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First item published on 2026-07-14T11:34:26.000Z
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<title type="text">Terence Eden’s Blog</title>
<subtitle type="text">Regular nonsense about tech and its effects 🙃</subtitle>
<updated>2026-07-14T11:12:48Z</updated>
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<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
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<title type="html"><![CDATA[I'm a USB-C Maximalist]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/im-a-usb-c-maximalist/"/>
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=72474</id>
<updated>2026-07-14T11:12:48Z</updated>
<published>2026-07-14T11:34:26Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="technology"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="travel"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="usb-c"/>
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[My wife and I recently went on a 7 week holiday around Europe. Although we each took a massive backpack, we wanted to travel fairly lightly. I took a single universal power brick. This little unit was all I needed to charge my various gadgets. It has a hefty USB-C PD (Power Delivery) port for rapid charging of my phone and laptop. Two other USB-C ports for my other gadgets. And a couple of…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/im-a-usb-c-maximalist/"><![CDATA[<p>My wife and I recently went on <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/">a 7 week holiday around Europe</a>. Although we each took a massive backpack, we wanted to travel fairly lightly. I took a single universal power brick. This little unit was all I needed to charge my various gadgets.</p>
<p><a href="https://amzn.to/3SFGbSw"><img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/61CMB5ms3DL._AC_AIweblab1006854T4_FMavif_SF875.0875.0_PQ67_.jpg.avif" alt="A purple power adaptor with multiple USB ports." width="320" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72480"></a></p>
<p>It has a hefty USB-C PD (Power Delivery) port for rapid charging of my phone and laptop. Two other USB-C ports for my other gadgets. And a couple of legacy USB-A ports which were redundant. The pass through was useful for using the same socket as the hotel's TV / lamp / coffee maker.</p>
<p>Wherever we were in the world, I was 100% confident that I would be able to buy a replacement charger if I needed it. USB-C cables are everywhere too. What are the chances that I could find the exact charger needed for a GameBoy Colour? Or the puck for last year's Pixel watch? Or the weird barrel jack for an HP laptop?</p>
<p>No. One charger. One cable. One standard.</p>
<p>Here's everything I took which needed to be recharged.</p>
<ul>
<li>Phone
<ul>
<li>A Pixel 8 Pro (running GrapheneOS). It also has the ability to act as a power source and recharge other devices.</li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/05/gadget-review-chuwi-minibook-x-n150-linux/">Laptop</a>
<ul>
<li>A Chuwi MiniBook. Small, light, decent battery.</li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2019/11/gadget-review-boyue-likebook-ares/">eReader</a>
<ul>
<li>A no-name eInk device. I read a <em>lot</em> on holiday.</li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/08/i-bought-a-16-smartwatch-just-because-it-used-usb-c/">Watch</a>
<ul>
<li>A cheap but capable smartwatch. No magnetic charging dongle - just shove the cable into the body.</li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/4xpOkKZ">Toothbrush</a>
<ul>
<li>Again, a cheap and unbranded device. And, again, no charging dock - the bottom has a protected USB socket.<br><img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Imagepipe_36.webp" alt="The bottom of an electric toothbrush. Under a flap is a USB-C port." width="2048" height="1535" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72482"></li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/01/review-pebblebee-clip-universal-and-android-find-my-device-tracker/">Tracker</a>
<ul>
<li>What if someone steals my bag? Hopefully the PebbleBee "Find My" device will help me recover it.</li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2020/09/review-a-portable-battery-with-usb-power-delivery/">Battery</a>
<ul>
<li>Most trains, trams, and buses have USB power supplies. But sometimes you want your own hefty store of electrons. This one accepts PD charging and also outputs PD.</li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/11/gadget-review-soundpeats-clip1-cuff-headphones/">Headphones</a>
<ul>
<li>Some cute ear-cuff headphones. I feel a bit guilty about including these, because it is their case which has the USB-C port rather than the cans themselves.</li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2023/12/usb-c-cures-mosquito-bites/">Bug Bite Zapper</a>
<ul>
<li>This is a bit of a cheat. It uses my phone's USB port to heat up.</li>
</ul></li>
</ul>
<p>I probably could have gotten away with a single-port charger. The phone needs recharging every night, but most of the other devices can go days or weeks without being topped up.</p>
<p>As we were travelling light(ish) I didn't bother bringing the Nintendo Switch. We were in a major cities, so no need for our USB-C powered <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2024/07/walkie-talkie-review-zx-808/">walkie-talkies</a>. We were out sightseeing most days, so I didn't take the USB-C to <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/11/review-benfei-wireless-usb-c-to-hdmi/">HDMI adaptor</a> which would have let us connect the laptop and phones to a hotel TV. Perhaps in the hotter countries I could have done with the USB-C <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2021/07/gadget-review-usb-c-powered-semiconductor-neck-cooler/">neck cooler</a> - instead I purchased a cheap USB-C rechargeable fan. Rather than bring a beard trimmer, I went to local barbers. If anything needed AA batteries, well, I could have used these <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2024/01/gadget-review-usb-c-aa-batteries/">rechargeable batteries</a>.</p>
<p>I know there are some problems with USB-C. But the benefits far outweigh the glitches. Using my <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/06/gadget-review-treedix-usb-cable-tester/">USB-C cable tester</a>, I can be sure all the cables I have can deliver the amount of power my devices need.</p>
<p>There's simply no point buying any electrical gadget which uses a proprietary charging port.</p>
<p>You can read <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/tag/usb-c/">all my USB-C posts</a> and all my <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/tag/gadget/">gadget reviews</a>.</p>
<p>What electrical items do you travel with which don't use the one-true-connector?</p>
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<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[[RSS Club] Half a million steps is about 10 marathons]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/rss-club-half-a-million-steps-is-about-10-marathons/"/>
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=73094</id>
<updated>2026-07-11T21:25:54Z</updated>
<published>2026-07-13T11:34:09Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="[RSS Club]"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="RSS Club"/>
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Shhh! RSS Club posts are only available to feed subscribers. Keep the secret! I'm not a big fan of the "Quantified Self" movement, but since buying a ridiculously cheap smartwatch, I've been interested to see just how many steps I take per day. During our recent Interrail holiday, we travelled about 6,400 Km by train over 49 days. But how much did we cover by foot? My watch pairs with the Open …]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/rss-club-half-a-million-steps-is-about-10-marathons/"><![CDATA[<p><mark>Shhh! RSS Club posts are only available to feed subscribers. Keep the secret!</mark></p>
<p>I'm not a big fan of the "Quantified Self" movement, but since buying <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/08/i-bought-a-16-smartwatch-just-because-it-used-usb-c/">a ridiculously cheap smartwatch</a>, I've been interested to see just how many steps I take per day.</p>
<p>During <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/">our recent Interrail holiday</a>, we travelled about 6,400 Km by train over 49 days. But how much did we cover by foot?</p>
<p>My watch pairs with the Open Source app Gadgetbridge rather than the crappy app made by the manufacturer. Sadly, Gadgetbridge doesn't have a simple way to export data in a usable format. Instead, it spews out a database dump and asks you to <a href="https://gadgetbridge.org/internals/development/data-management/#steps-per-day">run SQL commands to get information out</a>.</p>
<p>After a bit of swearing at the command-line, I got my daily step count. I didn't <em>always</em> wear my watch, but this is accurate enough for my purposes.</p>
<p>In seven weeks, I took 545,453 steps.</p>
<p>The average stride length for someone my height is around 80 cm.</p>
<p>So that's a total of about 436,362 metres</p>
<p>A marathon is about 42 Km.</p>
<p>No wonder I feel knackered. I think I need a holiday to recover!</p>
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<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Another Ridiculous Interrail Holiday - 6,379Km and 13 Countries over 7 weeks]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/"/>
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=73007</id>
<updated>2026-07-09T13:24:47Z</updated>
<published>2026-07-12T11:34:43Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="holiday"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="interrail"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="trains"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="travel"/>
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Last year, my wife and I went on a 5,025 Km Interrail adventure. We got the month-long unlimited pass and saw 10 Countries in 30 Days. That was a bit too intense. So this year we got the 15 travel days in 2 months package. We grabbed the 1st class tickets when they went on sale in December. Here's how our journey ended up: The trip included two ferries - one overnight - which had a small…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/"><![CDATA[<p>Last year, my wife and I went on a <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/06/5025-km-21-journeys-and-10-countries-in-30-days-an-interrailing-adventure/">5,025 Km Interrail adventure</a>. We got the month-long unlimited pass and saw 10 Countries in 30 Days. That was a bit too intense. So this year we got the 15 travel days in 2 months package. We grabbed the 1st class tickets when they went on sale in December.</p>
<p>Here's how our journey ended up:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Long-Interrail-Journey.webp" alt="A map of Europe with several countries connected by a black line." width="1526" height="1505" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-73008">
<p>The trip included two ferries - one overnight - which had a small Interrail discount. In total we spent approximately 40 hours on trains over a 7 week trip.</p>
<p>This blog post looks at the practicalities of the journey and the experience we had while travelling. You are free to decide which cities you want to visit and which you want to skip. This worked (mostly) for us - you should write a blog post about your own experiences.</p>
<h2 id="london-to-brussels"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#london-to-brussels">London To Brussels</a></h2>
<p>Eurostar St Pancras is dangerously crowded and needs tearing down. You can use <a href="https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:STP?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=ES">RealTimeTrains to see your departure platform before it is announced</a> - that's useful for avoiding some of the queues.</p>
<p>The first-class service in Eurostar is lovely (even if it doesn't get you access to the lounge). Unfortunately, you need to book vegan meals a few days in advance - a deadline I missed. The veggie option was fine though.</p>
<p>Made it to Brussels where we hit our first snag.</p>
<h2 id="brussels-to-hamburg"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#brussels-to-hamburg">Brussels to Hamburg</a></h2>
<p>We'd booked some of our tickets months in advance. What we hadn't realised is that construction work had been announced and our train would be getting is much later than we anticipated.</p>
<p>Neither Interrail (who we booked the seat reservations through) nor DB (who had our contact details) thought to tell us about the change in journey. Nevertheless, we jumped on a train and had a pleasant enough trip up to Germany.</p>
<p>The Interrail refund form is ridiculously complicated and asks for various screenshots. There really ought to be a big "DB Screwed Up" button for an instant refund. Still, after a couple of days the refund came through.</p>
<h2 id="hamburg-to-copenhagen"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#hamburg-to-copenhagen">Hamburg to Copenhagen</a></h2>
<p>There's a DB lounge at the station. We received suspicious stares at our Interrail passes which then necessitated deep examination of our seat reservation by two people. Begrudgingly they let us in. There were comfortable seats and some free drinks. It was mostly quiet until various children started crying.</p>
<p>The train was gentle and slow. 1st class got a snack included - veggie but not vegan. For the first time since leaving the UK there were passport checks which were friendly.</p>
<p>At one point there was a quiet announcement in German. We didn't think much of it until everyone started getting off the train. Turns out one of the carriages had suffered a failure and we were turfed out at Nyborg. Approximately 1,000 passengers attempted to board the next available train - it looked like an utter crush. So we waited for the one after that.</p>
<p>We were treated to a train with spectacular panoramic windows as it went over The Bridge.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/big-windows.webp" alt="Standing in front of a big window with the water behind us." width="1024" height="1439" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-73015">
<p>A friendly guard told us where to change. Arrived a little late and filled in the Interrail compensation form again.</p>
<h2 id="copenhagen-to-goteborg"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#copenhagen-to-goteborg">Copenhagen to Göteborg</a></h2>
<p>The lounge in Copenhagen was basic but fine. A few bowls of fruit and a coffee machine but nothing else. Weirdly no train display.</p>
<p>The train had power sockets on the ceiling - along with headphone jacks! Was a little strange seeing cables dripping down from the ceiling. The 1st class seats were a little roomier than standard, but not much in it. Ticket inspector looked confused at Interrail passes but didn't challenge us.</p>
<h2 id="goteborg-to-oslo"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#goteborg-to-oslo">Göteborg to Oslo</a></h2>
<p>Trains were frequent enough that we didn't bother with advance seat reservations. No 1st class, but the quiet zone was spacious enough. Again, a brief glance at the tickets rather than scanning them.</p>
<p>I was heartily impressed to see snack vending machines on a train! Better than someone pushing a cart through I reckon.</p>
<h2 id="oslo-to-stockholm"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#oslo-to-stockholm">Oslo to Stockholm</a></h2>
<p>There were no signs on seats to say reserved and the service was very full. But we got our seats without a problem. There was free fruit and tea / water in the 1st class carriage. WiFi speeds were excellent.</p>
<h2 id="stockholm-to-helsinki-overnight-ferry"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#stockholm-to-helsinki-overnight-ferry">Stockholm to Helsinki (overnight ferry)</a></h2>
<p>Annoyingly, the ferry terminal is a rather long distance from the nearest tram stop which was a bit of an arse.</p>
<p>The check-in to the ferry warns of extra costs if you have the temerity to use the staffed counters - but the automatic check in wouldn't work with our tickets. They wanted to check that we were eligible for the Interrail discount, so we showed them the app - we didn't have to spend a travel day though. They printed out our tickets and didn't charge us extra.</p>
<p>The boat itself was gorgeous. Obviously not full - many of the bars were empty and the disco was dead - but surprisingly they put on a full song and dance show as entertainment. We'd made reservations at one of the fancy restaurants, which was perfectly nice. It was breathtakingly beautiful outside.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ferry.webp" alt="Two of us looking out over the islands." width="1024" height="729" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-73017">
<p>The room was basic, but much easier to sleep in than an overnight train. Unfortunately, I fucked up with the timezones. Stockholm is UTC+1 and Helsinki is at UTC+2. I set my alarm an hour too early!</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/timezone.webp" alt="Two clocks. One has a Finnish flag, the other a Swedish flag." width="1024" height="326" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-73016">
<p>The breakfast buffet was very well stocked for veggie and vegans. Massive queue before opening but not too crowded.</p>
<h2 id="helsinki-to-tallinn-day-ferry"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#helsinki-to-tallinn-day-ferry">Helsinki to Tallinn (day ferry)</a></h2>
<p>Terminal was a short walk from the tram. It was spacious and had plenty of seating. Again we couldn't use the automated check in and had to show our Interrail apps. Ferry was small but plenty of room to sit or go shopping.</p>
<h2 id="tallinn-to-riga"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#tallinn-to-riga">Tallinn to Riga</a></h2>
<p>Slightly confusing process to buy the tickets as they only went on sale a few weeks before departure. No seat reservations for the first half of the journey - we were slightly worried by the number of people waiting for the three-carriage train. In the end there was plenty of space. Again, 1st class a bit roomier than standard but not dramatically so.</p>
<p>The ticket inspector gave a confused look at the Interrail pass and issued us with a receipt for €0.00!</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/zero-receipt.webp" alt="A receipt for €0." width="480" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-73013">
<p>The train had an onboard ticket vending machine with contactless payments and, delightfully, some bowls of water for dogs.</p>
<p>We changed at Valga which was simple - literally walk across the platform to the waiting train. It was a little more crowded, but plenty of seats.</p>
<h2 id="riga-to-vilnius"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#riga-to-vilnius">Riga to Vilnius</a></h2>
<p>1st class was a bit crowded but pleasant until the boomer Brits started ignoring the quiet carriage signs. They were shut up by the guard. Complimentary sparkling water.</p>
<h2 id="vilnius-to-warsaw"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#vilnius-to-warsaw">Vilnius to Warsaw</a></h2>
<p>There is a VIP lounge in Vilnius - but it is little more than a quiet space with a loo and water fountain. All the snacks and hot drinks were chargeable. We didn't actually have access to it this trip - but the Riga to Vilnius trip did. We scanned our previous ticket reservations to get in.</p>
<p>We weren't able to book seats - because the service said it was sold out. However the train was half empty. No 1st class, but there was WiFi and power, so no complaints from me.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/rain.webp" alt="Liz looking out into the rain." width="1024" height="771" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-73018">
<p>On having our tickets checked we were told that there <em>was</em> 1st class, but we couldn't use it with our Interrail passes. As with most European trains, announcements were in English.</p>
<p>The change at Mockava was easy - we walked to the next platform. We'd booked seats in a little 6 seater cabin - sadly the air con was little more than homeopathic. Even cracking open the window did nothing but waft hot air over us. Fairly full train, toilets were adequate, but the heat was stifling. Even worse, no WiFi!</p>
<p>The train occasionally stopped for several minutes at a time. The crew just opened the doors to let a breeze in - very little health-and-safety culture here!</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Open-doors.webp" alt="Door opening on to the track." width="1024" height="1360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-73019">
<p>Mind you, we also saw people crossing the tracks to get to their platform. Yikes!</p>
<p>There were passport checks by armed guards. Brief and inoffensive.</p>
<h2 id="warsaw-to-berlin"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#warsaw-to-berlin">Warsaw to Berlin</a></h2>
<p>Despite the extreme heat, it left on time. This 6 berth 1st class carriage was a bit bigger than the last - and the aircon actually worked.</p>
<p>We were treated to complementary water, juice, and a vegan snack bar! The train driver sounded their horn at every opportunity which wasn't exactly relaxing.</p>
<h2 id="berlin-to-munchen"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#berlin-to-munchen">Berlin to München</a></h2>
<p>No vegan currywurst on the DB menu any more 😭.</p>
<p>Annoyingly, we were kicked off at Nuremberg - despite most announcements being made in English this one wasn't, but we figured it out. A train came fairly quickly, so we weren't too late.</p>
<h2 id="munchen-to-verona"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#munchen-to-verona">München to Verona</a></h2>
<p>There is a 1st class DB lounge but it isn't open to OBB/Interrail scum. Luckily there were plenty of food options for vegans in station. No vegan currywurst on train but several other options.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/munchen.jpg" alt="Train display board." width="1008" height="759" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-73012">
<p>This was one of two reservations which <em>demanded</em> that it be printed out onto paper and under <em>no circumstances</em> would it be accepted from a screen. That was a lie. Showing the code on-screen was fine.</p>
<h2 id="verona-to-milan"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#verona-to-milan">Verona to Milan</a></h2>
<p>Such a frequent service that no reservations were needed. Annoyingly, the train windows were covered with graffiti so it was impossible to see out. Ticket inspector barely glanced at our tickets. WiFi didn't work. Crowded and a bit noisy. Air con just about coped with the heat.</p>
<h2 id="milan-to-basel"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#milan-to-basel">Milan to Basel</a></h2>
<p>The Interrail app seemed certain that we had to change a dozen times for this journey. Instead, I found a direct train to Olten. The 1st class seats were massive and had a handy compartment for smaller bags. Windows were huge. Again, our passes and reservation were barely glanced at.</p>
<p>As we arrived in Olten there was a train a couple of platforms away which was direct to Basel. Bit of a dash to get it. No 1st class, but it was a double-decker so we got to sit upstairs, which is just as good!</p>
<h2 id="basel-to-paris"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#basel-to-paris">Basel to Paris</a></h2>
<p>The only thing better than 1st class is <em>upstairs</em> on 1st! Big comfy reclining seats. Packed train with not much luggage space. As ever with trains travelling to France, there were warnings about labelling luggage correctly but no one seemed to do it. Zero vegan options on board. C'est la vie!</p>
<h2 id="paris-to-london"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#paris-to-london">Paris to London</a></h2>
<p>What a blessing to witness so many people's first ever attempt to queue for a train 🙄</p>
<p>Mad queues to get in to the departure lounge - but the train departed and arrived on time. I'd remembered to pre-book a vegan option which was tasty and also included a dairy-free chocolate bar. Eurostar's WiFi is shit but 5G worked OK.</p>
<h2 id="whats-next"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#whats-next">What's Next?</a></h2>
<p>Doing Interrail trips like this is brilliant. The trains are usually a lot more relaxing than flying, it's more convenient to arrive in a city centre, and they're less polluting.</p>
<p>Would we do a trip like this again? It's certain <em>a lot</em> of travel. We weren't very spontaneous - most of the trip was planned out way in advance, along with hotels. Having 2-4 days in each place is like taking a series of minibreaks, which is delightful. But it can be <em>exhausting</em>. I don't want to complain that my diamond tiara is too tight, but there comes a point where there is such a thing a <em>too much holiday</em>.</p>
<p>We still have several more European countries to visit; although not all are easy to get to by train. Perhaps we'll fly in somewhere, take the train around, then fly back? Or spend a week <em>only</em> in one country?</p>
<p>If you have tips for further adventures - please let us know!</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=73007&HTTP_REFERER=Atom" alt width="1" height="1" loading="eager">]]></content>
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<thr:total>15</thr:total>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Game Review: Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime ★★★☆☆]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/game-review-lovers-in-a-dangerous-spacetime/"/>
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=69841</id>
<updated>2026-05-14T21:24:14Z</updated>
<published>2026-07-10T11:34:18Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="Game Review"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="PlayStation"/>
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[My new year's resolution is to play more video games with my wife. Specifically co-operative games. I hate playing competitively; it's rubbish to achieve victory at the expense of someone else. So I asked for recommendations and picked the cheapest things which looked reasonable. Several people recommended Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime. It's a neat little game which is just short enough to…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/game-review-lovers-in-a-dangerous-spacetime/"><![CDATA[<p>My new year's resolution is to play more video games with my wife. Specifically <em>co-operative</em> games.</p>
<p><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2009/12/when-did-you-last-beat-your-wife/">I hate playing competitively</a>; it's rubbish to achieve victory at the expense of someone else. So <a href="https://mastodon.social/@Edent/116051890335937906">I asked for recommendations</a> and picked the cheapest things which looked reasonable.</p>
<p>Several people recommended Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime. It's a neat little game which is just short enough to not get too repetitive. You and your friend (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRfluaMKoOY">and, I'm pleased to say, lover</a>) have joint control of a space ship. You fly around the screen shooting baddies, rescuing bunny-friends, and upgrading your craft. There's a lot of "You fly left and I'll shoot" and "I'll move the shield, can you fly us through the asteroid" chatter.</p>
<p>It works, and is fun. But after a few levels it becomes clear that there isn't anything else to it. The three different ships and various weapon upgrades give it a bit of variety, but it isn't one for playing long into the night.</p>
<iframe title="4 PLAYER UPDATE | Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime | PS4, Xbox One, Steam" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C5aVN2bp4uo?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<p>I suspect it's probably better with four players - with two you frequently have to deal with your inability to move the ship <em>and</em> angle the shield <em>and</em> fire the weapons all at the same time. So it gets a bit frustrating.</p>
<p>It is delightfully cutesy - and I particularly loved the way the "OK" button was replaced with "YAY!". Something I think more interfaces should do.</p>
<p>The game was a fiver or so when I bought it, which seems reasonable enough.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=69841&HTTP_REFERER=Atom" alt width="1" height="1" loading="eager">]]></content>
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<thr:total>2</thr:total>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[A bug which only affected left-handed users]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/a-bug-which-only-affected-left-handed-users/"/>
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=72497</id>
<updated>2026-07-09T05:03:22Z</updated>
<published>2026-07-08T11:34:43Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="bug"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="WordPress"/>
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Verily, some of our brethren (and sistren) be afflicted with a sinister disposition. While the righteous scroll using the thumb of their right hand - as is good and proper - an accurs'd minority swing the other way. Look, you try writing an interesting bug report without sounding like a clanker, OK! I try to optimise my blog as much as possible. It may not look like much, but it has got it…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/a-bug-which-only-affected-left-handed-users/"><![CDATA[<blockquote><p>Verily, some of our brethren (and sistren) be afflicted with a sinister disposition. While the righteous scroll using the thumb of their right hand - as is good and proper - an accurs'd minority swing the other way.</p></blockquote>
<p>Look, you try writing an interesting bug report without sounding like a clanker, OK!</p>
<p>I try to optimise my blog as much as possible. It may not look like much, but it has got it where it counts. I've made a lot of special modifications myself to the base WordPress install.</p>
<p>One of those modifications is reducing the amount of JavaScript in use to the bare minimum. Everything functions without it, but there are a few places where it helps - the most notable being comments.</p>
<p>That's why I was distressed when a loyal reader wrote in saying there was a bug on my site. When they were scrolling the page a comment box would suddenly appear and interrupt their browsing.</p>
<p>I scroll my own site a lot (probably more than is healthy) so why hadn't I noticed this bug?</p>
<p>Because I scroll on my phone's touchscreen with my right thumb and the bug reporter uses their left. The "reply" link which was being triggered is on the left side of the page. A bug which won't be triggered by righteous people but infuriating to those who will surely be left behind after The Rapture™.</p>
<p>To be fair, <a href="https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/46713">this bug was reported seven years ago</a> - but I guess the WordPress team have been too busy cleaning up after their mad God-Emperor to take a look at it.</p>
<p>Back in 2017, a developer <a href="https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/commit/14dd35e62e1325ca1c6caef0a8623ce3f02d7da9">added a <code>touchstart</code> listener to link clicks</a>. I don't really understand why. At one point in history, browsers couldn't be sure if a touch event was the start of a <code>click</code> or a double-tap to zoom. So firing an event when a touch occurred on a link sort of made sense to avoid a 300ms delay.</p>
<p>But that hadn't been the case for several years - <a href="https://developer.chrome.com/blog/300ms-tap-delay-gone-away">as this 2013 blog post makes clear</a>. Even in 2015 <a href="https://github.com/ftlabs/fastclick">it was no longer an issue</a>.</p>
<p>So why was this lefty-baiting code added? Not a clue.</p>
<p>Anyway, <strong>seven years</strong> after the bug was reported <a href="https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/pull/12168">I committed a fix</a>. It isn't the most sophisticated change to WordPress - merely deleting a couple of lines. But hopefully it will stop those strange and unusual mutants from complaining that their unnatural thumb-usage is accidentally triggering unwanted events on my website.</p>
<p>Sadly, there is as yet no way to prevent the corrupt from using our blessed sites. The WHAT-WG haven't seen fit to take on board my suggestion of <code><meta handed="right"></code> to keep out the unwanted and polluted. So, hopefully, this change will at least prevent them complaining.</p>
<p>Why, yes officer, I have had a glass or two of tonic wine. Why do you ask?</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=72497&HTTP_REFERER=Atom" alt width="1" height="1" loading="eager">]]></content>
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<thr:total>9</thr:total>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[I'm just so bored of AI]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/im-just-so-bored-of-ai/"/>
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=71384</id>
<updated>2026-05-09T13:54:58Z</updated>
<published>2026-07-06T11:34:18Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="AI"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="rant"/>
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[I'm just so bored of talking about AI. It's like listening to vapers tell me how delicious their flavoured poison is. Did you ever meet someone at university who'd just tried drugs for the first time? Listening to a stoner ramble on about their mystic crystal revelations is amusing for the first five minutes, but quickly gets tiresome. Wow! You got your little computer friend to automate calling …]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/im-just-so-bored-of-ai/"><![CDATA[<p>I'm just so <em>bored</em> of talking about AI. It's like listening to vapers tell me how delicious their flavoured poison is.</p>
<p>Did you ever meet someone at university who'd just tried drugs for the first time? Listening to a stoner ramble on about their mystic crystal revelations is amusing for the first five minutes, but quickly gets tiresome. Wow! You got your little computer friend to automate calling your mum? Great job, mate! Can we talk about something interesting now?</p>
<p>Just as bad are the people telling me how bad smoking is for my health. Yes, I know! That's why I don't. Yes, I know that hanging out with friends while they smoke is bad for me - but loneliness is probably worse. In fact, you screaming about how every puff on a fag reduces my life expectancy by 37 seconds makes me want to inhale a whole cigar so I can die early enough to exit this tedious conversation.</p>
<p>If you want to enhance your consciousness / rot your brain with AI - go ahead. Just stop wanging on about it like you discovered the secret to eternal life.</p>
<p>And to the rest of you, stop pissing on people's chips. Haranguing and scolding have never convinced anyone of everything.</p>
<p>I can't fucking wait for this bubble to burst so we can go back to chatting shit about literally <em>anything</em> else.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=71384&HTTP_REFERER=Atom" alt width="1" height="1" loading="eager">]]></content>
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<thr:total>17</thr:total>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Combined 1D and 2D Barcodes]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/combined-1d-and-2d-barcodes/"/>
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=70974</id>
<updated>2026-05-09T09:36:43Z</updated>
<published>2026-07-04T11:34:57Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="QR Codes"/>
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[This was a little idea gnawing at the back of my brain. The humble barcode has been in use since the 1970s. In the next few years it will likely be replaced with a 2D QR Code. I couldn't find anyone who'd made a QR code with an embedded UPC - so I decided to make one. If you move your phone close to the code (so it can't see the squares in the corners) it should read the number in the 1D…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/combined-1d-and-2d-barcodes/"><![CDATA[<p>This was a little idea gnawing at the back of my brain. The humble barcode has been in use <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Product_Code">since the 1970s</a>. In the next few years it will likely be replaced with a <a href="https://www.gs1uk.org/knowledge-hub/qr-codes-powered-by-gs1/will-qr-codes-replace-barcodes-by-2027">2D QR Code</a>.</p>
<p>I couldn't find anyone who'd made a QR code with an embedded UPC - so I decided to make one.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Combined-QR-1D-Gap.webp" alt="A QR code with a 1D barcode embedded in it." width="400" height="400" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-70975">
<p>If you move your phone close to the code (so it can't see the squares in the corners) it should read the number in the 1D barcode. Zoom out and it'll read the URl in the QR code.</p>
<p>The QR code has a high level of error correction - which allows graphics to be placed within it, <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2010/11/hiding-space-invaders-in-qr-codes/">as I discussed in 2010</a>.</p>
<p>The UPC has some whitespace padding around its edges - which makes it easier for some scanners to find, although not all scanners seem to accept it.</p>
<p>Is this in any way useful or desirable? I doubt it! I guess most point-of-sale barcode scanners are somewhat regularly updated - so they should all have the ability to scan newer codes. The embedded code destroys some of the error correction, thus making the QR code more fragile. <a href="https://mastodon.social/@PhilA/116504516987179728">It isn't a good idea</a>.</p>
<p>Still, nice to fiddle about with something, eh?</p>
<p>You may also enjoy:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/03/a-recursive-qr-code/">A Recursive QR Code</a>.</li>
<li><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/02/why-are-qr-codes-with-capital-letters-smaller-than-qr-codes-with-lower-case-letters/">Why are QR Codes with capital letters smaller than QR codes with lower-case letters?</a></li>
<li>Or see <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/tag/qr+QR-codes/?order=asc">all my posts about QR Codes since 2007</a>!</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=70974&HTTP_REFERER=Atom" alt width="1" height="1" loading="eager">]]></content>
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<thr:total>1</thr:total>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[This blog is written in en-GB]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/this-blog-is-written-in-en-gb/"/>
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=69136</id>
<updated>2026-07-04T08:59:00Z</updated>
<published>2026-07-02T11:34:59Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="blogging"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="English"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="language"/>
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Someone left a comment on my blog recently asking if I'd mind making my language more inclusive. They didn't get some of the cultural references I'd used and suggested it would be easier if I used tropes which were more globally known. Here's the thing. No. All my blog posts start with a simple declaration: <!doctype html> <html lang=en-GB> There's a reason for that. It is more than the…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/this-blog-is-written-in-en-gb/"><![CDATA[<p>Someone left a comment on my blog recently asking if I'd mind making my language more inclusive. They didn't get some of the cultural references I'd used and suggested it would be easier if I used tropes which were more globally known.</p>
<p>Here's the thing. No.</p>
<p>All my blog posts start with a simple declaration:</p>
<pre><code class="language-HTML"><!doctype html>
<html lang=en-GB>
</code></pre>
<p>There's a reason for that. It is more than the language I speak; it is the culture I live in, the way that I think, and the accent I use.</p>
<p>When your AI bot reads this text aloud, it should do so with a <em>British</em> accent<sup id="fnref:accent"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/this-blog-is-written-in-en-gb/#fn:accent" class="footnote-ref" title="OK, accents are a whole can of worms. Regional English is varied. There are a variety of countries within the UK which each have their own forms of pronunciation. I'm not sure if there are any…" role="doc-noteref">0</a></sup>. That's how I speak. It is OK to hear a slightly unfamiliar accent. You'll be able to figure out what I'm saying. Your world won't collapse if I don't start each sentence with "Howdy, y'all!"</p>
<p>But what should you do if you come across a concept you don't understand?</p>
<p>When The Wicked Witch of the TERFs released the first Harry Potter book "Philosopher's Stone", it was published in the USA with a different title; "Sorcerer's Stone". There were also a dozen other language changes - <a href="https://groups.google.com/g/alt.fan.harry-potter/c/5jh8ZD6KzF0/m/Ck5EIv01Js8J">which caused great consternation in the fandom</a>.</p>
<p>What do you think happens if Skip or Madison come across a kid eating "a sherbet lemon" or a description of Hermione's "fringe" or discover Harry wearing a jumper? Will their little minds collapse under the knowledge that people far away use different words?</p>
<p>No. And neither will you.</p>
<p><strong>It is OK if things are unfamiliar to you.</strong></p>
<p>Up until my mid-twenties, I had never seen or eaten a Twinkie. They were a cultural lodestone in a hundred books and films, but not the sort of thing I could buy locally. So I used my context clues. They seemed like an unappealing foodstuff which, nevertheless, were inexplicably popular.</p>
<p>As a kid, I could recite all the lyrics to Vanilla Ice's Ice Ice Baby without getting half the references. The brain is malleable and can fit in new concepts with relative ease.</p>
<p>So if you see a reference to Count Duckula, or hear me exclaim "Accrington Stanley!", or even blush as I describe an <em>utter</em> wanker - please take it as a sign that the hegemony is <em>not</em> universal and some people exist in a cultural <i lang="fr">milieu</i> different to your own.</p>
<p>And breathe. It'll be OK.</p>
<div id="footnotes" role="doc-endnotes">
<hr aria-label="Footnotes">
<ol start="0">
<li id="fn:accent">
<p>OK, accents are a whole can of worms. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language_in_England#Overview_of_regional_accents">Regional English is varied</a>. There are a variety of countries within the UK <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regional_accents_of_English#Scotland">which each have their own forms of pronunciation</a>. I'm not sure if there are any BCP-style tags for intra-country accents. <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/this-blog-is-written-in-en-gb/#fnref:accent" class="footnote-backref" role="doc-backlink">↩︎</a></p>
</li>
</ol>
</div>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=69136&HTTP_REFERER=Atom" alt width="1" height="1" loading="eager">]]></content>
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<thr:total>72</thr:total>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Book Review: Fake Creativity by Blake Loch ★★★☆☆]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/book-review-fake-creativity-by-blake-loch/"/>
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=72583</id>
<updated>2026-06-30T05:41:42Z</updated>
<published>2026-06-30T11:34:20Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="Book Review"/>
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Thanks to BookSirens for providing me with a review copy. This is an intriguing self-published novel with a backstory almost as interesting as the plot. The story is a descent into paranoia as an author is convinced that an AI is plagiarising his work. As the madness takes over, he's forced to confront whether his creative processes are genuine or not. It raises some excellent questions about …]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/book-review-fake-creativity-by-blake-loch/"><![CDATA[<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1756438821.jpg" alt="Book cover." width="200" height="300" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-72584">
<p>Thanks to BookSirens for providing me with a review copy. This is an intriguing self-published novel with a <a href="http://blakeloch.com/the-war-against-ai-in-literature/">backstory</a> almost as interesting as the plot.</p>
<p>The story is a descent into paranoia as an author is convinced that an AI is plagiarising his work. As the madness takes over, he's forced to confront whether his creative processes are genuine or not.</p>
<p>It raises some excellent questions about whether AI can replicate art. It also posits some solutions for ensuring genuine human content. Without going in to spoilers, I think some of the methods the protagonist comes up with might be the only way to "prove" that a human has created a work.</p>
<p>The pace is excellent - with some well-placed plot twists. As with any self-published novel, it could do with a little tightening up. Some of the characters have oblique motivations which need a bit more exposition.</p>
<p>A note on AI use. There's a novel-within-a-novel which is genuinely generated by an AI (<a href="http://blakeloch.com/the-use-of-ai-in-fake-creativity/">as the author freely acknowledges</a>). I think this is an acceptable use of generative AI - the prose it produces is utterly risible and cliché ridden. It works as a nice contrast to the human generated text.</p>
<p>I suspect more and more authors will turn to AI fears just as they turned to pandemic allegories a few years ago. This is a decent attempt to capture a moment in time when authors stared into the abyss and found only themselves staring back.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=72583&HTTP_REFERER=Atom" alt width="1" height="1" loading="eager">]]></content>
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<thr:total>0</thr:total>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Book Review: The Hotel Avocado by Bob Mortimer ★★☆☆☆]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/book-review-the-hotel-avocado-by-bob-mortimer/"/>
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=70534</id>
<updated>2026-05-19T11:56:54Z</updated>
<published>2026-06-28T11:34:45Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="Book Review"/>
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Despite vowing not to read sequels of books I love, I'm constantly surprised that regression to the mean is an iron-clad law of the universe. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series, so eagerly gobbled up the second. What a burlap fool I am. What was charming and wry in The Satsuma Complex is now overdone and clichéd. The violence, which was an undercurrent in the first book, is now …]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/book-review-the-hotel-avocado-by-bob-mortimer/"><![CDATA[<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/the-hotel-avocado-9781398529632_lg.jpg" alt="Book cover featuring a squirrel hiding in a giant avocado." width="200" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-70536">
<p>Despite vowing not to read sequels of books I love, I'm constantly surprised that regression to the mean is an iron-clad law of the universe. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series, so eagerly gobbled up the second. What a burlap fool I am.</p>
<p>What was charming and wry in <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/12/book-review-the-satsuma-complex-by-bob-mortimer/">The Satsuma Complex</a> is now overdone and clichéd.</p>
<p>The violence, which was an undercurrent in the first book, is now too pronounced and too grim to be funny. Yet the constant tomfoolery with language undermines any built-up tension.</p>
<p>The language is gorgeous though. Bob Mortimer has an ability to conjure the most ridiculous similes and metaphors. It's impossible not to be entranced by his panache.</p>
<p>The ending is, frankly, a bit unearned and unsatisfying. It feels like a word-count limit was reached and the quickest solution was found.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=70534&HTTP_REFERER=Atom" alt width="1" height="1" loading="eager">]]></content>
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<thr:total>0</thr:total>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Review: Gamrombo PS5 controller - including Linux set up ★★★★☆]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/review-gamrombo-ps5-controller-including-linux-set-up/"/>
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=67003</id>
<updated>2026-04-29T19:48:16Z</updated>
<published>2026-06-26T11:34:42Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="gadget"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="gaming"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="review"/>
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[I'm not paying seventy bloody quid for an official PS5 controller - so I found a knock-off version for a smidge under £40. And this one has lots of unnecessary blinkenlights! Gamrombo is the consumer-facing brand of the generically named Professional Controller Manufacturer. AKA "Huizhou Ronghui Technology Co., Ltd" - there's virtually no information about them online other than paid-for …]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/review-gamrombo-ps5-controller-including-linux-set-up/"><![CDATA[<p>I'm not paying seventy bloody quid for an official PS5 controller - so I found a knock-off version for a <a href="https://amzn.to/4pCMxNB">smidge under £40</a>. And this one has <em>lots</em> of unnecessary blinkenlights!</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/controller.webp" alt="A console controller. It is white and has many flashing lights." width="1600" height="1100" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-67023">
<p>Gamrombo is the consumer-facing brand of the generically named <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Controller-Manufacturer">Professional Controller Manufacturer</a>. AKA "Huizhou Ronghui Technology Co., Ltd" - there's virtually no information about them online other than paid-for reviews. Well, I bought this with my own money - so enjoy this honest review:</p>
<p>It's basically fine and it works on Linux.</p>
<h2 id="ok-a-bit-more-detail"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/review-gamrombo-ps5-controller-including-linux-set-up/#ok-a-bit-more-detail">OK, a bit more detail</a></h2>
<p>The USB cable which comes with the controller is charge only - so you can dispose of it. Using a USB-C to C cable, I plugged it into to my Linux laptop and it was instantly detected. Rather cheekily, it shows up as <code>054c:0ce6 Sony Corp. DualSense Wireless Controller</code>.</p>
<p>The PS5 touchpad was immediately usable. Single finger moved the mouse pointer, two-finger scrolling and zooming worked, clicking the pad clicks the mouse. Nice!</p>
<p>I popped along to <a href="https://hardwaretester.com/gamepad">hardwaretester.com/gamepad</a> in Firefox, everything worked as expected.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Button-screenshot.webp" alt="Screenshot showing button diagnostics." width="824" height="656" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-67016">
<p>Plugging it in to my Android phone also worked. So pretty handy if you want to play games on a miniscule screen.</p>
<p>Same with Bluetooth. I held down ⨞ and 🏠 on the controller, then connected. Everything worked. Weirdly, it wouldn't stop vibrating until I'd changed the LED colours.</p>
<p>Speaking of which - how much do you like garish LEDs? Tapping the light button changes the colours of the glowing rings around the joysticks. There's half a dozen solid colours or a slowly rotating rainbow effect. Or, just hold down the button to switch them all off.</p>
<p>As well as being cheaper than an official controller, it has more functionality. There are two programmable "macro" buttons on the back. Each can hold a sequence of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PePRJb0z1pg">up to 24 buttons pushes</a>. Perfect if you need to record combos.</p>
<p>There's also a "turbo" button. You can use it to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDoW4emjuEU">turn a long-press into a repeated-press</a>. Perfect for saving you from RSI.</p>
<p>It vibrates as normal, has an inbuilt speaker, 3.5mm jack, and charges at about 2.5 Watts - all the same as a regular controller. Oh! And it paired with the PS5 as well 😆</p>
<p>OK, that's the good stuff. Where are the drawbacks?</p>
<h2 id="downsides"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/review-gamrombo-ps5-controller-including-linux-set-up/#downsides">Downsides</a></h2>
<p>No microphone. This might be a deal-breaker for some, but I don't play any games which need it.</p>
<p>There is a firmware update available - but it comes as an EXE which only works on Windows a and is distributed on WeTransfer!</p>
<p>The icons on the buttons aren't the <code>× ○ △ □</code> you'll see in-game. They are the right colour though.</p>
<p>Charging is <em>only</em> by USB. It won't work in a charging dock.</p>
<p>I managed to lock-up the controller. Between faffing around with Bluetooth and plugging it in to a bunch of different computers, it had a bit of a tizzy and wouldn't turn on again. Clicking the reset button using a paperclip brought it back to life.</p>
<p>Finally, it does feel kinda cheap. It is lighter weight and the buttons don't feel quite as "clicky" as an official controller. It isn't bad <i lang="la">per se</i> but it is different.</p>
<h2 id="should-i-get-one"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/review-gamrombo-ps5-controller-including-linux-set-up/#should-i-get-one">Should I get one?</a></h2>
<p>It's pretty good! I've no idea how long the battery will last, or if it'll fall apart after I post this review, but saving £30 means you can spend more on games.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=67003&HTTP_REFERER=Atom" alt width="1" height="1" loading="eager">]]></content>
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<thr:total>3</thr:total>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Auth0 PHP - manually authenticating JWT idTokens]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/auth0-php-manually-authenticating-tokens/"/>
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=70732</id>
<updated>2026-04-28T20:42:25Z</updated>
<published>2026-06-24T11:34:25Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="Auth0"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="HowTo"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="php"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="Symfony"/>
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[I find it baffling just how poorly documented most big projects are. Auth0 by Okta has a fair bit of cash, lots of customers, and almost completely absent documentation. Here's how to successfully authenticate a JWT supplied by Auth0. Once your user has authenticated with Auth0, they will be given an accessToken and an idToken. Only the idToken is needed for our purposes. It will look…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/auth0-php-manually-authenticating-tokens/"><![CDATA[<p>I find it baffling just how poorly documented most big projects are. Auth0 by Okta has a fair bit of cash, lots of customers, and almost completely absent documentation.</p>
<p>Here's how to successfully authenticate a JWT supplied by Auth0.</p>
<p>Once your user has authenticated with Auth0, they will be given an <code>accessToken</code> and an <code>idToken</code>. Only the <code>idToken</code> is needed for our purposes.</p>
<p>It will look something like this:</p>
<p><code>eyJhbGciOiJSUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCIsImtpZCI6ImFiYzEyMyJ9.eyJnaXZlbl9uYW1lIjoiSm8iLCJmYW1pbHlfbmFtZSI6IlRlc3QiLCJuaWNrbmFtZSI6IkpvVGVzdCIsIm5hbWUiOiJKbyBMZSBUZXN0IiwicGljdHVyZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZXhhbXBsZS5jb20vam8ucG5nIiwidXBkYXRlZF9hdCI6IjIwMjYtMDQtMjhUMTM6NTk6NTUuNjcxWiIsImVtYWlsX3ZlcmlmaWVkIjp0cnVlLCJpc3MiOiJodHRwczovL2V4YW1wbGUuZXUuYXV0aDAuY29tLyIsImF1ZCI6ImFiYzEyMyIsInN1YiI6ImZhY2Vib29rfDEyMzQ1NiIsImlhdCI6MTc3NzM4NDc5NiwiZXhwIjoxNzc3NDIwNzk2LCJzaWQiOiJhYmMxMjMtNDU2LWRlZmdoaWprIiwibm9uY2UiOiIxMjM0NTY3ODkwIn0.ZgnZxOOtfczLewlm_agK6mJMYetVTZrHlBlu5qzXbADlhvZB8RraVuFKmFutLZLibMQxz_RY0oh4hRufVWDHJ0kuocW38kRHztDg7R5KOfvJEM46WW49xvhLhKprzkx9WXDDlpCRNL0QbBK2U0F1VjmRpTp1Q5cHEd8PBsa4rGAhfqudXp5JrC2Lm5e7ji0AQ_s7HJhy59b9mTb3tMqHGsrWDZS915zHPYEQtSvg5o9sSx1tCRfsyL6kdsdkaTffQjJDUrT5hpIQ-2_9tGuqioJjP4c0edQ85TaK9UnSxfzMQ8gYez963kbo_Iv1fJyaTVwXR-AVvwK-CeGJAFrheQ</code></p>
<p>Yeuch! If you stick it into <a href="https://www.jwt.io/">JWT.io</a> you'll see that it is Base64 encoded JSON containing a header, body, and signature. Each part is separated by a <code>.</code> character.</p>
<p>You could manually decode it, but that's a bit of a pain in the arse. So here's how to do it with <a href="https://github.com/auth0/auth0-PHP/">the Auth0 PHP library</a>. I'm <a href="https://github.com/auth0/symfony">using the Symfony one</a>, but it should all be fairly similar.</p>
<p>First, import the library:</p>
<pre><code class="language-php">use Auth0\SDK\Auth0;
</code></pre>
<p>Next, you'll need to send the token to the PHP. You can do this in a header, GET, or similar:</p>
<pre><code class="language-php">$authHeader = $request->headers->get("Auth0-Authorization");
</code></pre>
<p>Then, set up Auth0 so that it can parse and validate the token:</p>
<pre><code class="language-php">try {
$token = $authHeader;
$auth0 = new Auth0([
"domain" => $_ENV["AUTH0_DOMAIN"],
"clientId" => $_ENV["AUTH0_CLIENT_ID"],
"clientSecret" => $_ENV["AUTH0_CLIENT_SECRET"],
"cookieSecret" => "_" // Dummy value.
]);
$decoded = $auth0->decode(
token: $token,
tokenType: \Auth0\SDK\Token::TYPE_ID_TOKEN,
);
} catch (\Exception $e) {
error_log("Auth0 Error - {$e}");
}
</code></pre>
<p>The <code>cookieSecret</code> <em>must</em> be set - even though you aren't using cookies. Any non-null value is fine.</p>
<p>The <code>tokenType</code> must also be set correctly.</p>
<p>Assuming you all goes well, you will have a <code>decoded</code> object which has validated against Auth0. So how do you get the user's details from it?</p>
<p>Well, you <em>could</em> split the original <code>idToken</code> at the period character and Base64 decode the middle one. Try it now to see what it contains! Or <code>print_r()</code> the decoded token to see it in all its cryptographic glory.</p>
<p>The easiest way is to do:</p>
<pre><code class="language-php">$claims = $decoded->toArray();
</code></pre>
<p>Then you can access various properties by doing:</p>
<pre><code class="language-php">$username = $claims["nickname"];
$identifier = $claims["sub"];
</code></pre>
<p>Perhaps there is a more official way - but I couldn't find anything in the documentation. Hurrah for reading source code!</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=70732&HTTP_REFERER=Atom" alt width="1" height="1" loading="eager">]]></content>
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<thr:total>1</thr:total>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Cybersecurity for the paranoid business traveller]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/"/>
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=64419</id>
<updated>2026-06-22T14:36:54Z</updated>
<published>2026-06-22T11:34:18Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="CyberSecurity"/>
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Over the years, I've worked for organisations with various levels of risk tolerance for business travellers. Some have been (rightly) paranoid and others have been (wrongly) placid about the threats their employees face. The fact is, individuals are often targeted for espionage, blackmail, or other state-sponsored attacks. Here's a list of some of the different advice I've received, roughly…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/"><![CDATA[<p>Over the years, I've worked for organisations with various levels of risk tolerance for business travellers. Some have been (rightly) paranoid and others have been (wrongly) placid about the threats their employees face.</p>
<p>The fact is, individuals are often targeted for espionage, blackmail, or other state-sponsored attacks.</p>
<p>Here's a list of some of the different advice I've received, roughly sorted into levels of suitability. Start at the top and work your way down until you reach a suitable level.</p>
<h2 id="usb-sticks-no-thanks"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/#usb-sticks-no-thanks">USB sticks? No thanks!</a></h2>
<p>At some point, you'll be given a gift of a decorative USB pen drive. It'll either be part of a goodie-bag or you'll be told it has all of this quarter's TPS reports on it.</p>
<p>You should thank them for their kind gift. On your way back to the hotel, drop the stick in a bin.</p>
<p>There's just too much which can go wrong with a USB stick. Maybe it has a virus. Maybe it is an exfiltration device. Maybe it has extreme pornography and the police will catch you with it. Just chuck it. If anyone asks, say you couldn't get it to work and can they please email you the information.</p>
<h2 id="usb-power-play-it-safe"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/#usb-power-play-it-safe">USB Power? Play it safe!</a></h2>
<p>USB powers everything from your phone and laptop, to your headphone and eReader. But USB cables also carry data. Some devices can be silently hacked by plugging them in to a dodgy power port.</p>
<p>Is it <em>likely</em> that the USB socket on the airport bus has been set up to exfiltrate travellers' data? Probably not - but why take the risk?</p>
<p>The best thing you can do is to always charge from your own device. Get a travel charger or, ideally, a portable battery and <em>only</em> use that for charging.</p>
<p>For extra paranoia, you can buy USB condoms and charging-only cables - but they tend to be slower at charging.</p>
<h2 id="reduce-your-app-attack-surface"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/#reduce-your-app-attack-surface">Reduce Your App Attack Surface</a></h2>
<p>Do you <em>need</em> all those apps on your phone? Will you cope without your banking apps, dating apps, streaming apps? Each one is a potential vector for abuse.</p>
<p>Is it legal for you to date your preferred romantic partner in your intended destination? You shouldn't have to hide yourself, but having an illegal app on your phone is a great way to get picked up by the police.</p>
<p>Go through your phone and uninstall anything which isn't important to the trip.</p>
<h2 id="a-vpn-probably-draws-more-attention-than-it-is-worth-but-browse-cautiously"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/#a-vpn-probably-draws-more-attention-than-it-is-worth-but-browse-cautiously">A VPN probably draws more attention than it is worth, but browse cautiously</a></h2>
<p>This is slightly counter-intuitive. Every important site on the web uses HTTPS. The really important ones <a href="https://hstspreload.org/">are on a special list</a> which means your browser will <em>only</em> use a secure connection. The chances of your data being intercepted is minimal.</p>
<p>But using a VPN immediately makes your traffic look suspicious and, in some countries, may be illegal.</p>
<p>That said, while the contents of your communications will be private, their destination is easy to figure out. Don't browse pornography or any other site which is liable to get you in trouble. This may include news sites from outside the country.</p>
<h2 id="what-passwords-do-you-need"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/#what-passwords-do-you-need">What passwords do you need?</a></h2>
<p>Hopefully you use a password manager - and hopefully all your passwords are unique. But do you really need to carry around <em>all</em> of them? You password manager almost certainly allows you to create a sub-account into which you can deposit anything you need for your trip.</p>
<p>Similarly, you don't need <em>all</em> your MFA codes with you. If you <em>do</em> need MFA please make sure it isn't coming through SMS.</p>
<h2 id="theyre-not-flirting-with-you"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/#theyre-not-flirting-with-you">They're not flirting with you.</a></h2>
<p>Mate, you're a middle-aged sales rep who scored a trip to a conference in an exotic country. Do you <em>really</em> think that pretty young thing is enthralled by your tales of middle-management?</p>
<p>No.</p>
<p>At best, the photos will be used to blackmail you. At worst the police will claim that they're under the age of consent and <em>that</em> will be used to blackmail you.</p>
<h2 id="laptops-and-liability"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/#laptops-and-liability">Laptops and Liability</a></h2>
<p>Your IT team has provided you with a laptop which is encrypted and biometrically secured, right? But do you need that <em>specific</em> laptop?</p>
<p>They should grab a cheap laptop. Fill it with only the documents you need. When you get back home, toss it.</p>
<p>I'm quite serious, a £200 Chromebook is a cheap price to pay to prevent your secrets getting stolen or your network being infiltrated.</p>
<h2 id="what-else"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/#what-else">What Else?</a></h2>
<p>Possibly you think some of these are overkill. Perhaps you think I'm not being paranoid enough. What would you add to the list?</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=64419&HTTP_REFERER=Atom" alt width="1" height="1" loading="eager">]]></content>
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</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Which Copyleft Licence is Suitable for an SVG?]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/"/>
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=68741</id>
<updated>2026-07-12T21:20:16Z</updated>
<published>2026-06-20T11:34:22Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="Copyleft"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="copyright"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="Creative Commons"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="foss"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="GPL"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="images"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="svg"/>
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[The Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) format is amazing. It allows you to precisely define how an image should look. Written in XML, it uses various mathematical operations to display an image which looks crisp and clear at any size. Here's a trivial example: <svg height="100" viewBox="0 0 100 100" width="100" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <circle cx="50" cy="50" fill="#f00" r="50"/>…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/"><![CDATA[<p>The Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) format is amazing. It allows you to precisely define how an image should look. Written in XML, it uses various mathematical operations to display an image which looks crisp and clear at any size.</p>
<p>Here's a trivial example:</p>
<pre><code class="language-SVG"><svg height="100" viewBox="0 0 100 100" width="100" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
<circle cx="50" cy="50" fill="#f00" r="50"/>
</svg>
</code></pre>
<p>That code produces this circle:</p>
<svg height="100" viewBox="0 0 100 100" width="100" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
<circle cx="50" cy="50" fill="#f00" r="50"></circle>
</svg>
<p>You could print that out with a kilometre radius and it would still be a perfect circle - unlike a traditional raster image which is just a grid of blocky pixels.</p>
<p>But suppose you wanted to freely share your SVG with others - and ensure that they <em>also</em> freely share it. What sort of "Copyleft" licence would you give it?</p>
<h2 id="creative-commons"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/#creative-commons">Creative Commons</a></h2>
<p>The obvious choice seems to be a Creative Commons Share-Alike licence. SVGs are images. Images are creative works. Creative Commons is suitable for creative works. Job done!</p>
<p>But…</p>
<p>SVGs are <em>not</em> images. The are code which <em>produce</em> images. If we assume that an SVG is software, this entry in the FAQ becomes relevant:</p>
<blockquote><p><a href="https://creativecommons.org/faq/#can-i-apply-a-creative-commons-license-to-software"><strong>Can I apply a Creative Commons license to software?</strong></a></p>
<p>We recommend against using Creative Commons licenses for software.</p>
<p>[…]</p>
<p>Unlike software-specific licenses, CC licenses do not contain specific terms about the distribution of source code, which is often important to ensuring the free reuse and modifiability of software.</p>
<p>[…]</p>
<p>Additionally, our licenses are currently not compatible with the major software licenses, so it would be difficult to integrate CC-licensed work with other free software. Existing software licenses were designed specifically for use with software and offer a similar set of rights to the Creative Commons licenses.</p></blockquote>
<p>At the end of that FAQ, they also say:</p>
<blockquote><p>While we recommend against using a CC license on software itself, CC licenses may be used for software documentation, as well as for separate artistic elements such as game art or music.</p></blockquote>
<p>So, that's a <em>perhaps?</em></p>
<h2 id="gpl"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/#gpl">GPL</a></h2>
<p>But let us assume that an SVG is a piece of media rather than software. Would it be suitable to use a software licence for it?</p>
<p>The various Gnu Public Licences have this to say:</p>
<blockquote><p><a href="https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.en.html#GPLOtherThanSoftware"><strong>Can I use the GPL for something other than software?</strong></a></p>
<p>You can apply the GPL to any kind of work, as long as it is clear what constitutes the “source code” for the work. The GPL defines this as the preferred form of the work for making changes in it.</p></blockquote>
<p>A photo JPEG might be derived from the RAW image file. In which case, the RAW is suitable for being GPL'd, not the resultant JPEG.</p>
<p>Similarly, the Photoshop file of a complex and multi-layered illustration would suitable, but not the outputted PNG.</p>
<p>An SVG can straddle both worlds. It's possible to build an SVG with layers, groups, and transformations, and then simplify it for output. You <em>could</em> edit the optimised version, but it's hardly the preferred format.</p>
<p>I read <a href="https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.en.html">the GPL</a> (so you don't have to) and right at the start it says:</p>
<blockquote><p>The GNU General Public License is a free, copyleft license for software and <strong>other kinds of works</strong>.</p></blockquote>
<p>(Emphasis added.)</p>
<p>But do they mean that?</p>
<blockquote><p><a href="https://www.gnu.org/licenses/licenses.en.html#OtherWorks"><strong>Licenses for Other Types of Works</strong></a></p>
<p>[…]</p>
<p>We don't take the position that artistic or entertainment works must be free, but if you want to make one free, we recommend the <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/License:LAL-1.3">Free Art License</a>.</p></blockquote>
<p>But, as delightful as the Free Art License is, the FSF say:</p>
<blockquote><p>Please don't use it for software or documentation, since it is incompatible with the GNU GPL and with the GNU FDL.</p></blockquote>
<h2 id="is-an-svg-software-or-not"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/#is-an-svg-software-or-not">Is an SVG software or not?</a></h2>
<p>I think so.</p>
<ul>
<li>It's written in plain text.</li>
<li>It contains definitions, variables, and instructions.</li>
<li>It can contain scripting.</li>
</ul>
<p>That sure looks like software to me!</p>
<p>But, at the same time, the user <em>experiences</em> it as a graphic. An animated GIF, for example, contains a small amount of code-like data to say how long each frame should last for and when to stop running. Is a GIF software? Is the basic circle above software? How much code do you need before something becomes software?</p>
<h2 id="are-svgs-libraries"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/#are-svgs-libraries">Are SVGs Libraries?</a></h2>
<p>Licences like the <a href="https://www.gnu.org/licenses/lgpl-3.0.en.html">LGPL</a> and <a href="https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/MPL/2.0/">MPL</a> allow copyleft libraries to be integrated into non-free software.</p>
<p>A proprietary application could treat an SVG as a library by asking the SVG to render the output and then displaying that. A bit of a reach, perhaps?</p>
<h2 id="what-about-embedded-raster-graphics"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/#what-about-embedded-raster-graphics">What about embedded raster graphics?</a></h2>
<p>Just to complicate things, an SVG can <em>also</em> contain raster graphics. That is, it is possible to embed a PNG, JPEG, or any other traditional image within an SVG.</p>
<p>In this case, the embedded image <em>can</em> be Creative Commons licenced because <a href="https://wiki.creativecommons.org/wiki/ShareAlike_compatibility:_GPLv3">CC BY-SA is compatible with GPLv3</a>.</p>
<blockquote><p>When someone creates an adaptation of a BY-SA licensed work and includes it in a GPLv3-licensed project, both licenses apply and downstream users must comply with both licenses. However, Section 2(a)(5)(B) of BY-SA 4.0 allows anyone who receives the adapted material downstream to satisfy the conditions of both BY-SA and GPLv3 (i.e. attribution and ShareAlike) <strong>in the manner dictated by the GPLv3</strong>.</p></blockquote>
<p>(Emphasis added.)</p>
<p>The barest of SVGs containing only an embedded image probably wouldn't count as software. But what if you started applying programmatic transformations to them? This SVG embeds an image and uses software to rotate it upside down.</p>
<pre><code class="language-svg"><svg version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" width="64" height="64">
<image x="0" y="0" width="64" height="64"
transform="rotate(180)"
href="data:image/png;base64,iVB…" />
</svg>
</code></pre>
<p>Is that enough code to count as software?</p>
<h2 id="wisdom-of-the-crowds"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/#wisdom-of-the-crowds">Wisdom of the Crowds</a></h2>
<p>I conducted a rigorously accurate public survey. Here are the results:</p>
<blockquote class="social-embed" id="social-embed-116221315864205051" lang="en" itemscope="" itemtype="https://schema.org/SocialMediaPosting"><header class="social-embed-header" itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a href="https://mastodon.social/@Edent" class="social-embed-user" itemprop="url"><img class="social-embed-avatar" src="data:image/webp;base64,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" alt="" itemprop="image"><div class="social-embed-user-names"><p class="social-embed-user-names-name" itemprop="name">@Edent@mastodon.social</p>Terence Eden</div></a><img class="social-embed-logo" alt="Mastodon" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' aria-label='Mastodon' role='img' viewBox='0 0 512 512' fill='%23fff'%3E%3Cpath d='m0 0H512V512H0'/%3E%3ClinearGradient id='a' y2='1'%3E%3Cstop offset='0' stop-color='%236364ff'/%3E%3Cstop offset='1' stop-color='%23563acc'/%3E%3C/linearGradient%3E%3Cpath fill='url(%23a)' d='M317 381q-124 28-123-39 69 15 149 2 67-13 72-80 3-101-3-116-19-49-72-58-98-10-162 0-56 10-75 58-12 31-3 147 3 32 9 53 13 46 70 69 83 23 138-9'/%3E%3Cpath d='M360 293h-36v-93q-1-26-29-23-20 3-20 34v47h-36v-47q0-31-20-34-30-3-30 28v88h-36v-91q1-51 44-60 33-5 51 21l9 15 9-15q16-26 51-21 43 9 43 60'/%3E%3C/svg%3E"></header><section class="social-embed-text" itemprop="articleBody"><p>An SVG is an image.<br>It is also executable code.</p><p>If you wished to make an SVG open, would you choose a Creative Commons licence or an Open Software licence?</p><div class="social-embed-media-grid"></div><hr class="social-embed-hr"><label for="poll_0">Obviously CC licence, because…: (62)</label><br><meter class="social-embed-meter" id="poll_0" min="0" max="100" low="33" high="66" value="59.0">62</meter><br><label for="poll_1">Duh! It needs an OSI licence, because…: (5)</label><br><meter class="social-embed-meter" id="poll_1" min="0" max="100" low="33" high="66" value="4.8">5</meter><br><label for="poll_2">You're both wrong, it should be…: (3)</label><br><meter class="social-embed-meter" id="poll_2" min="0" max="100" low="33" high="66" value="2.9">3</meter><br><label for="poll_3">Either is fine.: (35)</label><br><meter class="social-embed-meter" id="poll_3" min="0" max="100" low="33" high="66" value="33.3">35</meter><br></section><hr class="social-embed-hr"><footer class="social-embed-footer"><a href="https://mastodon.social/@Edent/116221315864205051"><span aria-label="6 likes" class="social-embed-meta">❤️ 6</span><span aria-label="9 replies" class="social-embed-meta">💬 9</span><span aria-label="14 reposts" class="social-embed-meta">🔁 14</span><time datetime="2026-03-13T10:09:03.343Z" itemprop="datePublished">10:09 - Fri 13 March 2026</time></a></footer></blockquote>
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<h2 id="final-thoughts"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/#final-thoughts">Final Thoughts</a></h2>
<p>Personally, I think SVGs <em>are</em> software. I understand the argument that they're suitable for Creative Commons, but I disagree with it. Even the simplest SVG is distributed in a way that its contents are <em>executed</em> by the computer.</p>
<p>While SVGs may be minified and stripped of comments, they still retain the essence of source code. I suppose you could <em>try</em> to obfuscate them, or package them up in a quasi-binary form, but I maintain the source is still viewable and editable.</p>
<p>If you choose to use a Creative Commons Share-Alike licence, it probably won't cause any harm. But given CC's reluctance to endorse its use on software, it probably makes sense to use a copyleft source-code licence.</p>
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<thr:total>10</thr:total>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Book Review: The Great When by Alan Moore ★★★★☆]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/book-review-the-great-when-by-alan-moore/"/>
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=72033</id>
<updated>2026-06-18T06:18:50Z</updated>
<published>2026-06-18T11:34:19Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="Book Review"/>
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[This is the most overwritten book I've ever read. Unfortunately, Alan Moore knows exactly how much polysyllabic pressure it takes to transmogrify base coal into precious gems. With lines like "his shaved suede skull made him look like a wilted thistle" and "There was a rumour of pink lipstick circling her mouth" you know you're in for a treat. Even better than the joyful prose of Bob…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/book-review-the-great-when-by-alan-moore/"><![CDATA[<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/great-when.webp" alt="Book cover featuring Tower Bridge." width="270" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-72034">
<p>This is the most overwritten book I've ever read. Unfortunately, Alan Moore knows exactly how much polysyllabic pressure it takes to transmogrify base coal into precious gems.</p>
<p>With lines like "his shaved suede skull made him look like a wilted thistle" and "There was a rumour of pink lipstick circling her mouth" you know you're in for a treat. Even better than the joyful prose of <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/12/book-review-the-satsuma-complex-by-bob-mortimer/">Bob Mortimer's Satsuma Complex</a>.</p>
<p>I'm also pretty sure Moore is <em>actually</em> a wizard. I've just finished reading a book about <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/03/book-review-under-fire-black-britain-in-wartime-by-stephen-bourne/">Black Britain in Wartime</a> - which features Ras Prince Monolulu, who also appears in this book. Along with M. P. Shiel - who I did my GCSE coursework on. And, no spoilers, but I'm fairly sure I'd met other characters too. The only logical conclusion is that Moore is stalking my brain.</p>
<p>It is an epic tale full of rogues and reprobates. The story is excellent even though the plot follows a fairly basic structure. Although set up to be a series, it is a satisfying stand-alone tale.</p>
<p>My only real criticism of it is the trope of the "failing light of English magic" - much like Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2021/03/book-review-shades-of-milk-and-honey-glamourist-histories-series-book-1-mary-robinette-kowal/">Shades of Milk and Honey</a>, <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2020/02/book-review-sorcerer-to-the-crown/">Sorcerer to the Crown</a>, <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2024/01/book-review-babel-r-f-kuang/">Babel</a>, and a hundred other books. Britain was a great (magical) power and it's up to our hero to Make Magic Great Again. Well, sort of. I suspect that's going to feature more heavily in the sequels.</p>
<p>A pleasure to read and I look forward to both Alan and I being bitterly disappointed in the Bowdlerised Apple TV miniseries.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=72033&HTTP_REFERER=Atom" alt width="1" height="1" loading="eager">]]></content>
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</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Two Way TV - product photos of 1997's hottest gadget]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/two-way-tv-product-photos-of-1997s-hottest-gadget/"/>
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=72448</id>
<updated>2026-06-18T11:20:03Z</updated>
<published>2026-06-16T11:34:18Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="BBC"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="history"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="internet"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="retrotech"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="tv"/>
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Back in the late 1990s, I did a brief stint of work experience at the BBC. One of the most memorable moments was sitting in on a meeting about early forms of Interactive TV. I saw a demo of "Two Way TV". A flimsy grey box which (somehow) integrated with your OnDigital TV Box and connected to a server via a modem. If you were watching "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" you could play along at home,…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/two-way-tv-product-photos-of-1997s-hottest-gadget/"><![CDATA[<p>Back in the late 1990s, I did a brief stint of work experience at the BBC. One of the most memorable moments was sitting in on a meeting about <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2022/12/early-forms-of-interactive-tv/">early forms of Interactive TV</a>.</p>
<p>I saw a demo of "Two Way TV". A flimsy grey box which (somehow) integrated with your OnDigital TV Box and connected to a server via a modem. If you were watching "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" you could play along at home, send in your answers in realtime, and win REAL CASH PRIZES!!!</p>
<p>An anonymous benefactor read my blog post about the tech, had a pootle through their loft, and found one of the trial boxes they'd been sent in June 1997. With their kind permission, here are some photos of the future we never got.</p>
<p>The unit came in a chunky box with enough logos to convince you it was safe to plug in to the phone network.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Box.webp" alt="Orange box with regulatory logos." width="739" height="344" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72449">
<p>Flipping it over, we see a little more of the tech-specs and a defunct barcode (<code>5033936000023</code> for anyone searching) and product number (<code>SD2044N</code>).</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rear-Box.webp" alt="Box with a barcode and promises of NICAM stereo." width="445" height="751" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72450">
<p>Mmmm! NICAM! So, what did the Set Top Box (STB) actually look like:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/STB.webp" alt="Boring grey box." width="435" height="219" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72452">
<p>Pretty much the same as every other Digital TV STB of the era. A featureless grey slab. Here's a closer view.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/STB-detail.webp" alt="A slight close up showing the logo." width="693" height="126" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72451">
<p>How was it all connected? Here's the rear of the box:
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rear-panel-with-scart-connectors.webp" alt="SCART and other connectors." width="756" height="252" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72453"></p>
<p>Aerial in and out - I assume it had a digital decoder in it, but could pass the analogue channels through to the TV.</p>
<p>Stereo out, for plugging in to your sound system.</p>
<p>SCART in and out. I assume that let you connect your VCR or games console in pass-through mode.</p>
<p>Keyboard looks like a PS/2 port - which would have been the standard at the time. Comms and Remove Receiver both appear to be 8 pin serial connectors.</p>
<p>Finally, there's a standard telephone port for connecting to the dial-up service which makes it all work.</p>
<p>So, you've plugged in all the wires, how do you actually play the games? The unit comes with two controllers - one red and one blue.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Red-Controller.webp" alt="Game controller. Four blue buttons and a primitive touch screen with a red background." width="680" height="435" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72454">
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Blue-Controller.webp" alt="Game controller. Four blue buttons and a primitive touch screen with a blue background." width="640" height="413" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72455">
<p>The four buttons (triangle, square, circle, lozenge) were for answering on-screen questions. There's an up and down scroller in the middle and a help button above it. I don't know what the large grey circle does.</p>
<p>But what's the peculiar button on the coloured background? That's an early cursor control! Commercially available touchscreens were still in their infancy. This physical controller allowed you to position a digital cursor on screen. Nifty!</p>
<p>Also in the box was a TV guide:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Two-Way-TV-Guide.webp" alt="Magazine offering you the ability to play Wheel of Fortune with Jenny." width="374" height="521" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72456">
<p>A getting started leaflet:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Getting-Started-Guide.webp" alt="Getting Started Guide." width="416" height="296" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72458">
<p>There's also a service manual:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Field-Service-SD2044-and-SD2044N.webp" alt="Field Service SD2044 and SD2044N." width="420" height="546" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72457">
<p>I don't know what the difference was between SD2044 and SD2044<strong>N</strong>. Do you?</p>
<p>How much would this amazing interactive experience cost you? I've no idea about the upfront payment for the kit, but there's a Direct Debit form for the monthly subscription.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Direct-Debit-cost.webp" alt="£6.95 per month." width="670" height="466" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72459">
<p>That's about £14 in today's money.</p>
<p>So there you have it! A snapshot of 1997's vision of the future. From my understanding, the box was never a hit with the public. Two Way TV pivoted to other forms of interactive content like premium-rate phone-ins before <a href="https://www.tvforum.co.uk/tvhome/two-way-tv-goes-administration-7314">going bust in 2003</a>.</p>
<p>If you have any more memories of the service, or interesting photos, please leave a comment or <a href="https://edent.tel">get in touch with me</a>.</p>
<p><ins datetime="2026-06-18T11:12:48+00:00">Update!</ins> Some more information has been found:</p>
<blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:pm2zufo32pvn5pkewamnzfcp/app.bsky.feed.post/3moi2iq22zk2s" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreiadpzf356ebgp3tu43h4ecofd4aidn4ahlxs52lu4seaaiovap4ve" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="en">Ooh! Ooh! I have some niche information about this. It appears that stuff was broadcast to these boxes via teletext databroadcast packets - we've seen mysterious data streams with references to two way tv in teletext recoveries from Channel 4 recordings.</p>— ZXGuesser (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:pm2zufo32pvn5pkewamnzfcp?ref_src=embed">@zxguesser.bsky.social</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:pm2zufo32pvn5pkewamnzfcp/post/3moi2iq22zk2s?ref_src=embed">17 June 2026 at 12:59</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<p>With ZXGuesser's kind permission, here are some of the recovered data packets. They're fairly corrupt (recording Teletext to VHS isn't an exact science) but you can see some clear mentions of Two Way TV.</p>
<p>Here's something about a trial period being extended:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/teletext1.webp" alt="Corrupted text code." width="356" height="719" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72538">
<p>This looks like code for a game:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/teletext2.webp" alt="Corrupted text code." width="347" height="704" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72537">
<p>Quiz results by household (possibly test data):</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/teletext3.webp" alt="Corrupted text code." width="351" height="687" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72536">
<p>Control code and UI code, possibly for a 68000 device:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/teletext4.webp" alt="Corrupted text code." width="349" height="752" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72535">
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/teletext5.webp" alt="Corrupted text code." width="352" height="740" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72534">
<p>If you have more info to share, please let me know.</p>
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<thr:total>3</thr:total>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[[RSS Club] What happens to old posts?]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/rss-club-what-happens-to-old-posts/"/>
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=72429</id>
<updated>2026-06-13T12:43:01Z</updated>
<published>2026-06-15T11:34:34Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="[RSS Club]"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="rss"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="RSS Club"/>
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Welcome to RSS Club! These posts are only available to RSS and Atom subscribers. You can read more about the idea at Dave Rupert's site. I recently received an email from a distraught reader: I was going through my recent bookmarks and I found https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/04/rss-club-for-wordpress which I had clearly saved to reference again later. However, as with the nature of RSS Club™, I c…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/rss-club-what-happens-to-old-posts/"><![CDATA[<p>Welcome to RSS Club! These posts are <em>only</em> available to RSS and Atom subscribers. You can read more about the idea at <a href="https://daverupert.com/rss-club/">Dave Rupert's site</a>.</p>
<p>I recently received an email from a distraught reader:</p>
<blockquote><p>I was going through my recent bookmarks and I found <code>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/04/rss-club-for-wordpress</code> which I had clearly saved to reference again later.</p>
<p>However, as with the nature of RSS Club™, I can't just revisit that post in my browser. I'd long since deleted the RSS item in my feed and re-adding your entire feed only fetched the last ~20 items, of which this wasn't one.</p></blockquote>
<p>Oh no! It is true that my feed only goes back 20 entries. As a consequence, older posts are lost in the Time Vortex - much like several episodes of Doctor Who.</p>
<p>My first thought was "is this a bug or a feature?" Perhaps those posts should be ephemeral. It is possible that they've been archived - but it is equally possible that they've drifted away on the breeze like a child's balloon. Do I want people rummaging in the archives to get old club posts?</p>
<p>I think my answer is… I'm happy for them to be inaccessible for the casual reader.</p>
<p>But there are a few ways the determined scholar can find older posts.</p>
<h2 id="manually-save-the-contents"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/rss-club-what-happens-to-old-posts/#manually-save-the-contents">Manually Save The Contents</a></h2>
<p>Your feed reader probably lets you store a permanent copy of a post. You should do that if you want a local version available.</p>
<h2 id="archive-org"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/rss-club-what-happens-to-old-posts/#archive-org">Archive.org</a></h2>
<p>The Internet Archive regularly grabs a copy of my RSS feed. For example - <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20260000000000*/https://shkspr.mobi/blog/feed/atom/">https://web.archive.org/web/20260000000000*/https://shkspr.mobi/blog/feed/atom/</a></p>
<p>You can peruse older versions to your heart's content.</p>
<h2 id="json-api"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/rss-club-what-happens-to-old-posts/#json-api">JSON API</a></h2>
<p>WordPress's JSON API contains the full contents of the post (albeit in a slightly verbose JSON format). You need to know the post's ID.</p>
<p>For example, the JSON for this post itself can be found at <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/72429">https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/72429</a></p>
<h2 id="feed-pagination"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/rss-club-what-happens-to-old-posts/#feed-pagination">Feed Pagination</a></h2>
<p>By default, you only get 20 items per feed. If you'd like to go to the 2nd page of the feed, you can use:</p>
<p><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/feed/atom/?paged=2">https://shkspr.mobi/blog/feed/atom/?paged=2</a></p>
<p>Then <code>?paged=3</code> for the next, etc.</p>
<h2 id="category-feeds"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/rss-club-what-happens-to-old-posts/#category-feeds">Category Feeds</a></h2>
<p>WordPress has build-in support for category-specific feeds. So, if you want to subscribe to <em>only</em> the RSS Club posts, you may use <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/category/rss-club/feed/">https://shkspr.mobi/blog/category/rss-club/feed/</a></p>
<p>This also works with tags, for example <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/tag/rss-club/feed/">https://shkspr.mobi/blog/tag/rss-club/feed/</a></p>
<p>They <em>should</em> both be the same, but I primarily use categories to differentiate between club and non-club posts.</p>
<h2 id="email"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/rss-club-what-happens-to-old-posts/#email">Email</a></h2>
<p>Feel free to email me if you can't find something. My contact details are on <a href="https://edent.tel/">https://edent.tel/</a></p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=72429&HTTP_REFERER=Atom" alt width="1" height="1" loading="eager">]]></content>
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<thr:total>0</thr:total>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Did Frank Sinatra really think "Something" was a Lennon/McCartney song?]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/"/>
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=71464</id>
<updated>2026-06-14T11:08:05Z</updated>
<published>2026-06-14T11:34:16Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="quote"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="yak shaving"/>
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Read enough articles about The Beatles and you'll repeatedly hit the claim that Frank Sinatra frequently introduced his cover of George Harrison's "Something" as his "favourite Lennon & McCartney number." Much like the misquote about Ringo not being the best drummer in The Beatles, I think this might be one of those semi-apocryphal lines which has taken on a life of its own. Here's what Paul…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/"><![CDATA[<p>Read enough articles about The Beatles and you'll repeatedly hit the claim that Frank Sinatra frequently introduced his cover of George Harrison's "Something" as his "favourite Lennon & McCartney number."</p>
<p>Much like the misquote about <a href="https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/john-lennon-ringo-best-drummer/">Ringo not being the best drummer in The Beatles</a>, I think this might be one of those semi-apocryphal lines which has taken on a life of its own.</p>
<p>Here's what Paul McCartney has to say in The Beatles Anthology, Episode 4.</p>
<p></p><div style="width: 620px;" class="wp-video"><video class="wp-video-shortcode" id="video-71464-2" width="620" height="511" poster="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/macca.webp" preload="metadata" controls="controls"><source type="video/webm" src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Sinatra.webm?_=2"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Sinatra.webm">https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Sinatra.webm</a></video></div><p></p>
<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles_Anthology_(TV_series)">That was broadcast in 1995</a> - so we need to look for sources from before that.</p>
<p>There's not <em>much</em> Internet before the mid-1990s. Google's mismanagement of the USENET archives is a cultural obscenity. Nevertheless, we can find a <em>few</em> references which predate McCartney's broadcast.</p>
<p>1994-12-26</p>
<blockquote><p><a href="https://groups.google.com/g/rec.music.beatles/c/fGBPpkwUMuU/m/h_cdIFD8jRwJ">Frankie used to introduce "Something" as his "tribute to Mr. Lennon and Mr. McCartney" ;^)</a></p></blockquote>
<p>1990-03-05</p>
<blockquote><p><a href="https://groups.google.com/g/rec.music.beatles/c/VeAi89TapCE/m/Cc0uJloNjEoJ">In fact, a friend of mine (a supposed Beatle fan; turns out she's really just a L/M fan), were having a discussion about this very subject, she, just like Frank Sinatra, didn't know that George wrote "Something." Duh.</a></p></blockquote>
<p>So it was certainly a proto-meme back then.</p>
<p>Of the thousands of Beatles books, I can't find any from before the mid-1990s which mention Sinatra's misattribution.</p>
<p>For example, <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Complete_Guide_to_the_Music_of_the_B/6Ss5AQAAIAAJ">1994's The Complete Guide to the Music of the Beatles</a> simply says:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/greatest-love-song.webp" alt="Frank Sinatra called "the greatest love song ever written"." width="600" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-71466">
<p>Similarly, there are plenty of books and articles about Sinatra - lots of them talk about Something, but never this supposed misrepresentation. In <a href="https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=veUCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA31&dq=sinatra+%22something%22+lennon+mccartney&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi99q_z_amUAxW9UEEAHQonLawQ6AF6BAgNEAM#v=onepage&q=sinatra%20%22something%22%20lennon%20mccartney&f=false">1980's New York Magazine</a>, Sinatra is interviewed and says:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/rainy.webp" alt="George Harrison "His 'Something' is a beauty."" width="600" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-71467">
<p>There are <a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=sinatra+something">many videos of Sinatra singing Something</a> on YouTube - <strong>none</strong> of them have him introducing the song as a Lennon/McCartney number.</p>
<p>Indeed, here's one where he introduces it as being by George Harrison.</p>
<iframe title="Frank Sinatra - Something" width="620" height="465" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YcIxxP_pOSc?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<p>I think that's <a href="https://www.sinatra.com/frank-sinatra-timeline/page/3/">1982's The Concert for the Americas - in the Dominican Republic</a>.</p>
<p>Here's a 1985 concert where he introduces it as being by George Harrison of The Beatles.</p>
<iframe title="Something Frank Sinatra (Live in HD)" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y_pEu3otPX0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<p>Way back in 1978 at Sinatra's Caesar’s Palace Concert, he introduces it with "George Harrison wrote it" and finishes with "by George Harrison".</p>
<iframe title="Frank Sinatra 1978 Caesar&apos;s Palace Las Vegas" width="620" height="465" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qJhW9R5PybA?start=1324&feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<p>Even back in 1975, during a <a href="https://youtu.be/mBifNX8vzYM?t=1073">concert in Jerusalem</a> he was crediting Harrison, saying:</p>
<blockquote><p>Every one of The Beatles was a very talented young man individually. And here's an example of George Harrison with a great love song."</p></blockquote>
<p>I've now listened to dozens of recordings of Sinatra singing Something live and in <em>none</em> of them does he so much as mention John Lennon or Paul McCartney.</p>
<p>So is the quote apocryphal? Possibly not!</p>
<p>Less than a year after John Lennon was murdered, Sinatra treated Carnegie Hall<sup id="fnref:ch"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fn:ch" class="footnote-ref" title="After all, Sinatra had a lot of practice!" role="doc-noteref">0</a></sup> to a series of 11 concerts.</p>
<p>On 10th September 1981, John Rockwell published <a href="https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/pop-sinatra-at-carnegie/docview/424187532/se-2">Pop: Sinatra at Carnegie</a> - a review of the opening night of Sinatra's concert series at New York City's Carnegie Hall:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/cocky-stance.webp" alt="Mr. Sinatra is no friend of the electric pop music of the last 25 years. Yet his cocky stance dovetails neatly with the punk defiance of the rock generation. And his treatment of material by younger writers - including a John Lennon tribute with a Beatles song - while not always idiomatic, carries with it a conviction that bridges gaps again. " width="600" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-71476">
<p>Also on the 10th, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/search/results/?country=us&keyword=%22mr.+lennon.+Also+Mr.+McCartney%22&sort=paper-date-asc">a clutch of US papers reproduced a story</a> by the <a href="https://www.deseret.com/2012/10/19/20442745/mary-campbell-music-writer-for-the-ap-dies-at-78/">inimitable Mary Campbell of the Associated Press</a>.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Mary-Campbell.webp" alt="By MARY CAMPBELL Associated Press Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Frank Sinatra has opened 11 concerts at Carnegie Hall proving Wednesday night he still can mine deeper into the heart of a song than just about anybody around. Some may have thought "New York, New York," his final song in his hour and a quarter concert, was his best one. He sang it with verve, vigor and rich tone, bent the last note just exactly right and in general sounded about the age of Liza Minnelli, who has been known to sing it too. And it got him a standing ovation. But we thought the high point of the evening was "Something." Sinatra introduced the song, written and recorded by the Beatles, by saying, "In a sense this is a personal tribute to Mr. Lennon. Also Mr. McCartney." (The song was written by Beatle George Harrison.)" width="600" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-71844">
<p>Most of the syndicated versions <a href="https://www.nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=coe19810911-01.1.2&srpos=1&e=------198-en-20--1--txt-txIN-sinatra+%22personal+tribute%22---------">leave out the parenthetical remarks</a>.</p>
<p>On the 11th, Patricia O'Haire published a somewhat snide review of the September 9th concert in <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/image/488687995/?terms=harrison&match=1">The New York Daily News</a></p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/one-quibble.webp" alt="Only one quibble, and it's minor. Sinatra started on song by saying "This is my personal tribute to Mr. Lennon and Mr. McCartney" then proceeded to sing "Something" a lovely ballad. Really lovely. Except it was written by George Harrison, whose name, unfortunately, was never mentioned." width="600" height="209" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-71880">
<p>On 14th September 1981, a British newspaper re-reported the comment:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/blue-eyes-red-face.webp" alt="Blue eyes, red face. FRANK SINATRA is now singing the old Beatles number “Something" at his concerts. “In a sense,” says Ol' Blue Eyes, “ this is a personal tribute to Mr Lennon. Also to Mr McCartney.” It would be churlish, I suppose, to point out that the song was actually written by Mr Harrison." width="308" height="735" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-71501">
<p>That's the <a href="https://britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/search/results/1970-01-01/1981-12-31?basicsearch=sinatra%20something%20lennon&somesearch=sinatra%20something%20lennon&exactsearch=false&retrievecountrycounts=false&newspapertitle=daily%2bexpress">Daily Express</a> by Rob Benson, their Los Angeles correspondent<sup id="fnref:now"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fn:now" class="footnote-ref" title="It is odd that the reporter describes Sinatra as "now" singing Something when it had been in his repertoire for over a decade. About the right level of journalistic rigour expected of the Express." role="doc-noteref">1</a></sup>.</p>
<p>By the 29th of September 1981, the story had made it to <a href="https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1240384507/view?sectionId=nla.obj-1569027603&partId=nla.obj-1240470436">Australian Financial Times' The Bulletin</a>.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/australian.webp" alt="Frank Sinatra, the Mafia's favorite crooner, is soft on the Beatles. He's included their classic Something in his latest concert, effusing: "In a sense this is a personal tribute to Mr Lennon. Also to Mr McCartney." All of which is a bit tough on George Harrison, who wrote the song." width="600" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-71593">
<p>It's unclear how many of those journalists were actually at the concert. I assume John Rockwell, Mary Campbell, and Patricia O'Haire were as they published fairly detailed reviews.</p>
<p>Tracking down a set-list for that long-gone concert is tricky. <a href="https://www.carnegiehall.org/About/History/Performance-History-Search?q=&dex=prod_PHS&page=3&pf=Frank%20Sinatra_">Carnegie Hall themselves</a> get the dates wrong in their archive and say the first performance was on the 8th, and their set-list is sourced from Setlist.fm rather than their own records. The <a href="https://www.freelists.org/post/sinatraphiles/September-9-THIS-DATE-IN-SINATRA-HISTORY,13#:~:text=1981">Sinatraphiles mailing list</a> has a set-list for the 9th which does include "Something".</p>
<p>There's a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4408990110/frank-sinatra-carnegie-hall-1981">purported recording of the September 10th concert</a> with a set-list on the reverse:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/cd-back.webp" alt="CD track listing." width="514" height="514" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-71477">
<p>There's no "Lennon" song - the only Beatles number is "Something". Let's take a listen to the introduction from that bootleg recording.</p>
<p></p><figure class="audio">
<figcaption>🔊 Something<br>🎤 Frank Sinatra</figcaption>
<audio controls="" loading="lazy" src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Something.mp3">
<p>💾 <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Something.mp3">Download this audio file</a>.</p>
</audio>
</figure><p></p>
<p>"A beautiful song by George Harrison. Maybe one of the best love songs ever written."<sup id="fnref:intro"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fn:intro" class="footnote-ref" title="Later on, in the introduction to "Luck Be A Lady Tonight", he sarcastically describes Marlon Brando as "America's great baritone!". There are quite a few jokey moments in the performance - so it is…" role="doc-noteref">2</a></sup></p>
<p>So, that's a handful of contemporary sources who mention that Frank Sinatra <em>once</em> introduced "Something" as being composed by someone other than Harrison.</p>
<p>The only recording is of the concert the next day - and it doesn't includes that "blooper".</p>
<p>There's no other mentions I can find which directly cite a specific concert or performance.</p>
<p>Did Sinatra ever say it was his "favourite Lennon and McCartney song"? He sang in thousands of shows<sup id="fnref:dean"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fn:dean" class="footnote-ref" title="Incidentally, as far as I can tell, Sinatra first sang "Something" in December 1970 on The Dean Martin Show - about a year after its release on Abbey Road. Sinatra's performance doesn't contain him…" role="doc-noteref">3</a></sup>, not all of which were recorded<sup id="fnref:rec"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fn:rec" class="footnote-ref" title="I spoke to one collector who said:
> I also checked all of the other collectors lists I have, and they do not have it either, I do however have reference to its existence via a notecard that…" role="doc-noteref">4</a></sup>, so it is entirely possible he mentioned it. But you'd expect more than a few reporters would write about it, wouldn't you?</p>
<p>The origin of the "quote", as far as I can tell, is from an interview Paul McCartney gave to David Hinckley in the <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/search/results/?city=New+York&county=New+York&date=1984&keyword=sinatra+something+lennon+mccartney&region=us-ny">New York Daily News on 21st October 1984</a>.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Macca-Interview.webp" alt=""And George - well, John and I did write most of the early material, but he developed into a helluva writer. Look at 'Something.' Sinatra still sings that." It's mentioned that Sinatra also has been known to introduce it as "my favorite Lennon-McCartney song." "Well, yeah," says Paul, "that's what George is up against."" width="600" height="413" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-71891">
<p>That's the first time that I can see "Something" mentioned as Sinatra's "favorite Lennon-McCartney song".</p>
<p>I went rummaging through some reviews of Frank's concert performance which included "Something" in the set list.</p>
<p>His concert at the Palladium:</p>
<blockquote><p>And Frank sings 'Something'. It's OK. The Vanilla Fudge were more adept at Beatle rewrites however.</p>
<p>Chris Salewicz. "<a href="https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/frank-sinatra-palladium-london">Frank Sinatra: Palladium, London</a>". New Musical Express (1975).</p></blockquote>
<p>His concert at the Royal Albert Hall:</p>
<blockquote><p>Superb renditions of Jim Webb's 'Didn't We?' and Harrison's 'Something' were recreated with a totally unique empathy. "Real Songs, beautiful songs", he said fervently, no trace of show-biz cant.</p>
<p>Max Bell. "<a href="https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/frank-sinatra-royal-albert-hall-london">Frank Sinatra: Royal Albert Hall, London</a>". New Musical Express (1975).</p></blockquote>
<p>And another report of the same gig:</p>
<blockquote><p>Jimmy Webb's 'Didn't We' and the classic 'Nice And Easy', were exceptionally good, standing out easily among lacklustre renditions of 'Something', 'Strangers In The Night' and a David Gates song. In between, Sinatra delivered various controversial raps designed to instigate audience loyalties but proved that Sinatra should open his mouth only when singing.</p>
<p>Barbara Charone. "<a href="https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/frank-sinatra-royal-albert-hall-london-2">Frank Sinatra: Royal Albert Hall, London</a>". Sounds (1975).</p></blockquote>
<p>I've read dozens of gig reviews of old Sinatra concerts and they all contain various levels of snark about his performance, song choice, and politics - so you'd expect British reporters would have picked up on the misattribution, wouldn't you?</p>
<p>Instead, there's two slightly contradictory reports of one single concert and no suggestion that Sinatra himself said it was his "favorite Lennon-McCartney song". Given that he <em>repeatedly</em> credited George Harrison in the decade leading up to that concert, I think it is fair to say the "quote" has taken on a significance far beyond its actual importance.</p>
<p>If you have a recording of Sinatra introducing "Something" as a Lennon/McCartney number - or any other <em>contemporary</em> reports of that - please drop a comment in the box.</p>
<div id="footnotes" role="doc-endnotes">
<hr aria-label="Footnotes">
<ol start="0">
<li id="fn:ch">
<p>After all, Sinatra had a <em>lot</em> of practice! <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fnref:ch" class="footnote-backref" role="doc-backlink">↩︎</a></p>
</li>
<li id="fn:now">
<p>It is odd that the reporter describes Sinatra as "now" singing Something when it had been in his repertoire for over a decade. About the right level of journalistic rigour expected of the Express. <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fnref:now" class="footnote-backref" role="doc-backlink">↩︎</a></p>
</li>
<li id="fn:intro">
<p>Later on, in the introduction to "Luck Be A Lady Tonight", he sarcastically describes Marlon Brando as "America's great baritone!". There are quite a few jokey moments in the performance - so it is entirely possible his Lennon & McCartney remark was a quip. <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fnref:intro" class="footnote-backref" role="doc-backlink">↩︎</a></p>
</li>
<li id="fn:dean">
<p>Incidentally, as far as I can tell, Sinatra first sang "Something" in December 1970 on <a href="https://www.freelists.org/post/sinatraphiles/December-31-THIS-DATE-IN-SINATRA-HISTORY,3#:~:text=something">The Dean Martin Show</a> - about a year after its release on Abbey Road. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkqjOUksnSA">Sinatra's performance</a> doesn't contain him saying anything about the song. <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fnref:dean" class="footnote-backref" role="doc-backlink">↩︎</a></p>
</li>
<li id="fn:rec">
<p>I spoke to one collector who said:</p>
<blockquote><p>I also checked all of the other collectors lists I have, and they do not have it either, I do however have reference to its existence via a notecard that represents a massive collection. What this means is that the concert could exist, but more than likely has never been digitized. Many Sinatra concerts are still stuck on reel to reels from the 70s and 80s and have never been transferred to the digital realm and shared on the internet.</p></blockquote>
<p><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fnref:rec" class="footnote-backref" role="doc-backlink">↩︎</a></p>
</li>
</ol>
</div>
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<link href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Something.mp3" rel="enclosure" length="171206" type="audio/mpeg"/>
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</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Gadget Review: TP Link EH210 Ethernet Splitter (USB-C) ★★★★★]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/gadget-review-tp-link-eh210-ethernet-splitter-usb-c/"/>
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=69083</id>
<updated>2026-04-20T13:34:04Z</updated>
<published>2026-06-12T11:34:18Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="gadget"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="review"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="usb-c"/>
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[When I ran Ethernet around our house, I thought I was being clever. A CAT6 cable for every room - lush! Some of my rooms have lots of devices, so they get a nice big Ethernet switch with lots of ports and blinking lights. But most of my rooms don't have that many devices. Our gym had only an Internet connected TV so that I could watch Quibi while exercising. Recently we added a Kodi box so that…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/gadget-review-tp-link-eh210-ethernet-splitter-usb-c/"><![CDATA[<p>When I ran Ethernet around our house, I thought I was being clever. A CAT6 cable for every room - lush! Some of my rooms have lots of devices, so they get a nice big Ethernet switch with lots of ports and blinking lights.</p>
<p>But most of my rooms don't have <em>that</em> many devices. Our gym had only an Internet connected TV so that I could watch Quibi while exercising. Recently we added a Kodi box so that I could stream Linux ISOs while sweating on my static bike. Was it worth running another cable there? No. Did I want to buy an expensive hub or switch with multiple ports? Also no.</p>
<p>Enter the EH210. I bought it because it is USB-C powered - as everything should be.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/tp-link-eh210.webp" alt="Square device with four cables protruding." width="1024" height="768" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-69085">
<p>The USB cable it came with was reasonably long. I shoved the A end into the TV and the C end into the device. When the TV is off, it doesn't supply any power to its USB ports - which is perfect for me. When the TV is on, the splitter wakes up quickly and starts blinking its little lights.</p>
<p>The metal chassis is good at dissipating the heat. The lights aren't egregiously bright. Both outbound Ethernet work simultaneously and they are fast enough for video streaming. The supplied Ethernet cable seemed fine.</p>
<p>And… That's all there is to say about it really. For a tenner (depending on The Algorithm) it's a decent bit of kit. If you dont need a fully provisioned switch integrated with your mesh network, this is just the ticket.</p>
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<thr:total>16</thr:total>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Book Review: The Husbands by Holly Gramazio ★★★★★]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/book-review-the-husbands-by-holly-gramazio/"/>
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=72037</id>
<updated>2026-06-10T09:39:13Z</updated>
<published>2026-06-10T11:34:55Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="Book Review"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="feminism"/>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="Sci Fi"/>
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Ooooh! This is a lovely treat of a book. Every time Lauren sends her husband into the loft, a different man comes down. Her past is rewritten and she has now been married to Dave/Gary/Bob/Whoever for a year, a month, a decade, a minute. This isn't like how Groundhog Day became On The Calculation of Volume or Sliding Doors became The Names, instead this is a new and twisty concept rendered…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/book-review-the-husbands-by-holly-gramazio/"><![CDATA[<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/9781529920369-jacket-large.webp" alt="Book cover. A woman holds a ladder with a man on it." width="326" height="500" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-72042">
<p>Ooooh! This is a lovely treat of a book. Every time Lauren sends her husband into the loft, a different man comes down. Her past is rewritten and she has now been married to Dave/Gary/Bob/Whoever for a year, a month, a decade, a minute.</p>
<p>This isn't like how Groundhog Day became <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/02/book-review-on-the-calculation-of-volume-solvej-balle/">On The Calculation of Volume</a> or Sliding Doors became <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/05/book-review-the-names-by-florence-knapp/">The Names</a>, instead this is a new and twisty concept rendered through the lens of a chick-lit comedy.</p>
<p>It's proper laugh-aloud funny, while playing with all the clichés of both sci-fi and romcoms.</p>
<p>The thing I liked most is that Lauren is an <em>active</em> and intelligent protagonist unlike, say, Carol Sturka from Pluribus. Sturka never engages with the premise of her odd situation, she doesn't try to discover the rules of the world she's living in and is content to let things happen <em>to</em> her. Lauren spends a good deal of time at least trying to get to grips with the (un)reality of her husband-dispensing portal. I found that made for a rather gratifying story and didn't leave me shouting at the pages "JUST TRY SOMETHING!"</p>
<p>It's also refreshing to follow the adventures of a (slight) antihero. Lauren mostly knows when she is being monstrous. She flings between feminism and self-directed misogyny - with a smattering of misandry. Her discrimination against those of us men who wear socks with individual toes is, of course, an unforgivable sin.</p>
<p>The pacing is excellent - with an perfectly timed plot twist just as things are settling down. The afterword talks briefly about the multiple possible endings that were considered. I'd love to know what ideas were rejected although, in retrospect, there's only one narratively satisfying conclusion.</p>
<p>I read a lot of <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/tag/sci-fi/">science fiction</a> - probably more than is healthy - and The Husbands is a welcome addition to my shelf. The practicalities of the plot-device are as unimportant as how Warp Drive works; science fiction is about exploring the possibilities of a fantastical situation. If you could instantly swap your spouse because they lost the TV remote <em>again</em> - would you? In a world of no consequences, what would you get away with? If you discovered a break in reality, what would you try in order to exploit or understand it?</p>
<p>The Husbands gets fairly dark. Never grim, exactly, but it gnaws away at the cosiness proffered by domestic bliss. Although Lauren can be a bit of a bitch, the story just about strays away from making her morally repugnant. An exemplary piece of storytelling.</p>
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<title type="text">Terence Eden’s Blog</title>
<subtitle type="text">Regular nonsense about tech and its effects 🙃</subtitle>
<updated>2026-07-14T11:12:48Z</updated>
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<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[I'm a USB-C Maximalist]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/im-a-usb-c-maximalist/" />
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=72474</id>
<updated>2026-07-14T11:12:48Z</updated>
<published>2026-07-14T11:34:26Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="technology" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="travel" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="usb-c" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[My wife and I recently went on a 7 week holiday around Europe. Although we each took a massive backpack, we wanted to travel fairly lightly. I took a single universal power brick. This little unit was all I needed to charge my various gadgets. It has a hefty USB-C PD (Power Delivery) port for rapid charging of my phone and laptop. Two other USB-C ports for my other gadgets. And a couple of…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/im-a-usb-c-maximalist/"><![CDATA[<p>My wife and I recently went on <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/">a 7 week holiday around Europe</a>. Although we each took a massive backpack, we wanted to travel fairly lightly. I took a single universal power brick. This little unit was all I needed to charge my various gadgets.</p>
<p><a href="https://amzn.to/3SFGbSw"><img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/61CMB5ms3DL._AC_AIweblab1006854T4_FMavif_SF875.0875.0_PQ67_.jpg.avif" alt="A purple power adaptor with multiple USB ports." width="320" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72480"></a></p>
<p>It has a hefty USB-C PD (Power Delivery) port for rapid charging of my phone and laptop. Two other USB-C ports for my other gadgets. And a couple of legacy USB-A ports which were redundant. The pass through was useful for using the same socket as the hotel's TV / lamp / coffee maker.</p>
<p>Wherever we were in the world, I was 100% confident that I would be able to buy a replacement charger if I needed it. USB-C cables are everywhere too. What are the chances that I could find the exact charger needed for a GameBoy Colour? Or the puck for last year's Pixel watch? Or the weird barrel jack for an HP laptop?</p>
<p>No. One charger. One cable. One standard.</p>
<p>Here's everything I took which needed to be recharged.</p>
<ul>
<li>Phone
<ul>
<li>A Pixel 8 Pro (running GrapheneOS). It also has the ability to act as a power source and recharge other devices.</li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/05/gadget-review-chuwi-minibook-x-n150-linux/">Laptop</a>
<ul>
<li>A Chuwi MiniBook. Small, light, decent battery.</li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2019/11/gadget-review-boyue-likebook-ares/">eReader</a>
<ul>
<li>A no-name eInk device. I read a <em>lot</em> on holiday.</li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/08/i-bought-a-16-smartwatch-just-because-it-used-usb-c/">Watch</a>
<ul>
<li>A cheap but capable smartwatch. No magnetic charging dongle - just shove the cable into the body.</li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/4xpOkKZ">Toothbrush</a>
<ul>
<li>Again, a cheap and unbranded device. And, again, no charging dock - the bottom has a protected USB socket.<br><img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Imagepipe_36.webp" alt="The bottom of an electric toothbrush. Under a flap is a USB-C port." width="2048" height="1535" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72482"></li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/01/review-pebblebee-clip-universal-and-android-find-my-device-tracker/">Tracker</a>
<ul>
<li>What if someone steals my bag? Hopefully the PebbleBee "Find My" device will help me recover it.</li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2020/09/review-a-portable-battery-with-usb-power-delivery/">Battery</a>
<ul>
<li>Most trains, trams, and buses have USB power supplies. But sometimes you want your own hefty store of electrons. This one accepts PD charging and also outputs PD.</li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/11/gadget-review-soundpeats-clip1-cuff-headphones/">Headphones</a>
<ul>
<li>Some cute ear-cuff headphones. I feel a bit guilty about including these, because it is their case which has the USB-C port rather than the cans themselves.</li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2023/12/usb-c-cures-mosquito-bites/">Bug Bite Zapper</a>
<ul>
<li>This is a bit of a cheat. It uses my phone's USB port to heat up.</li>
</ul></li>
</ul>
<p>I probably could have gotten away with a single-port charger. The phone needs recharging every night, but most of the other devices can go days or weeks without being topped up.</p>
<p>As we were travelling light(ish) I didn't bother bringing the Nintendo Switch. We were in a major cities, so no need for our USB-C powered <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2024/07/walkie-talkie-review-zx-808/">walkie-talkies</a>. We were out sightseeing most days, so I didn't take the USB-C to <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/11/review-benfei-wireless-usb-c-to-hdmi/">HDMI adaptor</a> which would have let us connect the laptop and phones to a hotel TV. Perhaps in the hotter countries I could have done with the USB-C <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2021/07/gadget-review-usb-c-powered-semiconductor-neck-cooler/">neck cooler</a> - instead I purchased a cheap USB-C rechargeable fan. Rather than bring a beard trimmer, I went to local barbers. If anything needed AA batteries, well, I could have used these <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2024/01/gadget-review-usb-c-aa-batteries/">rechargeable batteries</a>.</p>
<p>I know there are some problems with USB-C. But the benefits far outweigh the glitches. Using my <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/06/gadget-review-treedix-usb-cable-tester/">USB-C cable tester</a>, I can be sure all the cables I have can deliver the amount of power my devices need.</p>
<p>There's simply no point buying any electrical gadget which uses a proprietary charging port.</p>
<p>You can read <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/tag/usb-c/">all my USB-C posts</a> and all my <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/tag/gadget/">gadget reviews</a>.</p>
<p>What electrical items do you travel with which don't use the one-true-connector?</p>
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</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[[RSS Club] Half a million steps is about 10 marathons]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/rss-club-half-a-million-steps-is-about-10-marathons/" />
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=73094</id>
<updated>2026-07-11T21:25:54Z</updated>
<published>2026-07-13T11:34:09Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="[RSS Club]" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="RSS Club" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Shhh! RSS Club posts are only available to feed subscribers. Keep the secret! I'm not a big fan of the "Quantified Self" movement, but since buying a ridiculously cheap smartwatch, I've been interested to see just how many steps I take per day. During our recent Interrail holiday, we travelled about 6,400 Km by train over 49 days. But how much did we cover by foot? My watch pairs with the Open …]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/rss-club-half-a-million-steps-is-about-10-marathons/"><![CDATA[<p><mark>Shhh! RSS Club posts are only available to feed subscribers. Keep the secret!</mark></p>
<p>I'm not a big fan of the "Quantified Self" movement, but since buying <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/08/i-bought-a-16-smartwatch-just-because-it-used-usb-c/">a ridiculously cheap smartwatch</a>, I've been interested to see just how many steps I take per day.</p>
<p>During <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/">our recent Interrail holiday</a>, we travelled about 6,400 Km by train over 49 days. But how much did we cover by foot?</p>
<p>My watch pairs with the Open Source app Gadgetbridge rather than the crappy app made by the manufacturer. Sadly, Gadgetbridge doesn't have a simple way to export data in a usable format. Instead, it spews out a database dump and asks you to <a href="https://gadgetbridge.org/internals/development/data-management/#steps-per-day">run SQL commands to get information out</a>.</p>
<p>After a bit of swearing at the command-line, I got my daily step count. I didn't <em>always</em> wear my watch, but this is accurate enough for my purposes.</p>
<p>In seven weeks, I took 545,453 steps.</p>
<p>The average stride length for someone my height is around 80 cm.</p>
<p>So that's a total of about 436,362 metres</p>
<p>A marathon is about 42 Km.</p>
<p>No wonder I feel knackered. I think I need a holiday to recover!</p>
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</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Another Ridiculous Interrail Holiday - 6,379Km and 13 Countries over 7 weeks]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/" />
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=73007</id>
<updated>2026-07-09T13:24:47Z</updated>
<published>2026-07-12T11:34:43Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="holiday" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="interrail" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="trains" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="travel" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Last year, my wife and I went on a 5,025 Km Interrail adventure. We got the month-long unlimited pass and saw 10 Countries in 30 Days. That was a bit too intense. So this year we got the 15 travel days in 2 months package. We grabbed the 1st class tickets when they went on sale in December. Here's how our journey ended up: The trip included two ferries - one overnight - which had a small…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/"><![CDATA[<p>Last year, my wife and I went on a <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/06/5025-km-21-journeys-and-10-countries-in-30-days-an-interrailing-adventure/">5,025 Km Interrail adventure</a>. We got the month-long unlimited pass and saw 10 Countries in 30 Days. That was a bit too intense. So this year we got the 15 travel days in 2 months package. We grabbed the 1st class tickets when they went on sale in December.</p>
<p>Here's how our journey ended up:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Long-Interrail-Journey.webp" alt="A map of Europe with several countries connected by a black line." width="1526" height="1505" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-73008">
<p>The trip included two ferries - one overnight - which had a small Interrail discount. In total we spent approximately 40 hours on trains over a 7 week trip.</p>
<p>This blog post looks at the practicalities of the journey and the experience we had while travelling. You are free to decide which cities you want to visit and which you want to skip. This worked (mostly) for us - you should write a blog post about your own experiences.</p>
<h2 id="london-to-brussels"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#london-to-brussels">London To Brussels</a></h2>
<p>Eurostar St Pancras is dangerously crowded and needs tearing down. You can use <a href="https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:STP?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=ES">RealTimeTrains to see your departure platform before it is announced</a> - that's useful for avoiding some of the queues.</p>
<p>The first-class service in Eurostar is lovely (even if it doesn't get you access to the lounge). Unfortunately, you need to book vegan meals a few days in advance - a deadline I missed. The veggie option was fine though.</p>
<p>Made it to Brussels where we hit our first snag.</p>
<h2 id="brussels-to-hamburg"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#brussels-to-hamburg">Brussels to Hamburg</a></h2>
<p>We'd booked some of our tickets months in advance. What we hadn't realised is that construction work had been announced and our train would be getting is much later than we anticipated.</p>
<p>Neither Interrail (who we booked the seat reservations through) nor DB (who had our contact details) thought to tell us about the change in journey. Nevertheless, we jumped on a train and had a pleasant enough trip up to Germany.</p>
<p>The Interrail refund form is ridiculously complicated and asks for various screenshots. There really ought to be a big "DB Screwed Up" button for an instant refund. Still, after a couple of days the refund came through.</p>
<h2 id="hamburg-to-copenhagen"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#hamburg-to-copenhagen">Hamburg to Copenhagen</a></h2>
<p>There's a DB lounge at the station. We received suspicious stares at our Interrail passes which then necessitated deep examination of our seat reservation by two people. Begrudgingly they let us in. There were comfortable seats and some free drinks. It was mostly quiet until various children started crying.</p>
<p>The train was gentle and slow. 1st class got a snack included - veggie but not vegan. For the first time since leaving the UK there were passport checks which were friendly.</p>
<p>At one point there was a quiet announcement in German. We didn't think much of it until everyone started getting off the train. Turns out one of the carriages had suffered a failure and we were turfed out at Nyborg. Approximately 1,000 passengers attempted to board the next available train - it looked like an utter crush. So we waited for the one after that.</p>
<p>We were treated to a train with spectacular panoramic windows as it went over The Bridge.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/big-windows.webp" alt="Standing in front of a big window with the water behind us." width="1024" height="1439" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-73015">
<p>A friendly guard told us where to change. Arrived a little late and filled in the Interrail compensation form again.</p>
<h2 id="copenhagen-to-goteborg"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#copenhagen-to-goteborg">Copenhagen to Göteborg</a></h2>
<p>The lounge in Copenhagen was basic but fine. A few bowls of fruit and a coffee machine but nothing else. Weirdly no train display.</p>
<p>The train had power sockets on the ceiling - along with headphone jacks! Was a little strange seeing cables dripping down from the ceiling. The 1st class seats were a little roomier than standard, but not much in it. Ticket inspector looked confused at Interrail passes but didn't challenge us.</p>
<h2 id="goteborg-to-oslo"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#goteborg-to-oslo">Göteborg to Oslo</a></h2>
<p>Trains were frequent enough that we didn't bother with advance seat reservations. No 1st class, but the quiet zone was spacious enough. Again, a brief glance at the tickets rather than scanning them.</p>
<p>I was heartily impressed to see snack vending machines on a train! Better than someone pushing a cart through I reckon.</p>
<h2 id="oslo-to-stockholm"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#oslo-to-stockholm">Oslo to Stockholm</a></h2>
<p>There were no signs on seats to say reserved and the service was very full. But we got our seats without a problem. There was free fruit and tea / water in the 1st class carriage. WiFi speeds were excellent.</p>
<h2 id="stockholm-to-helsinki-overnight-ferry"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#stockholm-to-helsinki-overnight-ferry">Stockholm to Helsinki (overnight ferry)</a></h2>
<p>Annoyingly, the ferry terminal is a rather long distance from the nearest tram stop which was a bit of an arse.</p>
<p>The check-in to the ferry warns of extra costs if you have the temerity to use the staffed counters - but the automatic check in wouldn't work with our tickets. They wanted to check that we were eligible for the Interrail discount, so we showed them the app - we didn't have to spend a travel day though. They printed out our tickets and didn't charge us extra.</p>
<p>The boat itself was gorgeous. Obviously not full - many of the bars were empty and the disco was dead - but surprisingly they put on a full song and dance show as entertainment. We'd made reservations at one of the fancy restaurants, which was perfectly nice. It was breathtakingly beautiful outside.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ferry.webp" alt="Two of us looking out over the islands." width="1024" height="729" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-73017">
<p>The room was basic, but much easier to sleep in than an overnight train. Unfortunately, I fucked up with the timezones. Stockholm is UTC+1 and Helsinki is at UTC+2. I set my alarm an hour too early!</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/timezone.webp" alt="Two clocks. One has a Finnish flag, the other a Swedish flag." width="1024" height="326" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-73016">
<p>The breakfast buffet was very well stocked for veggie and vegans. Massive queue before opening but not too crowded.</p>
<h2 id="helsinki-to-tallinn-day-ferry"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#helsinki-to-tallinn-day-ferry">Helsinki to Tallinn (day ferry)</a></h2>
<p>Terminal was a short walk from the tram. It was spacious and had plenty of seating. Again we couldn't use the automated check in and had to show our Interrail apps. Ferry was small but plenty of room to sit or go shopping.</p>
<h2 id="tallinn-to-riga"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#tallinn-to-riga">Tallinn to Riga</a></h2>
<p>Slightly confusing process to buy the tickets as they only went on sale a few weeks before departure. No seat reservations for the first half of the journey - we were slightly worried by the number of people waiting for the three-carriage train. In the end there was plenty of space. Again, 1st class a bit roomier than standard but not dramatically so.</p>
<p>The ticket inspector gave a confused look at the Interrail pass and issued us with a receipt for €0.00!</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/zero-receipt.webp" alt="A receipt for €0." width="480" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-73013">
<p>The train had an onboard ticket vending machine with contactless payments and, delightfully, some bowls of water for dogs.</p>
<p>We changed at Valga which was simple - literally walk across the platform to the waiting train. It was a little more crowded, but plenty of seats.</p>
<h2 id="riga-to-vilnius"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#riga-to-vilnius">Riga to Vilnius</a></h2>
<p>1st class was a bit crowded but pleasant until the boomer Brits started ignoring the quiet carriage signs. They were shut up by the guard. Complimentary sparkling water.</p>
<h2 id="vilnius-to-warsaw"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#vilnius-to-warsaw">Vilnius to Warsaw</a></h2>
<p>There is a VIP lounge in Vilnius - but it is little more than a quiet space with a loo and water fountain. All the snacks and hot drinks were chargeable. We didn't actually have access to it this trip - but the Riga to Vilnius trip did. We scanned our previous ticket reservations to get in.</p>
<p>We weren't able to book seats - because the service said it was sold out. However the train was half empty. No 1st class, but there was WiFi and power, so no complaints from me.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/rain.webp" alt="Liz looking out into the rain." width="1024" height="771" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-73018">
<p>On having our tickets checked we were told that there <em>was</em> 1st class, but we couldn't use it with our Interrail passes. As with most European trains, announcements were in English.</p>
<p>The change at Mockava was easy - we walked to the next platform. We'd booked seats in a little 6 seater cabin - sadly the air con was little more than homeopathic. Even cracking open the window did nothing but waft hot air over us. Fairly full train, toilets were adequate, but the heat was stifling. Even worse, no WiFi!</p>
<p>The train occasionally stopped for several minutes at a time. The crew just opened the doors to let a breeze in - very little health-and-safety culture here!</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Open-doors.webp" alt="Door opening on to the track." width="1024" height="1360" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-73019">
<p>Mind you, we also saw people crossing the tracks to get to their platform. Yikes!</p>
<p>There were passport checks by armed guards. Brief and inoffensive.</p>
<h2 id="warsaw-to-berlin"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#warsaw-to-berlin">Warsaw to Berlin</a></h2>
<p>Despite the extreme heat, it left on time. This 6 berth 1st class carriage was a bit bigger than the last - and the aircon actually worked.</p>
<p>We were treated to complementary water, juice, and a vegan snack bar! The train driver sounded their horn at every opportunity which wasn't exactly relaxing.</p>
<h2 id="berlin-to-munchen"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#berlin-to-munchen">Berlin to München</a></h2>
<p>No vegan currywurst on the DB menu any more 😭.</p>
<p>Annoyingly, we were kicked off at Nuremberg - despite most announcements being made in English this one wasn't, but we figured it out. A train came fairly quickly, so we weren't too late.</p>
<h2 id="munchen-to-verona"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#munchen-to-verona">München to Verona</a></h2>
<p>There is a 1st class DB lounge but it isn't open to OBB/Interrail scum. Luckily there were plenty of food options for vegans in station. No vegan currywurst on train but several other options.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/munchen.jpg" alt="Train display board." width="1008" height="759" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-73012">
<p>This was one of two reservations which <em>demanded</em> that it be printed out onto paper and under <em>no circumstances</em> would it be accepted from a screen. That was a lie. Showing the code on-screen was fine.</p>
<h2 id="verona-to-milan"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#verona-to-milan">Verona to Milan</a></h2>
<p>Such a frequent service that no reservations were needed. Annoyingly, the train windows were covered with graffiti so it was impossible to see out. Ticket inspector barely glanced at our tickets. WiFi didn't work. Crowded and a bit noisy. Air con just about coped with the heat.</p>
<h2 id="milan-to-basel"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#milan-to-basel">Milan to Basel</a></h2>
<p>The Interrail app seemed certain that we had to change a dozen times for this journey. Instead, I found a direct train to Olten. The 1st class seats were massive and had a handy compartment for smaller bags. Windows were huge. Again, our passes and reservation were barely glanced at.</p>
<p>As we arrived in Olten there was a train a couple of platforms away which was direct to Basel. Bit of a dash to get it. No 1st class, but it was a double-decker so we got to sit upstairs, which is just as good!</p>
<h2 id="basel-to-paris"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#basel-to-paris">Basel to Paris</a></h2>
<p>The only thing better than 1st class is <em>upstairs</em> on 1st! Big comfy reclining seats. Packed train with not much luggage space. As ever with trains travelling to France, there were warnings about labelling luggage correctly but no one seemed to do it. Zero vegan options on board. C'est la vie!</p>
<h2 id="paris-to-london"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#paris-to-london">Paris to London</a></h2>
<p>What a blessing to witness so many people's first ever attempt to queue for a train 🙄</p>
<p>Mad queues to get in to the departure lounge - but the train departed and arrived on time. I'd remembered to pre-book a vegan option which was tasty and also included a dairy-free chocolate bar. Eurostar's WiFi is shit but 5G worked OK.</p>
<h2 id="whats-next"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#whats-next">What's Next?</a></h2>
<p>Doing Interrail trips like this is brilliant. The trains are usually a lot more relaxing than flying, it's more convenient to arrive in a city centre, and they're less polluting.</p>
<p>Would we do a trip like this again? It's certain <em>a lot</em> of travel. We weren't very spontaneous - most of the trip was planned out way in advance, along with hotels. Having 2-4 days in each place is like taking a series of minibreaks, which is delightful. But it can be <em>exhausting</em>. I don't want to complain that my diamond tiara is too tight, but there comes a point where there is such a thing a <em>too much holiday</em>.</p>
<p>We still have several more European countries to visit; although not all are easy to get to by train. Perhaps we'll fly in somewhere, take the train around, then fly back? Or spend a week <em>only</em> in one country?</p>
<p>If you have tips for further adventures - please let us know!</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=73007&HTTP_REFERER=Atom" alt width="1" height="1" loading="eager">]]></content>
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<thr:total>15</thr:total>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Game Review: Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime ★★★☆☆]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/game-review-lovers-in-a-dangerous-spacetime/" />
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=69841</id>
<updated>2026-05-14T21:24:14Z</updated>
<published>2026-07-10T11:34:18Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="Game Review" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="PlayStation" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[My new year's resolution is to play more video games with my wife. Specifically co-operative games. I hate playing competitively; it's rubbish to achieve victory at the expense of someone else. So I asked for recommendations and picked the cheapest things which looked reasonable. Several people recommended Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime. It's a neat little game which is just short enough to…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/game-review-lovers-in-a-dangerous-spacetime/"><![CDATA[<p>My new year's resolution is to play more video games with my wife. Specifically <em>co-operative</em> games.</p>
<p><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2009/12/when-did-you-last-beat-your-wife/">I hate playing competitively</a>; it's rubbish to achieve victory at the expense of someone else. So <a href="https://mastodon.social/@Edent/116051890335937906">I asked for recommendations</a> and picked the cheapest things which looked reasonable.</p>
<p>Several people recommended Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime. It's a neat little game which is just short enough to not get too repetitive. You and your friend (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRfluaMKoOY">and, I'm pleased to say, lover</a>) have joint control of a space ship. You fly around the screen shooting baddies, rescuing bunny-friends, and upgrading your craft. There's a lot of "You fly left and I'll shoot" and "I'll move the shield, can you fly us through the asteroid" chatter.</p>
<p>It works, and is fun. But after a few levels it becomes clear that there isn't anything else to it. The three different ships and various weapon upgrades give it a bit of variety, but it isn't one for playing long into the night.</p>
<iframe title="4 PLAYER UPDATE | Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime | PS4, Xbox One, Steam" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C5aVN2bp4uo?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<p>I suspect it's probably better with four players - with two you frequently have to deal with your inability to move the ship <em>and</em> angle the shield <em>and</em> fire the weapons all at the same time. So it gets a bit frustrating.</p>
<p>It is delightfully cutesy - and I particularly loved the way the "OK" button was replaced with "YAY!". Something I think more interfaces should do.</p>
<p>The game was a fiver or so when I bought it, which seems reasonable enough.</p>
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<thr:total>2</thr:total>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[A bug which only affected left-handed users]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/a-bug-which-only-affected-left-handed-users/" />
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=72497</id>
<updated>2026-07-09T05:03:22Z</updated>
<published>2026-07-08T11:34:43Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="bug" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="WordPress" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Verily, some of our brethren (and sistren) be afflicted with a sinister disposition. While the righteous scroll using the thumb of their right hand - as is good and proper - an accurs'd minority swing the other way. Look, you try writing an interesting bug report without sounding like a clanker, OK! I try to optimise my blog as much as possible. It may not look like much, but it has got it…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/a-bug-which-only-affected-left-handed-users/"><![CDATA[<blockquote><p>Verily, some of our brethren (and sistren) be afflicted with a sinister disposition. While the righteous scroll using the thumb of their right hand - as is good and proper - an accurs'd minority swing the other way.</p></blockquote>
<p>Look, you try writing an interesting bug report without sounding like a clanker, OK!</p>
<p>I try to optimise my blog as much as possible. It may not look like much, but it has got it where it counts. I've made a lot of special modifications myself to the base WordPress install.</p>
<p>One of those modifications is reducing the amount of JavaScript in use to the bare minimum. Everything functions without it, but there are a few places where it helps - the most notable being comments.</p>
<p>That's why I was distressed when a loyal reader wrote in saying there was a bug on my site. When they were scrolling the page a comment box would suddenly appear and interrupt their browsing.</p>
<p>I scroll my own site a lot (probably more than is healthy) so why hadn't I noticed this bug?</p>
<p>Because I scroll on my phone's touchscreen with my right thumb and the bug reporter uses their left. The "reply" link which was being triggered is on the left side of the page. A bug which won't be triggered by righteous people but infuriating to those who will surely be left behind after The Rapture™.</p>
<p>To be fair, <a href="https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/46713">this bug was reported seven years ago</a> - but I guess the WordPress team have been too busy cleaning up after their mad God-Emperor to take a look at it.</p>
<p>Back in 2017, a developer <a href="https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/commit/14dd35e62e1325ca1c6caef0a8623ce3f02d7da9">added a <code>touchstart</code> listener to link clicks</a>. I don't really understand why. At one point in history, browsers couldn't be sure if a touch event was the start of a <code>click</code> or a double-tap to zoom. So firing an event when a touch occurred on a link sort of made sense to avoid a 300ms delay.</p>
<p>But that hadn't been the case for several years - <a href="https://developer.chrome.com/blog/300ms-tap-delay-gone-away">as this 2013 blog post makes clear</a>. Even in 2015 <a href="https://github.com/ftlabs/fastclick">it was no longer an issue</a>.</p>
<p>So why was this lefty-baiting code added? Not a clue.</p>
<p>Anyway, <strong>seven years</strong> after the bug was reported <a href="https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/pull/12168">I committed a fix</a>. It isn't the most sophisticated change to WordPress - merely deleting a couple of lines. But hopefully it will stop those strange and unusual mutants from complaining that their unnatural thumb-usage is accidentally triggering unwanted events on my website.</p>
<p>Sadly, there is as yet no way to prevent the corrupt from using our blessed sites. The WHAT-WG haven't seen fit to take on board my suggestion of <code><meta handed="right"></code> to keep out the unwanted and polluted. So, hopefully, this change will at least prevent them complaining.</p>
<p>Why, yes officer, I have had a glass or two of tonic wine. Why do you ask?</p>
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<thr:total>9</thr:total>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[I'm just so bored of AI]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/im-just-so-bored-of-ai/" />
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=71384</id>
<updated>2026-05-09T13:54:58Z</updated>
<published>2026-07-06T11:34:18Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="AI" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="rant" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[I'm just so bored of talking about AI. It's like listening to vapers tell me how delicious their flavoured poison is. Did you ever meet someone at university who'd just tried drugs for the first time? Listening to a stoner ramble on about their mystic crystal revelations is amusing for the first five minutes, but quickly gets tiresome. Wow! You got your little computer friend to automate calling …]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/im-just-so-bored-of-ai/"><![CDATA[<p>I'm just so <em>bored</em> of talking about AI. It's like listening to vapers tell me how delicious their flavoured poison is.</p>
<p>Did you ever meet someone at university who'd just tried drugs for the first time? Listening to a stoner ramble on about their mystic crystal revelations is amusing for the first five minutes, but quickly gets tiresome. Wow! You got your little computer friend to automate calling your mum? Great job, mate! Can we talk about something interesting now?</p>
<p>Just as bad are the people telling me how bad smoking is for my health. Yes, I know! That's why I don't. Yes, I know that hanging out with friends while they smoke is bad for me - but loneliness is probably worse. In fact, you screaming about how every puff on a fag reduces my life expectancy by 37 seconds makes me want to inhale a whole cigar so I can die early enough to exit this tedious conversation.</p>
<p>If you want to enhance your consciousness / rot your brain with AI - go ahead. Just stop wanging on about it like you discovered the secret to eternal life.</p>
<p>And to the rest of you, stop pissing on people's chips. Haranguing and scolding have never convinced anyone of everything.</p>
<p>I can't fucking wait for this bubble to burst so we can go back to chatting shit about literally <em>anything</em> else.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=71384&HTTP_REFERER=Atom" alt width="1" height="1" loading="eager">]]></content>
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<thr:total>17</thr:total>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Combined 1D and 2D Barcodes]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/combined-1d-and-2d-barcodes/" />
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=70974</id>
<updated>2026-05-09T09:36:43Z</updated>
<published>2026-07-04T11:34:57Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="QR Codes" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[This was a little idea gnawing at the back of my brain. The humble barcode has been in use since the 1970s. In the next few years it will likely be replaced with a 2D QR Code. I couldn't find anyone who'd made a QR code with an embedded UPC - so I decided to make one. If you move your phone close to the code (so it can't see the squares in the corners) it should read the number in the 1D…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/combined-1d-and-2d-barcodes/"><![CDATA[<p>This was a little idea gnawing at the back of my brain. The humble barcode has been in use <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Product_Code">since the 1970s</a>. In the next few years it will likely be replaced with a <a href="https://www.gs1uk.org/knowledge-hub/qr-codes-powered-by-gs1/will-qr-codes-replace-barcodes-by-2027">2D QR Code</a>.</p>
<p>I couldn't find anyone who'd made a QR code with an embedded UPC - so I decided to make one.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Combined-QR-1D-Gap.webp" alt="A QR code with a 1D barcode embedded in it." width="400" height="400" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-70975">
<p>If you move your phone close to the code (so it can't see the squares in the corners) it should read the number in the 1D barcode. Zoom out and it'll read the URl in the QR code.</p>
<p>The QR code has a high level of error correction - which allows graphics to be placed within it, <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2010/11/hiding-space-invaders-in-qr-codes/">as I discussed in 2010</a>.</p>
<p>The UPC has some whitespace padding around its edges - which makes it easier for some scanners to find, although not all scanners seem to accept it.</p>
<p>Is this in any way useful or desirable? I doubt it! I guess most point-of-sale barcode scanners are somewhat regularly updated - so they should all have the ability to scan newer codes. The embedded code destroys some of the error correction, thus making the QR code more fragile. <a href="https://mastodon.social/@PhilA/116504516987179728">It isn't a good idea</a>.</p>
<p>Still, nice to fiddle about with something, eh?</p>
<p>You may also enjoy:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/03/a-recursive-qr-code/">A Recursive QR Code</a>.</li>
<li><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/02/why-are-qr-codes-with-capital-letters-smaller-than-qr-codes-with-lower-case-letters/">Why are QR Codes with capital letters smaller than QR codes with lower-case letters?</a></li>
<li>Or see <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/tag/qr+QR-codes/?order=asc">all my posts about QR Codes since 2007</a>!</li>
</ul>
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</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[This blog is written in en-GB]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/this-blog-is-written-in-en-gb/" />
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=69136</id>
<updated>2026-07-04T08:59:00Z</updated>
<published>2026-07-02T11:34:59Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="blogging" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="English" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="language" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Someone left a comment on my blog recently asking if I'd mind making my language more inclusive. They didn't get some of the cultural references I'd used and suggested it would be easier if I used tropes which were more globally known. Here's the thing. No. All my blog posts start with a simple declaration: <!doctype html> <html lang=en-GB> There's a reason for that. It is more than the…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/this-blog-is-written-in-en-gb/"><![CDATA[<p>Someone left a comment on my blog recently asking if I'd mind making my language more inclusive. They didn't get some of the cultural references I'd used and suggested it would be easier if I used tropes which were more globally known.</p>
<p>Here's the thing. No.</p>
<p>All my blog posts start with a simple declaration:</p>
<pre><code class="language-HTML"><!doctype html>
<html lang=en-GB>
</code></pre>
<p>There's a reason for that. It is more than the language I speak; it is the culture I live in, the way that I think, and the accent I use.</p>
<p>When your AI bot reads this text aloud, it should do so with a <em>British</em> accent<sup id="fnref:accent"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/this-blog-is-written-in-en-gb/#fn:accent" class="footnote-ref" title="OK, accents are a whole can of worms. Regional English is varied. There are a variety of countries within the UK which each have their own forms of pronunciation. I'm not sure if there are any…" role="doc-noteref">0</a></sup>. That's how I speak. It is OK to hear a slightly unfamiliar accent. You'll be able to figure out what I'm saying. Your world won't collapse if I don't start each sentence with "Howdy, y'all!"</p>
<p>But what should you do if you come across a concept you don't understand?</p>
<p>When The Wicked Witch of the TERFs released the first Harry Potter book "Philosopher's Stone", it was published in the USA with a different title; "Sorcerer's Stone". There were also a dozen other language changes - <a href="https://groups.google.com/g/alt.fan.harry-potter/c/5jh8ZD6KzF0/m/Ck5EIv01Js8J">which caused great consternation in the fandom</a>.</p>
<p>What do you think happens if Skip or Madison come across a kid eating "a sherbet lemon" or a description of Hermione's "fringe" or discover Harry wearing a jumper? Will their little minds collapse under the knowledge that people far away use different words?</p>
<p>No. And neither will you.</p>
<p><strong>It is OK if things are unfamiliar to you.</strong></p>
<p>Up until my mid-twenties, I had never seen or eaten a Twinkie. They were a cultural lodestone in a hundred books and films, but not the sort of thing I could buy locally. So I used my context clues. They seemed like an unappealing foodstuff which, nevertheless, were inexplicably popular.</p>
<p>As a kid, I could recite all the lyrics to Vanilla Ice's Ice Ice Baby without getting half the references. The brain is malleable and can fit in new concepts with relative ease.</p>
<p>So if you see a reference to Count Duckula, or hear me exclaim "Accrington Stanley!", or even blush as I describe an <em>utter</em> wanker - please take it as a sign that the hegemony is <em>not</em> universal and some people exist in a cultural <i lang="fr">milieu</i> different to your own.</p>
<p>And breathe. It'll be OK.</p>
<div id="footnotes" role="doc-endnotes">
<hr aria-label="Footnotes">
<ol start="0">
<li id="fn:accent">
<p>OK, accents are a whole can of worms. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language_in_England#Overview_of_regional_accents">Regional English is varied</a>. There are a variety of countries within the UK <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regional_accents_of_English#Scotland">which each have their own forms of pronunciation</a>. I'm not sure if there are any BCP-style tags for intra-country accents. <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/this-blog-is-written-in-en-gb/#fnref:accent" class="footnote-backref" role="doc-backlink">↩︎</a></p>
</li>
</ol>
</div>
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<thr:total>72</thr:total>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Book Review: Fake Creativity by Blake Loch ★★★☆☆]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/book-review-fake-creativity-by-blake-loch/" />
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=72583</id>
<updated>2026-06-30T05:41:42Z</updated>
<published>2026-06-30T11:34:20Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="Book Review" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Thanks to BookSirens for providing me with a review copy. This is an intriguing self-published novel with a backstory almost as interesting as the plot. The story is a descent into paranoia as an author is convinced that an AI is plagiarising his work. As the madness takes over, he's forced to confront whether his creative processes are genuine or not. It raises some excellent questions about …]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/book-review-fake-creativity-by-blake-loch/"><![CDATA[<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1756438821.jpg" alt="Book cover." width="200" height="300" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-72584">
<p>Thanks to BookSirens for providing me with a review copy. This is an intriguing self-published novel with a <a href="http://blakeloch.com/the-war-against-ai-in-literature/">backstory</a> almost as interesting as the plot.</p>
<p>The story is a descent into paranoia as an author is convinced that an AI is plagiarising his work. As the madness takes over, he's forced to confront whether his creative processes are genuine or not.</p>
<p>It raises some excellent questions about whether AI can replicate art. It also posits some solutions for ensuring genuine human content. Without going in to spoilers, I think some of the methods the protagonist comes up with might be the only way to "prove" that a human has created a work.</p>
<p>The pace is excellent - with some well-placed plot twists. As with any self-published novel, it could do with a little tightening up. Some of the characters have oblique motivations which need a bit more exposition.</p>
<p>A note on AI use. There's a novel-within-a-novel which is genuinely generated by an AI (<a href="http://blakeloch.com/the-use-of-ai-in-fake-creativity/">as the author freely acknowledges</a>). I think this is an acceptable use of generative AI - the prose it produces is utterly risible and cliché ridden. It works as a nice contrast to the human generated text.</p>
<p>I suspect more and more authors will turn to AI fears just as they turned to pandemic allegories a few years ago. This is a decent attempt to capture a moment in time when authors stared into the abyss and found only themselves staring back.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=72583&HTTP_REFERER=Atom" alt width="1" height="1" loading="eager">]]></content>
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</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Book Review: The Hotel Avocado by Bob Mortimer ★★☆☆☆]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/book-review-the-hotel-avocado-by-bob-mortimer/" />
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=70534</id>
<updated>2026-05-19T11:56:54Z</updated>
<published>2026-06-28T11:34:45Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="Book Review" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Despite vowing not to read sequels of books I love, I'm constantly surprised that regression to the mean is an iron-clad law of the universe. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series, so eagerly gobbled up the second. What a burlap fool I am. What was charming and wry in The Satsuma Complex is now overdone and clichéd. The violence, which was an undercurrent in the first book, is now …]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/book-review-the-hotel-avocado-by-bob-mortimer/"><![CDATA[<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/the-hotel-avocado-9781398529632_lg.jpg" alt="Book cover featuring a squirrel hiding in a giant avocado." width="200" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-70536">
<p>Despite vowing not to read sequels of books I love, I'm constantly surprised that regression to the mean is an iron-clad law of the universe. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series, so eagerly gobbled up the second. What a burlap fool I am.</p>
<p>What was charming and wry in <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/12/book-review-the-satsuma-complex-by-bob-mortimer/">The Satsuma Complex</a> is now overdone and clichéd.</p>
<p>The violence, which was an undercurrent in the first book, is now too pronounced and too grim to be funny. Yet the constant tomfoolery with language undermines any built-up tension.</p>
<p>The language is gorgeous though. Bob Mortimer has an ability to conjure the most ridiculous similes and metaphors. It's impossible not to be entranced by his panache.</p>
<p>The ending is, frankly, a bit unearned and unsatisfying. It feels like a word-count limit was reached and the quickest solution was found.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=70534&HTTP_REFERER=Atom" alt width="1" height="1" loading="eager">]]></content>
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<thr:total>0</thr:total>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Review: Gamrombo PS5 controller - including Linux set up ★★★★☆]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/review-gamrombo-ps5-controller-including-linux-set-up/" />
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=67003</id>
<updated>2026-04-29T19:48:16Z</updated>
<published>2026-06-26T11:34:42Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="gadget" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="gaming" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="review" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[I'm not paying seventy bloody quid for an official PS5 controller - so I found a knock-off version for a smidge under £40. And this one has lots of unnecessary blinkenlights! Gamrombo is the consumer-facing brand of the generically named Professional Controller Manufacturer. AKA "Huizhou Ronghui Technology Co., Ltd" - there's virtually no information about them online other than paid-for …]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/review-gamrombo-ps5-controller-including-linux-set-up/"><![CDATA[<p>I'm not paying seventy bloody quid for an official PS5 controller - so I found a knock-off version for a <a href="https://amzn.to/4pCMxNB">smidge under £40</a>. And this one has <em>lots</em> of unnecessary blinkenlights!</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/controller.webp" alt="A console controller. It is white and has many flashing lights." width="1600" height="1100" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-67023">
<p>Gamrombo is the consumer-facing brand of the generically named <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Controller-Manufacturer">Professional Controller Manufacturer</a>. AKA "Huizhou Ronghui Technology Co., Ltd" - there's virtually no information about them online other than paid-for reviews. Well, I bought this with my own money - so enjoy this honest review:</p>
<p>It's basically fine and it works on Linux.</p>
<h2 id="ok-a-bit-more-detail"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/review-gamrombo-ps5-controller-including-linux-set-up/#ok-a-bit-more-detail">OK, a bit more detail</a></h2>
<p>The USB cable which comes with the controller is charge only - so you can dispose of it. Using a USB-C to C cable, I plugged it into to my Linux laptop and it was instantly detected. Rather cheekily, it shows up as <code>054c:0ce6 Sony Corp. DualSense Wireless Controller</code>.</p>
<p>The PS5 touchpad was immediately usable. Single finger moved the mouse pointer, two-finger scrolling and zooming worked, clicking the pad clicks the mouse. Nice!</p>
<p>I popped along to <a href="https://hardwaretester.com/gamepad">hardwaretester.com/gamepad</a> in Firefox, everything worked as expected.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Button-screenshot.webp" alt="Screenshot showing button diagnostics." width="824" height="656" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-67016">
<p>Plugging it in to my Android phone also worked. So pretty handy if you want to play games on a miniscule screen.</p>
<p>Same with Bluetooth. I held down ⨞ and 🏠 on the controller, then connected. Everything worked. Weirdly, it wouldn't stop vibrating until I'd changed the LED colours.</p>
<p>Speaking of which - how much do you like garish LEDs? Tapping the light button changes the colours of the glowing rings around the joysticks. There's half a dozen solid colours or a slowly rotating rainbow effect. Or, just hold down the button to switch them all off.</p>
<p>As well as being cheaper than an official controller, it has more functionality. There are two programmable "macro" buttons on the back. Each can hold a sequence of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PePRJb0z1pg">up to 24 buttons pushes</a>. Perfect if you need to record combos.</p>
<p>There's also a "turbo" button. You can use it to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDoW4emjuEU">turn a long-press into a repeated-press</a>. Perfect for saving you from RSI.</p>
<p>It vibrates as normal, has an inbuilt speaker, 3.5mm jack, and charges at about 2.5 Watts - all the same as a regular controller. Oh! And it paired with the PS5 as well 😆</p>
<p>OK, that's the good stuff. Where are the drawbacks?</p>
<h2 id="downsides"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/review-gamrombo-ps5-controller-including-linux-set-up/#downsides">Downsides</a></h2>
<p>No microphone. This might be a deal-breaker for some, but I don't play any games which need it.</p>
<p>There is a firmware update available - but it comes as an EXE which only works on Windows a and is distributed on WeTransfer!</p>
<p>The icons on the buttons aren't the <code>× ○ △ □</code> you'll see in-game. They are the right colour though.</p>
<p>Charging is <em>only</em> by USB. It won't work in a charging dock.</p>
<p>I managed to lock-up the controller. Between faffing around with Bluetooth and plugging it in to a bunch of different computers, it had a bit of a tizzy and wouldn't turn on again. Clicking the reset button using a paperclip brought it back to life.</p>
<p>Finally, it does feel kinda cheap. It is lighter weight and the buttons don't feel quite as "clicky" as an official controller. It isn't bad <i lang="la">per se</i> but it is different.</p>
<h2 id="should-i-get-one"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/review-gamrombo-ps5-controller-including-linux-set-up/#should-i-get-one">Should I get one?</a></h2>
<p>It's pretty good! I've no idea how long the battery will last, or if it'll fall apart after I post this review, but saving £30 means you can spend more on games.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=67003&HTTP_REFERER=Atom" alt width="1" height="1" loading="eager">]]></content>
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<thr:total>3</thr:total>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Auth0 PHP - manually authenticating JWT idTokens]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/auth0-php-manually-authenticating-tokens/" />
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=70732</id>
<updated>2026-04-28T20:42:25Z</updated>
<published>2026-06-24T11:34:25Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="Auth0" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="HowTo" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="php" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="Symfony" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[I find it baffling just how poorly documented most big projects are. Auth0 by Okta has a fair bit of cash, lots of customers, and almost completely absent documentation. Here's how to successfully authenticate a JWT supplied by Auth0. Once your user has authenticated with Auth0, they will be given an accessToken and an idToken. Only the idToken is needed for our purposes. It will look…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/auth0-php-manually-authenticating-tokens/"><![CDATA[<p>I find it baffling just how poorly documented most big projects are. Auth0 by Okta has a fair bit of cash, lots of customers, and almost completely absent documentation.</p>
<p>Here's how to successfully authenticate a JWT supplied by Auth0.</p>
<p>Once your user has authenticated with Auth0, they will be given an <code>accessToken</code> and an <code>idToken</code>. Only the <code>idToken</code> is needed for our purposes.</p>
<p>It will look something like this:</p>
<p><code>eyJhbGciOiJSUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCIsImtpZCI6ImFiYzEyMyJ9.eyJnaXZlbl9uYW1lIjoiSm8iLCJmYW1pbHlfbmFtZSI6IlRlc3QiLCJuaWNrbmFtZSI6IkpvVGVzdCIsIm5hbWUiOiJKbyBMZSBUZXN0IiwicGljdHVyZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZXhhbXBsZS5jb20vam8ucG5nIiwidXBkYXRlZF9hdCI6IjIwMjYtMDQtMjhUMTM6NTk6NTUuNjcxWiIsImVtYWlsX3ZlcmlmaWVkIjp0cnVlLCJpc3MiOiJodHRwczovL2V4YW1wbGUuZXUuYXV0aDAuY29tLyIsImF1ZCI6ImFiYzEyMyIsInN1YiI6ImZhY2Vib29rfDEyMzQ1NiIsImlhdCI6MTc3NzM4NDc5NiwiZXhwIjoxNzc3NDIwNzk2LCJzaWQiOiJhYmMxMjMtNDU2LWRlZmdoaWprIiwibm9uY2UiOiIxMjM0NTY3ODkwIn0.ZgnZxOOtfczLewlm_agK6mJMYetVTZrHlBlu5qzXbADlhvZB8RraVuFKmFutLZLibMQxz_RY0oh4hRufVWDHJ0kuocW38kRHztDg7R5KOfvJEM46WW49xvhLhKprzkx9WXDDlpCRNL0QbBK2U0F1VjmRpTp1Q5cHEd8PBsa4rGAhfqudXp5JrC2Lm5e7ji0AQ_s7HJhy59b9mTb3tMqHGsrWDZS915zHPYEQtSvg5o9sSx1tCRfsyL6kdsdkaTffQjJDUrT5hpIQ-2_9tGuqioJjP4c0edQ85TaK9UnSxfzMQ8gYez963kbo_Iv1fJyaTVwXR-AVvwK-CeGJAFrheQ</code></p>
<p>Yeuch! If you stick it into <a href="https://www.jwt.io/">JWT.io</a> you'll see that it is Base64 encoded JSON containing a header, body, and signature. Each part is separated by a <code>.</code> character.</p>
<p>You could manually decode it, but that's a bit of a pain in the arse. So here's how to do it with <a href="https://github.com/auth0/auth0-PHP/">the Auth0 PHP library</a>. I'm <a href="https://github.com/auth0/symfony">using the Symfony one</a>, but it should all be fairly similar.</p>
<p>First, import the library:</p>
<pre><code class="language-php">use Auth0\SDK\Auth0;
</code></pre>
<p>Next, you'll need to send the token to the PHP. You can do this in a header, GET, or similar:</p>
<pre><code class="language-php">$authHeader = $request->headers->get("Auth0-Authorization");
</code></pre>
<p>Then, set up Auth0 so that it can parse and validate the token:</p>
<pre><code class="language-php">try {
$token = $authHeader;
$auth0 = new Auth0([
"domain" => $_ENV["AUTH0_DOMAIN"],
"clientId" => $_ENV["AUTH0_CLIENT_ID"],
"clientSecret" => $_ENV["AUTH0_CLIENT_SECRET"],
"cookieSecret" => "_" // Dummy value.
]);
$decoded = $auth0->decode(
token: $token,
tokenType: \Auth0\SDK\Token::TYPE_ID_TOKEN,
);
} catch (\Exception $e) {
error_log("Auth0 Error - {$e}");
}
</code></pre>
<p>The <code>cookieSecret</code> <em>must</em> be set - even though you aren't using cookies. Any non-null value is fine.</p>
<p>The <code>tokenType</code> must also be set correctly.</p>
<p>Assuming you all goes well, you will have a <code>decoded</code> object which has validated against Auth0. So how do you get the user's details from it?</p>
<p>Well, you <em>could</em> split the original <code>idToken</code> at the period character and Base64 decode the middle one. Try it now to see what it contains! Or <code>print_r()</code> the decoded token to see it in all its cryptographic glory.</p>
<p>The easiest way is to do:</p>
<pre><code class="language-php">$claims = $decoded->toArray();
</code></pre>
<p>Then you can access various properties by doing:</p>
<pre><code class="language-php">$username = $claims["nickname"];
$identifier = $claims["sub"];
</code></pre>
<p>Perhaps there is a more official way - but I couldn't find anything in the documentation. Hurrah for reading source code!</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=70732&HTTP_REFERER=Atom" alt width="1" height="1" loading="eager">]]></content>
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</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Cybersecurity for the paranoid business traveller]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/" />
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=64419</id>
<updated>2026-06-22T14:36:54Z</updated>
<published>2026-06-22T11:34:18Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="CyberSecurity" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Over the years, I've worked for organisations with various levels of risk tolerance for business travellers. Some have been (rightly) paranoid and others have been (wrongly) placid about the threats their employees face. The fact is, individuals are often targeted for espionage, blackmail, or other state-sponsored attacks. Here's a list of some of the different advice I've received, roughly…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/"><![CDATA[<p>Over the years, I've worked for organisations with various levels of risk tolerance for business travellers. Some have been (rightly) paranoid and others have been (wrongly) placid about the threats their employees face.</p>
<p>The fact is, individuals are often targeted for espionage, blackmail, or other state-sponsored attacks.</p>
<p>Here's a list of some of the different advice I've received, roughly sorted into levels of suitability. Start at the top and work your way down until you reach a suitable level.</p>
<h2 id="usb-sticks-no-thanks"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/#usb-sticks-no-thanks">USB sticks? No thanks!</a></h2>
<p>At some point, you'll be given a gift of a decorative USB pen drive. It'll either be part of a goodie-bag or you'll be told it has all of this quarter's TPS reports on it.</p>
<p>You should thank them for their kind gift. On your way back to the hotel, drop the stick in a bin.</p>
<p>There's just too much which can go wrong with a USB stick. Maybe it has a virus. Maybe it is an exfiltration device. Maybe it has extreme pornography and the police will catch you with it. Just chuck it. If anyone asks, say you couldn't get it to work and can they please email you the information.</p>
<h2 id="usb-power-play-it-safe"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/#usb-power-play-it-safe">USB Power? Play it safe!</a></h2>
<p>USB powers everything from your phone and laptop, to your headphone and eReader. But USB cables also carry data. Some devices can be silently hacked by plugging them in to a dodgy power port.</p>
<p>Is it <em>likely</em> that the USB socket on the airport bus has been set up to exfiltrate travellers' data? Probably not - but why take the risk?</p>
<p>The best thing you can do is to always charge from your own device. Get a travel charger or, ideally, a portable battery and <em>only</em> use that for charging.</p>
<p>For extra paranoia, you can buy USB condoms and charging-only cables - but they tend to be slower at charging.</p>
<h2 id="reduce-your-app-attack-surface"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/#reduce-your-app-attack-surface">Reduce Your App Attack Surface</a></h2>
<p>Do you <em>need</em> all those apps on your phone? Will you cope without your banking apps, dating apps, streaming apps? Each one is a potential vector for abuse.</p>
<p>Is it legal for you to date your preferred romantic partner in your intended destination? You shouldn't have to hide yourself, but having an illegal app on your phone is a great way to get picked up by the police.</p>
<p>Go through your phone and uninstall anything which isn't important to the trip.</p>
<h2 id="a-vpn-probably-draws-more-attention-than-it-is-worth-but-browse-cautiously"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/#a-vpn-probably-draws-more-attention-than-it-is-worth-but-browse-cautiously">A VPN probably draws more attention than it is worth, but browse cautiously</a></h2>
<p>This is slightly counter-intuitive. Every important site on the web uses HTTPS. The really important ones <a href="https://hstspreload.org/">are on a special list</a> which means your browser will <em>only</em> use a secure connection. The chances of your data being intercepted is minimal.</p>
<p>But using a VPN immediately makes your traffic look suspicious and, in some countries, may be illegal.</p>
<p>That said, while the contents of your communications will be private, their destination is easy to figure out. Don't browse pornography or any other site which is liable to get you in trouble. This may include news sites from outside the country.</p>
<h2 id="what-passwords-do-you-need"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/#what-passwords-do-you-need">What passwords do you need?</a></h2>
<p>Hopefully you use a password manager - and hopefully all your passwords are unique. But do you really need to carry around <em>all</em> of them? You password manager almost certainly allows you to create a sub-account into which you can deposit anything you need for your trip.</p>
<p>Similarly, you don't need <em>all</em> your MFA codes with you. If you <em>do</em> need MFA please make sure it isn't coming through SMS.</p>
<h2 id="theyre-not-flirting-with-you"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/#theyre-not-flirting-with-you">They're not flirting with you.</a></h2>
<p>Mate, you're a middle-aged sales rep who scored a trip to a conference in an exotic country. Do you <em>really</em> think that pretty young thing is enthralled by your tales of middle-management?</p>
<p>No.</p>
<p>At best, the photos will be used to blackmail you. At worst the police will claim that they're under the age of consent and <em>that</em> will be used to blackmail you.</p>
<h2 id="laptops-and-liability"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/#laptops-and-liability">Laptops and Liability</a></h2>
<p>Your IT team has provided you with a laptop which is encrypted and biometrically secured, right? But do you need that <em>specific</em> laptop?</p>
<p>They should grab a cheap laptop. Fill it with only the documents you need. When you get back home, toss it.</p>
<p>I'm quite serious, a £200 Chromebook is a cheap price to pay to prevent your secrets getting stolen or your network being infiltrated.</p>
<h2 id="what-else"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/#what-else">What Else?</a></h2>
<p>Possibly you think some of these are overkill. Perhaps you think I'm not being paranoid enough. What would you add to the list?</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=64419&HTTP_REFERER=Atom" alt width="1" height="1" loading="eager">]]></content>
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</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Which Copyleft Licence is Suitable for an SVG?]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/" />
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=68741</id>
<updated>2026-07-12T21:20:16Z</updated>
<published>2026-06-20T11:34:22Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="Copyleft" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="copyright" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="Creative Commons" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="foss" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="GPL" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="images" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="svg" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[The Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) format is amazing. It allows you to precisely define how an image should look. Written in XML, it uses various mathematical operations to display an image which looks crisp and clear at any size. Here's a trivial example: <svg height="100" viewBox="0 0 100 100" width="100" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <circle cx="50" cy="50" fill="#f00" r="50"/>…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/"><![CDATA[<p>The Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) format is amazing. It allows you to precisely define how an image should look. Written in XML, it uses various mathematical operations to display an image which looks crisp and clear at any size.</p>
<p>Here's a trivial example:</p>
<pre><code class="language-SVG"><svg height="100" viewBox="0 0 100 100" width="100" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
<circle cx="50" cy="50" fill="#f00" r="50"/>
</svg>
</code></pre>
<p>That code produces this circle:</p>
<svg height="100" viewBox="0 0 100 100" width="100" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
<circle cx="50" cy="50" fill="#f00" r="50"></circle>
</svg>
<p>You could print that out with a kilometre radius and it would still be a perfect circle - unlike a traditional raster image which is just a grid of blocky pixels.</p>
<p>But suppose you wanted to freely share your SVG with others - and ensure that they <em>also</em> freely share it. What sort of "Copyleft" licence would you give it?</p>
<h2 id="creative-commons"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/#creative-commons">Creative Commons</a></h2>
<p>The obvious choice seems to be a Creative Commons Share-Alike licence. SVGs are images. Images are creative works. Creative Commons is suitable for creative works. Job done!</p>
<p>But…</p>
<p>SVGs are <em>not</em> images. The are code which <em>produce</em> images. If we assume that an SVG is software, this entry in the FAQ becomes relevant:</p>
<blockquote><p><a href="https://creativecommons.org/faq/#can-i-apply-a-creative-commons-license-to-software"><strong>Can I apply a Creative Commons license to software?</strong></a></p>
<p>We recommend against using Creative Commons licenses for software.</p>
<p>[…]</p>
<p>Unlike software-specific licenses, CC licenses do not contain specific terms about the distribution of source code, which is often important to ensuring the free reuse and modifiability of software.</p>
<p>[…]</p>
<p>Additionally, our licenses are currently not compatible with the major software licenses, so it would be difficult to integrate CC-licensed work with other free software. Existing software licenses were designed specifically for use with software and offer a similar set of rights to the Creative Commons licenses.</p></blockquote>
<p>At the end of that FAQ, they also say:</p>
<blockquote><p>While we recommend against using a CC license on software itself, CC licenses may be used for software documentation, as well as for separate artistic elements such as game art or music.</p></blockquote>
<p>So, that's a <em>perhaps?</em></p>
<h2 id="gpl"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/#gpl">GPL</a></h2>
<p>But let us assume that an SVG is a piece of media rather than software. Would it be suitable to use a software licence for it?</p>
<p>The various Gnu Public Licences have this to say:</p>
<blockquote><p><a href="https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.en.html#GPLOtherThanSoftware"><strong>Can I use the GPL for something other than software?</strong></a></p>
<p>You can apply the GPL to any kind of work, as long as it is clear what constitutes the “source code” for the work. The GPL defines this as the preferred form of the work for making changes in it.</p></blockquote>
<p>A photo JPEG might be derived from the RAW image file. In which case, the RAW is suitable for being GPL'd, not the resultant JPEG.</p>
<p>Similarly, the Photoshop file of a complex and multi-layered illustration would suitable, but not the outputted PNG.</p>
<p>An SVG can straddle both worlds. It's possible to build an SVG with layers, groups, and transformations, and then simplify it for output. You <em>could</em> edit the optimised version, but it's hardly the preferred format.</p>
<p>I read <a href="https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.en.html">the GPL</a> (so you don't have to) and right at the start it says:</p>
<blockquote><p>The GNU General Public License is a free, copyleft license for software and <strong>other kinds of works</strong>.</p></blockquote>
<p>(Emphasis added.)</p>
<p>But do they mean that?</p>
<blockquote><p><a href="https://www.gnu.org/licenses/licenses.en.html#OtherWorks"><strong>Licenses for Other Types of Works</strong></a></p>
<p>[…]</p>
<p>We don't take the position that artistic or entertainment works must be free, but if you want to make one free, we recommend the <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/License:LAL-1.3">Free Art License</a>.</p></blockquote>
<p>But, as delightful as the Free Art License is, the FSF say:</p>
<blockquote><p>Please don't use it for software or documentation, since it is incompatible with the GNU GPL and with the GNU FDL.</p></blockquote>
<h2 id="is-an-svg-software-or-not"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/#is-an-svg-software-or-not">Is an SVG software or not?</a></h2>
<p>I think so.</p>
<ul>
<li>It's written in plain text.</li>
<li>It contains definitions, variables, and instructions.</li>
<li>It can contain scripting.</li>
</ul>
<p>That sure looks like software to me!</p>
<p>But, at the same time, the user <em>experiences</em> it as a graphic. An animated GIF, for example, contains a small amount of code-like data to say how long each frame should last for and when to stop running. Is a GIF software? Is the basic circle above software? How much code do you need before something becomes software?</p>
<h2 id="are-svgs-libraries"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/#are-svgs-libraries">Are SVGs Libraries?</a></h2>
<p>Licences like the <a href="https://www.gnu.org/licenses/lgpl-3.0.en.html">LGPL</a> and <a href="https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/MPL/2.0/">MPL</a> allow copyleft libraries to be integrated into non-free software.</p>
<p>A proprietary application could treat an SVG as a library by asking the SVG to render the output and then displaying that. A bit of a reach, perhaps?</p>
<h2 id="what-about-embedded-raster-graphics"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/#what-about-embedded-raster-graphics">What about embedded raster graphics?</a></h2>
<p>Just to complicate things, an SVG can <em>also</em> contain raster graphics. That is, it is possible to embed a PNG, JPEG, or any other traditional image within an SVG.</p>
<p>In this case, the embedded image <em>can</em> be Creative Commons licenced because <a href="https://wiki.creativecommons.org/wiki/ShareAlike_compatibility:_GPLv3">CC BY-SA is compatible with GPLv3</a>.</p>
<blockquote><p>When someone creates an adaptation of a BY-SA licensed work and includes it in a GPLv3-licensed project, both licenses apply and downstream users must comply with both licenses. However, Section 2(a)(5)(B) of BY-SA 4.0 allows anyone who receives the adapted material downstream to satisfy the conditions of both BY-SA and GPLv3 (i.e. attribution and ShareAlike) <strong>in the manner dictated by the GPLv3</strong>.</p></blockquote>
<p>(Emphasis added.)</p>
<p>The barest of SVGs containing only an embedded image probably wouldn't count as software. But what if you started applying programmatic transformations to them? This SVG embeds an image and uses software to rotate it upside down.</p>
<pre><code class="language-svg"><svg version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" width="64" height="64">
<image x="0" y="0" width="64" height="64"
transform="rotate(180)"
href="data:image/png;base64,iVB…" />
</svg>
</code></pre>
<p>Is that enough code to count as software?</p>
<h2 id="wisdom-of-the-crowds"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/#wisdom-of-the-crowds">Wisdom of the Crowds</a></h2>
<p>I conducted a rigorously accurate public survey. Here are the results:</p>
<blockquote class="social-embed" id="social-embed-116221315864205051" lang="en" itemscope="" itemtype="https://schema.org/SocialMediaPosting"><header class="social-embed-header" itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a href="https://mastodon.social/@Edent" class="social-embed-user" itemprop="url"><img class="social-embed-avatar" src="data:image/webp;base64,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" alt="" itemprop="image"><div class="social-embed-user-names"><p class="social-embed-user-names-name" itemprop="name">@Edent@mastodon.social</p>Terence Eden</div></a><img class="social-embed-logo" alt="Mastodon" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' aria-label='Mastodon' role='img' viewBox='0 0 512 512' fill='%23fff'%3E%3Cpath d='m0 0H512V512H0'/%3E%3ClinearGradient id='a' y2='1'%3E%3Cstop offset='0' stop-color='%236364ff'/%3E%3Cstop offset='1' stop-color='%23563acc'/%3E%3C/linearGradient%3E%3Cpath fill='url(%23a)' d='M317 381q-124 28-123-39 69 15 149 2 67-13 72-80 3-101-3-116-19-49-72-58-98-10-162 0-56 10-75 58-12 31-3 147 3 32 9 53 13 46 70 69 83 23 138-9'/%3E%3Cpath d='M360 293h-36v-93q-1-26-29-23-20 3-20 34v47h-36v-47q0-31-20-34-30-3-30 28v88h-36v-91q1-51 44-60 33-5 51 21l9 15 9-15q16-26 51-21 43 9 43 60'/%3E%3C/svg%3E"></header><section class="social-embed-text" itemprop="articleBody"><p>An SVG is an image.<br>It is also executable code.</p><p>If you wished to make an SVG open, would you choose a Creative Commons licence or an Open Software licence?</p><div class="social-embed-media-grid"></div><hr class="social-embed-hr"><label for="poll_0">Obviously CC licence, because…: (62)</label><br><meter class="social-embed-meter" id="poll_0" min="0" max="100" low="33" high="66" value="59.0">62</meter><br><label for="poll_1">Duh! It needs an OSI licence, because…: (5)</label><br><meter class="social-embed-meter" id="poll_1" min="0" max="100" low="33" high="66" value="4.8">5</meter><br><label for="poll_2">You're both wrong, it should be…: (3)</label><br><meter class="social-embed-meter" id="poll_2" min="0" max="100" low="33" high="66" value="2.9">3</meter><br><label for="poll_3">Either is fine.: (35)</label><br><meter class="social-embed-meter" id="poll_3" min="0" max="100" low="33" high="66" value="33.3">35</meter><br></section><hr class="social-embed-hr"><footer class="social-embed-footer"><a href="https://mastodon.social/@Edent/116221315864205051"><span aria-label="6 likes" class="social-embed-meta">❤️ 6</span><span aria-label="9 replies" class="social-embed-meta">💬 9</span><span aria-label="14 reposts" class="social-embed-meta">🔁 14</span><time datetime="2026-03-13T10:09:03.343Z" itemprop="datePublished">10:09 - Fri 13 March 2026</time></a></footer></blockquote>
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<h2 id="final-thoughts"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/#final-thoughts">Final Thoughts</a></h2>
<p>Personally, I think SVGs <em>are</em> software. I understand the argument that they're suitable for Creative Commons, but I disagree with it. Even the simplest SVG is distributed in a way that its contents are <em>executed</em> by the computer.</p>
<p>While SVGs may be minified and stripped of comments, they still retain the essence of source code. I suppose you could <em>try</em> to obfuscate them, or package them up in a quasi-binary form, but I maintain the source is still viewable and editable.</p>
<p>If you choose to use a Creative Commons Share-Alike licence, it probably won't cause any harm. But given CC's reluctance to endorse its use on software, it probably makes sense to use a copyleft source-code licence.</p>
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<thr:total>10</thr:total>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Book Review: The Great When by Alan Moore ★★★★☆]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/book-review-the-great-when-by-alan-moore/" />
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=72033</id>
<updated>2026-06-18T06:18:50Z</updated>
<published>2026-06-18T11:34:19Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="Book Review" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[This is the most overwritten book I've ever read. Unfortunately, Alan Moore knows exactly how much polysyllabic pressure it takes to transmogrify base coal into precious gems. With lines like "his shaved suede skull made him look like a wilted thistle" and "There was a rumour of pink lipstick circling her mouth" you know you're in for a treat. Even better than the joyful prose of Bob…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/book-review-the-great-when-by-alan-moore/"><![CDATA[<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/great-when.webp" alt="Book cover featuring Tower Bridge." width="270" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-72034">
<p>This is the most overwritten book I've ever read. Unfortunately, Alan Moore knows exactly how much polysyllabic pressure it takes to transmogrify base coal into precious gems.</p>
<p>With lines like "his shaved suede skull made him look like a wilted thistle" and "There was a rumour of pink lipstick circling her mouth" you know you're in for a treat. Even better than the joyful prose of <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/12/book-review-the-satsuma-complex-by-bob-mortimer/">Bob Mortimer's Satsuma Complex</a>.</p>
<p>I'm also pretty sure Moore is <em>actually</em> a wizard. I've just finished reading a book about <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/03/book-review-under-fire-black-britain-in-wartime-by-stephen-bourne/">Black Britain in Wartime</a> - which features Ras Prince Monolulu, who also appears in this book. Along with M. P. Shiel - who I did my GCSE coursework on. And, no spoilers, but I'm fairly sure I'd met other characters too. The only logical conclusion is that Moore is stalking my brain.</p>
<p>It is an epic tale full of rogues and reprobates. The story is excellent even though the plot follows a fairly basic structure. Although set up to be a series, it is a satisfying stand-alone tale.</p>
<p>My only real criticism of it is the trope of the "failing light of English magic" - much like Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2021/03/book-review-shades-of-milk-and-honey-glamourist-histories-series-book-1-mary-robinette-kowal/">Shades of Milk and Honey</a>, <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2020/02/book-review-sorcerer-to-the-crown/">Sorcerer to the Crown</a>, <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2024/01/book-review-babel-r-f-kuang/">Babel</a>, and a hundred other books. Britain was a great (magical) power and it's up to our hero to Make Magic Great Again. Well, sort of. I suspect that's going to feature more heavily in the sequels.</p>
<p>A pleasure to read and I look forward to both Alan and I being bitterly disappointed in the Bowdlerised Apple TV miniseries.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=72033&HTTP_REFERER=Atom" alt width="1" height="1" loading="eager">]]></content>
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</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Two Way TV - product photos of 1997's hottest gadget]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/two-way-tv-product-photos-of-1997s-hottest-gadget/" />
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=72448</id>
<updated>2026-06-18T11:20:03Z</updated>
<published>2026-06-16T11:34:18Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="BBC" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="history" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="internet" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="retrotech" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="tv" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Back in the late 1990s, I did a brief stint of work experience at the BBC. One of the most memorable moments was sitting in on a meeting about early forms of Interactive TV. I saw a demo of "Two Way TV". A flimsy grey box which (somehow) integrated with your OnDigital TV Box and connected to a server via a modem. If you were watching "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" you could play along at home,…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/two-way-tv-product-photos-of-1997s-hottest-gadget/"><![CDATA[<p>Back in the late 1990s, I did a brief stint of work experience at the BBC. One of the most memorable moments was sitting in on a meeting about <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2022/12/early-forms-of-interactive-tv/">early forms of Interactive TV</a>.</p>
<p>I saw a demo of "Two Way TV". A flimsy grey box which (somehow) integrated with your OnDigital TV Box and connected to a server via a modem. If you were watching "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" you could play along at home, send in your answers in realtime, and win REAL CASH PRIZES!!!</p>
<p>An anonymous benefactor read my blog post about the tech, had a pootle through their loft, and found one of the trial boxes they'd been sent in June 1997. With their kind permission, here are some photos of the future we never got.</p>
<p>The unit came in a chunky box with enough logos to convince you it was safe to plug in to the phone network.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Box.webp" alt="Orange box with regulatory logos." width="739" height="344" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72449">
<p>Flipping it over, we see a little more of the tech-specs and a defunct barcode (<code>5033936000023</code> for anyone searching) and product number (<code>SD2044N</code>).</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rear-Box.webp" alt="Box with a barcode and promises of NICAM stereo." width="445" height="751" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72450">
<p>Mmmm! NICAM! So, what did the Set Top Box (STB) actually look like:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/STB.webp" alt="Boring grey box." width="435" height="219" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72452">
<p>Pretty much the same as every other Digital TV STB of the era. A featureless grey slab. Here's a closer view.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/STB-detail.webp" alt="A slight close up showing the logo." width="693" height="126" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72451">
<p>How was it all connected? Here's the rear of the box:
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rear-panel-with-scart-connectors.webp" alt="SCART and other connectors." width="756" height="252" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72453"></p>
<p>Aerial in and out - I assume it had a digital decoder in it, but could pass the analogue channels through to the TV.</p>
<p>Stereo out, for plugging in to your sound system.</p>
<p>SCART in and out. I assume that let you connect your VCR or games console in pass-through mode.</p>
<p>Keyboard looks like a PS/2 port - which would have been the standard at the time. Comms and Remove Receiver both appear to be 8 pin serial connectors.</p>
<p>Finally, there's a standard telephone port for connecting to the dial-up service which makes it all work.</p>
<p>So, you've plugged in all the wires, how do you actually play the games? The unit comes with two controllers - one red and one blue.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Red-Controller.webp" alt="Game controller. Four blue buttons and a primitive touch screen with a red background." width="680" height="435" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72454">
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Blue-Controller.webp" alt="Game controller. Four blue buttons and a primitive touch screen with a blue background." width="640" height="413" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72455">
<p>The four buttons (triangle, square, circle, lozenge) were for answering on-screen questions. There's an up and down scroller in the middle and a help button above it. I don't know what the large grey circle does.</p>
<p>But what's the peculiar button on the coloured background? That's an early cursor control! Commercially available touchscreens were still in their infancy. This physical controller allowed you to position a digital cursor on screen. Nifty!</p>
<p>Also in the box was a TV guide:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Two-Way-TV-Guide.webp" alt="Magazine offering you the ability to play Wheel of Fortune with Jenny." width="374" height="521" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72456">
<p>A getting started leaflet:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Getting-Started-Guide.webp" alt="Getting Started Guide." width="416" height="296" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72458">
<p>There's also a service manual:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Field-Service-SD2044-and-SD2044N.webp" alt="Field Service SD2044 and SD2044N." width="420" height="546" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72457">
<p>I don't know what the difference was between SD2044 and SD2044<strong>N</strong>. Do you?</p>
<p>How much would this amazing interactive experience cost you? I've no idea about the upfront payment for the kit, but there's a Direct Debit form for the monthly subscription.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Direct-Debit-cost.webp" alt="£6.95 per month." width="670" height="466" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72459">
<p>That's about £14 in today's money.</p>
<p>So there you have it! A snapshot of 1997's vision of the future. From my understanding, the box was never a hit with the public. Two Way TV pivoted to other forms of interactive content like premium-rate phone-ins before <a href="https://www.tvforum.co.uk/tvhome/two-way-tv-goes-administration-7314">going bust in 2003</a>.</p>
<p>If you have any more memories of the service, or interesting photos, please leave a comment or <a href="https://edent.tel">get in touch with me</a>.</p>
<p><ins datetime="2026-06-18T11:12:48+00:00">Update!</ins> Some more information has been found:</p>
<blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:pm2zufo32pvn5pkewamnzfcp/app.bsky.feed.post/3moi2iq22zk2s" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreiadpzf356ebgp3tu43h4ecofd4aidn4ahlxs52lu4seaaiovap4ve" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode="system"><p lang="en">Ooh! Ooh! I have some niche information about this. It appears that stuff was broadcast to these boxes via teletext databroadcast packets - we've seen mysterious data streams with references to two way tv in teletext recoveries from Channel 4 recordings.</p>— ZXGuesser (<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:pm2zufo32pvn5pkewamnzfcp?ref_src=embed">@zxguesser.bsky.social</a>) <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:pm2zufo32pvn5pkewamnzfcp/post/3moi2iq22zk2s?ref_src=embed">17 June 2026 at 12:59</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<p>With ZXGuesser's kind permission, here are some of the recovered data packets. They're fairly corrupt (recording Teletext to VHS isn't an exact science) but you can see some clear mentions of Two Way TV.</p>
<p>Here's something about a trial period being extended:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/teletext1.webp" alt="Corrupted text code." width="356" height="719" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72538">
<p>This looks like code for a game:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/teletext2.webp" alt="Corrupted text code." width="347" height="704" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72537">
<p>Quiz results by household (possibly test data):</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/teletext3.webp" alt="Corrupted text code." width="351" height="687" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72536">
<p>Control code and UI code, possibly for a 68000 device:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/teletext4.webp" alt="Corrupted text code." width="349" height="752" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72535">
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/teletext5.webp" alt="Corrupted text code." width="352" height="740" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-72534">
<p>If you have more info to share, please let me know.</p>
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</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[[RSS Club] What happens to old posts?]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/rss-club-what-happens-to-old-posts/" />
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=72429</id>
<updated>2026-06-13T12:43:01Z</updated>
<published>2026-06-15T11:34:34Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="[RSS Club]" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="rss" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="RSS Club" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Welcome to RSS Club! These posts are only available to RSS and Atom subscribers. You can read more about the idea at Dave Rupert's site. I recently received an email from a distraught reader: I was going through my recent bookmarks and I found https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/04/rss-club-for-wordpress which I had clearly saved to reference again later. However, as with the nature of RSS Club™, I c…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/rss-club-what-happens-to-old-posts/"><![CDATA[<p>Welcome to RSS Club! These posts are <em>only</em> available to RSS and Atom subscribers. You can read more about the idea at <a href="https://daverupert.com/rss-club/">Dave Rupert's site</a>.</p>
<p>I recently received an email from a distraught reader:</p>
<blockquote><p>I was going through my recent bookmarks and I found <code>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/04/rss-club-for-wordpress</code> which I had clearly saved to reference again later.</p>
<p>However, as with the nature of RSS Club™, I can't just revisit that post in my browser. I'd long since deleted the RSS item in my feed and re-adding your entire feed only fetched the last ~20 items, of which this wasn't one.</p></blockquote>
<p>Oh no! It is true that my feed only goes back 20 entries. As a consequence, older posts are lost in the Time Vortex - much like several episodes of Doctor Who.</p>
<p>My first thought was "is this a bug or a feature?" Perhaps those posts should be ephemeral. It is possible that they've been archived - but it is equally possible that they've drifted away on the breeze like a child's balloon. Do I want people rummaging in the archives to get old club posts?</p>
<p>I think my answer is… I'm happy for them to be inaccessible for the casual reader.</p>
<p>But there are a few ways the determined scholar can find older posts.</p>
<h2 id="manually-save-the-contents"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/rss-club-what-happens-to-old-posts/#manually-save-the-contents">Manually Save The Contents</a></h2>
<p>Your feed reader probably lets you store a permanent copy of a post. You should do that if you want a local version available.</p>
<h2 id="archive-org"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/rss-club-what-happens-to-old-posts/#archive-org">Archive.org</a></h2>
<p>The Internet Archive regularly grabs a copy of my RSS feed. For example - <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20260000000000*/https://shkspr.mobi/blog/feed/atom/">https://web.archive.org/web/20260000000000*/https://shkspr.mobi/blog/feed/atom/</a></p>
<p>You can peruse older versions to your heart's content.</p>
<h2 id="json-api"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/rss-club-what-happens-to-old-posts/#json-api">JSON API</a></h2>
<p>WordPress's JSON API contains the full contents of the post (albeit in a slightly verbose JSON format). You need to know the post's ID.</p>
<p>For example, the JSON for this post itself can be found at <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/72429">https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/72429</a></p>
<h2 id="feed-pagination"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/rss-club-what-happens-to-old-posts/#feed-pagination">Feed Pagination</a></h2>
<p>By default, you only get 20 items per feed. If you'd like to go to the 2nd page of the feed, you can use:</p>
<p><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/feed/atom/?paged=2">https://shkspr.mobi/blog/feed/atom/?paged=2</a></p>
<p>Then <code>?paged=3</code> for the next, etc.</p>
<h2 id="category-feeds"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/rss-club-what-happens-to-old-posts/#category-feeds">Category Feeds</a></h2>
<p>WordPress has build-in support for category-specific feeds. So, if you want to subscribe to <em>only</em> the RSS Club posts, you may use <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/category/rss-club/feed/">https://shkspr.mobi/blog/category/rss-club/feed/</a></p>
<p>This also works with tags, for example <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/tag/rss-club/feed/">https://shkspr.mobi/blog/tag/rss-club/feed/</a></p>
<p>They <em>should</em> both be the same, but I primarily use categories to differentiate between club and non-club posts.</p>
<h2 id="email"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/rss-club-what-happens-to-old-posts/#email">Email</a></h2>
<p>Feel free to email me if you can't find something. My contact details are on <a href="https://edent.tel/">https://edent.tel/</a></p>
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</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Did Frank Sinatra really think "Something" was a Lennon/McCartney song?]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/" />
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=71464</id>
<updated>2026-06-14T11:08:05Z</updated>
<published>2026-06-14T11:34:16Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="quote" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="yak shaving" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Read enough articles about The Beatles and you'll repeatedly hit the claim that Frank Sinatra frequently introduced his cover of George Harrison's "Something" as his "favourite Lennon & McCartney number." Much like the misquote about Ringo not being the best drummer in The Beatles, I think this might be one of those semi-apocryphal lines which has taken on a life of its own. Here's what Paul…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/"><![CDATA[<p>Read enough articles about The Beatles and you'll repeatedly hit the claim that Frank Sinatra frequently introduced his cover of George Harrison's "Something" as his "favourite Lennon & McCartney number."</p>
<p>Much like the misquote about <a href="https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/john-lennon-ringo-best-drummer/">Ringo not being the best drummer in The Beatles</a>, I think this might be one of those semi-apocryphal lines which has taken on a life of its own.</p>
<p>Here's what Paul McCartney has to say in The Beatles Anthology, Episode 4.</p>
<p></p><div style="width: 620px;" class="wp-video"><video class="wp-video-shortcode" id="video-71464-2" width="620" height="511" poster="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/macca.webp" preload="metadata" controls="controls"><source type="video/webm" src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Sinatra.webm?_=2"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Sinatra.webm">https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Sinatra.webm</a></video></div><p></p>
<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles_Anthology_(TV_series)">That was broadcast in 1995</a> - so we need to look for sources from before that.</p>
<p>There's not <em>much</em> Internet before the mid-1990s. Google's mismanagement of the USENET archives is a cultural obscenity. Nevertheless, we can find a <em>few</em> references which predate McCartney's broadcast.</p>
<p>1994-12-26</p>
<blockquote><p><a href="https://groups.google.com/g/rec.music.beatles/c/fGBPpkwUMuU/m/h_cdIFD8jRwJ">Frankie used to introduce "Something" as his "tribute to Mr. Lennon and Mr. McCartney" ;^)</a></p></blockquote>
<p>1990-03-05</p>
<blockquote><p><a href="https://groups.google.com/g/rec.music.beatles/c/VeAi89TapCE/m/Cc0uJloNjEoJ">In fact, a friend of mine (a supposed Beatle fan; turns out she's really just a L/M fan), were having a discussion about this very subject, she, just like Frank Sinatra, didn't know that George wrote "Something." Duh.</a></p></blockquote>
<p>So it was certainly a proto-meme back then.</p>
<p>Of the thousands of Beatles books, I can't find any from before the mid-1990s which mention Sinatra's misattribution.</p>
<p>For example, <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Complete_Guide_to_the_Music_of_the_B/6Ss5AQAAIAAJ">1994's The Complete Guide to the Music of the Beatles</a> simply says:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/greatest-love-song.webp" alt="Frank Sinatra called "the greatest love song ever written"." width="600" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-71466">
<p>Similarly, there are plenty of books and articles about Sinatra - lots of them talk about Something, but never this supposed misrepresentation. In <a href="https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=veUCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA31&dq=sinatra+%22something%22+lennon+mccartney&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi99q_z_amUAxW9UEEAHQonLawQ6AF6BAgNEAM#v=onepage&q=sinatra%20%22something%22%20lennon%20mccartney&f=false">1980's New York Magazine</a>, Sinatra is interviewed and says:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/rainy.webp" alt="George Harrison "His 'Something' is a beauty."" width="600" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-71467">
<p>There are <a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=sinatra+something">many videos of Sinatra singing Something</a> on YouTube - <strong>none</strong> of them have him introducing the song as a Lennon/McCartney number.</p>
<p>Indeed, here's one where he introduces it as being by George Harrison.</p>
<iframe title="Frank Sinatra - Something" width="620" height="465" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YcIxxP_pOSc?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<p>I think that's <a href="https://www.sinatra.com/frank-sinatra-timeline/page/3/">1982's The Concert for the Americas - in the Dominican Republic</a>.</p>
<p>Here's a 1985 concert where he introduces it as being by George Harrison of The Beatles.</p>
<iframe title="Something Frank Sinatra (Live in HD)" width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y_pEu3otPX0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<p>Way back in 1978 at Sinatra's Caesar’s Palace Concert, he introduces it with "George Harrison wrote it" and finishes with "by George Harrison".</p>
<iframe title="Frank Sinatra 1978 Caesar&apos;s Palace Las Vegas" width="620" height="465" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qJhW9R5PybA?start=1324&feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<p>Even back in 1975, during a <a href="https://youtu.be/mBifNX8vzYM?t=1073">concert in Jerusalem</a> he was crediting Harrison, saying:</p>
<blockquote><p>Every one of The Beatles was a very talented young man individually. And here's an example of George Harrison with a great love song."</p></blockquote>
<p>I've now listened to dozens of recordings of Sinatra singing Something live and in <em>none</em> of them does he so much as mention John Lennon or Paul McCartney.</p>
<p>So is the quote apocryphal? Possibly not!</p>
<p>Less than a year after John Lennon was murdered, Sinatra treated Carnegie Hall<sup id="fnref:ch"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fn:ch" class="footnote-ref" title="After all, Sinatra had a lot of practice!" role="doc-noteref">0</a></sup> to a series of 11 concerts.</p>
<p>On 10th September 1981, John Rockwell published <a href="https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/pop-sinatra-at-carnegie/docview/424187532/se-2">Pop: Sinatra at Carnegie</a> - a review of the opening night of Sinatra's concert series at New York City's Carnegie Hall:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/cocky-stance.webp" alt="Mr. Sinatra is no friend of the electric pop music of the last 25 years. Yet his cocky stance dovetails neatly with the punk defiance of the rock generation. And his treatment of material by younger writers - including a John Lennon tribute with a Beatles song - while not always idiomatic, carries with it a conviction that bridges gaps again. " width="600" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-71476">
<p>Also on the 10th, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/search/results/?country=us&keyword=%22mr.+lennon.+Also+Mr.+McCartney%22&sort=paper-date-asc">a clutch of US papers reproduced a story</a> by the <a href="https://www.deseret.com/2012/10/19/20442745/mary-campbell-music-writer-for-the-ap-dies-at-78/">inimitable Mary Campbell of the Associated Press</a>.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Mary-Campbell.webp" alt="By MARY CAMPBELL Associated Press Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Frank Sinatra has opened 11 concerts at Carnegie Hall proving Wednesday night he still can mine deeper into the heart of a song than just about anybody around. Some may have thought "New York, New York," his final song in his hour and a quarter concert, was his best one. He sang it with verve, vigor and rich tone, bent the last note just exactly right and in general sounded about the age of Liza Minnelli, who has been known to sing it too. And it got him a standing ovation. But we thought the high point of the evening was "Something." Sinatra introduced the song, written and recorded by the Beatles, by saying, "In a sense this is a personal tribute to Mr. Lennon. Also Mr. McCartney." (The song was written by Beatle George Harrison.)" width="600" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-71844">
<p>Most of the syndicated versions <a href="https://www.nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=coe19810911-01.1.2&srpos=1&e=------198-en-20--1--txt-txIN-sinatra+%22personal+tribute%22---------">leave out the parenthetical remarks</a>.</p>
<p>On the 11th, Patricia O'Haire published a somewhat snide review of the September 9th concert in <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/image/488687995/?terms=harrison&match=1">The New York Daily News</a></p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/one-quibble.webp" alt="Only one quibble, and it's minor. Sinatra started on song by saying "This is my personal tribute to Mr. Lennon and Mr. McCartney" then proceeded to sing "Something" a lovely ballad. Really lovely. Except it was written by George Harrison, whose name, unfortunately, was never mentioned." width="600" height="209" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-71880">
<p>On 14th September 1981, a British newspaper re-reported the comment:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/blue-eyes-red-face.webp" alt="Blue eyes, red face. FRANK SINATRA is now singing the old Beatles number “Something" at his concerts. “In a sense,” says Ol' Blue Eyes, “ this is a personal tribute to Mr Lennon. Also to Mr McCartney.” It would be churlish, I suppose, to point out that the song was actually written by Mr Harrison." width="308" height="735" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-71501">
<p>That's the <a href="https://britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/search/results/1970-01-01/1981-12-31?basicsearch=sinatra%20something%20lennon&somesearch=sinatra%20something%20lennon&exactsearch=false&retrievecountrycounts=false&newspapertitle=daily%2bexpress">Daily Express</a> by Rob Benson, their Los Angeles correspondent<sup id="fnref:now"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fn:now" class="footnote-ref" title="It is odd that the reporter describes Sinatra as "now" singing Something when it had been in his repertoire for over a decade. About the right level of journalistic rigour expected of the Express." role="doc-noteref">1</a></sup>.</p>
<p>By the 29th of September 1981, the story had made it to <a href="https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1240384507/view?sectionId=nla.obj-1569027603&partId=nla.obj-1240470436">Australian Financial Times' The Bulletin</a>.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/australian.webp" alt="Frank Sinatra, the Mafia's favorite crooner, is soft on the Beatles. He's included their classic Something in his latest concert, effusing: "In a sense this is a personal tribute to Mr Lennon. Also to Mr McCartney." All of which is a bit tough on George Harrison, who wrote the song." width="600" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-71593">
<p>It's unclear how many of those journalists were actually at the concert. I assume John Rockwell, Mary Campbell, and Patricia O'Haire were as they published fairly detailed reviews.</p>
<p>Tracking down a set-list for that long-gone concert is tricky. <a href="https://www.carnegiehall.org/About/History/Performance-History-Search?q=&dex=prod_PHS&page=3&pf=Frank%20Sinatra_">Carnegie Hall themselves</a> get the dates wrong in their archive and say the first performance was on the 8th, and their set-list is sourced from Setlist.fm rather than their own records. The <a href="https://www.freelists.org/post/sinatraphiles/September-9-THIS-DATE-IN-SINATRA-HISTORY,13#:~:text=1981">Sinatraphiles mailing list</a> has a set-list for the 9th which does include "Something".</p>
<p>There's a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4408990110/frank-sinatra-carnegie-hall-1981">purported recording of the September 10th concert</a> with a set-list on the reverse:</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/cd-back.webp" alt="CD track listing." width="514" height="514" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-71477">
<p>There's no "Lennon" song - the only Beatles number is "Something". Let's take a listen to the introduction from that bootleg recording.</p>
<p></p><figure class="audio">
<figcaption>🔊 Something<br>🎤 Frank Sinatra</figcaption>
<audio controls="" loading="lazy" src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Something.mp3">
<p>💾 <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Something.mp3">Download this audio file</a>.</p>
</audio>
</figure><p></p>
<p>"A beautiful song by George Harrison. Maybe one of the best love songs ever written."<sup id="fnref:intro"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fn:intro" class="footnote-ref" title="Later on, in the introduction to "Luck Be A Lady Tonight", he sarcastically describes Marlon Brando as "America's great baritone!". There are quite a few jokey moments in the performance - so it is…" role="doc-noteref">2</a></sup></p>
<p>So, that's a handful of contemporary sources who mention that Frank Sinatra <em>once</em> introduced "Something" as being composed by someone other than Harrison.</p>
<p>The only recording is of the concert the next day - and it doesn't includes that "blooper".</p>
<p>There's no other mentions I can find which directly cite a specific concert or performance.</p>
<p>Did Sinatra ever say it was his "favourite Lennon and McCartney song"? He sang in thousands of shows<sup id="fnref:dean"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fn:dean" class="footnote-ref" title="Incidentally, as far as I can tell, Sinatra first sang "Something" in December 1970 on The Dean Martin Show - about a year after its release on Abbey Road. Sinatra's performance doesn't contain him…" role="doc-noteref">3</a></sup>, not all of which were recorded<sup id="fnref:rec"><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fn:rec" class="footnote-ref" title="I spoke to one collector who said:
> I also checked all of the other collectors lists I have, and they do not have it either, I do however have reference to its existence via a notecard that…" role="doc-noteref">4</a></sup>, so it is entirely possible he mentioned it. But you'd expect more than a few reporters would write about it, wouldn't you?</p>
<p>The origin of the "quote", as far as I can tell, is from an interview Paul McCartney gave to David Hinckley in the <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/search/results/?city=New+York&county=New+York&date=1984&keyword=sinatra+something+lennon+mccartney&region=us-ny">New York Daily News on 21st October 1984</a>.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Macca-Interview.webp" alt=""And George - well, John and I did write most of the early material, but he developed into a helluva writer. Look at 'Something.' Sinatra still sings that." It's mentioned that Sinatra also has been known to introduce it as "my favorite Lennon-McCartney song." "Well, yeah," says Paul, "that's what George is up against."" width="600" height="413" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-71891">
<p>That's the first time that I can see "Something" mentioned as Sinatra's "favorite Lennon-McCartney song".</p>
<p>I went rummaging through some reviews of Frank's concert performance which included "Something" in the set list.</p>
<p>His concert at the Palladium:</p>
<blockquote><p>And Frank sings 'Something'. It's OK. The Vanilla Fudge were more adept at Beatle rewrites however.</p>
<p>Chris Salewicz. "<a href="https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/frank-sinatra-palladium-london">Frank Sinatra: Palladium, London</a>". New Musical Express (1975).</p></blockquote>
<p>His concert at the Royal Albert Hall:</p>
<blockquote><p>Superb renditions of Jim Webb's 'Didn't We?' and Harrison's 'Something' were recreated with a totally unique empathy. "Real Songs, beautiful songs", he said fervently, no trace of show-biz cant.</p>
<p>Max Bell. "<a href="https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/frank-sinatra-royal-albert-hall-london">Frank Sinatra: Royal Albert Hall, London</a>". New Musical Express (1975).</p></blockquote>
<p>And another report of the same gig:</p>
<blockquote><p>Jimmy Webb's 'Didn't We' and the classic 'Nice And Easy', were exceptionally good, standing out easily among lacklustre renditions of 'Something', 'Strangers In The Night' and a David Gates song. In between, Sinatra delivered various controversial raps designed to instigate audience loyalties but proved that Sinatra should open his mouth only when singing.</p>
<p>Barbara Charone. "<a href="https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/frank-sinatra-royal-albert-hall-london-2">Frank Sinatra: Royal Albert Hall, London</a>". Sounds (1975).</p></blockquote>
<p>I've read dozens of gig reviews of old Sinatra concerts and they all contain various levels of snark about his performance, song choice, and politics - so you'd expect British reporters would have picked up on the misattribution, wouldn't you?</p>
<p>Instead, there's two slightly contradictory reports of one single concert and no suggestion that Sinatra himself said it was his "favorite Lennon-McCartney song". Given that he <em>repeatedly</em> credited George Harrison in the decade leading up to that concert, I think it is fair to say the "quote" has taken on a significance far beyond its actual importance.</p>
<p>If you have a recording of Sinatra introducing "Something" as a Lennon/McCartney number - or any other <em>contemporary</em> reports of that - please drop a comment in the box.</p>
<div id="footnotes" role="doc-endnotes">
<hr aria-label="Footnotes">
<ol start="0">
<li id="fn:ch">
<p>After all, Sinatra had a <em>lot</em> of practice! <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fnref:ch" class="footnote-backref" role="doc-backlink">↩︎</a></p>
</li>
<li id="fn:now">
<p>It is odd that the reporter describes Sinatra as "now" singing Something when it had been in his repertoire for over a decade. About the right level of journalistic rigour expected of the Express. <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fnref:now" class="footnote-backref" role="doc-backlink">↩︎</a></p>
</li>
<li id="fn:intro">
<p>Later on, in the introduction to "Luck Be A Lady Tonight", he sarcastically describes Marlon Brando as "America's great baritone!". There are quite a few jokey moments in the performance - so it is entirely possible his Lennon & McCartney remark was a quip. <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fnref:intro" class="footnote-backref" role="doc-backlink">↩︎</a></p>
</li>
<li id="fn:dean">
<p>Incidentally, as far as I can tell, Sinatra first sang "Something" in December 1970 on <a href="https://www.freelists.org/post/sinatraphiles/December-31-THIS-DATE-IN-SINATRA-HISTORY,3#:~:text=something">The Dean Martin Show</a> - about a year after its release on Abbey Road. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkqjOUksnSA">Sinatra's performance</a> doesn't contain him saying anything about the song. <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fnref:dean" class="footnote-backref" role="doc-backlink">↩︎</a></p>
</li>
<li id="fn:rec">
<p>I spoke to one collector who said:</p>
<blockquote><p>I also checked all of the other collectors lists I have, and they do not have it either, I do however have reference to its existence via a notecard that represents a massive collection. What this means is that the concert could exist, but more than likely has never been digitized. Many Sinatra concerts are still stuck on reel to reels from the 70s and 80s and have never been transferred to the digital realm and shared on the internet.</p></blockquote>
<p><a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fnref:rec" class="footnote-backref" role="doc-backlink">↩︎</a></p>
</li>
</ol>
</div>
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</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Gadget Review: TP Link EH210 Ethernet Splitter (USB-C) ★★★★★]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/gadget-review-tp-link-eh210-ethernet-splitter-usb-c/" />
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=69083</id>
<updated>2026-04-20T13:34:04Z</updated>
<published>2026-06-12T11:34:18Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="gadget" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="review" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="usb-c" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[When I ran Ethernet around our house, I thought I was being clever. A CAT6 cable for every room - lush! Some of my rooms have lots of devices, so they get a nice big Ethernet switch with lots of ports and blinking lights. But most of my rooms don't have that many devices. Our gym had only an Internet connected TV so that I could watch Quibi while exercising. Recently we added a Kodi box so that…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/gadget-review-tp-link-eh210-ethernet-splitter-usb-c/"><![CDATA[<p>When I ran Ethernet around our house, I thought I was being clever. A CAT6 cable for every room - lush! Some of my rooms have lots of devices, so they get a nice big Ethernet switch with lots of ports and blinking lights.</p>
<p>But most of my rooms don't have <em>that</em> many devices. Our gym had only an Internet connected TV so that I could watch Quibi while exercising. Recently we added a Kodi box so that I could stream Linux ISOs while sweating on my static bike. Was it worth running another cable there? No. Did I want to buy an expensive hub or switch with multiple ports? Also no.</p>
<p>Enter the EH210. I bought it because it is USB-C powered - as everything should be.</p>
<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/tp-link-eh210.webp" alt="Square device with four cables protruding." width="1024" height="768" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-69085">
<p>The USB cable it came with was reasonably long. I shoved the A end into the TV and the C end into the device. When the TV is off, it doesn't supply any power to its USB ports - which is perfect for me. When the TV is on, the splitter wakes up quickly and starts blinking its little lights.</p>
<p>The metal chassis is good at dissipating the heat. The lights aren't egregiously bright. Both outbound Ethernet work simultaneously and they are fast enough for video streaming. The supplied Ethernet cable seemed fine.</p>
<p>And… That's all there is to say about it really. For a tenner (depending on The Algorithm) it's a decent bit of kit. If you dont need a fully provisioned switch integrated with your mesh network, this is just the ticket.</p>
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</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>@edent</name>
<uri>https://edent.tel/</uri>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Book Review: The Husbands by Holly Gramazio ★★★★★]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/book-review-the-husbands-by-holly-gramazio/" />
<id>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=72037</id>
<updated>2026-06-10T09:39:13Z</updated>
<published>2026-06-10T11:34:55Z</published>
<category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="/etc/" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="Book Review" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="feminism" /><category scheme="https://shkspr.mobi/blog" term="Sci Fi" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Ooooh! This is a lovely treat of a book. Every time Lauren sends her husband into the loft, a different man comes down. Her past is rewritten and she has now been married to Dave/Gary/Bob/Whoever for a year, a month, a decade, a minute. This isn't like how Groundhog Day became On The Calculation of Volume or Sliding Doors became The Names, instead this is a new and twisty concept rendered…]]></summary>
<content type="html" xml:base="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/book-review-the-husbands-by-holly-gramazio/"><![CDATA[<img src="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/9781529920369-jacket-large.webp" alt="Book cover. A woman holds a ladder with a man on it." width="326" height="500" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-72042">
<p>Ooooh! This is a lovely treat of a book. Every time Lauren sends her husband into the loft, a different man comes down. Her past is rewritten and she has now been married to Dave/Gary/Bob/Whoever for a year, a month, a decade, a minute.</p>
<p>This isn't like how Groundhog Day became <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/02/book-review-on-the-calculation-of-volume-solvej-balle/">On The Calculation of Volume</a> or Sliding Doors became <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/05/book-review-the-names-by-florence-knapp/">The Names</a>, instead this is a new and twisty concept rendered through the lens of a chick-lit comedy.</p>
<p>It's proper laugh-aloud funny, while playing with all the clichés of both sci-fi and romcoms.</p>
<p>The thing I liked most is that Lauren is an <em>active</em> and intelligent protagonist unlike, say, Carol Sturka from Pluribus. Sturka never engages with the premise of her odd situation, she doesn't try to discover the rules of the world she's living in and is content to let things happen <em>to</em> her. Lauren spends a good deal of time at least trying to get to grips with the (un)reality of her husband-dispensing portal. I found that made for a rather gratifying story and didn't leave me shouting at the pages "JUST TRY SOMETHING!"</p>
<p>It's also refreshing to follow the adventures of a (slight) antihero. Lauren mostly knows when she is being monstrous. She flings between feminism and self-directed misogyny - with a smattering of misandry. Her discrimination against those of us men who wear socks with individual toes is, of course, an unforgivable sin.</p>
<p>The pacing is excellent - with an perfectly timed plot twist just as things are settling down. The afterword talks briefly about the multiple possible endings that were considered. I'd love to know what ideas were rejected although, in retrospect, there's only one narratively satisfying conclusion.</p>
<p>I read a lot of <a href="https://shkspr.mobi/blog/tag/sci-fi/">science fiction</a> - probably more than is healthy - and The Husbands is a welcome addition to my shelf. The practicalities of the plot-device are as unimportant as how Warp Drive works; science fiction is about exploring the possibilities of a fantastical situation. If you could instantly swap your spouse because they lost the TV remote <em>again</em> - would you? In a world of no consequences, what would you get away with? If you discovered a break in reality, what would you try in order to exploit or understand it?</p>
<p>The Husbands gets fairly dark. Never grim, exactly, but it gnaws away at the cosiness proffered by domestic bliss. Although Lauren can be a bit of a bitch, the story just about strays away from making her morally repugnant. An exemplary piece of storytelling.</p>
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"id": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=72474",
"title": "I'm a USB-C Maximalist",
"description": "My wife and I recently went on a 7 week holiday around Europe. Although we each took a massive backpack, we wanted to travel fairly lightly. I took a single universal power brick. This little unit was all I needed to charge my various gadgets. It has a hefty USB-C PD (Power Delivery) port for rapid charging of my phone and laptop. Two other USB-C ports for my other gadgets. And a couple of…",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/im-a-usb-c-maximalist/",
"published": "2026-07-14T11:34:26.000Z",
"updated": "2026-07-14T11:12:48.000Z",
"content": "<p>My wife and I recently went on <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/\">a 7 week holiday around Europe</a>. Although we each took a massive backpack, we wanted to travel fairly lightly. I took a single universal power brick. This little unit was all I needed to charge my various gadgets.</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://amzn.to/3SFGbSw\"><img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/61CMB5ms3DL._AC_AIweblab1006854T4_FMavif_SF875.0875.0_PQ67_.jpg.avif\" alt=\"A purple power adaptor with multiple USB ports.\" width=\"320\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-72480\"></a></p>\n\n<p>It has a hefty USB-C PD (Power Delivery) port for rapid charging of my phone and laptop. Two other USB-C ports for my other gadgets. And a couple of legacy USB-A ports which were redundant. The pass through was useful for using the same socket as the hotel's TV / lamp / coffee maker.</p>\n\n<p>Wherever we were in the world, I was 100% confident that I would be able to buy a replacement charger if I needed it. USB-C cables are everywhere too. What are the chances that I could find the exact charger needed for a GameBoy Colour? Or the puck for last year's Pixel watch? Or the weird barrel jack for an HP laptop?</p>\n\n<p>No. One charger. One cable. One standard.</p>\n\n<p>Here's everything I took which needed to be recharged.</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Phone\n\n<ul>\n<li>A Pixel 8 Pro (running GrapheneOS). It also has the ability to act as a power source and recharge other devices.</li>\n</ul></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/05/gadget-review-chuwi-minibook-x-n150-linux/\">Laptop</a>\n\n<ul>\n<li>A Chuwi MiniBook. Small, light, decent battery.</li>\n</ul></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2019/11/gadget-review-boyue-likebook-ares/\">eReader</a>\n\n<ul>\n<li>A no-name eInk device. I read a <em>lot</em> on holiday.</li>\n</ul></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/08/i-bought-a-16-smartwatch-just-because-it-used-usb-c/\">Watch</a>\n\n<ul>\n<li>A cheap but capable smartwatch. No magnetic charging dongle - just shove the cable into the body.</li>\n</ul></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://amzn.to/4xpOkKZ\">Toothbrush</a>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Again, a cheap and unbranded device. And, again, no charging dock - the bottom has a protected USB socket.<br><img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Imagepipe_36.webp\" alt=\"The bottom of an electric toothbrush. Under a flap is a USB-C port.\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1535\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-72482\"></li>\n</ul></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/01/review-pebblebee-clip-universal-and-android-find-my-device-tracker/\">Tracker</a>\n\n<ul>\n<li>What if someone steals my bag? Hopefully the PebbleBee \"Find My\" device will help me recover it.</li>\n</ul></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2020/09/review-a-portable-battery-with-usb-power-delivery/\">Battery</a>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Most trains, trams, and buses have USB power supplies. But sometimes you want your own hefty store of electrons. This one accepts PD charging and also outputs PD.</li>\n</ul></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/11/gadget-review-soundpeats-clip1-cuff-headphones/\">Headphones</a>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Some cute ear-cuff headphones. I feel a bit guilty about including these, because it is their case which has the USB-C port rather than the cans themselves.</li>\n</ul></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2023/12/usb-c-cures-mosquito-bites/\">Bug Bite Zapper</a>\n\n<ul>\n<li>This is a bit of a cheat. It uses my phone's USB port to heat up.</li>\n</ul></li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>I probably could have gotten away with a single-port charger. The phone needs recharging every night, but most of the other devices can go days or weeks without being topped up.</p>\n\n<p>As we were travelling light(ish) I didn't bother bringing the Nintendo Switch. We were in a major cities, so no need for our USB-C powered <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2024/07/walkie-talkie-review-zx-808/\">walkie-talkies</a>. We were out sightseeing most days, so I didn't take the USB-C to <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/11/review-benfei-wireless-usb-c-to-hdmi/\">HDMI adaptor</a> which would have let us connect the laptop and phones to a hotel TV. Perhaps in the hotter countries I could have done with the USB-C <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2021/07/gadget-review-usb-c-powered-semiconductor-neck-cooler/\">neck cooler</a> - instead I purchased a cheap USB-C rechargeable fan. Rather than bring a beard trimmer, I went to local barbers. If anything needed AA batteries, well, I could have used these <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2024/01/gadget-review-usb-c-aa-batteries/\">rechargeable batteries</a>.</p>\n\n<p>I know there are some problems with USB-C. But the benefits far outweigh the glitches. Using my <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/06/gadget-review-treedix-usb-cable-tester/\">USB-C cable tester</a>, I can be sure all the cables I have can deliver the amount of power my devices need.</p>\n\n<p>There's simply no point buying any electrical gadget which uses a proprietary charging port.</p>\n\n<p>You can read <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/tag/usb-c/\">all my USB-C posts</a> and all my <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/tag/gadget/\">gadget reviews</a>.</p>\n\n<p>What electrical items do you travel with which don't use the one-true-connector?</p>\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=72474&HTTP_REFERER=Atom\" alt width=\"1\" height=\"1\" loading=\"eager\">",
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"id": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=73094",
"title": "[RSS Club] Half a million steps is about 10 marathons",
"description": "Shhh! RSS Club posts are only available to feed subscribers. Keep the secret! I'm not a big fan of the \"Quantified Self\" movement, but since buying a ridiculously cheap smartwatch, I've been interested to see just how many steps I take per day. During our recent Interrail holiday, we travelled about 6,400 Km by train over 49 days. But how much did we cover by foot? My watch pairs with the Open …",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/rss-club-half-a-million-steps-is-about-10-marathons/",
"published": "2026-07-13T11:34:09.000Z",
"updated": "2026-07-11T21:25:54.000Z",
"content": "<p><mark>Shhh! RSS Club posts are only available to feed subscribers. Keep the secret!</mark></p>\n\n<p>I'm not a big fan of the \"Quantified Self\" movement, but since buying <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/08/i-bought-a-16-smartwatch-just-because-it-used-usb-c/\">a ridiculously cheap smartwatch</a>, I've been interested to see just how many steps I take per day.</p>\n\n<p>During <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/\">our recent Interrail holiday</a>, we travelled about 6,400 Km by train over 49 days. But how much did we cover by foot?</p>\n\n<p>My watch pairs with the Open Source app Gadgetbridge rather than the crappy app made by the manufacturer. Sadly, Gadgetbridge doesn't have a simple way to export data in a usable format. Instead, it spews out a database dump and asks you to <a href=\"https://gadgetbridge.org/internals/development/data-management/#steps-per-day\">run SQL commands to get information out</a>.</p>\n\n<p>After a bit of swearing at the command-line, I got my daily step count. I didn't <em>always</em> wear my watch, but this is accurate enough for my purposes.</p>\n\n<p>In seven weeks, I took 545,453 steps.</p>\n\n<p>The average stride length for someone my height is around 80 cm.</p>\n\n<p>So that's a total of about 436,362 metres</p>\n\n<p>A marathon is about 42 Km.</p>\n\n<p>No wonder I feel knackered. I think I need a holiday to recover!</p>\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=73094&HTTP_REFERER=Atom\" alt width=\"1\" height=\"1\" loading=\"eager\">",
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{
"id": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=73007",
"title": "Another Ridiculous Interrail Holiday - 6,379Km and 13 Countries over 7 weeks",
"description": "Last year, my wife and I went on a 5,025 Km Interrail adventure. We got the month-long unlimited pass and saw 10 Countries in 30 Days. That was a bit too intense. So this year we got the 15 travel days in 2 months package. We grabbed the 1st class tickets when they went on sale in December. Here's how our journey ended up: The trip included two ferries - one overnight - which had a small…",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/",
"published": "2026-07-12T11:34:43.000Z",
"updated": "2026-07-09T13:24:47.000Z",
"content": "<p>Last year, my wife and I went on a <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/06/5025-km-21-journeys-and-10-countries-in-30-days-an-interrailing-adventure/\">5,025 Km Interrail adventure</a>. We got the month-long unlimited pass and saw 10 Countries in 30 Days. That was a bit too intense. So this year we got the 15 travel days in 2 months package. We grabbed the 1st class tickets when they went on sale in December.</p>\n\n<p>Here's how our journey ended up:</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Long-Interrail-Journey.webp\" alt=\"A map of Europe with several countries connected by a black line.\" width=\"1526\" height=\"1505\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-73008\">\n\n<p>The trip included two ferries - one overnight - which had a small Interrail discount. In total we spent approximately 40 hours on trains over a 7 week trip.</p>\n\n<p>This blog post looks at the practicalities of the journey and the experience we had while travelling. You are free to decide which cities you want to visit and which you want to skip. This worked (mostly) for us - you should write a blog post about your own experiences.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"london-to-brussels\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#london-to-brussels\">London To Brussels</a></h2>\n\n<p>Eurostar St Pancras is dangerously crowded and needs tearing down. You can use <a href=\"https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:STP?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=ES\">RealTimeTrains to see your departure platform before it is announced</a> - that's useful for avoiding some of the queues.</p>\n\n<p>The first-class service in Eurostar is lovely (even if it doesn't get you access to the lounge). Unfortunately, you need to book vegan meals a few days in advance - a deadline I missed. The veggie option was fine though.</p>\n\n<p>Made it to Brussels where we hit our first snag.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"brussels-to-hamburg\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#brussels-to-hamburg\">Brussels to Hamburg</a></h2>\n\n<p>We'd booked some of our tickets months in advance. What we hadn't realised is that construction work had been announced and our train would be getting is much later than we anticipated.</p>\n\n<p>Neither Interrail (who we booked the seat reservations through) nor DB (who had our contact details) thought to tell us about the change in journey. Nevertheless, we jumped on a train and had a pleasant enough trip up to Germany.</p>\n\n<p>The Interrail refund form is ridiculously complicated and asks for various screenshots. There really ought to be a big \"DB Screwed Up\" button for an instant refund. Still, after a couple of days the refund came through.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"hamburg-to-copenhagen\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#hamburg-to-copenhagen\">Hamburg to Copenhagen</a></h2>\n\n<p>There's a DB lounge at the station. We received suspicious stares at our Interrail passes which then necessitated deep examination of our seat reservation by two people. Begrudgingly they let us in. There were comfortable seats and some free drinks. It was mostly quiet until various children started crying.</p>\n\n<p>The train was gentle and slow. 1st class got a snack included - veggie but not vegan. For the first time since leaving the UK there were passport checks which were friendly.</p>\n\n<p>At one point there was a quiet announcement in German. We didn't think much of it until everyone started getting off the train. Turns out one of the carriages had suffered a failure and we were turfed out at Nyborg. Approximately 1,000 passengers attempted to board the next available train - it looked like an utter crush. So we waited for the one after that.</p>\n\n<p>We were treated to a train with spectacular panoramic windows as it went over The Bridge.</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/big-windows.webp\" alt=\"Standing in front of a big window with the water behind us.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1439\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-73015\">\n\n<p>A friendly guard told us where to change. Arrived a little late and filled in the Interrail compensation form again.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"copenhagen-to-goteborg\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#copenhagen-to-goteborg\">Copenhagen to Göteborg</a></h2>\n\n<p>The lounge in Copenhagen was basic but fine. A few bowls of fruit and a coffee machine but nothing else. Weirdly no train display.</p>\n\n<p>The train had power sockets on the ceiling - along with headphone jacks! Was a little strange seeing cables dripping down from the ceiling. The 1st class seats were a little roomier than standard, but not much in it. Ticket inspector looked confused at Interrail passes but didn't challenge us.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"goteborg-to-oslo\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#goteborg-to-oslo\">Göteborg to Oslo</a></h2>\n\n<p>Trains were frequent enough that we didn't bother with advance seat reservations. No 1st class, but the quiet zone was spacious enough. Again, a brief glance at the tickets rather than scanning them.</p>\n\n<p>I was heartily impressed to see snack vending machines on a train! Better than someone pushing a cart through I reckon.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"oslo-to-stockholm\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#oslo-to-stockholm\">Oslo to Stockholm</a></h2>\n\n<p>There were no signs on seats to say reserved and the service was very full. But we got our seats without a problem. There was free fruit and tea / water in the 1st class carriage. WiFi speeds were excellent.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"stockholm-to-helsinki-overnight-ferry\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#stockholm-to-helsinki-overnight-ferry\">Stockholm to Helsinki (overnight ferry)</a></h2>\n\n<p>Annoyingly, the ferry terminal is a rather long distance from the nearest tram stop which was a bit of an arse.</p>\n\n<p>The check-in to the ferry warns of extra costs if you have the temerity to use the staffed counters - but the automatic check in wouldn't work with our tickets. They wanted to check that we were eligible for the Interrail discount, so we showed them the app - we didn't have to spend a travel day though. They printed out our tickets and didn't charge us extra.</p>\n\n<p>The boat itself was gorgeous. Obviously not full - many of the bars were empty and the disco was dead - but surprisingly they put on a full song and dance show as entertainment. We'd made reservations at one of the fancy restaurants, which was perfectly nice. It was breathtakingly beautiful outside.</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ferry.webp\" alt=\"Two of us looking out over the islands.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"729\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-73017\">\n\n<p>The room was basic, but much easier to sleep in than an overnight train. Unfortunately, I fucked up with the timezones. Stockholm is UTC+1 and Helsinki is at UTC+2. I set my alarm an hour too early!</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/timezone.webp\" alt=\"Two clocks. One has a Finnish flag, the other a Swedish flag.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"326\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-73016\">\n\n<p>The breakfast buffet was very well stocked for veggie and vegans. Massive queue before opening but not too crowded.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"helsinki-to-tallinn-day-ferry\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#helsinki-to-tallinn-day-ferry\">Helsinki to Tallinn (day ferry)</a></h2>\n\n<p>Terminal was a short walk from the tram. It was spacious and had plenty of seating. Again we couldn't use the automated check in and had to show our Interrail apps. Ferry was small but plenty of room to sit or go shopping.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"tallinn-to-riga\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#tallinn-to-riga\">Tallinn to Riga</a></h2>\n\n<p>Slightly confusing process to buy the tickets as they only went on sale a few weeks before departure. No seat reservations for the first half of the journey - we were slightly worried by the number of people waiting for the three-carriage train. In the end there was plenty of space. Again, 1st class a bit roomier than standard but not dramatically so.</p>\n\n<p>The ticket inspector gave a confused look at the Interrail pass and issued us with a receipt for €0.00!</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/zero-receipt.webp\" alt=\"A receipt for €0.\" width=\"480\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-73013\">\n\n<p>The train had an onboard ticket vending machine with contactless payments and, delightfully, some bowls of water for dogs.</p>\n\n<p>We changed at Valga which was simple - literally walk across the platform to the waiting train. It was a little more crowded, but plenty of seats.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"riga-to-vilnius\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#riga-to-vilnius\">Riga to Vilnius</a></h2>\n\n<p>1st class was a bit crowded but pleasant until the boomer Brits started ignoring the quiet carriage signs. They were shut up by the guard. Complimentary sparkling water.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"vilnius-to-warsaw\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#vilnius-to-warsaw\">Vilnius to Warsaw</a></h2>\n\n<p>There is a VIP lounge in Vilnius - but it is little more than a quiet space with a loo and water fountain. All the snacks and hot drinks were chargeable. We didn't actually have access to it this trip - but the Riga to Vilnius trip did. We scanned our previous ticket reservations to get in.</p>\n\n<p>We weren't able to book seats - because the service said it was sold out. However the train was half empty. No 1st class, but there was WiFi and power, so no complaints from me.</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/rain.webp\" alt=\"Liz looking out into the rain.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"771\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-73018\">\n\n<p>On having our tickets checked we were told that there <em>was</em> 1st class, but we couldn't use it with our Interrail passes. As with most European trains, announcements were in English.</p>\n\n<p>The change at Mockava was easy - we walked to the next platform. We'd booked seats in a little 6 seater cabin - sadly the air con was little more than homeopathic. Even cracking open the window did nothing but waft hot air over us. Fairly full train, toilets were adequate, but the heat was stifling. Even worse, no WiFi!</p>\n\n<p>The train occasionally stopped for several minutes at a time. The crew just opened the doors to let a breeze in - very little health-and-safety culture here!</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Open-doors.webp\" alt=\"Door opening on to the track.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1360\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-73019\">\n\n<p>Mind you, we also saw people crossing the tracks to get to their platform. Yikes!</p>\n\n<p>There were passport checks by armed guards. Brief and inoffensive.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"warsaw-to-berlin\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#warsaw-to-berlin\">Warsaw to Berlin</a></h2>\n\n<p>Despite the extreme heat, it left on time. This 6 berth 1st class carriage was a bit bigger than the last - and the aircon actually worked.</p>\n\n<p>We were treated to complementary water, juice, and a vegan snack bar! The train driver sounded their horn at every opportunity which wasn't exactly relaxing.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"berlin-to-munchen\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#berlin-to-munchen\">Berlin to München</a></h2>\n\n<p>No vegan currywurst on the DB menu any more 😭.</p>\n\n<p>Annoyingly, we were kicked off at Nuremberg - despite most announcements being made in English this one wasn't, but we figured it out. A train came fairly quickly, so we weren't too late.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"munchen-to-verona\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#munchen-to-verona\">München to Verona</a></h2>\n\n<p>There is a 1st class DB lounge but it isn't open to OBB/Interrail scum. Luckily there were plenty of food options for vegans in station. No vegan currywurst on train but several other options.</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/munchen.jpg\" alt=\"Train display board.\" width=\"1008\" height=\"759\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-73012\">\n\n<p>This was one of two reservations which <em>demanded</em> that it be printed out onto paper and under <em>no circumstances</em> would it be accepted from a screen. That was a lie. Showing the code on-screen was fine.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"verona-to-milan\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#verona-to-milan\">Verona to Milan</a></h2>\n\n<p>Such a frequent service that no reservations were needed. Annoyingly, the train windows were covered with graffiti so it was impossible to see out. Ticket inspector barely glanced at our tickets. WiFi didn't work. Crowded and a bit noisy. Air con just about coped with the heat.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"milan-to-basel\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#milan-to-basel\">Milan to Basel</a></h2>\n\n<p>The Interrail app seemed certain that we had to change a dozen times for this journey. Instead, I found a direct train to Olten. The 1st class seats were massive and had a handy compartment for smaller bags. Windows were huge. Again, our passes and reservation were barely glanced at.</p>\n\n<p>As we arrived in Olten there was a train a couple of platforms away which was direct to Basel. Bit of a dash to get it. No 1st class, but it was a double-decker so we got to sit upstairs, which is just as good!</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"basel-to-paris\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#basel-to-paris\">Basel to Paris</a></h2>\n\n<p>The only thing better than 1st class is <em>upstairs</em> on 1st! Big comfy reclining seats. Packed train with not much luggage space. As ever with trains travelling to France, there were warnings about labelling luggage correctly but no one seemed to do it. Zero vegan options on board. C'est la vie!</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"paris-to-london\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#paris-to-london\">Paris to London</a></h2>\n\n<p>What a blessing to witness so many people's first ever attempt to queue for a train 🙄</p>\n\n<p>Mad queues to get in to the departure lounge - but the train departed and arrived on time. I'd remembered to pre-book a vegan option which was tasty and also included a dairy-free chocolate bar. Eurostar's WiFi is shit but 5G worked OK.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"whats-next\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/another-ridiculous-interrail-holiday-6379km-and-13-countries-over-7-weeks/#whats-next\">What's Next?</a></h2>\n\n<p>Doing Interrail trips like this is brilliant. The trains are usually a lot more relaxing than flying, it's more convenient to arrive in a city centre, and they're less polluting.</p>\n\n<p>Would we do a trip like this again? It's certain <em>a lot</em> of travel. We weren't very spontaneous - most of the trip was planned out way in advance, along with hotels. Having 2-4 days in each place is like taking a series of minibreaks, which is delightful. But it can be <em>exhausting</em>. I don't want to complain that my diamond tiara is too tight, but there comes a point where there is such a thing a <em>too much holiday</em>.</p>\n\n<p>We still have several more European countries to visit; although not all are easy to get to by train. Perhaps we'll fly in somewhere, take the train around, then fly back? Or spend a week <em>only</em> in one country?</p>\n\n<p>If you have tips for further adventures - please let us know!</p>\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=73007&HTTP_REFERER=Atom\" alt width=\"1\" height=\"1\" loading=\"eager\">",
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"label": "interrail",
"term": "interrail",
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{
"id": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=69841",
"title": "Game Review: Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime ★★★☆☆",
"description": "My new year's resolution is to play more video games with my wife. Specifically co-operative games. I hate playing competitively; it's rubbish to achieve victory at the expense of someone else. So I asked for recommendations and picked the cheapest things which looked reasonable. Several people recommended Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime. It's a neat little game which is just short enough to…",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/game-review-lovers-in-a-dangerous-spacetime/",
"published": "2026-07-10T11:34:18.000Z",
"updated": "2026-05-14T21:24:14.000Z",
"content": "<p>My new year's resolution is to play more video games with my wife. Specifically <em>co-operative</em> games.</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2009/12/when-did-you-last-beat-your-wife/\">I hate playing competitively</a>; it's rubbish to achieve victory at the expense of someone else. So <a href=\"https://mastodon.social/@Edent/116051890335937906\">I asked for recommendations</a> and picked the cheapest things which looked reasonable.</p>\n\n<p>Several people recommended Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime. It's a neat little game which is just short enough to not get too repetitive. You and your friend (<a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRfluaMKoOY\">and, I'm pleased to say, lover</a>) have joint control of a space ship. You fly around the screen shooting baddies, rescuing bunny-friends, and upgrading your craft. There's a lot of \"You fly left and I'll shoot\" and \"I'll move the shield, can you fly us through the asteroid\" chatter.</p>\n\n<p>It works, and is fun. But after a few levels it becomes clear that there isn't anything else to it. The three different ships and various weapon upgrades give it a bit of variety, but it isn't one for playing long into the night.</p>\n\n<iframe title=\"4 PLAYER UPDATE | Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime | PS4, Xbox One, Steam\" width=\"620\" height=\"349\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/C5aVN2bp4uo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\"></iframe>\n\n<p>I suspect it's probably better with four players - with two you frequently have to deal with your inability to move the ship <em>and</em> angle the shield <em>and</em> fire the weapons all at the same time. So it gets a bit frustrating.</p>\n\n<p>It is delightfully cutesy - and I particularly loved the way the \"OK\" button was replaced with \"YAY!\". Something I think more interfaces should do.</p>\n\n<p>The game was a fiver or so when I bought it, which seems reasonable enough.</p>\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=69841&HTTP_REFERER=Atom\" alt width=\"1\" height=\"1\" loading=\"eager\">",
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"label": "/etc/",
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"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog"
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"label": "Game Review",
"term": "Game Review",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog"
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{
"label": "PlayStation",
"term": "PlayStation",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog"
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},
{
"id": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=72497",
"title": "A bug which only affected left-handed users",
"description": "Verily, some of our brethren (and sistren) be afflicted with a sinister disposition. While the righteous scroll using the thumb of their right hand - as is good and proper - an accurs'd minority swing the other way. Look, you try writing an interesting bug report without sounding like a clanker, OK! I try to optimise my blog as much as possible. It may not look like much, but it has got it…",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/a-bug-which-only-affected-left-handed-users/",
"published": "2026-07-08T11:34:43.000Z",
"updated": "2026-07-09T05:03:22.000Z",
"content": "<blockquote><p>Verily, some of our brethren (and sistren) be afflicted with a sinister disposition. While the righteous scroll using the thumb of their right hand - as is good and proper - an accurs'd minority swing the other way.</p></blockquote>\n\n<p>Look, you try writing an interesting bug report without sounding like a clanker, OK!</p>\n\n<p>I try to optimise my blog as much as possible. It may not look like much, but it has got it where it counts. I've made a lot of special modifications myself to the base WordPress install.</p>\n\n<p>One of those modifications is reducing the amount of JavaScript in use to the bare minimum. Everything functions without it, but there are a few places where it helps - the most notable being comments.</p>\n\n<p>That's why I was distressed when a loyal reader wrote in saying there was a bug on my site. When they were scrolling the page a comment box would suddenly appear and interrupt their browsing.</p>\n\n<p>I scroll my own site a lot (probably more than is healthy) so why hadn't I noticed this bug?</p>\n\n<p>Because I scroll on my phone's touchscreen with my right thumb and the bug reporter uses their left. The \"reply\" link which was being triggered is on the left side of the page. A bug which won't be triggered by righteous people but infuriating to those who will surely be left behind after The Rapture™.</p>\n\n<p>To be fair, <a href=\"https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/46713\">this bug was reported seven years ago</a> - but I guess the WordPress team have been too busy cleaning up after their mad God-Emperor to take a look at it.</p>\n\n<p>Back in 2017, a developer <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/commit/14dd35e62e1325ca1c6caef0a8623ce3f02d7da9\">added a <code>touchstart</code> listener to link clicks</a>. I don't really understand why. At one point in history, browsers couldn't be sure if a touch event was the start of a <code>click</code> or a double-tap to zoom. So firing an event when a touch occurred on a link sort of made sense to avoid a 300ms delay.</p>\n\n<p>But that hadn't been the case for several years - <a href=\"https://developer.chrome.com/blog/300ms-tap-delay-gone-away\">as this 2013 blog post makes clear</a>. Even in 2015 <a href=\"https://github.com/ftlabs/fastclick\">it was no longer an issue</a>.</p>\n\n<p>So why was this lefty-baiting code added? Not a clue.</p>\n\n<p>Anyway, <strong>seven years</strong> after the bug was reported <a href=\"https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/pull/12168\">I committed a fix</a>. It isn't the most sophisticated change to WordPress - merely deleting a couple of lines. But hopefully it will stop those strange and unusual mutants from complaining that their unnatural thumb-usage is accidentally triggering unwanted events on my website.</p>\n\n<p>Sadly, there is as yet no way to prevent the corrupt from using our blessed sites. The WHAT-WG haven't seen fit to take on board my suggestion of <code><meta handed=\"right\"></code> to keep out the unwanted and polluted. So, hopefully, this change will at least prevent them complaining.</p>\n\n<p>Why, yes officer, I have had a glass or two of tonic wine. Why do you ask?</p>\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=72497&HTTP_REFERER=Atom\" alt width=\"1\" height=\"1\" loading=\"eager\">",
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},
{
"id": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=71384",
"title": "I'm just so bored of AI",
"description": "I'm just so bored of talking about AI. It's like listening to vapers tell me how delicious their flavoured poison is. Did you ever meet someone at university who'd just tried drugs for the first time? Listening to a stoner ramble on about their mystic crystal revelations is amusing for the first five minutes, but quickly gets tiresome. Wow! You got your little computer friend to automate calling …",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/im-just-so-bored-of-ai/",
"published": "2026-07-06T11:34:18.000Z",
"updated": "2026-05-09T13:54:58.000Z",
"content": "<p>I'm just so <em>bored</em> of talking about AI. It's like listening to vapers tell me how delicious their flavoured poison is.</p>\n\n<p>Did you ever meet someone at university who'd just tried drugs for the first time? Listening to a stoner ramble on about their mystic crystal revelations is amusing for the first five minutes, but quickly gets tiresome. Wow! You got your little computer friend to automate calling your mum? Great job, mate! Can we talk about something interesting now?</p>\n\n<p>Just as bad are the people telling me how bad smoking is for my health. Yes, I know! That's why I don't. Yes, I know that hanging out with friends while they smoke is bad for me - but loneliness is probably worse. In fact, you screaming about how every puff on a fag reduces my life expectancy by 37 seconds makes me want to inhale a whole cigar so I can die early enough to exit this tedious conversation.</p>\n\n<p>If you want to enhance your consciousness / rot your brain with AI - go ahead. Just stop wanging on about it like you discovered the secret to eternal life.</p>\n\n<p>And to the rest of you, stop pissing on people's chips. Haranguing and scolding have never convinced anyone of everything.</p>\n\n<p>I can't fucking wait for this bubble to burst so we can go back to chatting shit about literally <em>anything</em> else.</p>\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=71384&HTTP_REFERER=Atom\" alt width=\"1\" height=\"1\" loading=\"eager\">",
"image": null,
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],
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{
"label": "/etc/",
"term": "/etc/",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog"
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{
"label": "AI",
"term": "AI",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog"
},
{
"label": "rant",
"term": "rant",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog"
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},
{
"id": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=70974",
"title": "Combined 1D and 2D Barcodes",
"description": "This was a little idea gnawing at the back of my brain. The humble barcode has been in use since the 1970s. In the next few years it will likely be replaced with a 2D QR Code. I couldn't find anyone who'd made a QR code with an embedded UPC - so I decided to make one. If you move your phone close to the code (so it can't see the squares in the corners) it should read the number in the 1D…",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/combined-1d-and-2d-barcodes/",
"published": "2026-07-04T11:34:57.000Z",
"updated": "2026-05-09T09:36:43.000Z",
"content": "<p>This was a little idea gnawing at the back of my brain. The humble barcode has been in use <a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Product_Code\">since the 1970s</a>. In the next few years it will likely be replaced with a <a href=\"https://www.gs1uk.org/knowledge-hub/qr-codes-powered-by-gs1/will-qr-codes-replace-barcodes-by-2027\">2D QR Code</a>.</p>\n\n<p>I couldn't find anyone who'd made a QR code with an embedded UPC - so I decided to make one.</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Combined-QR-1D-Gap.webp\" alt=\"A QR code with a 1D barcode embedded in it.\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-70975\">\n\n<p>If you move your phone close to the code (so it can't see the squares in the corners) it should read the number in the 1D barcode. Zoom out and it'll read the URl in the QR code.</p>\n\n<p>The QR code has a high level of error correction - which allows graphics to be placed within it, <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2010/11/hiding-space-invaders-in-qr-codes/\">as I discussed in 2010</a>.</p>\n\n<p>The UPC has some whitespace padding around its edges - which makes it easier for some scanners to find, although not all scanners seem to accept it.</p>\n\n<p>Is this in any way useful or desirable? I doubt it! I guess most point-of-sale barcode scanners are somewhat regularly updated - so they should all have the ability to scan newer codes. The embedded code destroys some of the error correction, thus making the QR code more fragile. <a href=\"https://mastodon.social/@PhilA/116504516987179728\">It isn't a good idea</a>.</p>\n\n<p>Still, nice to fiddle about with something, eh?</p>\n\n<p>You may also enjoy:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/03/a-recursive-qr-code/\">A Recursive QR Code</a>.</li>\n<li><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/02/why-are-qr-codes-with-capital-letters-smaller-than-qr-codes-with-lower-case-letters/\">Why are QR Codes with capital letters smaller than QR codes with lower-case letters?</a></li>\n<li>Or see <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/tag/qr+QR-codes/?order=asc\">all my posts about QR Codes since 2007</a>!</li>\n</ul>\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=70974&HTTP_REFERER=Atom\" alt width=\"1\" height=\"1\" loading=\"eager\">",
"image": null,
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{
"name": "@edent",
"email": null,
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{
"label": "/etc/",
"term": "/etc/",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog"
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{
"label": "QR Codes",
"term": "QR Codes",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog"
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{
"id": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=69136",
"title": "This blog is written in en-GB",
"description": "Someone left a comment on my blog recently asking if I'd mind making my language more inclusive. They didn't get some of the cultural references I'd used and suggested it would be easier if I used tropes which were more globally known. Here's the thing. No. All my blog posts start with a simple declaration: <!doctype html> <html lang=en-GB> There's a reason for that. It is more than the…",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/this-blog-is-written-in-en-gb/",
"published": "2026-07-02T11:34:59.000Z",
"updated": "2026-07-04T08:59:00.000Z",
"content": "<p>Someone left a comment on my blog recently asking if I'd mind making my language more inclusive. They didn't get some of the cultural references I'd used and suggested it would be easier if I used tropes which were more globally known.</p>\n\n<p>Here's the thing. No.</p>\n\n<p>All my blog posts start with a simple declaration:</p>\n\n<pre><code class=\"language-HTML\"><!doctype html>\n<html lang=en-GB>\n</code></pre>\n\n<p>There's a reason for that. It is more than the language I speak; it is the culture I live in, the way that I think, and the accent I use.</p>\n\n<p>When your AI bot reads this text aloud, it should do so with a <em>British</em> accent<sup id=\"fnref:accent\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/this-blog-is-written-in-en-gb/#fn:accent\" class=\"footnote-ref\" title=\"OK, accents are a whole can of worms. Regional English is varied. There are a variety of countries within the UK which each have their own forms of pronunciation. I'm not sure if there are any…\" role=\"doc-noteref\">0</a></sup>. That's how I speak. It is OK to hear a slightly unfamiliar accent. You'll be able to figure out what I'm saying. Your world won't collapse if I don't start each sentence with \"Howdy, y'all!\"</p>\n\n<p>But what should you do if you come across a concept you don't understand?</p>\n\n<p>When The Wicked Witch of the TERFs released the first Harry Potter book \"Philosopher's Stone\", it was published in the USA with a different title; \"Sorcerer's Stone\". There were also a dozen other language changes - <a href=\"https://groups.google.com/g/alt.fan.harry-potter/c/5jh8ZD6KzF0/m/Ck5EIv01Js8J\">which caused great consternation in the fandom</a>.</p>\n\n<p>What do you think happens if Skip or Madison come across a kid eating \"a sherbet lemon\" or a description of Hermione's \"fringe\" or discover Harry wearing a jumper? Will their little minds collapse under the knowledge that people far away use different words?</p>\n\n<p>No. And neither will you.</p>\n\n<p><strong>It is OK if things are unfamiliar to you.</strong></p>\n\n<p>Up until my mid-twenties, I had never seen or eaten a Twinkie. They were a cultural lodestone in a hundred books and films, but not the sort of thing I could buy locally. So I used my context clues. They seemed like an unappealing foodstuff which, nevertheless, were inexplicably popular.</p>\n\n<p>As a kid, I could recite all the lyrics to Vanilla Ice's Ice Ice Baby without getting half the references. The brain is malleable and can fit in new concepts with relative ease.</p>\n\n<p>So if you see a reference to Count Duckula, or hear me exclaim \"Accrington Stanley!\", or even blush as I describe an <em>utter</em> wanker - please take it as a sign that the hegemony is <em>not</em> universal and some people exist in a cultural <i lang=\"fr\">milieu</i> different to your own.</p>\n\n<p>And breathe. It'll be OK.</p>\n\n<div id=\"footnotes\" role=\"doc-endnotes\">\n<hr aria-label=\"Footnotes\">\n<ol start=\"0\">\n\n<li id=\"fn:accent\">\n<p>OK, accents are a whole can of worms. <a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language_in_England#Overview_of_regional_accents\">Regional English is varied</a>. There are a variety of countries within the UK <a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regional_accents_of_English#Scotland\">which each have their own forms of pronunciation</a>. I'm not sure if there are any BCP-style tags for intra-country accents. <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/07/this-blog-is-written-in-en-gb/#fnref:accent\" class=\"footnote-backref\" role=\"doc-backlink\">↩︎</a></p>\n</li>\n\n</ol>\n</div>\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=69136&HTTP_REFERER=Atom\" alt width=\"1\" height=\"1\" loading=\"eager\">",
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{
"id": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=72583",
"title": "Book Review: Fake Creativity by Blake Loch ★★★☆☆",
"description": "Thanks to BookSirens for providing me with a review copy. This is an intriguing self-published novel with a backstory almost as interesting as the plot. The story is a descent into paranoia as an author is convinced that an AI is plagiarising his work. As the madness takes over, he's forced to confront whether his creative processes are genuine or not. It raises some excellent questions about …",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/book-review-fake-creativity-by-blake-loch/",
"published": "2026-06-30T11:34:20.000Z",
"updated": "2026-06-30T05:41:42.000Z",
"content": "<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1756438821.jpg\" alt=\"Book cover.\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-72584\">\n\n<p>Thanks to BookSirens for providing me with a review copy. This is an intriguing self-published novel with a <a href=\"http://blakeloch.com/the-war-against-ai-in-literature/\">backstory</a> almost as interesting as the plot.</p>\n\n<p>The story is a descent into paranoia as an author is convinced that an AI is plagiarising his work. As the madness takes over, he's forced to confront whether his creative processes are genuine or not.</p>\n\n<p>It raises some excellent questions about whether AI can replicate art. It also posits some solutions for ensuring genuine human content. Without going in to spoilers, I think some of the methods the protagonist comes up with might be the only way to \"prove\" that a human has created a work.</p>\n\n<p>The pace is excellent - with some well-placed plot twists. As with any self-published novel, it could do with a little tightening up. Some of the characters have oblique motivations which need a bit more exposition.</p>\n\n<p>A note on AI use. There's a novel-within-a-novel which is genuinely generated by an AI (<a href=\"http://blakeloch.com/the-use-of-ai-in-fake-creativity/\">as the author freely acknowledges</a>). I think this is an acceptable use of generative AI - the prose it produces is utterly risible and cliché ridden. It works as a nice contrast to the human generated text.</p>\n\n<p>I suspect more and more authors will turn to AI fears just as they turned to pandemic allegories a few years ago. This is a decent attempt to capture a moment in time when authors stared into the abyss and found only themselves staring back.</p>\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=72583&HTTP_REFERER=Atom\" alt width=\"1\" height=\"1\" loading=\"eager\">",
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"label": "/etc/",
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"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog"
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"term": "Book Review",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog"
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{
"id": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=70534",
"title": "Book Review: The Hotel Avocado by Bob Mortimer ★★☆☆☆",
"description": "Despite vowing not to read sequels of books I love, I'm constantly surprised that regression to the mean is an iron-clad law of the universe. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series, so eagerly gobbled up the second. What a burlap fool I am. What was charming and wry in The Satsuma Complex is now overdone and clichéd. The violence, which was an undercurrent in the first book, is now …",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/book-review-the-hotel-avocado-by-bob-mortimer/",
"published": "2026-06-28T11:34:45.000Z",
"updated": "2026-05-19T11:56:54.000Z",
"content": "<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/the-hotel-avocado-9781398529632_lg.jpg\" alt=\"Book cover featuring a squirrel hiding in a giant avocado.\" width=\"200\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-70536\">\n\n<p>Despite vowing not to read sequels of books I love, I'm constantly surprised that regression to the mean is an iron-clad law of the universe. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series, so eagerly gobbled up the second. What a burlap fool I am.</p>\n\n<p>What was charming and wry in <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/12/book-review-the-satsuma-complex-by-bob-mortimer/\">The Satsuma Complex</a> is now overdone and clichéd.</p>\n\n<p>The violence, which was an undercurrent in the first book, is now too pronounced and too grim to be funny. Yet the constant tomfoolery with language undermines any built-up tension.</p>\n\n<p>The language is gorgeous though. Bob Mortimer has an ability to conjure the most ridiculous similes and metaphors. It's impossible not to be entranced by his panache.</p>\n\n<p>The ending is, frankly, a bit unearned and unsatisfying. It feels like a word-count limit was reached and the quickest solution was found.</p>\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=70534&HTTP_REFERER=Atom\" alt width=\"1\" height=\"1\" loading=\"eager\">",
"image": null,
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{
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"url": "https://edent.tel/"
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{
"label": "/etc/",
"term": "/etc/",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog"
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"label": "Book Review",
"term": "Book Review",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog"
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},
{
"id": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=67003",
"title": "Review: Gamrombo PS5 controller - including Linux set up ★★★★☆",
"description": "I'm not paying seventy bloody quid for an official PS5 controller - so I found a knock-off version for a smidge under £40. And this one has lots of unnecessary blinkenlights! Gamrombo is the consumer-facing brand of the generically named Professional Controller Manufacturer. AKA \"Huizhou Ronghui Technology Co., Ltd\" - there's virtually no information about them online other than paid-for …",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/review-gamrombo-ps5-controller-including-linux-set-up/",
"published": "2026-06-26T11:34:42.000Z",
"updated": "2026-04-29T19:48:16.000Z",
"content": "<p>I'm not paying seventy bloody quid for an official PS5 controller - so I found a knock-off version for a <a href=\"https://amzn.to/4pCMxNB\">smidge under £40</a>. And this one has <em>lots</em> of unnecessary blinkenlights!</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/controller.webp\" alt=\"A console controller. It is white and has many flashing lights.\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1100\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-67023\">\n\n<p>Gamrombo is the consumer-facing brand of the generically named <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@Controller-Manufacturer\">Professional Controller Manufacturer</a>. AKA \"Huizhou Ronghui Technology Co., Ltd\" - there's virtually no information about them online other than paid-for reviews. Well, I bought this with my own money - so enjoy this honest review:</p>\n\n<p>It's basically fine and it works on Linux.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"ok-a-bit-more-detail\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/review-gamrombo-ps5-controller-including-linux-set-up/#ok-a-bit-more-detail\">OK, a bit more detail</a></h2>\n\n<p>The USB cable which comes with the controller is charge only - so you can dispose of it. Using a USB-C to C cable, I plugged it into to my Linux laptop and it was instantly detected. Rather cheekily, it shows up as <code>054c:0ce6 Sony Corp. DualSense Wireless Controller</code>.</p>\n\n<p>The PS5 touchpad was immediately usable. Single finger moved the mouse pointer, two-finger scrolling and zooming worked, clicking the pad clicks the mouse. Nice!</p>\n\n<p>I popped along to <a href=\"https://hardwaretester.com/gamepad\">hardwaretester.com/gamepad</a> in Firefox, everything worked as expected.</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Button-screenshot.webp\" alt=\"Screenshot showing button diagnostics.\" width=\"824\" height=\"656\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-67016\">\n\n<p>Plugging it in to my Android phone also worked. So pretty handy if you want to play games on a miniscule screen.</p>\n\n<p>Same with Bluetooth. I held down ⨞ and 🏠 on the controller, then connected. Everything worked. Weirdly, it wouldn't stop vibrating until I'd changed the LED colours.</p>\n\n<p>Speaking of which - how much do you like garish LEDs? Tapping the light button changes the colours of the glowing rings around the joysticks. There's half a dozen solid colours or a slowly rotating rainbow effect. Or, just hold down the button to switch them all off.</p>\n\n<p>As well as being cheaper than an official controller, it has more functionality. There are two programmable \"macro\" buttons on the back. Each can hold a sequence of <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PePRJb0z1pg\">up to 24 buttons pushes</a>. Perfect if you need to record combos.</p>\n\n<p>There's also a \"turbo\" button. You can use it to <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDoW4emjuEU\">turn a long-press into a repeated-press</a>. Perfect for saving you from RSI.</p>\n\n<p>It vibrates as normal, has an inbuilt speaker, 3.5mm jack, and charges at about 2.5 Watts - all the same as a regular controller. Oh! And it paired with the PS5 as well 😆</p>\n\n<p>OK, that's the good stuff. Where are the drawbacks?</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"downsides\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/review-gamrombo-ps5-controller-including-linux-set-up/#downsides\">Downsides</a></h2>\n\n<p>No microphone. This might be a deal-breaker for some, but I don't play any games which need it.</p>\n\n<p>There is a firmware update available - but it comes as an EXE which only works on Windows a and is distributed on WeTransfer!</p>\n\n<p>The icons on the buttons aren't the <code>× ○ △ □</code> you'll see in-game. They are the right colour though.</p>\n\n<p>Charging is <em>only</em> by USB. It won't work in a charging dock.</p>\n\n<p>I managed to lock-up the controller. Between faffing around with Bluetooth and plugging it in to a bunch of different computers, it had a bit of a tizzy and wouldn't turn on again. Clicking the reset button using a paperclip brought it back to life.</p>\n\n<p>Finally, it does feel kinda cheap. It is lighter weight and the buttons don't feel quite as \"clicky\" as an official controller. It isn't bad <i lang=\"la\">per se</i> but it is different.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"should-i-get-one\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/review-gamrombo-ps5-controller-including-linux-set-up/#should-i-get-one\">Should I get one?</a></h2>\n\n<p>It's pretty good! I've no idea how long the battery will last, or if it'll fall apart after I post this review, but saving £30 means you can spend more on games.</p>\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=67003&HTTP_REFERER=Atom\" alt width=\"1\" height=\"1\" loading=\"eager\">",
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"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog"
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{
"id": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=70732",
"title": "Auth0 PHP - manually authenticating JWT idTokens",
"description": "I find it baffling just how poorly documented most big projects are. Auth0 by Okta has a fair bit of cash, lots of customers, and almost completely absent documentation. Here's how to successfully authenticate a JWT supplied by Auth0. Once your user has authenticated with Auth0, they will be given an accessToken and an idToken. Only the idToken is needed for our purposes. It will look…",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/auth0-php-manually-authenticating-tokens/",
"published": "2026-06-24T11:34:25.000Z",
"updated": "2026-04-28T20:42:25.000Z",
"content": "<p>I find it baffling just how poorly documented most big projects are. Auth0 by Okta has a fair bit of cash, lots of customers, and almost completely absent documentation.</p>\n\n<p>Here's how to successfully authenticate a JWT supplied by Auth0.</p>\n\n<p>Once your user has authenticated with Auth0, they will be given an <code>accessToken</code> and an <code>idToken</code>. Only the <code>idToken</code> is needed for our purposes.</p>\n\n<p>It will look something like this:</p>\n\n<p><code>eyJhbGciOiJSUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCIsImtpZCI6ImFiYzEyMyJ9.eyJnaXZlbl9uYW1lIjoiSm8iLCJmYW1pbHlfbmFtZSI6IlRlc3QiLCJuaWNrbmFtZSI6IkpvVGVzdCIsIm5hbWUiOiJKbyBMZSBUZXN0IiwicGljdHVyZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZXhhbXBsZS5jb20vam8ucG5nIiwidXBkYXRlZF9hdCI6IjIwMjYtMDQtMjhUMTM6NTk6NTUuNjcxWiIsImVtYWlsX3ZlcmlmaWVkIjp0cnVlLCJpc3MiOiJodHRwczovL2V4YW1wbGUuZXUuYXV0aDAuY29tLyIsImF1ZCI6ImFiYzEyMyIsInN1YiI6ImZhY2Vib29rfDEyMzQ1NiIsImlhdCI6MTc3NzM4NDc5NiwiZXhwIjoxNzc3NDIwNzk2LCJzaWQiOiJhYmMxMjMtNDU2LWRlZmdoaWprIiwibm9uY2UiOiIxMjM0NTY3ODkwIn0.ZgnZxOOtfczLewlm_agK6mJMYetVTZrHlBlu5qzXbADlhvZB8RraVuFKmFutLZLibMQxz_RY0oh4hRufVWDHJ0kuocW38kRHztDg7R5KOfvJEM46WW49xvhLhKprzkx9WXDDlpCRNL0QbBK2U0F1VjmRpTp1Q5cHEd8PBsa4rGAhfqudXp5JrC2Lm5e7ji0AQ_s7HJhy59b9mTb3tMqHGsrWDZS915zHPYEQtSvg5o9sSx1tCRfsyL6kdsdkaTffQjJDUrT5hpIQ-2_9tGuqioJjP4c0edQ85TaK9UnSxfzMQ8gYez963kbo_Iv1fJyaTVwXR-AVvwK-CeGJAFrheQ</code></p>\n\n<p>Yeuch! If you stick it into <a href=\"https://www.jwt.io/\">JWT.io</a> you'll see that it is Base64 encoded JSON containing a header, body, and signature. Each part is separated by a <code>.</code> character.</p>\n\n<p>You could manually decode it, but that's a bit of a pain in the arse. So here's how to do it with <a href=\"https://github.com/auth0/auth0-PHP/\">the Auth0 PHP library</a>. I'm <a href=\"https://github.com/auth0/symfony\">using the Symfony one</a>, but it should all be fairly similar.</p>\n\n<p>First, import the library:</p>\n\n<pre><code class=\"language-php\">use Auth0\\SDK\\Auth0;\n</code></pre>\n\n<p>Next, you'll need to send the token to the PHP. You can do this in a header, GET, or similar:</p>\n\n<pre><code class=\"language-php\">$authHeader = $request->headers->get(\"Auth0-Authorization\");\n</code></pre>\n\n<p>Then, set up Auth0 so that it can parse and validate the token:</p>\n\n<pre><code class=\"language-php\">try {\n $token = $authHeader;\n $auth0 = new Auth0([\n \"domain\" => $_ENV[\"AUTH0_DOMAIN\"],\n \"clientId\" => $_ENV[\"AUTH0_CLIENT_ID\"],\n \"clientSecret\" => $_ENV[\"AUTH0_CLIENT_SECRET\"],\n \"cookieSecret\" => \"_\" // Dummy value.\n ]);\n\n $decoded = $auth0->decode(\n token: $token,\n tokenType: \\Auth0\\SDK\\Token::TYPE_ID_TOKEN,\n );\n} catch (\\Exception $e) {\n error_log(\"Auth0 Error - {$e}\");\n}\n</code></pre>\n\n<p>The <code>cookieSecret</code> <em>must</em> be set - even though you aren't using cookies. Any non-null value is fine.</p>\n\n<p>The <code>tokenType</code> must also be set correctly.</p>\n\n<p>Assuming you all goes well, you will have a <code>decoded</code> object which has validated against Auth0. So how do you get the user's details from it?</p>\n\n<p>Well, you <em>could</em> split the original <code>idToken</code> at the period character and Base64 decode the middle one. Try it now to see what it contains! Or <code>print_r()</code> the decoded token to see it in all its cryptographic glory.</p>\n\n<p>The easiest way is to do:</p>\n\n<pre><code class=\"language-php\">$claims = $decoded->toArray();\n</code></pre>\n\n<p>Then you can access various properties by doing:</p>\n\n<pre><code class=\"language-php\">$username = $claims[\"nickname\"];\n$identifier = $claims[\"sub\"]; \n</code></pre>\n\n<p>Perhaps there is a more official way - but I couldn't find anything in the documentation. Hurrah for reading source code!</p>\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=70732&HTTP_REFERER=Atom\" alt width=\"1\" height=\"1\" loading=\"eager\">",
"image": null,
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{
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{
"label": "/etc/",
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"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog"
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"label": "Auth0",
"term": "Auth0",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog"
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"label": "HowTo",
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{
"id": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=64419",
"title": "Cybersecurity for the paranoid business traveller",
"description": "Over the years, I've worked for organisations with various levels of risk tolerance for business travellers. Some have been (rightly) paranoid and others have been (wrongly) placid about the threats their employees face. The fact is, individuals are often targeted for espionage, blackmail, or other state-sponsored attacks. Here's a list of some of the different advice I've received, roughly…",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/",
"published": "2026-06-22T11:34:18.000Z",
"updated": "2026-06-22T14:36:54.000Z",
"content": "<p>Over the years, I've worked for organisations with various levels of risk tolerance for business travellers. Some have been (rightly) paranoid and others have been (wrongly) placid about the threats their employees face.</p>\n\n<p>The fact is, individuals are often targeted for espionage, blackmail, or other state-sponsored attacks.</p>\n\n<p>Here's a list of some of the different advice I've received, roughly sorted into levels of suitability. Start at the top and work your way down until you reach a suitable level.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"usb-sticks-no-thanks\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/#usb-sticks-no-thanks\">USB sticks? No thanks!</a></h2>\n\n<p>At some point, you'll be given a gift of a decorative USB pen drive. It'll either be part of a goodie-bag or you'll be told it has all of this quarter's TPS reports on it.</p>\n\n<p>You should thank them for their kind gift. On your way back to the hotel, drop the stick in a bin.</p>\n\n<p>There's just too much which can go wrong with a USB stick. Maybe it has a virus. Maybe it is an exfiltration device. Maybe it has extreme pornography and the police will catch you with it. Just chuck it. If anyone asks, say you couldn't get it to work and can they please email you the information.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"usb-power-play-it-safe\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/#usb-power-play-it-safe\">USB Power? Play it safe!</a></h2>\n\n<p>USB powers everything from your phone and laptop, to your headphone and eReader. But USB cables also carry data. Some devices can be silently hacked by plugging them in to a dodgy power port.</p>\n\n<p>Is it <em>likely</em> that the USB socket on the airport bus has been set up to exfiltrate travellers' data? Probably not - but why take the risk?</p>\n\n<p>The best thing you can do is to always charge from your own device. Get a travel charger or, ideally, a portable battery and <em>only</em> use that for charging.</p>\n\n<p>For extra paranoia, you can buy USB condoms and charging-only cables - but they tend to be slower at charging.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"reduce-your-app-attack-surface\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/#reduce-your-app-attack-surface\">Reduce Your App Attack Surface</a></h2>\n\n<p>Do you <em>need</em> all those apps on your phone? Will you cope without your banking apps, dating apps, streaming apps? Each one is a potential vector for abuse.</p>\n\n<p>Is it legal for you to date your preferred romantic partner in your intended destination? You shouldn't have to hide yourself, but having an illegal app on your phone is a great way to get picked up by the police.</p>\n\n<p>Go through your phone and uninstall anything which isn't important to the trip.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"a-vpn-probably-draws-more-attention-than-it-is-worth-but-browse-cautiously\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/#a-vpn-probably-draws-more-attention-than-it-is-worth-but-browse-cautiously\">A VPN probably draws more attention than it is worth, but browse cautiously</a></h2>\n\n<p>This is slightly counter-intuitive. Every important site on the web uses HTTPS. The really important ones <a href=\"https://hstspreload.org/\">are on a special list</a> which means your browser will <em>only</em> use a secure connection. The chances of your data being intercepted is minimal.</p>\n\n<p>But using a VPN immediately makes your traffic look suspicious and, in some countries, may be illegal.</p>\n\n<p>That said, while the contents of your communications will be private, their destination is easy to figure out. Don't browse pornography or any other site which is liable to get you in trouble. This may include news sites from outside the country.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"what-passwords-do-you-need\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/#what-passwords-do-you-need\">What passwords do you need?</a></h2>\n\n<p>Hopefully you use a password manager - and hopefully all your passwords are unique. But do you really need to carry around <em>all</em> of them? You password manager almost certainly allows you to create a sub-account into which you can deposit anything you need for your trip.</p>\n\n<p>Similarly, you don't need <em>all</em> your MFA codes with you. If you <em>do</em> need MFA please make sure it isn't coming through SMS.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"theyre-not-flirting-with-you\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/#theyre-not-flirting-with-you\">They're not flirting with you.</a></h2>\n\n<p>Mate, you're a middle-aged sales rep who scored a trip to a conference in an exotic country. Do you <em>really</em> think that pretty young thing is enthralled by your tales of middle-management?</p>\n\n<p>No.</p>\n\n<p>At best, the photos will be used to blackmail you. At worst the police will claim that they're under the age of consent and <em>that</em> will be used to blackmail you.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"laptops-and-liability\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/#laptops-and-liability\">Laptops and Liability</a></h2>\n\n<p>Your IT team has provided you with a laptop which is encrypted and biometrically secured, right? But do you need that <em>specific</em> laptop?</p>\n\n<p>They should grab a cheap laptop. Fill it with only the documents you need. When you get back home, toss it.</p>\n\n<p>I'm quite serious, a £200 Chromebook is a cheap price to pay to prevent your secrets getting stolen or your network being infiltrated.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"what-else\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/cybersecurity-for-the-paranoid-business-traveller/#what-else\">What Else?</a></h2>\n\n<p>Possibly you think some of these are overkill. Perhaps you think I'm not being paranoid enough. What would you add to the list?</p>\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=64419&HTTP_REFERER=Atom\" alt width=\"1\" height=\"1\" loading=\"eager\">",
"image": null,
"media": [],
"authors": [
{
"name": "@edent",
"email": null,
"url": "https://edent.tel/"
}
],
"categories": [
{
"label": "/etc/",
"term": "/etc/",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog"
},
{
"label": "CyberSecurity",
"term": "CyberSecurity",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog"
}
]
},
{
"id": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=68741",
"title": "Which Copyleft Licence is Suitable for an SVG?",
"description": "The Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) format is amazing. It allows you to precisely define how an image should look. Written in XML, it uses various mathematical operations to display an image which looks crisp and clear at any size. Here's a trivial example: <svg height=\"100\" viewBox=\"0 0 100 100\" width=\"100\" xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\"> <circle cx=\"50\" cy=\"50\" fill=\"#f00\" r=\"50\"/>…",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/",
"published": "2026-06-20T11:34:22.000Z",
"updated": "2026-07-12T21:20:16.000Z",
"content": "<p>The Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) format is amazing. It allows you to precisely define how an image should look. Written in XML, it uses various mathematical operations to display an image which looks crisp and clear at any size.</p>\n\n<p>Here's a trivial example:</p>\n\n<pre><code class=\"language-SVG\"><svg height=\"100\" viewBox=\"0 0 100 100\" width=\"100\" xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\">\n <circle cx=\"50\" cy=\"50\" fill=\"#f00\" r=\"50\"/>\n</svg>\n</code></pre>\n\n<p>That code produces this circle:</p>\n\n<svg height=\"100\" viewBox=\"0 0 100 100\" width=\"100\" xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\">\n <circle cx=\"50\" cy=\"50\" fill=\"#f00\" r=\"50\"></circle>\n</svg>\n\n<p>You could print that out with a kilometre radius and it would still be a perfect circle - unlike a traditional raster image which is just a grid of blocky pixels.</p>\n\n<p>But suppose you wanted to freely share your SVG with others - and ensure that they <em>also</em> freely share it. What sort of \"Copyleft\" licence would you give it?</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"creative-commons\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/#creative-commons\">Creative Commons</a></h2>\n\n<p>The obvious choice seems to be a Creative Commons Share-Alike licence. SVGs are images. Images are creative works. Creative Commons is suitable for creative works. Job done!</p>\n\n<p>But…</p>\n\n<p>SVGs are <em>not</em> images. The are code which <em>produce</em> images. If we assume that an SVG is software, this entry in the FAQ becomes relevant:</p>\n\n<blockquote><p><a href=\"https://creativecommons.org/faq/#can-i-apply-a-creative-commons-license-to-software\"><strong>Can I apply a Creative Commons license to software?</strong></a></p>\n\n<p>We recommend against using Creative Commons licenses for software.</p>\n\n<p>[…]</p>\n\n<p>Unlike software-specific licenses, CC licenses do not contain specific terms about the distribution of source code, which is often important to ensuring the free reuse and modifiability of software.</p>\n\n<p>[…]</p>\n\n<p>Additionally, our licenses are currently not compatible with the major software licenses, so it would be difficult to integrate CC-licensed work with other free software. Existing software licenses were designed specifically for use with software and offer a similar set of rights to the Creative Commons licenses.</p></blockquote>\n\n<p>At the end of that FAQ, they also say:</p>\n\n<blockquote><p>While we recommend against using a CC license on software itself, CC licenses may be used for software documentation, as well as for separate artistic elements such as game art or music.</p></blockquote>\n\n<p>So, that's a <em>perhaps?</em></p>\n\n<h2 id=\"gpl\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/#gpl\">GPL</a></h2>\n\n<p>But let us assume that an SVG is a piece of media rather than software. Would it be suitable to use a software licence for it?</p>\n\n<p>The various Gnu Public Licences have this to say:</p>\n\n<blockquote><p><a href=\"https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.en.html#GPLOtherThanSoftware\"><strong>Can I use the GPL for something other than software?</strong></a></p>\n\n<p>You can apply the GPL to any kind of work, as long as it is clear what constitutes the “source code” for the work. The GPL defines this as the preferred form of the work for making changes in it.</p></blockquote>\n\n<p>A photo JPEG might be derived from the RAW image file. In which case, the RAW is suitable for being GPL'd, not the resultant JPEG.</p>\n\n<p>Similarly, the Photoshop file of a complex and multi-layered illustration would suitable, but not the outputted PNG.</p>\n\n<p>An SVG can straddle both worlds. It's possible to build an SVG with layers, groups, and transformations, and then simplify it for output. You <em>could</em> edit the optimised version, but it's hardly the preferred format.</p>\n\n<p>I read <a href=\"https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.en.html\">the GPL</a> (so you don't have to) and right at the start it says:</p>\n\n<blockquote><p>The GNU General Public License is a free, copyleft license for software and <strong>other kinds of works</strong>.</p></blockquote>\n\n<p>(Emphasis added.)</p>\n\n<p>But do they mean that?</p>\n\n<blockquote><p><a href=\"https://www.gnu.org/licenses/licenses.en.html#OtherWorks\"><strong>Licenses for Other Types of Works</strong></a></p>\n\n<p>[…]</p>\n\n<p>We don't take the position that artistic or entertainment works must be free, but if you want to make one free, we recommend the <a href=\"https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/License:LAL-1.3\">Free Art License</a>.</p></blockquote>\n\n<p>But, as delightful as the Free Art License is, the FSF say:</p>\n\n<blockquote><p>Please don't use it for software or documentation, since it is incompatible with the GNU GPL and with the GNU FDL.</p></blockquote>\n\n<h2 id=\"is-an-svg-software-or-not\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/#is-an-svg-software-or-not\">Is an SVG software or not?</a></h2>\n\n<p>I think so.</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>It's written in plain text.</li>\n<li>It contains definitions, variables, and instructions.</li>\n<li>It can contain scripting.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>That sure looks like software to me!</p>\n\n<p>But, at the same time, the user <em>experiences</em> it as a graphic. An animated GIF, for example, contains a small amount of code-like data to say how long each frame should last for and when to stop running. Is a GIF software? Is the basic circle above software? How much code do you need before something becomes software?</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"are-svgs-libraries\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/#are-svgs-libraries\">Are SVGs Libraries?</a></h2>\n\n<p>Licences like the <a href=\"https://www.gnu.org/licenses/lgpl-3.0.en.html\">LGPL</a> and <a href=\"https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/MPL/2.0/\">MPL</a> allow copyleft libraries to be integrated into non-free software.</p>\n\n<p>A proprietary application could treat an SVG as a library by asking the SVG to render the output and then displaying that. A bit of a reach, perhaps?</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"what-about-embedded-raster-graphics\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/#what-about-embedded-raster-graphics\">What about embedded raster graphics?</a></h2>\n\n<p>Just to complicate things, an SVG can <em>also</em> contain raster graphics. That is, it is possible to embed a PNG, JPEG, or any other traditional image within an SVG.</p>\n\n<p>In this case, the embedded image <em>can</em> be Creative Commons licenced because <a href=\"https://wiki.creativecommons.org/wiki/ShareAlike_compatibility:_GPLv3\">CC BY-SA is compatible with GPLv3</a>.</p>\n\n<blockquote><p>When someone creates an adaptation of a BY-SA licensed work and includes it in a GPLv3-licensed project, both licenses apply and downstream users must comply with both licenses. However, Section 2(a)(5)(B) of BY-SA 4.0 allows anyone who receives the adapted material downstream to satisfy the conditions of both BY-SA and GPLv3 (i.e. attribution and ShareAlike) <strong>in the manner dictated by the GPLv3</strong>.</p></blockquote>\n\n<p>(Emphasis added.)</p>\n\n<p>The barest of SVGs containing only an embedded image probably wouldn't count as software. But what if you started applying programmatic transformations to them? This SVG embeds an image and uses software to rotate it upside down.</p>\n\n<pre><code class=\"language-svg\"><svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink\" width=\"64\" height=\"64\">\n <image x=\"0\" y=\"0\" width=\"64\" height=\"64\"\n transform=\"rotate(180)\"\n href=\"data:image/png;base64,iVB…\" />\n</svg>\n</code></pre>\n\n<p>Is that enough code to count as software?</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"wisdom-of-the-crowds\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/#wisdom-of-the-crowds\">Wisdom of the Crowds</a></h2>\n\n<p>I conducted a rigorously accurate public survey. Here are the results:</p>\n\n<blockquote class=\"social-embed\" id=\"social-embed-116221315864205051\" lang=\"en\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https://schema.org/SocialMediaPosting\"><header class=\"social-embed-header\" itemprop=\"author\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https://schema.org/Person\"><a href=\"https://mastodon.social/@Edent\" class=\"social-embed-user\" itemprop=\"url\"><img class=\"social-embed-avatar\" src=\"data:image/webp;base64,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\" alt=\"\" itemprop=\"image\"><div class=\"social-embed-user-names\"><p class=\"social-embed-user-names-name\" itemprop=\"name\">@Edent@mastodon.social</p>Terence Eden</div></a><img class=\"social-embed-logo\" alt=\"Mastodon\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' aria-label='Mastodon' role='img' viewBox='0 0 512 512' fill='%23fff'%3E%3Cpath d='m0 0H512V512H0'/%3E%3ClinearGradient id='a' y2='1'%3E%3Cstop offset='0' stop-color='%236364ff'/%3E%3Cstop offset='1' stop-color='%23563acc'/%3E%3C/linearGradient%3E%3Cpath fill='url(%23a)' d='M317 381q-124 28-123-39 69 15 149 2 67-13 72-80 3-101-3-116-19-49-72-58-98-10-162 0-56 10-75 58-12 31-3 147 3 32 9 53 13 46 70 69 83 23 138-9'/%3E%3Cpath d='M360 293h-36v-93q-1-26-29-23-20 3-20 34v47h-36v-47q0-31-20-34-30-3-30 28v88h-36v-91q1-51 44-60 33-5 51 21l9 15 9-15q16-26 51-21 43 9 43 60'/%3E%3C/svg%3E\"></header><section class=\"social-embed-text\" itemprop=\"articleBody\"><p>An SVG is an image.<br>It is also executable code.</p><p>If you wished to make an SVG open, would you choose a Creative Commons licence or an Open Software licence?</p><div class=\"social-embed-media-grid\"></div><hr class=\"social-embed-hr\"><label for=\"poll_0\">Obviously CC licence, because…: (62)</label><br><meter class=\"social-embed-meter\" id=\"poll_0\" min=\"0\" max=\"100\" low=\"33\" high=\"66\" value=\"59.0\">62</meter><br><label for=\"poll_1\">Duh! It needs an OSI licence, because…: (5)</label><br><meter class=\"social-embed-meter\" id=\"poll_1\" min=\"0\" max=\"100\" low=\"33\" high=\"66\" value=\"4.8\">5</meter><br><label for=\"poll_2\">You're both wrong, it should be…: (3)</label><br><meter class=\"social-embed-meter\" id=\"poll_2\" min=\"0\" max=\"100\" low=\"33\" high=\"66\" value=\"2.9\">3</meter><br><label for=\"poll_3\">Either is fine.: (35)</label><br><meter class=\"social-embed-meter\" id=\"poll_3\" min=\"0\" max=\"100\" low=\"33\" high=\"66\" value=\"33.3\">35</meter><br></section><hr class=\"social-embed-hr\"><footer class=\"social-embed-footer\"><a href=\"https://mastodon.social/@Edent/116221315864205051\"><span aria-label=\"6 likes\" class=\"social-embed-meta\">❤️ 6</span><span aria-label=\"9 replies\" class=\"social-embed-meta\">💬 9</span><span aria-label=\"14 reposts\" class=\"social-embed-meta\">🔁 14</span><time datetime=\"2026-03-13T10:09:03.343Z\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">10:09 - Fri 13 March 2026</time></a></footer></blockquote>\n\n<!--\n<blockquote class=\"mastodon-embed\" data-embed-url=\"https://mastodon.social/@Edent/116221315864205051/embed\" style=\"background: #FCF8FF; border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid #C9C4DA; margin: 0; max-width: 540px; min-width: 270px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0;\"> <a href=\"https://mastodon.social/@Edent/116221315864205051\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align-items: center; color: #1C1A25; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Fira Sans', 'Droid Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; justify-content: center; letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: 20px; padding: 24px; text-decoration: none;\"> <svg xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" viewBox=\"0 0 79 75\"><path d=\"M63 45.3v-20c0-4.1-1-7.3-3.2-9.7-2.1-2.4-5-3.7-8.5-3.7-4.1 0-7.2 1.6-9.3 4.7l-2 3.3-2-3.3c-2-3.1-5.1-4.7-9.2-4.7-3.5 0-6.4 1.3-8.6 3.7-2.1 2.4-3.1 5.6-3.1 9.7v20h8V25.9c0-4.1 1.7-6.2 5.2-6.2 3.8 0 5.8 2.5 5.8 7.4V37.7H44V27.1c0-4.9 1.9-7.4 5.8-7.4 3.5 0 5.2 2.1 5.2 6.2V45.3h8ZM74.7 16.6c.6 6 .1 15.7.1 17.3 0 .5-.1 4.8-.1 5.3-.7 11.5-8 16-15.6 17.5-.1 0-.2 0-.3 0-4.9 1-10 1.2-14.9 1.4-1.2 0-2.4 0-3.6 0-4.8 0-9.7-.6-14.4-1.7-.1 0-.1 0-.1 0s-.1 0-.1 0 0 .1 0 .1 0 0 0 0c.1 1.6.4 3.1 1 4.5.6 1.7 2.9 5.7 11.4 5.7 5 0 9.9-.6 14.8-1.7 0 0 0 0 0 0 .1 0 .1 0 .1 0 0 .1 0 .1 0 .1.1 0 .1 0 .1.1v5.6s0 .1-.1.1c0 0 0 0 0 .1-1.6 1.1-3.7 1.7-5.6 2.3-.8.3-1.6.5-2.4.7-7.5 1.7-15.4 1.3-22.7-1.2-6.8-2.4-13.8-8.2-15.5-15.2-.9-3.8-1.6-7.6-1.9-11.5-.6-5.8-.6-11.7-.8-17.5C3.9 24.5 4 20 4.9 16 6.7 7.9 14.1 2.2 22.3 1c1.4-.2 4.1-1 16.5-1h.1C51.4 0 56.7.8 58.1 1c8.4 1.2 15.5 7.5 16.6 15.6Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"/></svg> <div style=\"color: #787588; margin-top: 16px;\">Post by @Edent@mastodon.social</div> <div style=\"font-weight: 500;\">View on Mastodon</div> </a> </blockquote> <script data-allowed-prefixes=\"https://mastodon.social/\" async src=\"https://mastodon.social/embed.js\"></script>\n-->\n\n<h2 id=\"final-thoughts\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/which-copyleft-licence-is-suitable-for-an-svg/#final-thoughts\">Final Thoughts</a></h2>\n\n<p>Personally, I think SVGs <em>are</em> software. I understand the argument that they're suitable for Creative Commons, but I disagree with it. Even the simplest SVG is distributed in a way that its contents are <em>executed</em> by the computer.</p>\n\n<p>While SVGs may be minified and stripped of comments, they still retain the essence of source code. I suppose you could <em>try</em> to obfuscate them, or package them up in a quasi-binary form, but I maintain the source is still viewable and editable.</p>\n\n<p>If you choose to use a Creative Commons Share-Alike licence, it probably won't cause any harm. But given CC's reluctance to endorse its use on software, it probably makes sense to use a copyleft source-code licence.</p>\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=68741&HTTP_REFERER=Atom\" alt width=\"1\" height=\"1\" loading=\"eager\">",
"image": null,
"media": [],
"authors": [
{
"name": "@edent",
"email": null,
"url": "https://edent.tel/"
}
],
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"label": "/etc/",
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"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog"
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{
"label": "Copyleft",
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"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog"
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"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog"
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"label": "Creative Commons",
"term": "Creative Commons",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog"
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"label": "foss",
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"label": "images",
"term": "images",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog"
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{
"label": "svg",
"term": "svg",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog"
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},
{
"id": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=72033",
"title": "Book Review: The Great When by Alan Moore ★★★★☆",
"description": "This is the most overwritten book I've ever read. Unfortunately, Alan Moore knows exactly how much polysyllabic pressure it takes to transmogrify base coal into precious gems. With lines like \"his shaved suede skull made him look like a wilted thistle\" and \"There was a rumour of pink lipstick circling her mouth\" you know you're in for a treat. Even better than the joyful prose of Bob…",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/book-review-the-great-when-by-alan-moore/",
"published": "2026-06-18T11:34:19.000Z",
"updated": "2026-06-18T06:18:50.000Z",
"content": "<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/great-when.webp\" alt=\"Book cover featuring Tower Bridge.\" width=\"270\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-72034\">\n\n<p>This is the most overwritten book I've ever read. Unfortunately, Alan Moore knows exactly how much polysyllabic pressure it takes to transmogrify base coal into precious gems.</p>\n\n<p>With lines like \"his shaved suede skull made him look like a wilted thistle\" and \"There was a rumour of pink lipstick circling her mouth\" you know you're in for a treat. Even better than the joyful prose of <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/12/book-review-the-satsuma-complex-by-bob-mortimer/\">Bob Mortimer's Satsuma Complex</a>.</p>\n\n<p>I'm also pretty sure Moore is <em>actually</em> a wizard. I've just finished reading a book about <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/03/book-review-under-fire-black-britain-in-wartime-by-stephen-bourne/\">Black Britain in Wartime</a> - which features Ras Prince Monolulu, who also appears in this book. Along with M. P. Shiel - who I did my GCSE coursework on. And, no spoilers, but I'm fairly sure I'd met other characters too. The only logical conclusion is that Moore is stalking my brain.</p>\n\n<p>It is an epic tale full of rogues and reprobates. The story is excellent even though the plot follows a fairly basic structure. Although set up to be a series, it is a satisfying stand-alone tale.</p>\n\n<p>My only real criticism of it is the trope of the \"failing light of English magic\" - much like Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2021/03/book-review-shades-of-milk-and-honey-glamourist-histories-series-book-1-mary-robinette-kowal/\">Shades of Milk and Honey</a>, <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2020/02/book-review-sorcerer-to-the-crown/\">Sorcerer to the Crown</a>, <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2024/01/book-review-babel-r-f-kuang/\">Babel</a>, and a hundred other books. Britain was a great (magical) power and it's up to our hero to Make Magic Great Again. Well, sort of. I suspect that's going to feature more heavily in the sequels.</p>\n\n<p>A pleasure to read and I look forward to both Alan and I being bitterly disappointed in the Bowdlerised Apple TV miniseries.</p>\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=72033&HTTP_REFERER=Atom\" alt width=\"1\" height=\"1\" loading=\"eager\">",
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{
"id": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=72448",
"title": "Two Way TV - product photos of 1997's hottest gadget",
"description": "Back in the late 1990s, I did a brief stint of work experience at the BBC. One of the most memorable moments was sitting in on a meeting about early forms of Interactive TV. I saw a demo of \"Two Way TV\". A flimsy grey box which (somehow) integrated with your OnDigital TV Box and connected to a server via a modem. If you were watching \"Who Wants To Be A Millionaire\" you could play along at home,…",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/two-way-tv-product-photos-of-1997s-hottest-gadget/",
"published": "2026-06-16T11:34:18.000Z",
"updated": "2026-06-18T11:20:03.000Z",
"content": "<p>Back in the late 1990s, I did a brief stint of work experience at the BBC. One of the most memorable moments was sitting in on a meeting about <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2022/12/early-forms-of-interactive-tv/\">early forms of Interactive TV</a>.</p>\n\n<p>I saw a demo of \"Two Way TV\". A flimsy grey box which (somehow) integrated with your OnDigital TV Box and connected to a server via a modem. If you were watching \"Who Wants To Be A Millionaire\" you could play along at home, send in your answers in realtime, and win REAL CASH PRIZES!!!</p>\n\n<p>An anonymous benefactor read my blog post about the tech, had a pootle through their loft, and found one of the trial boxes they'd been sent in June 1997. With their kind permission, here are some photos of the future we never got.</p>\n\n<p>The unit came in a chunky box with enough logos to convince you it was safe to plug in to the phone network.</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Box.webp\" alt=\"Orange box with regulatory logos.\" width=\"739\" height=\"344\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-72449\">\n\n<p>Flipping it over, we see a little more of the tech-specs and a defunct barcode (<code>5033936000023</code> for anyone searching) and product number (<code>SD2044N</code>).</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rear-Box.webp\" alt=\"Box with a barcode and promises of NICAM stereo.\" width=\"445\" height=\"751\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-72450\">\n\n<p>Mmmm! NICAM! So, what did the Set Top Box (STB) actually look like:</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/STB.webp\" alt=\"Boring grey box.\" width=\"435\" height=\"219\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-72452\">\n\n<p>Pretty much the same as every other Digital TV STB of the era. A featureless grey slab. Here's a closer view.</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/STB-detail.webp\" alt=\"A slight close up showing the logo.\" width=\"693\" height=\"126\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-72451\">\n\n<p>How was it all connected? Here's the rear of the box:\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rear-panel-with-scart-connectors.webp\" alt=\"SCART and other connectors.\" width=\"756\" height=\"252\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-72453\"></p>\n\n<p>Aerial in and out - I assume it had a digital decoder in it, but could pass the analogue channels through to the TV.</p>\n\n<p>Stereo out, for plugging in to your sound system.</p>\n\n<p>SCART in and out. I assume that let you connect your VCR or games console in pass-through mode.</p>\n\n<p>Keyboard looks like a PS/2 port - which would have been the standard at the time. Comms and Remove Receiver both appear to be 8 pin serial connectors.</p>\n\n<p>Finally, there's a standard telephone port for connecting to the dial-up service which makes it all work.</p>\n\n<p>So, you've plugged in all the wires, how do you actually play the games? The unit comes with two controllers - one red and one blue.</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Red-Controller.webp\" alt=\"Game controller. Four blue buttons and a primitive touch screen with a red background.\" width=\"680\" height=\"435\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-72454\">\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Blue-Controller.webp\" alt=\"Game controller. Four blue buttons and a primitive touch screen with a blue background.\" width=\"640\" height=\"413\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-72455\">\n\n<p>The four buttons (triangle, square, circle, lozenge) were for answering on-screen questions. There's an up and down scroller in the middle and a help button above it. I don't know what the large grey circle does.</p>\n\n<p>But what's the peculiar button on the coloured background? That's an early cursor control! Commercially available touchscreens were still in their infancy. This physical controller allowed you to position a digital cursor on screen. Nifty!</p>\n\n<p>Also in the box was a TV guide:</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Two-Way-TV-Guide.webp\" alt=\"Magazine offering you the ability to play Wheel of Fortune with Jenny.\" width=\"374\" height=\"521\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-72456\">\n\n<p>A getting started leaflet:</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Getting-Started-Guide.webp\" alt=\"Getting Started Guide.\" width=\"416\" height=\"296\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-72458\">\n\n<p>There's also a service manual:</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Field-Service-SD2044-and-SD2044N.webp\" alt=\"Field Service SD2044 and SD2044N.\" width=\"420\" height=\"546\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-72457\">\n\n<p>I don't know what the difference was between SD2044 and SD2044<strong>N</strong>. Do you?</p>\n\n<p>How much would this amazing interactive experience cost you? I've no idea about the upfront payment for the kit, but there's a Direct Debit form for the monthly subscription.</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Direct-Debit-cost.webp\" alt=\"£6.95 per month.\" width=\"670\" height=\"466\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-72459\">\n\n<p>That's about £14 in today's money.</p>\n\n<p>So there you have it! A snapshot of 1997's vision of the future. From my understanding, the box was never a hit with the public. Two Way TV pivoted to other forms of interactive content like premium-rate phone-ins before <a href=\"https://www.tvforum.co.uk/tvhome/two-way-tv-goes-administration-7314\">going bust in 2003</a>.</p>\n\n<p>If you have any more memories of the service, or interesting photos, please leave a comment or <a href=\"https://edent.tel\">get in touch with me</a>.</p>\n\n<p><ins datetime=\"2026-06-18T11:12:48+00:00\">Update!</ins> Some more information has been found:</p>\n\n<blockquote class=\"bluesky-embed\" data-bluesky-uri=\"at://did:plc:pm2zufo32pvn5pkewamnzfcp/app.bsky.feed.post/3moi2iq22zk2s\" data-bluesky-cid=\"bafyreiadpzf356ebgp3tu43h4ecofd4aidn4ahlxs52lu4seaaiovap4ve\" data-bluesky-embed-color-mode=\"system\"><p lang=\"en\">Ooh! Ooh! I have some niche information about this. It appears that stuff was broadcast to these boxes via teletext databroadcast packets - we've seen mysterious data streams with references to two way tv in teletext recoveries from Channel 4 recordings.</p>— ZXGuesser (<a href=\"https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:pm2zufo32pvn5pkewamnzfcp?ref_src=embed\">@zxguesser.bsky.social</a>) <a href=\"https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:pm2zufo32pvn5pkewamnzfcp/post/3moi2iq22zk2s?ref_src=embed\">17 June 2026 at 12:59</a></blockquote>\n\n<script async=\"\" src=\"https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n<p>With ZXGuesser's kind permission, here are some of the recovered data packets. They're fairly corrupt (recording Teletext to VHS isn't an exact science) but you can see some clear mentions of Two Way TV.</p>\n\n<p>Here's something about a trial period being extended:</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/teletext1.webp\" alt=\"Corrupted text code.\" width=\"356\" height=\"719\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-72538\">\n\n<p>This looks like code for a game:</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/teletext2.webp\" alt=\"Corrupted text code.\" width=\"347\" height=\"704\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-72537\">\n\n<p>Quiz results by household (possibly test data):</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/teletext3.webp\" alt=\"Corrupted text code.\" width=\"351\" height=\"687\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-72536\">\n\n<p>Control code and UI code, possibly for a 68000 device:</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/teletext4.webp\" alt=\"Corrupted text code.\" width=\"349\" height=\"752\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-72535\">\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/teletext5.webp\" alt=\"Corrupted text code.\" width=\"352\" height=\"740\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-72534\">\n\n<p>If you have more info to share, please let me know.</p>\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=72448&HTTP_REFERER=Atom\" alt width=\"1\" height=\"1\" loading=\"eager\">",
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{
"id": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=72429",
"title": "[RSS Club] What happens to old posts?",
"description": "Welcome to RSS Club! These posts are only available to RSS and Atom subscribers. You can read more about the idea at Dave Rupert's site. I recently received an email from a distraught reader: I was going through my recent bookmarks and I found https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/04/rss-club-for-wordpress which I had clearly saved to reference again later. However, as with the nature of RSS Club™, I c…",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/rss-club-what-happens-to-old-posts/",
"published": "2026-06-15T11:34:34.000Z",
"updated": "2026-06-13T12:43:01.000Z",
"content": "<p>Welcome to RSS Club! These posts are <em>only</em> available to RSS and Atom subscribers. You can read more about the idea at <a href=\"https://daverupert.com/rss-club/\">Dave Rupert's site</a>.</p>\n\n<p>I recently received an email from a distraught reader:</p>\n\n<blockquote><p>I was going through my recent bookmarks and I found <code>https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/04/rss-club-for-wordpress</code> which I had clearly saved to reference again later.</p>\n\n<p>However, as with the nature of RSS Club™, I can't just revisit that post in my browser. I'd long since deleted the RSS item in my feed and re-adding your entire feed only fetched the last ~20 items, of which this wasn't one.</p></blockquote>\n\n<p>Oh no! It is true that my feed only goes back 20 entries. As a consequence, older posts are lost in the Time Vortex - much like several episodes of Doctor Who.</p>\n\n<p>My first thought was \"is this a bug or a feature?\" Perhaps those posts should be ephemeral. It is possible that they've been archived - but it is equally possible that they've drifted away on the breeze like a child's balloon. Do I want people rummaging in the archives to get old club posts?</p>\n\n<p>I think my answer is… I'm happy for them to be inaccessible for the casual reader.</p>\n\n<p>But there are a few ways the determined scholar can find older posts.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"manually-save-the-contents\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/rss-club-what-happens-to-old-posts/#manually-save-the-contents\">Manually Save The Contents</a></h2>\n\n<p>Your feed reader probably lets you store a permanent copy of a post. You should do that if you want a local version available.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"archive-org\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/rss-club-what-happens-to-old-posts/#archive-org\">Archive.org</a></h2>\n\n<p>The Internet Archive regularly grabs a copy of my RSS feed. For example - <a href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20260000000000*/https://shkspr.mobi/blog/feed/atom/\">https://web.archive.org/web/20260000000000*/https://shkspr.mobi/blog/feed/atom/</a></p>\n\n<p>You can peruse older versions to your heart's content.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"json-api\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/rss-club-what-happens-to-old-posts/#json-api\">JSON API</a></h2>\n\n<p>WordPress's JSON API contains the full contents of the post (albeit in a slightly verbose JSON format). You need to know the post's ID.</p>\n\n<p>For example, the JSON for this post itself can be found at <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/72429\">https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/72429</a></p>\n\n<h2 id=\"feed-pagination\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/rss-club-what-happens-to-old-posts/#feed-pagination\">Feed Pagination</a></h2>\n\n<p>By default, you only get 20 items per feed. If you'd like to go to the 2nd page of the feed, you can use:</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/feed/atom/?paged=2\">https://shkspr.mobi/blog/feed/atom/?paged=2</a></p>\n\n<p>Then <code>?paged=3</code> for the next, etc.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"category-feeds\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/rss-club-what-happens-to-old-posts/#category-feeds\">Category Feeds</a></h2>\n\n<p>WordPress has build-in support for category-specific feeds. So, if you want to subscribe to <em>only</em> the RSS Club posts, you may use <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/category/rss-club/feed/\">https://shkspr.mobi/blog/category/rss-club/feed/</a></p>\n\n<p>This also works with tags, for example <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/tag/rss-club/feed/\">https://shkspr.mobi/blog/tag/rss-club/feed/</a></p>\n\n<p>They <em>should</em> both be the same, but I primarily use categories to differentiate between club and non-club posts.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"email\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/rss-club-what-happens-to-old-posts/#email\">Email</a></h2>\n\n<p>Feel free to email me if you can't find something. My contact details are on <a href=\"https://edent.tel/\">https://edent.tel/</a></p>\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=72429&HTTP_REFERER=Atom\" alt width=\"1\" height=\"1\" loading=\"eager\">",
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{
"id": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=71464",
"title": "Did Frank Sinatra really think \"Something\" was a Lennon/McCartney song?",
"description": "Read enough articles about The Beatles and you'll repeatedly hit the claim that Frank Sinatra frequently introduced his cover of George Harrison's \"Something\" as his \"favourite Lennon & McCartney number.\" Much like the misquote about Ringo not being the best drummer in The Beatles, I think this might be one of those semi-apocryphal lines which has taken on a life of its own. Here's what Paul…",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/",
"published": "2026-06-14T11:34:16.000Z",
"updated": "2026-06-14T11:08:05.000Z",
"content": "<p>Read enough articles about The Beatles and you'll repeatedly hit the claim that Frank Sinatra frequently introduced his cover of George Harrison's \"Something\" as his \"favourite Lennon & McCartney number.\"</p>\n\n<p>Much like the misquote about <a href=\"https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/john-lennon-ringo-best-drummer/\">Ringo not being the best drummer in The Beatles</a>, I think this might be one of those semi-apocryphal lines which has taken on a life of its own.</p>\n\n<p>Here's what Paul McCartney has to say in The Beatles Anthology, Episode 4.</p>\n\n<p></p><div style=\"width: 620px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-71464-2\" width=\"620\" height=\"511\" poster=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/macca.webp\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video/webm\" src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Sinatra.webm?_=2\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Sinatra.webm\">https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Sinatra.webm</a></video></div><p></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles_Anthology_(TV_series)\">That was broadcast in 1995</a> - so we need to look for sources from before that.</p>\n\n<p>There's not <em>much</em> Internet before the mid-1990s. Google's mismanagement of the USENET archives is a cultural obscenity. Nevertheless, we can find a <em>few</em> references which predate McCartney's broadcast.</p>\n\n<p>1994-12-26</p>\n\n<blockquote><p><a href=\"https://groups.google.com/g/rec.music.beatles/c/fGBPpkwUMuU/m/h_cdIFD8jRwJ\">Frankie used to introduce \"Something\" as his \"tribute to Mr. Lennon and Mr. McCartney\" ;^)</a></p></blockquote>\n\n<p>1990-03-05</p>\n\n<blockquote><p><a href=\"https://groups.google.com/g/rec.music.beatles/c/VeAi89TapCE/m/Cc0uJloNjEoJ\">In fact, a friend of mine (a supposed Beatle fan; turns out she's really just a L/M fan), were having a discussion about this very subject, she, just like Frank Sinatra, didn't know that George wrote \"Something.\" Duh.</a></p></blockquote>\n\n<p>So it was certainly a proto-meme back then.</p>\n\n<p>Of the thousands of Beatles books, I can't find any from before the mid-1990s which mention Sinatra's misattribution.</p>\n\n<p>For example, <a href=\"https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Complete_Guide_to_the_Music_of_the_B/6Ss5AQAAIAAJ\">1994's The Complete Guide to the Music of the Beatles</a> simply says:</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/greatest-love-song.webp\" alt=\"Frank Sinatra called \"the greatest love song ever written\".\" width=\"600\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-71466\">\n\n<p>Similarly, there are plenty of books and articles about Sinatra - lots of them talk about Something, but never this supposed misrepresentation. In <a href=\"https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=veUCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA31&dq=sinatra+%22something%22+lennon+mccartney&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi99q_z_amUAxW9UEEAHQonLawQ6AF6BAgNEAM#v=onepage&q=sinatra%20%22something%22%20lennon%20mccartney&f=false\">1980's New York Magazine</a>, Sinatra is interviewed and says:</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/rainy.webp\" alt=\"George Harrison \"His 'Something' is a beauty.\"\" width=\"600\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-71467\">\n\n<p>There are <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=sinatra+something\">many videos of Sinatra singing Something</a> on YouTube - <strong>none</strong> of them have him introducing the song as a Lennon/McCartney number.</p>\n\n<p>Indeed, here's one where he introduces it as being by George Harrison.</p>\n\n<iframe title=\"Frank Sinatra - Something\" width=\"620\" height=\"465\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/YcIxxP_pOSc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\"></iframe>\n\n<p>I think that's <a href=\"https://www.sinatra.com/frank-sinatra-timeline/page/3/\">1982's The Concert for the Americas - in the Dominican Republic</a>.</p>\n\n<p>Here's a 1985 concert where he introduces it as being by George Harrison of The Beatles.</p>\n\n<iframe title=\"Something Frank Sinatra (Live in HD)\" width=\"620\" height=\"349\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y_pEu3otPX0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\"></iframe>\n\n<p>Way back in 1978 at Sinatra's Caesar’s Palace Concert, he introduces it with \"George Harrison wrote it\" and finishes with \"by George Harrison\".</p>\n\n<iframe title=\"Frank Sinatra 1978 Caesar's Palace Las Vegas\" width=\"620\" height=\"465\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/qJhW9R5PybA?start=1324&feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\"></iframe>\n\n<p>Even back in 1975, during a <a href=\"https://youtu.be/mBifNX8vzYM?t=1073\">concert in Jerusalem</a> he was crediting Harrison, saying:</p>\n\n<blockquote><p>Every one of The Beatles was a very talented young man individually. And here's an example of George Harrison with a great love song.\"</p></blockquote>\n\n<p>I've now listened to dozens of recordings of Sinatra singing Something live and in <em>none</em> of them does he so much as mention John Lennon or Paul McCartney.</p>\n\n<p>So is the quote apocryphal? Possibly not!</p>\n\n<p>Less than a year after John Lennon was murdered, Sinatra treated Carnegie Hall<sup id=\"fnref:ch\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fn:ch\" class=\"footnote-ref\" title=\"After all, Sinatra had a lot of practice!\" role=\"doc-noteref\">0</a></sup> to a series of 11 concerts.</p>\n\n<p>On 10th September 1981, John Rockwell published <a href=\"https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/pop-sinatra-at-carnegie/docview/424187532/se-2\">Pop: Sinatra at Carnegie</a> - a review of the opening night of Sinatra's concert series at New York City's Carnegie Hall:</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/cocky-stance.webp\" alt=\"Mr. Sinatra is no friend of the electric pop music of the last 25 years. Yet his cocky stance dovetails neatly with the punk defiance of the rock generation. And his treatment of material by younger writers - including a John Lennon tribute with a Beatles song - while not always idiomatic, carries with it a conviction that bridges gaps again. \" width=\"600\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-71476\">\n\n<p>Also on the 10th, <a href=\"https://www.newspapers.com/search/results/?country=us&keyword=%22mr.+lennon.+Also+Mr.+McCartney%22&sort=paper-date-asc\">a clutch of US papers reproduced a story</a> by the <a href=\"https://www.deseret.com/2012/10/19/20442745/mary-campbell-music-writer-for-the-ap-dies-at-78/\">inimitable Mary Campbell of the Associated Press</a>.</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Mary-Campbell.webp\" alt=\"By MARY CAMPBELL Associated Press Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Frank Sinatra has opened 11 concerts at Carnegie Hall proving Wednesday night he still can mine deeper into the heart of a song than just about anybody around. Some may have thought \"New York, New York,\" his final song in his hour and a quarter concert, was his best one. He sang it with verve, vigor and rich tone, bent the last note just exactly right and in general sounded about the age of Liza Minnelli, who has been known to sing it too. And it got him a standing ovation. But we thought the high point of the evening was \"Something.\" Sinatra introduced the song, written and recorded by the Beatles, by saying, \"In a sense this is a personal tribute to Mr. Lennon. Also Mr. McCartney.\" (The song was written by Beatle George Harrison.)\" width=\"600\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-71844\">\n\n<p>Most of the syndicated versions <a href=\"https://www.nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=coe19810911-01.1.2&srpos=1&e=------198-en-20--1--txt-txIN-sinatra+%22personal+tribute%22---------\">leave out the parenthetical remarks</a>.</p>\n\n<p>On the 11th, Patricia O'Haire published a somewhat snide review of the September 9th concert in <a href=\"https://www.newspapers.com/image/488687995/?terms=harrison&match=1\">The New York Daily News</a></p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/one-quibble.webp\" alt=\"Only one quibble, and it's minor. Sinatra started on song by saying \"This is my personal tribute to Mr. Lennon and Mr. McCartney\" then proceeded to sing \"Something\" a lovely ballad. Really lovely. Except it was written by George Harrison, whose name, unfortunately, was never mentioned.\" width=\"600\" height=\"209\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-71880\">\n\n<p>On 14th September 1981, a British newspaper re-reported the comment:</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/blue-eyes-red-face.webp\" alt=\"Blue eyes, red face. FRANK SINATRA is now singing the old Beatles number “Something\" at his concerts. “In a sense,” says Ol' Blue Eyes, “ this is a personal tribute to Mr Lennon. Also to Mr McCartney.” It would be churlish, I suppose, to point out that the song was actually written by Mr Harrison.\" width=\"308\" height=\"735\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-71501\">\n\n<p>That's the <a href=\"https://britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/search/results/1970-01-01/1981-12-31?basicsearch=sinatra%20something%20lennon&somesearch=sinatra%20something%20lennon&exactsearch=false&retrievecountrycounts=false&newspapertitle=daily%2bexpress\">Daily Express</a> by Rob Benson, their Los Angeles correspondent<sup id=\"fnref:now\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fn:now\" class=\"footnote-ref\" title=\"It is odd that the reporter describes Sinatra as \"now\" singing Something when it had been in his repertoire for over a decade. About the right level of journalistic rigour expected of the Express.\" role=\"doc-noteref\">1</a></sup>.</p>\n\n<p>By the 29th of September 1981, the story had made it to <a href=\"https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1240384507/view?sectionId=nla.obj-1569027603&partId=nla.obj-1240470436\">Australian Financial Times' The Bulletin</a>.</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/australian.webp\" alt=\"Frank Sinatra, the Mafia's favorite crooner, is soft on the Beatles. He's included their classic Something in his latest concert, effusing: \"In a sense this is a personal tribute to Mr Lennon. Also to Mr McCartney.\" All of which is a bit tough on George Harrison, who wrote the song.\" width=\"600\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-71593\">\n\n<p>It's unclear how many of those journalists were actually at the concert. I assume John Rockwell, Mary Campbell, and Patricia O'Haire were as they published fairly detailed reviews.</p>\n\n<p>Tracking down a set-list for that long-gone concert is tricky. <a href=\"https://www.carnegiehall.org/About/History/Performance-History-Search?q=&dex=prod_PHS&page=3&pf=Frank%20Sinatra_\">Carnegie Hall themselves</a> get the dates wrong in their archive and say the first performance was on the 8th, and their set-list is sourced from Setlist.fm rather than their own records. The <a href=\"https://www.freelists.org/post/sinatraphiles/September-9-THIS-DATE-IN-SINATRA-HISTORY,13#:~:text=1981\">Sinatraphiles mailing list</a> has a set-list for the 9th which does include \"Something\".</p>\n\n<p>There's a <a href=\"https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4408990110/frank-sinatra-carnegie-hall-1981\">purported recording of the September 10th concert</a> with a set-list on the reverse:</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/cd-back.webp\" alt=\"CD track listing.\" width=\"514\" height=\"514\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-71477\">\n\n<p>There's no \"Lennon\" song - the only Beatles number is \"Something\". Let's take a listen to the introduction from that bootleg recording.</p>\n\n<p></p><figure class=\"audio\">\n\t<figcaption>🔊 Something<br>🎤 Frank Sinatra</figcaption>\n\t\n\t<audio controls=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Something.mp3\">\n\t\t<p>💾 <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Something.mp3\">Download this audio file</a>.</p>\n\t</audio>\n</figure><p></p>\n\n<p>\"A beautiful song by George Harrison. Maybe one of the best love songs ever written.\"<sup id=\"fnref:intro\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fn:intro\" class=\"footnote-ref\" title=\"Later on, in the introduction to \"Luck Be A Lady Tonight\", he sarcastically describes Marlon Brando as \"America's great baritone!\". There are quite a few jokey moments in the performance - so it is…\" role=\"doc-noteref\">2</a></sup></p>\n\n<p>So, that's a handful of contemporary sources who mention that Frank Sinatra <em>once</em> introduced \"Something\" as being composed by someone other than Harrison.</p>\n\n<p>The only recording is of the concert the next day - and it doesn't includes that \"blooper\".</p>\n\n<p>There's no other mentions I can find which directly cite a specific concert or performance.</p>\n\n<p>Did Sinatra ever say it was his \"favourite Lennon and McCartney song\"? He sang in thousands of shows<sup id=\"fnref:dean\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fn:dean\" class=\"footnote-ref\" title=\"Incidentally, as far as I can tell, Sinatra first sang \"Something\" in December 1970 on The Dean Martin Show - about a year after its release on Abbey Road. Sinatra's performance doesn't contain him…\" role=\"doc-noteref\">3</a></sup>, not all of which were recorded<sup id=\"fnref:rec\"><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fn:rec\" class=\"footnote-ref\" title=\"I spoke to one collector who said:\n> I also checked all of the other collectors lists I have, and they do not have it either, I do however have reference to its existence via a notecard that…\" role=\"doc-noteref\">4</a></sup>, so it is entirely possible he mentioned it. But you'd expect more than a few reporters would write about it, wouldn't you?</p>\n\n<p>The origin of the \"quote\", as far as I can tell, is from an interview Paul McCartney gave to David Hinckley in the <a href=\"https://www.newspapers.com/search/results/?city=New+York&county=New+York&date=1984&keyword=sinatra+something+lennon+mccartney®ion=us-ny\">New York Daily News on 21st October 1984</a>.</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Macca-Interview.webp\" alt=\"\"And George - well, John and I did write most of the early material, but he developed into a helluva writer. Look at 'Something.' Sinatra still sings that.\" It's mentioned that Sinatra also has been known to introduce it as \"my favorite Lennon-McCartney song.\" \"Well, yeah,\" says Paul, \"that's what George is up against.\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"413\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-71891\">\n\n<p>That's the first time that I can see \"Something\" mentioned as Sinatra's \"favorite Lennon-McCartney song\".</p>\n\n<p>I went rummaging through some reviews of Frank's concert performance which included \"Something\" in the set list.</p>\n\n<p>His concert at the Palladium:</p>\n\n<blockquote><p>And Frank sings 'Something'. It's OK. The Vanilla Fudge were more adept at Beatle rewrites however.</p>\n\n<p>Chris Salewicz. \"<a href=\"https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/frank-sinatra-palladium-london\">Frank Sinatra: Palladium, London</a>\". New Musical Express (1975).</p></blockquote>\n\n<p>His concert at the Royal Albert Hall:</p>\n\n<blockquote><p>Superb renditions of Jim Webb's 'Didn't We?' and Harrison's 'Something' were recreated with a totally unique empathy. \"Real Songs, beautiful songs\", he said fervently, no trace of show-biz cant.</p>\n\n<p>Max Bell. \"<a href=\"https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/frank-sinatra-royal-albert-hall-london\">Frank Sinatra: Royal Albert Hall, London</a>\". New Musical Express (1975).</p></blockquote>\n\n<p>And another report of the same gig:</p>\n\n<blockquote><p>Jimmy Webb's 'Didn't We' and the classic 'Nice And Easy', were exceptionally good, standing out easily among lacklustre renditions of 'Something', 'Strangers In The Night' and a David Gates song. In between, Sinatra delivered various controversial raps designed to instigate audience loyalties but proved that Sinatra should open his mouth only when singing.</p>\n\n<p>Barbara Charone. \"<a href=\"https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/frank-sinatra-royal-albert-hall-london-2\">Frank Sinatra: Royal Albert Hall, London</a>\". Sounds (1975).</p></blockquote>\n\n<p>I've read dozens of gig reviews of old Sinatra concerts and they all contain various levels of snark about his performance, song choice, and politics - so you'd expect British reporters would have picked up on the misattribution, wouldn't you?</p>\n\n<p>Instead, there's two slightly contradictory reports of one single concert and no suggestion that Sinatra himself said it was his \"favorite Lennon-McCartney song\". Given that he <em>repeatedly</em> credited George Harrison in the decade leading up to that concert, I think it is fair to say the \"quote\" has taken on a significance far beyond its actual importance.</p>\n\n<p>If you have a recording of Sinatra introducing \"Something\" as a Lennon/McCartney number - or any other <em>contemporary</em> reports of that - please drop a comment in the box.</p>\n\n<div id=\"footnotes\" role=\"doc-endnotes\">\n<hr aria-label=\"Footnotes\">\n<ol start=\"0\">\n\n<li id=\"fn:ch\">\n<p>After all, Sinatra had a <em>lot</em> of practice! <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fnref:ch\" class=\"footnote-backref\" role=\"doc-backlink\">↩︎</a></p>\n</li>\n\n<li id=\"fn:now\">\n<p>It is odd that the reporter describes Sinatra as \"now\" singing Something when it had been in his repertoire for over a decade. About the right level of journalistic rigour expected of the Express. <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fnref:now\" class=\"footnote-backref\" role=\"doc-backlink\">↩︎</a></p>\n</li>\n\n<li id=\"fn:intro\">\n<p>Later on, in the introduction to \"Luck Be A Lady Tonight\", he sarcastically describes Marlon Brando as \"America's great baritone!\". There are quite a few jokey moments in the performance - so it is entirely possible his Lennon & McCartney remark was a quip. <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fnref:intro\" class=\"footnote-backref\" role=\"doc-backlink\">↩︎</a></p>\n</li>\n\n<li id=\"fn:dean\">\n<p>Incidentally, as far as I can tell, Sinatra first sang \"Something\" in December 1970 on <a href=\"https://www.freelists.org/post/sinatraphiles/December-31-THIS-DATE-IN-SINATRA-HISTORY,3#:~:text=something\">The Dean Martin Show</a> - about a year after its release on Abbey Road. <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkqjOUksnSA\">Sinatra's performance</a> doesn't contain him saying anything about the song. <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fnref:dean\" class=\"footnote-backref\" role=\"doc-backlink\">↩︎</a></p>\n</li>\n\n<li id=\"fn:rec\">\n<p>I spoke to one collector who said:</p>\n\n<blockquote><p>I also checked all of the other collectors lists I have, and they do not have it either, I do however have reference to its existence via a notecard that represents a massive collection. What this means is that the concert could exist, but more than likely has never been digitized. Many Sinatra concerts are still stuck on reel to reels from the 70s and 80s and have never been transferred to the digital realm and shared on the internet.</p></blockquote>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/did-frank-sinatra-really-think-something-was-a-lennon-mccartney-song/#fnref:rec\" class=\"footnote-backref\" role=\"doc-backlink\">↩︎</a></p>\n</li>\n\n</ol>\n</div>\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=71464&HTTP_REFERER=Atom\" alt width=\"1\" height=\"1\" loading=\"eager\">",
"image": null,
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{
"id": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=69083",
"title": "Gadget Review: TP Link EH210 Ethernet Splitter (USB-C) ★★★★★",
"description": "When I ran Ethernet around our house, I thought I was being clever. A CAT6 cable for every room - lush! Some of my rooms have lots of devices, so they get a nice big Ethernet switch with lots of ports and blinking lights. But most of my rooms don't have that many devices. Our gym had only an Internet connected TV so that I could watch Quibi while exercising. Recently we added a Kodi box so that…",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/gadget-review-tp-link-eh210-ethernet-splitter-usb-c/",
"published": "2026-06-12T11:34:18.000Z",
"updated": "2026-04-20T13:34:04.000Z",
"content": "<p>When I ran Ethernet around our house, I thought I was being clever. A CAT6 cable for every room - lush! Some of my rooms have lots of devices, so they get a nice big Ethernet switch with lots of ports and blinking lights.</p>\n\n<p>But most of my rooms don't have <em>that</em> many devices. Our gym had only an Internet connected TV so that I could watch Quibi while exercising. Recently we added a Kodi box so that I could stream Linux ISOs while sweating on my static bike. Was it worth running another cable there? No. Did I want to buy an expensive hub or switch with multiple ports? Also no.</p>\n\n<p>Enter the EH210. I bought it because it is USB-C powered - as everything should be.</p>\n\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/tp-link-eh210.webp\" alt=\"Square device with four cables protruding.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-69085\">\n\n<p>The USB cable it came with was reasonably long. I shoved the A end into the TV and the C end into the device. When the TV is off, it doesn't supply any power to its USB ports - which is perfect for me. When the TV is on, the splitter wakes up quickly and starts blinking its little lights.</p>\n\n<p>The metal chassis is good at dissipating the heat. The lights aren't egregiously bright. Both outbound Ethernet work simultaneously and they are fast enough for video streaming. The supplied Ethernet cable seemed fine.</p>\n\n<p>And… That's all there is to say about it really. For a tenner (depending on The Algorithm) it's a decent bit of kit. If you dont need a fully provisioned switch integrated with your mesh network, this is just the ticket.</p>\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=69083&HTTP_REFERER=Atom\" alt width=\"1\" height=\"1\" loading=\"eager\">",
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"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog"
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"label": "review",
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"label": "usb-c",
"term": "usb-c",
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{
"id": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/?p=72037",
"title": "Book Review: The Husbands by Holly Gramazio ★★★★★",
"description": "Ooooh! This is a lovely treat of a book. Every time Lauren sends her husband into the loft, a different man comes down. Her past is rewritten and she has now been married to Dave/Gary/Bob/Whoever for a year, a month, a decade, a minute. This isn't like how Groundhog Day became On The Calculation of Volume or Sliding Doors became The Names, instead this is a new and twisty concept rendered…",
"url": "https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/06/book-review-the-husbands-by-holly-gramazio/",
"published": "2026-06-10T11:34:55.000Z",
"updated": "2026-06-10T09:39:13.000Z",
"content": "<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/9781529920369-jacket-large.webp\" alt=\"Book cover. A woman holds a ladder with a man on it.\" width=\"326\" height=\"500\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-72042\">\n\n<p>Ooooh! This is a lovely treat of a book. Every time Lauren sends her husband into the loft, a different man comes down. Her past is rewritten and she has now been married to Dave/Gary/Bob/Whoever for a year, a month, a decade, a minute.</p>\n\n<p>This isn't like how Groundhog Day became <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/02/book-review-on-the-calculation-of-volume-solvej-balle/\">On The Calculation of Volume</a> or Sliding Doors became <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/05/book-review-the-names-by-florence-knapp/\">The Names</a>, instead this is a new and twisty concept rendered through the lens of a chick-lit comedy.</p>\n\n<p>It's proper laugh-aloud funny, while playing with all the clichés of both sci-fi and romcoms.</p>\n\n<p>The thing I liked most is that Lauren is an <em>active</em> and intelligent protagonist unlike, say, Carol Sturka from Pluribus. Sturka never engages with the premise of her odd situation, she doesn't try to discover the rules of the world she's living in and is content to let things happen <em>to</em> her. Lauren spends a good deal of time at least trying to get to grips with the (un)reality of her husband-dispensing portal. I found that made for a rather gratifying story and didn't leave me shouting at the pages \"JUST TRY SOMETHING!\"</p>\n\n<p>It's also refreshing to follow the adventures of a (slight) antihero. Lauren mostly knows when she is being monstrous. She flings between feminism and self-directed misogyny - with a smattering of misandry. Her discrimination against those of us men who wear socks with individual toes is, of course, an unforgivable sin.</p>\n\n<p>The pacing is excellent - with an perfectly timed plot twist just as things are settling down. The afterword talks briefly about the multiple possible endings that were considered. I'd love to know what ideas were rejected although, in retrospect, there's only one narratively satisfying conclusion.</p>\n\n<p>I read a lot of <a href=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/tag/sci-fi/\">science fiction</a> - probably more than is healthy - and The Husbands is a welcome addition to my shelf. The practicalities of the plot-device are as unimportant as how Warp Drive works; science fiction is about exploring the possibilities of a fantastical situation. If you could instantly swap your spouse because they lost the TV remote <em>again</em> - would you? In a world of no consequences, what would you get away with? If you discovered a break in reality, what would you try in order to exploit or understand it?</p>\n\n<p>The Husbands gets fairly dark. Never grim, exactly, but it gnaws away at the cosiness proffered by domestic bliss. Although Lauren can be a bit of a bitch, the story just about strays away from making her morally repugnant. An exemplary piece of storytelling.</p>\n<img src=\"https://shkspr.mobi/blog/wp-content/themes/edent-wordpress-theme/info/okgo.php?ID=72037&HTTP_REFERER=Atom\" alt width=\"1\" height=\"1\" loading=\"eager\">",
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{
"name": "@edent",
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"url": "https://edent.tel/"
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