Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Shane McKee

@shaneir.bsky.social

1K followers 430 following 2.7K posts

Genetics/Genomics doc, Nazareth Hospital biker, developing solutions for #RareDisease and Digital Healthcare on a #Psion Series 3a. Want to see peace in Northern Ireland, Israel-Palestine & Planet Earth. https://shanemuk.github.io

shanemuk.github.io

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Shane McKee @shaneir.bsky.social · May 15

#ShareTheShore just got real! @meabc.bsky.social Mid&East Antrim Council have launched a consultation on opening up long-denied pedestrian access to our beautiful forbidden beach.
www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/things-to-do... - please give your views (i.e. YES!!!).
Thanks, and please REPOST!

A beagle on a beach. The tide is out, the sun is shining, and the sky is a beautiful blue. Where would you rather be? #ShareTheShore is a hashtag adopted by local residents of Greenisland near Carrickfergus to campaign for access to our (i.e. owned by the Council) beach, that is currently closed off and inaccessible to residents who live a matter of metres away. We have to trespass or climb high forbidding fences just to access what is on our doorstep. We want residents and visitors to be able to experience the beauty of our shoreline, to be able to enjoy and care for our environment and neighbourhood. The benefits to physical and mental health, as well as a sense of community, are self-evident. Please visit the consultation, fill out the form, and say YES! Thank you! Oh, and share the heck out of this - we want as many people as possible to see this and #ShareTheShore https://www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/things-to-do/parks/countryside-access/public-right-of-way

5 9 13

Shane McKee @shaneir.bsky.social · 2h

You can also maybe even get a totally stuffed unit and use the parts to repair your main machine - it takes a bit of skill, but very doable (and a lot of fun).

Shane McKee @shaneir.bsky.social · 2h

Psion 3as have a couple of key vulnerabilities - especially the hinges. These are fixable (JB-weld or similar epoxy, NOT superglue) but fiddly. The bridging contact in the battery compartment can also break - just bridge the batteries with tinfoil.

1 2

Shane McKee @shaneir.bsky.social · 2h

"But Shane," you say, "how do I get into using a Psion in 2025?"

Great q. First things first - often the best unit to start with is a Psion Series 3a. Available on many re-selling e-auction sites. RRP ~£30-40. Things to watch: hinges and screens. Here's an example. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/28685985...

PSION SERIES 3a 2MB RAM~GWO~GOOD HINGES, BATTERY COMPARTMENT & TASK BAR + ACCS. | eBay UK

PSION SERIES 3a 2MB RAM~GWO~GOOD HINGES, BATTERY COMPARTMENT & TASK BAR + ACCS. IN VERY GOOD WORKING CONDITION THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH A GOOD ONE WITH CENTRAL CONTACT INTACT & T...

www.ebay.co.uk

1 1

Shane McKee @shaneir.bsky.social · 2h

Rebrand for the delightfully minimalist Psion Community website: psion.community - all (or at least many of) your needs as you rediscover the "retro" (but hugely useul) handheld computers that still have a role in 2025...

Psion Community

psion.community

1 1

Reposted by Shane McKee

European Journal of Human Genetics @ejhg-journal.bsky.social · 3h

🚨Variants of uncertain significance #(VUS) remain a challenge in clinical genetics.
Updated recommendations highlight how to assess #splicing effects and the role of transcript studies in improving variant interpretation and counselling 🧬

Find out more ⬇️
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

RNA-based diagnostic studies in genetics: Review and guidance from a multidisciplinary French network - European Journal of Human Genetics

European Journal of Human Genetics - RNA-based diagnostic studies in genetics: Review and guidance from a multidisciplinary French network

www.nature.com

Reposted by Shane McKee

Sean D @seand.me.uk · 23h

An alternative point of view is that the things AI is actually good at wouldn't be affected at all by this.

The Verge @theverge.com · May 26

Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry

Paul McCartne, Elton John and others signed an open letter.

buff.ly

1 1 4

Reposted by Shane McKee

Brendan Mac @brengun.bsky.social · 1d

We could rename them Windsor protorolls …………I’ll get my coat.

1 1 8

Shane McKee @shaneir.bsky.social · 1d

Dammit, Brendan got there first with a better suggestion!

Shane McKee @shaneir.bsky.social · 1d

Call 'em Windsor Rolls and everybody's happy?

Shane McKee @shaneir.bsky.social · 2d

The REAL scourge of antisocial behaviour is from curtain-twitchy NIMBY contrarians who can't bear the thought that other people might not be as sour and twisted as they are, and would like to enjoy their outdoor environment.

Shane McKee @shaneir.bsky.social · 2d

Classic NIMBY responses - very similar to why our Council refuse to restore access to our community beach in Co Antrim due to lobbying from vocal naysayers, even though >90% of local residents want it. Bench looks brilliant. #ShareOurShore

1 2

Reposted by Shane McKee

Tea Junkie @teajunkie.bsky.social · 2d

"And for the love of EVERYTHING, stop calling it ‘the future,’ AI is just badly recycling and regurgitating the past to be re-consumed. You are taking in the Human Centipede of content, and from the very very end of the line".
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oc...

Robin Williams’ daughter Zelda hits out at AI-generated videos of her dead father: ‘stop doing this to him’

Film-maker tells the public to stop sending her videos, saying: ‘You’re not making art, you’re making disgusting, over-processed hotdogs out of the lives of human beings’

www.theguardian.com

3 200 590

Shane McKee @shaneir.bsky.social · 2d

Vinyl is back, Psion organisers are back, hand-written diaries are back, a nice walk on the beach is back. Social media has eaten itself - it's great to be human again ;-)

1 2

Shane McKee @shaneir.bsky.social · 2d

Enjoyed that wee piece from Luke Sproule on Radio Ulster this morning about independent record shops & vinyl.

Reposted by Shane McKee

Conor Smith @conorsmith.ie · 2d

I highly recommend doing something like this. I've been blocked by over one hundred yanks without having to lift a finger.

Conor Smith @conorsmith.ie · 3d

Gavin has shown himself unfit to be President. This is why we should let our current President take a third term, despite his age. Who cares what the constitution says.

14 29 190

Shane McKee @shaneir.bsky.social · 2d

I had never read Treasure Island before - just started, as I'm writing a compressed text reader for my Psion 3a. It's a brilliant book! So piratical!

Shane McKee @shaneir.bsky.social · 2d

We have some real jaw-dropping evidence; we have proposed very reasonable resolutions (ignored so far). Hoping Minister @andrewmuirni.bsky.social can get @meabc.bsky.social to see sense. This could be solved *tomorrow*. #ShareOurShore

The beautiful tidal beach at Greenisland Co Antrim, looking towards the Belfast hills. Residents have a Public Right of Way onto this beach, but Council have refused to remove the gate that is blocking our rightful access.

Reposted by Shane McKee

Shane McKee @shaneir.bsky.social · 10d

Backing up my old Psion Series 3a (I have several...) to my laptop using the Psion S3C Emulator, which i find gives the smoothest experience. Set baud to 19200, choose the backup folder, and off you go! Easy. Need a 3-Link cable and a serial port though...

Psion Series 3a handheld computer backing up to a laptop in the background, running the 3c emulator

1 1

Shane McKee @shaneir.bsky.social · 3d

Switching the #ShareTheShore hashtag to #ShareOurShore because the former appears to also be used by a naturist organisation, and down on the beach today, things would be in danger of dropping off with the cold!

Shane McKee @shaneir.bsky.social · 3d

We're kicking this up a gear. We have solid documentary evidence that @meabc.bsky.social have (knowingly) FAILED in their *statutory* duties in relation to Public Rights of Way, and are taking this to @daera-ni.gov.uk before commencing legal action. #ShareOurShore
nextdoor.co.uk/p/fXpkgJZ4TYNN

A nice wee shell on the Secret Beach at Greenisland.

Join Nextdoor, an app for neighbourhoods where you can get local tips, buy and sell items, and more

nextdoor.co.uk

2 1

Shane McKee @shaneir.bsky.social · 3d

Ask them if they have considered Stacy's opinion on the matter, then stand back

a woman is looking at a chalkboard with mathematical equations on it .

ALT: a woman is looking at a chalkboard with mathematical equations on it .

media.tenor.com

Shane McKee @shaneir.bsky.social · 3d

Uncanny.

Kemi Badenoch thinks her approach will pay off eventually

Reposted by Shane McKee

Steve Stockman @stocki61.bsky.social · 3d

my review of Brian J Walsh's book that explains Leonard Cohen songs with the Bible... and the Bible with Leonard Cohen songs... maybe my book of the year... sstockman.substack.com/p/brian-j-wa...

BRIAN J. WALSH - RAGS OF LIGHT

Walsh explains Leonard Cohen with the Bible... and the Bible with Leonard Cohen... using his deep insights on both...

sstockman.substack.com

1 4

Shane McKee @shaneir.bsky.social · 3d

A rare acknowledgement too of his own imminent mortality. That is to be welcomed.

Shane McKee @shaneir.bsky.social · 3d

Back in late 1990s/early 2Ks many compressed text documents were available for Palm Pilot organisers. I wrote a viewer for the Psion 5mx, but as far as I know, no-one ever did this for the Series 3a/c/mx. I've managed to reverse-hack the algorithm to fix that! github.com/shanemuk/psi...

psion/pdbdoc3a at main · shanemuk/psion

A place for some of my old Psion code in the hope that the clamtop tiny computer format makes a comeback - shanemuk/psion

github.com