Mal Franks
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merseymal.com
Mal Franks
@merseymal.com
2K followers 1.4K following 3K posts
Data Analyst since 2023. IT Supervisor/SysAdmin 1997-2023. Computer tinkerer/gamer since 1982. Console gamer since 1977. Tea drinker since 1974. He/him.

Loves telly, music, comics, movies, games and tea.
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merseymal.com
Mal Franks @merseymal.com · Oct 17
That time when I caught the 3rd Doctor breaking and entering in my street.
A black and red curtain sticking out of a window looking like one of the capes that Jon Pertwee wore as the 3rd Doctor, though it could have equally applied to Dracula, in which case he probably got stuck and his body turned to ash when the Sun came up...
Reposted by Mal Franks
seanwrite.bsky.social
Andrew Bodnar has died at 71. A longtime bassist in Graham Parker’s band The Rumour, Bodnar also played the reggae-influenced bassline on Elvis Costello’s “Watching the Detectives” and co-wrote Nick Lowe’s “I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass”. #RIPAndrewBodnar m.youtube.com/watch?v=BDbU...
Nick Lowe - “I Love The Sound of Breaking Glass” (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by Yep Roc Records
m.youtube.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Reposted by Mal Franks
jonnelledge.bsky.social
I have accidentally trained the instagram algorithm to give me endless posts about dying dogs and honestly I'd rather it was fascism
January 6, 2026 at 9:51 PM
Reposted by Mal Franks
bagpuss.org
Bohemian Shat-sody
January 6, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Reposted by Mal Franks
bagpuss.org
In "celebration" of thr Pepto Bismol ad now being on the radio, I took some popular radio-friendly songs and added the "Diarrhea" guy.
January 6, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Reposted by Mal Franks
ronniebarko.bsky.social
Rural Northern England here. There's a restaurant 8 miles from me that has 3 Michelin stars. But please do continue to enjoy what your FDA calls "acceptable levels of insect carcass", Cheez-Wiz
January 6, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Reposted by Mal Franks
gregjenner.bsky.social
Here’s my list of things the public doesn’t seem to know, but historians broadly agree upon 👇
gregjenner.bsky.social Greg Jenner @gregjenner.bsky.social · 1d
I’ve got loads!

- Medieval people washed regularly, drank water, and didn’t have rotten teeth
- WW1 did not end in 1918
- Queen Victoria was a horndog
- Ancient Egyptians invented Egyptology by excavating their own ancient monuments
- We know more about Shakespeare than many other famous Tudors
January 6, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Reposted by Mal Franks
soapachu.bsky.social
The FT pulling no punches, but still maintaining an account there 🧐
Headline from a Financial Times article reading 'Who's who at X, the deepfake porn site formerly known as Twitter'. Underneath the image of a circus tent there are links to their various social media platforms, including X. The FT's account header on X
January 6, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Reposted by Mal Franks
ottoenglish.bsky.social
Just excellent and all they deserve.

www.ft.com/content/ad94...
Who’s who at X, the deepfake porn site formerly known as Twitter
A look inside Elon Musk’s big tent
www.ft.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Reposted by Mal Franks
gossjam.bsky.social
The day in 2003 the new series of Doctor Who was announced should have been joyous for those of us on the official site.
Instead, the phone rang. Guy from BBC Wales Online announcing he was the new editor of the site, demanding all files and passwords immediately.
January 6, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Reposted by Mal Franks
robinince.bsky.social
Looking forward to a live An Uncanny Hour show
January 6, 2026 at 1:32 PM
merseymal.com
Ugh
eurogamer.bsky.social Eurogamer @eurogamer.bsky.social · 15h
Sony has patented an AI gaming ghost that will play PlayStation games for you when you get stuck www.eurogamer.net/sony-has-pat...
Screenshot from Horizon Forbidden West showing Aloy firing an arrow at a large snake-like machine
January 6, 2026 at 1:45 PM
merseymal.com
So glad I upgraded my PC earlier last year.
32GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR5 RAM 6000 MT/S CL30 for 525 pounds and 9 pence
January 6, 2026 at 10:24 AM
Reposted by Mal Franks
robinince.bsky.social
Tickets for BODMIN show went on sale yesterday - link here

www.ticketsource.co.uk/intobodmin/t...
"Jo Neary and Robin Ince" at intoBodmin | The Old Library
Tickets are now available for Jo Neary and Robin Ince at intoBodmin | The Old Library, The Old Library on Monday 2nd February 2026 at 7:30PM. Click the link for further information and to secure your tickets now!
www.ticketsource.co.uk
January 6, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Reposted by Mal Franks
stephenkb.bsky.social
A lot of people criticising this, but I am choosing to believe that this is finally the anti-Richard I film that England deserves.
January 5, 2026 at 9:34 PM
Reposted by Mal Franks
christhebarker.bsky.social
The most ambitious TV crossover event in history? I. Think. Not. #corriedale
January 5, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Reposted by Mal Franks
ign.com
David Rosen, a co-founder of Sega and trailblazer in the coin-op industry, has died at 95.
David Rosen
January 5, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Reposted by Mal Franks
stephenkb.bsky.social
You have to laugh really. It’s like discovering that the government believes that “pee is stored in the balls”.
jim.londoncentric.media Jim Waterson @jim.londoncentric.media · 1d
If there is an argument then this is the argument. But lol I can’t find where this obviously false stat is coming from. And if the government does believe more than half the families in the UK are using it as their primary news source then woah maybe time to up the scrutiny of it!
January 5, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Reposted by Mal Franks
tiltaraiza.bsky.social
In terms TV crossovers, Corriedale will never beat Sorrylumbo.
Ronnie Corbett as Timothy Lumsden in 1980s BBC sitcom Sorry. Also present through the magic of Photoshop, Peter Falk as Columbo.
January 5, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Reposted by Mal Franks
woolbotherer.bsky.social
Hahahahaha oh my GOD THIS FUCKED UP COUNTRY
chriskimberley.bsky.social chriskimberley.bsky.social @chriskimberley.bsky.social · 1d
the telegraph has finally got upset

not over images of kids or others, when its only their beloved Kate that is the problem
January 5, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Reposted by Mal Franks
arstechnica.com
SanDisk says goodbye to WD Blue and Black SSDs, hello to new “Optimus” drives
Optimus SSDs will continue with the same model numbers that the WD SSDs used.
arstechnica.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:33 PM
Reposted by Mal Franks
olliecragg.bsky.social
sharing Patrick Dane's sister's post Instagram with her permission. if anyone would like to share memories and tributes (so many have said such kind things on here) please let me know in a DM and I can share Katie's email.
On December 27th, our family’s world changed forever. My brother Patrick, my dad John, and my step-mom Valerie were involved in a devastating car accident, and Patrick passed from this world far too soon. My dad and Valerie have miraculously survived. They remain in critical condition in ICU, but they are making the small steps forward each day. Patrick was a beautiful soul. He was gentle, curious, passionate, and deeply kind. Every person I have spoken to has spoken about his kindness. It was something everyone felt in his presence. I am endlessly proud of the person he became and of the quiet way he supported and cared for others. Over this past week, I keep finding myself returning to memories of him as a child, full of laughter, humour, and light. I was so lucky to spend Christmas Day with him, with my dad and Valerie, and I will treasure those moments forever. Patrick was the happiest I had seen him in a long time, and I truly believe that matters. I will carry that with me always. I have had the honour of speaking with some of Patrick’s closest friends and hearing beautiful stories about his gaming, his loyalty, and the support he gave to so many people. One friend described him as a “guardian of light,” and that feels deeply true. It is something I will hold close to my heart forever. Patrick, you are so loved and so deeply missed. There will always be a space in our family shaped exactly like you. Thank you for the love you gave us and the light you brought into our lives. The love, prayers, and kindness we have received have carried us through the darkest days, and we are so grateful. Please continue to hold my dad and Valerie in your thoughts and prayers as they continue to fight so hard. I truly believe Patrick is with them, guiding and protecting them. Rest in power, my beautiful brother. We love you always On December 27th, our family’s world changed forever. My brother Patrick, my dad John, and my step-mom Valerie were involved in a devastating car accident, and Patrick passed from this world far too soon. My dad and Valerie have miraculously survived. They remain in critical condition in ICU, but they are making the small steps forward each day. Patrick was a beautiful soul. He was gentle, curious, passionate, and deeply kind. Every person I have spoken to has spoken about his kindness. It was something everyone felt in his presence. I am endlessly proud of the person he became and of the quiet way he supported and cared for others. Over this past week, I keep finding myself returning to memories of him as a child, full of laughter, humour, and light. I was so lucky to spend Christmas Day with him, with my dad and Valerie, and I will treasure those moments forever. Patrick was the happiest I had seen him in a long time, and I truly believe that matters. I will carry that with me always. I have had the honour of speaking with some of Patrick’s closest friends and hearing beautiful stories about his gaming, his loyalty, and the support he gave to so many people. One friend described him as a “guardian of light,” and that feels deeply true. It is something I will hold close to my heart forever. Patrick, you are so loved and so deeply missed. There will always be a space in our family shaped exactly like you. Thank you for the love you gave us and the light you brought into our lives. The love, prayers, and kindness we have received have carried us through the darkest days, and we are so grateful. Please continue to hold my dad and Valerie in your thoughts and prayers as they continue to fight so hard. I truly believe Patrick is with them, guiding and protecting them. Rest in power, my beautiful brother. We love you always
January 5, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Reposted by Mal Franks
alexvont.bsky.social
The video in the thread redacts the images, mercifully. But you can see from the prompts what is happening. This is obscene, vicious and intolerable. X and Grok should be shut down until this grotesque harassment can be stopped. Those responsible should face the full force of the law.
eliothiggins.bsky.social Eliot Higgins @eliothiggins.bsky.social · 1d
One example of how Grok is being used to target women. Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch being sexualised, degraded, and humiliated step-by-step by Grok. All the images accurately reflect the prompts provided.
January 5, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Reposted by Mal Franks
thelifeofsharks.com
Free weekly comic from our archive. If you’d like to see a daily comic along with two brand new comics every week, please consider subscribing to a paid Only Fins tier. It costs very little and helps us to keep creating things. www.patreon.com/posts/147491...
Under Threat. | Only Fins - The Life of Sharks
Get more from Only Fins - The Life of Sharks on Patreon
www.patreon.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Reposted by Mal Franks
mjowen174.bsky.social
The multi-talented @gailmyerscough.co.uk has done a marvellous job remodelling and reshaping my website. Go and have a look for yourselves and repost, if you please - ta very much 👍 www.mathew-owen.co.uk
Home | Matt Owen | Freelance Writer
I offer a broad and diverse range of writing services. Get in touch!
www.mathew-owen.co.uk
January 5, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Reposted by Mal Franks
olliecragg.bsky.social
The family of Patrick Dane has made public today the devastating news that their beloved son and brother was in a car accident on December 27th and is no longer with us. His father and stepmother, who were also in the vehicle, are in critical condition, but stable.
January 5, 2026 at 4:46 PM