Deb Nicholson

Recursion, whoa

In this RedMonk conversation, Deb Nicholson, Executive Director of the Python Software Foundation, discusses the PSF's responsibilities, recent challenges with a government grant proposal, and the community's strong support with Kate Holterhoff. The conversation highlights the importance of cybersecurity in open source, the role of PyPI, and the evolving landscape of programming languages. Deb emphasizes the PSF's mission to support the global Python community and the significance of educational initiatives in teaching Python effectively. 00:00 Introduction to the Python Software Foundation 03:01 The PSF's Proposal and Government Grant Challenges 06:10 Community Response and Support for PSF 08:58 Importance of Cybersecurity in Open Source 11:48 Understanding PyPI and Its Role 14:49 The Evolving Landscape of Programming Languages 18:53 The Role of Foundations in Supporting Communities 21:54 Educational Initiatives and Peer Teaching 24:49 Python's Popularity and Its Use Cases 27:53 Conclusion and Call to Action Why the PSF Withdrew a $1.5 Million US Government Grant Proposal (w Deb Nicholson)

Thanks, @redmonk.com! Our Executive Director @eximious.bsky.social had a great time meeting with @kateholterhoff.com and chatting about computing trends.

Talk with your colleagues about safety protocols. When is it okay to share each other's contact information? If you're in the office, how do you field requests from unexpected visitors? Is there a manager or department leader willing to field emails on your behalf?

Things we learned from my wife being profiled by Campus Reform a few years ago:

- Be careful responding to emails from people you don't know asking about your research
- Don't list your office location on your university web profile page

Even if 100% of the stories are "bad about a person" it is still free speech.

Wow! Free speech is under attack and you're calling for apologies? I guess we can put @variety.com on the list of spineless MAGA shills.

This happens tomorrow!

Thanks so much for having me on the show!

Don’t miss this podcast episode with the PSF’s Executive Director, @eximious.bsky.social, on funding open source, PyCon US, global community support & the importance of sustainability!

I think many people were outraged about the Minnesota lawmaker who was murdered but we trusted Tim Walz not to rile up a bunch of barely verbal vigilantes to make sure that loads and loads more "political violence" immediately followed.

@netflix.com Hi Netflix! What's going on with the download limits? I haven't grabbed anything in months and today I have apparently already reached some new limit you all just invented? What the heck?

If you're planning to vote in @thepsf.bsky.social Board Elections and maybe thinking of taking the weekend to learn about the candidates, may I suggest that you check for your ballot today? PSF staff won't be working on the weekend and won't be able to help you until next week.

🌍🐍 PSF Community — It’s time to vote! 🗳️
The 2025 @python.org Board Election is OPEN!

💜 If you’re a PSF Voting Member who affirmed your intention this year (or voted last year), check your inbox!

👉 Learn more here: pyfound.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-...

#Python #PSF #PyLadies

Doesn't this witch combust when she prays?

A ton of people would vote for Tim Walz or AOC. The "stupid game" is pretending to be sure that a person who's already thrown one marginalized group under the bus won't piss off more groups and the best way to make sure Newsom never feels accountable is to crown him as the nominee three years out. 😑

Or we could actually have an open Democratic primary and see who's inspiring the most votes instead of letting a tiny group of people on the party payroll decide who they want the nominee to be, voters be damned.

Time's running out!

Affirm Your PSF Membership Voting Status Every PSF voting-eligible Member (Supporting, Contributing, and Fellow) needs to affirm their membership to vote in this year’s election.

Are you a PSF Contributing, Supporting, or Fellow Member? You have a little over 24 hours to affirm your intention to vote 🗳️

Affirm by tomorrow, August 26th, 2PM UTC, and you can participate in the upcoming election!

📣 We’re launching the #PeopleFromPSF interview series! 🐍💬
Meet the people behind the Python Software Foundation @python.org staff, directors & contributors making the magic happen.

💟 Dawn Gibson
🔗 Read the full interview 👉 bit.ly/PSF-DawnGibson

#Python #PSF #OpenSource #PyLadies

@bajoran.engineer

Come on and get it, procrastinators! We'd love your creative fast thinking on the PSF board!

PSF Board Election Nominations Opening July 29th This year’s PSF Board Election nomination period opens next week on Tuesday, July 29th, 2:00 pm UTC and closes on Tuesday, August 12th, 2:00 pm UTC. Who runs for the board? People who care about the Python community, who want to see it flourish and grow, and also have a few hours a month to attend regular meetings, serve on committees, participate in conversations, and promote the Python community. 

You have about 24 hours left to submit a PSF Board nomination for yourself or someone else 🩵🐍💛 Be a part of shaping the future of the Python and PSF community- get those nominations in by tomorrow, Tuesday, August 12th, 2:00 pm UTC!

PSF Board Election Nominations Opening July 29th This year’s PSF Board Election nomination period opens next week on Tuesday, July 29th, 2:00 pm UTC and closes on Tuesday, August 12th, 2:00 pm UTC. Who runs for the board? People who care about the Python community, who want to see it flourish and grow, and also have a few hours a month to attend regular meetings, serve on committees, participate in conversations, and promote the Python community. Check out the following resources to learn more about the PSF, as well as what being a part of the PSF Board entails:

🗳️ Nominations for the 2025 PSF Board election are open!

Help shape the future of the PSF — nominate yourself or someone you think would be a great PSF Board Director by Tuesday, August 12th, 2:00 pm UTC.

The PSF has paused our Grants Program Effective August 1st, 2025, the PSF is temporarily pausing our Grants Program after reaching our 2025 grant budget cap earlier than expected. We know how important this program is to many in our community and making this decision was difficult. This is a necessary step to protect both the future of the program and the short- and long-term sustainability of the PSF. (If this moves you immediately to donate to the PSF, we welcome your contributions via our donations page).

The PSF Grants Program has been temporarily paused after hitting our 2025 funding cap early.
It was an extremely difficult but necessary decision to ensure the program and foundation’s near and long term sustainability. Learn more on our blog: pyfound.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-...

I love how ancient remains refuse to tell any story other than the one they've had lurking inside them for millennia and just keep throwing out curve balls for us.

Exploring some of the stores still open at the Lloyd Center #portland #mall TikTok video by Here is Oregon

This is unexpectedly delightful: a dying mall in Portland Oregon is filling up with a beautiful collection of weird and interesting businesses because the rent is now affordable for them www.tiktok.com/@hereisorego...

PyPI Phishing Attack: Incident Report - The Python Package Index Blog Follow-up on the recent phishing attack targeting PyPI users.

Incident Report of the recent #PyPI Phishing Campaign

TL,DR:
• PyPI was not breached
• PyPI users were targeted with phishing emails
• A single project saw uploads with malicious code and those releases have been removed

blog.pypi.org/posts/2025-0...

#Python #OpenSource #Security

Washington Voters!
Today is the deadline to register to vote and update your voter information online! Important local races for county, city, school, fire districts, and key ballot measures are on the ballot.
For more voter info, visit VoteWA.gov

"Dems" that are trying to make religion a wedge issue probably aren't actually Dems or allies at all. Fascists win when they divide us and they love pretending that progressives want ridiculous stuff, like "let kids identify as cats" or "abolish religion" when no one has ever wanted those things.

Progressives and Dems don't benefit from putting all Christian communities in one bucket. There's a huge difference between following Jesus by serving the poor and marginalized and the evangelical extremists who think "God has put it on my heart to get all judgy and up in your business."

Homelessness is not a crime.