John Shortess
@johnshortess.bsky.social
I lead developer teams that use Drupal and open source to help make peoples’ lives better. Public media alum/fan. Recovering Louisianan. Proud PFLAG dad. Space nerd. Unrepentant Pokémon Go addict. Occasional musician/photographer/astrophotographer.
I didn't work at CompuServe, but was a very active user, and I remember we called progressive GIFs "creamy" and interlaced GIFs "crunchy."
October 27, 2025 at 3:09 PM
I didn't work at CompuServe, but was a very active user, and I remember we called progressive GIFs "creamy" and interlaced GIFs "crunchy."
Because I’m a big (U.S.) public radio nerd, I read that as every dude is trying to look like B.J. Leiderman.
October 23, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Because I’m a big (U.S.) public radio nerd, I read that as every dude is trying to look like B.J. Leiderman.
I thought Seaquest DMV was sitting through summer traffic jams on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge?
October 9, 2025 at 4:55 AM
I thought Seaquest DMV was sitting through summer traffic jams on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge?
I have a friend who’s parent to an enby kid, but also a huge HP fan, and has a several-times-a-week CFA habit. I can’t even begin to even.
September 6, 2025 at 1:32 AM
I have a friend who’s parent to an enby kid, but also a huge HP fan, and has a several-times-a-week CFA habit. I can’t even begin to even.
This is going to be life-changing. Or at least kitchen-changing. Thank you!!!
September 6, 2025 at 1:26 AM
This is going to be life-changing. Or at least kitchen-changing. Thank you!!!
I had that same realization two weeks ago — I built my first website while working the long 4th of July weekend in 1995, and that’s basically been my full-time job ever since. “In web years, I’m dead.”
July 14, 2025 at 3:19 PM
I had that same realization two weeks ago — I built my first website while working the long 4th of July weekend in 1995, and that’s basically been my full-time job ever since. “In web years, I’m dead.”
Dunno what’s out towards DC, but walking along the W&OD near Dulles this afternoon I saw a B-29, a B-25, and a C-47 taking off after an event at Udvar-Hazy.
June 14, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Dunno what’s out towards DC, but walking along the W&OD near Dulles this afternoon I saw a B-29, a B-25, and a C-47 taking off after an event at Udvar-Hazy.
I'd only been vaguely aware of Va. higher ed issues until this weekend, when my daughter decided to accept her offer from UVA (for BS in physics). How much are recent issues caused by Ryan, vs. Youngkin meddling through the BofV? How easily can (hopefully) Spanberger fix? I need to look into this.
May 6, 2025 at 7:59 PM
I'd only been vaguely aware of Va. higher ed issues until this weekend, when my daughter decided to accept her offer from UVA (for BS in physics). How much are recent issues caused by Ryan, vs. Youngkin meddling through the BofV? How easily can (hopefully) Spanberger fix? I need to look into this.
That just might make you an honorary GenXer, where 1985 is perpetually just 15 years ago.
May 5, 2025 at 9:01 PM
That just might make you an honorary GenXer, where 1985 is perpetually just 15 years ago.
Ooh, even better! Thanks!
April 9, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Ooh, even better! Thanks!
I caught the last half of this in the car on WAMU yesterday evening, and made a mental note to find the story (and the documentary) this morning. Your post popped up in my feed before I even had a chance to look. I now know what I'm watching on PBS Passport tonight!
April 9, 2025 at 2:29 PM
I caught the last half of this in the car on WAMU yesterday evening, and made a mental note to find the story (and the documentary) this morning. Your post popped up in my feed before I even had a chance to look. I now know what I'm watching on PBS Passport tonight!
When my job went full remote during covid, a work-life balance thing I started doing is "walking home from work" every day. I'd close my laptop and go out for a 2-3 mile walk, and when I got back I was "at home" rather than "at work." It's been great for both my physical and mental health!
March 29, 2025 at 3:05 AM
When my job went full remote during covid, a work-life balance thing I started doing is "walking home from work" every day. I'd close my laptop and go out for a 2-3 mile walk, and when I got back I was "at home" rather than "at work." It's been great for both my physical and mental health!
This news was one of the few bright spots in a very dark week. Being reminded this was Gwen's church (who I worked with on WW 25 years ago) makes it even sweeter! Still miss her.
February 5, 2025 at 4:45 AM
This news was one of the few bright spots in a very dark week. Being reminded this was Gwen's church (who I worked with on WW 25 years ago) makes it even sweeter! Still miss her.
Looks like the account got suspended in the 15ish seconds between when I clicked on the account and when I clicked submit on the report.
February 4, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Looks like the account got suspended in the 15ish seconds between when I clicked on the account and when I clicked submit on the report.