I think my greatest security vulnerability is me singing my password as I type it…
I must say, I’m absolutely loving NixOS. Having everything declared and configured in this way is excellent.
I love being able to test packages and set everything so easily. It’s a breeze!
And it’s all too easy to move machines or reinstall should I need to.
My New Year’s resolution is 720p.
I considered 4K UHD, but I think it’s important to set achievable goals.
And another passes. As I write this it’s 2024 in the UTC +8 time zone.
Expect a blog post on my site tomorrow, I’ve got some exciting plans to share.
Configurations have been tested, USBs are writing, ISOs are burning, sanity is waning, snacks are on hand.
I’m set to make the move to NixOS on my Framework Laptop. Wish me luck!
Perhaps I’m looking at moving from Arch Linux to NixOS…
Whenever I think of installing or reinstalling my OS, I tend to go a bit crazy installing apps and testing potentially breaking changes so I can decide how to setup the new install.
It’s all well and good until I start doing that pre-backup…
I figured I’d throw my hat into the tabs vs spaces ring. In the context of code, tabs are naturally superior to spaces.
Tabs semantically indicate indentation, which allows for individuals to customise their editor to display them as they choose. A semantic option is also better for accessibility. Further, tabs lead to smaller file sizes.
Spaces should be used for alignment.
Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate it!
Here’s a picture of my pet chicken, Garbin, in a Christmas hat. If it seems a little off, it’s because she really wasn’t cooperative…

This holiday season I’ve been enjoying the collection of Kmart in-store cassette tapes stored by the Internet Archive.
You should be able to find them simply by searching “Kmart December” on archive.org.
Might play them on Christmas day for the family. Assuming they don’t pin me down and turn it off…
I’ve just discovered the super handy hue-rotate CSS filter.
I’m using it as such:
filter: invert(95%) hue-rotate(180deg);
It lets me invert an item, but keeps the colours as they should be by flipping the hue back. I’m finding use implementing it on iframe embeds to force darkmode.
New post published:
Everything Is Chrome
The power is in Google's hands.
My look into the overaching dominance of Google Chrome and it's overwhelmingly negative impact on the web as we know it.
https://vale.rocks/posts/everything-is-chrome
I was scrolling through Fedi and saw the account @tpope@hachyderm.io. I wondered if it was the Vim guy so I clicked on his account to check. His bio didn’t disappoint.
If you read this Tim, thanks for your work.
New post published:
A Year With The Framework Laptop 13
Hold onto your trackpads, I'm reviewing the Framework.
My review of the Framework Laptop 13. I cover the assembly, setup, value, build, support, community, and much more.
https://vale.rocks/posts/a-year-with-the-framework-laptop-13
A snowy mountain semi-concealed by cloud.
A valley surrounded by mountains.
Two-headed mushroom growing among moss and tiny sprouts.
Article coming later today about the shutdown of the 3G network in Australia.
New post published:
Prematurely Pulling The Plug On 3G
Better hope you don't need to call emergency services.
Critical thoughts on the intention of Australian telcos to sunset the 3G network and the major repurcussions on coverage, safety, and much more that will come with it.
https://vale.rocks/posts/prematurely-pulling-the-plug-on-3g
This isn’t quite high resolution enough for Unsplash, but here’s a picture of a bee I took.
He was a very good subject and sat on my finger for a good 15 minutes before I set him down.

Oh my, I love this new CSS lh
unit. It’s equal to the computed line-height. This is gonna make inline SVGs and icons so much easier! I’m in ecstasy.
I must say, these OpenAI and Sam Altman shenanigans have been better drama than anything I think I’ve seen on television. The plot twists are out of this world and I genuinely have no idea what will happen next.
I think I can actually feel parts of my brain flaking away as I write JavaScript.
I’ve spent far longer than I wish to admit getting the Domino’s App feat Hatsune Miku working on my iPad 4, but I finally managed it today.
I initially went about it a stupidly complex way but ended up learning quite a bit along the way, so it wasn’t a total waste of time.
It seems some people have looked into decompiling it to fix the frequent crashes and broken features. Hopefully, this becomes a reality.
Considering buying a Flipper Zero. Anyone got any first hand experience? Is it worth the $322 AUD price tag?
OpenAI recently unveiled some fancy new models that I wanted to play around with so I created Jarg. A nice to use AI client which allows you to select from a range of models.
Check it out here:
https://jarg.vale.rocks
The modern job searching experience:
Job Title: Entry Level Position
Requirements: 3 to 5 years of experience
How does somebody get experience when nobody will hire them because they don’t have experience?
And don’t forget the job description:
“At [COMPANY NAME HERE], we pride ourselves on our tight-knit and supportive work culture. We believe in fostering an environment where every team member feels valued, respected, and encouraged to grow. Our company operates like a family, where collaboration, innovation, and a sense of belonging are central to our success.
As a member of our close-knit family, you will play an integral role in contributing to our company’s growth and success. You’ll have the opportunity to work in a supportive and collaborative environment, where your unique skills and perspectives are appreciated.”
I re-watched Hackers (1995) yesterday evening. For any tech lovers looking for a demented 90s hacker film, you can’t go wrong. Objectively, it isn’t great, but it has very much cemented itself as a cult classic. It’s worth a watch.
Do people use share buttons on websites, such as those on blog posts or articles?
Response |
Percentage |
Yes |
0% |
Yes (only on mobile) |
19% |
No |
81% |
(37 people voted)
A tree with pretty pink leaves growing in front of a house against a clear blue sky.
A path winding through trees.
Hello,
I’ve made some changes to my Fediversing. I’ve moved from microblog.pub to Akkoma. I was having some issues with microblog such as bad Mastodon federation but Akkoma seems very nice.
I’ll see you all around, be sure to send me a follow.
Queenstown across a lake with snowy mountain peaks in the background.
The town, forest, lake, and mountains of Queenstown from the gondola.
View of mountains near Queenstown.
New post published:
Halo: My Thoughts
My thoughts on one of the biggest names in gaming.
Explore my journey through the Halo series, from the iconic Combat Evolved to the latest release, Infinite. Discover my thoughts, experiences, and insights into each game's virtues.
https://vale.rocks/posts/halo-my-thoughts
A fungal growth on a moss-covered log.
A mushroom growing, nestled in a mossy alcove.
A fungal growth on the side of a moss-covered log.
Tiny sprouts growing up from the top of a moss-covered log.
New post published:
The Ultimate LibreOffice Setup
A guide to sorting the office suite solution.
My comprehensive tutorial aimed at optimizing LibreOffice to match the functionality of Microsoft Office. Elevate your document editing experience with tips, tools, and enhancements for seamless and efficient productivity.
https://vale.rocks/posts/the-ultimate-libreoffice-setup
New post published:
Connecting to Australian Public School Internet
The guide for when someone breaks the internet. Again...
The Education Department of Australia does some silly stuff with their network quite frequently. This tutorial shows you how to get up and running in no time at all.
https://vale.rocks/posts/connecting-to-australian-public-school-internet
New post published:
The Design of This Site
The thought behind the experience.
A breakdown and overview of the design choices of Vale.Rocks, as well as its influences and brief touchings on the site's philosophy.
https://vale.rocks/posts/the-design-of-this-site