Matthew Martin

@mistersql
1.2K Followers
2.2K Following
8K Posts

Software developer in Washington, DC (Herndon, VA specifically)

Doing #govtech, #cybersecurity python, dotnet, aws, mostly Infrastructure as Code and cloud apps.

I tweet about software, programming, #python, dad jokes, DC, Fed government tech contracting

My Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw1p2a3LW1VG7DTZQaT8Oaw
Bloghttps://blog.wakayos.com/
Githubhttps://github.com/matthewdeanmartin/
1 Page Resumehttps://matthewdeanmartin.github.io/Matthew_Martin_Sept_2024_One_Page.pdf
Happy Light Jacket Day

Yesterday, for reasons best left unstated, I invented a technique for combining #bash and #Python into a single file.

The motivation was to have something a bit more powerful than the #! to decide which installed Python to use.

The magic is in line two:

#!/bin/bash
""""true"
# bash sees this, python ignores it
if [ -e /path/to/file ]; then
exec python3 "$0" "$@"
else
echo "OMG, something is missing"
exit 1
fi
"""
# begin python fun!
from thing import python_stuff
python_stuff()

“The errors and obfuscations underlying DOGE’s claims of savings are well documented. Less known are the costs Mr. Musk incurred by taking what Mr. Trump called a ‘hatchet’ to government and the resulting firings, agency lockouts and building seizures that mostly wound up in court.

The Partnership for Public Service [produced] a rough estimate that firings, re-hirings, lost productivity and paid leave of thousands of workers will cost upward of $135 billion”
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/24/us/politics/musk-cuts.html

Elon Musk and DOGE’s Savings May Be Erased by New Costs

An expert on the federal work force estimates that the speed and chaos of Mr. Musk’s cuts to the bureaucracy will cost taxpayers $135 billion this fiscal year.

The New York Times
If you injure 2 fingers, on average how many letters can you still type? Sounds like an interview question. A threatening one.

PSA, don't enter payment details into Booking.com They are currently hacked. This is the page you see after filling out the payment page:

#security #hack

It isn't a trump presidency if we don't have another pandemic

https://wapo.st/42pXdGS

Millions of U.S. measles cases forecast over 25 years if shots decline

Measles, once virtually wiped out in the United States, could become commonplace again if declining vaccination rates continue, a new model shows.

The Washington Post
I know I’m just one American citizen, but I just have to say that I completely disavow the dishonorable, cowardly way Trump, Vance, and Rubio have treated Ukraine. I also want the war to end, but legitimizing Russian aggression is unconscionable. I’m so ashamed that they are our nation’s voice in the world. #uspol #ukraine

I’m urgently looking for work 🚨
Engineering manager or staff programmer

20 years ruby/rails
30 years of web dev/design
5+ years of eng mgmt

I’m based in Portland, Oregon
Open to local or remote work

#GetFediHired

https://linkedin.com/in/veganstraightedge

Shane Becker - HOVER Inc. | LinkedIn

Experience: HOVER Inc. · Education: Art Institute of Atlanta · Location: Portland · 500+ connections on LinkedIn. View Shane Becker’s profile on LinkedIn, a professional community of 1 billion members.

"I came for the language, but I stayed for the community." ... I wish I could say. ⁉️
PyCon DE & PyData 2025

I wish I could have attended PyCon DE & PyData 2025, but was unable to due to unfortunate factors. Let me explain.

My name is Jessica, and I'm a maintainer of python libraries used by millions. I've used python for over 10 years, and have recently started joining the community where ever I'm able to.
I'm also fully blind.

Back In January/February I applied for financial aid to attend, and at the end of February my application was gracefully accepted.
Come the very start of March, when my acceptance had been confirmed, I wrote to the main PyCon DE & PyData help desk, explaining my situation, that I'm fully blind, and asking if any accommodations were possible and could be made.

A few days later I got a reply, that my request had been forwarded to the correct team, and that THEY would get back to me.

Waiting, is not fun, especially when you also have to book flights and accommodations for being there, especially if you don't know if it's all going to be for nothing.
A "Sorry, we are unable to provide accommodations" is totally okay, but that was not the answer I got.

I heard nothing.

Having heard nothing at end of March, I reached out again, to the help desk, asking for a followup at the start of April.
A whole week later, a little over a week away from the conference at this point, I get a response from the main desk again, letting me know that they've followed up directly with the on-site team, and someone will be in contact with me shortly to coordinate the best possible support for me.

Yet again - silence.
No email, no call, no dm... Nothing.

So I ended up not being able to attend. Not being able to join the community that I have come to love and cherish so much. And it's especially hard, because it's the closest PyCon to where I leave.

And let me be clear. I would totally have accepted a no, a sorry we can't do that. But hearing nothing at all, even after multiple followups, is not acceptable, regardless of if they were able to provide accommodations or not.

Personal opinion?
I feel like the community, in some way, has failed. For all the talk about accessibility, inclusion and diversity, it only feels like that mattered in this case if you were able to make things accessible yourself, if you were able to include yourself.

"I came for the language, but couldn't join the community" 💔

Feel free to like, comment or repost

#pycon #PyConDE #pydata #pydatade #pycon2025 #pyconde2025 #opensource #python #conference #blind #disability #disabled #dei #accessibility #a11y #inclusivity #diversity #accommodations

With liars, you can give too much attention to what they say, when what they do is what matters.