like “support” as binaries is bullshit? 100% spot on. But I think there’s some use in it.
But most critically, the key point that treating ideas like “support” as binaries is bullshit? 100% spot on. But I think there’s some use in it.
I've been thinking a lot about Batfam headcanons, cozy roleplay in D&D, and what it means to assert whether or not a game supports a certain kind of play. So I wrote down my thoughts and turned them into an inaugural post on my new itch blog! seraphim-seraphina.itch.io/my-blog/devl...
December 26, 2025 at 3:56 PM
I think that a simpler question is: what are rules for? After all we can role-play without them, and often did as children.
The simple answer might be that rules arbitrate outcomes where we want uncertainty to create tension.
The simple answer might be that rules arbitrate outcomes where we want uncertainty to create tension.
Reposted by Ian Cooper
I'm often baffled by some folk's antipathy to X-Cards, Session Zero and other things that can make games better
"For me, safety tools are not about wrapping the game in bubble wrap. Rather, they create enough trust that everyone feels free to play hard, knowing there’s a brake pedal if needed."
"For me, safety tools are not about wrapping the game in bubble wrap. Rather, they create enough trust that everyone feels free to play hard, knowing there’s a brake pedal if needed."
How I actually run Session Zero these days: what we talk about, how I handle safety tools, and why skipping it has bitten me more than once (especially online). blog.monkeyx.games/2025/12/23/h...
How I Run Session Zero
There was a time when my “session zero” was about fifteen seconds of nervous throat-clearing followed by, “Right, you’re all being hunted / fighting some gobbos / on a job for BigCorp. Go.
blog.monkeyx.games
December 23, 2025 at 11:17 PM
I'm often baffled by some folk's antipathy to X-Cards, Session Zero and other things that can make games better
"For me, safety tools are not about wrapping the game in bubble wrap. Rather, they create enough trust that everyone feels free to play hard, knowing there’s a brake pedal if needed."
"For me, safety tools are not about wrapping the game in bubble wrap. Rather, they create enough trust that everyone feels free to play hard, knowing there’s a brake pedal if needed."
Reposted by Ian Cooper
I would like to wish everyone a Very Merry "things published in 1930 will enter the public domain in 6 days."
itch.io/jam/gaming-l...
itch.io/jam/gaming-l...
Gaming Like It's 1930
A game jam from 2026-01-01 to 2026-02-01 hosted by Randy Lubin & Copia Gaming. A new year means new material entering the public domain! Starting January 1st 2026, works from 1930 are free to use and ...
itch.io
December 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM
I would like to wish everyone a Very Merry "things published in 1930 will enter the public domain in 6 days."
itch.io/jam/gaming-l...
itch.io/jam/gaming-l...
Thanks to @thegrognardfiles.bsky.social for Dirk’s Dossier, which has seen me through the Christmas washing up nicely.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Dirk’s Dossier – More Gladiator Chat and more
Podcast Episode · The GROGNARD Files · 24/12/2025 · 54m
podcasts.apple.com
December 25, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Thanks to @thegrognardfiles.bsky.social for Dirk’s Dossier, which has seen me through the Christmas washing up nicely.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Reposted by Ian Cooper
⚔️SOMETIME LOFTY TOWERS, our first ever novel, is out now! ⚔️
Featuring gorgeous cover art by @azuremeraki.bsky.social, interior illustrations, calligraphy drop caps, and 🩸crimson spray edges🩸, this traditionally printed paperback is a pleasure to hold!
👉 newedgeswordandsorcery.com/product-cate... 👈
Featuring gorgeous cover art by @azuremeraki.bsky.social, interior illustrations, calligraphy drop caps, and 🩸crimson spray edges🩸, this traditionally printed paperback is a pleasure to hold!
👉 newedgeswordandsorcery.com/product-cate... 👈
December 8, 2025 at 1:28 PM
⚔️SOMETIME LOFTY TOWERS, our first ever novel, is out now! ⚔️
Featuring gorgeous cover art by @azuremeraki.bsky.social, interior illustrations, calligraphy drop caps, and 🩸crimson spray edges🩸, this traditionally printed paperback is a pleasure to hold!
👉 newedgeswordandsorcery.com/product-cate... 👈
Featuring gorgeous cover art by @azuremeraki.bsky.social, interior illustrations, calligraphy drop caps, and 🩸crimson spray edges🩸, this traditionally printed paperback is a pleasure to hold!
👉 newedgeswordandsorcery.com/product-cate... 👈
Reposted by Ian Cooper
Here it is. The final 24 hours. You've helped coax banked embers into a steady flame. Tell me, what is one thing you'll bring with you into What-Comes-Next? Seeds? Thread? A good kitchen knife? What will you make of what's left? Together, let's light up the world.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
Apocalypse World: Burned Over
The 3rd edition of the groundbreaking original.
www.kickstarter.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Here it is. The final 24 hours. You've helped coax banked embers into a steady flame. Tell me, what is one thing you'll bring with you into What-Comes-Next? Seeds? Thread? A good kitchen knife? What will you make of what's left? Together, let's light up the world.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
Reposted by Ian Cooper
#GOTOpodcast, @icooper.bsky.social, @davidwhitney.co.uk & Hannes Lowette talk about how architecture really works at scale:
• sustainable vs “slash-and-burn” systems
• emergent design vs intentional design
• why cargo-cult patterns hurt more than they help
🎧 gotopia.tech/podcas
• sustainable vs “slash-and-burn” systems
• emergent design vs intentional design
• why cargo-cult patterns hurt more than they help
🎧 gotopia.tech/podcas
December 19, 2025 at 1:01 PM
#GOTOpodcast, @icooper.bsky.social, @davidwhitney.co.uk & Hannes Lowette talk about how architecture really works at scale:
• sustainable vs “slash-and-burn” systems
• emergent design vs intentional design
• why cargo-cult patterns hurt more than they help
🎧 gotopia.tech/podcas
• sustainable vs “slash-and-burn” systems
• emergent design vs intentional design
• why cargo-cult patterns hurt more than they help
🎧 gotopia.tech/podcas
Reposted by Ian Cooper
When you drift through some unheralded point in your 40s, you start accumulating actuarial risks.
The odds of illness, heart attack, or the chances losing of a parent go up.
But there is another risk- particularly acute for men.
There is a risk you will lose your capacity for joy.
The odds of illness, heart attack, or the chances losing of a parent go up.
But there is another risk- particularly acute for men.
There is a risk you will lose your capacity for joy.
December 14, 2025 at 8:50 AM
When you drift through some unheralded point in your 40s, you start accumulating actuarial risks.
The odds of illness, heart attack, or the chances losing of a parent go up.
But there is another risk- particularly acute for men.
There is a risk you will lose your capacity for joy.
The odds of illness, heart attack, or the chances losing of a parent go up.
But there is another risk- particularly acute for men.
There is a risk you will lose your capacity for joy.