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Sean D. Sollé

@sd.solle.uk

280 followers 400 following 2.4K posts

I write software and terrible, terrible jokes.

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Sean D. Sollé @sd.solle.uk · Mar 24

Draw me like one of your baths.

Reposted by Sean D. Sollé

The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 12h

So, the plan is to cut English, the arts, and sociology - the degrees that actually study culture - while on another part of your platform claiming to “defend” British culture.

It’s performance nationalism with a reading age of seven.

Badenoch: Curb students taking 'rip-off' degrees such as English
The performing arts, sociology and anthropology are among the subjects the Conservatives would like to cut

Reposted by Sean D. Sollé

Henry Mance @henrymance.ft.com · 20h

I know this is uncomfortable to admit, but there is a small area in England's second city where people are just not integrated with the rest of society. Many of them hold views that arguably go against British values.

Yes, we need to talk about the Tory conference in Manchester.

Reposted by Sean D. Sollé

Plash Speed Router @univbee.bsky.social · 1d

Having a fun work situation because a blind user who needs the right control key for screen reader software can no longer get one on new laptops because of the copilot key, and unlike almost every other kb key, that key can’t be remapped because it sends Windows+Shift+F23 so it’s not one button.

Reposted by Sean D. Sollé

Bookshop.org @bookshop.org · 1d

Can’t decide what to buy on Prime Day?

Try: absolutely nothing, and then go support indie bookstores instead 📚

Reposted by Sean D. Sollé

Glenn Fleishman @glennf.com · 1d

Hi, folks, a little personal news. In mid-November, I'm getting my aortic valve replaced via open-heart surgery. As scary as that sounds, my prognosis is excellent. This is fairly personal health news, and I'm posting publicly for two reasons.

Reposted by Sean D. Sollé

Nicole aka Nimasprout @nimasprout.bsky.social · 20h

Also NEW to my online shoppe is pumpkin cottage mini print!!! 🎃✨🍂

Print featuring a orange cottage surrounded by pumpkins

Sean D. Sollé @sd.solle.uk · 20h

Aaaaand … if nephew chose the custom case, it's then a pride-of-place talking point 🥰

Sean D. Sollé @sd.solle.uk · 20h

All the advantages of a console (shared experience, audience participation, comfy seats) — with none of the disadvantages (cost, cost, cost).

Sean D. Sollé @sd.solle.uk · 20h

Although … two birds, one stone … gaming PC will happily plug into any modern TV — saves the expense of buying a dedicated monitor, and presumably TV is in shared family space?

Sean D. Sollé @sd.solle.uk · 20h

Ah, yes, understandable. Good grief parenting is a tough gig, isn't it?

Sean D. Sollé @sd.solle.uk · 20h

Another potential win — your nephew gets to experience being one of the lucky 10,000 …

Sean D. Sollé @sd.solle.uk · 20h

Another downside worth considering is — nephew could end up as a Reddit poster who includes his gaming rig's spec — "RTX PRO 6000 desktop with Threadripper Pro 9995wx" — in every post.

But I think that's probably a risk worth taking 🤣

Sean D. Sollé @sd.solle.uk · 20h

… it's fixable, unlike laptop which - once warranty expires - is realistically only replaceable.

If your sister has community contacts, and someone can recommend a builder, it's worth considering?

Sean D. Sollé @sd.solle.uk · 20h

And being a desktop PC, and upgradable — that's future birthdays and Christmases sorted — better graphics card, more disk space — plus potentially an understanding and appreciation of which bits do what to make the games fun.

Downsides: takes up more space, gets dustier

Upsides: if it breaks …

Sean D. Sollé @sd.solle.uk · 20h

… is that your sister can set a budget, and then your *nephew* can talk to the shopkeeper/indy builder about the games he likes, can pick the coolest case style, and generally geek out with the builder about what will be his PC.

And that's the best thing - it'll be his, and unique, and cherished.

Sean D. Sollé @sd.solle.uk · 20h

Which leads me on to the next bit.

A custom gaming rig needn't be insanely expensive, and if your sister can find a local indy shop that will build one, suddenly there's a world of advantages.

(And that's where the "is it a surprise?" bit comes in).

Because the brilliant thing about a custom rig…

Sean D. Sollé @sd.solle.uk · 21h

… regularly take the highly-stealable highly-expensive thing out of the house, a laptop may not be the best choice.

Sean D. Sollé @sd.solle.uk · 21h

Oooh! I have just thought of something. Well, two things.

1. Is it important that this be a surprise?

2. Is the "laptop" part important?

I ask because, in terms of bang per buck, desktop gaming systems are traditionally (a) much more powerful and (b) more future proof.

Unless nephew plans to …

Reposted by Sean D. Sollé

Chris @missingintheslips.bsky.social · 21h

Now with alt text

An open letter to the Rt Honourable Robert Jenrick MP
By email
7 October 2025
Dear Robert,
I write to express my dismay and disappointment in your comments about Handsworth which are being reported on the BBC today. As the Bishop of Birmingham, I work closely with people in communities across the West Midlands, and I am regularly in Handsworth. Your comments about a perceived failure of integration, which appear to have been made after a brief visit to the area, are entirely wrong and I reject them.
I recently visited St. Michael's CofE Primary Academy to congratulate them on their
'Outstanding' Ofsted result, achieved partly because of their energetic approach to ensuring full integration of children and families in this wonderfully diverse community with many shared values, supporting young people studying, playing and growing together. Across the road from St. Michael's Primary is the Sikh Nishkam Centre who are a major contributor to social cohesion in Handsworth, working hard towards the wellbeing of the wider community. Last week I visited the Shree Geeta Bhawan Hindu Temple where I was warmly welcomed by British Hindu's proudly serving their community and working hard to contribute to the wellbeing of wider local society. Our many local Church of England churches are full of people committed to working together to ensure that Handsworth is a safe, inspiring and hopeful place to live and work.

Comments like those you have made have the potential to generate anxiety and stir up division. They can feed into a harmful narrative that provides fuel for a fire of toxic nationalism. It is deeply unhelpful for politicians to make such comments and I encourage you to think about how your rhetoric might contribute towards unity rather than stoking division. I warmly invite you to return to Handsworth where I would be delighted to introduce you to a wide range of local residents who are entirely committed to the flourishing of their community and the wellbeing of its people.
Yours sincerely,
+Nichad Binfham
The Rt Revd Dr Michael Volland
Bishop of Birmingham
Co-signed by:
Mr Philip Hynan
Headteacher, St. Michael's Church of England Primary Academy, Handsworth
Ajit Singh
Managing Director, Nishkam Civic Association (NCA), Handsworth
Acharya Dharm Dutt Vasistha
Head Priest, Shree Geeta Bhawan, Handsworth

Sean D. Sollé @sd.solle.uk · 21h

Ahoy fellow nerds — an aunty is seeking gamer laptop advice and Reddit is being Reddit — anyone have any sensible advice?

Wendigo Wires 👻 @joparkerbear.bsky.social · 22h

ATTN gamers: I need help. Tried asking Reddit and was basically told I’m too clueless to ask for help — super helpful!

My sister wants to get my 11-year-old a gaming laptop for his birthday. It’s a crazy expensive investment, so I’m looking for suggestions.

Reposted by Sean D. Sollé

Wendigo Wires 👻 @joparkerbear.bsky.social · 21h

😁

I got more info re: games but don’t worry about it if you don’t have anything to add

bsky.app/profile/jopa...

Wendigo Wires 👻 @joparkerbear.bsky.social · 21h

I got more info, even though it’s not much

Delivered
So I think games on steam (a streaming platform) is a big one although I suspect that has a variety of game complexity. He has mentioned tekken 8 and a game called planet coaster. Fortnite might be a good example too althohhh he doesn't play anymore.
I don't know if the games rated "M" are historically more complex as well but it won't be any of those.

Sean D. Sollé @sd.solle.uk · 21h

I should add that it has some very pretty lights, is totally silent, and keeps the room toasty warm in the winter. Obviously none of these things are at all useful for your nephew — but I didn't want anyone to think that my PC isn't utterly wonderful and completely perfect for me.

Sean D. Sollé @sd.solle.uk · 21h

(Btw, I'd love to be able to provide a useful answer, but as my own PC is probably older than your nephew and full of parts from the eBay equivalent of a breaker's yard, I think a repost is the most practical help I can offer).

Sean D. Sollé @sd.solle.uk · 21h

"Your comments … are entirely wrong and I reject them" is a phenomenal turn of phrase, and I'm now itching to use it myself.

Sean D. Sollé @sd.solle.uk · 22h

👆