Chris Allegretta
asty.org
Chris Allegretta
@asty.org
He/Him. Free Software Developer, 'inventor' of GNU nano and CMatrix, and contributor to the Playground chat program. The opinions expressed are mine only.
My credit union is merging with another one, and this is part of the announcement message: "Your accounts and services will remain unchanged 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘯𝘰𝘸 as we integrate systems..."

Goodie! Now it feels like I need to put a calendar entry for 18mo out that says "check to see if they've altered the deal"
December 12, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Oh dear, I accidentally logged into LinkedIn. Won't make that mistake again for awhile.
October 7, 2025 at 7:19 PM
New blog post: I'm between articles right now, but here's what I'm thinking about (spoilers, it's bad smartphones)
I'm between articles right now, but here's what I'm thinking about (spoilers, it's bad smartphones)
Hello. I see now the pattern I have been falling into a lot on this blog: being someone who does not run this website to…
www.asty.org
September 28, 2025 at 1:21 PM
I'm between articles right now, but here's what I'm thinking about (spoilers, it's bad smartphones)
I'm between articles right now, but here's what I'm thinking about (spoilers, it's bad smartphones)
Hello. I see now the pattern I have been falling into a lot on this blog: being someone who does not run this website to…
www.asty.org
September 28, 2025 at 5:14 AM
Dear #lazyweb, as a smartphone hopper I'd like to finally pick a 2nd line type app. My aim isn't privacy, just ease of use, to run an (android) app for 1 phone# on voice/SIP and SMS/MMS on a few phones simultaneously. Ideally I could port a # to it.

TextNow/Burner/MySudo/other?
September 17, 2025 at 3:13 PM
GrayJay is a fantastic option for YT and Twitch viewing on desktop and mobile #android #linux #windows #youtube #twitch
GrayJay is a fantastic option for YouTube and Twitch viewing on desktop and mobile.
Recent GrayJay builds have been pretty solid on desktop, but the Android version had been quite stable and functional for many months now. And it...
www.asty.org
September 15, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Why do the SMS messages from @cvs-pharmacy.bsky.social have to say "PLEASE RESPOND" in all caps about my script refill, which I'm sorry are NOT the highest priority thing? It's so irritating that I always just reply no.

I do not need my pharmacy sending me shouty caps while I'm trying to work.
September 11, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Starless Abyss: The roguelite spaceship deckbuilder I've wanted for years!

If you're a fan of deckbuilders and space battlers, this one's a must-try! #deckbuilder #roguelite #steam
Starless Abyss: The roguelite spaceship deckbuilder I've wanted for years
www.asty.org
September 10, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Louis Rossmann - Change your profie picture to Clippy. (I'm Serious)

Love this idea. #consumerrights
Change your profile picture to clippy. I'm serious
YouTube video by Louis Rossmann
www.youtube.com
August 8, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Rescuing Chromebooks from Google with Void Linux
Rescuing Chromebooks from Google with Void Linux – asty.org
www.asty.org
August 7, 2025 at 9:04 AM
I was ~today years old when I learned you could move the mouse in Steam Big Picture mode by holding down the Xbox/PS button, and moving the right analog stick. And click the mouse buttons with LB/RB. And that it is very functional experience as well!

This is a life changing thing.
August 3, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Good vibes only today! Practicing gratitude that my OG #Framework 13 laptop is now running with the RTC battery fix. I finally got around to hassling them for the replacement part,
then getting around to actually soldering it into place!
July 12, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Awesome video from Tech Altar re: how companies like Microsoft trying to make AI unavoidable in every app, and ruining computing.

I'm linking to the Nebula version but it's on YT too. Nebula has so much great stuff, and is only $36 per YEAR when you sign up via a creator.

nebula.tv/videos/techa...
TechAltar — AI prompts are driving me ✨insane✨
Copilot in Microsoft Excel, Windows, Word and Outlook, Gemini in Google drive, Notion, Firefox and all the other apps are the new Clippy 2.0. They are annoying and get in the way. This is a rant. Tha...
nebula.tv
June 20, 2025 at 1:46 PM
(Almost All) Smartphones Just Plain Suck Now -
www.asty.org/almost-all-s...
(Almost All) Smartphones Just Plain Suck Now – asty.org
www.asty.org
May 12, 2025 at 7:16 PM
This is my new favorite product description for an Amazon item. It's refreshing to see this level of honesty! #whatsinthebox #hmm
March 14, 2025 at 3:37 PM
I love Karl Jobst's work on taking down video game cheaters so much. Watching him take aim at Elon's........let's say exaggerations regarding his gaming prowess is amazing.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1yk...
The Elon Musk Cheating Scandal
YouTube video by Karl Jobst
www.youtube.com
March 3, 2025 at 3:59 AM
In refining 0xD86180 : 0xA68113 (Siena) in 00h 21m 40s 410ms I have brought glory to the company.
Praise Kier.
4️⃣7️⃣7️⃣8️⃣4️⃣
0️⃣4️⃣1️⃣9️⃣1️⃣
1️⃣0️⃣3️⃣8️⃣4️⃣
1️⃣6️⃣1️⃣3️⃣8️⃣
8️⃣5️⃣7️⃣3️⃣4️⃣
#mdrlumon #severance 🧇🐐🔢💯
lumon-industries.com
February 27, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Oh thank the maker, WorkRevolt is back after an interminable hiatus with a new video! Boy, now more than ever do we need humor, and they are near the best IMO.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCeH...
Silent Hill 2 "Review" Worst Game of the Century or the Best? - workrevolt
YouTube video by workrevolt
www.youtube.com
January 23, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Trying to stay positive. I'm so grateful for the 8 years this little guy has been on the planet and in our home.

There were plenty of treats and toys on his bday today, the latter of which were quickly abandoned for a nap, then fiercely guarding a nearby water spill #frenchie #dogsofbluesky
January 21, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Boglin isn't always sleeping. But most of the time he is laying down, often with toy in mouth.

#dogsofbluesky #frenchie
January 16, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Reposted by Chris Allegretta
This was my third best game of 2024 so I did my bit
If you've enjoyed Cryptmaster, please consider sharing the news. Despite an IGF award, a 95% Steam rating and a free demo, the game has gone mostly unnoticed by both press and players. It's not just a typing game and there may still be people out there who would enjoy it!
January 5, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Chris Allegretta
@chrisa

2025 Fediverse update: GotoSocial server and the Phanpy web client are great! (asty.org/2025-fediverse-update) #fediverse #foss #gotosocial #phanpy
2025 Fediverse update: GotoSocial server and the Phanpy web client are great! – asty.org
asty.org
January 2, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Linux tips and tricks series.

Trying a new distro? Skip the 'gunzip' step before writing your exciting new distro's ISO to a thumb drive. Waste of time and space.

dd is both powerful & flexible; it assumes stdin when no 'if' arg is passed:
zcat linuximg.iso.gz | dd of=/dev/sdblah status=progress
December 29, 2024 at 5:24 AM
Happy Winter Solstice. We got Boggy a new jacket as a present, but the outside label said L while the inside one said M 😩 So he's in the buff for this #dogsofbluesky as normal
December 21, 2024 at 12:03 AM
I left Twitter to get away from 'own the libs, elon smart, trump is genius, crypto is great, outrage outrage outrage'. If Bluesky is just going to be the exact opposite echo chamber, I may well be done here also. The Discover tab is troubling.
December 18, 2024 at 9:55 PM