Richard Esplin
@esplinr.bsky.social
Professional focus: self-sovereign identity, product management
Interests: open source, open culture, outdoors, religion, flourishing
Tweets reflect my own opinions and are not official statements from my employer
Interests: open source, open culture, outdoors, religion, flourishing
Tweets reflect my own opinions and are not official statements from my employer
As someone who has followed free #climbing since the 90s, I'm really impressed with this nuanced analysis by Hannah Morris Bouldering. I'll be watching more of her channel.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbJE...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbJE...
The Controversy Of Alex Honnold’s Taipei 101 Free Solo
YouTube video by Hannah Morris Bouldering
www.youtube.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:26 AM
As someone who has followed free #climbing since the 90s, I'm really impressed with this nuanced analysis by Hannah Morris Bouldering. I'll be watching more of her channel.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbJE...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbJE...
I should also note how happy I've been with @system76.bsky.social . The machines I've bought from them have worked well, and the support is better than the "big vendors".
January 30, 2026 at 9:03 PM
I should also note how happy I've been with @system76.bsky.social . The machines I've bought from them have worked well, and the support is better than the "big vendors".
@techaltar.bsky.social 's Friday Checkout is great. This week's episode on @nebula.tv closes by speculating that one day large manufacturers may preinstall #Linux.
Dell sells desktops and laptops with Linux preinstalled. I've been happy with them for over 10 years.
www.dell.com/support/kbdo...
Dell sells desktops and laptops with Linux preinstalled. I've been happy with them for over 10 years.
www.dell.com/support/kbdo...
Plot twist: Windows 11 is doing great
YouTube video by The Friday Checkout
www.youtube.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:55 PM
@techaltar.bsky.social 's Friday Checkout is great. This week's episode on @nebula.tv closes by speculating that one day large manufacturers may preinstall #Linux.
Dell sells desktops and laptops with Linux preinstalled. I've been happy with them for over 10 years.
www.dell.com/support/kbdo...
Dell sells desktops and laptops with Linux preinstalled. I've been happy with them for over 10 years.
www.dell.com/support/kbdo...
This series on the history of Lebanon is a masterfully crafted recounting of a complicated story. It makes clear that no single group is responsible for the suffering in the region. It makes me reflect on human nature.
I highly recommend you watch it, starting with this prelude.
#HistoryMatters
I highly recommend you watch it, starting with this prelude.
#HistoryMatters
January 12, 2026 at 11:58 PM
This series on the history of Lebanon is a masterfully crafted recounting of a complicated story. It makes clear that no single group is responsible for the suffering in the region. It makes me reflect on human nature.
I highly recommend you watch it, starting with this prelude.
#HistoryMatters
I highly recommend you watch it, starting with this prelude.
#HistoryMatters
* When a window expands due to interaction with an active edge, it leaves a gap with the screen edge. I don't see how to change that.
* I'm losing confidence that I can adjust to active edges being on.
So far I'm still glad I migrated.
* I'm losing confidence that I can adjust to active edges being on.
So far I'm still glad I migrated.
January 5, 2026 at 10:48 PM
* When a window expands due to interaction with an active edge, it leaves a gap with the screen edge. I don't see how to change that.
* I'm losing confidence that I can adjust to active edges being on.
So far I'm still glad I migrated.
* I'm losing confidence that I can adjust to active edges being on.
So far I'm still glad I migrated.
More updates:
* Notifications from Google Calendar in Chrome are raw HTML in the top right corner.
* Notifications from Steam are cut-off in the bottom right corner.
* I have a bunch of zombie processes that have a Cosmic process as a parent.
* Notifications from Google Calendar in Chrome are raw HTML in the top right corner.
* Notifications from Steam are cut-off in the bottom right corner.
* I have a bunch of zombie processes that have a Cosmic process as a parent.
January 5, 2026 at 10:48 PM
More updates:
* Notifications from Google Calendar in Chrome are raw HTML in the top right corner.
* Notifications from Steam are cut-off in the bottom right corner.
* I have a bunch of zombie processes that have a Cosmic process as a parent.
* Notifications from Google Calendar in Chrome are raw HTML in the top right corner.
* Notifications from Steam are cut-off in the bottom right corner.
* I have a bunch of zombie processes that have a Cosmic process as a parent.
Update: the Steam games worked fine once I realized that my settings didn't carry through the upgrade.
January 4, 2026 at 7:48 AM
Update: the Steam games worked fine once I realized that my settings didn't carry through the upgrade.
In summary, I'm confident I can use Cosmic for my daily work and I'm excited about its potential.
January 4, 2026 at 7:20 AM
In summary, I'm confident I can use Cosmic for my daily work and I'm excited about its potential.
Frustrations continued:
* The Cosmic clipboard manager applet doesn't work. Building from source helped, but it crashed a lot. I had to build Ringboard from source.
* Changing the monitor used by my graphics tablet styles took research into command line Wayland tools.
* The Cosmic clipboard manager applet doesn't work. Building from source helped, but it crashed a lot. I had to build Ringboard from source.
* Changing the monitor used by my graphics tablet styles took research into command line Wayland tools.
January 4, 2026 at 7:20 AM
Frustrations continued:
* The Cosmic clipboard manager applet doesn't work. Building from source helped, but it crashed a lot. I had to build Ringboard from source.
* Changing the monitor used by my graphics tablet styles took research into command line Wayland tools.
* The Cosmic clipboard manager applet doesn't work. Building from source helped, but it crashed a lot. I had to build Ringboard from source.
* Changing the monitor used by my graphics tablet styles took research into command line Wayland tools.
Frustrations continued:
* Focus-follows-cursor is included out of the box, but it always raises the focus window.
* Can't disable windows triggering from active edges.
* Focus-follows-cursor is included out of the box, but it always raises the focus window.
* Can't disable windows triggering from active edges.
January 4, 2026 at 7:20 AM
Frustrations continued:
* Focus-follows-cursor is included out of the box, but it always raises the focus window.
* Can't disable windows triggering from active edges.
* Focus-follows-cursor is included out of the box, but it always raises the focus window.
* Can't disable windows triggering from active edges.
Frustrations:
* The upgrade defaulted to only use integrated graphics, and they removed the GUI for changing modes. Switching to Hybrid on the command line worked once I figured out what was going on.
* Cosmic doesn't yet support applications spanning monitors. That's going to annoy me.
* The upgrade defaulted to only use integrated graphics, and they removed the GUI for changing modes. Switching to Hybrid on the command line worked once I figured out what was going on.
* Cosmic doesn't yet support applications spanning monitors. That's going to annoy me.
January 4, 2026 at 7:20 AM
Frustrations:
* The upgrade defaulted to only use integrated graphics, and they removed the GUI for changing modes. Switching to Hybrid on the command line worked once I figured out what was going on.
* Cosmic doesn't yet support applications spanning monitors. That's going to annoy me.
* The upgrade defaulted to only use integrated graphics, and they removed the GUI for changing modes. Switching to Hybrid on the command line worked once I figured out what was going on.
* Cosmic doesn't yet support applications spanning monitors. That's going to annoy me.
HiDPI handling under Wayland is more consistent than it was with X11. Only Firefox needed a special setting to be large enough.
All my applications appear to work with Wayland, except for some Steam games that I still need to troubleshoot.
All my applications appear to work with Wayland, except for some Steam games that I still need to troubleshoot.
January 4, 2026 at 7:20 AM
HiDPI handling under Wayland is more consistent than it was with X11. Only Firefox needed a special setting to be large enough.
All my applications appear to work with Wayland, except for some Steam games that I still need to troubleshoot.
All my applications appear to work with Wayland, except for some Steam games that I still need to troubleshoot.
I love how configurable Cosmic is. The panel and dock are great. Floating and tiled windows coexist. I'm glad to retire all the Gnome plugins that I used.
The Cosmic file browser and terminal apps might actually lure me away from KDE Dolphin and Konsole.
The included Cosmic applets work well.
The Cosmic file browser and terminal apps might actually lure me away from KDE Dolphin and Konsole.
The included Cosmic applets work well.
January 4, 2026 at 7:20 AM
I love how configurable Cosmic is. The panel and dock are great. Floating and tiled windows coexist. I'm glad to retire all the Gnome plugins that I used.
The Cosmic file browser and terminal apps might actually lure me away from KDE Dolphin and Konsole.
The included Cosmic applets work well.
The Cosmic file browser and terminal apps might actually lure me away from KDE Dolphin and Konsole.
The included Cosmic applets work well.
Spent the last two days playing with #linux toys. I upgraded to Pop!_OS 24.02 and adopted the Cosmic Desktop as my daily driver. I was nervous it wouldn't be ready for prime-time, but it's generally been a smooth update. I'll share some thoughts in the thread.
Thank you @system76.bsky.social !
Thank you @system76.bsky.social !
January 4, 2026 at 6:21 AM
Spent the last two days playing with #linux toys. I upgraded to Pop!_OS 24.02 and adopted the Cosmic Desktop as my daily driver. I was nervous it wouldn't be ready for prime-time, but it's generally been a smooth update. I'll share some thoughts in the thread.
Thank you @system76.bsky.social !
Thank you @system76.bsky.social !
This is a legitimately good idea. It could attract others from the community to mingle with the residents.
I recently discovered that our local libraries have makerspaces.
My care home mental checklist now includes communal gaming and easy transportation to a library.
I recently discovered that our local libraries have makerspaces.
My care home mental checklist now includes communal gaming and easy transportation to a library.
December 17, 2025 at 3:27 PM
This is a legitimately good idea. It could attract others from the community to mingle with the residents.
I recently discovered that our local libraries have makerspaces.
My care home mental checklist now includes communal gaming and easy transportation to a library.
I recently discovered that our local libraries have makerspaces.
My care home mental checklist now includes communal gaming and easy transportation to a library.
Mirko Mollik from @sprind-de.bsky.social answered an hour's worth of questions about #Germany 's work on digital identity. He covers the current state of #EUDI and what is needed to be ready for the 2026 deadline to offer a #DigitalIdentity wallet to all citizens.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9mn...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9mn...
December 16, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Mirko Mollik from @sprind-de.bsky.social answered an hour's worth of questions about #Germany 's work on digital identity. He covers the current state of #EUDI and what is needed to be ready for the 2026 deadline to offer a #DigitalIdentity wallet to all citizens.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9mn...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9mn...
These are fun exercises in #AI prompt #security: gandalf.lakera.ai/baseline
gandalf.lakera.ai/agent-breaker
gandalf.lakera.ai/agent-breaker
Gandalf | Lakera – Test your AI hacking skills
Trick Gandalf into revealing information and experience the limitations of large language models firsthand.
gandalf.lakera.ai
November 21, 2025 at 9:44 PM
These are fun exercises in #AI prompt #security: gandalf.lakera.ai/baseline
gandalf.lakera.ai/agent-breaker
gandalf.lakera.ai/agent-breaker
I'm once again dealing with awful #NVIDIA drivers on #Linux and wondering why I didn't save myself pain by buying #AMD.
An excellent breakdown of the current state of affairs:
www.linuxnest.com/amd-vs-nvidi...
An excellent breakdown of the current state of affairs:
www.linuxnest.com/amd-vs-nvidi...
AMD vs. NVIDIA on Linux: 2025 Showdown - LINUX NEST
Deciding between AMD vs. NVIDIA on Linux? Get the final answer. Our 2025 guide covers drivers, gaming, AI, and Wayland.
www.linuxnest.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:40 PM
I'm once again dealing with awful #NVIDIA drivers on #Linux and wondering why I didn't save myself pain by buying #AMD.
An excellent breakdown of the current state of affairs:
www.linuxnest.com/amd-vs-nvidi...
An excellent breakdown of the current state of affairs:
www.linuxnest.com/amd-vs-nvidi...
Not all #digitalID is dystopian. Next week my team will host a free "Intro to Decentralized ID" workshop where we will explain how #digitalidentity can be user-centric and privacy-preserving. We'll cover the basics and provide time to answer questions.
Register here:
www.dock.io/introduction...
Register here:
www.dock.io/introduction...
October 2, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Not all #digitalID is dystopian. Next week my team will host a free "Intro to Decentralized ID" workshop where we will explain how #digitalidentity can be user-centric and privacy-preserving. We'll cover the basics and provide time to answer questions.
Register here:
www.dock.io/introduction...
Register here:
www.dock.io/introduction...
Here is a recent discussion the mDL standard (ISO 18013) and #onlineprivacy. Andrew Hughes and Ryan Williams shared insights from developing and implementing the standard. We discussed the concerns from the #NoPhoneHome statement and how privacy will improve in the future versions.
#digitalidentity
#digitalidentity
September 4, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Here is a recent discussion the mDL standard (ISO 18013) and #onlineprivacy. Andrew Hughes and Ryan Williams shared insights from developing and implementing the standard. We discussed the concerns from the #NoPhoneHome statement and how privacy will improve in the future versions.
#digitalidentity
#digitalidentity
I appreciated this thorough but digestible breakdown of the recent #Utah legislation restricting children's use of digital devices and apps in app stores. I still have concerns, but I'm better informed because of @familytech.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbC_...
#onlinesafety #kids
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbC_...
#onlinesafety #kids
WARNING New Tech Laws Could Affect Your Family's Safety
YouTube video by Family Tech
www.youtube.com
August 19, 2025 at 11:33 PM
I appreciated this thorough but digestible breakdown of the recent #Utah legislation restricting children's use of digital devices and apps in app stores. I still have concerns, but I'm better informed because of @familytech.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbC_...
#onlinesafety #kids
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbC_...
#onlinesafety #kids
I think @sjvn.bsky.social knows more about this than anyone.
August 13, 2025 at 10:40 PM
I think @sjvn.bsky.social knows more about this than anyone.