Alan Sill
@alansill.bsky.social
Physics/cloud/data centers/HPC. This one's for personal viewpoints and technical stuff I find cool. I'm open to questions and try to reply to serious or interesting ones. Also at https://mast.hpc.social/@AlanSill and https://hpc.social Slack and Discord.
Reposted by Alan Sill
Today on Volts: these days I focus more on decarbonization than the details of climate change itself, but periodically I like to check in with a climate scientist and see how things are going. (Maybe one day I'll get good news.)
So, how's the climate doing?
Dr. Sarah Kapnick on the "fuzzy crystal ball" of modern climate science and the reality of a hotter world.
www.volts.wtf
February 6, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Today on Volts: these days I focus more on decarbonization than the details of climate change itself, but periodically I like to check in with a climate scientist and see how things are going. (Maybe one day I'll get good news.)
Reposted by Alan Sill
Why do we have such a gender imbalance at #fosdem & in tech in general?
A real conversation.
Marty: Maria, what do you think about ABC?
Peter: I don't want to speak for Maria, but... (keeps talking for a few minutes).
Anna: Thank you for sharing your perspective, Peter, but I would love to […]
A real conversation.
Marty: Maria, what do you think about ABC?
Peter: I don't want to speak for Maria, but... (keeps talking for a few minutes).
Anna: Thank you for sharing your perspective, Peter, but I would love to […]
Original post on fosstodon.org
fosstodon.org
February 5, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Why do we have such a gender imbalance at #fosdem & in tech in general?
A real conversation.
Marty: Maria, what do you think about ABC?
Peter: I don't want to speak for Maria, but... (keeps talking for a few minutes).
Anna: Thank you for sharing your perspective, Peter, but I would love to […]
A real conversation.
Marty: Maria, what do you think about ABC?
Peter: I don't want to speak for Maria, but... (keeps talking for a few minutes).
Anna: Thank you for sharing your perspective, Peter, but I would love to […]
Holographic storage LTO workalike replacement, anyone? blocksandfiles.com/2026/02/06/b...
BDT tape library transparently runs pilot holographic storage drive
HoloMem has successfully trialled its holographic storage drive and ribbon cartridges in a BDT LTO tape library. UK startup – HoloMem is developing a ribbon-based cartridge and HoloDrive drive that u...
blocksandfiles.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Holographic storage LTO workalike replacement, anyone? blocksandfiles.com/2026/02/06/b...
I recommend that everyone interested in how #HPC acceleration works find or make time to watch this talk. (The others in the FOSDEM HPC/Big Data/Data Science devroom are also good): fosdem.org/2026/schedul...
FOSDEM 2026 - A Brief* overview of what makes modern accelerators interesting for HPC
fosdem.org
February 5, 2026 at 8:53 PM
I recommend that everyone interested in how #HPC acceleration works find or make time to watch this talk. (The others in the FOSDEM HPC/Big Data/Data Science devroom are also good): fosdem.org/2026/schedul...
Reposted by Alan Sill
I forgot I actually have four MORE ways you can follow Talking Climate.
Talking Climate is also an audio podcast, read by the amazing Anne Cloud. Subscribe on:
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCHf...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/583MdhA...
BuzzSprout: talkingclimate.buzzsprout.com
And Apple:
Talking Climate is also an audio podcast, read by the amazing Anne Cloud. Subscribe on:
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCHf...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/583MdhA...
BuzzSprout: talkingclimate.buzzsprout.com
And Apple:
February 4, 2026 at 4:21 PM
I forgot I actually have four MORE ways you can follow Talking Climate.
Talking Climate is also an audio podcast, read by the amazing Anne Cloud. Subscribe on:
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCHf...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/583MdhA...
BuzzSprout: talkingclimate.buzzsprout.com
And Apple:
Talking Climate is also an audio podcast, read by the amazing Anne Cloud. Subscribe on:
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCHf...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/583MdhA...
BuzzSprout: talkingclimate.buzzsprout.com
And Apple:
Reposted by Alan Sill
$1200/lb is the lowest cost to put anything in orbit. A GB200/300 NVL72 rack weighs 3000 pounds. It will cost $3.6M to put 72 GPUs in orbit. It will cost $5B to put 100K GPUs in orbit. That does not include any supporting infrastructure.
This is not hard math.
This is not hard math.
February 5, 2026 at 6:15 PM
$1200/lb is the lowest cost to put anything in orbit. A GB200/300 NVL72 rack weighs 3000 pounds. It will cost $3.6M to put 72 GPUs in orbit. It will cost $5B to put 100K GPUs in orbit. That does not include any supporting infrastructure.
This is not hard math.
This is not hard math.
Reposted by Alan Sill
Crypto's meltdown may impact electricity demand in some grids.
EIA estimated crypto's electricity usage was 0.6%-2.3% of US demand in 2023.
84% of power consumed by the 34 largest Bitcoin mines was generated by plants burning fossil fuels.
www.globalelectricity.org/bitcoin-mini... #energysky
EIA estimated crypto's electricity usage was 0.6%-2.3% of US demand in 2023.
84% of power consumed by the 34 largest Bitcoin mines was generated by plants burning fossil fuels.
www.globalelectricity.org/bitcoin-mini... #energysky
Bitcoin Mining's Surging Demand Strains US Power Grids Amid Energy Transition - Global Electricity
New data reveals cryptocurrency operations now consume as much electricity
www.globalelectricity.org
February 5, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Crypto's meltdown may impact electricity demand in some grids.
EIA estimated crypto's electricity usage was 0.6%-2.3% of US demand in 2023.
84% of power consumed by the 34 largest Bitcoin mines was generated by plants burning fossil fuels.
www.globalelectricity.org/bitcoin-mini... #energysky
EIA estimated crypto's electricity usage was 0.6%-2.3% of US demand in 2023.
84% of power consumed by the 34 largest Bitcoin mines was generated by plants burning fossil fuels.
www.globalelectricity.org/bitcoin-mini... #energysky
Reposted by Alan Sill
The energy transition is happening, faster than many realize. This week, I look at how clean energy is surging, where we can get it wrong, why silence on climate is spreading, and what we can do. Read the full edition for the data, the stories, and practical ways to keep the conversation going:
"Climate hushing"—the quiet trend undermining global climate action | Talking Climate with Katharine Hayhoe
Get more from Talking Climate with Katharine Hayhoe on Patreon
www.patreon.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:12 PM
The energy transition is happening, faster than many realize. This week, I look at how clean energy is surging, where we can get it wrong, why silence on climate is spreading, and what we can do. Read the full edition for the data, the stories, and practical ways to keep the conversation going:
Reposted by Alan Sill
We heard back from Sudo maintainer Todd C Miller after publication: "Without some form of assistance it is untenable," Miller said. "Maintainer burn-out is real." www.theregister.com/2026/02/03/s...
Sudo's maintainer needs resources to keep utility updated
updated: Many vital open source resources rely on the devotion of a few individuals
www.theregister.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:55 PM
We heard back from Sudo maintainer Todd C Miller after publication: "Without some form of assistance it is untenable," Miller said. "Maintainer burn-out is real." www.theregister.com/2026/02/03/s...
Reposted by Alan Sill
Everyone loves solar power.
Exclusive: Majority of Trump voters back solar power, poll finds
Trump officials are moving against renewables on several fronts.
www.axios.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Everyone loves solar power.
Reposted by Alan Sill
As grid delivery timelines struggle to keep pace with the rapid growth of AI data centers, operators are turning to on-site power solutions. Experts weigh in on the challenges and opportunities of this transformation.
🔗 www.datacenterknowledge.com/energy-power...
🔗 www.datacenterknowledge.com/energy-power...
How Data Centers Are Adapting to Grid Constraints
As grid delivery timelines struggle to keep pace with the rapid growth of AI data centers, operators are turning to on-site power solutions.
www.datacenterknowledge.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:20 PM
As grid delivery timelines struggle to keep pace with the rapid growth of AI data centers, operators are turning to on-site power solutions. Experts weigh in on the challenges and opportunities of this transformation.
🔗 www.datacenterknowledge.com/energy-power...
🔗 www.datacenterknowledge.com/energy-power...
Reposted by Alan Sill
🔈 Deadline extended to 19 February (AoE)!
1/2: We are organizing #TDIS again, our workshop on testbeds, benchmarking, and experimentation tools for distributed systems in the IoT/edge/cloud continuum. The workshop will be held again alongside ACM #EuroSys, which will take place at the end of April 2026 in #Edinburgh!
February 4, 2026 at 12:51 PM
🔈 Deadline extended to 19 February (AoE)!
Reposted by Alan Sill
Rising GHGs create a TOA energy imbalance - less heat escapes to space
Predicted fingerprints: tropospheric warming, stratospheric cooling, ocean heat uptake
Observed reality: 11 warmest years since 1850 are in the last decade
Theory → prediction → observation
theconversation.com/climate-fing...
Predicted fingerprints: tropospheric warming, stratospheric cooling, ocean heat uptake
Observed reality: 11 warmest years since 1850 are in the last decade
Theory → prediction → observation
theconversation.com/climate-fing...
Climate ‘fingerprints’ mark human activity from the top of the atmosphere to the bottom of the ocean
The ocean is warming as the upper atmosphere is cooling – both as a result of excessive greenhouse gas emissions.
theconversation.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:12 PM
Rising GHGs create a TOA energy imbalance - less heat escapes to space
Predicted fingerprints: tropospheric warming, stratospheric cooling, ocean heat uptake
Observed reality: 11 warmest years since 1850 are in the last decade
Theory → prediction → observation
theconversation.com/climate-fing...
Predicted fingerprints: tropospheric warming, stratospheric cooling, ocean heat uptake
Observed reality: 11 warmest years since 1850 are in the last decade
Theory → prediction → observation
theconversation.com/climate-fing...
Reposted by Alan Sill
A staggering statement from former Washington Post editor Marty Baron: "This ranks among the darkest days in the history of one of the world's greatest news organizations."
February 4, 2026 at 2:34 PM
A staggering statement from former Washington Post editor Marty Baron: "This ranks among the darkest days in the history of one of the world's greatest news organizations."
Reposted by Alan Sill
Siemens is pumping $1 billion into manufacturing fossil fuel infrastructure on the bet that power demand from ultra-inefficient text, image and video generation based off plagiarised internet content will grow massively in the future
Gift link -->>
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/b...
Gift link -->>
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/b...
Siemens Energy Bets $1 Billion That A.I. Power Demand Will Last
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Siemens is pumping $1 billion into manufacturing fossil fuel infrastructure on the bet that power demand from ultra-inefficient text, image and video generation based off plagiarised internet content will grow massively in the future
Gift link -->>
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/b...
Gift link -->>
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/b...
Reposted by Alan Sill
When you build an unprecedented amount of renewable energy but it gets used to meet new data centre demand instead of replacing fossil fuels
February 3, 2026 at 1:10 PM
When you build an unprecedented amount of renewable energy but it gets used to meet new data centre demand instead of replacing fossil fuels
Reposted by Alan Sill
Possibly the best thing we can do (now) to cut emissions and energy bills is build more rooftop solar. My new paper in Climatic Change pins low deployment and racial inequality on high up-front costs:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
And this @volts.wtf episode walks through how to fix that!
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
And this @volts.wtf episode walks through how to fix that!
February 2, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Possibly the best thing we can do (now) to cut emissions and energy bills is build more rooftop solar. My new paper in Climatic Change pins low deployment and racial inequality on high up-front costs:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
And this @volts.wtf episode walks through how to fix that!
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
And this @volts.wtf episode walks through how to fix that!
Reposted by Alan Sill
Internal emails show Department of Energy's debunked climate science report was reviewed by scientists internally, who found it "biased," "misleading," and "hypocritical." Contrarian authors tailored their work to ensure it focused on weakening climate regulations. www.eenews.net/articles/doe...
DOE scientists blasted climate report ordered up by boss
Secretary Chris Wright handpicked five climate contrarians to write about global warming. Department experts pushed back on the findings.
www.eenews.net
February 2, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Internal emails show Department of Energy's debunked climate science report was reviewed by scientists internally, who found it "biased," "misleading," and "hypocritical." Contrarian authors tailored their work to ensure it focused on weakening climate regulations. www.eenews.net/articles/doe...
Reposted by Alan Sill
Nature is the climate ally we can't afford to lose. Climate Tech Map has tools to monitor, conserve, and restore forests, soils, wetlands, and oceans at climate-relevant scale.
climatetechmap.com/opportunity-... #greensky #energysky
climatetechmap.com/opportunity-... #greensky #energysky
Protecting Nature | Climate Tech Map
Explore Protecting Nature opportunities in Food, Ag & Nature. Discover breakthrough technologies and innovation paths to accelerate climate solutions.
climatetechmap.com
February 2, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Nature is the climate ally we can't afford to lose. Climate Tech Map has tools to monitor, conserve, and restore forests, soils, wetlands, and oceans at climate-relevant scale.
climatetechmap.com/opportunity-... #greensky #energysky
climatetechmap.com/opportunity-... #greensky #energysky
Reposted by Alan Sill
If you'vee ever spent some time installing packages, you have to check this talk! You'll definitely laugh, and maybe cry a little remembering the days spent installing (or at least trying) your most dreaded piece of software. I've spent 15+ years doing that, I can tell you everything is true
The recording of my "How to Make Package Managers Scream" talk at FOSDEM'26 is now available, enjoy!
youtu.be/PBlDHlFnzGo
youtu.be/PBlDHlFnzGo
How to Make Package Managers Scream @ FOSDEM'26 - Kenneth Hoste
YouTube video by Kenneth Hoste
youtu.be
February 1, 2026 at 4:27 PM
If you'vee ever spent some time installing packages, you have to check this talk! You'll definitely laugh, and maybe cry a little remembering the days spent installing (or at least trying) your most dreaded piece of software. I've spent 15+ years doing that, I can tell you everything is true
I don't know how they do it so consistently, but the Forbes articles on Apple-related topics are always wrong. Every time.
February 1, 2026 at 5:09 PM
I don't know how they do it so consistently, but the Forbes articles on Apple-related topics are always wrong. Every time.
Reposted by Alan Sill
Are you feeling like you're not good enough, you only got here by luck, or that “they” are going to figure out you're a phony and take it all away?
Do you find yourself doing any of these things in order to avoid those feelings?
Check it out: thrivingibis.thrivecart.com/from-saboteu...
🧵
Do you find yourself doing any of these things in order to avoid those feelings?
Check it out: thrivingibis.thrivecart.com/from-saboteu...
🧵
November 25, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Are you feeling like you're not good enough, you only got here by luck, or that “they” are going to figure out you're a phony and take it all away?
Do you find yourself doing any of these things in order to avoid those feelings?
Check it out: thrivingibis.thrivecart.com/from-saboteu...
🧵
Do you find yourself doing any of these things in order to avoid those feelings?
Check it out: thrivingibis.thrivecart.com/from-saboteu...
🧵
Nice talk from #FOSDEM today:
Here's a talk from Saturday that I thought was nice:
mastodon.social/@jpmens/1159...
or directly at marp.kalvad.com/fosdem_2026
Here's a talk from Saturday that I thought was nice:
mastodon.social/@jpmens/1159...
or directly at marp.kalvad.com/fosdem_2026
JP Mens (@jpmens@mastodon.social)
“Remember when we said ‘Infrastructure as Code’? Somehow, the industry heard ‘Infrastructure as YAML’ and ran with it. Now we're drowning in a sea of indentation-sensitive, template-riddled, Jinja2-ab...
mastodon.social
January 31, 2026 at 10:29 PM
Nice talk from #FOSDEM today:
Here's a talk from Saturday that I thought was nice:
mastodon.social/@jpmens/1159...
or directly at marp.kalvad.com/fosdem_2026
Here's a talk from Saturday that I thought was nice:
mastodon.social/@jpmens/1159...
or directly at marp.kalvad.com/fosdem_2026
Reposted by Alan Sill
Next check out our online list of Good First Issues at hpc.social/good-first-i... which is searchable, topical, always updated, and a good way to learn to contribute!
Good First Issues
hpc.social
January 31, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Next check out our online list of Good First Issues at hpc.social/good-first-i... which is searchable, topical, always updated, and a good way to learn to contribute!
Reposted by Alan Sill
Are you at #FOSDEM2026 and looking for good ways to learn and contribute to #HPC open source software? Don't miss the #HPC, #BigData, and #DataScience devroom Sunday Feb. 1 at fosdem.org/2026/schedul... (look for @boegel.bsky.social there to pick up your hpc.social sticker -donations appreciated!).
FOSDEM 2026 - HPC, Big Data & Data Science
fosdem.org
January 31, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Are you at #FOSDEM2026 and looking for good ways to learn and contribute to #HPC open source software? Don't miss the #HPC, #BigData, and #DataScience devroom Sunday Feb. 1 at fosdem.org/2026/schedul... (look for @boegel.bsky.social there to pick up your hpc.social sticker -donations appreciated!).