Hal Pomeranz

Computer Forensics and Information Security, often with a spicy Linux flavor. Expert Witness. Trainer.

Writing and Presentations: https://RighteousIT.com/resources
Baseball Musing: https://RunsHitsErrors.com
Signal: hal_pomeranz.01
Pronouns: he/him

Public Key

npub1u47m4y2sckmqcvhfj4rk7v2lu6s8uy04e5uy62pxwrw2xd8ymehs7fj97u

NIP-05 Address

hal_pomeranz_at_infosec.exchange@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsw2ld6j9gvtdsvxt5e23m0x907dgr7z86u6wzd9qn8ph9rxnjdumcprpmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0d4hhxarj9ecxjmntqyt8wumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnswf5k6ctv9ehx2aqju9leg

Publishing to

relay.momostr.pink

relay.primal.net

relay.damus.io

Author Public Key

npub1u47m4y2sckmqcvhfj4rk7v2lu6s8uy04e5uy62pxwrw2xd8ymehs7fj97u

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Last Notes

2026-10-25 00:58:40 UTC

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Lucy has forehead wrinkles too! She’s part Sharpei.
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/117/498/815/502/574/028/original/4147b37e18b5ae96.jpeg

2026-10-21 23:44:18 UTC

If you’re a vendor with a high severity exploit against your product, this is the week to drop it. Nobody will even talk about you.
Oh! Hello Fortinet! Back again I see…

2026-10-21 17:54:14 UTC

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She got it right the second time!
#DogsOfMastodon #Lucy
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/117/480/171/260/637/221/original/7fac447a3287782e.jpeg

2026-10-21 17:49:29 UTC

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Lucy continues training for her spot on the Olympic “play dead” team
#DogsOfMastodon #Lucy
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/117/480/149/966/746/482/original/95ff096a3176af0b.jpeg

2026-10-17 20:13:08 UTC

“You weren’t planning to leave me were you?”
#Caturday #CatsOfMastodon #Maddie
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/117/458/066/900/801/940/original/a6c12843f76c91d1.jpeg

2026-10-14 14:22:37 UTC

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Linus and his posse have been elitist unwelcoming jerknobs for decades though. If an alternative were to appear, I agree that people would leave them to wither and die. But so far no reasonable alternative has appeared. *BSD, Plan9, etc have all failed to gain traction.

2026-10-11 12:45:29 UTC

Cooking is a creative endeavor—just as much as visual arts, music, writing, etc. It can satisfy the same urges, express the same feelings, and become just as all-encompassing.
And likewise there’s a lot of gatekeeping. Don’t stop because somebody told you that you don’t have the right equipment, or that “you’re doing it wrong”, or because your first attempts didn’t turn out the way you hoped.
Be playful. Throw together things you know you like and see what happens. Recipes are merely the sheet music—cooking is jazz. There are no failures in cooking, only learning experiences.
Find guides who aren’t triggering. For me it’s watching videos from creators who don’t take themselves too seriously and who are thoughtful about their ingredients and simple in their process. Some people go to recipes online or wonderfully illustrated cookbooks. Some want scientific understanding of how different ingredients interact with heat and pressure. Some folks are inspired to recreate meals they’ve had elsewhere.
Cooking and eating have brought me a lot of joy in my life. If that’s your muse, don’t be afraid to follow it. And when you find a recipe or technique you love, don’t be afraid to share it!

2026-10-10 15:17:40 UTC

Here's a wacky Linux factoid--
If you look at the RAID UUID in the superblock on disk it's in little-endian byte order:
Linux Software RAID version 1.2 (1) UUID=cccdcc9b:f86a0b98:98df7949:8f2f7bb8 name=localhost:boot level=1 disks=2
But if you look at the metadata for active volumes in the /run/mdadm/map file, the UUIDs are in big-endian (network byte order) format:
md126 1.2 9bcccdcc:980b6af8:4979df98:b87b2f8f /dev/md/localhost:boot
I spent some time today being confused by why the UUIDs weren't matching before I realized what was going on.
#Linux #RAID #DFIR

2026-10-10 12:17:06 UTC

I have come to loathe the sentiment that somebody doesn’t “deserve” their chosen life partner and the effort that person puts into the relationship. This trope appears particularly often in the romantic comedy genre, but you can see it regularly in most forms of popular media.
The usual formation is that one half of the partnership is unlovable in some way: awkward, scattered, angry, anxious, or some combination of all of the above. They are somehow “redeemed” by their partner’s love and become “worthy” of being accepted.
Are you kidding me? Is that the model of a relationship that anybody would want? What an infantilizing view of relationships! What an unhealthy power imbalance to promote for “ideal” relationship goals.
Personally, I hope that our children find somebody who loves them for their whole selves, even the messy and uncomfortable parts. I want them to love that person in the same way. It would be somebody who doesn’t seek to change them, but rather a person who works with them to create a safe space to hold each other and grow together. Somebody who adores and respects the person they are becoming and would never make them feel less than.
These are the sorts of relationships we should be modeling.

2026-10-04 02:34:02 UTC

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I was traveling for work and spending 300+ nights per year in hotels—making good money and avoiding the issues in my first marriage. Divorced a week before what would have been our 19th wedding anniversary. Went to Florida to get as far away from that situation as I could.
Danielle was a year out from her own first marriage, separated but divorce not finalized. Single mom of three, trying to figure it all out again. Lived in central Florida all her life.
We matched on OKCupid. We clicked right away, despite the obvious red flags that I was recently divorced and living out of my suitcase (to say nothing of my shady dating profile with only a single picture).
Somehow it all worked out and we found a love that we both had hoped for but maybe didn’t believe actually existed. I’ve become a homebody, and our kids are graduating college. Eleven years in and planning to grow old and even more adorable together.

2026-09-29 00:03:48 UTC

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Good point

2026-09-28 20:25:49 UTC

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S E T T I N G S

2026-09-26 11:31:54 UTC

Maddie is disappointed at the obvious lack of treats
#Caturday #CatsOfMastodon #Maddie
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/117/337/107/291/707/122/original/c5d48f4c3661f70a.jpeg

2026-09-19 12:00:21 UTC

Caturday, in repose
#Caturday #CatsOfMastodon #Maddie
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/117/297/586/164/392/926/original/660e6067baecdef0.jpeg

2026-09-12 14:16:57 UTC

“Draw me like one of your French girls”
#Caturday #CatsOfMastodon #Maddie
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/117/258/479/628/631/880/original/bfdb095b5d086aa7.jpeg

2026-09-11 13:05:59 UTC

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https://infosec.exchange/@hal_pomeranz/117144724456810336

2026-08-22 11:45:28 UTC

“Stop interrupting me with this Caturday nonsense!”
#Caturday #CatsOfMastodon #Maddie
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/117/138/980/090/476/431/original/afad500907cd6269.jpeg

2026-08-19 13:26:03 UTC

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Again, not dead, just sleeping.
#DogsOfMastodon #Lucy
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/117/122/393/423/723/021/original/b363e10bbd82141f.jpeg

2026-08-12 13:44:17 UTC

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“Stunning victory” means the political insiders were convinced the progressive candidate would win—and were terrified at the prospect.

2026-08-12 13:31:33 UTC

Vote for the most progressive candidate you can in the primaries. Even if they don’t win, it sends a signal.
Then get out and do the work to build community and make your patch better in ways that don’t involve voting.

2026-08-10 19:11:51 UTC

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I gave up self-hosting email maybe 15 years ago when it got to be too much. I needed to spend the time on other things.

2026-08-09 13:14:33 UTC

My last post was very negative regarding the #WPBL on-air team. But I'd like to write an appreciation piece for LA Queens center fielder Brittany ("Britt") Apgar. The women who are playing in the WPBL have all had to fight against challenges that I can't even imagine to get to where they are.
Apgar has done all that while also not having a right hand from birth. She has endured multiple, painful ligament transfer surgeries from her legs in order to gain as much arm function as she has. As a result of those surgeries, she wears special shoe inserts which reduce, but not eliminate, the pain she experiences while running the bases. Yet she's already stolen a base in the young season.
In four games she's had two hits and two walks with an RBI and two runs scored. Her "slash line" (AVG/OBP/SLG) sits at .400/.571/.400. At the plate, she has a specially designed prosthetic that cups the bat and allows her to use her right arm.
Defensively you should note that the Queens didn't stash their one-handed hitter in left field. Instead she's controlling the outfield defense for the Queens from center field, the premium outfield defensive position. When making plays she catches the ball in the glove on her left hand, then tucks the glove against her chest with her right arm while freeing her left hand to grab the ball and throw it in. She does it so quickly and smoothly that you wouldn't even notice unless you were specifically looking for it.
Oh, and she pitches too. It's ridiculous how talented this young woman is. She and her father studied MLB pitcher Jim Abbot, who was also born without a right hand, to figure out how Brittany could pitch effectively and field her position.
There's a great AP piece on her journey to the WPBL, but frankly this should be a much bigger story. Cheers to Brittany!
https://apnews.com/article/wpbl-britt-apgar-cd5a4127e8fa2d7dc46143143532df36
#baseball #WomensSports #WPBL

2026-08-03 20:41:19 UTC

Why hello “random letters and numbers at strange Mastodon server”! How do you do?

2026-07-27 17:24:04 UTC

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Had a wasp fly up one leg of my trousers. Stung multiple times. Apparently I did a funny dance too.

2026-07-26 17:54:45 UTC

Rebooting “Ghost Rider” with Ryan Gosling? Two thoughts:
1) The Nick Cage version was definitive
2) Hollywood is a cesspool of non-innovation

2026-07-25 12:53:43 UTC

Ridiculously cute
#Caturday #CatsOfMastodon #Maddie
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/980/706/787/759/445/original/f7a365bc7a428fba.jpeg

2026-07-18 12:40:19 UTC

Maddie is without a doubt the most photogenic cat I have ever owned.
#Caturday #CatsOfMastodon #Maddie
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/941/011/852/639/557/original/0b66b2a12488fe86.jpeg

2026-07-16 21:21:16 UTC

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Zero self-awareness is pretty on brand for Linus

2026-07-16 13:33:16 UTC

When people are looking for web exploit indicators they often focus exclusively on the access logs. They're nice and regular, easy to parse, and contain plenty of useful information.
But my experience teaches me that you should not ignore your error logging. I get it, error logs are often irregular, annoying, and have to be correlated back to the access logs in some cases in order to get the full information about the request. But error logs show you things the access logs never will-- strange errors when the attacker tickles the app to get their malicious results, errors as the attacker goes through a cycle of failures trying to dial in their exploit, and application crashes when the attacker gets RCE.
Trust me, check your error logs.

2026-07-14 21:41:02 UTC

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I’ve watched a lot of “bad” movies in my time. I don’t even need the whole thing to be the best it can be. I just need one small moment of illumination to show somebody tried someplace.

2026-07-14 15:44:14 UTC

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This “feature” is no longer compiled into the bash shells on most Linux distros. It mostly doesn’t work anymore and the commands will end up in bash_history.

2026-07-11 08:36:03 UTC

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Yes! One thing experience teaches is that you’ve been a newb countless times and you have always ended up being a contributor before too long. That gives you confidence to push through.

2026-07-11 02:11:36 UTC

I’ve been working with computers for five decades. Some people view me as an “expert” in certain subjects.
And I can tell you that when I am learning a new technology I still feel like the dumbest newb on the planet. I make tons of mistakes. I go down stupid rabbit holes of my own making. I have tons of self doubt.
So give yourself some grace. Everybody goes through this phase. Take a deep breath. Believe that you can do this.

2026-07-04 12:05:26 UTC

How it started…How it’s going.
#Caturday #CatsOfMastodon #Maddie
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/861/602/344/859/937/original/5339a1ac2094f1ec.jpeg
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/861/602/336/348/773/original/3d4f0deb86f0a7d9.jpeg

2026-06-26 22:41:07 UTC

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Maybe not a great idea when the clay pigeons can shoot back

2026-06-26 22:36:53 UTC

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Every time I read glowing stories about how effective drones are on the battlefield, I can’t help but think that the majority of their use in the future will be for suppressing civilian populations.

2026-06-20 12:13:28 UTC

Just another lazy Caturday for Maddie!
#Caturday #CatsOfMastodon #Maddie
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/782/365/660/079/378/original/d573156afe41d6f0.jpeg

2026-06-18 00:58:57 UTC

How it started… How it’s going.
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/768/380/230/110/033/original/f73b306d851bcb54.jpeg
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/768/380/223/268/758/original/43507720cbb022a6.jpeg

2026-06-06 15:55:38 UTC

Maddie’s secret sunny spot
#Caturday #CatsOfMastodon #Maddie
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/703/968/405/637/189/original/c05cb4f9098a52c1.jpeg

2026-06-02 01:38:57 UTC

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Flawless victory!

2026-06-01 23:37:08 UTC

Cat vs Dog. Cat wins!
#PetsOfMastodon #Maddie #Lucy
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/677/462/082/084/262/original/ad37880d05c7fd6c.jpeg
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/677/462/310/052/213/original/1804ae5231a4c0ba.jpeg

2026-05-30 16:14:53 UTC

It’s amazing that such a small cat can occupy so much space.
#Caturday #CatsOfMastodon #Maddie
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/664/408/168/963/774/original/fbed51750387198d.jpeg

2026-05-28 10:35:14 UTC

I recently served on a jury for a criminal case which frankly never should have been brought to trial. We returned “not guilty” on all counts with minimal deliberation.
The evidence showed what many have been saying about the USA for a long time:
— White people have a presumption of innocence and PoC are presumed to be the offenders.
— Our legal system (from the officers on patrol on up to the state and federal attorneys bringing the actions) is primed to protect the interests of landlords and other property owners over the common citizenry.
— The responding officer in this case did everything except deescalate the situation. Cooler heads could have avoided the incident entirely.
— Body cam footage is extremely important.
I believe our verdict was both correct and just. However, the defendant was jailed, had to post bond, and incurred extensive expense, missed work, and emotional turmoil fighting the charges. Also simply being charged follows you around, even if you’re exonerated. Nobody is going to repair that or ever make the defendant whole. That is real injustice.

2026-05-24 12:07:24 UTC

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My “I’m just enjoying my ice cream over here” post
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/halpomeranz_i-have-a-reputation-for-speaking-truth-to-activity-7463615706006343680-Crtm

2026-05-23 14:26:39 UTC

Maddie in her comfort bunker
#Caturday #CatsOfMastodon #Maddie
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/624/343/237/971/897/original/738d2545a4188bf9.jpeg

2026-05-16 11:34:16 UTC

“Pet me. Now.”
#Caturday #CatsOfMastodon #Maddie
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/584/029/765/155/286/original/19bca88b03a0ca92.jpeg

2026-05-15 21:13:05 UTC

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Synchronized napping, Part III
#PetsOfMastodon #Lucy #Maddie
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/580/640/825/689/762/original/8b4e89256a05f8f2.jpeg

2026-05-15 04:33:12 UTC

In a rough period in my life I had three friends who showed up for me. It wasn’t a big thing—they were just present and supporting me in a time when I felt like everybody else was pulling back. It changed my life in a fundamental way, and I don’t even think they realize how important it was to me.
Changing a life for the better doesn’t always require grand gestures or massive effort. It can be as simple as sitting with somebody who is going through it and showing that you care.

2026-05-12 01:38:32 UTC

The race to the bottom I want to see is watts per unit of computing

2026-05-12 00:15:15 UTC

If you visit the campuses of many universities in the USA, you will find that much of their campus computing is concentrated in basements. This is because those specialized spaces to support computer infrastructure were built during the 1960s—a time of civil unrest in the USA, particularly on college campuses. It was felt that the large mainframe computers of the day would be targets of anti-corporate sabotage. Basement bunkers were more defensible and generally didn’t have handy windows for tossing firebombs through.
This is a post about AI data centers.

2026-05-05 03:01:06 UTC

In honor of May the 4th, Lucy is in her Jedi costume.
#DogsOfMastodon #Lucy #StarWars #MayThe4th
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/519/722/332/777/594/original/cfbc9b92a93a8c9b.jpeg

2026-05-03 14:34:13 UTC

I’m a very experienced computer booper and a Luddite. Not in the way most people think the word Luddite means as somebody who stubbornly refuses to adopt technology. Rather a Luddite as in one who see and protests the use of technology to undermine the value of skilled work and the workers.

2026-04-29 13:46:38 UTC

I was contacted by somebody who's graduating soon and interested in pursuing a career in vulnerability research and binary exploitation. I frankly don't have as much experience in that part of our industry.
Who would you suggest they reach out to and where should they be looking for a job to get their foot in the door? What pitfalls should they be looking out for?

2026-04-25 11:47:08 UTC

Napping form 12/10. No notes.
#Caturday #CatsOfMastodon #Maddie
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/465/169/487/553/891/original/cd0e437ceaac5fb5.jpeg

2026-04-22 12:12:42 UTC

Some notes on memory analysis. Running multiple plugins and changing the output mode in Volatility's volshell.
https://righteousit.com/2026/04/22/fun-with-volshell/
#DFIR #Linux #Volatility

2026-04-21 20:51:27 UTC

Gentle reminder of a great truth:
“If you see somebody stealing food… no, you didn’t.”

2026-04-11 12:08:28 UTC

“It’s Caturday. Do we have to let the dog in?”
#Caturday #PetsOfMastodon #Maddie #Lucy
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/385/976/996/411/424/original/36158ad28c29f744.jpeg

2026-04-06 18:41:02 UTC

jq is super useful, once somebody explains the basics to you. Here I am explaining the basics in a way that's applicable for all you DFIR types.
https://righteousit.com/2026/04/06/jq-for-forensics/
#JSON #DFIR #Linux

2026-04-04 12:03:00 UTC

“All your laundry are belong to me!”
#Caturday #CatsOfMastodon #Maddie
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/346/324/670/791/749/original/fab4883da7c66d29.jpeg

2026-04-03 01:19:06 UTC

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Synchronized napping, Part II
#PetsOfMastodon #Lucy #Maddie
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/338/122/212/003/656/original/b9cea5d503cd35d0.jpeg

2026-03-31 20:46:15 UTC

Synchronized napping
#PetsOfMastodon #Lucy #Maddie
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/325/726/045/951/165/original/2f629a9362c4d44a.jpeg

2026-03-27 14:56:33 UTC

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Hah! Just barely made it in before the deadline!

2026-03-23 21:44:09 UTC

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Not dead. Guarding her toy.
#DogsOfMastodon #PetsOfMastodon #Lucy
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/280/658/232/163/135/original/de9877c3425e9336.jpeg

2026-03-06 21:39:56 UTC

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Continuing with my gallery of “No, my dog isn’t dead, she just sleeps like this sometime” pictures.
#DogsOfMastodon #PetsOfMastodon #Lucy #LetSleepingDogsLie
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/184/378/156/464/331/original/d5565f56df99026e.jpeg
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/184/378/178/508/505/original/5764696b0df19fcb.jpeg

2026-03-02 21:55:27 UTC

The only way you can tell she’s not dead is the snoring.
#DogsOfMastodon #PetsOfMastodon #Lucy
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/116/161/792/647/000/630/original/bc88156c73b7c9f9.jpeg

2026-01-08 19:41:03 UTC

Q: What do Venezuela, Minneapolis, and Greenland have in common?
A: The Epstein files are in none of those places

2025-12-14 23:06:05 UTC

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I think we’ve got to give Lil Nas X the “first mover” award for making racist country fans lose their shit. They redefined what qualified as “Country Music” to get “Old Town Road” off the Country charts. What a joke.
While Beyoncé is this generation’s Country “cross back” pop star, this has been going on for many decades—heck even Elvis did a country album. Seems like it usually is a last gasp for musicians who are losing their audience though. Beyoncé gets some credit for doing it while she was still a huge deal.

2025-12-14 22:00:18 UTC

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Lil Nas X? Darius Rucker?

2025-12-13 15:23:07 UTC

“In my bunker, aiming for the dog. Pew pew.”
#Caturday #CatsOfMastodon #Maddie
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/115/712/924/490/513/441/original/9c063a16c5a32efa.jpeg

2025-12-06 23:41:51 UTC

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When The Onion becomes one of the last bastions of journalism, we are officially in the weirdest timeline

2025-11-15 13:50:21 UTC

Maddie is tired of shouting into the void and has decided to try napping in it instead
#caturday #CatsOfMastodon #Maddie
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/115/554/021/803/381/576/original/4047b9b5a4f4d793.jpg

2025-11-10 23:22:20 UTC

There are several people that I love who are starting to realize later in life that they may be dealing with executive function disorders. They are at all different points in their journeys, from denial through acceptance.
I’ve learned from listening to many of you who have been diagnosed with executive function disorders late in life. Now my question is, were there specific articles or other information that helped you understand what was going on with you and provide guidance and strategies on how to proceed? What interventions helped you on your journeys and led you to seek formal diagnosis and support?
Thank you in advance for any and all help and recommendations. Please forward/boost if you know of others with helpful input.

2025-11-01 12:46:44 UTC

“Ahead, cat factor five, helmsman!”
#caturday #CatsOfMastodon #Maddie
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/115/474/500/553/907/150/original/cdc81016ca5d43d1.jpg

2025-10-28 13:51:27 UTC

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At one time Danielle organized our kids into creating care packages for the unhoused. Food, water, toiletries, etc in easy carry bags. We then took the kids downtown and distributed the bags among the folks sheltering around Lake Eola, talked with them, and introduced our kids. Small effort and self funded, but appreciated.

2025-10-11 14:27:22 UTC

“What is this jackass doing in my chair?”
#Caturday #CatsOfMastodon
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/115/355/984/805/309/177/original/2ca057f4c9bb622b.jpg

2025-10-09 21:27:26 UTC

Ten years ago today I found a tiny feral kitten, nearly dead from hookworms, in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. I was unable to leave her, and unable to have her put down. We named her Maddie (after the hurricane) and she is living her best life with us.
#CatsOfMastodon
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/115/346/291/071/989/852/original/ef143d2a97577845.jpeg
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/115/346/291/239/462/285/original/cc975845c801a2f2.jpg

2025-09-30 08:12:01 UTC

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Synchronized ducks!
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/115/292/229/996/449/743/original/fed90c5fcd9241b8.mp4

2025-09-17 15:35:22 UTC

I had a weird situation where I had a root shell on a remote Linux server that was experiencing a file system issue. No userspace commands were working except my shell builtins (echo, cd, and so on). I decided to reboot, but the "reboot" command, "init 6", "systemctl reboot", and "shutdown" commands wouldn't work. I couldn't visit the system in person and there was no remote power option.
Just a reminder that when all else is lost you can hard reboot a Linux system remotely via /proc/sys (assuming you happen to have a root shell on the machine):
echo 1 > /proc/sys/kernel/sysrq
echo b > /proc/sysrq-trigger
This is a hard reboot. There's no file system sync, your databases go down hard, and this can really ruin your day. But just remember this little trick if you get painted into a corner.

2025-09-11 20:21:13 UTC

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And yet we now have six HBCUs on lockdown due to death threats from Kirk supporters. Racism: it’s as American as apple pie.

2025-09-11 20:01:37 UTC

“We’re teaching math wrong” (part N/???)
When you were introduced to sine, cosine, and tangent, I’m going to bet you were introduced to them in terms of triangles. Maybe you remember learning “SOH-CAH-TOA” to keep it all straight. Then maybe much later in your curriculum they showed you the unit circle, radian measure, and had you memorize a bunch of facts about signs and quadrants, etc.
I’m here to tell you that your confusion was natural because they taught you the subject exactly backwards. Trigonometry proceeds from the circle first! There’s a reason it’s called the “tangent” kids—it’s the slope of the tangent line that touches the unit circle at whatever point bounds the arc you’ve chosen.
Once you get the Pythagorean theorem under your belt, we can explain the basic trig functions to you on the unit circle in a way that makes sense both visually and algebraically (whatever learning style you prefer).
Yet another example where math curricula are apparently designed by people who don’t understand math—historically or otherwise.

2025-09-10 19:54:49 UTC

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I wonder if @npub1y4d…j3r5 has photos of this? Like maybe from the old Bell Labs Holmdel building?

2025-08-28 21:47:27 UTC

I got into computers as a kid because they were fun. It was fun figuring out how things worked and writing silly little programs to paint things on the screen. Communicating with people all over the world using computers and networks only added to the enjoyment.
We are all aware of how governments and corporations are using computer technology for dubious and evil ends. Many of us have been ground down by toxic work environments and late-stage capitalism. Our communications channels are spammed with bad actors.
But it is still possible to find joy in even the simplest hacks. Learn something new that isn't jammed down your throat by your job or some influencer. Write a silly little program to paint things on the screen, or control the lights in your home, or feed your pets. Find a supportive community online, and make plans to meet them offline. Learn, create, socialize, grow.
Don't lose the fun.

2025-08-23 12:09:12 UTC

“No! It’s Caturday! Put the focus on me! On me!”
#Caturday #CatsOfMastodon
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/115/077/988/116/168/095/original/64e5fe0fedea62ce.jpg

2025-08-21 22:02:25 UTC

Welp, not even one full week into the new school year and seven teachers at a local school are out with COVID. No word on the students. But yes please do tell me more about your herd immunity fantasies.
#CovidIsNotOver

2025-08-02 12:15:11 UTC

Maddie is all powered up for Caturday!
#caturday #CatsOfMastodon
https://media.infosec.exchange/infosec.exchange/media_attachments/files/114/959/107/786/364/168/original/993f27e14308fc0a.jpg

2025-08-02 01:06:37 UTC

Fire the entire government if you want, Donnie boy. What is it in the Epstein documents that you are so desperate to hide? Apparently it’s much worse than everything else we know about your crimes. And that makes it very, very interesting.

2025-07-29 19:17:58 UTC

Getting paid to work with computers and networks presents endless opportunities to feel like a complete idiot. A little genuine praise goes a long way. Sprinkle it around and watch people blossom.

2025-07-07 13:01:22 UTC

Infosec Community: “Aaaagh! We’re drowning!”
Infosec Vendors: “If we can’t be part of the solution, there’s money to be made in prolonging the problem.”
Software Companies: “Check out this new cool AI button we added!”

2025-06-27 19:30:44 UTC

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Here’s the way this is going to go down. Once people become accustomed to the current shoddy and easily bypassed age verification systems, and astroturf movement will start saying, “Egads! These systems are easily bypassed! We must PROTECT THE CHILDREN!” And we will move from badly blocking content to completely censoring it. These people are playing a longer game.

2025-06-23 02:25:37 UTC

You are not an “influencer”. You are an untrained freelance marketing consultant working on spec for corporations who are monetizing your content and paying you a minuscule fraction of what you are bringing in. Good luck with that.

2025-06-21 11:07:08 UTC

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Since the current administration is planning to auction off our public lands for the benefit of their billionaire backers, they collectively may see uncontrolled wildfires as (a) productive for reducing the price per acre of those lands (bargains galore!) and (b) a necessary first step for development of those lands (clear out all those pesky trees!).

2025-06-16 11:11:41 UTC

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No retraining needed. A con is a con. The rest is just window dressing.

2025-06-14 12:07:51 UTC

Interesting conversations when east coast USA morning people meet up with west coast night owls, and our European siblings are adding color commentary. My favorite time on the Fedi.

2025-05-30 09:38:27 UTC

Our way of life is being burned to the ground and the media is calling it like it’s a sporting event rather than documenting the crime.

2025-05-29 18:23:40 UTC

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Always SELECT before DELETE, like you “ls” before you “rm”. Let’s be careful out there!

2025-05-15 12:32:52 UTC

Looked up a phone number using my mobile web browser. Clicked the phone number link in the Google search results. My phone called a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT toll-free number where a recording informed me that GOOGLE (not the merchant) would be recording the call “for quality purposes”.
So I hung up and dialed the number manually. No Google BS this time.
How long has this shit been going on?

2025-05-13 19:14:33 UTC

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Plus $1300 for an ultra-wide monitor so I can have lots of vt100s at the SAME TIME!

2025-05-13 19:10:53 UTC

I recently switched back to Linux as my primary desktop after a few years on Windows 10, with some time on MacOS mixed in. Danielle (my beloved Mac user) says, “It looks the same to me.”
I believe this judgement is based on my tendency to cover my screen with terminal windows—black text on white background—regardless of the platform I’m on. As I’ve been doing this for four decades across multiple desktop environments, it seems unlikely that things will change.

2025-04-13 00:31:02 UTC

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Everybody thinks they’re the hero in their own story. And then one day you wake up and have to be the villain in somebody else’s. Maybe lots of somebodies.
Are they correct? Only you can answer that for yourself. Many things can be true at the same time. But remember that nobody requires you to accept another person’s narrative, even though others might.
And, yes, it’s a horrible situation to be in feeling like your whole world is finding you wanting.

2025-04-07 23:26:08 UTC

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On my Debian 12 machine it’s in /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections and configured via nmcli.