mastodon - Link to source

We are grateful to everyone who has become a #FriendsOfGNOME. Your donations help us plan new programs for 2026 and strengthen the future of #GNOME. We also thank all our contributors across many roles, without whom our desktop would not be possible.

Happy Holidays!

#Linux #OpenSource #FOSS #GNOMEFoundation

donate.gnome.org/

#linux #foss #opensource #gnome #gnomefoundation #friendsofgnome

Emmanuele Bassi reshared this.

mastodon - Link to source

I have to give @Tamasg for making the initial version of the FlexVoice 3 NVDA addon! I like it, and there is another version of that synth you can try and make an addon for, it is version 2. I believe according to a sample I heard, that I kind of like the intonation of version 2 more than version 3, and it contains other .trv files for the voices. Now you kind of know why I've been waiting for this TTS to speak my own text for so long (it has been about a year since Rommix found it), it is one of the most unique speech synths, and that's what I'm looking for! Anyway, here's the .zip of FlexVoice 2 for anyone who is interested:

datajake.braillescreen.net/tts…

@Tamas G
in reply to Alex Krier

mastodon - Link to source

Tamas G

I guess the problem with that zip is that it's not a full SDK like with FlexVoice 3.0. That one was so easy because all the header files and calling conventions were there for me to ingest and quickly understand the order of arguments functions take. For 2.0, it's mostly a guessing game, so I don't suspect a driver for it would be ready for awhile unless some type of headers or deeper docs emerge around the API it used.
in reply to Tamas G

mastodon - Link to source

Alex Krier

I will be patiently waiting for the FlexVoice 2 addon. FlexVoice is one of my dream retro synths I have been waiting for since circa 2019. It is using a hybrid synthesis method, combining diphone concatenation with parametric LPC. That's why it sounds like that. The voice I am using in the current addon is Kim, since I am biased towards female voices. I will be getting later addon builds when you let me (and others) know through this Mastodon account. Again, thank you so much for making one of my retro TTS dreams come true!

mastodon - Link to source

Today's #FreeSoftwareAdvent is paperless-ngx, a key part of keeping us, well, paperless.

It is a document management tool, but I use it in a very basic way: it is hooked up to our scanner, and anything we scan gets automatically converted to PDF and OCRd. We then shred the paper. I try to scan, and shred, everything on the day that it arrives.

It is particularly useful around tax return time, as it means I can easily get the information I need from stuff which people have posted to us.

github.com/paperless-ngx/paper…

#FOSS #SelfHosting #Paperless

#foss #selfhosting #freesoftwareadvent #paperless

mastodon - Link to source
Well well. It's very unlikely Monolog95 or Monolog97 will ever get a driver or wrapper. Thing is, voice font data and other speech DLLs were scattered across the system, including in \windows\speech, making integrating a simple portable wrapper solution quite impossible as it looks for them in these hardcoded areas, including registry keys. Both do this, after extensive debugging, Monolog95 is somewhat better but still Voicefont data stays in program files. In short, not an easy one, unlike Flexvoice where I could package it up nicely into one synth for everyone to quickly have. Sigh.
It doesn't matter anyway. The voice I'd want was only ever part of Monolog16, not Monolog 32-bit variants. With Monolog 95 and 97, you already get a different voice. So I wouldn't be working on one I'd actually want or use, either.
in reply to Tamas G

mastodon - Link to source

Tamas G

on the bright side, I'm less sad about my Braille display! Used some sandpaper to smoothen out the scratch (they were just 2 little dots where it got slightly nicked), and now, the scratch is virtually undetectable. So yes. Sandpaper does work on plastic to at least smoothen down scratches and get them to be good again. I was surprised to find this out.
This entry was edited (5 days ago)
in reply to Maikel 🇪🇺 🇪🇸

mastodon - Link to source

Daniel Gultsch

The F-Droid version has some features that Play store policy prevents us from putting in (address book integration, channel search). The Play version has features that F-Droid policy prevents us from putting in (FCM push notifications).

That’s orthogonal to it being paid or not though.

If it were up to me i'd probably make the F-Droid version paid as well but F-Droid doesn’t have a billing system.

mastodon - Link to source

Wrt my last boost, it is saying something when the NFB and the ACB agree on something and are on the same side!

But, seriously, hopefully there is less feuding between the two blindness organizations than there had been in the past. Hardly anyone alive would have been around for the original split that created the ACB, and some of the reasons for it are not relevant anymore. I would like it if we don't have hostility between the organizations and if they can work together where they agree.

This entry was edited (5 days ago)
in reply to Mike Gorse

mastodon - Link to source

Kevin LaRose, Antifa Member

For my part, I can say that my issues with the #NFB don’t have anything to do with what happened back in the late 50s. Rather, it’s something more recent. I don’t necessarily have animosity toward the organization in general, I was actually a member for a time about seven years ago, it has to do with the organization’s response, or lack thereof, dealing with the sexual misconduct allegations in the training centers.
#NFB

mastodon - Link to source

ACB is speaking out in response to recent federal action that limits how the Randolph-Sheppard Act’s blind vendor priority is applied to Army dining facility contracts. This change threatens economic opportunity and independence for people who are blind or have low vision.

Read our press release: acb.org/american-council-blind…

Graphic with the ACB logo on a purple background and the following text: ACB firmly rejects any suggestion that qualified blind vendors operating dining facilities on Army installations negatively affect American service members.

American Council of the Blind Responds to Federal Action Weakening Randolph-Sheppard Act Priority | American Council of the Blind

www.acb.org
in reply to Marco Zehe

mastodon - Link to source

Cristobal

I agree Skeebs has its issues. Tapestry has evolved to be a decent alternative. It has some quirks too, but all in all, a better VO experience than Skeets. Not for nothing, but Mona as well as Spring when it still worked with Twitter offered the best accessible user experience. It would be great if Bluesky support came to Mona or even a repurpose Spring app. I’d have no issues paying for it either as the developer has shown time and time again that they make accessibility a priority. One can continue to hope…

mastodon - Link to source
I took a closer look at this new Beyerdynamic headset. The only question I still have is: is Bluetooth 6 comparable to old 2.4 GHz dongles in terms of latency? Has anyone had any experience with this? I'd be grateful for any insights.
europe.beyerdynamic.com/p/mmx-…
#bluetooth #wireless #headset #latency #tech

MMX 230 wireless: Closed-back Gaming Headset | beyerdynamic

MMX 230 wireless: The MMX 230 wireless is a wireless gaming headset with precise sound and 60 hours of battery life – perfect for passionate gamers.
europe.beyerdynamic.com
#tech #bluetooth #headset #wireless #latency
in reply to Felix Steindorff

mastodon - Link to source

Toni Barth

Well, there isn't something like the old 2.4 GHZ dongles, since that just describes the frequency range the dongles communicate at, but not the protocols used. Usually those dongles try to minimize protocol overhead as much as possible, which Bluetooth traditionally doesn't really do. Also, those don't cap the bitrates as drastically and can use whichever codecs they like. So no, even BT6 doesn't do the one-digit latency values some headsets do with 2.4 GHZ dongles, yet.
in reply to Toni Barth

mastodon - Link to source

Toni Barth

The real question however should be: do we need to care? Only a few people will be able to notice the difference between 5 ms and 15 ms of latency anyway, so BT6 is already a huge step forward and will most likely be just enough for most people. The few people left will most likely be high-class e-sports people and high precision musicians. Maybe blind people who are used to low-latency TTS too, time will tell.
in reply to Toni Barth

mastodon - Link to source

Felix Steindorff

@ToniBarth Ok, good to know, but what is the difference in the protocols and codecs used between the two wireless standards? I don't imagine I can hear the difference between 5 and 15 ms, but I can tell the difference between 50 and 20. Hence the question of whether we are in the ultra-low range with both variants, or whether BT6 is still closer to 100 ms than 0.
@Toni Barth
in reply to Felix Steindorff

mastodon - Link to source

Toni Barth

There is no 2.4 GHZ standard. One headset could use a codec that is totally different from the other. And usually you don't find anything in tech specs about those anyway. BT6 should be rather close to 0 ms though. I don't have a BT6 device yet, obviously, but I'd expect latencies around 20 to 30 ms at best, since APTX LL can already do 50 to 70, if I remember correctly.

mastodon - Link to source
Ok. The Christmas buffet consists of: mini yorkshire puddings filled with beef and horseradish, Schwama chicken kebabs with sweet peppers, smoked sausage barbecue bites. that's all the meat, everything else we can both eat. So, my favourite Wolfgang pizzas, so called because they were origianlly invented by chef Wolfgang Puck, tiny pizza bases topped with lemon pepper mascarpone, smoked salmon, pickled shalot and dill. Really delicious! Cheese and onion puffs. Tomato, mozarella and pesto skewers, feta and rosemary focaccia bread, mini hasselback roasted potatoes with sour cream and chive dip, mini thai fishcakes with sweet chili dip, and finally Drew's incredible jam tarts, we prefer them to mince pies. Bon Appetit!

glitchsoc - Link to source

"Warum sollte man sich selbst um seine Verwirklichung betrügen und einen Automaten für die Umsetzung der eigenen Idee beauftragen? Ist einem diese Idee derart wenig wert, dass man ihr nicht selbst Gestalt verleihen will?"

Künstliche Intelligenz: Für euch reicht’s: youtu.be/kUuwvJfQfIk?si=a4CaE2…

#KI #KuenstlicheIntelligenz #Kunst


Künstliche Intelligenz: Für euch reicht’s

Generative KI ist unausweichlich. Auch deshalb, weil Influencer, Fernsehsender, Marken und Co. eine Geisteshaltung entwickelt haben, dass generierte Imitate ...
YouTube
#Kunst #ki #kuenstlicheintelligenz

mastodon - Link to source

Mein Cover von "Santa Claus is Back in Town" verbunden mit meinem Dank an alle, die mir hier bei Mastodon folgen, meinen Kram und die Dinge, die ich von anderen teile, lesen, weiter verbreiten und mit Herzchen versehen. ❤️

Frohe Weihnachten und ein bergaufeskes 2026!

Tommy

mastodon - Link to source

Like usual, @KinkyGeeks has set up a ticket system for the workshops and the jam, thank you! ♥️
If you’re sure you’re coming, grab your ticket 😊
ticket.kinkygeeks.de/kinkygeek…

More links are on the SOS page (for 101 repeat, 102 and the jam!)

#39c3 #congress #shibari #workshop

KinkyGeeks + RopeLabs Beginner Bondage Workshop Part I

Sat, Dec. 27, 2025
ticket.kinkygeeks.de
#congress #workshop #shibari #39c3 @KinkyGeeks
This entry was edited (5 days ago)

mastodon - Link to source
There is an ethernet cable going from one side of the house to the other, which goes from a PoE switch in the back bedroom to a wireless access point near the front. Unfortunately, one of the twisted pairs appears to have shorted, or something, meaning it only connects at 100 Mbps. This cable needs to be replaced, but no one here is really in good shape to crawl under the house and play with stuff. So, in the meantime, I set up a wireless mesh, which is actually providing better downlink than I could get from the broken cable, and I hate myself for it. Hopefully, the situation can be resolved soon.
The less wireless stuff, the better.

mastodon - Link to source
Jedes Jahr Weihnachten und kurz danach so viele Menschen, die unter dem Zwang und dem Stress eigentlich ungewollter Familienfeiern leiden. Verdammt, ihr seid erwachsen und niemand außer euch kann diesen Mist beenden. Geht einfach nicht hin und wenn ihr meint dies, aus welchen Gründen auch immer, nicht zu schaffen, dann holt euch im Laufe des neuen Jahres Hilfe und Begleitung, damit ihr vor dem nächsten Familiengedöns locker, lächelnd, gelassen „Nein“ sagen könnt. Ihr müsst das nicht ertragen!

pixelfed - Link to source
Ich wünsch euch ganz wundervolle Feiertage 🎄. Besondere Liebe geht an alle raus, die sich gerade einsam fühlen, sich kein tolles Festtagsessen oder einen Weihnachtsmarktbesuch leisten können oder gerade mit Depression kämpfen. I see you 💜. Ich bin so unfassbar müde, heute ist mein erster Urlaubstag des Jahres und ich werde so viel schlafen… Fühlt euch gedrückt, wenn ihr mögt 💜.
Comic Illustration: Es ist Winter, der Abend bricht herein und der Himmel leuchtet gold orange. Ein verschneiter Tannenbaum mit einer gelben Lichterkette und einem Stern auf der Spitze steht in der Mitte des Bildes. Zu Füßen des Baum schläft ein kleiner Fuchs im Schnee.

mastodon - Link to source

One common reason people name to pick a big host like GitHub instead of Codeberg to host their projects on is the hope that the bigger platform will make it more likely to get more contributors. A nice thought, isn't it?

Sadly, realistically, most FOSS projects will forever stay 1 person, no matter where it is hosted, so just don't worry about it :)

in reply to Harsh Shandilya

mastodon - Link to source

Sylvia

@msfjarvis Basically the same here. Most contributions I get are translations, which are all Weblate so not really relevant. Hacktoberfest is basically 95+% of all contributions of the year and this year a lot of that was LLM slop.

None of those contributors stick around, so I end up spending more time guiding them through the codebase than if I had written the code themselves, so aside from one contributor in the past who did stick around for a bit, it has generally only cost time.

@Harsh Shandilya
in reply to haui

mastodon - Link to source

zeh

it's the only license i've seen that accounts for the power dynamics fundamental to capitalism: class struggle between proletarians and the bourgeoisie. it takes a stand for the working class by defining a commons where people and their orgs are granted access while for profit enterprises will need to negotiate for access. this line of differentiation is the one that matters the most, under the current mode of production.
read the telekommunist manifesto for more context, well worth it

gotosocial - Link to source

"Magic? Are you for real? That stuff is all make-believe," the youth huffed in exasperation.

The elder remained unperturbed. "What makes you so certain?"

"Ugh! I... I tried it all, ok? The incantations, the ritual components, the freaking wands! I wished over and over again and nothing happened, and right now I just need this to end, so I'm not wasting my time with all that trash again."

Still unperturbed - but now with a glimmer of understanding - the elder placidly responded. "Ahh, yes, you've been taught the usual lies. No matter - the truth is easy enough to learn... if you'd like."

The youth was obviously still skeptical, but offered no objection.

The elder spoke - quietly at first, growing more and more animated with every word, until the room itself seemed to struggle to hold the conversation.

"A wish, my dear, is not a commandment which we use to impel reality to become different for no reason! No, this is silly! Of course what you were told didn't work, because none of it is true! A wish is an invitation - it is the feeling of reality asking us if we'd like to be a part of changing it! That is the way the magic flows. And if we say yes, well... that's when things get interesting!"

#MicroFiction

#microfiction

mastodon - Link to source

Microsoft: „1 engineer, 1 month, 1 million lines of code“

That would mean @bagder
rewriting 5 #curl projects into Rust in a month.

Microsoft revising the „rewrite over a weekend“ meme to it actually taking them 6 days. For a person they have not hired yet. With tools they still have to invent.

If you are a MS customer, you‘d better start putting more money into Copilot right away!

theregister.com/2025/12/24/mic…


Microsoft wants to replace its entire C and C++ codebase, perhaps by 2030

: Plans move to Rust, with help from AI
Simon Sharwood (The Register)
#curl @daniel:// stenberg://

mastodon - Link to source

Finally did my end of year donation spree today. This time of year there's often matching campaigns or the like.

I know it's been a rough year for many and being able to donate to things is a privilege. If you can't donate to causes, just try and be kind.

I'm gonna highlight some of the groups/causes I donated to in this thread. Perhaps it will inspire others.

🧵

in reply to nirik

mastodon - Link to source

nirik

Finally finally. 😄 I have some monthly donations (patreon, librepay, etc).

Two I would like to shout out:

Friends of #gnome Started a monthly bit to help them out. I use gnome all the time and it's gotten so great:

blogs.gnome.org/foundation/202…

and #techdirt They do a great job reporting on legal / free speach / tech intersections. See techdirt.com/2025/03/04/why-te…


Join Friends of GNOME

This post was contributed by the Fundraising Committee from the GNOME Foundation. This week we are launching an end-of-year fundraising campaign with a simple goal: to reach 1,500 Friends of GNOME...
mariamaj (GNOME Foundation)
#gnome #techdirt
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