# advisory board (blogs) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 2 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover advisory board. Page: Feed: --- ## [Our SPSFC 5 Quarterfinalists and Semifinalists](https://workbench.cadenhead.org/news/3895/our-spsfc-5-quarterfinalists-and) _2026-06-02 · Rogers Cadenhead · Workbench_ For the last five months, the members of Ground Control to Major Tom have been reading novels to pick our semifinalists that will advance to the next round in the Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC). We began in November with a 25-book scout pile to sample, chose six of those novels to read in full as quarterfinalists, and have now chosen two of the books to advance as… ## [Tech is failing older people](https://andypiper.co.uk/2026/05/26/tech-is-failing-older-people/) _2026-05-26 · Andy Piper · The lost outpost_ \[alternative titles considered: BT is failing people; or, late stage capitalism is a human catastrophe\] Roughly three weeks ago, I posted this The tech sector is massively failing older people. I just spent over an hour trying to assist an elderly neighbour with her home phone. The provider’s website and contact phone number make it \[ \] ## [Choose the Fediverse](https://andypiper.co.uk/2026/01/09/choose-the-fediverse/) _2026-01-09 · Andy Piper · The lost outpost_ Here's what we get when we choose freedom and authentic connection. ## [Highs and lows in 2025](https://andypiper.co.uk/2026/01/02/highs-and-lows-in-2025/) _2026-01-02 · Andy Piper · The lost outpost_ The past year brought significant personal losses; but it also featured notable achievements, travel, and heartfelt connections. ## [Retro-tastic!](https://andypiper.co.uk/2025/08/25/retro-tastic/) _2025-08-25 · Andy Piper · The lost outpost_ A free Archive of Retro Computing exhibition is happening at Kingston University right now. ## [Talks and travels: FrOSCon, Germany](https://andypiper.co.uk/2025/08/22/talks-and-travels-froscon-germany/) _2025-08-22 · Andy Piper · The lost outpost_ My keynote, Decentralising Freedom: Open Source for Sovereignty, was the featured talk on day 2 of FrOSCon 2025. ## [Trying (and failing) to offload](https://andypiper.co.uk/2025/07/16/trying-and-failing-to-offload/) _2025-07-16 · Andy Piper · The lost outpost_ How not to succeed at #100DaysToOffload ## [Opening up the Bambu](https://andypiper.co.uk/2025/07/01/opening-up-the-bambu/) _2025-07-01 · Andy Piper · The lost outpost_ Installing the X1Plus Expander into a Bambu X1 Carbon ## [Talks and travels: PublicSpaces, and ECAS Day](https://andypiper.co.uk/2025/06/30/publicspaces-and-ecas-day/) _2025-06-30 · Andy Piper · The lost outpost_ The PublicSpaces conference in Amsterdam saw engaging conversations on decentralised social networks, and meaningful discussions with friends and colleagues on the future of our civic spaces. ## [Mid-migration](https://andypiper.co.uk/2025/06/29/mid-migration/) _2025-06-29 · Andy Piper · The lost outpost_ Glitch is closing soon, so I've been working on my migration plan. ## [Licensed Dispensaries, Pay with Crypto (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/wcip2HFprI2B) _2025-06-29 · **Sponsored**_ Search verified licensed dispensaries and pay with Bitcoin, Lightning, or stablecoins. ## [That purple feeling](https://andypiper.co.uk/2025/06/23/that-purple-feeling/) _2025-06-23 · Andy Piper · The lost outpost_ Since I started my role as Head of Communications at Mastodon, I ve been finding my surroundings becoming more and more purple. Our brand palette is a set of purple / indigo hues, and of course, I want to represent the organisation appropriately! 😄 I now have a couple of pairs of glasses with varieties of purple frames. \[ \] ## [Part of the Rebel Alliance](https://andypiper.co.uk/2025/06/14/part-of-the-rebel-alliance/) _2025-06-14 · Andy Piper · The lost outpost_ I made a simple site so that you can grab some stickers to celebrate your support for the open internet and Fediverse. Be a part of the Rebel Alliance! #FediverseForFreedom ## [Some lessons from building communities](https://andypiper.co.uk/2025/05/16/some-lessons-from-building-communities/) _2025-05-16 · Andy Piper · The lost outpost_ I was interviewed by Michelle Goodall for her series, discussing my career in community building and insights on Mastodon and the Fediverse. ## [Revisiting the clouds](https://andypiper.co.uk/2025/05/15/revisiting-the-clouds/) _2025-05-15 · Andy Piper · The lost outpost_ I was on a panel marking the 13th anniversary of the London Platform User Group, reflecting on the evolution of PaaS, the impact of Kubernetes, and future trends in digital sovereignty. ## [FediForum Advisory Board](https://andypiper.co.uk/2025/05/07/fediforum-advisory-board/) _2025-05-07 · Andy Piper · The lost outpost_ I'm excited about the opportunities FediForum created in the past, and can continue to generate in the future - and I'm proud to be on the Advisory Board. ## [Talks and travels: Fediverse House at SXSW 2025](https://andypiper.co.uk/2025/05/01/fediverse-house-at-sxsw-2025/) _2025-05-01 · Andy Piper · The lost outpost_ It was a delight to join Mia Quagliarello's panel at the "Fediverse House" SXSW side event in Austin, discussing building communities on the open social web. It was a privilege to represent our Fediverse communities. ## [Heliocode](https://andypiper.co.uk/2025/04/28/heliocode/) _2025-04-28 · Andy Piper · The lost outpost_ Some background about our Forge Craft mini-masterpiece submitted for the May 2025 Wimbledon Art Fair. ## [NordVPN, Fedora 42, and iptables compatibility](https://andypiper.co.uk/2025/04/28/nordvpn-fedora-42-and-iptables-compatibility/) _2025-04-28 · Andy Piper · The lost outpost_ I updated my Framework 13 to Fedora 42 about two weeks ago, just before the final release. It has been pretty solid! This evening, I went to start up my VPN (I use NordVPN, FWIW). No luck. Just no connection. Well, thanks. In case it was a package issue, I uninstalled and reinstalled the third \[ \] ## [The Bootloader](https://andypiper.co.uk/2025/04/24/the-bootloader/) _2025-04-24 · Andy Piper · The lost outpost_ I joined Paul and Tod on The Bootloader podcast, sharing some tech picks - Glance, and the MNT Pocket Reform. ## [Pen plotters and the history of computer art](https://andypiper.co.uk/2025/04/17/pen-plotters-and-the-history-of-computer-art/) _2025-04-17 · Andy Piper · The lost outpost_ Reflecting on my talks about pen plotters, sharing my closing keynote from QCon 2024; and, the upcoming Wimbledon Art Fair. ## [A Friend Gave You $30 (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/XcBAcP3SGrur) _2025-04-17 · **Sponsored**_ Sign up, deposit $5 within 30 days, and start investing with expert guidance. ## [By the fireside](https://andypiper.co.uk/2025/04/16/by-the-fireside/) _2025-04-16 · Andy Piper · The lost outpost_ Recently, I joined the Fireside Fedi show to discuss the diverse Fediverse community. Thank you, Ozoned! ## [Communicating changes](https://andypiper.co.uk/2025/04/15/communicating-changes/) _2025-04-15 · Andy Piper · The lost outpost_ Since The Event in late 2022, I have not been in a full-time role (which I m privileged to say, has been my first time in that situation). Apart from developing my hobbies and interests into an art practice, I ve been continuing to do some public speaking, and also freelancing as fractional lead for Developer Relations \[ \] ## [Framework of Theseus](https://andypiper.co.uk/2025/04/02/framework-of-theseus/) _2025-04-02 · Andy Piper · The lost outpost_ I ve been using my Framework 13 laptop a lot more often, recently. I have found myself preferring it as daily driver over the M1 Pro MacBook Pro for various reasons largely connectivity, and OS / hacking / getting things done. I have a Framework 13 with a 12th Gen Intel board running Fedora. Since \[ \] ## [Talks and travels: RightsCon Taipei](https://andypiper.co.uk/2025/02/23/rightscon-taipei/) _2025-02-23 · Andy Piper · The lost outpost_ This week, I'm at #RightsCon 2025 in Taiwan, discussing open platforms and Mastodon's role in the new social web. ## [The Enshittification Continues…](https://andypiper.co.uk/2025/02/18/the-enshittification-continues/) _2025-02-18 · Andy Piper · The lost outpost_ We live in smaller filter bubbles than we may realise. ## [The Indie Beat on your (Linux) desktop](https://andypiper.co.uk/2025/01/25/the-indie-beat-on-your-linux-desktop/) _2025-01-25 · Andy Piper · The lost outpost_ As a small side-project, I created an extension for the GNOME desktop to stream and listen to music from The Indie Beat - an online radio station powered by independent musicians sharing music in the Fediverse, via Bandwagon. ## [Judges Wanted for SPSFC 4](https://workbench.cadenhead.org/news/3893/judges-wanted-spsfc-4) _2024-08-27 · Rogers Cadenhead · Workbench_ The spaceship has been moved to the launch pad and gantries shifted into place. Final preparations are underway for the fourth Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC), a contest where a large group of enthusiastic volunteer readers chooses the best work of self-published SF out of hundreds of entries. Because some of our judges are returning to their own writing and others are taking a…