Mark Oliver
@markoliver.website
UK based dotnet Software engineer by day (since 1996). Dad of 1 and husband by night. Trying to be a parent while being a nerd and geek.
Check out my blog https://blog.markoliver.website & local tech meetup https://devdottalk.uk/
#Bournemouth #Dorset
Check out my blog https://blog.markoliver.website & local tech meetup https://devdottalk.uk/
#Bournemouth #Dorset
Reposted by Mark Oliver
Merry Christmas everyone, especially my #Playschool Babies. Be kind, considerate and compassionate as the festive season continues. Spread joy everywhere you go and remember the best gift you can give is unconditional love ❤️🎄❤️
December 25, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Merry Christmas everyone, especially my #Playschool Babies. Be kind, considerate and compassionate as the festive season continues. Spread joy everywhere you go and remember the best gift you can give is unconditional love ❤️🎄❤️
Reposted by Mark Oliver
Every year I like to make sure I stream on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for those who need somewhere to hang out. This year is no exception. Doing a small LEGO build tonight before continuing Batman: Arkham Origins! #gaming #lego
twitch.tv/GordMcLeod
twitch.tv/GordMcLeod
three lego figures are standing in front of a christmas tree and waving
ALT: three lego figures are standing in front of a christmas tree and waving
media.tenor.com
December 25, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Every year I like to make sure I stream on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for those who need somewhere to hang out. This year is no exception. Doing a small LEGO build tonight before continuing Batman: Arkham Origins! #gaming #lego
twitch.tv/GordMcLeod
twitch.tv/GordMcLeod
Reposted by Mark Oliver
We’re back to that time of year when all the bad kids get potatoes.
Tonight Askasleikir (Bowl Licker), the 6th of Iceland's 13 Yule Lads, comes down from the mountains. He likes to hide under beds and steal used bowls to lick them clean.
Children leave their shoes out in the window for him, he gives the good ones a small gift or a treat, the bad ones get a potato.
Children leave their shoes out in the window for him, he gives the good ones a small gift or a treat, the bad ones get a potato.
December 16, 2025 at 9:23 PM
We’re back to that time of year when all the bad kids get potatoes.
Reposted by Mark Oliver
I'm officially done. Here are my mostly Hallmark Christmas stats. #SecretSantaAoNZ
December 16, 2025 at 7:23 AM
I'm officially done. Here are my mostly Hallmark Christmas stats. #SecretSantaAoNZ
Reposted by Mark Oliver
Our last event of the year is happening Wed. It is a social even with a general knowledge quiz. Come and meet thr local software tech community. Free tickets at devdottalk.uk/tickets
{dev.talk}
A free monthly meetup for software engineers and related disciplines of all experience levels in and around Bournemouth, UK.Buy us a coffee:https://ko-fi.com/devdottalk
devdottalk.uk
December 12, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Our last event of the year is happening Wed. It is a social even with a general knowledge quiz. Come and meet thr local software tech community. Free tickets at devdottalk.uk/tickets
Reposted by Mark Oliver
My article is featured on C# Advent today. Every December I try to contribute to a tech advent calendar and this year has been no different. So here is my take on Google Pub/Sub messaging using .NET
#CSAdvent post 2 for December 11, 2025!
"Sending sweet treats with Google Pub/Sub" by @poornimanayar.bsky.social
poornimanayar.co.uk/blog/sending...
#dotnet #csharp
"Sending sweet treats with Google Pub/Sub" by @poornimanayar.bsky.social
poornimanayar.co.uk/blog/sending...
#dotnet #csharp
Sending sweet treats with Google Pub/Sub | Poornima Nayar
A simple guide to Google Pub/Sub messaging with .NET —publishers, subscribers and retries
poornimanayar.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 7:02 PM
My article is featured on C# Advent today. Every December I try to contribute to a tech advent calendar and this year has been no different. So here is my take on Google Pub/Sub messaging using .NET
Reposted by Mark Oliver
I made a tiny macOS utility to control your mouse pointer with the keyboard.
Download and code: github.com/dave1010/Asd...
Quick write up: dave.engineer/blog/2025/12...
Download and code: github.com/dave1010/Asd...
Quick write up: dave.engineer/blog/2025/12...
December 2, 2025 at 7:23 PM
I made a tiny macOS utility to control your mouse pointer with the keyboard.
Download and code: github.com/dave1010/Asd...
Quick write up: dave.engineer/blog/2025/12...
Download and code: github.com/dave1010/Asd...
Quick write up: dave.engineer/blog/2025/12...
I have been organising @devdottalk for a year now, and it has been a lot of work, but last night was such a great time that it makes it all worth it. I hope it keeps building like it has, and if you want to come and talk just let me know.
Last night at @bournemouthuni.bsky.social we held the latest @devdottalk event. It was full of Friends, Cake, Laughter and Thoughtful observations. A huge thank you to our Speakers Frank & @adamjsc.bsky.social
November 27, 2025 at 7:53 AM
I have been organising @devdottalk for a year now, and it has been a lot of work, but last night was such a great time that it makes it all worth it. I hope it keeps building like it has, and if you want to come and talk just let me know.
Reposted by Mark Oliver
Reposted by Mark Oliver
Smyths currently has an offer on any Lego set over £50; £5 off per £50 spent. It only really adds up if you spend hundreds of pounds, but it means that the Game Boy set is £48.
November 5, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Smyths currently has an offer on any Lego set over £50; £5 off per £50 spent. It only really adds up if you spend hundreds of pounds, but it means that the Game Boy set is £48.
Reposted by Mark Oliver
I made a tool that lets you use Claude Skills with any coding agent: dave.engineer/blog/2025/11...
Set it up as a GitHub action in 2 minutes: github.com/dave1010/ski...
Set it up as a GitHub action in 2 minutes: github.com/dave1010/ski...
From Skills to Agents: Bridging Claude Skills and AGENTS.md
dave.engineer
November 1, 2025 at 10:50 AM
I made a tool that lets you use Claude Skills with any coding agent: dave.engineer/blog/2025/11...
Set it up as a GitHub action in 2 minutes: github.com/dave1010/ski...
Set it up as a GitHub action in 2 minutes: github.com/dave1010/ski...
Reposted by Mark Oliver
“Lord Of The Flies” may be a classic, but it’s also a bleak statement about how humans - boys, in this case - are riddled with violent, selfish cruelty & savagery.
However, a real-life version happened in 1965 with 6 boys marooned on a deserted island in Tonga - & things went very differently!
1/
However, a real-life version happened in 1965 with 6 boys marooned on a deserted island in Tonga - & things went very differently!
1/
October 17, 2025 at 4:18 PM
“Lord Of The Flies” may be a classic, but it’s also a bleak statement about how humans - boys, in this case - are riddled with violent, selfish cruelty & savagery.
However, a real-life version happened in 1965 with 6 boys marooned on a deserted island in Tonga - & things went very differently!
1/
However, a real-life version happened in 1965 with 6 boys marooned on a deserted island in Tonga - & things went very differently!
1/
Reposted by Mark Oliver
We have 3 speakers coming up talking about Software Design using DSLs, better dev environment within Linux, and how Product can make Dec's want to build something.
An interesting lineup from 3 local speakers.
Free Tickets devdottalk.eventbrite.com
An interesting lineup from 3 local speakers.
Free Tickets devdottalk.eventbrite.com
{dev.talk} a FREE monthly meetup for software engineers and related disciplines in the south of the UK run by volunteers within the community.
{dev.talk} a FREE monthly meetup for software engineers and related disciplines in the south of the UK run by volunteers within the community.
devdottalk.uk
October 14, 2025 at 6:37 AM
We have 3 speakers coming up talking about Software Design using DSLs, better dev environment within Linux, and how Product can make Dec's want to build something.
An interesting lineup from 3 local speakers.
Free Tickets devdottalk.eventbrite.com
An interesting lineup from 3 local speakers.
Free Tickets devdottalk.eventbrite.com
Reposted by Mark Oliver
🚀 Join us for brilliant speakers, practical .NET content, and a welcoming community of developers.
🎫 Tickets are FREE!
🍕 Pizza + drinks included
🍺 Pub afterwards for a chat
Get your free ticket here 👇 www.meetup.com/dotnetnorth/...
🎫 Tickets are FREE!
🍕 Pizza + drinks included
🍺 Pub afterwards for a chat
Get your free ticket here 👇 www.meetup.com/dotnetnorth/...
www.meetup.com
October 11, 2025 at 3:19 PM
🚀 Join us for brilliant speakers, practical .NET content, and a welcoming community of developers.
🎫 Tickets are FREE!
🍕 Pizza + drinks included
🍺 Pub afterwards for a chat
Get your free ticket here 👇 www.meetup.com/dotnetnorth/...
🎫 Tickets are FREE!
🍕 Pizza + drinks included
🍺 Pub afterwards for a chat
Get your free ticket here 👇 www.meetup.com/dotnetnorth/...
Reposted by Mark Oliver
🐶🐾 Lewis Hamilton shares a Lego portrait of Roscoe he was gifted:
“This lego portrait of Roscoe really touched me. The amount of detail in it is incredible and I can't imagine how long it took. Thank you to Karen and Ilona for making this and sending it to me.”
#F1 #TeamLH #Dogs #Lego
“This lego portrait of Roscoe really touched me. The amount of detail in it is incredible and I can't imagine how long it took. Thank you to Karen and Ilona for making this and sending it to me.”
#F1 #TeamLH #Dogs #Lego
October 10, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Reposted by Mark Oliver
We're doing a limited-edition release of Windows XP-inspired Crocs with custom Jibbitz charms and a Bliss-themed drawstring backpack! Details in this blog post! I scored a pair - my first ever Crocs. #MicrosoftCrocSweepstakes #Microsoft50 blogs.windows.com/windowsexper...
October 1, 2025 at 5:06 PM
We're doing a limited-edition release of Windows XP-inspired Crocs with custom Jibbitz charms and a Bliss-themed drawstring backpack! Details in this blog post! I scored a pair - my first ever Crocs. #MicrosoftCrocSweepstakes #Microsoft50 blogs.windows.com/windowsexper...
Reposted by Mark Oliver
Ship SaaS Fast — .NET SaaS Boilerplate
Launch your SaaS in weeks, not months.
Skip months of boilerplate development and start with a battle-tested, production-ready platform.
jamiemaguire.net/index.php/20...
Launch your SaaS in weeks, not months.
Skip months of boilerplate development and start with a battle-tested, production-ready platform.
jamiemaguire.net/index.php/20...
Why I Built a SaaS Boilerplate and Why You Should Use It
Skip months of foundational development and launch your SaaS idea in weeks, not months
I've watched countless brilliant SaaS ideas die in the foundational development phase. Talented developers and i...
jamiemaguire.net
September 26, 2025 at 4:56 AM
Ship SaaS Fast — .NET SaaS Boilerplate
Launch your SaaS in weeks, not months.
Skip months of boilerplate development and start with a battle-tested, production-ready platform.
jamiemaguire.net/index.php/20...
Launch your SaaS in weeks, not months.
Skip months of boilerplate development and start with a battle-tested, production-ready platform.
jamiemaguire.net/index.php/20...
Reposted by Mark Oliver
Don't want LinkedIN to automatically train its AI on your data, switch it off here: www.linkedin.com/mypreference...
Not sure about the rest of the world, but if you don't switch it off it will start collecting in November for the Netherlands/ Dutch members.
Not sure about the rest of the world, but if you don't switch it off it will start collecting in November for the Netherlands/ Dutch members.
September 18, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Don't want LinkedIN to automatically train its AI on your data, switch it off here: www.linkedin.com/mypreference...
Not sure about the rest of the world, but if you don't switch it off it will start collecting in November for the Netherlands/ Dutch members.
Not sure about the rest of the world, but if you don't switch it off it will start collecting in November for the Netherlands/ Dutch members.
Reposted by Mark Oliver
Unfortunately, due to poor ticket sales, we are cancelling {dev.talk} this Wed August 27th. We will be back Sept 24th.
August 25, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Unfortunately, due to poor ticket sales, we are cancelling {dev.talk} this Wed August 27th. We will be back Sept 24th.
@kieranlarwood.bsky.social my son was giddy walking out of the bookshop yesterday clutching podkin books 7&8. He has devoured them and says he cannot wait for the paperback of 9, so is using money from his piggybank to get the hardback. Thanks for inspiring him with a great set of characters.
August 17, 2025 at 7:14 PM
@kieranlarwood.bsky.social my son was giddy walking out of the bookshop yesterday clutching podkin books 7&8. He has devoured them and says he cannot wait for the paperback of 9, so is using money from his piggybank to get the hardback. Thanks for inspiring him with a great set of characters.
I'm off to BSides Bournemouth tomorrow. Never been to a cyber security Conf before. Should be interesting.
Come and say hi if you are going too.
Come and say hi if you are going too.
August 15, 2025 at 1:49 PM
I'm off to BSides Bournemouth tomorrow. Never been to a cyber security Conf before. Should be interesting.
Come and say hi if you are going too.
Come and say hi if you are going too.
Reposted by Mark Oliver
I'm having a rough go of it lately, and have been thinking: everyone is going through something, and you have no idea what it is, or how it's affecting them.
Quote post this is if you're going through something, and maybe we'll all realize that we aren't as alone as we feel right now.
Quote post this is if you're going through something, and maybe we'll all realize that we aren't as alone as we feel right now.
August 3, 2025 at 7:17 PM
I'm having a rough go of it lately, and have been thinking: everyone is going through something, and you have no idea what it is, or how it's affecting them.
Quote post this is if you're going through something, and maybe we'll all realize that we aren't as alone as we feel right now.
Quote post this is if you're going through something, and maybe we'll all realize that we aren't as alone as we feel right now.
This is a neat tool to keep your MacBook from going to sleep:
blog.markoliver.website/Keeping-Your...
blog.markoliver.website/Keeping-Your...
Keeping Your Mac Book Awake - M.O.W.
A post covering: tools... We have all needed it! A way to keep our device awake so a long running task wont be interrupted by your machine going to sleep.
In Windows (the OS I have used for most of m...
blog.markoliver.website
August 1, 2025 at 9:09 PM
This is a neat tool to keep your MacBook from going to sleep:
blog.markoliver.website/Keeping-Your...
blog.markoliver.website/Keeping-Your...
Reposted by Mark Oliver
I just wanted to say, I’m probably more proud of this Ted talk than just about anything I’ve ever done so I’m gonna be absolutely useless for the next couple of weeks as I promote the shit out of this because I want you to watch it because it matters in the moment we are in youtu.be/dVG8W-0p6vg
Tech Promised Everything. Did it deliver? | Scott Hanselman | TEDxPortland
YouTube video by TEDx Talks
youtu.be
July 17, 2025 at 8:37 PM
I just wanted to say, I’m probably more proud of this Ted talk than just about anything I’ve ever done so I’m gonna be absolutely useless for the next couple of weeks as I promote the shit out of this because I want you to watch it because it matters in the moment we are in youtu.be/dVG8W-0p6vg
Reposted by Mark Oliver
Just used the new evaluate JavaScript tool in the @playwright.dev MCP server to add thick red CSS borders around tested elements — then screenshot the result. 🔥
Visual debugging + test coverage. So many use cases.
What would you use it for?
youtu.be/n0CFmm38o4Y
Visual debugging + test coverage. So many use cases.
What would you use it for?
youtu.be/n0CFmm38o4Y
New Playwright MCP Tool: Evaluate JavaScript
YouTube video by Debbie O'Brien
youtu.be
July 18, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Just used the new evaluate JavaScript tool in the @playwright.dev MCP server to add thick red CSS borders around tested elements — then screenshot the result. 🔥
Visual debugging + test coverage. So many use cases.
What would you use it for?
youtu.be/n0CFmm38o4Y
Visual debugging + test coverage. So many use cases.
What would you use it for?
youtu.be/n0CFmm38o4Y