Leigh :) Stark 🦄
@leighlo.bsky.social
Award-winning tech journalist & editor pickr.com.au.
As heard on ABC, 2HD, 3AW, 4BC, 6PR, and more. Media appearances at pickr.com.au/about/media/
Journalist. Reviewer. SEO. Author. Photographer. Geek dad. Created simplsaver.com. Happy to help.
As heard on ABC, 2HD, 3AW, 4BC, 6PR, and more. Media appearances at pickr.com.au/about/media/
Journalist. Reviewer. SEO. Author. Photographer. Geek dad. Created simplsaver.com. Happy to help.
Pinned
Leigh :) Stark 🦄
@leighlo.bsky.social
· Mar 29
A total surprise last night: my publication @pickrau.bsky.social grabbed the Best Independent Coverage award at the 2025 Australian IT Journalism Awards. Humbled by it all.
What went wrong when Optus went down? I decided to turn it into an animation for my news piece. Because I could.
Optus fixes outage, but more than phones need a restart – Pickr
Following an Optus outage in February 2026, if you have more than just phones using Optus, you may need to literally turn it off and on again.
www.pickr.com.au
February 11, 2026 at 9:16 AM
What went wrong when Optus went down? I decided to turn it into an animation for my news piece. Because I could.
This is a great column by @jennaprice.bsky.social. Surprised by LinkedIn's use in this type of messaging, but also concerned what life will be like for my girls. www.smh.com.au/national/why...
Why do men send these pics to women? Let me tell you, it’s not attractive
The vast majority of women and girls have received intimate photos from men. It’s a terrible idea.
www.smh.com.au
February 11, 2026 at 8:47 AM
This is a great column by @jennaprice.bsky.social. Surprised by LinkedIn's use in this type of messaging, but also concerned what life will be like for my girls. www.smh.com.au/national/why...
It's Safer Internet Day today, and today I have a custom passphrase generator in my article. Why?
Scammers are using voice clones to trick people into thinking their kids are in danger, extorting them with a scam. Even one word from this tool would be difficult to guess in an "urgent" scam call.
Scammers are using voice clones to trick people into thinking their kids are in danger, extorting them with a scam. Even one word from this tool would be difficult to guess in an "urgent" scam call.
How to stay safe in the era of AI – Pickr
AI is a part of life for many people, but it's also something scammers are using. How do you stay safe in a world where AI is present?
www.pickr.com.au
February 9, 2026 at 8:35 PM
It's Safer Internet Day today, and today I have a custom passphrase generator in my article. Why?
Scammers are using voice clones to trick people into thinking their kids are in danger, extorting them with a scam. Even one word from this tool would be difficult to guess in an "urgent" scam call.
Scammers are using voice clones to trick people into thinking their kids are in danger, extorting them with a scam. Even one word from this tool would be difficult to guess in an "urgent" scam call.
That was awesome. #badbunny #superbowl
February 9, 2026 at 1:37 AM
That was awesome. #badbunny #superbowl
Ahead of Safer Internet Day this week, I decided to look into how folks can protect their phones from unwanted photos with a bit of interactivity.
I've definitely been inspired by the excellent work from ABC Story Lab in recent additions to stories, and this is the most advanced from me yet.
I've definitely been inspired by the excellent work from ABC Story Lab in recent additions to stories, and this is the most advanced from me yet.
How anyone can protect an iPhone from unwanted pics – Pickr
Most messages come from friends and family, but what happens when unwanted pics and texts arrive on an iPhone? There's a setting for that.
www.pickr.com.au
February 7, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Ahead of Safer Internet Day this week, I decided to look into how folks can protect their phones from unwanted photos with a bit of interactivity.
I've definitely been inspired by the excellent work from ABC Story Lab in recent additions to stories, and this is the most advanced from me yet.
I've definitely been inspired by the excellent work from ABC Story Lab in recent additions to stories, and this is the most advanced from me yet.
I get that trains need maintenance, but it is staggering that no one at Transport NSW thought to plan express buses to Sydenham for the still functioning metro line while the trains are down, and we're instead sitting on 1.5 hour bus rides without working AC.
Just a joke.
Just a joke.
February 7, 2026 at 2:56 AM
I get that trains need maintenance, but it is staggering that no one at Transport NSW thought to plan express buses to Sydenham for the still functioning metro line while the trains are down, and we're instead sitting on 1.5 hour bus rides without working AC.
Just a joke.
Just a joke.
Pickr turns 10 this year. To celebrate, I've added new features, including:
A Helpr tool to let you filter reviews quickly
Custom AI that not only reads the voice in the author's style, but uses solar and home energy
So many author additions for greater trust
...and more. Tell me what you think.
A Helpr tool to let you filter reviews quickly
Custom AI that not only reads the voice in the author's style, but uses solar and home energy
So many author additions for greater trust
...and more. Tell me what you think.
Beyond the blog: new features for Pickr – Pickr
As Pickr turns ten, we're improving the features to make our award-winning publication better than ever.
www.pickr.com.au
January 23, 2026 at 1:08 AM
Pickr turns 10 this year. To celebrate, I've added new features, including:
A Helpr tool to let you filter reviews quickly
Custom AI that not only reads the voice in the author's style, but uses solar and home energy
So many author additions for greater trust
...and more. Tell me what you think.
A Helpr tool to let you filter reviews quickly
Custom AI that not only reads the voice in the author's style, but uses solar and home energy
So many author additions for greater trust
...and more. Tell me what you think.
It's difficult to wrap 2025 into a small paragraph. I wrote, I was on radio, and I changed Google by investigating misinformation exploitation. I even broke my foot and hobbled around Hobbiton.
And if you search "most trustworthy Australian tech review sites", you find Pickr. That's a win.
And if you search "most trustworthy Australian tech review sites", you find Pickr. That's a win.
December 31, 2025 at 6:45 AM
It's difficult to wrap 2025 into a small paragraph. I wrote, I was on radio, and I changed Google by investigating misinformation exploitation. I even broke my foot and hobbled around Hobbiton.
And if you search "most trustworthy Australian tech review sites", you find Pickr. That's a win.
And if you search "most trustworthy Australian tech review sites", you find Pickr. That's a win.
Ah, the age old tradition of informing the occupants of the car what happened at Engadine Maccas to a former government official as you drive by.
In this case, Ms 8.
In this case, Ms 8.
December 25, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Ah, the age old tradition of informing the occupants of the car what happened at Engadine Maccas to a former government official as you drive by.
In this case, Ms 8.
In this case, Ms 8.
Santa came to the Shire last night, and is clearly appreciative of everyone feeding his coworkers. Happy holidays, y'all.
December 24, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Santa came to the Shire last night, and is clearly appreciative of everyone feeding his coworkers. Happy holidays, y'all.
It's 29 degrees. It's warm. I'm on the balcony with my beautiful girls having a maple glazed ham and then a perfect pav. The retriever is smiling.
I don't know why you'd want to be anywhere else. This is the best, @drmummabear.bsky.social.
I don't know why you'd want to be anywhere else. This is the best, @drmummabear.bsky.social.
December 24, 2025 at 8:46 AM
It's 29 degrees. It's warm. I'm on the balcony with my beautiful girls having a maple glazed ham and then a perfect pav. The retriever is smiling.
I don't know why you'd want to be anywhere else. This is the best, @drmummabear.bsky.social.
I don't know why you'd want to be anywhere else. This is the best, @drmummabear.bsky.social.
While I don't have any radio today (yet), if I did, I'd be the most holiday-themed on-air technology journalist you couldn't see through your speaker and headphones.
December 18, 2025 at 10:46 PM
While I don't have any radio today (yet), if I did, I'd be the most holiday-themed on-air technology journalist you couldn't see through your speaker and headphones.
I can't fathom for the life of me why the BOM redesign should cost as much as it does. So I wrote some words about it, and what it gets wrong.
But also looking at the code, is it seriously a $96 million Drupal site? I don't think I've ever seen that much for a Drupal site.
But also looking at the code, is it seriously a $96 million Drupal site? I don't think I've ever seen that much for a Drupal site.
The BOM's website is a problem with a cost that makes no sense – Pickr
Every website costs money to build and run, and some cost more than others, but how did a revamp almost hit $100 million? It boggles the mind.
www.pickr.com.au
November 24, 2025 at 12:27 AM
I can't fathom for the life of me why the BOM redesign should cost as much as it does. So I wrote some words about it, and what it gets wrong.
But also looking at the code, is it seriously a $96 million Drupal site? I don't think I've ever seen that much for a Drupal site.
But also looking at the code, is it seriously a $96 million Drupal site? I don't think I've ever seen that much for a Drupal site.
Last week, I wrote a piece about Aussie sites breaking Google with misinformation, something I've continued to track. Out of 142 URLs, 66 were used for misinformation.
In the interest of helping, I provided Google my resources. This week, it's rolling out fixes.
Score one for journalism.
In the interest of helping, I provided Google my resources. This week, it's rolling out fixes.
Score one for journalism.
Google set to fix scourge of misinformation searches – Pickr
The power of investigative journalism manages a win, with Google rolling out fixes for the misinformation plaguing its systems over the past weeks.
www.pickr.com.au
November 20, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Last week, I wrote a piece about Aussie sites breaking Google with misinformation, something I've continued to track. Out of 142 URLs, 66 were used for misinformation.
In the interest of helping, I provided Google my resources. This week, it's rolling out fixes.
Score one for journalism.
In the interest of helping, I provided Google my resources. This week, it's rolling out fixes.
Score one for journalism.
When I read @joshtaylor.bsky.social's story on the misinformation driving laws in Google, I kind of got stuck in trying to work out how many sites were running the info.
Turns out it's a deep hole. Every day, it grows a little more. Here's how and why.
www.pickr.com.au/news/2025/au...
Turns out it's a deep hole. Every day, it grows a little more. Here's how and why.
www.pickr.com.au/news/2025/au...
Australian sites part of a misinformation effort breaking search – Pickr
A concentrated effort to affect search means Google is amplifying lies and misinformation online unwittingly. What's going on?
www.pickr.com.au
November 12, 2025 at 8:12 AM
When I read @joshtaylor.bsky.social's story on the misinformation driving laws in Google, I kind of got stuck in trying to work out how many sites were running the info.
Turns out it's a deep hole. Every day, it grows a little more. Here's how and why.
www.pickr.com.au/news/2025/au...
Turns out it's a deep hole. Every day, it grows a little more. Here's how and why.
www.pickr.com.au/news/2025/au...
I had a few minutes to think, so I waded in. There's a good reason why declaring bias matters in journalism and reviewing: it's how our audiences trust us.
Why it matters for journalists to declare bias – Pickr
As an ABC program points out bias in journalism, it's a reminder to tap the sign of ethics and integrity, because this stuff matters.
www.pickr.com.au
November 11, 2025 at 3:26 AM
I had a few minutes to think, so I waded in. There's a good reason why declaring bias matters in journalism and reviewing: it's how our audiences trust us.
Reposted by Leigh :) Stark 🦄
Updated my article about online reviews and media ethics after last night's Media Watch episode. I kind of feel like I'm maybe preaching to the converted, but I feel strongly that this kind of practice needs a light shone on it.
#reviews #australia #ethics
alexreviewstech.com/the-problem-...
#reviews #australia #ethics
alexreviewstech.com/the-problem-...
The problem with online reviews - Alex Reviews Tech
This week's episode of Media Watch shines a light on a real problem with a LOT of online reviews and reviewers.
alexreviewstech.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Updated my article about online reviews and media ethics after last night's Media Watch episode. I kind of feel like I'm maybe preaching to the converted, but I feel strongly that this kind of practice needs a light shone on it.
#reviews #australia #ethics
alexreviewstech.com/the-problem-...
#reviews #australia #ethics
alexreviewstech.com/the-problem-...
If you have 30 seconds and like Wordle (or even if you hate it, but like word games), I'd love to hear what you think about a game I've made: BleepWords.
It's a soft launch. Any and all feedback is appreciated. Share to friends, family, and people who love words.
It's a soft launch. Any and all feedback is appreciated. Share to friends, family, and people who love words.
BleepWords
Play the game that's all about choosing the right !@#$ing word. It's almost never the one you expect.
bleepwords.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:39 AM
If you have 30 seconds and like Wordle (or even if you hate it, but like word games), I'd love to hear what you think about a game I've made: BleepWords.
It's a soft launch. Any and all feedback is appreciated. Share to friends, family, and people who love words.
It's a soft launch. Any and all feedback is appreciated. Share to friends, family, and people who love words.
Clearly, I needed to change the fact that there weren't any Australian entries in the Bad UX World Cup.
So here's a somewhat evil date picker made for gamers who want to throw their phones across the room, and who will quickly realise you can't cheat on desktop, either.
So here's a somewhat evil date picker made for gamers who want to throw their phones across the room, and who will quickly realise you can't cheat on desktop, either.
Datehack - A Roguelike Date Picker
leighlo.com
October 24, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Clearly, I needed to change the fact that there weren't any Australian entries in the Bad UX World Cup.
So here's a somewhat evil date picker made for gamers who want to throw their phones across the room, and who will quickly realise you can't cheat on desktop, either.
So here's a somewhat evil date picker made for gamers who want to throw their phones across the room, and who will quickly realise you can't cheat on desktop, either.
Last night on ABC Adelaide, a caller doubted my expectation that it was an update that caused the DNS issue.
Turns out it was an update. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10...
Turns out it was an update. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10...
October 21, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Last night on ABC Adelaide, a caller doubted my expectation that it was an update that caused the DNS issue.
Turns out it was an update. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10...
Turns out it was an update. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10...
No prize for guessing what today's radio spots will cover.
October 20, 2025 at 10:40 PM
No prize for guessing what today's radio spots will cover.
Either Apple Music or Sonos just went down, because the rain stopped in one room.
Guessing more AWS fun.
Guessing more AWS fun.
October 20, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Either Apple Music or Sonos just went down, because the rain stopped in one room.
Guessing more AWS fun.
Guessing more AWS fun.
Achievement unlocked: embraced my inner Hank Hill.
October 19, 2025 at 5:27 AM
Achievement unlocked: embraced my inner Hank Hill.
Looking to buy a new bbq, as my charcoal is just a pain (also difficult with a golden retriever that jumps up at me in the backyard).
But trying to do research on BBQs is nuts. There isn't much going on in the reviews space locally, if any.
That seems crazy to me. I might need to change that.
But trying to do research on BBQs is nuts. There isn't much going on in the reviews space locally, if any.
That seems crazy to me. I might need to change that.
October 18, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Looking to buy a new bbq, as my charcoal is just a pain (also difficult with a golden retriever that jumps up at me in the backyard).
But trying to do research on BBQs is nuts. There isn't much going on in the reviews space locally, if any.
That seems crazy to me. I might need to change that.
But trying to do research on BBQs is nuts. There isn't much going on in the reviews space locally, if any.
That seems crazy to me. I might need to change that.
Currently memorising the lyrics to every Kpop Demon Hunters song because the kids want it on repeat.
October 17, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Currently memorising the lyrics to every Kpop Demon Hunters song because the kids want it on repeat.