David Egan Evans
@deevans.bsky.social
Bibliophile, computerist, writer, karateka, Episcopalian, VFW/DAV auxiliary, cynophile, autist, Papa, US citizen, political independent
I like to think about things
https://oberon07.com/dee
I like to think about things
https://oberon07.com/dee
Maintenance is fundamental in computing.
It not only keeps things stable, but the immersed engineer continually makes incremental improvements. More important, that immersion provides inspiration for future improvements for every dependent system.
To ignore it for money making projects costs more.
It not only keeps things stable, but the immersed engineer continually makes incremental improvements. More important, that immersion provides inspiration for future improvements for every dependent system.
To ignore it for money making projects costs more.
December 11, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Maintenance is fundamental in computing.
It not only keeps things stable, but the immersed engineer continually makes incremental improvements. More important, that immersion provides inspiration for future improvements for every dependent system.
To ignore it for money making projects costs more.
It not only keeps things stable, but the immersed engineer continually makes incremental improvements. More important, that immersion provides inspiration for future improvements for every dependent system.
To ignore it for money making projects costs more.
Advice for hopeful writers:
If you want to get rich, you very likely will not. The publishing industry is brutal and selfish, and doesn’t care about your dreams.
Writers write. Do it for you.
Don’t sell your copyright. Find jobs that pay you to write. Sadly, from experience, those contradict.
If you want to get rich, you very likely will not. The publishing industry is brutal and selfish, and doesn’t care about your dreams.
Writers write. Do it for you.
Don’t sell your copyright. Find jobs that pay you to write. Sadly, from experience, those contradict.
December 2, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Advice for hopeful writers:
If you want to get rich, you very likely will not. The publishing industry is brutal and selfish, and doesn’t care about your dreams.
Writers write. Do it for you.
Don’t sell your copyright. Find jobs that pay you to write. Sadly, from experience, those contradict.
If you want to get rich, you very likely will not. The publishing industry is brutal and selfish, and doesn’t care about your dreams.
Writers write. Do it for you.
Don’t sell your copyright. Find jobs that pay you to write. Sadly, from experience, those contradict.
"True individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.”
— 11 January 1944, State of the Union, F. D. Roosevelt
— 11 January 1944, State of the Union, F. D. Roosevelt
December 1, 2025 at 3:09 PM
"True individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.”
— 11 January 1944, State of the Union, F. D. Roosevelt
— 11 January 1944, State of the Union, F. D. Roosevelt
“People need to live the life they want to live”, Jesse said. “They can’t live it the way somebody else wants them to….Everybody knows that…and few people actually believe it….”
“There’s often a gap between what we know and what we do”, Dix said.
— Stone Cold, Robert B. Parker
“There’s often a gap between what we know and what we do”, Dix said.
— Stone Cold, Robert B. Parker
November 22, 2025 at 5:59 PM
“People need to live the life they want to live”, Jesse said. “They can’t live it the way somebody else wants them to….Everybody knows that…and few people actually believe it….”
“There’s often a gap between what we know and what we do”, Dix said.
— Stone Cold, Robert B. Parker
“There’s often a gap between what we know and what we do”, Dix said.
— Stone Cold, Robert B. Parker
This is the first year in memory where I can’t watch the World Series on TV or live broadcast (without a subscription or pay per view).
ESPN radio has it, and this is not the first time I’ve listened to a game on the radio, but certainly I haven’t done so in years.
GM7: go Dodgers!
ESPN radio has it, and this is not the first time I’ve listened to a game on the radio, but certainly I haven’t done so in years.
GM7: go Dodgers!
November 2, 2025 at 12:41 AM
This is the first year in memory where I can’t watch the World Series on TV or live broadcast (without a subscription or pay per view).
ESPN radio has it, and this is not the first time I’ve listened to a game on the radio, but certainly I haven’t done so in years.
GM7: go Dodgers!
ESPN radio has it, and this is not the first time I’ve listened to a game on the radio, but certainly I haven’t done so in years.
GM7: go Dodgers!
“But I still cling to hope
And I believe in love
And thats Faith enough for me”
— Neil Peart, Faithless
And I believe in love
And thats Faith enough for me”
— Neil Peart, Faithless
October 24, 2025 at 9:50 PM
“But I still cling to hope
And I believe in love
And thats Faith enough for me”
— Neil Peart, Faithless
And I believe in love
And thats Faith enough for me”
— Neil Peart, Faithless
TaB is the original diet drink from Coke. Diet Pepsi was its non-Sachrin competitor. The closest Coke equivalent is Coke Zero.
Diet Coke is diet New Coke.
If you want something that tastes like Pepsi, you want Pepsi Zero.
Coke -> Coke Zero/Diet Pepsi
New Coke -> Diet Coke
Pepsi -> Pepsi Zero
Diet Coke is diet New Coke.
If you want something that tastes like Pepsi, you want Pepsi Zero.
Coke -> Coke Zero/Diet Pepsi
New Coke -> Diet Coke
Pepsi -> Pepsi Zero
October 23, 2025 at 7:37 PM
TaB is the original diet drink from Coke. Diet Pepsi was its non-Sachrin competitor. The closest Coke equivalent is Coke Zero.
Diet Coke is diet New Coke.
If you want something that tastes like Pepsi, you want Pepsi Zero.
Coke -> Coke Zero/Diet Pepsi
New Coke -> Diet Coke
Pepsi -> Pepsi Zero
Diet Coke is diet New Coke.
If you want something that tastes like Pepsi, you want Pepsi Zero.
Coke -> Coke Zero/Diet Pepsi
New Coke -> Diet Coke
Pepsi -> Pepsi Zero
Windows 10 EOL this October will mean many computers being junked. I’ve noted that Linux is an option, depending on the software you need to run.
Windows 10 has been around a decade, but part of it is major hardware vulnerabilities. It’s given me pause for my old Linux installs. Is Microsoft right?
Windows 10 has been around a decade, but part of it is major hardware vulnerabilities. It’s given me pause for my old Linux installs. Is Microsoft right?
September 21, 2025 at 4:56 AM
Windows 10 EOL this October will mean many computers being junked. I’ve noted that Linux is an option, depending on the software you need to run.
Windows 10 has been around a decade, but part of it is major hardware vulnerabilities. It’s given me pause for my old Linux installs. Is Microsoft right?
Windows 10 has been around a decade, but part of it is major hardware vulnerabilities. It’s given me pause for my old Linux installs. Is Microsoft right?
“If we don’t have free speech, we don’t have a free country. It’s as simple as that.”
— Donald J. Trump
— Donald J. Trump
September 19, 2025 at 2:57 AM
“If we don’t have free speech, we don’t have a free country. It’s as simple as that.”
— Donald J. Trump
— Donald J. Trump
My first Linux was Slackware 2.3, obtaining the disc from a very patient @shalkie.bsky.social, struggling with boot and root floppies (@kreichard.bsky.social’s books saved me), and finally getting an install. (3.5’s bootable CD was a relief.) I’ve followed Slackware since.
That was 30 years ago!
That was 30 years ago!
September 2, 2025 at 6:57 PM
My first Linux was Slackware 2.3, obtaining the disc from a very patient @shalkie.bsky.social, struggling with boot and root floppies (@kreichard.bsky.social’s books saved me), and finally getting an install. (3.5’s bootable CD was a relief.) I’ve followed Slackware since.
That was 30 years ago!
That was 30 years ago!
From Slackware 14.0:
$ fortune -m “goal of Computer Science”
%% (fortunes)
The goal of Computer Science is to build something that will last at least until we’ve finished building it.
$ fortune -m “goal of Computer Science”
%% (fortunes)
The goal of Computer Science is to build something that will last at least until we’ve finished building it.
September 2, 2025 at 1:56 AM
From Slackware 14.0:
$ fortune -m “goal of Computer Science”
%% (fortunes)
The goal of Computer Science is to build something that will last at least until we’ve finished building it.
$ fortune -m “goal of Computer Science”
%% (fortunes)
The goal of Computer Science is to build something that will last at least until we’ve finished building it.
Rust has momentum in Linux. Like C++, it has been a possible C replacement. Formerly Alef -> Thompson’s C -> Limbo -> Go (written in Thomason’s C) is C’s native successor.
After hearing Kernighan’s recent comments about Rust, I wonder if that background was on his mind.
After hearing Kernighan’s recent comments about Rust, I wonder if that background was on his mind.
August 31, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Rust has momentum in Linux. Like C++, it has been a possible C replacement. Formerly Alef -> Thompson’s C -> Limbo -> Go (written in Thomason’s C) is C’s native successor.
After hearing Kernighan’s recent comments about Rust, I wonder if that background was on his mind.
After hearing Kernighan’s recent comments about Rust, I wonder if that background was on his mind.
With Windows, Apple/Unix, you pay for your OS and support. With RHEL, SUSE, and Ubuntu, you can also pay for support (though Ubuntu is gratis the first five years). The rest is community.
Who cares about Linux distribution? What matters is preference and community, and your use and contributions.
Who cares about Linux distribution? What matters is preference and community, and your use and contributions.
August 21, 2025 at 11:26 PM
With Windows, Apple/Unix, you pay for your OS and support. With RHEL, SUSE, and Ubuntu, you can also pay for support (though Ubuntu is gratis the first five years). The rest is community.
Who cares about Linux distribution? What matters is preference and community, and your use and contributions.
Who cares about Linux distribution? What matters is preference and community, and your use and contributions.
D&D has mixed history.
* Gygax and Arneson
* Basic set
* Gygax and AD&D 1/2
* TSR: AD&D alternative 2
* WotC and the OGL: rejoice!
* 4e and the GSL: boo!
* Pathfinder: rejoice!
* D&D 5.0: yippie!
* Starfinder: cool
* OGL 1.1: boo!
* PF2e: more cool
* D&D 5.1/2: CC-BY
* PF2e ORC: rejoice!
* SF2 ORC
* Gygax and Arneson
* Basic set
* Gygax and AD&D 1/2
* TSR: AD&D alternative 2
* WotC and the OGL: rejoice!
* 4e and the GSL: boo!
* Pathfinder: rejoice!
* D&D 5.0: yippie!
* Starfinder: cool
* OGL 1.1: boo!
* PF2e: more cool
* D&D 5.1/2: CC-BY
* PF2e ORC: rejoice!
* SF2 ORC
August 15, 2025 at 11:16 PM
D&D has mixed history.
* Gygax and Arneson
* Basic set
* Gygax and AD&D 1/2
* TSR: AD&D alternative 2
* WotC and the OGL: rejoice!
* 4e and the GSL: boo!
* Pathfinder: rejoice!
* D&D 5.0: yippie!
* Starfinder: cool
* OGL 1.1: boo!
* PF2e: more cool
* D&D 5.1/2: CC-BY
* PF2e ORC: rejoice!
* SF2 ORC
* Gygax and Arneson
* Basic set
* Gygax and AD&D 1/2
* TSR: AD&D alternative 2
* WotC and the OGL: rejoice!
* 4e and the GSL: boo!
* Pathfinder: rejoice!
* D&D 5.0: yippie!
* Starfinder: cool
* OGL 1.1: boo!
* PF2e: more cool
* D&D 5.1/2: CC-BY
* PF2e ORC: rejoice!
* SF2 ORC
July 24, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Dungeon Master (DM) was first used in Alarums and Excursions, and commercially in Tunnels & Trolls published by Flying Buffalo. TSR used referee, until Gygax switched in the Blackmoor Supplement to DM, presumably influenced by Tunnels & Trolls.
So how did this get trademarked by WotC not FB?
So how did this get trademarked by WotC not FB?
July 6, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Dungeon Master (DM) was first used in Alarums and Excursions, and commercially in Tunnels & Trolls published by Flying Buffalo. TSR used referee, until Gygax switched in the Blackmoor Supplement to DM, presumably influenced by Tunnels & Trolls.
So how did this get trademarked by WotC not FB?
So how did this get trademarked by WotC not FB?
“…the world really Is in trouble. We have let the greed-heads who want nothing but profit today for themselves take over and steer the global ship towards hell.”
— Piers Anthony, Noah’s Brick, author’s note (December 2014)
— Piers Anthony, Noah’s Brick, author’s note (December 2014)
June 9, 2025 at 3:17 PM
“…the world really Is in trouble. We have let the greed-heads who want nothing but profit today for themselves take over and steer the global ship towards hell.”
— Piers Anthony, Noah’s Brick, author’s note (December 2014)
— Piers Anthony, Noah’s Brick, author’s note (December 2014)
“Being bitter doesn’t help anyone. It hurts you. You end up walking around, thinking you have no control over anything, and you spiral into an increasingly victim mentality….You can respond with whining, or you can respond by making the most of a bad situation.”
—Schwarzenegger, memorial newsletter
—Schwarzenegger, memorial newsletter
May 28, 2025 at 12:12 AM
“Being bitter doesn’t help anyone. It hurts you. You end up walking around, thinking you have no control over anything, and you spiral into an increasingly victim mentality….You can respond with whining, or you can respond by making the most of a bad situation.”
—Schwarzenegger, memorial newsletter
—Schwarzenegger, memorial newsletter
“Reps are the ONLY antidote to being bad at something.”
— Arnold Schwarzenegger, 19 May 2025 pump club newsletter
— Arnold Schwarzenegger, 19 May 2025 pump club newsletter
May 20, 2025 at 4:05 AM
“Reps are the ONLY antidote to being bad at something.”
— Arnold Schwarzenegger, 19 May 2025 pump club newsletter
— Arnold Schwarzenegger, 19 May 2025 pump club newsletter
Reposted by David Egan Evans
If Rational Arguments no longer work in US governance, it’s evidence of a deeper problem in our educational system, which favors what to know over how to think — how to critically analyze, process, & verify information.
Seems like a bad time to reduce funding for Public Education.
Seems like a bad time to reduce funding for Public Education.
May 16, 2025 at 12:47 AM
If Rational Arguments no longer work in US governance, it’s evidence of a deeper problem in our educational system, which favors what to know over how to think — how to critically analyze, process, & verify information.
Seems like a bad time to reduce funding for Public Education.
Seems like a bad time to reduce funding for Public Education.
“You do the best you can, as decently as you can, and you accept the consequences.”
— Susan to Spenser, Pale Kings and Princes, by Robert B. Parker
— Susan to Spenser, Pale Kings and Princes, by Robert B. Parker
April 19, 2025 at 4:40 AM
“You do the best you can, as decently as you can, and you accept the consequences.”
— Susan to Spenser, Pale Kings and Princes, by Robert B. Parker
— Susan to Spenser, Pale Kings and Princes, by Robert B. Parker
“People just cannot stop whining. They’ve tricked themselves into believing that whining about something is the same as doing something about it.”
— Arnold Schwarzenegger, 14 April 2025, Pump Club newsletter
— Arnold Schwarzenegger, 14 April 2025, Pump Club newsletter
April 16, 2025 at 12:24 PM
“People just cannot stop whining. They’ve tricked themselves into believing that whining about something is the same as doing something about it.”
— Arnold Schwarzenegger, 14 April 2025, Pump Club newsletter
— Arnold Schwarzenegger, 14 April 2025, Pump Club newsletter