No matter where you turn you learn the most basic lesson of life: The soft skills are the hard part.
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
mastodon
4.5.9
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
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Joined February 16, 2023
WHAT I AM::
Patriot, Woke, Not Afraid
WHAT I DO::
Maker, Reader, Rancher
MY ROLE::
Husband, Father, Grandfather
Formerly::
Software Inventor, Pioneer UXer, Author, Pilot, Train Freak, Architect Wannabe
Posts
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
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16h ago
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
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2d ago
TIL every one of the 19 Spanish-speaking countries has a different word for popcorn.
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
3d ago
@riley True. I was doing to ascribing.
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
4d ago
@riley I think it was in Debt: The First 5000 Years. He described families as communist.
The USSR and Red China had spotty and occasional communal ownership of some things, but mostly they were just totalitarian regimes.
My point was that real communism can be a good thing at small scale, statewide communism cannot. It's an interesting anomaly at FOSS scale.
The USSR and Red China had spotty and occasional communal ownership of some things, but mostly they were just totalitarian regimes.
My point was that real communism can be a good thing at small scale, statewide communism cannot. It's an interesting anomaly at FOSS scale.
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
5d ago
@riley Ok. But David Graeber called it communism.
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
6d ago
FOSS is communism.
Not the communism of the Soviet Union or Red China, but the communism of your family, where each family member contributes what they can, and each member takes only what they need.
Not the communism of the Soviet Union or Red China, but the communism of your family, where each family member contributes what they can, and each member takes only what they need.
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
6d ago
Those things that JDVance says? You know, the words that come out of his mouth?
They have no meaning. They are not attached to reality. He doesn't believe them. It's just a script he bleats out depending on what reaction he wants. He's paid to do it. He believes nothing. He knows nothing. He cares not at all.
They have no meaning. They are not attached to reality. He doesn't believe them. It's just a script he bleats out depending on what reaction he wants. He's paid to do it. He believes nothing. He knows nothing. He cares not at all.
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Apr 14, 2026
I'd like to see a US Constitution that says explicitly that it's not just for "All men" but for all people, even those who don't live here. I wouldn't argue if you wanted to include trees, too.
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Apr 08, 2026
A society is made up of laws and generally agreed upon assertions and conventions. A constitution is a formalization of those things.
We enshrine and worship our Constitution as if it were a perfect document, but it is far from that.
Enshrining implies stasis. A good constitution is one that changes over time to better suit the circumstances. One of the great flaws of the current USA Constitution is that its mechanism for change, Article V, is weak to the point of dysfunction. Therefore, the primary reason that our Constitution isn't very good is because its mechanism for change is not very good.
We enshrine and worship our Constitution as if it were a perfect document, but it is far from that.
Enshrining implies stasis. A good constitution is one that changes over time to better suit the circumstances. One of the great flaws of the current USA Constitution is that its mechanism for change, Article V, is weak to the point of dysfunction. Therefore, the primary reason that our Constitution isn't very good is because its mechanism for change is not very good.
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Apr 06, 2026
@mhoye
As Margaret explained it to me, NASA wanted the lunar lander's actual landing to be 100% automated with no manual override. She disagreed, and insisted on implementing an override. NASA didn't like the idea but Margaret just went ahead and wrote it.
Of course, on Apollo 11's final approach, the lander was headed for a field of giant boulders. Neil Armstrong used Margaret's code to override the computer and manually divert to the actual, safer, landing point.
As Margaret explained it to me, NASA wanted the lunar lander's actual landing to be 100% automated with no manual override. She disagreed, and insisted on implementing an override. NASA didn't like the idea but Margaret just went ahead and wrote it.
Of course, on Apollo 11's final approach, the lander was headed for a field of giant boulders. Neil Armstrong used Margaret's code to override the computer and manually divert to the actual, safer, landing point.
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Apr 06, 2026
@mhoye
In 2017 Margaret Hamilton was inducted into the Computer History Museum's Hall of Fellows. On that occasion I was privileged to accompany her on a private, docent-guided tour of the Museum's public display.
She looked about the same as she does in these pictures from the 1960s, albeit a little grayer; a bright, diminutive grandma.
But she was very humble and human. At one point we rounded a corner into the Apollo section. Prominently in the front of the exhibit was a reproduction of your left-hand photo. Upon seeing it, Margaret stopped and exclaimed, "Oh my gosh! Is that me?"
In 2017 Margaret Hamilton was inducted into the Computer History Museum's Hall of Fellows. On that occasion I was privileged to accompany her on a private, docent-guided tour of the Museum's public display.
She looked about the same as she does in these pictures from the 1960s, albeit a little grayer; a bright, diminutive grandma.
But she was very humble and human. At one point we rounded a corner into the Apollo section. Prominently in the front of the exhibit was a reproduction of your left-hand photo. Upon seeing it, Margaret stopped and exclaimed, "Oh my gosh! Is that me?"
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Apr 01, 2026
@samueljohnson This all sounds good. The central idea of Lepore's book is that the US Constitution is too hard to amend.
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Mar 31, 2026
@LillyHerself Thanks for asking!
It's sculpture. The artist was the late Jeffrey Carlick, a caring and wonderful person and my brother-in-law. He was a talented ceramic artist known for his giant, thrown raku pots.
He also created a whole series of Guitars of the Stars. The one you see in the glass box is a full-size replica of George Harrison's Rickenbacker. It's made entirely out of clay except for the strings.
Ceramic art was his avocation. His day job was as a sports photographer working mostly for sports card companies. His regular beat was the Giants, the A's, the 49ers, and the Raiders, among other sporting events.
I built the box and mounted the guitar in it shortly after his death.
It's sculpture. The artist was the late Jeffrey Carlick, a caring and wonderful person and my brother-in-law. He was a talented ceramic artist known for his giant, thrown raku pots.
He also created a whole series of Guitars of the Stars. The one you see in the glass box is a full-size replica of George Harrison's Rickenbacker. It's made entirely out of clay except for the strings.
Ceramic art was his avocation. His day job was as a sports photographer working mostly for sports card companies. His regular beat was the Giants, the A's, the 49ers, and the Raiders, among other sporting events.
I built the box and mounted the guitar in it shortly after his death.
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Mar 31, 2026
I'm halfway through Jill Lepore's latest book, "We the People." It's a history of the US Constitution and it's excellent. It also makes me want to revise, replace, and amend our Constitution (the way the authors fully intended).
My top 3 changes:
1. Direct election of President (eliminate Electoral College).
2. Representative apportionment for Senate (number of senators proportional to state population).
3. Eliminate Judicial Review (don't let the Supreme Court "reinterpret" the Constitution).
4. Direct election of Supreme Court Justices for 10-year term (no political appointments).
5. Change Art. V so that Constitution can be amended by majority vote of House and Senate.
My top 3 changes:
1. Direct election of President (eliminate Electoral College).
2. Representative apportionment for Senate (number of senators proportional to state population).
3. Eliminate Judicial Review (don't let the Supreme Court "reinterpret" the Constitution).
4. Direct election of Supreme Court Justices for 10-year term (no political appointments).
5. Change Art. V so that Constitution can be amended by majority vote of House and Senate.
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Mar 31, 2026
I just posted this sign in my workshop. It's the one I carried last Saturday in the No Kings demonstration.
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Mar 30, 2026
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Mar 19, 2026
"The practical consequences of an unexamined inner life at scale are not theoretical. The social media platforms built by people who believed behavioral data was a reliable substitute for understanding human psychology produced a decade of engagement metrics while user wellbeing declined and our entire social order decayed. The engineers who built these systems weren't malicious; they were optimizing for things they could measure, because they'd implicitly accepted the view that measurable outputs were a sufficient model of human flourishing. Goodhart's Law exacted its toll: the measure became the target, and the target was not what anyone would have chosen if they'd been forced to actually specify what they were aiming for."--JA Westenberg https://www.joanwestenberg.com/marc-andreessen-is-wrong-about-introspection/
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Mar 10, 2026
KEEP HONKING!
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Mar 10, 2026
As long as the ship is sinking slowly, you can make a lot of money on a sinking ship.
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Mar 06, 2026
I wonder if the Iranians could do to the Isrealis what the Ukrainians did to the Russians...
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Mar 05, 2026
@mdhughes Ditto. You might find the book as gratifying as I did.
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Mar 05, 2026
Underground Comix Artist and Pioneer Robert Crumb with Zap #2 in Berkeley CA in 1968. photo cribbed from "Crumb: A Cartoonist's Life" by Dan Nadel
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Mar 04, 2026
I just had an hour-long customer service call with PG&E that was excellent! A very nice woman knew her stuff and took pains to explain my very complicated bill to me and to discuss options. I dreaded making this call because I expected the worst and it was quite good. Color me pleasantly astonished.
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Mar 02, 2026
OPERATION EPSTEIN FURY!
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Mar 01, 2026
An aircraft carrier of the USS Ford class costs about 13 Billion USD to build and another billion for annual maintenance. The Ford carries 75 jets costing about 15 million USD EACH. Each jet consumes about 6,000 USD worth of Jet-A fuel per flight HOUR. The cost of bombs and rockets and missiles is...I dunno, a helluva lot. The carrier has a crew of >5,000 men and women. Each Ford Class carrier is supported by a task group consisting of a cruiser, 2 or 3 destroyers, several supply ships, and usually one or more submarines. These additional vessels total more than 2,000 additional personnel. Experts estimate that it costs about 7 million USD EVERY DAY to deploy a Carrier Task Group. The USA currently has ELEVEN carrier task groups and TWO of them are currently deployed against IRAN. Just so you understand how many schools and hospitals it's costing us to soothe the egos of small men.
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Feb 27, 2026
“ We are a nation commanded by the sort of people who would have stolen something off of a coworker’s desk before evacuating their World Trade Center office on 9/11.”—Hamilton Nolan
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Feb 23, 2026
“Whenever you hear a man speak of his love for his country, it is a sign that he expects to be paid for it.”—H.L. Mencken
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Feb 20, 2026
I had to reboot my oven today. I had to find the 240vac circuit breaker and flip it off then on again. It's a gas oven. This is how the cavemen had to do it.
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Feb 11, 2026
Evidently the FAA just cancelled this NOTAM after three hours. The whole thing is batty, but, evidently it's getting better not worse.
original post:
What's going on in El Paso? Did we just invade Mexico? The FAA has blocked ALL flights for 10 days over the city. Never anything like it before.
original post:
What's going on in El Paso? Did we just invade Mexico? The FAA has blocked ALL flights for 10 days over the city. Never anything like it before.
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Feb 04, 2026
So, evidently Bill Gates thinks he should get a bye because he didn't actually rape girls at Jeffrey's house but merely asked the convicted pedophile to get him some antibiotics that he could sneak into Melinda's food so he wouldn't have to confess that he gave her the clap that he got from some Russian hookers.
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Jan 31, 2026
This is a ridiculously long youtube video but it's ridiculously good. And it addresses several extremely important topics, more than seems obvious, so watch it to the very end. The guy is a superb explainer. https://youtu.be/KtQ9nt2ZeGM?si=dUKqML-UWaCCJSEj
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Jan 29, 2026
"now that we're living with the tariffs we were promised we could avoid by passing an anti-circumvention law, why don't we get rid of that law? There is so much money waiting for us if we go into business disenshittifying America's defective tech products."--@pluralistic
https://pluralistic.net/2026/01/29/post-american-canada/
https://pluralistic.net/2026/01/29/post-american-canada/
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MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
MrAlanCooper
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
Back in the day I built a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software, then I designed a lot of software design tools. Now I'm retired on a ranch in Petaluma California and I build stuff in my workshop, mostly out of atoms instead of bits.
hachyderm.io
@mralancooper@hachyderm.io
·
Oct 25, 2025
I find myself squirming with discomfort every time I hear someone mention the "tech" world. It seems to me that what used to be the "tech" world is now just a tiny tech pimple on the giant elephant's ass of the financial/capital world. Sure there's tech in that stuff, but there's also hospitality and facilities and accounting and HR. This is particularly true after the big layoffs of the past few years. Call it what it is: The Oligarch world, not the "tech world."
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