h2g2bob @h2g2bob@mastodon.dbatley.com

Updated "greek task list":

orphean task: when you almost succeed, but lose everything the moment you turn around to check your progress.

daedalean task: when you’re forced to design something brilliant and functional… that you yourself will inevitably become trapped inside.

medusan task: when your project becomes so horrifying that everyone involved freezes in place rather than deal with it.

tantaline task: when success is right there, but bureaucracy or budget cuts keep snatching it away at the last moment, forever.

pandoran task: when fixing one small issue unleashes a thousand new ones, but hey — at least there’s still hope somewhere in the ticket backlog.

odyssean task: when the assignment technically has an end, but it’s buried under so many side quests that you forget what the original goal was.

narcissian task: when the entire effort is about maintaining appearances rather than achieving anything of substance.

promethean task: when you give people a powerful new tool that could transform their work — and are punished eternally for doing so.

orestian task: when the mess you’re cleaning up is the direct result of the last cleanup you performed.

thesean task: when the only way to finish is to disassemble everything piece by piece — until you’re no longer sure if what’s left is the same project you started.

achillean task: when your work is flawless except for that one fatal oversight that will, inevitably, destroy you.

penelopean task: when you diligently undo by night what you accomplish by day, just to keep the stakeholders pacified.

midasean task: when everything you touch turns into paperwork, compliance documents, or gold-plated nonsense nobody actually needs.

gordian task: not intended to be actually done, but violence is the answer.

Keep Android Open
https://keepandroidopen.org/

This is important. We already have a basic duopoly in mobile operating systems, now Google is trying to lock down their platform even more. Nobody benefits from this other than Google's shareholders.

Whether you are a device owner, a developer, or a public institution, this affects you and should matter to you.

Everyone can meaningfully help to push back.

#FuckGoogle #Android #FOSS #Mobile

"The Bus Services (No. 2) Bill became law on 27th October, enabling local transport authorities to implement franchising schemes for bus services in England – reversing the deregulation of buses which has contributed to spiralling prices and worsening, reduced services while transport firms pay millions to shareholders.

It will also end the ban on councils setting up their own bus companies to directly compete with private firms."

Hurrah for big, quiet wins!

https://bylinetimes.com/2025/10/28/all-the-big-government-reforms-the-media-hasnt-been-telling-you-about/

TLDR; The PSF has made the decision to put our community and our shared diversity, equity, and inclusion values ahead of seeking $1.5M in new revenue. Please read and share. https://pyfound.blogspot.com/2025/10/NSF-funding-statement.html
🧵
https://www.python.org/sponsors/application/

It's not all democratic backsliding. 2024's elections in Southern Africa suggest a maturing of democracy in the region.

In Botswana, the party which had governed the country since independence graciously accepted defeat and ensured a peaceful transition of power. In South Africa, the coalition Government of National Unity has increased public trust in governance (when was the last time you heard that?!).

https://europeandemocracyhub.epd.eu/democratic-shockwaves-in-southern-africa/