Ian Kingston
@iankingston.com
Freelance editor, typesetter and technical illustrator, living in Lichfield. Online chess player (BlackberryA at Lichess if you fancy a game).
At the Auction Café, Lichfield.
December 23, 2025 at 3:16 PM
At the Auction Café, Lichfield.
Just watched the first 10 minutes of the new Frankenstein movie. I don't care how strong the creature is supposed to be - it's just not possible for it move hundreds of tons of ship trapped in ice. Hard pass.
December 15, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Just watched the first 10 minutes of the new Frankenstein movie. I don't care how strong the creature is supposed to be - it's just not possible for it move hundreds of tons of ship trapped in ice. Hard pass.
This week's BibTeX gripe: authors who don't cite references correctly in the text: using 'Smith et al. (Smith et al., 2024)' just shows that they don't know what they're doing.
And this particular paper has no mathematics in it – no justification for LaTeX at all.
#ScientificPublishing
And this particular paper has no mathematics in it – no justification for LaTeX at all.
#ScientificPublishing
December 11, 2025 at 11:56 AM
This week's BibTeX gripe: authors who don't cite references correctly in the text: using 'Smith et al. (Smith et al., 2024)' just shows that they don't know what they're doing.
And this particular paper has no mathematics in it – no justification for LaTeX at all.
#ScientificPublishing
And this particular paper has no mathematics in it – no justification for LaTeX at all.
#ScientificPublishing
When great customer service comes along, it's worth mentioning. So hats off to Decor Supplies in Lichfield and the paint mixing counter at B&Q in Tamworth this morning - both absolutely brilliant.
December 8, 2025 at 11:07 AM
When great customer service comes along, it's worth mentioning. So hats off to Decor Supplies in Lichfield and the paint mixing counter at B&Q in Tamworth this morning - both absolutely brilliant.
I'm starting to wonder whether I'll ever be able to watch a World Cup ever again. Boycotted Qatar and will probably do the same next year.
December 5, 2025 at 5:50 PM
I'm starting to wonder whether I'll ever be able to watch a World Cup ever again. Boycotted Qatar and will probably do the same next year.
09:08 on 3 December: worst ever #Whamageddon performance. 😒
December 3, 2025 at 11:07 AM
09:08 on 3 December: worst ever #Whamageddon performance. 😒
Instead of the deluge of hackneyed Christmas music that descends every year, why not listen to these brilliant albums?
Tori Amos @toriamos.bsky.social: Midwinter Graces
Thea Gilmore @theagilmore.bsky.social: Strange Communion
Laura Cannell @lauracannellmusic.bsky.social: Midwinter Processionals
Tori Amos @toriamos.bsky.social: Midwinter Graces
Thea Gilmore @theagilmore.bsky.social: Strange Communion
Laura Cannell @lauracannellmusic.bsky.social: Midwinter Processionals
December 1, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Instead of the deluge of hackneyed Christmas music that descends every year, why not listen to these brilliant albums?
Tori Amos @toriamos.bsky.social: Midwinter Graces
Thea Gilmore @theagilmore.bsky.social: Strange Communion
Laura Cannell @lauracannellmusic.bsky.social: Midwinter Processionals
Tori Amos @toriamos.bsky.social: Midwinter Graces
Thea Gilmore @theagilmore.bsky.social: Strange Communion
Laura Cannell @lauracannellmusic.bsky.social: Midwinter Processionals
November 26, 2025 at 1:43 PM
LaTeX authors: please learn how to use BibTeX correctly! If nothing else, get the capitalisation correct. I'm editing a 10-page reference list full of 'uk', 'nih', 'pubmed', 'scopus', etc., which I shouldn't have to put right.
#AcademicPublishing #ScientificPublishing
#AcademicPublishing #ScientificPublishing
November 26, 2025 at 9:32 AM
LaTeX authors: please learn how to use BibTeX correctly! If nothing else, get the capitalisation correct. I'm editing a 10-page reference list full of 'uk', 'nih', 'pubmed', 'scopus', etc., which I shouldn't have to put right.
#AcademicPublishing #ScientificPublishing
#AcademicPublishing #ScientificPublishing
Barclaycard have just started to send me patronising text messages offering to help me download and use their app rather than managing my card on the web.
I have the app and I know how to use it.
I prefer the desktop approach.
I don't appreciate being treated like I'm stupid.
I have the app and I know how to use it.
I prefer the desktop approach.
I don't appreciate being treated like I'm stupid.
November 24, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Barclaycard have just started to send me patronising text messages offering to help me download and use their app rather than managing my card on the web.
I have the app and I know how to use it.
I prefer the desktop approach.
I don't appreciate being treated like I'm stupid.
I have the app and I know how to use it.
I prefer the desktop approach.
I don't appreciate being treated like I'm stupid.
This story:
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
reminded me of an old Isaac Asimov story:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jokester
#AI #jokes
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
reminded me of an old Isaac Asimov story:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jokester
#AI #jokes
Can’t tech a joke: AI does not understand puns, study finds
Researchers say results underline large language models’ poor grasp of humour, empathy and cultural nuance
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:13 AM
This story:
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
reminded me of an old Isaac Asimov story:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jokester
#AI #jokes
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
reminded me of an old Isaac Asimov story:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jokester
#AI #jokes
Two views of the queue to see Charlie Windsor at Lichfield cathedral. The second picture was taken at 08:54 and the queue was still growing.
October 27, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Two views of the queue to see Charlie Windsor at Lichfield cathedral. The second picture was taken at 08:54 and the queue was still growing.
Reposted by Ian Kingston
"living through the greatest software quality crisis in computing history. A Calculator leaks 32GB of RAM. AI assistants delete production databases. Companies spend $364b to avoid fixing fundamental problems.This isn't sustainable.Physics doesn't negotiate"
techtrenches.substack.com/p/the-great-...
techtrenches.substack.com/p/the-great-...
The Great Software Quality Collapse: How We Normalized Catastrophe
The Apple Calculator leaked 32GB of RAM.
techtrenches.substack.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:38 AM
"living through the greatest software quality crisis in computing history. A Calculator leaks 32GB of RAM. AI assistants delete production databases. Companies spend $364b to avoid fixing fundamental problems.This isn't sustainable.Physics doesn't negotiate"
techtrenches.substack.com/p/the-great-...
techtrenches.substack.com/p/the-great-...
Reposted by Ian Kingston
in the dark night amongst the trees, between the leaves, lit only by moonlight is this super secret, lovely lo-fi, analogue album from a cabin in the woods…
The forthcoming brand new album of original songs
‘Far From Nowhere’ out 🍂 2025
ffm.to/farfromnowhere
The forthcoming brand new album of original songs
‘Far From Nowhere’ out 🍂 2025
ffm.to/farfromnowhere
May 6, 2025 at 10:48 AM
in the dark night amongst the trees, between the leaves, lit only by moonlight is this super secret, lovely lo-fi, analogue album from a cabin in the woods…
The forthcoming brand new album of original songs
‘Far From Nowhere’ out 🍂 2025
ffm.to/farfromnowhere
The forthcoming brand new album of original songs
‘Far From Nowhere’ out 🍂 2025
ffm.to/farfromnowhere
Reposted by Ian Kingston
NEW: The British politician, his Russian intelligence handler & a Kremlin plot against the US & Ukraine.
My new piece about Nathan Gill and Nigel Farage for @thenerve_news in which we ask:
Why, even now, is no-one asking questions?
t.co/BUTtpK9C4S
My new piece about Nathan Gill and Nigel Farage for @thenerve_news in which we ask:
Why, even now, is no-one asking questions?
t.co/BUTtpK9C4S
October 12, 2025 at 11:29 AM
NEW: The British politician, his Russian intelligence handler & a Kremlin plot against the US & Ukraine.
My new piece about Nathan Gill and Nigel Farage for @thenerve_news in which we ask:
Why, even now, is no-one asking questions?
t.co/BUTtpK9C4S
My new piece about Nathan Gill and Nigel Farage for @thenerve_news in which we ask:
Why, even now, is no-one asking questions?
t.co/BUTtpK9C4S
As a test (I'll never do it again), I asked ChatGPT to tidy up a list of genuine references. It helpfully added DOIs. Which were wrong.
It’ll invent peer-reviewed studies out of thin air. And links. They’ll look legit but will be 404’s. If you haven’t checked 100% of them, you’ve let some fake citations into your work.
October 14, 2025 at 6:33 AM
As a test (I'll never do it again), I asked ChatGPT to tidy up a list of genuine references. It helpfully added DOIs. Which were wrong.
I've been avoiding Amazon whenever I can for some time. Cory Doctorow spells out the details.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Way past its prime: how did Amazon get so rubbish?
Sick of scrolling through junk results, AI-generated ads and links to lookalike products? The author and activist behind the term ‘enshittification’ explains what’s gone wrong with the internet – and ...
www.theguardian.com
October 5, 2025 at 9:03 AM
I've been avoiding Amazon whenever I can for some time. Cory Doctorow spells out the details.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Ian Kingston
One of the great benefits of being a completely independent artist is that I can do exactly what I want with my music.
🎁 FREE FULL ALBUM DOWNLOAD HERE for 24 hours go go go!
penfriendrocks.bandcamp.com/album/house-...
Music is made to be heard. Thank you for listening, sharing and being ace x
🎁 FREE FULL ALBUM DOWNLOAD HERE for 24 hours go go go!
penfriendrocks.bandcamp.com/album/house-...
Music is made to be heard. Thank you for listening, sharing and being ace x
October 4, 2025 at 8:46 AM
One of the great benefits of being a completely independent artist is that I can do exactly what I want with my music.
🎁 FREE FULL ALBUM DOWNLOAD HERE for 24 hours go go go!
penfriendrocks.bandcamp.com/album/house-...
Music is made to be heard. Thank you for listening, sharing and being ace x
🎁 FREE FULL ALBUM DOWNLOAD HERE for 24 hours go go go!
penfriendrocks.bandcamp.com/album/house-...
Music is made to be heard. Thank you for listening, sharing and being ace x
Reposted by Ian Kingston
A nice shift in perceived colour between central and peripheral vision. The fixated disc looks purple while the others look blue.
The effect presumably comes from the absence of S-cones in the fovea.
From Hinnerk Schulz-Hildebrandt:
arxiv.org/pdf/2509.115...
The effect presumably comes from the absence of S-cones in the fovea.
From Hinnerk Schulz-Hildebrandt:
arxiv.org/pdf/2509.115...
September 24, 2025 at 12:04 PM
A nice shift in perceived colour between central and peripheral vision. The fixated disc looks purple while the others look blue.
The effect presumably comes from the absence of S-cones in the fovea.
From Hinnerk Schulz-Hildebrandt:
arxiv.org/pdf/2509.115...
The effect presumably comes from the absence of S-cones in the fovea.
From Hinnerk Schulz-Hildebrandt:
arxiv.org/pdf/2509.115...
Reposted by Ian Kingston
Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin ✨ figured out what stars are made of ✨ when she was just 25. 🔭🧪
Her PhD thesis basically established the Harvard astro department — at a time when Harvard didn't officially allow woman students.
I wrote this little profile to mark the 100th anniversary of her thesis:
Her PhD thesis basically established the Harvard astro department — at a time when Harvard didn't officially allow woman students.
I wrote this little profile to mark the 100th anniversary of her thesis:
September 24, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin ✨ figured out what stars are made of ✨ when she was just 25. 🔭🧪
Her PhD thesis basically established the Harvard astro department — at a time when Harvard didn't officially allow woman students.
I wrote this little profile to mark the 100th anniversary of her thesis:
Her PhD thesis basically established the Harvard astro department — at a time when Harvard didn't officially allow woman students.
I wrote this little profile to mark the 100th anniversary of her thesis:
Reposted by Ian Kingston
Chappell Roan review – pop’s patient princess triumphantly takes the throne in New York
Chappell Roan review – pop’s patient princess triumphantly takes the throne in New York
The star claims she wasn’t ‘feeling 100’ for her Queens stadium show but it was hard to see any fatigue as she carried the crowd through her dazzling setlist
www.theguardian.com
September 22, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Chappell Roan review – pop’s patient princess triumphantly takes the throne in New York
It's been over two months since we moved house. Because we both work from home, I booked EE to transfer our broadband a month in advance. We had copper at our old place, and I'd have been quite happy to just switch the account and worry about fibre broadband once we'd moved. But we couldn't do that.
September 18, 2025 at 11:56 AM
It's been over two months since we moved house. Because we both work from home, I booked EE to transfer our broadband a month in advance. We had copper at our old place, and I'd have been quite happy to just switch the account and worry about fibre broadband once we'd moved. But we couldn't do that.
Weird. Or is it wierd? Both spellings look weird/wierd to me.
Hello, I'm a professional author and I can never spell permanently or camouflage on the first try.
Come, make me feel better and share your nemesis words.
Come, make me feel better and share your nemesis words.
September 18, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Weird. Or is it wierd? Both spellings look weird/wierd to me.
Reposted by Ian Kingston
No other party says the basic truth: migration is good for Britain.
The real problem? Inequality, soaring bills, underfunded public services.
That’s driven by the greed of the super rich and the Labour government who serve them - not by migrants.
The real problem? Inequality, soaring bills, underfunded public services.
That’s driven by the greed of the super rich and the Labour government who serve them - not by migrants.
September 10, 2025 at 7:50 PM
No other party says the basic truth: migration is good for Britain.
The real problem? Inequality, soaring bills, underfunded public services.
That’s driven by the greed of the super rich and the Labour government who serve them - not by migrants.
The real problem? Inequality, soaring bills, underfunded public services.
That’s driven by the greed of the super rich and the Labour government who serve them - not by migrants.