John Harris
@rodneylives.bsky.social
Trying very hard not to be doomist about Bluesky's investors.
Metafilter member (JHarris), roguelike person, oldweb enthusiast, Loadstar for C64 preserver.
Mastodon: @rodneylives@mefi.social
Blog: setsideb.com
Switch: SW-4103-7970-5038
BLM! Trans rights!
Metafilter member (JHarris), roguelike person, oldweb enthusiast, Loadstar for C64 preserver.
Mastodon: @rodneylives@mefi.social
Blog: setsideb.com
Switch: SW-4103-7970-5038
BLM! Trans rights!
Pinned
John Harris
@rodneylives.bsky.social
· Apr 21
LOADSTAR COMPLEAT by rodneylives
Most of the run of the classic Commodore 64 magazine-on-disk
rodneylives.itch.io
So, I've been kind of put in charge of the archives of the classic #Commodore64 disk magazine #Loadstar. 13 years and 680MB of disk images and related things for $15, here: rodneylives.itch.io/loadstar
I'm still trying to figure out how to make it more browseable. I have some ideas.
I'm still trying to figure out how to make it more browseable. I have some ideas.
Reposted by John Harris
Rowlf & Jimmy Dean celebrate Thanksgiving on THE JIMMY DEAN SHOW. Again, I’m struck by the easy-going rapport the two had, and it’s no wonder these segments, and Rowlf’s presence, were a highlight - and hit - of the the show...
November 18, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Rowlf & Jimmy Dean celebrate Thanksgiving on THE JIMMY DEAN SHOW. Again, I’m struck by the easy-going rapport the two had, and it’s no wonder these segments, and Rowlf’s presence, were a highlight - and hit - of the the show...
Favorite MST eps? This isn't in order:
Space Mutiny, Master Ninja, Time of the Apes, Cry Wilderness, Manos, Carnival Magic, Mac and Me, Werewolf, Fugitive Alien, Robot Monster, Cave Dwellers, Catalina Caper, Pod People, Prince of Space, The Creeping Terror, Monster A Go-Go oops out of room
Space Mutiny, Master Ninja, Time of the Apes, Cry Wilderness, Manos, Carnival Magic, Mac and Me, Werewolf, Fugitive Alien, Robot Monster, Cave Dwellers, Catalina Caper, Pod People, Prince of Space, The Creeping Terror, Monster A Go-Go oops out of room
November 27, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Favorite MST eps? This isn't in order:
Space Mutiny, Master Ninja, Time of the Apes, Cry Wilderness, Manos, Carnival Magic, Mac and Me, Werewolf, Fugitive Alien, Robot Monster, Cave Dwellers, Catalina Caper, Pod People, Prince of Space, The Creeping Terror, Monster A Go-Go oops out of room
Space Mutiny, Master Ninja, Time of the Apes, Cry Wilderness, Manos, Carnival Magic, Mac and Me, Werewolf, Fugitive Alien, Robot Monster, Cave Dwellers, Catalina Caper, Pod People, Prince of Space, The Creeping Terror, Monster A Go-Go oops out of room
Reposted by John Harris
BUY MY BOOK! 20% OFF!
(Seriously, my kids never stop eating)
(Seriously, my kids never stop eating)
Our Black Friday deal just dropped! Discount code BFCM25 at bossfightbooks.com for 20% off your order.
November 26, 2025 at 8:16 PM
BUY MY BOOK! 20% OFF!
(Seriously, my kids never stop eating)
(Seriously, my kids never stop eating)
Reposted by John Harris
In 1995, multiple video game magazines discussed a game that was less than halfway finished, shown off at that year's JAMMA show. That was Vic Viper: Battle Racing, a Gradius spin-off in the vein of F-Zero and Wipeout featuring Gradius vehicles and, you guessed it, battle racing. It never released.
Retro spotlight: Vic Viper: Battle Racing
Konami spun Gradius out into other genres, but in the mid-90s, they nearly went somewhere they should still really go.
retroxp.beehiiv.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:49 PM
In 1995, multiple video game magazines discussed a game that was less than halfway finished, shown off at that year's JAMMA show. That was Vic Viper: Battle Racing, a Gradius spin-off in the vein of F-Zero and Wipeout featuring Gradius vehicles and, you guessed it, battle racing. It never released.
Reposted by John Harris
Some close friends to be get a little frustrated in my tendency to priortise luck in my own career, as they know how I work. I try to explain that work just is buying a lottery ticket. It's necessary, but certainly not sufficient. I know many folks who've worked as hard but the dice have been cruel.
November 26, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Some close friends to be get a little frustrated in my tendency to priortise luck in my own career, as they know how I work. I try to explain that work just is buying a lottery ticket. It's necessary, but certainly not sufficient. I know many folks who've worked as hard but the dice have been cruel.
Reposted by John Harris
Beyond Good & Evil 2 Job Listing Shows There's Signs Of Life In The Old Hog Yet.
Beyond Good & Evil 2 Job Listing Shows There's Signs Of Life In The Old Hog Yet
17 years later
www.nintendolife.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Beyond Good & Evil 2 Job Listing Shows There's Signs Of Life In The Old Hog Yet.
Reposted by John Harris
Olivia Nuzzi wrote an entire story based on unnamed sources about Biden's decline, reinvigorating calls for him to leave the race -- and the whole time, she was working on RFK Jr.'s behalf, according to her ex-fiance. newrepublic.com/article/2035...
Olivia Nuzzi’s Real Victims
More than her fiancé, or fellow female journalists, the public will pay the price for these misdeeds. RFK Jr. will see to that.
newrepublic.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Olivia Nuzzi wrote an entire story based on unnamed sources about Biden's decline, reinvigorating calls for him to leave the race -- and the whole time, she was working on RFK Jr.'s behalf, according to her ex-fiance. newrepublic.com/article/2035...
Been going through Blippo+ on the Switch, and it's wonderful! I am not looking forward to when I exhaust all of its video clips.
November 26, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Been going through Blippo+ on the Switch, and it's wonderful! I am not looking forward to when I exhaust all of its video clips.
Reposted by John Harris
maybe pregnant women are said to glow but have you ever seen a lady who's been waiting over a decade to do something funny? she's absolutely incandescent
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
November 26, 2025 at 1:46 PM
maybe pregnant women are said to glow but have you ever seen a lady who's been waiting over a decade to do something funny? she's absolutely incandescent
Reposted by John Harris
Vile used images of real people in an adult game to make an artistic statement. Doesn't matter that these are images of the author, and that the context is "sexual violence is bad". Valve banned that game because their overarching principle is "do not make us do effort"
There's a growing number of games that have apparently fallen foul of Steam's 'No because we say so' rule that are still being happily sold on other major storefronts like GOG.
Also recently DreadXP-published game Vile was outright rejected by Steam too, despite containing *nothing* objectionable.
Also recently DreadXP-published game Vile was outright rejected by Steam too, despite containing *nothing* objectionable.
Vile Is Banned
Developer Statement: VILE: Exhumed is a game about searching through an old computer, uncovering dark secrets, and experiencing the horrors […]
dreadxp.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:57 AM
Vile used images of real people in an adult game to make an artistic statement. Doesn't matter that these are images of the author, and that the context is "sexual violence is bad". Valve banned that game because their overarching principle is "do not make us do effort"
Reposted by John Harris
The use of AI to describe everything from LLMs to regression on big data sets is a bit problematic. It's used by the folks creating AI slop to claim credit for ML successes based on totally different architectures & we are now at the point where normal people hear AI & think chatbot (argggh!).
November 26, 2025 at 1:37 PM
The use of AI to describe everything from LLMs to regression on big data sets is a bit problematic. It's used by the folks creating AI slop to claim credit for ML successes based on totally different architectures & we are now at the point where normal people hear AI & think chatbot (argggh!).
Reposted by John Harris
Disclaimer: No idea if this game is any good. I'm just letting you know about its existence.
Demo = Game; at $0.99, please buy if you can. 😊
"We currently offer a free version available as a demo, so anyone can enjoy the game at no cost.
We have also decided to release this version for a ..."
Demo = Game; at $0.99, please buy if you can. 😊
"We currently offer a free version available as a demo, so anyone can enjoy the game at no cost.
We have also decided to release this version for a ..."
Between Worlds on Steam
MAT is a young boy trapped in a school he barely recognises. Help him in the search for answers, shifting between worlds, uncovering new challenges, creatures, and abilities in each of them. Explore a...
store.steampowered.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Disclaimer: No idea if this game is any good. I'm just letting you know about its existence.
Demo = Game; at $0.99, please buy if you can. 😊
"We currently offer a free version available as a demo, so anyone can enjoy the game at no cost.
We have also decided to release this version for a ..."
Demo = Game; at $0.99, please buy if you can. 😊
"We currently offer a free version available as a demo, so anyone can enjoy the game at no cost.
We have also decided to release this version for a ..."
Reposted by John Harris
September 13, 2026 will be the 20th anniversary, in point of fact. For a brief period of time, my cat Ghlaghghee (pronounced "fluffy") was the most famous cat on the Internet. She took it in stride. One of the great moments of the blog era. We should do something for the anniversary. Suggestions?
November 26, 2025 at 1:48 PM
September 13, 2026 will be the 20th anniversary, in point of fact. For a brief period of time, my cat Ghlaghghee (pronounced "fluffy") was the most famous cat on the Internet. She took it in stride. One of the great moments of the blog era. We should do something for the anniversary. Suggestions?
Reposted by John Harris
“A line, long smudged, has been crossed,” staff writer Tad Friend wrote on an all-staff email chain. “Union busting sucks,” wrote author Susan Orlean.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Famous writers at New Yorker are up in arms after fact-checker’s firing
The media company dismissed four employees, including a fact-checker at the 100-year-old magazine, for “extreme misconduct.” Many of its famous writers are outraged.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:52 PM
“A line, long smudged, has been crossed,” staff writer Tad Friend wrote on an all-staff email chain. “Union busting sucks,” wrote author Susan Orlean.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Reposted by John Harris
“The two worst places I’ve ever been are Atlantic City and Las Vegas,” a man speaking against a proposal to open a casino in New York City said. “Both are ugly and depressing, and I grew up in Florida, so that’s saying something.” https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/CS65oC
November 26, 2025 at 1:00 AM
“The two worst places I’ve ever been are Atlantic City and Las Vegas,” a man speaking against a proposal to open a casino in New York City said. “Both are ugly and depressing, and I grew up in Florida, so that’s saying something.” https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/CS65oC
haaaaaaa hee hee hoo ah wahh g'huck snort.
Tried to buy a phone at Walmart today. Today, and four other days through the past month. The wireless people were absent every time. Walmart doesn't sell the phones, it seems; it's a different company who they contract to. Listen: they are horrible.
Tried to buy a phone at Walmart today. Today, and four other days through the past month. The wireless people were absent every time. Walmart doesn't sell the phones, it seems; it's a different company who they contract to. Listen: they are horrible.
November 25, 2025 at 11:14 PM
haaaaaaa hee hee hoo ah wahh g'huck snort.
Tried to buy a phone at Walmart today. Today, and four other days through the past month. The wireless people were absent every time. Walmart doesn't sell the phones, it seems; it's a different company who they contract to. Listen: they are horrible.
Tried to buy a phone at Walmart today. Today, and four other days through the past month. The wireless people were absent every time. Walmart doesn't sell the phones, it seems; it's a different company who they contract to. Listen: they are horrible.
Reposted by John Harris
This is infuriating and tragic but I also wonder if we couldn’t crowdfund 100k to keep Santa Ragione open—they make some of the strangest and most interesting games.
Santa Ragione co-founder Pietro Righi Riva addresses the studio's potential closure in an exclusive interview with GamesIndustry.biz. "There will likely be no money left to make a new [game]... Unless a miracle happens and Horses does very well."
www.gamesindustry.biz/santa-ragion...
www.gamesindustry.biz/santa-ragion...
Santa Ragione co-founder Pietro Righi Riva on Horses, Steam, and possible closure of the studio
"No publisher will fund a game that's not coming out on Steam"
www.gamesindustry.biz
November 25, 2025 at 6:36 PM
This is infuriating and tragic but I also wonder if we couldn’t crowdfund 100k to keep Santa Ragione open—they make some of the strangest and most interesting games.
Reposted by John Harris
The fact that itch posted this and not even an hour later I got a bunch of new sales proves how big it is when other people talk about your games.
It can literally be a life changing events.
When John Harper made a nice quote tweet about Breathless, hundreds of people looked at the game.
Wild
It can literally be a life changing events.
When John Harper made a nice quote tweet about Breathless, hundreds of people looked at the game.
Wild
Voidlight: A rules-bright sci-fi horror dungeon crawl where your only safety is a beam of light that shrinks every ten minutes.
farirpgs.itch.io/voidlight
farirpgs.itch.io/voidlight
November 25, 2025 at 2:05 PM
The fact that itch posted this and not even an hour later I got a bunch of new sales proves how big it is when other people talk about your games.
It can literally be a life changing events.
When John Harper made a nice quote tweet about Breathless, hundreds of people looked at the game.
Wild
It can literally be a life changing events.
When John Harper made a nice quote tweet about Breathless, hundreds of people looked at the game.
Wild
Reposted by John Harris
Spoke to my source familiar with internal workings at Mastercard. The holiday call campaign re payment processor censorship is working, there is a lot of pressure being felt from your calls. This is resulting in increased response times at a core moment for Mastercard due to the holiday season
November 24, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Spoke to my source familiar with internal workings at Mastercard. The holiday call campaign re payment processor censorship is working, there is a lot of pressure being felt from your calls. This is resulting in increased response times at a core moment for Mastercard due to the holiday season
"Tonight you will be visited by three spirits..."
November 25, 2025 at 11:43 AM
"Tonight you will be visited by three spirits..."
Reposted by John Harris
Google at its peak was basically the best information retrieval system in human history and they and every competitor decided going from there to “you didn’t want answers you wanted half-assed auto-complete 80%-wrong hallucinations” in a few years was the right idea
November 25, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Google at its peak was basically the best information retrieval system in human history and they and every competitor decided going from there to “you didn’t want answers you wanted half-assed auto-complete 80%-wrong hallucinations” in a few years was the right idea
I need, NEED, to inform you that there is a NEW STRONG BAD EMAIL: homestarrunner.com/sbemails/210...
Here it is on Youtube if you, in turn, need that: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zhs...
Here it is on Youtube if you, in turn, need that: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zhs...
Lappier Than Thou - Sbemails 210 - robots
The Cheat goes undercover to infiltrate the robot characters that hardly ever show up.
homestarrunner.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:32 AM
I need, NEED, to inform you that there is a NEW STRONG BAD EMAIL: homestarrunner.com/sbemails/210...
Here it is on Youtube if you, in turn, need that: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zhs...
Here it is on Youtube if you, in turn, need that: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zhs...
Reposted by John Harris
You have to keep giving money to avoid collapse and if there’s collapse you have to give more money. It’s called the free market.
November 24, 2025 at 10:54 PM
You have to keep giving money to avoid collapse and if there’s collapse you have to give more money. It’s called the free market.
Reposted by John Harris
Breaking: Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died. She was 111 years old
Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died
Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died. She was 111 years old.
www.whatimreading.net
November 24, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Breaking: Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died. She was 111 years old
A friend's website had all its links suddenly stop working!
Over an hour of effort eventually narrowed down the problem. There was a contenteditable="true" property in the body tag of the page, possibly put there by GoDaddy's beta WYSIWYG HTML editor.
HA. HA. HA. (deep breath) HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Over an hour of effort eventually narrowed down the problem. There was a contenteditable="true" property in the body tag of the page, possibly put there by GoDaddy's beta WYSIWYG HTML editor.
HA. HA. HA. (deep breath) HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
November 25, 2025 at 9:17 AM
A friend's website had all its links suddenly stop working!
Over an hour of effort eventually narrowed down the problem. There was a contenteditable="true" property in the body tag of the page, possibly put there by GoDaddy's beta WYSIWYG HTML editor.
HA. HA. HA. (deep breath) HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Over an hour of effort eventually narrowed down the problem. There was a contenteditable="true" property in the body tag of the page, possibly put there by GoDaddy's beta WYSIWYG HTML editor.
HA. HA. HA. (deep breath) HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA