Limeleaf Worker Collective

ATmosphereConf 2026: Great Energy, But We Need to See the Money

John Luther — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Last weekend, I was in Vancouver for ATmosphereConf 2026</a>, the annual gathering of builders and true believers in AT Protocol</a> ("ATP"). ATP is the protocol that powers Bluesky</a>, but it's also the foundation for a growing community of users and products that we call "the ATmosphere."

The Small-Tech Movement

John Luther — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This month, software engineer and systems builder Corey Snipes</a> joined us to talk about small tech, digital sovereignty, LLMs, and why he's optimistic about the future of tech. Corey has 25 years of experience across security, cloud, and web-facing technologies. He likes to fix things, spend time in the woods, and play music. He's also a founding member of our Henhouse Computing Co-op</a>. Listen to all our episodes at limeleaf.coop/podcast</a>.

Join us at ATmosphereConf 2026!</h2>
We're headed to Vancouver, BC, Canada from March 26-29 for ATmosphereConf 2026</a>! If you'll be there, too, say hi.

How Limeleaf Divested from Big Tech and Took Ownership of Our Data

John Luther — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Update: A friend told me this post was too technical for "normal people". It's a fair point. Most people won't be able to (or want to) run their own infrastructure, but that doesn't mean they can't use alternatives to Big Tech. For those folks, Paris Marx's "Getting off US tech: a guide"</a> is an excellent resource. The more adventurous might want to check out FreedomBox</a>, "a private server for non-experts."

In early 2025, we decided to ditch Big Tech</a> services and manage our own digital infrastructure. This post is already long enough, so if you want to know our reasons this article explains it pretty well</a>.

Episode 8: 2025 in Review, and Our Plans for 2026

John Luther — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This month, we reflect on some 2025 highlights here at Limeleaf and look ahead at our plans for 2026. Topics include: Bluesky, ATProtocol, apply.coop, owning tech vs. renting it (i.e., SaaS), Silicon Valley's devolution from cuddly unicorn to bloodthirsty monster, tech ICs are the new working class, and more.
ATmosphereConf 2026 Tickets Are On Sale!</h3>
ATmosphereConf 2026 is happening in Vancouver in March! Attend in person or online for two days of AT Protocol-focused learning, networking, and fun. Limeleaf will be there, as will folks from Bluesky PBC</a>, Graze</a>, Blacksky Algorithms</a>, Streamplace</a>, Tangled</a>, and many other AT Protocol enthusiasts. Get your tickets now!</a>!

The Future of apply.coop

John Luther — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Back in June, we launched apply.coop</a> as a job board for values-driven organizations.
It was our first commercial product, so the concept intentionally simple: we'd enable co-ops and nonprofits (what we call "Workplaces") to post open positions on the site for $30 a pop. People looking for work ("Job Seekers") could browse the jobs for free and connect directly with a Workplace if interested in a position. That was the whole product.

Episode 7: Into the ATmosphere

John Luther — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we discuss AT Protocol, a technology that underpins Bluesky</a> and many believe is the future of social media. ATProto pioneer Boris Mann @bmann.ca</a> educates us about AT Protocol, where it's used, why so many people are excited about it, and even how it's pronounced.
Breaking news: In the episode, we discuss software patents as they relate to ATProto standardization. Today, Bluesky published a patent pledge</a> vowing to "not enforce any of the patents on any software invention Bluesky Social owns now or in the future." The pledge includes IP related to ATProto. Progress!

Protocols for Publishers: Building an Open Social Web with AT Proto

John Luther — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Last Wednesday evening, I attended the Protocols for Publishers (PfP) Showcase</a> in New York City. The event brought together publishers, developers, and researchers to explore the future of social content and publishing as AI devours the web, and how adopting open distributed technologies like AT Protocol</a> (a.k.a., "AT Proto") can help prevent creators and publishers from getting squeezed out by the big tech corporations.

Episode 6: Computer Science in Higher Education

John Luther — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This month, we talk about the state of computer science instruction in higher education, and how it's changing. What even is "computer science" these days? Do tech workers really need a degree in it? Should schools develop new degrees in topics like application development instead of coding and algorithms? Naturally, AI comes up in the conversation. We also cover some clever new robot slurs that have been making the rounds online. Don't be a clanker, give it a listen!
apply.coop, our privacy-first job board for values-driven organizations, is in production! Visit apply.coop</a> and use promo code "solidarity" for free job postings!

Bluesky Directory and Flipboard Partner on Custom Feeds in Surf Social Browser

John Luther — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

We've teamed up with Flipboard</a> to make custom feeds created in Surf social browser</a> discoverable in Bluesky Directory</a>! Read the full announcement on the Flipboard blog</a>.

🚀 apply.coop is Released!

John Luther — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

apply.coop</a>, where good people find great jobs, is out of Beta and in production!
Our database</a> features over 100 well-paying jobs at co-ops, nonprofits, and public benefit corporations (PBCs) worldwide, with more being added daily.

Episode 5: Paradigms in Psychology and Software

John Luther — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we explore paradigms in psychology and software development, with guest Laurie Smith, a human services expert and applied behavior analyst. The discussion traces psychology's evolution from behaviorism to cognitive approaches, and software's progression from procedural to object-oriented and functional programming, and, of course, artificial intelligence. We also explore emerging paradigms in psychology, computer science, and economics, emphasizing the need to measure success beyond traditional metrics.
apply.coop, our privacy-first job board for values-driven organizations, is in production! Visit apply.coop</a> and use promo code "solidarity" for free job postings!

Understanding AWS IoT Core Device Shadow: Reported, Desired, and Delta States

Blain Smith — Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

I've been doing some work for a client that uses Amazon Web Services (AWS) to manage their IoT devices. Specifically, they use AWS IoT Core Device Shadow</a> to synchronize state between their devices and their cloud applications. In this post, I thought it would be helpful to explain how the device shadow works, focusing on the reported</code>, desired</code>, and delta</code> states—and when devices should report their state or respond to changes. Let's dive in!
🚀 apply.coop is in Beta! John Luther — Tue, 20 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 We are excited to unveil apply.coop</a>, a platform that connects purpose-driven job seekers with values-driven workplaces. Graze Integrates the Bluesky Directory API to Streamline No-Code Social Feed Creation John Luther — Mon, 19 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000 We are excited to announce that the fine folks at Graze</a> have integrated our Bluesky Directory API</a> into their platform. Episode 4: Welcome, Mubs! Plus, All About AT Protocol John Luther — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000 It’s Mubs! The newest owner-member of Limeleaf joins us to discuss his career, his past collaborations with Blain and Erik, and his experience launching over 100 digital products. In our “Explain It to Me Like I’m John” segment, we learn about AT Protocol (the tech that powers Bluesky), the pain of moving your “social graph” to a new social platform, and how AT Protocol might help solve it. For links, socials, and more info about Limeleaf Worker Cooperative, visit limeleaf.coop</a>. Welcoming Mubs, Our Fourth Limeleaf Member-Owner John Luther — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000 We are beyond excited to announce that Mubashar Iqbal ("Mubs")</a> is joining the Limeleaf family! Episode 3: Year One of Limeleaf John Luther — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000 We started Limeleaf on March 18, 2024. To celebrate our one-year anniversary, we'll take a look back at what we've accomplished and where we want to go in 2025 and beyond. Year One of Limeleaf John Luther — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Limeleaf was born on March 18, 2024. Our first anniversary seemed like a good time to take stock of what we’ve achieved so far and where we want to go in 2025 and beyond. Go and Rust for the Small Web: How We Build Faster, Simpler Apps Blain Smith — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000 At Limeleaf, we chose to specialize in Go and Rust for our clients and we've written about</a> why we made that choice. However, now that we're building our own products, we need to develop applications for the web, too. Video of Limecast at Startup Tech Valley John Luther — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Watch Blain and John talk about Limecast</a> at Startup Tech Valley</a>. Limecast at Startup Tech Valley on February 20th John Luther — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000 If you happen to be in or near Troy, New York, on Thursday, February 20th at 5:30 p.m., come see us present at Startup Tech Valley</a>! We'll talk about Limecast.net</a>, our open-source, privacy-first podcasting platform. You won't want to miss these eight minutes of high-powered product pitch perfection! Episode 2: The QA Bots are Coming! Maybe? Probably Not. John Luther — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000 This month, we have a special episode with Mavreen Smiel. Mav is a Senior Test Automation Engineer and long-time veteran of the video gaming industry. She gives us an insider’s view on software testing past, present, and future. (Yes, including the impact that “AI” is having on software quality assurance folks.) Worker Ownership Is Resistance John Luther — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000 This a dark day for many of us in the United States. A government that we believe will undermine the fundamental values of our country and harm vulnerable citizens</a> has assumed power. While no one can predict the future, if their stated plans</a> are any indication, we are in for a tumultuous four years that could erase over a century of progress for working people. Episode 1: Big Tech Gets Grubby John Luther — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000 In our inaugural episode, we introduce ourselves and talk about the conniving grubs at Grubhub and why fining Big Tech companies is useless. We talk about the fine public service work being done by Trifecta Tech. In our "Explain it to Me Like I'm John" segment, Blain and Erik go deep into the Meta "View As" security breach and resulting EU fine. An Update on Limecast John Luther — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Online content distribution has become highly centralized and increasingly dominated by a few tech monopolies. We believe these companies prioritize profit and growth over user privacy and freedom of speech. What's more concerning is that their leaders are cozying up to politicians</a> who have repeatedly promised to crack down on the press and free expression</a>. The OSI defined open-source AI. Surprise, big-tech AI projects aren't open source. John Luther — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000 This week, the Open Source Initiative</a> (OSI) released "The Open Source AI Definition"</a> (OSAID). This is an important step in establishing guidelines around what "AI" means in relation to intellectual property rights and how open-source definitions apply to the technology. Introducing Diggetal John Luther — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000 We started Limeleaf</a> to work with smart people on interesting tech projects that make a difference. But we also did it to have fun, learn new things, and fall in love again with tech. Today we launched Diggetal</a>, an initiative dedicated to tinkering around with small projects. Limecast and Dodgy AI Practices John Luther — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000 This week, we were shocked</a> to learn that tech companies</a> are tricking hapless users into their AI data harvesting programs. Why Go and Rust? Blain Smith — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000 I was about 80% finished with this post and I was going down the road of listing out all the great things both Go and Rust offer for us to build and maintain software for our clients and product, but then I threw it all out. I realized that posts like that are a dime a dozen and there are so many resources out there comparing, contrasting, and listing features of both languages, but none of that really explains WHY we, the humans Erik, John, and I, like using Go and Rust. So instead I thought it would be better to personalize this a bit and grab some quotes from each of us about why we like each of them, unedited, unfiltered, and raw! Why VCs Will Never Give Us Money (And We're Okay With That) John Luther — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Less than 1% of startups secure venture capital funding</a>. At Limeleaf, we're part of that 99% – but by choice. Since founding our company, a few people have asked how we plan to fund product development. Most assume we'll try to raise VC money. Today, we'll explain why we aren’t taking that approach and what we’re doing instead. We Are Changing Our Domain John Luther — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000 This morning, Blain</a> educated me about the history of the .io top-level domain</a>. I didn't know that history when I bought limeleaf.io last year before teaming up with Blain and Erik. limeleaf.net wasn't available then, but to my surprise and delight, it was this morning, so I bought it. All Limeleaf site traffic and email now redirect from limeleaf.io to limeleaf.net, and I have donated $50 to Chagossian Voices</a>. Step 0 of Starting a Tech Worker Co-Op: Define Your Goals John Luther — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Worker cooperatives ("co-ops") are a growing alternative</a> to traditional hierarchical tech company structures, which often rely on venture capital funding</a>. Unlike conventional startups that take VC money in exchange for an equity stake, co-ops prioritize worker ownership, democratic decision-making, and profit sharing and strive to embody the 7 Cooperative Principles established by the International Co-operative Alliance</a>. Safer Binary Decoding in Go Blain Smith — Thu, 30 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Go is a popular language choice for building web services. Typically, when building those web services, we end up encoding/decoding JSON as the data format. The encoding/json</code></a> package provides a safe way to turn JSON payloads into Go structs, and vice versa. However, if we need to handle raw []byte</code> that follow a binary encoding format that is not self-describing, we need to do a bit more work and implement the encoding.BinaryMarshaler</code></a> and encoding.BinaryUnmarshaler</code></a> directly. Since we're dealing with []byte</code>, we need to respect slice bounds to avoid triggering a panic()</code> and crashing our service. Let's look at the two ways we can decode data into Go structs and compare how one way will be safer than the other while yielding the same result. As an added bonus, we'll end up with easier to understand code. Founding Limeleaf: Part 3, Finding Support in the Cooperative Community John Luther — Fri, 03 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000 When we started Limeleaf, we wanted to do things differently. We wanted to create a democratically managed business where every worker had a voice and a stake in the company's success. In short, we wanted to start a worker cooperative (even though we don’t call ourselves that, for reasons we covered in Part 1</a>). Founding Limeleaf: Part 2, Writing Our Operating Agreement John Luther — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000 In this second installment of our series on starting a tech company as a cooperative business</a>, we’ll discuss how we wrote our Operating Agreement (OA). Foundling Limeleaf: Our Journey to Establishing a Cooperative Company John Luther — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000 At Limeleaf, how we do our work is equally important as the work itself. As we explained in a previous post</a>, Limeleaf operates as a worker cooperative, and we are dedicated to embodying the Seven Cooperative Principles</a>. Why Limeleaf Operates as a Co-Op John Luther — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000 Cooperatives have gotten a bad rap over the years. They’ve been portrayed as impractical, plagued by decision paralysis, and insufferably hippy-dippy</a>.

Limeleaf Worker Collective

ATmosphereConf 2026: Great Energy, But We Need to See the Money

The Small-Tech Movement

Join us at ATmosphereConf 2026!</h2> We're headed to Vancouver, BC, Canada from March 26-29 for ATmosphereConf 2026</a>! If you'll be there, too, say hi.</p>

How Limeleaf Divested from Big Tech and Took Ownership of Our Data

Episode 8: 2025 in Review, and Our Plans for 2026

The Future of apply.coop

Episode 7: Into the ATmosphere

Protocols for Publishers: Building an Open Social Web with AT Proto

Episode 6: Computer Science in Higher Education

Bluesky Directory and Flipboard Partner on Custom Feeds in Surf Social Browser

🚀 apply.coop is Released!

Episode 5: Paradigms in Psychology and Software

Understanding AWS IoT Core Device Shadow: Reported, Desired, and Delta States

🚀 apply.coop is in Beta!

Graze Integrates the Bluesky Directory API to Streamline No-Code Social Feed Creation

Episode 4: Welcome, Mubs! Plus, All About AT Protocol

Welcoming Mubs, Our Fourth Limeleaf Member-Owner

Episode 3: Year One of Limeleaf

Year One of Limeleaf

Go and Rust for the Small Web: How We Build Faster, Simpler Apps

Video of Limecast at Startup Tech Valley

Limecast at Startup Tech Valley on February 20th

Episode 2: The QA Bots are Coming! Maybe? Probably Not.

Worker Ownership Is Resistance

Episode 1: Big Tech Gets Grubby

An Update on Limecast

The OSI defined open-source AI. Surprise, big-tech AI projects aren't open source.

Introducing Diggetal

Limecast and Dodgy AI Practices

Why Go and Rust?

Why VCs Will Never Give Us Money (And We're Okay With That)

We Are Changing Our Domain

Step 0 of Starting a Tech Worker Co-Op: Define Your Goals

Safer Binary Decoding in Go

Founding Limeleaf: Part 3, Finding Support in the Cooperative Community

Founding Limeleaf: Part 2, Writing Our Operating Agreement

Foundling Limeleaf: Our Journey to Establishing a Cooperative Company

Why Limeleaf Operates as a Co-Op

Join us at ATmosphereConf 2026!</h2>
We're headed to Vancouver, BC, Canada from March 26-29 for ATmosphereConf 2026</a>! If you'll be there, too, say hi.</p>