Thomas A. Fine
@thomasafine.bsky.social
Unix guru, Internet hacker, security curmudgeon, software engineer, politics fanatic, media critic, bike nerd, astronomy fan, history buff.
Sorry Verizon, but a 100% incline is 45 degrees.
February 9, 2026 at 5:20 AM
Sorry Verizon, but a 100% incline is 45 degrees.
It sounds like the DOJ decision to not investigate the shooting happened BEFORE the DOJ decision to remove evidence ftom the scene and keep it away from state investigators.
Or in other words this is not a passive lapse in carrying out duties; it is intentional tampering with evidence.
Or in other words this is not a passive lapse in carrying out duties; it is intentional tampering with evidence.
February 8, 2026 at 4:38 PM
It sounds like the DOJ decision to not investigate the shooting happened BEFORE the DOJ decision to remove evidence ftom the scene and keep it away from state investigators.
Or in other words this is not a passive lapse in carrying out duties; it is intentional tampering with evidence.
Or in other words this is not a passive lapse in carrying out duties; it is intentional tampering with evidence.
I've talked many times over the years, on various social media, about the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (TCA 1996)
While many others have blamed the growth in divisiveness on social media, I have long argued that TCA 1996 was the original sin.
It let corporations buy up news outlets.
While many others have blamed the growth in divisiveness on social media, I have long argued that TCA 1996 was the original sin.
It let corporations buy up news outlets.
February 8, 2026 at 10:04 AM
I've talked many times over the years, on various social media, about the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (TCA 1996)
While many others have blamed the growth in divisiveness on social media, I have long argued that TCA 1996 was the original sin.
It let corporations buy up news outlets.
While many others have blamed the growth in divisiveness on social media, I have long argued that TCA 1996 was the original sin.
It let corporations buy up news outlets.
If AI is so great, then shouldn't AI be able to tell me how to turn off AI on my new phone?
I mean, it gave me answers on how to do that...
...they were just wrong answers.
I mean, it gave me answers on how to do that...
...they were just wrong answers.
February 8, 2026 at 8:22 AM
If AI is so great, then shouldn't AI be able to tell me how to turn off AI on my new phone?
I mean, it gave me answers on how to do that...
...they were just wrong answers.
I mean, it gave me answers on how to do that...
...they were just wrong answers.
What's your favorite Firefox and Chrome extensions for putting back traditional Unix/X11 editing keys for web browser UI?
The specific behaviors I rely on that have in recent years changed to something else are:
Ctrl-A: beginning of line
Ctrl-K: kill to end of line
Ctrl-D: Delete next character
The specific behaviors I rely on that have in recent years changed to something else are:
Ctrl-A: beginning of line
Ctrl-K: kill to end of line
Ctrl-D: Delete next character
February 6, 2026 at 7:38 PM
What's your favorite Firefox and Chrome extensions for putting back traditional Unix/X11 editing keys for web browser UI?
The specific behaviors I rely on that have in recent years changed to something else are:
Ctrl-A: beginning of line
Ctrl-K: kill to end of line
Ctrl-D: Delete next character
The specific behaviors I rely on that have in recent years changed to something else are:
Ctrl-A: beginning of line
Ctrl-K: kill to end of line
Ctrl-D: Delete next character
Reposted by Thomas A. Fine
👀
The word don't is censored. Don't, or Don T. If you're looking for just some fun proof they're doing control+f censoring
![To:
Jeffrey Epstein[jeevacation@gmail.com]
From:
Sent:
Wed 7/15/2009 1:56:13 AM
Subject:
Re: florida visit?
good typing!
oh well, looks like it's a long flight anyhow... edmonton is so far away from EVERYTHING.
On Tue, Jul 14, 2009 at 7:49 PM, Jeffrey Epstein <jeevacation@gmail.com>
wrote:
i am tied up until aug
On Tue, Jul 14, 2009 at 9:41 PM,
wrote:
You planted a seed with your invite today. I have next Wed thru Sunday off (July 22-26), my last vacation for months.
I was going to take polo lessons in Calgary but I (DON'T) think my body can handle it! I pull a muscle every time, and I'm starting to realize my budding polo career might have to take a back seat to my actual job.
think
What are you doing next week?](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2kpgkv4xcyduvylimyapgcj7/bafkreifsvmmha2afgveksvxc5czx4rwpan2e37riayppfadft5sfr43vxm@jpeg)
February 6, 2026 at 12:55 AM
👀
I have tested this. As described it didn't quote work. But by adding the app "Soft Lock Screen", which (at the moment) disables biometrics by default, and then having the routine run this app, tied to certain fingerprints, it works perfectly.
If you own a recent Samsung, then I _think_ you can download "Good Lock" (a free Samsung app), and use it to set your phone to enter LockDown mode if you try to unlock your phone with a specific finger.
I will have a new phone soon to verify this. In the meantime, let me know if it works.
I will have a new phone soon to verify this. In the meantime, let me know if it works.
I can’t stress this enough. The state of 4th Amendment law is that the cops can’t force you to type in a passcode but they can force you to swipe your finger or present your face. Never stop using passcodes/passwords to unlock your devices. And consider additional code to unlock Signal.
February 4, 2026 at 11:27 AM
I have tested this. As described it didn't quote work. But by adding the app "Soft Lock Screen", which (at the moment) disables biometrics by default, and then having the routine run this app, tied to certain fingerprints, it works perfectly.
Can anyone explain to me like how shorter, automated certificates are an improvement in security, rather than added risk?
If password aging is dumb, this is worse, because we're encouraging the creation of another, fragile, hackable system, with far less human oversight.
If password aging is dumb, this is worse, because we're encouraging the creation of another, fragile, hackable system, with far less human oversight.
February 3, 2026 at 8:48 PM
Can anyone explain to me like how shorter, automated certificates are an improvement in security, rather than added risk?
If password aging is dumb, this is worse, because we're encouraging the creation of another, fragile, hackable system, with far less human oversight.
If password aging is dumb, this is worse, because we're encouraging the creation of another, fragile, hackable system, with far less human oversight.
All right. To be fair, it is exceedingly common for Trump to not take questions after these signing ceremonies. And it is absolutely standard procedure to rush everyone out the door the moment Trump says "Thank you" to the press.
But he doesn't usually freeze up and sit there uncomfortably.
But he doesn't usually freeze up and sit there uncomfortably.
February 3, 2026 at 12:22 AM
All right. To be fair, it is exceedingly common for Trump to not take questions after these signing ceremonies. And it is absolutely standard procedure to rush everyone out the door the moment Trump says "Thank you" to the press.
But he doesn't usually freeze up and sit there uncomfortably.
But he doesn't usually freeze up and sit there uncomfortably.
So when the new phone activation instructions say you can call from any phone, they do not actually mean that. Calling from the old phone results in a clusterfuck.
And these phone setup and transfer apps are... not robust. Especially when you are in a clusterfuck.
And these phone setup and transfer apps are... not robust. Especially when you are in a clusterfuck.
February 2, 2026 at 10:12 PM
So when the new phone activation instructions say you can call from any phone, they do not actually mean that. Calling from the old phone results in a clusterfuck.
And these phone setup and transfer apps are... not robust. Especially when you are in a clusterfuck.
And these phone setup and transfer apps are... not robust. Especially when you are in a clusterfuck.
If you own a recent Samsung, then I _think_ you can download "Good Lock" (a free Samsung app), and use it to set your phone to enter LockDown mode if you try to unlock your phone with a specific finger.
I will have a new phone soon to verify this. In the meantime, let me know if it works.
I will have a new phone soon to verify this. In the meantime, let me know if it works.
I can’t stress this enough. The state of 4th Amendment law is that the cops can’t force you to type in a passcode but they can force you to swipe your finger or present your face. Never stop using passcodes/passwords to unlock your devices. And consider additional code to unlock Signal.
The FBI was able to access Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson's Signal messages because she used Signal on her work laptop. The laptop accepted Touch ID for authentication, meaning the agents were allowed to require her to unlock it. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 1, 2026 at 4:02 AM
If you own a recent Samsung, then I _think_ you can download "Good Lock" (a free Samsung app), and use it to set your phone to enter LockDown mode if you try to unlock your phone with a specific finger.
I will have a new phone soon to verify this. In the meantime, let me know if it works.
I will have a new phone soon to verify this. In the meantime, let me know if it works.
Reposted by Thomas A. Fine
This judge does the thing quoting the Declaration of Independence at the Trump regime then adds for good measure: "Observing human behavior confirms that for some among us, the perfidious lust for unbridled power & the imposition of cruelty in its quest know no bounds & are bereft of human decency."
Order to release Adrian and Liam Arias is a real barn burner storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 31, 2026 at 9:11 PM
This judge does the thing quoting the Declaration of Independence at the Trump regime then adds for good measure: "Observing human behavior confirms that for some among us, the perfidious lust for unbridled power & the imposition of cruelty in its quest know no bounds & are bereft of human decency."
I thought he was known as the "Love my nuts" guy. #slapchop
Seriously is it any worse than "Sham wow!"? Or is that just honesty in advertising?
Seriously is it any worse than "Sham wow!"? Or is that just honesty in advertising?
January 31, 2026 at 11:34 PM
I thought he was known as the "Love my nuts" guy. #slapchop
Seriously is it any worse than "Sham wow!"? Or is that just honesty in advertising?
Seriously is it any worse than "Sham wow!"? Or is that just honesty in advertising?
Reposted by Thomas A. Fine
So I have some thoughts — many thoughts — about this thing with the BBC forgetting to mention Jews on Holocaust Remembrance Day.
www.foxnews.com/media/bbc-ap...
www.foxnews.com/media/bbc-ap...
BBC apologizes after ‘incorrectly worded’ Holocaust Memorial Day coverage intro blasted as ‘absolute disgrace’
BBC irked viewers by kicking off its coverage of Holocaust Memorial Day by declaring it commemorates the "six million people murdered by the Nazi regime" without mentioning Jews.
www.foxnews.com
January 31, 2026 at 7:57 AM
So I have some thoughts — many thoughts — about this thing with the BBC forgetting to mention Jews on Holocaust Remembrance Day.
www.foxnews.com/media/bbc-ap...
www.foxnews.com/media/bbc-ap...
So I have some thoughts — many thoughts — about this thing with the BBC forgetting to mention Jews on Holocaust Remembrance Day.
www.foxnews.com/media/bbc-ap...
www.foxnews.com/media/bbc-ap...
BBC apologizes after ‘incorrectly worded’ Holocaust Memorial Day coverage intro blasted as ‘absolute disgrace’
BBC irked viewers by kicking off its coverage of Holocaust Memorial Day by declaring it commemorates the "six million people murdered by the Nazi regime" without mentioning Jews.
www.foxnews.com
January 31, 2026 at 7:57 AM
So I have some thoughts — many thoughts — about this thing with the BBC forgetting to mention Jews on Holocaust Remembrance Day.
www.foxnews.com/media/bbc-ap...
www.foxnews.com/media/bbc-ap...
The final episode of the massively underrated series "Limitless" is about a plot to manipulate the politics of Canada and Greenland in order to get rich from controlling the hypothetical Northwest Passage.
But it wasn't a long game, it was all about profiting from short-term market shifts.
But it wasn't a long game, it was all about profiting from short-term market shifts.
January 30, 2026 at 8:45 AM
The final episode of the massively underrated series "Limitless" is about a plot to manipulate the politics of Canada and Greenland in order to get rich from controlling the hypothetical Northwest Passage.
But it wasn't a long game, it was all about profiting from short-term market shifts.
But it wasn't a long game, it was all about profiting from short-term market shifts.
I wrote this thread as a reply, which started as just a rant, and grew. And I now realize I should have quoted and hung this thread that way. Scroll up to see what I was responding to, and then please read and consider this thread.
I'm sorry, but this is itself a fucked up, offensive, and deeply misguided response.
I'm sick of constant claims that Jewish groups are automatically aligned with Trump somehow. Jews are one of the most strongly left-leaning religious and or ethnic groups in this country.
I'm sick of constant claims that Jewish groups are automatically aligned with Trump somehow. Jews are one of the most strongly left-leaning religious and or ethnic groups in this country.
January 28, 2026 at 6:32 AM
I wrote this thread as a reply, which started as just a rant, and grew. And I now realize I should have quoted and hung this thread that way. Scroll up to see what I was responding to, and then please read and consider this thread.
I've finally realized that the reason people are so happy to accept Google AI summaries is that most of the time, people want AN answer and really don't give a shit if it is THE answer.
Or in other words, most of the time, wrong answer from Google just won't matter.
Or in other words, most of the time, wrong answer from Google just won't matter.
January 28, 2026 at 5:00 AM
I've finally realized that the reason people are so happy to accept Google AI summaries is that most of the time, people want AN answer and really don't give a shit if it is THE answer.
Or in other words, most of the time, wrong answer from Google just won't matter.
Or in other words, most of the time, wrong answer from Google just won't matter.
That feeling when you are a tiny account and you get instantly retweeted, but then you realize it's just a sex worker seeking customers.
I really do hope that Homan will be more human than Bovine.
January 28, 2026 at 1:14 AM
That feeling when you are a tiny account and you get instantly retweeted, but then you realize it's just a sex worker seeking customers.
I really do hope that Homan will be more human than Bovine.
January 28, 2026 at 1:10 AM
I really do hope that Homan will be more human than Bovine.
There are claims going around that MSNBC manipulated images of Alex Pretti to make him look more classically heroic (or something like that).
There does some to be a hint of truth here. It looks like a few days ago someone (not MSNBC) probably ran his photo through some AI headshot service.
There does some to be a hint of truth here. It looks like a few days ago someone (not MSNBC) probably ran his photo through some AI headshot service.
January 28, 2026 at 12:38 AM
There are claims going around that MSNBC manipulated images of Alex Pretti to make him look more classically heroic (or something like that).
There does some to be a hint of truth here. It looks like a few days ago someone (not MSNBC) probably ran his photo through some AI headshot service.
There does some to be a hint of truth here. It looks like a few days ago someone (not MSNBC) probably ran his photo through some AI headshot service.
The "For You" feed on Xitter continues to be a hellscape, and is currently dominated by attempts at character assassination of Alex Pretti.
January 27, 2026 at 9:55 PM
The "For You" feed on Xitter continues to be a hellscape, and is currently dominated by attempts at character assassination of Alex Pretti.
Reposted by Thomas A. Fine
You can’t tell me we have a functioning economic system when the richest man in human history is one of the most profoundly stupid people in human history
January 27, 2026 at 2:11 AM
You can’t tell me we have a functioning economic system when the richest man in human history is one of the most profoundly stupid people in human history
Making the rounds:
January 27, 2026 at 1:56 AM
Making the rounds:
We shoveled late so that we would be finished when the storm finished, but
This. Snowstorm. Just. Won't. Stop.
I mean it only added another couple of inches. But the forecast for the snow ending keeps getting extended. Could be six more inches by the time it stops.
This. Snowstorm. Just. Won't. Stop.
I mean it only added another couple of inches. But the forecast for the snow ending keeps getting extended. Could be six more inches by the time it stops.
January 27, 2026 at 1:35 AM
We shoveled late so that we would be finished when the storm finished, but
This. Snowstorm. Just. Won't. Stop.
I mean it only added another couple of inches. But the forecast for the snow ending keeps getting extended. Could be six more inches by the time it stops.
This. Snowstorm. Just. Won't. Stop.
I mean it only added another couple of inches. But the forecast for the snow ending keeps getting extended. Could be six more inches by the time it stops.