I’m contemplating the worth of getting a second HomePod (maxi), putting it into a stereo pair with my existing one. Then removing the receiver, giant speakers, etc. Just simplifying (perhaps?) it all.
I would be happy to watch a spooky movie tonight but I can’t think of one. #mbnov
This probably explains why I couldn’t get MarsEdit to launch yesterday. Sorry @danielpunkass mjtsai.com
Apple Server Outage Makes Mac Apps Hang on Launch
Own Your Content
Om Malik on Instagram’s Updates:
I feel sad for photographers who think their future is on Instagram and the social network it brings. They don’t realize that they are there to help sell tchotchkes.
The latest “features” added to Instagram provide a timely reminder that the only safe haven is owning one’s content. A personal website and domain name remains the most reliable way to avoid your content serving as feed stock for a commercial enterprise.
Challenge for the audience: How old would you guess I am? #mbnov
What’s this? My desk setup is being investigated by @martinfeld and @burk? That’s the topic driving this HVmini - your bite-sized snack of Hemispheric Views podcast goodness.Hemispheric Views 007: HVmini // Battlestations — Andrew’s Desk
Pro … Air … Pro … Air … Pro … Air …
Send help!!!
I bought some new Brooks shoes on the weekend. Now I’m trying to wear them in. #mbnov
In terms of quality of apps and experience using them I would currently rank them: #1) iPadOS #2) iOS #3) Web #8,968) Mac
I like the ranking as a result of some kind of Electron/web-wrapper Mac app that HEY is using. Mac-assed Mac apps required.
I have to say that I am mightily excited about the new Apple Silicon Macs. For geeks around the world, this is a great day. #mbnov
I got home from work today and passed out sleeping for the next 3 hours. Didn’t plan on that. On the bright side, it might help in terms of waking up at 2am to watch the Apple event live.
An elderly man driving a car almost crashed into my car today. I had to take immediate and drastic evasive action. #mbnov
Hey, look, science works
Vaccine development typically takes many years, even decades. But the coronavirus vaccines have been a rare success story in the response to the virus, able to move forward because of a flourishing of new vaccine technologies, a backbone of prior work on emerging pathogens and a mentality that rarely exists in the world of vaccine development — of governments and companies willing to devote nearly unlimited resources to make sure that a vaccine succeeds.
While early days, this is encouraging. Isn’t it amazing what science can achieve.
Imagine if the world started trusting science to deal with other issues, like climate change, for instance?
A thing that is a staple of sci-fi movies, but which I don’t think will ever exist, much to my disappointment, is the force field. #mbnov
My Subscription Services
Steven Garrity at Acts of Volition writes of the online services he pays for. This prompted me to make my own quick list.
Some of these links include referral codes, but that’s not the motivation driving this post. They do, however, help me out.
Internet Infrastructure
Micro.blog
Where I spend a lot of my Internet socialising time. It also hosts my blog, photos and podcast.Blot
An alternative blog that I set up mainly because I was interested in Blot. I really should be spread across two locations, but what can you do?Fastmail
For secure and private email and calendars.iCloud
My cloud storage of choice.
Software As a Service
Textexpander
I rely on this for some templating. I don’t like it’s interface. If there was something better, I’d switch.Inoreader
Solid RSS reader that has many features I don’t use.Harmonizely
The only online booking system that works well with Fastmail.Setapp
I use enough of the apps provided through Fastmail to make it worthwhile.Blackblaze
I’ve been burnt by hard drive failures in the past. I hope never to have to actually ever restore anything.YNAB
I can only afford all these subscriptions because YNAB helps me budget for them.Sanebox
Keeping the clutter from my inbox.1Password
Secure, unique passwords are mandatory in my world.
News
Australian Financial Review
Got a 3-month discounted trial.
Unlikely to continue past this month.The Washington Post
Got a cheap deal.
Unlikely to continue upon its conclusion.The Saturday Paper
Got a cheap subscription.
One of the few places for longer-form Australian journalism.
I don’t love it though, and expect not to continue.
Entertainment
Apple TV+
Still on the free trial but I’ve enjoyed enough of the content that I will stay.Apple Music
I’m in the Apple ecosystem and I like being able to call up music from wherever.
Its playlists are never as good as the ones on Spotify.Netflix
It’s the default.Amazon Prime
Has enough content to keep us onboard.Disney+
Good value for the kids, and The Mandalorian.The Unmade Podcast
I laugh more through this podcast than any other.NBL Pocket Podcast
I am a co-host, so I have to support it!Dithering
An enjoyable and insightful bite-sized podcast. Pay for the things you want to exist in the world.Like You Podcast
A great relaxation podcast for children. I admire what the creator, Noah, is doing.
iOS Apps
Day One
I’ve been journalling in Day One for many years. I run hot and cold with it, but I enjoy the metadata it captures in addition to my thoughts and memories.Drafts
Where text starts (when I remember). Used to kick-off OmniFocus templates for work.Pzizz
Coming to the end of a 5-year subscription.
Used less than I used to, but is still helpful at bedtime.AnyList
Reliable shopping list and recipe manager.
Contains a few random other lists as well.New York Times Crossword
Brain food, especially the earlier in the week puzzles!1Blocker
I don’t like Internet ads, and this covers macOS and iOS.Headspace
I had a run of around 150 days, then I just… stopped.Castro
The Inbox has saved me, but I do switch between this and Overcast.
Other
Readwise
I read a lot. I’m using this service to try to help me remember it.Flickr Pro
An unused subscription. It houses a semi-complete photo archive.
I don’t need this but I have a weird emotional connection to Flickr, despite hardly ever using it.
I should get rid of this subscription. Life would go on.
“Spend your free time the way you like, not the way you think you’re supposed to.”
— Susan Cain, Quiet
Resurfaced with readwise.io
Playing XCOM2, my soldiers constantly put in a bind by those dastardly aliens. #mbnov
I’ve been waiting 4 years for this podcast from @gruber and @merlinmann castro.fm
Congratulations USA! You removed the stain on your country. I’m so happy for you all. Unite around this to build a stronger union. Repair starts now. 🇺🇸 🗳
A word a day for microblogvember. Why is it so hard to think of something interesting to say for the word inflate? #mbnov