Michael Newton
@mavnn.bonfire.mavnn.eu.ap.brid.gy
Christian, husband, dad, coder, trainer, speaker, rpg geek, adhd
🌉 bridged from ⁂ https://bonfire.mavnn.eu/pub/actors/mavnn, follow @ap.brid.gy to interact
🌉 bridged from ⁂ https://bonfire.mavnn.eu/pub/actors/mavnn, follow @ap.brid.gy to interact
Today I was going to do ... something?
What I actually did was update one piece of software that I accidentally misconfigured, which took down the database, which then turned out to be too old for the new version of the software (after I fixed the misconfiguration) which I then upgraded that […]
What I actually did was update one piece of software that I accidentally misconfigured, which took down the database, which then turned out to be too old for the new version of the software (after I fixed the misconfiguration) which I then upgraded that […]
Original post on bonfire.mavnn.eu
bonfire.mavnn.eu
January 23, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Today I was going to do ... something?
What I actually did was update one piece of software that I accidentally misconfigured, which took down the database, which then turned out to be too old for the new version of the software (after I fixed the misconfiguration) which I then upgraded that […]
What I actually did was update one piece of software that I accidentally misconfigured, which took down the database, which then turned out to be too old for the new version of the software (after I fixed the misconfiguration) which I then upgraded that […]
Question for anyone who's used ex_cldr and/or gettext in #elixir - I'm trying to compile something in a memory constrained environment and the gettext back end has started finding 130 locales out wants to generate on every build. I _think_ I've configured cldr to have only one allowed language […]
Original post on bonfire.mavnn.eu
bonfire.mavnn.eu
January 23, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Question for anyone who's used ex_cldr and/or gettext in #elixir - I'm trying to compile something in a memory constrained environment and the gettext back end has started finding 130 locales out wants to generate on every build. I _think_ I've configured cldr to have only one allowed language […]
I decided to try out an experimental design for ordered data in Ink, and learn more about the run time in the process.
I've blogged about the results with a bunch of examples, and I'm pretty happy with the outcome. Been looking for ways to include prioritization or limited resources like magic […]
I've blogged about the results with a bunch of examples, and I'm pretty happy with the outcome. Been looking for ways to include prioritization or limited resources like magic […]
Original post on bonfire.mavnn.eu
bonfire.mavnn.eu
January 22, 2026 at 6:05 PM
I decided to try out an experimental design for ordered data in Ink, and learn more about the run time in the process.
I've blogged about the results with a bunch of examples, and I'm pretty happy with the outcome. Been looking for ways to include prioritization or limited resources like magic […]
I've blogged about the results with a bunch of examples, and I'm pretty happy with the outcome. Been looking for ways to include prioritization or limited resources like magic […]
App: "Error: Ad failed to load, check your internet connection."
Me: "Error? You keep on using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
Me: "Error? You keep on using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
January 21, 2026 at 1:54 PM
App: "Error: Ad failed to load, check your internet connection."
Me: "Error? You keep on using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
Me: "Error? You keep on using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
Reposted by Michael Newton
We got mentioned in a forum where someone was looking for a simple tool to create a #visualnovel, and the next reply was:
> I tried this out a while back. It’s pretty cool!
So proud :sniff:
> I tried this out a while back. It’s pretty cool!
So proud :sniff:
January 19, 2026 at 2:28 PM
We got mentioned in a forum where someone was looking for a simple tool to create a #visualnovel, and the next reply was:
> I tried this out a while back. It’s pretty cool!
So proud :sniff:
> I tried this out a while back. It’s pretty cool!
So proud :sniff:
Reposted by Michael Newton
Next week, we'll be looking at how to track character attitudes in #visualnovels using Ink. To see the techniques in action, we'll be starting with a rendition of one of the famous fictional first meetings.
What _do_ you do know it's 1880 and you've just been shipped home from Afghanistan? Look […]
What _do_ you do know it's 1880 and you've just been shipped home from Afghanistan? Look […]
Original post on bonfire.mavnn.eu
bonfire.mavnn.eu
January 17, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Next week, we'll be looking at how to track character attitudes in #visualnovels using Ink. To see the techniques in action, we'll be starting with a rendition of one of the famous fictional first meetings.
What _do_ you do know it's 1880 and you've just been shipped home from Afghanistan? Look […]
What _do_ you do know it's 1880 and you've just been shipped home from Afghanistan? Look […]
It would really nice if that naggy sensation of "my meds don't feel like they're working well today" turned into checking whether I'd actually remembered to take my meds today a little more often.
This message brought to you by a morning where I have not achieved a great deal... #ADHD
This message brought to you by a morning where I have not achieved a great deal... #ADHD
January 14, 2026 at 12:55 PM
It would really nice if that naggy sensation of "my meds don't feel like they're working well today" turned into checking whether I'd actually remembered to take my meds today a little more often.
This message brought to you by a morning where I have not achieved a great deal... #ADHD
This message brought to you by a morning where I have not achieved a great deal... #ADHD
Reposted by Michael Newton
And we're off! First class of 2026 saw three pre-teens starting their first #visualnovel with its first choice point, visuals for the speakers and scene backgrounds, and background music. Not bad for one hour!
January 12, 2026 at 6:34 PM
And we're off! First class of 2026 saw three pre-teens starting their first #visualnovel with its first choice point, visuals for the speakers and scene backgrounds, and background music. Not bad for one hour!
Playing with #godot for the first time, and accidentally set some bullets to be rigid objects in the 2D physics engine rather than 2D 'areas'.
Which was actually hilarious, because rather than making the enemies dissappear like a normal boring game, the 1kg bullets travelling at several meters […]
Which was actually hilarious, because rather than making the enemies dissappear like a normal boring game, the 1kg bullets travelling at several meters […]
Original post on bonfire.mavnn.eu
bonfire.mavnn.eu
January 10, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Playing with #godot for the first time, and accidentally set some bullets to be rigid objects in the 2D physics engine rather than 2D 'areas'.
Which was actually hilarious, because rather than making the enemies dissappear like a normal boring game, the 1kg bullets travelling at several meters […]
Which was actually hilarious, because rather than making the enemies dissappear like a normal boring game, the 1kg bullets travelling at several meters […]
Last chance to sign up the under 18 budding #visualnovel author in your life for an online five week introduction to writing #interactivefiction - the courses start next week! thinkersmeetup.com/scholars/...
Michael Newton | thinkersmeetup
www.thinkersmeetup.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:26 PM
Last chance to sign up the under 18 budding #visualnovel author in your life for an online five week introduction to writing #interactivefiction - the courses start next week! thinkersmeetup.com/scholars/...
Reposted by Michael Newton
To my considerable surprise, we're launching an adult introduction to #visualnovel writing courses here at VisualInk. Someone has offered to pay my 1-1 mentoring rates for an introduction, so now we’re at the stage of seeing if other people are interested at times that can work as this is the […]
Original post on bonfire.mavnn.eu
bonfire.mavnn.eu
January 9, 2026 at 3:03 PM
To my considerable surprise, we're launching an adult introduction to #visualnovel writing courses here at VisualInk. Someone has offered to pay my 1-1 mentoring rates for an introduction, so now we’re at the stage of seeing if other people are interested at times that can work as this is the […]
I'm running courses for under 18s on creating #interactivefiction (specifically, #visualnovels ) but I just had a request from one of the parents for an adult version of the course.
Would you, or anyone you know be interested in a short course on writing interactive fiction? Would probably run […]
Would you, or anyone you know be interested in a short course on writing interactive fiction? Would probably run […]
Original post on bonfire.mavnn.eu
bonfire.mavnn.eu
January 9, 2026 at 2:48 AM
I'm running courses for under 18s on creating #interactivefiction (specifically, #visualnovels ) but I just had a request from one of the parents for an adult version of the course.
Would you, or anyone you know be interested in a short course on writing interactive fiction? Would probably run […]
Would you, or anyone you know be interested in a short course on writing interactive fiction? Would probably run […]
So - week starting the 12th I'm starting a new run of Coding Games with a Story, a five week course teaching young people how to write interactive fiction (in the form of visual novels, using Ink). Build stories that change based on the player's choices while learning about both good story […]
Original post on bonfire.mavnn.eu
bonfire.mavnn.eu
January 2, 2026 at 11:04 AM
So - week starting the 12th I'm starting a new run of Coding Games with a Story, a five week course teaching young people how to write interactive fiction (in the form of visual novels, using Ink). Build stories that change based on the player's choices while learning about both good story […]
Peace and joy to y"all. And merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate!
December 25, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Peace and joy to y"all. And merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate!
Reposted by Michael Newton
Coding is a lot more fun when you don't have to keep jumping around to check you've used _exactly_ the right names for things. Which means we're constantly trying to up our game with the VisualInk editor to make the suggestions it gives as fast, context […]
[Original post on bonfire.mavnn.eu]
[Original post on bonfire.mavnn.eu]
December 19, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Coding is a lot more fun when you don't have to keep jumping around to check you've used _exactly_ the right names for things. Which means we're constantly trying to up our game with the VisualInk editor to make the suggestions it gives as fast, context […]
[Original post on bonfire.mavnn.eu]
[Original post on bonfire.mavnn.eu]
Reposted by Michael Newton
Interested in quickly prototyping your #ink based #interactivefiction or #visualnovel? We're starting to look a pretty decent choice, with collaborative editing sessions and (if you're logged in) instant shareable "play" links.
visualink.mavnn.eu/
visualink.mavnn.eu/
Visual Ink | Visual Ink
visualink.mavnn.eu
December 17, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Interested in quickly prototyping your #ink based #interactivefiction or #visualnovel? We're starting to look a pretty decent choice, with collaborative editing sessions and (if you're logged in) instant shareable "play" links.
visualink.mavnn.eu/
visualink.mavnn.eu/
That feeling when you realise tab didn't complete the filename you thought you that you've just tried to open a 30gb file on a USB drive in vi over an ssh connection.
December 17, 2025 at 4:52 PM
That feeling when you realise tab didn't complete the filename you thought you that you've just tried to open a 30gb file on a USB drive in vi over an ssh connection.
There's this weird moment in refactoring code, when after hours/days of redesign, changes, and testing you bask in the glow of a job well done and all the improvements you've made... before running the code and seeing absolutely nothing in how it functions differently from the outside because […]
Original post on bonfire.mavnn.eu
bonfire.mavnn.eu
December 15, 2025 at 2:45 PM
There's this weird moment in refactoring code, when after hours/days of redesign, changes, and testing you bask in the glow of a job well done and all the improvements you've made... before running the code and seeing absolutely nothing in how it functions differently from the outside because […]
December 14, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Some (most?) days teaching students to code is uplifting, feels worthwhile, and gives everybody involved a sense of satisfaction.
Other days you discover one of your students hasn't been able to press "enter" for the last 2 lessons because they rethemed their keyboard and the theme turned the […]
Other days you discover one of your students hasn't been able to press "enter" for the last 2 lessons because they rethemed their keyboard and the theme turned the […]
Original post on bonfire.mavnn.eu
bonfire.mavnn.eu
December 11, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Some (most?) days teaching students to code is uplifting, feels worthwhile, and gives everybody involved a sense of satisfaction.
Other days you discover one of your students hasn't been able to press "enter" for the last 2 lessons because they rethemed their keyboard and the theme turned the […]
Other days you discover one of your students hasn't been able to press "enter" for the last 2 lessons because they rethemed their keyboard and the theme turned the […]
Apparently 2025 is the year that has Weird Al singing 'killing in the name of'. Not a parody, not with sanitised lyrics. Just straight up 'fuck you I won't do what you tell me'.
That's... not something I ever expected to see.
io.mwl.io/@mwl/115698737174829
That's... not something I ever expected to see.
io.mwl.io/@mwl/115698737174829
December 11, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Apparently 2025 is the year that has Weird Al singing 'killing in the name of'. Not a parody, not with sanitised lyrics. Just straight up 'fuck you I won't do what you tell me'.
That's... not something I ever expected to see.
io.mwl.io/@mwl/115698737174829
That's... not something I ever expected to see.
io.mwl.io/@mwl/115698737174829
So I noticed yesterday that my home automation server (surprisingly useful when you have solar panels) was running out of storage space, and thought I was going to have to buy more.
Then I noticed that I'd stored every change in fan speed of the ventilation system for the past 18 months because […]
Then I noticed that I'd stored every change in fan speed of the ventilation system for the past 18 months because […]
Original post on bonfire.mavnn.eu
bonfire.mavnn.eu
December 10, 2025 at 12:38 PM
So I noticed yesterday that my home automation server (surprisingly useful when you have solar panels) was running out of storage space, and thought I was going to have to buy more.
Then I noticed that I'd stored every change in fan speed of the ventilation system for the past 18 months because […]
Then I noticed that I'd stored every change in fan speed of the ventilation system for the past 18 months because […]
I've been very impressed with the collaborative editing support built into CodeMirror. There's certain properties in software that still always feel magical to me, and shared code editing is very much one of them - watching changes made by other people spread around the world appearing in front […]
Original post on bonfire.mavnn.eu
bonfire.mavnn.eu
December 9, 2025 at 3:10 PM
I've been very impressed with the collaborative editing support built into CodeMirror. There's certain properties in software that still always feel magical to me, and shared code editing is very much one of them - watching changes made by other people spread around the world appearing in front […]
December 4, 2025 at 10:54 AM