Funny how librarians play copyright police by taping excerpts of copyright law on photocopiers and scanners, but will embrace "genAI" ... ... Playing cop with the individual user, but embracing corporations stealing IP and their plagiarism machines

Good grief, Albania is beautiful

Today I went to an archaeological site in Kosovo and met a chap who had studied at Sheffield Uni. We had a delightful chat about our feelings over the dept of archaeology being closed and now he is my new best friend

"...intelligent enough to not need a trained librarian." EXCUSE YOU? www.librarlabs.com/en/home

Sunrise over Tikal. Also known as Yavin 5 where the rebel alliance plotted their attack on the Death Star.

Good morning from Lake Atitlán

Of all the airports in the world that suck Miami is right up there as one of the suckiest.

Went to the snooker this afternoon. Saw Murphy v Higgins. In the immortal words of Peter O’Hanraha-hanrahan:

Technical infrastructure does not just persist. It needs maintenance and, crucially, people to perform that maintenance. Servers need to be updated, SSL certificates need to be renewed, domains need to be paid for.

god grant me the audacity of a Catholic convert sincerely telling the Pope he’s wrong about theology

Sunset over the Okavango river. This part of the world really does have the best sunrises and sunsets.

A very exciting place in the middle of nowhere

Sunrise over the Orange river. The middle aged, middle class gap year is going well.

Wine tasting in South Africa. I would very much like to win the lottery so this could be my life for the remainder of my time on this planet.

The safety video on Ethiopian airlines is something truly special. It is so early 1980s it’s unreal and I am obsessed with. Luckily I’m on about 8 different flights with them over the next month so I’ll get to enjoy its weirdness again and again and again!

I'm upgrading a bunch of OJS and OMP instances now I'm working as part of @edinburghdiamond.bsky.social and SCURL Open Hosting. Upgrading these applications is fiddly as heck so I've written scripts to make my life easier and maybe anyone else who regularly works on OJS/OMP.

Sheffield have been doing these reviews since at least 2018. They're always awful, done without any notion that there are human beings behind job titles. For senior management to announce more, now, when the current dispute is ongoing smacks of punishment. Solidarity @sheffielducu.bsky.social

Staff ,supporters and students gathered outside Firth Court today in solidarity with colleagues locked out and facing withheld pay after lawful strike action at @sheffielducu Punishment is not negotiation. ✊

I failed to see a sign in time. This resulted in a monkey deciding he wanted to move in, me having to be very firm (I genuinely pointed at him and said ‘no you don’t, Sonny Jim’) and him then retreating to the balcony and sulking. I now think I can add Monkey Wrangling to my CV.

I am in Sri Lanka and have bumped into a chum from a previous holiday. It’s a small world

When Kevin and I get together it doesn't always end messily, but if past is prologue then I think we all know what's coming!

I have just realised that today is the last day I will have access to Box of Broadcasts. Farewell to my favourite and best way of watching old Miss Marple episdoes, I shall miss you.

New daily affirmation

Last day of work! And not just for Christmas, but for an indeterminate amount of time cause I’m walking away from Sheffield Uni to have adventures and do Very Exciting Things* *some travelling, some house renovations and at some point get an actual job again.

No more Western Bank Library for this Badger, and just another 4 working days before I go off for adventures new... It's going to be weird, not getting to work with the best people (cause Em is properly one of the bestest people ever)

It’s my last full week at Sheffield uni. Today I got give a card and I was doing well at not crying but then @nickshepp.bsky.social’s message almost tipped me over the edge. Of all the people you (don’t) expect to make you emotional!

Today I thought I was going to be very late to work cause my duvet was being ridiculously demanding of my attentions but somehow I am out of the house, dressed, full face of slap on and on the bus on time. A Christmas miracle!

Rob Reiner either made your favorite movie, or made somebody you know’s favorite movie. If you’re a Californian, he’s also part of the reason you or your friends can get married. He has changed more lives for the better than this asshole commenting on him ever did.

Just been writing a document and decided to use Calibri. I would never have even really thought about what was the most accessible font before Rubio kicked off about it, so that's nice.

Doll for all those people out there who think open infrastructure and open content is free, can you please remember the following two things: 1) Everything on the internet is rented. 2) it’s not free, it’s “included”. Someone somewhere is paying

Me, when talking about @scholtom.bsky.social

GET IN!

What the friggity frig is Yacht Rock when it’s at home?

I've got a new piece at @lseimpactblog.bsky.social today following on from my previous piece about the British Library cyberattack and arguing that, since the UK Government clearly doesn't care about the UK knowledge sector, we need to develop our own community-led tech and infrastructure solutions.

Maybe cricket journos should start asking Stokes what negatives he’s going to take from these performances.

happy cloudflare outage day to all who celebrate

Tauranga. This is where my brother used to live, so it’s very bitter sweet being here. I can see why he loved it so much though, it’s just beautiful

Cricket at Eden Park tonight. Bit different to the tiny (yet gorgeous) Hagley Oval…

A toaster clearly labelled as only for gluten free bread? Be still my beating heart!

I like flying. I'm a good flyer who actually enjoys a bit of turbulence (feels like you're a baby being rocked to sleep by nature). Today, however, flying up to Aukland in very strong winds was a deeply stressful experience, not helped by the woman sat behind me praying out loud for our souls...

If you believe in a royal family, you get what you're given. Paedophiles, Nazis, racists, lunatics, adulterers, alcoholics, wife-beheaders, toe-suckers, It's-A-Knockouters, fraudsters, ... the lot. You don't get to choose. That's how inherited power works.

Discworld QOTD, from Feet of Clay

These skies do not look promising…

I find myself at the International tree climbing competition. I have no idea what is going on but I’m already hooked. Unexpected weird sports are always a fun way to spend a Saturday morning

Dinner on a tram. Making @graysonscolumn.bsky.social jealous for sure

Christchurch. Finally I am here. 36 hours door to door, lost my purse, but now I can sleep and tomorrow we begin a holiday proper (and emailing all the lost property people)

Unexpected addition to the journey - Melbourne is next! And this is all fine and hunky dory and I am not getting hysterical over this even slightly

I am in Sydney. I should be in Christchurch. My luggage apparently should be in Sydney but is nowhere to be seen. I think I live in this baggage hall now.

Just as I had said to someone how smoothly it was all going…

I am now officially beginning my odyssey. I begin happy, positive and full of excitement. Let’s see how the mood changes as the travels commence…