Ross McKay
@webaware.au
WordPress hooker.
Python Djangler.
Bean enthusiast.
Microbe wrangler.
Deep sigh-ops.
Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia
Most active on the Fediverse as @webaware@fosstodon.org
Python Djangler.
Bean enthusiast.
Microbe wrangler.
Deep sigh-ops.
Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia
Most active on the Fediverse as @webaware@fosstodon.org
Pinned
Ross McKay
@webaware.au
· Nov 20
FYI this account is mostly for reading, not so much writing. I'm more active on Mastodon / Fediverse. Don't be upset if I don't follow back, I mostly use lists here.
My Mastodon posts can be seen here via Bridgy: @webaware.fosstodon.org.ap.brid.gy
My Mastodon posts can be seen here via Bridgy: @webaware.fosstodon.org.ap.brid.gy
Reposted by Ross McKay
Delightful detail from the Roman “unswept floor” mosaic by Heraclitus, showing a mouse nibbling a walnut.
Superb use of darker tiles for subtle shadow effect!
2nd century AD. Vatican Museums www.museivaticani.va/content/muse...
#MosaicMonday
#Archaeology
Superb use of darker tiles for subtle shadow effect!
2nd century AD. Vatican Museums www.museivaticani.va/content/muse...
#MosaicMonday
#Archaeology
November 10, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Delightful detail from the Roman “unswept floor” mosaic by Heraclitus, showing a mouse nibbling a walnut.
Superb use of darker tiles for subtle shadow effect!
2nd century AD. Vatican Museums www.museivaticani.va/content/muse...
#MosaicMonday
#Archaeology
Superb use of darker tiles for subtle shadow effect!
2nd century AD. Vatican Museums www.museivaticani.va/content/muse...
#MosaicMonday
#Archaeology
Reposted by Ross McKay
Reposted by Ross McKay
They shifted to Pacific Park near the beach and had all of 20 people who were out numbered by counter protestors and three Police officers.
Signs like ‘Get off Facebook’ made me smile.
Signs like ‘Get off Facebook’ made me smile.
August 31, 2025 at 12:27 AM
They shifted to Pacific Park near the beach and had all of 20 people who were out numbered by counter protestors and three Police officers.
Signs like ‘Get off Facebook’ made me smile.
Signs like ‘Get off Facebook’ made me smile.
Reposted by Ross McKay
Navajo (or Diné bizaad, if you favour endonyms) is one of the most inventive of all languages (in my opinion) in that it has often created neologisms for new things, rather than borrowing terms from other languages. Here are ten of my favourite Navajo / Diné words (and their meanings) for animals…
July 17, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Navajo (or Diné bizaad, if you favour endonyms) is one of the most inventive of all languages (in my opinion) in that it has often created neologisms for new things, rather than borrowing terms from other languages. Here are ten of my favourite Navajo / Diné words (and their meanings) for animals…
Reposted by Ross McKay
Sipping my coffee ☕️ thinking about these marvellous Minoan cups!
Known as Kamares Ware, these luxury ceramics were made during the Bronze Age 3,800 years ago!
Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Crete
📷 by me
#Archaeology
Known as Kamares Ware, these luxury ceramics were made during the Bronze Age 3,800 years ago!
Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Crete
📷 by me
#Archaeology
July 5, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Sipping my coffee ☕️ thinking about these marvellous Minoan cups!
Known as Kamares Ware, these luxury ceramics were made during the Bronze Age 3,800 years ago!
Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Crete
📷 by me
#Archaeology
Known as Kamares Ware, these luxury ceramics were made during the Bronze Age 3,800 years ago!
Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Crete
📷 by me
#Archaeology
Reposted by Ross McKay
On #LadySwinders this time we're on the trail of a female armed robber in 1920s New York, the 'Bobbed Hair Bandit.' With CBS News Correspondent Erin Moriarty.
Listen on @bbcradio4 and @bbcsounds
#ladyswindlers #podcasts #history #lucyworsley
Listen on @bbcradio4 and @bbcsounds
#ladyswindlers #podcasts #history #lucyworsley
June 8, 2025 at 6:17 PM
On #LadySwinders this time we're on the trail of a female armed robber in 1920s New York, the 'Bobbed Hair Bandit.' With CBS News Correspondent Erin Moriarty.
Listen on @bbcradio4 and @bbcsounds
#ladyswindlers #podcasts #history #lucyworsley
Listen on @bbcradio4 and @bbcsounds
#ladyswindlers #podcasts #history #lucyworsley
Reposted by Ross McKay
The first recorded strike in history took place almost 3,200 years ago!
The ‘Strike Papyrus’ recounts that in year 29 of the reign of Ramesses III (c. 1157 BC) royal tomb workers at Deir el-Medina downed tools over pay and working conditions!
Museo Egizio, Turin 📷 me
#AncientBlueSky 🏺
#Archaeology
The ‘Strike Papyrus’ recounts that in year 29 of the reign of Ramesses III (c. 1157 BC) royal tomb workers at Deir el-Medina downed tools over pay and working conditions!
Museo Egizio, Turin 📷 me
#AncientBlueSky 🏺
#Archaeology
April 16, 2025 at 5:47 PM
The first recorded strike in history took place almost 3,200 years ago!
The ‘Strike Papyrus’ recounts that in year 29 of the reign of Ramesses III (c. 1157 BC) royal tomb workers at Deir el-Medina downed tools over pay and working conditions!
Museo Egizio, Turin 📷 me
#AncientBlueSky 🏺
#Archaeology
The ‘Strike Papyrus’ recounts that in year 29 of the reign of Ramesses III (c. 1157 BC) royal tomb workers at Deir el-Medina downed tools over pay and working conditions!
Museo Egizio, Turin 📷 me
#AncientBlueSky 🏺
#Archaeology
Reposted by Ross McKay
This novel is about a huge ship called Titan. It hits an iceberg on an April night & sinks in the Atlantic
Written in 1898. 14yrs before Titanic hit an iceberg & sank on this day, 15 April 1912
First line: "She was the largest craft afloat & the greatest of the works of man."
Written in 1898. 14yrs before Titanic hit an iceberg & sank on this day, 15 April 1912
First line: "She was the largest craft afloat & the greatest of the works of man."
April 15, 2025 at 7:08 PM
This novel is about a huge ship called Titan. It hits an iceberg on an April night & sinks in the Atlantic
Written in 1898. 14yrs before Titanic hit an iceberg & sank on this day, 15 April 1912
First line: "She was the largest craft afloat & the greatest of the works of man."
Written in 1898. 14yrs before Titanic hit an iceberg & sank on this day, 15 April 1912
First line: "She was the largest craft afloat & the greatest of the works of man."
Reposted by Ross McKay
Today in 1924 Hitler was sentenced to a pathetic 5 yrs for trying to overthrow the government.
He served 9 months. There might be a lesson here somewhere about being tough on people who assault democratic governance.
He served 9 months. There might be a lesson here somewhere about being tough on people who assault democratic governance.
April 1, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Today in 1924 Hitler was sentenced to a pathetic 5 yrs for trying to overthrow the government.
He served 9 months. There might be a lesson here somewhere about being tough on people who assault democratic governance.
He served 9 months. There might be a lesson here somewhere about being tough on people who assault democratic governance.
Reposted by Ross McKay
Something a bit different for #FindsFriday!
‘Peckham Rock’ hoax cave art with authentic-looking label, installed without permission in the British Museum in 2005, by the street artist known as #Banksy
‘Found’ 3 days later in the Roman Britain gallery! 😳
Marker pen on lump of concrete! 😁
📷 me
‘Peckham Rock’ hoax cave art with authentic-looking label, installed without permission in the British Museum in 2005, by the street artist known as #Banksy
‘Found’ 3 days later in the Roman Britain gallery! 😳
Marker pen on lump of concrete! 😁
📷 me
March 28, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Something a bit different for #FindsFriday!
‘Peckham Rock’ hoax cave art with authentic-looking label, installed without permission in the British Museum in 2005, by the street artist known as #Banksy
‘Found’ 3 days later in the Roman Britain gallery! 😳
Marker pen on lump of concrete! 😁
📷 me
‘Peckham Rock’ hoax cave art with authentic-looking label, installed without permission in the British Museum in 2005, by the street artist known as #Banksy
‘Found’ 3 days later in the Roman Britain gallery! 😳
Marker pen on lump of concrete! 😁
📷 me
Reposted by Ross McKay
I’m finding it very hard to understand the stance of the Royal Society here. Science is part of society, not separate from it, existing in some strange metaphysical bubble. I look across the Atlantic, aghast at the damage being done to science and scientists.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Royal Society decides not to take disciplinary action against Elon Musk
Exclusive: Fellows argue Musk has violated code of conduct but council believes investigation ‘could do more harm than good’
www.theguardian.com
March 26, 2025 at 8:44 AM
I’m finding it very hard to understand the stance of the Royal Society here. Science is part of society, not separate from it, existing in some strange metaphysical bubble. I look across the Atlantic, aghast at the damage being done to science and scientists.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Ross McKay
Today in 1945 US Army Sgt Edward Allen Carter was shot 5 times assaulting a German position. 8 enemy troops tried to capture him but he killed six & took 2 back to friendly lines where he interrogated them in German.
Because he was African American he did not receive the Medal of Honor. Until 1997.
Because he was African American he did not receive the Medal of Honor. Until 1997.
March 23, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Today in 1945 US Army Sgt Edward Allen Carter was shot 5 times assaulting a German position. 8 enemy troops tried to capture him but he killed six & took 2 back to friendly lines where he interrogated them in German.
Because he was African American he did not receive the Medal of Honor. Until 1997.
Because he was African American he did not receive the Medal of Honor. Until 1997.
Reposted by Ross McKay
In today's edition of my newsletter MY LIFE IN THE PAST, I address the vitally important question of dressing up 😉
lucyworsley.substack.com
lucyworsley.substack.com
March 13, 2025 at 4:26 PM
In today's edition of my newsletter MY LIFE IN THE PAST, I address the vitally important question of dressing up 😉
lucyworsley.substack.com
lucyworsley.substack.com
Reposted by Ross McKay
Always some crisis with these men. They're so emotional, no wonder they can't cut it in the workforce. Try smiling more and whining less, dearies, you're being testerical, it's so off-putting.
March 2, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Always some crisis with these men. They're so emotional, no wonder they can't cut it in the workforce. Try smiling more and whining less, dearies, you're being testerical, it's so off-putting.
Reposted by Ross McKay
Manager: "What's this milestone 'Living on a prayer' ?"
Me: "That's the documentation deliverable."
Manager: "What's the status of that?"
Me: "We're halfway there"
Manager: "Why is progress so slow?"
Me: "You fired Tommy"
Manager: "So?"
Me: "Tommy used to work on the docs"
Me: "That's the documentation deliverable."
Manager: "What's the status of that?"
Me: "We're halfway there"
Manager: "Why is progress so slow?"
Me: "You fired Tommy"
Manager: "So?"
Me: "Tommy used to work on the docs"
February 23, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Manager: "What's this milestone 'Living on a prayer' ?"
Me: "That's the documentation deliverable."
Manager: "What's the status of that?"
Me: "We're halfway there"
Manager: "Why is progress so slow?"
Me: "You fired Tommy"
Manager: "So?"
Me: "Tommy used to work on the docs"
Me: "That's the documentation deliverable."
Manager: "What's the status of that?"
Me: "We're halfway there"
Manager: "Why is progress so slow?"
Me: "You fired Tommy"
Manager: "So?"
Me: "Tommy used to work on the docs"
Reposted by Ross McKay
Today in 1811 the UK Parliament removed all power from King George because he was "insane"
February 5, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Today in 1811 the UK Parliament removed all power from King George because he was "insane"
Reposted by Ross McKay
A wealthy, real-estate obsessed head of state announced that he was taking personal control of a big chunk of someone else’s territory today in 1885.
King Leopold of Belgium established the Congo Free State.
King Leopold of Belgium established the Congo Free State.
February 5, 2025 at 10:02 PM
A wealthy, real-estate obsessed head of state announced that he was taking personal control of a big chunk of someone else’s territory today in 1885.
King Leopold of Belgium established the Congo Free State.
King Leopold of Belgium established the Congo Free State.
Reposted by Ross McKay
Some things never change!
A 2,000 year-old Roman souvenir pen with a joke inscription roughly equivalent to:
“I went to Rome and all I got you was this cheap pen!" 😂
Dated to about 70 AD, this iron stylus pen was found in London during excavations by MOLA. 📷 MOLA
#EpigraphyTuesday
#Archaeology
A 2,000 year-old Roman souvenir pen with a joke inscription roughly equivalent to:
“I went to Rome and all I got you was this cheap pen!" 😂
Dated to about 70 AD, this iron stylus pen was found in London during excavations by MOLA. 📷 MOLA
#EpigraphyTuesday
#Archaeology
![The photo shows a Roman iron stylus pen used to write on wax-filled wooden writing tablets. It has an inscription which runs along its length on four sides. The image shows the four lines of inscribed text which read:
‘ab urbe v[e]n[i] munus tibi
gratum adf(e)ro
acul[eat]um ut habe[a]s memor[ia]m nostra(m)
rogo si fortuna dar[e]t quo possem
largius ut longa via ceu sacculus est (v)acuus’
‘I have come from the City. I bring you a welcome gift
with a sharp point that you may remember me.
I ask, if fortune allowed, that I might be able (to give)
as generously as the way is long (and) as my purse is empty.’
Excavated in London by MOLA. Photo by Juan Jose Fuldain/MOLA](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:j56ydp325adovobhwpkzc6sp/bafkreidl4tnhxi3qbq6bveq65le2cbfbjty36jsqyncoquqvvgqk42e7ze@jpeg)
January 28, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Some things never change!
A 2,000 year-old Roman souvenir pen with a joke inscription roughly equivalent to:
“I went to Rome and all I got you was this cheap pen!" 😂
Dated to about 70 AD, this iron stylus pen was found in London during excavations by MOLA. 📷 MOLA
#EpigraphyTuesday
#Archaeology
A 2,000 year-old Roman souvenir pen with a joke inscription roughly equivalent to:
“I went to Rome and all I got you was this cheap pen!" 😂
Dated to about 70 AD, this iron stylus pen was found in London during excavations by MOLA. 📷 MOLA
#EpigraphyTuesday
#Archaeology
Reposted by Ross McKay
The whole point of studying the 1930s is to foster hyper-awareness.
We should be nervous, pessimistic, jumpy. We should call out the first rumblings, the accidental tells, the faintest glimmers.
Because it was so monstrous that even the whiff of it is existential
We should be nervous, pessimistic, jumpy. We should call out the first rumblings, the accidental tells, the faintest glimmers.
Because it was so monstrous that even the whiff of it is existential
January 22, 2025 at 1:14 PM
The whole point of studying the 1930s is to foster hyper-awareness.
We should be nervous, pessimistic, jumpy. We should call out the first rumblings, the accidental tells, the faintest glimmers.
Because it was so monstrous that even the whiff of it is existential
We should be nervous, pessimistic, jumpy. We should call out the first rumblings, the accidental tells, the faintest glimmers.
Because it was so monstrous that even the whiff of it is existential
Reposted by Ross McKay
During the Great Fire of London the rumour quickly spread that foreign migrants were responsible. Foreigners were beaten up & even lynched.
The fire’s severity was in fact caused by unusually dry conditions and high winds.
The fire’s severity was in fact caused by unusually dry conditions and high winds.
January 10, 2025 at 4:55 PM
During the Great Fire of London the rumour quickly spread that foreign migrants were responsible. Foreigners were beaten up & even lynched.
The fire’s severity was in fact caused by unusually dry conditions and high winds.
The fire’s severity was in fact caused by unusually dry conditions and high winds.
Reposted by Ross McKay
There is a strong temptation when facing paradigm shifting technology to double down on the familiar.
That’s why French infantrymen in red trousers walked towards machine guns as bands played in 1914…. 👇
That’s why French infantrymen in red trousers walked towards machine guns as bands played in 1914…. 👇
January 5, 2025 at 5:20 PM
There is a strong temptation when facing paradigm shifting technology to double down on the familiar.
That’s why French infantrymen in red trousers walked towards machine guns as bands played in 1914…. 👇
That’s why French infantrymen in red trousers walked towards machine guns as bands played in 1914…. 👇
Reposted by Ross McKay
Breaking: Federal Trade Commission will require accessiBe to pay $1 million to settle allegations that it misrepresented the ability of its AI-powered web accessibility tool to make any website compliant with #WCAG for people with disabilities. #a11y #accessibility
FTC Order Requires Online Marketer to Pay $1 Million for Deceptive Claims that its AI Product Could Make Websites Compliant with Accessibility Guidelines
The Federal Trade Commission will require software provider accessiBe to pay $1 million to settle allegations that it misrepresented the ability of its AI-powered web accessibility tool to make any
buff.ly
January 3, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Breaking: Federal Trade Commission will require accessiBe to pay $1 million to settle allegations that it misrepresented the ability of its AI-powered web accessibility tool to make any website compliant with #WCAG for people with disabilities. #a11y #accessibility
Reposted by Ross McKay
Hey #APAC friends, we're looking for a speaker for WordPress Accessibility Meetup on March 18th at 11 AM AEDT (17 March at 7 PM CDT). Would you be interested in presenting via Zoom to our group on a web #a11y topic? You get IAAP continuing ed credits. #WPA11yMeetup #accessibility
January 2, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Hey #APAC friends, we're looking for a speaker for WordPress Accessibility Meetup on March 18th at 11 AM AEDT (17 March at 7 PM CDT). Would you be interested in presenting via Zoom to our group on a web #a11y topic? You get IAAP continuing ed credits. #WPA11yMeetup #accessibility
Reposted by Ross McKay
This is a reminder to everyone. Use the 321 backup strategy. 3 copies, 2 types, 1 off site. I had an old client contact me, their rack came off the wall & fell 3.5m to the ground. Destroying their NAS & the external backup drive. Full recovery from the offsite cloud backup.
December 18, 2024 at 6:36 AM
This is a reminder to everyone. Use the 321 backup strategy. 3 copies, 2 types, 1 off site. I had an old client contact me, their rack came off the wall & fell 3.5m to the ground. Destroying their NAS & the external backup drive. Full recovery from the offsite cloud backup.
Reposted by Ross McKay
A mob threw tea into Boston Harbour today in 1773 protesting a corrupt executive determined to impose tarrifs on trade to suit the needs of a powerful corporation.
December 16, 2024 at 7:54 PM
A mob threw tea into Boston Harbour today in 1773 protesting a corrupt executive determined to impose tarrifs on trade to suit the needs of a powerful corporation.