Brendan Alford
@balford.bsky.social
Professional Code Monkey, part-time ZX Spectrum tickler. Opinions my own etc.
Reposted by Brendan Alford
Digital Artist: In my work I invented the Gowl Detector as a cautionary tale
Tech Company: At long last, we have created the Gowl Detector from classic art installation Don't Create The Gowl Detector
Tech Company: At long last, we have created the Gowl Detector from classic art installation Don't Create The Gowl Detector
November 6, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Digital Artist: In my work I invented the Gowl Detector as a cautionary tale
Tech Company: At long last, we have created the Gowl Detector from classic art installation Don't Create The Gowl Detector
Tech Company: At long last, we have created the Gowl Detector from classic art installation Don't Create The Gowl Detector
Life goals complete, courtesy of a Pac-Man shaped prawn cracker.
October 24, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Life goals complete, courtesy of a Pac-Man shaped prawn cracker.
Reposted by Brendan Alford
“What’s the charge? Eating a seal?”
October 13, 2025 at 10:37 AM
“What’s the charge? Eating a seal?”
Reposted by Brendan Alford
Lovely article on University of Cambridge's Future Nostalgia project - rescuing knowledge from old floppy disks! Much of it resonates with the preservation work we do at GTW:
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
via BBC_Future
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
via BBC_Future
A digital dark age? The people rescuing forgotten knowledge trapped on old floppy disks
From lectures by Stephen Hawking to the letters of British politician Neil Kinnock – it's a race against time to save the historical treasures locked away on old floppy disks.
www.bbc.com
October 10, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Lovely article on University of Cambridge's Future Nostalgia project - rescuing knowledge from old floppy disks! Much of it resonates with the preservation work we do at GTW:
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
via BBC_Future
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
via BBC_Future
Reposted by Brendan Alford
Captain, I don’t want to worry anyone, but we’re losing piss fast
October 7, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Captain, I don’t want to worry anyone, but we’re losing piss fast
Reposted by Brendan Alford
I know Jurl isn't the greatest game ever and i'm sure the high and mighty in the SMS community won't miss me, but i'll never release another game on the Master System. I found out today that the dick who downloaded my game from @itch.io and gave it away is now selling it on cartridge
September 25, 2025 at 6:50 PM
I know Jurl isn't the greatest game ever and i'm sure the high and mighty in the SMS community won't miss me, but i'll never release another game on the Master System. I found out today that the dick who downloaded my game from @itch.io and gave it away is now selling it on cartridge
Reposted by Brendan Alford
Fuck me this is bleak.
But please, do continue to use GenAI slop thumbnails for your YouTube videos, or your album art, or your book covers or whatever else. I'll continue to refuse to watch/listen/read any of them, knowing already they're not worth the time & that you're a disappointing lazy hack.
But please, do continue to use GenAI slop thumbnails for your YouTube videos, or your album art, or your book covers or whatever else. I'll continue to refuse to watch/listen/read any of them, knowing already they're not worth the time & that you're a disappointing lazy hack.
September 18, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Fuck me this is bleak.
But please, do continue to use GenAI slop thumbnails for your YouTube videos, or your album art, or your book covers or whatever else. I'll continue to refuse to watch/listen/read any of them, knowing already they're not worth the time & that you're a disappointing lazy hack.
But please, do continue to use GenAI slop thumbnails for your YouTube videos, or your album art, or your book covers or whatever else. I'll continue to refuse to watch/listen/read any of them, knowing already they're not worth the time & that you're a disappointing lazy hack.
Reposted by Brendan Alford
they’ll just move him to a different parish and he’ll do it again
August 29, 2025 at 6:00 AM
they’ll just move him to a different parish and he’ll do it again
Reposted by Brendan Alford
The Gosh Wonderful ZX Spectrum ROM V1.40 is available for download along with a useful BASIC program “peeker” that I use to peek under the hood. It uses 3 routines by Steve Vickers written for other Z80 computers back in the 80s.
They achieve total accuracy.
speccy4ever.speccy.org/_CMS.htm
They achieve total accuracy.
speccy4ever.speccy.org/_CMS.htm
July 23, 2025 at 4:57 PM
The Gosh Wonderful ZX Spectrum ROM V1.40 is available for download along with a useful BASIC program “peeker” that I use to peek under the hood. It uses 3 routines by Steve Vickers written for other Z80 computers back in the 80s.
They achieve total accuracy.
speccy4ever.speccy.org/_CMS.htm
They achieve total accuracy.
speccy4ever.speccy.org/_CMS.htm
Reposted by Brendan Alford
My spinny table isn't big enough so this will have to do.
I'm really happy with the fake CRT look for the most part. There's a lens geometry issue that shows at extreme angles but I think I know how to fix it.
That'll be for the next build. 🙂
I'm really happy with the fake CRT look for the most part. There's a lens geometry issue that shows at extreme angles but I think I know how to fix it.
That'll be for the next build. 🙂
July 14, 2025 at 4:34 PM
My spinny table isn't big enough so this will have to do.
I'm really happy with the fake CRT look for the most part. There's a lens geometry issue that shows at extreme angles but I think I know how to fix it.
That'll be for the next build. 🙂
I'm really happy with the fake CRT look for the most part. There's a lens geometry issue that shows at extreme angles but I think I know how to fix it.
That'll be for the next build. 🙂
Reposted by Brendan Alford
We ran a randomized controlled trial to see how much AI coding tools speed up experienced open-source developers.
The results surprised us: Developers thought they were 20% faster with AI tools, but they were actually 19% slower when they had access to AI than when they didn't.
The results surprised us: Developers thought they were 20% faster with AI tools, but they were actually 19% slower when they had access to AI than when they didn't.
July 10, 2025 at 7:47 PM
We ran a randomized controlled trial to see how much AI coding tools speed up experienced open-source developers.
The results surprised us: Developers thought they were 20% faster with AI tools, but they were actually 19% slower when they had access to AI than when they didn't.
The results surprised us: Developers thought they were 20% faster with AI tools, but they were actually 19% slower when they had access to AI than when they didn't.
Reposted by Brendan Alford
July 6, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Microsoft can FOAD. Pulling budgets from studios such as Romero Games, Rare etc. to plough into the AI bubble is abhorrent to me, and this ex-360 gamer will never darken their metaphorical doors with my own money again.
July 3, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Microsoft can FOAD. Pulling budgets from studios such as Romero Games, Rare etc. to plough into the AI bubble is abhorrent to me, and this ex-360 gamer will never darken their metaphorical doors with my own money again.
Reposted by Brendan Alford
Long shot, but I don't suppose anyone has an IBM Model M they would be willing to part with?
Don't fancy risking a random one on ebay.
Ideally within the UK to avoid shipping and things.
Don't fancy risking a random one on ebay.
Ideally within the UK to avoid shipping and things.
July 2, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Long shot, but I don't suppose anyone has an IBM Model M they would be willing to part with?
Don't fancy risking a random one on ebay.
Ideally within the UK to avoid shipping and things.
Don't fancy risking a random one on ebay.
Ideally within the UK to avoid shipping and things.
Reposted by Brendan Alford
I think LLMs are appealing to a certain set of people who think they're entitled to be good at something without wanting to actually put in any work
mostly, it seems people who think the disciplines of the Humanites aren't "real" and so just any rube can do it. Chris Arnade, basically
mostly, it seems people who think the disciplines of the Humanites aren't "real" and so just any rube can do it. Chris Arnade, basically
June 16, 2025 at 1:50 PM
I think LLMs are appealing to a certain set of people who think they're entitled to be good at something without wanting to actually put in any work
mostly, it seems people who think the disciplines of the Humanites aren't "real" and so just any rube can do it. Chris Arnade, basically
mostly, it seems people who think the disciplines of the Humanites aren't "real" and so just any rube can do it. Chris Arnade, basically
Reposted by Brendan Alford
The ludicrous softball interview with an Irish OpenAI exec in today's Irish Times has pushed me over the edge and I am now the kind of man who writes letters to the editor of the Irish Times.
June 5, 2025 at 9:04 AM
The ludicrous softball interview with an Irish OpenAI exec in today's Irish Times has pushed me over the edge and I am now the kind of man who writes letters to the editor of the Irish Times.
Reposted by Brendan Alford
Well it seems to be going okay so far provided it doesn't self destruct. 🤞
It took some patching up and the backight is a little lower than it should be, it was that or stretch the ribbon cables.
I'll run it for a bit, then think about making the shell a little nicer. 🙂
It took some patching up and the backight is a little lower than it should be, it was that or stretch the ribbon cables.
I'll run it for a bit, then think about making the shell a little nicer. 🙂
May 31, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Well it seems to be going okay so far provided it doesn't self destruct. 🤞
It took some patching up and the backight is a little lower than it should be, it was that or stretch the ribbon cables.
I'll run it for a bit, then think about making the shell a little nicer. 🙂
It took some patching up and the backight is a little lower than it should be, it was that or stretch the ribbon cables.
I'll run it for a bit, then think about making the shell a little nicer. 🙂
Reposted by Brendan Alford
Incredible work from everyone involved here
May 27, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Incredible work from everyone involved here
Reposted by Brendan Alford
The AI Intelligence Paradox - An Argument For Why LLMs Lack Intelligence
marcushutchins.com/blog/tech/op...
marcushutchins.com/blog/tech/op...
The AI Intelligence Paradox - An Argument For Why LLMs Lack Intelligence
A critical look on why large language models may appear intelligent but fundamentally aren't.
marcushutchins.com
May 5, 2025 at 8:48 PM
The AI Intelligence Paradox - An Argument For Why LLMs Lack Intelligence
marcushutchins.com/blog/tech/op...
marcushutchins.com/blog/tech/op...
Reposted by Brendan Alford
What a horrible & tragic weekend it was at Imola in 94. Ratzenberger in quali and Senna the next day in the race. I know Ayrton still gets the majority of the media push, but i'm glad to see Roland consistently remembered as well. #F1
May 1, 2025 at 5:42 PM
What a horrible & tragic weekend it was at Imola in 94. Ratzenberger in quali and Senna the next day in the race. I know Ayrton still gets the majority of the media push, but i'm glad to see Roland consistently remembered as well. #F1
Reposted by Brendan Alford
DOOM... in an acapella group.
Doom. Acapella. You're welcome. youtu.be/PKebn_Ly9T8?...
DOOM (acapella)
YouTube video by MayTree
youtu.be
April 15, 2025 at 10:01 PM
DOOM... in an acapella group.
Reposted by Brendan Alford
Nice one whoever when to the trouble of cropping my signature off this one
Prints here: jimll.co.uk/products/mil...
Prints here: jimll.co.uk/products/mil...
April 15, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Nice one whoever when to the trouble of cropping my signature off this one
Prints here: jimll.co.uk/products/mil...
Prints here: jimll.co.uk/products/mil...
Reposted by Brendan Alford
New from 404 Media: an AI startup offers to call your parents for you if you don't have time (or can't be bothered). I tested it out. My mum said: “I would feel terrible and that they are not bothered about phoning me themselves.”
www.404media.co/i-tested-the...
www.404media.co/i-tested-the...
I Tested The AI That Calls Your Elderly Parents If You Can't Bothered
inTouch says on its website "Busy life? You can’t call your parent every day—but we can." My own mum said she would feel terrible if her child used it.
www.404media.co
April 14, 2025 at 2:04 PM
New from 404 Media: an AI startup offers to call your parents for you if you don't have time (or can't be bothered). I tested it out. My mum said: “I would feel terrible and that they are not bothered about phoning me themselves.”
www.404media.co/i-tested-the...
www.404media.co/i-tested-the...
Reposted by Brendan Alford
Widescreen gaming on the
Apple ][.
Apple ][.
August 1, 2023 at 10:58 AM
Widescreen gaming on the
Apple ][.
Apple ][.