Astrospanner
@astrospanner.bsky.social
A machine to turn coffee into documentation for space instrumentation.
Reposted by Astrospanner
Reposted by Astrospanner
The Dickin Medal is the highest award that can be issued to animals in British military service. Bearing the words "We Also Serve" it has been awarded 75 times since its creation in 1943.
Only one cat has ever received the award.
This is the story of Able Seacat Simon, of HMS Amethyst. 🧵 1/25
Only one cat has ever received the award.
This is the story of Able Seacat Simon, of HMS Amethyst. 🧵 1/25
August 6, 2024 at 12:36 PM
The Dickin Medal is the highest award that can be issued to animals in British military service. Bearing the words "We Also Serve" it has been awarded 75 times since its creation in 1943.
Only one cat has ever received the award.
This is the story of Able Seacat Simon, of HMS Amethyst. 🧵 1/25
Only one cat has ever received the award.
This is the story of Able Seacat Simon, of HMS Amethyst. 🧵 1/25
Reposted by Astrospanner
When the Patriot Act was passed, libraries got requests for patrons’ borrowing history. We were prohibited from disclosing those requests.
We deleted and shredded those records and stopped tracking reading history for that reason.
ALSO.
We deleted and shredded those records and stopped tracking reading history for that reason.
ALSO.
January 29, 2025 at 6:23 PM
When the Patriot Act was passed, libraries got requests for patrons’ borrowing history. We were prohibited from disclosing those requests.
We deleted and shredded those records and stopped tracking reading history for that reason.
ALSO.
We deleted and shredded those records and stopped tracking reading history for that reason.
ALSO.
I suspect the chemists are more annoyed by getting the valence of carbon wrong...
(a very rare nerd error in xkcd!)
(a very rare nerd error in xkcd!)
January 21, 2025 at 9:24 AM
I suspect the chemists are more annoyed by getting the valence of carbon wrong...
(a very rare nerd error in xkcd!)
(a very rare nerd error in xkcd!)
New spyder install on my machine.
Why did I uninstall? Can't remember. IT may have done it for me...
Nice to see that "pip install" now works from the terminal.
Not nice to see that xlrd has removed xlsx functionality. Fortauntely I can resave the workbooks as xls and not have to re-write...
Why did I uninstall? Can't remember. IT may have done it for me...
Nice to see that "pip install" now works from the terminal.
Not nice to see that xlrd has removed xlsx functionality. Fortauntely I can resave the workbooks as xls and not have to re-write...
January 20, 2025 at 9:37 AM
New spyder install on my machine.
Why did I uninstall? Can't remember. IT may have done it for me...
Nice to see that "pip install" now works from the terminal.
Not nice to see that xlrd has removed xlsx functionality. Fortauntely I can resave the workbooks as xls and not have to re-write...
Why did I uninstall? Can't remember. IT may have done it for me...
Nice to see that "pip install" now works from the terminal.
Not nice to see that xlrd has removed xlsx functionality. Fortauntely I can resave the workbooks as xls and not have to re-write...
If you are not following @garius.bsky.social, then you are missing excellent threads such as this.
Meet the destroyer HMS Glowworm. In April 1940 she was forced to fight the German Heavy Cruiser Admiral Hipper, ten times her size, and Hipper's destroyer escorts.
Her extraordinary last stand earned her captain the first Victoria Cross of WW2. In part because THE GERMANS nominated him for one /1 🧵
Her extraordinary last stand earned her captain the first Victoria Cross of WW2. In part because THE GERMANS nominated him for one /1 🧵
January 9, 2025 at 10:45 AM
If you are not following @garius.bsky.social, then you are missing excellent threads such as this.
Reposted by Astrospanner
Meet the destroyer HMS Glowworm. In April 1940 she was forced to fight the German Heavy Cruiser Admiral Hipper, ten times her size, and Hipper's destroyer escorts.
Her extraordinary last stand earned her captain the first Victoria Cross of WW2. In part because THE GERMANS nominated him for one /1 🧵
Her extraordinary last stand earned her captain the first Victoria Cross of WW2. In part because THE GERMANS nominated him for one /1 🧵
January 8, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Meet the destroyer HMS Glowworm. In April 1940 she was forced to fight the German Heavy Cruiser Admiral Hipper, ten times her size, and Hipper's destroyer escorts.
Her extraordinary last stand earned her captain the first Victoria Cross of WW2. In part because THE GERMANS nominated him for one /1 🧵
Her extraordinary last stand earned her captain the first Victoria Cross of WW2. In part because THE GERMANS nominated him for one /1 🧵
Reposted by Astrospanner
my personal favorite comic of 2024
January 4, 2025 at 2:03 PM
my personal favorite comic of 2024
Thanks to an ifixit guide, I seem to have cured my old (10 year old) brother laser printer of paper jams.
Hurrah!
From the printer stats, it reports printing ~4000 pages in those 10 years, and everything has 50% life left.
Hurrah!
From the printer stats, it reports printing ~4000 pages in those 10 years, and everything has 50% life left.
January 4, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Thanks to an ifixit guide, I seem to have cured my old (10 year old) brother laser printer of paper jams.
Hurrah!
From the printer stats, it reports printing ~4000 pages in those 10 years, and everything has 50% life left.
Hurrah!
From the printer stats, it reports printing ~4000 pages in those 10 years, and everything has 50% life left.
Not often I find myself on the same page as the Spectator...
SCOOP: Sorry everyone, Adrian Dittmann X most likely is not Elon Musk's alt. It appears Adrian Dittmann is...Adrian Dittmann.
My story here:
thespectator.com/topic/real-a...
My story here:
thespectator.com/topic/real-a...
The real Adrian Dittmann
The account appears to be, in fact, Adrian Dittmann, a German Musk fan living in Fiji, according to a Spectator analysis of his posts
thespectator.com
January 4, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Not often I find myself on the same page as the Spectator...
Reposted by Astrospanner
the perfect rating doesn't exi......
📽️
📽️
December 14, 2024 at 10:30 PM
the perfect rating doesn't exi......
📽️
📽️
Reposted by Astrospanner
He's making a list
He's checking it twice
Of the fuzziness things that clutter the skies
Charles Messier is coming to town
He's checking it twice
Of the fuzziness things that clutter the skies
Charles Messier is coming to town
December 15, 2024 at 12:55 PM
He's making a list
He's checking it twice
Of the fuzziness things that clutter the skies
Charles Messier is coming to town
He's checking it twice
Of the fuzziness things that clutter the skies
Charles Messier is coming to town
Reposted by Astrospanner
December 7, 2024 at 11:53 AM
Sausage!
Sausage
December 7, 2024 at 2:17 PM
Sausage!
Every time @edzitron.com does a podcast ranting at how fawning tech journalists are (and yes, I'm going through a back catalogue of his Better Offline podcast), I'm reminded of this comic from @pennyarcade.bsky.social
www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/0...
We "just" need the full revolution...
www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/0...
We "just" need the full revolution...
The Partial Revolution - Penny Arcade
Videogaming-related online strip by Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins. Includes news and commentary.
www.penny-arcade.com
December 4, 2024 at 7:18 PM
Every time @edzitron.com does a podcast ranting at how fawning tech journalists are (and yes, I'm going through a back catalogue of his Better Offline podcast), I'm reminded of this comic from @pennyarcade.bsky.social
www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/0...
We "just" need the full revolution...
www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/0...
We "just" need the full revolution...
Reposted by Astrospanner
I am so glad @rossandersen.bsky.social took the time to write this. It is a thorough and accurate summary of the @vrubinobs.bsky.social situation. I have MANY FEELINGS about each and every facet of said situation, let me tell you. This won't be the last you hear of "telescope vs crap in orbit" 🔭
When a Telescope Is a National-Security Risk
How do you know what you’re not allowed to see?
www.theatlantic.com
December 2, 2024 at 8:49 PM
I am so glad @rossandersen.bsky.social took the time to write this. It is a thorough and accurate summary of the @vrubinobs.bsky.social situation. I have MANY FEELINGS about each and every facet of said situation, let me tell you. This won't be the last you hear of "telescope vs crap in orbit" 🔭
Reposted by Astrospanner
A terrific theory that pairs well with the Economist's terrific and terrifying chart of Musk's tweeting.
November 29, 2024 at 9:37 AM
A terrific theory that pairs well with the Economist's terrific and terrifying chart of Musk's tweeting.
Daniel Baumann has posted a link to his GR lecture notes on The Other Site. I've had a look at the first chapter, and the clarity of the writing is great.
tinyurl.com/5n786bkn
tinyurl.com/5n786bkn
tinyurl.com
November 28, 2024 at 10:52 AM
Daniel Baumann has posted a link to his GR lecture notes on The Other Site. I've had a look at the first chapter, and the clarity of the writing is great.
tinyurl.com/5n786bkn
tinyurl.com/5n786bkn
I hear that China is going to increase tariffs by a percentage point for every US school shooting.
Bill needs to change his name to Hackman. As someone once said, don’t try to explain Trump like he’s playing 3D chess. It’s more like he’s eating the checkers.
November 26, 2024 at 10:33 PM
I hear that China is going to increase tariffs by a percentage point for every US school shooting.
Really interesting listen to @edzitron.com Better Offline podcast about the at protocol underlying bluesky's tech.
I had not realised bluesky was not a walled garden like FB messenger or That Other Site.
I had not realised bluesky was not a walled garden like FB messenger or That Other Site.
November 26, 2024 at 9:02 PM
Really interesting listen to @edzitron.com Better Offline podcast about the at protocol underlying bluesky's tech.
I had not realised bluesky was not a walled garden like FB messenger or That Other Site.
I had not realised bluesky was not a walled garden like FB messenger or That Other Site.
Reposted by Astrospanner
Heads up for US colleagues- starting Jan 8th, those of us flying to the UK on US passports will need a visa: natlawreview.com/article/what...
What U.S. Travelers to UK Need to Know About UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
Americans traveling to the UK as tourists or business visitors are generally visa-exempt. Starting on Jan. 8, 2025, visa-exempt Americans traveling to the UK will need to use the new Electronic Travel...
natlawreview.com
November 26, 2024 at 1:45 PM
Heads up for US colleagues- starting Jan 8th, those of us flying to the UK on US passports will need a visa: natlawreview.com/article/what...
Reposted by Astrospanner
Just took my seat in the gallery at the Alex Jones bankruptcy hearing to confirm the sale to The Onion (and resolve half a dozen other issues).
We just happened to be in the area for the holiday, so my wife and are on a date to bankruptcy court.
We just happened to be in the area for the holiday, so my wife and are on a date to bankruptcy court.
November 25, 2024 at 7:47 PM
Just took my seat in the gallery at the Alex Jones bankruptcy hearing to confirm the sale to The Onion (and resolve half a dozen other issues).
We just happened to be in the area for the holiday, so my wife and are on a date to bankruptcy court.
We just happened to be in the area for the holiday, so my wife and are on a date to bankruptcy court.
This might be useful for new users (or old ones) not wanting crypto spam!
Found bsky.app/profile/did:...
November 19, 2024 at 7:29 PM
This might be useful for new users (or old ones) not wanting crypto spam!
A lovely quote thread of fine Discworld quotes.
Discworld QOTD, from Raising Steam
"The stars change, people change, and all we can do is assist the future with care and thoughtful determination to see the world at peace, even if it means ushering some of its worst threats to an early grave."
"The stars change, people change, and all we can do is assist the future with care and thoughtful determination to see the world at peace, even if it means ushering some of its worst threats to an early grave."
Discworld QOTD, from Thief of Time
“Some humans would do anything to see if it was possible to do it. If you put a large switch in some cave somewhere, with a sign on it saying 'End-of-the-World Switch. PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH', the paint wouldn't even have time to dry.”
“Some humans would do anything to see if it was possible to do it. If you put a large switch in some cave somewhere, with a sign on it saying 'End-of-the-World Switch. PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH', the paint wouldn't even have time to dry.”
November 19, 2024 at 7:26 PM
A lovely quote thread of fine Discworld quotes.