![\"Demo](\"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/1000x/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fmastodonie%2Fmedia_attachments%2Ffiles%2F116%2F596%2F311%2F671%2F773%2F248%2Foriginal%2Fa7ff892eb683cb62.png\")
@juergen_hubert
More so than the commercial aspect that dominates!
@JennyList
\"national amateur radio organisations wield too much influence.\"
Yes. This is the worst bit.
Also things like FT8 turn it into \"stamp collecting\".
Exams de-technified. I did a real City & Guilds exam.
Comreg in Ireland is helping destroy the technical aspect and changed name from \"Wireless Experimenters\" to \"Radio Amateurs\".
The Irish IRTS has special status with Comreg and manages the exams instead of local colleges.
There are still some Wireless Experimenters that make stuff.
","url":"https://mastodon.ie/users/raymaccarthy/statuses/116601162804615003","date_published":"2026-05-19T12:09:07+00:00","author":{"name":"Ray McCarthy","url":"https://mastodon.ie/@raymaccarthy","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fmastodonie%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F115%2F221%2F419%2F544%2F794%2F407%2Foriginal%2F379eeece71440d86.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"raymaccarthy@mastodon.ie"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-19 12:09","date_timestamp":1779192547,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"90477114","content_html":"@ryanc
Seems a clear statement of classic Djinn / Genie interaction.
😆
@davey_cakes
I thought I read that the Irish stoat always eats all the eggs and hence they visited but didn't get established?
Is the Irish stoat in decline, or have the woodpeckers a new trick?
","url":"https://mastodon.ie/users/raymaccarthy/statuses/116600963139667364","date_published":"2026-05-19T11:18:21+00:00","author":{"name":"Ray McCarthy","url":"https://mastodon.ie/@raymaccarthy","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fmastodonie%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F115%2F221%2F419%2F544%2F794%2F407%2Foriginal%2F379eeece71440d86.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"raymaccarthy@mastodon.ie"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-19 11:18","date_timestamp":1779189501,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"90435179","content_html":"@blakespot
I live in Europe (Ireland) and have visited Slovak Republic, Czech, Germany, Switzerland, France, Netherlands, England & Scotland.
I've had / have friends & relatives (German) & Colleagues from some of those places, as well as Poland, Catalonia & Estonia.
Never heard of it as aflavour.
The alium odoratum AKA sweet woodruff or sweetscented bedstraw does grow here in Ireland.
Wikipedia: A flavouring in Germany and illegal since 1974! Replaced in Germany with 6-methyl coumarin.
","url":"https://mastodon.ie/users/raymaccarthy/statuses/116597071710264905","date_published":"2026-05-18T18:48:42+00:00","author":{"name":"Ray McCarthy","url":"https://mastodon.ie/@raymaccarthy","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fmastodonie%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F115%2F221%2F419%2F544%2F794%2F407%2Foriginal%2F379eeece71440d86.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"raymaccarthy@mastodon.ie"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-18 18:48","date_timestamp":1779130122,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"90433403","content_html":"@skinnylatte
Curiously the Norman \"French\" conquered England in 1066.
@web3isgreat
Really gone bust, or doing a runner?
They have been misleading and enabled fraud.
","url":"https://mastodon.ie/users/raymaccarthy/statuses/116596404525592043","date_published":"2026-05-18T15:59:02+00:00","author":{"name":"Ray McCarthy","url":"https://mastodon.ie/@raymaccarthy","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fmastodonie%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F115%2F221%2F419%2F544%2F794%2F407%2Foriginal%2F379eeece71440d86.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"raymaccarthy@mastodon.ie"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-18 15:59","date_timestamp":1779119942,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"90422282","content_html":"@alx
Certinally a Wiki is overkill and anything needing the Internet is madness.
Even when I was in a distributed group using Google Docs to collaborate, we saved it all locally at the end of each live session, where we had Skype at the same time.
","url":"https://mastodon.ie/users/raymaccarthy/statuses/116596333550542971","date_published":"2026-05-18T15:40:59+00:00","author":{"name":"Ray McCarthy","url":"https://mastodon.ie/@raymaccarthy","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fmastodonie%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F115%2F221%2F419%2F544%2F794%2F407%2Foriginal%2F379eeece71440d86.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"raymaccarthy@mastodon.ie"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-18 15:40","date_timestamp":1779118859,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"90422102","content_html":"@alx
I used to use the text row of asteriks for a number to generate a gantt chart in Excel long ago.
Frogs ********
Awks ****
Muds ***
It used actual text only.
Here is a fancier version in a spreadsheet used for overlapping time lines
@alx
Until it's a final version I have a \"chapter 0\" called Notes.
I update the last line with date and number of words.
I save a new version (number suffix) if any major changes other than simple extra content.
The Spreadsheet has start, last dates, publish dates, columns for stuff checked, revision number etc & other stuff. It has all the novels. Also blurbs, references etc.
In the past I did project proposals & feasibility studies, designs etc, which are not unlike dissertations. I've read.
@alx
I use a spreadsheet.
I also used it for project management when a project management package wasn't appropriate. They are for tracking huge projects with many leaders/supervisors.
I found that even a local wiki wasn't very portable, or easy to backup/restore.
","url":"https://mastodon.ie/users/raymaccarthy/statuses/116595216254242784","date_published":"2026-05-18T10:56:50+00:00","author":{"name":"Ray McCarthy","url":"https://mastodon.ie/@raymaccarthy","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fmastodonie%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F115%2F221%2F419%2F544%2F794%2F407%2Foriginal%2F379eeece71440d86.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"raymaccarthy@mastodon.ie"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-18 10:56","date_timestamp":1779101810,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"90405143","content_html":"@Gina
It's evil
@cmconseils
Diet is a bit too extreme?
@lauren @petergleick
We don't sell to grid at all as that needs:
* More expensive electronics.
* Certified installer.
* Smart Meter and Direct Debit. We have a mechanical meter & pay cash at P.O. when bill (posted) is due.
So ours is a pair of DIY UPS systems. Most non-heat/non-cooking gear is on it 24x7. Batteries charge from Solar or Grid. Set to 80% in in Dec/Jan and 15% minimum spring to autumn.
Electricity bill nearly 1/2.
Indefinite backup summer, 12 hours in Dec/Jan during power cuts.
@juergen_hubert
Depends what you someone means by \"work\".
Handwriting is easier than a portable mechanical typewriter, but either of those is only an initial draft.
Editing and enlarging would be very tedious.
Then what? You need to transcribe to publish. Even if there was an apocalypse and we are reduced to rotary duplicators (easier than moveable type or lithography for 500 copies) a final version of the stencil needs typed.
It's a crazy question. WP cheaper than ever & 40+ years now!
","url":"https://mastodon.ie/users/raymaccarthy/statuses/116594485682574509","date_published":"2026-05-18T07:51:02+00:00","author":{"name":"Ray McCarthy","url":"https://mastodon.ie/@raymaccarthy","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fmastodonie%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F115%2F221%2F419%2F544%2F794%2F407%2Foriginal%2F379eeece71440d86.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"raymaccarthy@mastodon.ie"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-18 07:51","date_timestamp":1779090662,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"90355702","content_html":"@DoomsdaysCW
Successes since 1950s:
Mercury buttons (1930s) > Alkaline. Silver Oxide, Zinc Air & Lithium depending on application.
NiCd (1940s) > NiMH. Sometimes better than Lithium Ion. > Lithium Ion
Lead Acid > Lithium Ion > LiFePO4, but not for engine starters. SLA/Gel now entirely replaceable LiFePO4.
Zinc Carbon (1880s) > Alkaline > Zinc Air (hearing aids & Cattle Fencers).
Large Lithium Ion > LiFePO4
The LiFePO4 is still improving, safer, still dropping in price. Maybe 15 year life!
","url":"https://mastodon.ie/users/raymaccarthy/statuses/116590537686698596","date_published":"2026-05-17T15:07:01+00:00","author":{"name":"Ray McCarthy","url":"https://mastodon.ie/@raymaccarthy","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fmastodonie%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F115%2F221%2F419%2F544%2F794%2F407%2Foriginal%2F379eeece71440d86.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"raymaccarthy@mastodon.ie"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-17 15:07","date_timestamp":1779030421,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"90355107","content_html":"@DoomsdaysCW
The actual article rather than the breathless Yahoo.
https://techxplore.com/news/2023-03-electrolyte-enables-high-efficiency-safe.html
Except it doesn't tell us much.
Except in small portable things, Lithium Ion isn't used now. Solar and EV use Lithium Iron Phosphate which has a very low risk and less toxic production / materials.
Periodically there have been announcements of better batteries in the last 80 years. Some have become reality.
","url":"https://mastodon.ie/users/raymaccarthy/statuses/116590494489669951","date_published":"2026-05-17T14:56:02+00:00","author":{"name":"Ray McCarthy","url":"https://mastodon.ie/@raymaccarthy","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fmastodonie%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F115%2F221%2F419%2F544%2F794%2F407%2Foriginal%2F379eeece71440d86.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"raymaccarthy@mastodon.ie"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-17 14:56","date_timestamp":1779029762,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"90354274","content_html":"@Nonilex
Shut down air travel & International borders in that area.
It's too late when it is a pandemic!
","url":"https://mastodon.ie/users/raymaccarthy/statuses/116590436437208186","date_published":"2026-05-17T14:41:16+00:00","author":{"name":"Ray McCarthy","url":"https://mastodon.ie/@raymaccarthy","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fmastodonie%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F115%2F221%2F419%2F544%2F794%2F407%2Foriginal%2F379eeece71440d86.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"raymaccarthy@mastodon.ie"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-17 14:41","date_timestamp":1779028876,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"90354146","content_html":"@PatrickOBeirne
Very interesting and I've thought this since the last elections when Labour inexplicably more or less continued the Conservative agenda.
Conservatives have also destroyed themselves. Labour didn't win the last election, but Tories lost it.
I've said for many years that Nationalist can't easily win in Scotland, Wales and N.I., but the \"English\" / \"Unionist\" majority at Westminster can certainly lose the UK. Started with Thacher's poll tax.
Of course NI also demographics.
","url":"https://mastodon.ie/users/raymaccarthy/statuses/116590425603263438","date_published":"2026-05-17T14:38:30+00:00","author":{"name":"Ray McCarthy","url":"https://mastodon.ie/@raymaccarthy","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fmastodonie%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F115%2F221%2F419%2F544%2F794%2F407%2Foriginal%2F379eeece71440d86.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"raymaccarthy@mastodon.ie"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-17 14:38","date_timestamp":1779028710,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"90353386","content_html":"@vicgrinberg
It is also a pretty poor top 100 of books written in English.
I've read plenty of *translated* French authors. Some Italian, Indian, Polish and Russian, apart from translated ancient Greek and retellings of the Norse tales (Icelandic originally?). All translated. Even the Irish legends. Almost any Irish novel or legend is better than James Joyce.
Plenty of that is better that the Guardian's list which seems heavily biased to literary snobbery or titles with movie/TV versions.
","url":"https://mastodon.ie/users/raymaccarthy/statuses/116590364479072514","date_published":"2026-05-17T14:22:58+00:00","author":{"name":"Ray McCarthy","url":"https://mastodon.ie/@raymaccarthy","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fmastodonie%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F115%2F221%2F419%2F544%2F794%2F407%2Foriginal%2F379eeece71440d86.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"raymaccarthy@mastodon.ie"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-17 14:22","date_timestamp":1779027778,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"90344951","content_html":"@glynmoody
ha!
😆
See https://www.mobileread.com/forums/
@randahl
Isn't there already a larger venue down the street from the White House?
I'm sure the USA has loads of ballrooms.
It's Trump's ego. He wants a gilded one with a bomb shelter under it.
China also has loads of solar panels.
","url":"https://mastodon.ie/users/raymaccarthy/statuses/116585774486568179","date_published":"2026-05-16T18:55:40+00:00","author":{"name":"Ray McCarthy","url":"https://mastodon.ie/@raymaccarthy","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fmastodonie%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F115%2F221%2F419%2F544%2F794%2F407%2Foriginal%2F379eeece71440d86.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"raymaccarthy@mastodon.ie"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-16 18:55","date_timestamp":1778957740,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"90303739","content_html":"@glynmoody
Pointless and risks bricking them
The K3 and later use AZW3/KF8 which is similar to epub. Calibre (Free Linux/Mac/Windows) can convert to that.
Only the K1 & K2 & DX family are mobi/KF7 only and can't run KOReader anyway. Calibre can feed them too.
Jailbreak can't make your Kindle accept new Amazon purchases. Calibre will let you put purchases from Kobo & Google.
PD books (Gutenberg, Standard Ebooks, Global Grey) don't need Jailbreak.
","url":"https://mastodon.ie/users/raymaccarthy/statuses/116585266588488593","date_published":"2026-05-16T16:46:30+00:00","author":{"name":"Ray McCarthy","url":"https://mastodon.ie/@raymaccarthy","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fmastodonie%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F115%2F221%2F419%2F544%2F794%2F407%2Foriginal%2F379eeece71440d86.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"raymaccarthy@mastodon.ie"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-16 16:46","date_timestamp":1778949990,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"90303059","content_html":"@gutenberg_org
There are Flash based tiny audio dictation gadgets that do variable speed. Also an app on a phone.
There are still pocket cassette players made & sold. but a phone that takes an SD card is handier)
There are phones as small as a pager. SMS killed them.
Curiously the USB HDD or Flash stick on a €45 setbox or TV replaces the VHS for recording, and DVD/BD for pre-recorded. DVD recorders were never a success.
@osnews
No, Win7 / Vista with Aero disabled, thus like Win9x, NT 4.0, Win2K & XP/2003 is the Classic GUI.
I have moved, though not entirely as I planned. The historians.social is closing.
","summary":"","url":"https://mastodon.ie/@raymaccarthy/115224200607557562","date_published":"2025-09-18T07:49:31+00:00","author":{"name":"Ray McCarthy","url":"https://mastodon.ie/@raymaccarthy","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fmastodonie%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F115%2F221%2F419%2F544%2F794%2F407%2Foriginal%2F379eeece71440d86.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"raymaccarthy@mastodon.ie"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-09-18 07:49","date_timestamp":1758181771,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}}]}