Paul Gallagher
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tardate.bsky.social
Paul Gallagher
@tardate.bsky.social
540 followers 1.9K following 390 posts
Code, music, books, scale models, or mixing genres with electronics and a microcontroller 🇸🇬 9V1DI https://linktr.ee/gallagher.paul
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tardate.bsky.social
It's amazing what you can do in #MicroPython with just a few more megabytes: an ESP-12E posting readings to a data service over secured HTTPS

leap.tardate.com/esp8266/micr...
LEAP#812 ESP8266 (ESP-12E) IoT Temperature Sensor
Using MicroPython on an ESP-12E (4Mib ESP8266) to capture DS18S20 temperature measurements and log continuous readings to a cloud data collection service (Ubidots).
leap.tardate.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:23 PM
tardate.bsky.social
I relearn languages all the time (shoutout: duolingo!) so now I know that #grok is no longer nerdy slang for "gotcha, we both know that", but now means: "I'm a pedophile and any images I have of you are now trending in CSAM forums and on X"
January 6, 2026 at 7:02 PM
tardate.bsky.social
Hmm, Clojure ... aka lisp on the jvm. I can feel my cred shrinking already.

codingkata.tardate.com/clojure/about/
LCK#399 About Clojure
An overview of the Clojure programming language, its features, and ecosystem. Includes setting up and running on macOS.
codingkata.tardate.com
January 6, 2026 at 6:13 PM
tardate.bsky.social
I've been reviving some projects from the IoT heyday, only to discover that most of the IoT data services from back in the day no longer exist, so I've been looking for current alternatives.

Dweet.cc is really nice as a "simplest thing possible" option...

codingkata.tardate.com/dataservices...
LCK#400 About dweet.cc
Dweet.cc provides simple machine-to-machine messaging over HTTPS. No setup. No auth. Just post and get lightweight JSON.
codingkata.tardate.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:48 PM
tardate.bsky.social
I must admit I was somewhat underwhelmed when I first tried #MicroPython back in 2016, but now I realise that was largely due to the fact that I was still trying to squeeze it all into the original ESP-01 512Kb form-factor
January 6, 2026 at 4:59 PM
tardate.bsky.social
US in 2026 be like: woah, holding together all those institutions of international order and our democratic constitution sure was hard work. I know, I did sign up to the whole liberal world order thing. But don't you enjoy the freedom of just DOING WHAT THE FUCK WE WANT, AND NO-ONES GONNA STOP US?
January 6, 2026 at 4:01 PM
tardate.bsky.social
Found a little time capsule I'd left myself from 2016: a bunch of #esp8266 devices and #MicroPython download from the original kickstarter.

Now refreshed, updated and working again in 2026.. posting DS18S20 temperature to Ubidots.

leap.tardate.com/esp8266/micr...

#electronics
LEAP#811 ESP8266 (ESP-01) IoT Temperature Sensor
Using MicroPython on an ESP8266 (512kb ESP01) to capture DS18S20 temperature readings and log to a cloud data collection service (Ubidots).
leap.tardate.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:06 AM
tardate.bsky.social
Welcoming in the new year with Ruby 4.0 for 2026!

codingkata.tardate.com/ruby/ruby40/

#ruby
LCK#398 Ruby 4.0
About Ruby 4.0 including installation on Apple Silicon.
codingkata.tardate.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:18 AM
tardate.bsky.social
Taking #erlang for a little test drive..

codingkata.tardate.com/erlang/about/
LCK#397 About Erlang
An overview of the Erlang programming language, its features, and ecosystem. Includes setting up and running on macOS.
codingkata.tardate.com
January 1, 2026 at 11:01 AM
tardate.bsky.social
Doing a little 64 LED SMD soldering practice board by hand was a chill way to start the year. I hope it continues this way😆

leap.tardate.com/electronics1...

#electronics
LEAP#810 LED Matrix SMD Practice Board
A full-featured soldering practice board with a range of components (0603 , 0805, SO-8, SO-16) and a 64-LED matrix that displays a microcontroller-generated pattern when soldered correctly.
leap.tardate.com
January 1, 2026 at 7:37 AM
tardate.bsky.social
This week's @cassidoo.co challenge: replace repeating digits in a number. Doing this one with #scala for a change

codingkata.tardate.com/scala/replac...
LCK#396 replaceRepeats
Using Scala to replace repeating digits in a number; cassidoo's interview question of the week (2025-12-29)
codingkata.tardate.com
December 31, 2025 at 8:04 AM
tardate.bsky.social
I even used to listen to a podcast about scala, but I've never used it in anger. Taking a fresh look...

codingkata.tardate.com/scala/about/
LCK#395 About Scala
An overview of the Scala programming language, its features, and ecosystem. Includes setting up and running on macOS.
codingkata.tardate.com
December 31, 2025 at 7:42 AM
tardate.bsky.social
The Kawanishi N1K2-J Prototype flying over Yokosuka 1944. Another great Platz kit in 1:144.
Sneaking some finishing touches for my last build of the year...

modelart.tardate.com/projects/ijn...

Wishing everyone happy modelling in 2026!

#scalemodels #144scale #ijn #platz
December 30, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Reposted by Paul Gallagher
steadystatevets.bsky.social
We Are Not Negotiating a Ukrainian Peace: Repeated Failures of Emissaries are not Attempts to Reach a Respectable End to War but a Dishonorable Effort to Wear Zelensky Down
open.substack.com/pub/steadyst...
Clarity and Candor. A Must Read.
We Are Not Negotiating a Ukrainian Peace: Repeated Failures of Emissaries are not Attempts to Reach a Respectable End to War but a Dishonorable Effort to Wear Zelensky Down
The Steady State | by Bill Piekney
open.substack.com
December 28, 2025 at 8:12 PM
tardate.bsky.social
Ooh, Uniqlo is bringing back the Tamagotchi😁 .. so ofc my first thought was to go relisten to
Natalie Silvanovich on @unnamedre.com

www.uniqlo.com/sg/en/specia...
www.uniqlo.com
December 17, 2025 at 5:58 AM
tardate.bsky.social
The 1:144 Platz Shiden-Kai N1K2-J in experimental livery.

Technically still #wip but this'll be the last I get to post this year. Wishing everyone some enjoyable festive benchtime!

#scalemodels #144scale #ijn #platz
December 16, 2025 at 4:11 PM
tardate.bsky.social
One gig you would give anything to have been there?

For me: Liv Moon White Night/Black Night 2012.. because the chances of gathering such a group of talented musicians and light the spark of creativity on the night is 10^6:1

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky2z...

#music
LIV MOON - THE WINTER (VIVALDI FOUR SEASONS)
YouTube video by EMRYS
www.youtube.com
December 14, 2025 at 3:38 PM
tardate.bsky.social
Added manufacturers to the category filter on my scale models repo. Why didn't I do that in the first place? One may wonder...!

modelart.tardate.com

#scalemodels
LittleModelArt
LMAP: Little Model Art Projects. My collection of scale modelling, miniatures and other art projects
modelart.tardate.com
December 14, 2025 at 12:06 PM
tardate.bsky.social
The LM393 comparator is shown up in many circuits I've played with. Time for a canonical page on the device.. demonstrated in an oscillator configuration.

leap.tardate.com/electronics1...

#electronics
LEAP#807 LM393 Square-wave Oscillator
Demonstrating a free-running square wave oscillator circuit using an LM393 comparator.
leap.tardate.com
December 14, 2025 at 11:19 AM
tardate.bsky.social
Putting a common IR obstacle detector module through its paces, with some discussion and examples of how to avoid crossover ringing..

leap.tardate.com/electronics1...

#electronics #arduino
LEAP#806 FC-51 IR Obstacle Avoidance Sensor Module
Testing a common infrared obstacle avoidance sensor module, and reviewing the behaviour of the LM393-based comparator circuit when used directly or with a microcontroller (Arduino). Includes suggestio...
leap.tardate.com
December 14, 2025 at 6:46 AM
tardate.bsky.social
Like most of my age in the English-speaking world, we grew up on US TV and movies that taught us to stand up for the weak, and that with great power comes great responsibility.

But now we discover our counterparts in the US thought **this** was the good guy??
December 12, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Reposted by Paul Gallagher
mxhollyclara.bsky.social
Toadstools triple is finished. Pictures here are before I put the glass in, as easier to photo. Really pleased with how this has come together and very happy I remembered I had a snail kicking around as a finishing touch! #nerdlings
A box frame showing a little scene of three toothy toadstools on a first floor. A goofy snail is crawling along the cap of one. A close-up of the three toothy toadstools on a first floor. A goofy snail is crawling along the cap of one. A close up view of the snail. Typical Warhammer, his shell is skull-shaped. A shiny trail of slime is left in his wake. Another close-up of the three toothy toadstools.
December 12, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Reposted by Paul Gallagher
sueinrockville.bsky.social
Exactly where are their headquarters?
Oh wait...we know
ARLINGTON CEMETERY
December 11, 2025 at 4:32 PM
tardate.bsky.social
BOAC Boeing 314A Clipper flying in 1941, perhaps with Churchill on board. An Airfix Vintage Classic from 1967 with crisp 2025 decals and a prop blur experiment.

I kept the seam lines for that authentic classic look😆

modelart.tardate.com/projects/uk/...

#histscalemodels #144scale #airfix #birthkit
December 12, 2025 at 1:55 PM
tardate.bsky.social
Finally got my hands on a legit phototransistor to do all the basic tests. Have to laugh at how all the "cheap electronic markets" are very hand-wavy about specs: photodiode/phototransistor/LED, IR/visible/UV .. all the same really isn't it??!!

leap.tardate.com/electronics1...

#electronics
December 12, 2025 at 1:03 PM