J Simon van der Walt
@tedthetrumpet.post.lurk.org.ap.brid.gy
Creative musician: gamelan, livecoding, jazz, junk electronics. Birdwatching, table tennis, bicycle user. HoP at RCS, Glasgow, Scotland.
🌉 bridged from https://post.lurk.org/@tedthetrumpet on the fediverse by https://fed.brid.gy/
🌉 bridged from https://post.lurk.org/@tedthetrumpet on the fediverse by https://fed.brid.gy/
Three months to the day till my 65th birthday! Performances coming up to celebrate https://www.jsimonvanderwalt.com/65
Simon @ 65 | J Simon van der Walt
In May of this year I'm going to be 65 years old! There are four performances coming up to celebrate some of the music I've created:
www.jsimonvanderwalt.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:21 PM
Three months to the day till my 65th birthday! Performances coming up to celebrate https://www.jsimonvanderwalt.com/65
Reposted by J Simon van der Walt
Is anyone/does anyone on the fedi know string instrument players ( #cello mainly, but also #violin ) in #london interested in joining a #stringquartet? Alternatively is any almost-quartet looking for a #viola player?
Asking for partner :)
#music #classicalmusic :boost_requested:
Asking for partner :)
#music #classicalmusic :boost_requested:
February 8, 2026 at 12:13 PM
Is anyone/does anyone on the fedi know string instrument players ( #cello mainly, but also #violin ) in #london interested in joining a #stringquartet? Alternatively is any almost-quartet looking for a #viola player?
Asking for partner :)
#music #classicalmusic :boost_requested:
Asking for partner :)
#music #classicalmusic :boost_requested:
I appear to be playing trumpet in a country rock band tonight, how did that happen
February 7, 2026 at 1:18 AM
I appear to be playing trumpet in a country rock band tonight, how did that happen
Making the world a better place one line of css at a time
p {
max-width: 65ch;
}
p {
max-width: 65ch;
}
February 6, 2026 at 11:12 AM
Making the world a better place one line of css at a time
p {
max-width: 65ch;
}
p {
max-width: 65ch;
}
Reposted by J Simon van der Walt
Open-source AI tool beats giant LLMs in literature reviews — and gets citations right
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00347-9
Researchers can deploy the cheap and transparent model on their own computer system.
Read full paper here https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-10072-4 […]
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00347-9
Researchers can deploy the cheap and transparent model on their own computer system.
Read full paper here https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-10072-4 […]
Original post on mastodon.scot
mastodon.scot
February 5, 2026 at 11:56 AM
Open-source AI tool beats giant LLMs in literature reviews — and gets citations right
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00347-9
Researchers can deploy the cheap and transparent model on their own computer system.
Read full paper here https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-10072-4 […]
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00347-9
Researchers can deploy the cheap and transparent model on their own computer system.
Read full paper here https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-10072-4 […]
This is so great I'm going to post it again: pandoc running the browser with an easy-to-use gui :) https://pandoc.org/app/
Pandoc in the browser
pandoc.org
February 5, 2026 at 10:31 AM
This is so great I'm going to post it again: pandoc running the browser with an easy-to-use gui :) https://pandoc.org/app/
Reposted by J Simon van der Walt
DeGoogle list with best private alternatives | 2026
https://tuta.com/blog/degoogle-list
2026 is the year to deGoogle! In this guide, we take a look at the best private Google alternatives so that you can say hello to privacy!
https://tuta.com/blog/degoogle-list
2026 is the year to deGoogle! In this guide, we take a look at the best private Google alternatives so that you can say hello to privacy!
DeGoogle list with best private alternatives | 2026
DeGoogling has become a trend – there's even a Subreddit about it with ~300k members! So it's time for you to learn how to live your life without Google. It's not only easier than you think, but going Google-free will also make you feel safer and more private. Check out our top Google replacements for the best privacy!
tuta.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:47 PM
DeGoogle list with best private alternatives | 2026
https://tuta.com/blog/degoogle-list
2026 is the year to deGoogle! In this guide, we take a look at the best private Google alternatives so that you can say hello to privacy!
https://tuta.com/blog/degoogle-list
2026 is the year to deGoogle! In this guide, we take a look at the best private Google alternatives so that you can say hello to privacy!
Reposted by J Simon van der Walt
“pandoc for the people”, the pandoc wasm web-app, is now available at https://pandoc.org/app/
It allows to run any kind of document conversion that pandoc supports in the browser. The documents never leave the computer, thus ensuring *full privacy*.
Conversions to pdf are done via Typst […]
It allows to run any kind of document conversion that pandoc supports in the browser. The documents never leave the computer, thus ensuring *full privacy*.
Conversions to pdf are done via Typst […]
Original post on fosstodon.org
fosstodon.org
February 4, 2026 at 9:44 AM
“pandoc for the people”, the pandoc wasm web-app, is now available at https://pandoc.org/app/
It allows to run any kind of document conversion that pandoc supports in the browser. The documents never leave the computer, thus ensuring *full privacy*.
Conversions to pdf are done via Typst […]
It allows to run any kind of document conversion that pandoc supports in the browser. The documents never leave the computer, thus ensuring *full privacy*.
Conversions to pdf are done via Typst […]
Reposted by J Simon van der Walt
Best news I've had in ages.
February 3, 2026 at 11:07 AM
Best news I've had in ages.
Trying out ideas with a violinist for a new piece:
gliss up G string in single bow
upbow?
slower
long bows repeated
same thing D A E strings
try to get as high as possible
or not, shorter gliss
in minor sixths (G#/E)
in fifths
tremolando (probably not)
single pizz
repeated pizz
sing and gliss […]
gliss up G string in single bow
upbow?
slower
long bows repeated
same thing D A E strings
try to get as high as possible
or not, shorter gliss
in minor sixths (G#/E)
in fifths
tremolando (probably not)
single pizz
repeated pizz
sing and gliss […]
Original post on post.lurk.org
post.lurk.org
February 3, 2026 at 10:47 AM
Trying out ideas with a violinist for a new piece:
gliss up G string in single bow
upbow?
slower
long bows repeated
same thing D A E strings
try to get as high as possible
or not, shorter gliss
in minor sixths (G#/E)
in fifths
tremolando (probably not)
single pizz
repeated pizz
sing and gliss […]
gliss up G string in single bow
upbow?
slower
long bows repeated
same thing D A E strings
try to get as high as possible
or not, shorter gliss
in minor sixths (G#/E)
in fifths
tremolando (probably not)
single pizz
repeated pizz
sing and gliss […]
jumping through bizarre and arcane set of hoops to try to get an organisation out of microsoft authenticator on my old phone and into my new one.
February 2, 2026 at 3:46 PM
jumping through bizarre and arcane set of hoops to try to get an organisation out of microsoft authenticator on my old phone and into my new one.
This stupid crime thing I'm mindlessly watching on iPlayer: why is it called 'Lynley' and not 'Lynley and Havers'? She's just as much a main character as he is: more so, I'd say. Isn't that just… racist and sexist?
January 28, 2026 at 9:09 PM
This stupid crime thing I'm mindlessly watching on iPlayer: why is it called 'Lynley' and not 'Lynley and Havers'? She's just as much a main character as he is: more so, I'd say. Isn't that just… racist and sexist?
Date for the concert featuring my big band stuff 98% likely to be Sun 17 May https://www.jsimonvanderwalt.com/blog/2025/12/27/brbb-may-2026
Byres Road Big Band May 2026 | J Simon van der Walt
In May 2026 I’m going to be 65 years old :) and I’m planning a couple of events around that time to celebrate and enjoy some of the music I’ve written over the decades.
www.jsimonvanderwalt.com
January 28, 2026 at 12:01 PM
Date for the concert featuring my big band stuff 98% likely to be Sun 17 May https://www.jsimonvanderwalt.com/blog/2025/12/27/brbb-may-2026
People who put three dots in their documents… should learn what a bloody ellipsis is grr
January 28, 2026 at 10:58 AM
People who put three dots in their documents… should learn what a bloody ellipsis is grr
Reposted by J Simon van der Walt
[Gas boiler opentherm rant]
More fascinating boiler content from emfcamp: https://www.emfcamp.org/schedule/2024/161-gas-boilers-suck-hack-yours-today-save-money-save-the-planet
More fascinating boiler content from emfcamp: https://www.emfcamp.org/schedule/2024/161-gas-boilers-suck-hack-yours-today-save-money-save-the-planet
Gas boilers suck! Hack yours today, save money, save the planet!
Gas boilers, almost all homes in the UK have them, but they are dreadful! +90% of the ones I've seen are badly spec'ed and horribly configured, so they burn way too much gas. Then Martin Lewis...
www.emfcamp.org
January 25, 2026 at 3:30 PM
[Gas boiler opentherm rant]
More fascinating boiler content from emfcamp: https://www.emfcamp.org/schedule/2024/161-gas-boilers-suck-hack-yours-today-save-money-save-the-planet
More fascinating boiler content from emfcamp: https://www.emfcamp.org/schedule/2024/161-gas-boilers-suck-hack-yours-today-save-money-save-the-planet
Reposted by J Simon van der Walt
January 22, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Huh. Firefox on mac apparently can't play a midi file, neither can Safari or Chrome. Even Quicktime player can't play midi any more (!) and VLC had a go but crashed. Bring back the 90s, I say!
January 22, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Huh. Firefox on mac apparently can't play a midi file, neither can Safari or Chrome. Even Quicktime player can't play midi any more (!) and VLC had a go but crashed. Bring back the 90s, I say!
Reposted by J Simon van der Walt
Preferences for urban street space reallocation to encourage cycling: A Best-Worst Scaling profile case approach
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214367X25002236
• Public support was found for cycling infrastructure and traffic restrictions.
• Segregated bike lanes were […]
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214367X25002236
• Public support was found for cycling infrastructure and traffic restrictions.
• Segregated bike lanes were […]
Original post on mastodon.scot
mastodon.scot
January 22, 2026 at 11:48 AM
Preferences for urban street space reallocation to encourage cycling: A Best-Worst Scaling profile case approach
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214367X25002236
• Public support was found for cycling infrastructure and traffic restrictions.
• Segregated bike lanes were […]
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214367X25002236
• Public support was found for cycling infrastructure and traffic restrictions.
• Segregated bike lanes were […]
Reposted by J Simon van der Walt
Why do people support or oppose bike lanes? Research sheds light on public opinion
https://theconversation.com/why-do-people-support-or-oppose-bike-lanes-our-research-sheds-light-on-public-opinion-271455
Original research paper here […]
https://theconversation.com/why-do-people-support-or-oppose-bike-lanes-our-research-sheds-light-on-public-opinion-271455
Original research paper here […]
Original post on mastodon.scot
mastodon.scot
January 22, 2026 at 10:15 AM
Why do people support or oppose bike lanes? Research sheds light on public opinion
https://theconversation.com/why-do-people-support-or-oppose-bike-lanes-our-research-sheds-light-on-public-opinion-271455
Original research paper here […]
https://theconversation.com/why-do-people-support-or-oppose-bike-lanes-our-research-sheds-light-on-public-opinion-271455
Original research paper here […]
Great rehearsal of some of my new pieces with the Byres Road Big Band tonight, wonderfully led on this occasion by James Brady. Some of the stuff I've written is harder than I thought! https://www.jsimonvanderwalt.com/blog/2025/12/27/brbb-may-2026
Byres Road Big Band May 2026 | J Simon van der Walt
In May 2026 I’m going to be 65 years old :) and I’m planning a couple of events around that time to celebrate and enjoy some of the music I’ve written over the decades.
www.jsimonvanderwalt.com
January 21, 2026 at 11:03 PM
Great rehearsal of some of my new pieces with the Byres Road Big Band tonight, wonderfully led on this occasion by James Brady. Some of the stuff I've written is harder than I thought! https://www.jsimonvanderwalt.com/blog/2025/12/27/brbb-may-2026
Reposted by J Simon van der Walt
Just the Browser
https://justthebrowser.com/
Just the Browser helps you remove AI features, telemetry data reporting, sponsored content, product integrations, and other annoyances from desktop web browsers. The goal is to give you "just the browser" and nothing else, using hidden settings in web […]
https://justthebrowser.com/
Just the Browser helps you remove AI features, telemetry data reporting, sponsored content, product integrations, and other annoyances from desktop web browsers. The goal is to give you "just the browser" and nothing else, using hidden settings in web […]
Original post on mastodon.scot
mastodon.scot
January 20, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Just the Browser
https://justthebrowser.com/
Just the Browser helps you remove AI features, telemetry data reporting, sponsored content, product integrations, and other annoyances from desktop web browsers. The goal is to give you "just the browser" and nothing else, using hidden settings in web […]
https://justthebrowser.com/
Just the Browser helps you remove AI features, telemetry data reporting, sponsored content, product integrations, and other annoyances from desktop web browsers. The goal is to give you "just the browser" and nothing else, using hidden settings in web […]
Reposted by J Simon van der Walt
i like to make websites and I've been slowly realizing that my requirements for making websites might be a little weird
- I have maybe 20 websites (mostly static but not all)
- I want to spend basically 0 time maintaining them, maybe 5 minutes every 2 months at most
- I need to be able to […]
- I have maybe 20 websites (mostly static but not all)
- I want to spend basically 0 time maintaining them, maybe 5 minutes every 2 months at most
- I need to be able to […]
Original post on social.jvns.ca
social.jvns.ca
January 20, 2026 at 2:41 PM
i like to make websites and I've been slowly realizing that my requirements for making websites might be a little weird
- I have maybe 20 websites (mostly static but not all)
- I want to spend basically 0 time maintaining them, maybe 5 minutes every 2 months at most
- I need to be able to […]
- I have maybe 20 websites (mostly static but not all)
- I want to spend basically 0 time maintaining them, maybe 5 minutes every 2 months at most
- I need to be able to […]
I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, but I've finally cracked, and compromised on my principles. Faced with a meaningless question in a meaningless report that I am supposed to write, I asked an LLM to write a meaningless answer for me :(
January 19, 2026 at 3:38 PM
I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, but I've finally cracked, and compromised on my principles. Faced with a meaningless question in a meaningless report that I am supposed to write, I asked an LLM to write a meaningless answer for me :(