TeaVMFan

Even though I started Means and Motive ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYCZJVGX ) 5 years ago, and it was written without any AI use, I was worried people might have this concern, given the 2026 publication date.

For a sanity check, I did run the first page through an online AI checker and it confirmed what I already knew: 100% human.

I have just updated EPublish here: https://frequal.com/epublish/

EPublish converts HTML to EPUB. It has numerous quality-of-life tools for authors, such as generating custom versions for reviewers and promotions. It handles formatting and most menial tasks, letting you focus on your story. It even includes progress reports so you can see how close you are to completion.

I remember using Dillo on a Compaq iPaq with Linux installed. No Dillo screen shots, but plenty of information about apps for Linux on the iPaq 3765 here:

https://www.frequal.com/ipaq/index.html

When building EPublish ( https://frequal.com/epublish/ ), an HTML-to-epub converter, I faced similar hurdles. Trying to keep compatibility with numerous e-readers built with different stacks and varying degrees of EPUB versions is frustrating.

I used EPublish for my first novel, Means and Motive, just published here, DRM-free: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYCZJVGX

So far I haven't heard of compatibility issues, so I think EPublish has hit the sweet spot of EPUB targeting. I agree, however, that it feels like the old days of targeting IE6 on the web. Old readers still exist out there, so we have to aim for the lowest common denominator.

Sample chapter here, DRM-free: https://frequal.com/novels/

The Amazon file is also DRM-free, I picked that option when self-publishing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYCZJVGX

I chose the DRM-free route on Amazon for "Means & Motive" ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYCZJVGX ) . Self-published authors can choose to be DRM-free on Amazon now. You can also buy it via Barnes & Noble (paperback), links here: https://frequal.com/novels/

Not exactly an appearance, but I definitely give emacs a shout-out in the end notes of my new novel: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYCZJVGX

I have a related pipeline that is based on HTML, EPublish, and Calibre:

https://frequal.com/forwriters/

I used it for a recent novel: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYCZJVGX

I was about to recommend the excellent Plugable folding keyboard: https://plugable.com/products/bt-key3xl

I used it as a key part of my software engineer's writing toolkit for the first draft of a novel: https://frequal.com/forwriters/

Unfortunately the Plugable keyboard appears to be discontinued. Perhaps it can still be found used. It is quite impressive. It folds small for travel. The keys travel nicely. The case magnetically clicks into a phone stand. The battery lasts a month or longer. Truly a mechanical marvel.

I only wish I'd bought two.

I too would be interested in hearing about the writing and formatting process. I described my own process as a software engineer and first-time novelist here: https://frequal.com/forwriters/

For other software engineers thinking of following in Andy Weir's footsteps and writing a novel, I put together my guide to self-publishing using software tools and techniques here: https://frequal.com/forwriters/

If you are interested in reserving an Aptera, you can get $30 off with a referral link. You can find them on sites like Electrek, or use mine: https://aptera.us/reserve/?referral_code=vcmbjXvJ

Their FAQ says you can request a refund at any time, at least at present: https://aptera.us/article/how-do-i-cancel-my-aptera-pre-orde...

Poster here: ask me anything about EPublish or book publishing in general.

This recent filing says Polar Asset Management ( https://polaramp.com/ ) is involved to the tune of 2.25M shares: https://ir.aptera.us/node/7511/html

The first 5 Aptera solar EVs have been built on their validation assembly line. These are EVs that charge from the sun using built-in solar panels for up to 40 miles per day (you can plug in if you need more than that).

These validation models will be used for road testing and safety evaluation (crash testing, perhaps). They are tuning and improving the assembly line for minimum latency and maximum throughput (via pipelining).

Empty/tracking/scam, please remove and block.

I'm working on a tool to let sfotware developers write well-formatted ebooks and printed novels: https://frequal.com/epublish/

Example book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYCZJVGX

I couldn't open the chapter, but in case anyone else is trying to make a nicely formatted ebook, take a look at EPublish: https://frequal.com/epublish/

It's a software-engineer-friendly tool for converting HTML to EPUB. It handles all the annoying little details. Binaries coming later today.

A book created with EPublish: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYCZJVGX

This bothered me so much that in my tool for HTML-native authors, EPublish ( https://frequal.com/epublish/ ), I automatically insert a no-AI-training clause on the copyright page. Not that it will stop the kind of executives who will authorize mass unauthorized downloading of books to train their LLMs, but we have to at least take a stand.

Thanks! It's available for Kindle Unlimited so if you subscribe to that, you can start reading right away, no checkout or payment required.

You're the second person to recommend Obsidian to me in a week, I'll take a look. For long-form writing, I'm very comfortable with my setup from article (html-helper-mode especially), but for notes I'll look at Obsidian.

Not open source yet, but I posted more information here: https://frequal.com/epublish/

I made a new post about EPublish itself here: https://frequal.com/epublish/

I did the same and switched to Ethical Ads (no cookies, tracking etc.) on https://frequal.com

Ethical Ads: https://www.ethicalads.io/

For the Java ecosystem, H2 fills this gap nicely, easily handling both in- memory and remote JDBC access:

https://frequal.com/java/TheBestDatabase.html

Sir Berners-Lee tells the story himself in this great memoir: https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/tim-berners-lee/this-is...

Lots of detail and inside stories about the work it took to keep the web open and free.

Applets are officially, completely removed from Java 26, coming in March of 2026. This brings to an official end the era of applets, which began in 1996. However, for years it has been possible to build modern, interactive web pages in Java without needing applets or plugins. TeaVM (https://teavm.org) provides fast, performant, and lightweight tooling to transpile Java to run natively in the browser. And for a full front-end toolkit with templates, routing, components, and more, Flavour (https://flavour.sf.net) lets you build your modern single-page app using 100% Java.

Typo in title: "Install" is missing an "l"

The incredibly litigious company here is Deno. Deno sued on a whim, realized they were massively unprepared, then asked the public to fund a legal campaign that will benefit Deno themselves, a for-profit, VC-backed company.

This personal vendetta will likely end with the community unable to use the term JavaScript. Nobody should support this.