Month: May 2013

[Mr. Blanc on writing][1]:

> I wait to get started because I assume that if I don’t write something magical and clever as I’m typing it for the first time then I certainly won’t be able to improve upon it in the editing and re-writing process.

I’ve only felt the fear that Shawn describes when someone asks me to write something for them (e.g The Magazine, etc). I hate that, I hate that process, and I hate doing it because it locks me up.

Typically I’m too busy to write drafts. Typically if I have time to write, I better make words appear because that time is few and far between. So my typical “process” is:

1. Idea for something.
2. Write, or at the very least make a note of my thought with the post title (yep select that before I write) and my main point I want to convey.
3. Add to, or re—read the article.
4. Re—read article only if step three was add to and not re-read. (I only re-read things once, unless they get over 1000 words, then I read twice with the second reading trying to make sure flow is right.)
5. Determine if article is worth posting, and then determine if I send it to [James][2] for editing.
6. Post.
7. Fix typos as readers yell at me about them.
8. Back to work.

Over thinking writing always nets me a blank page, so from day one I have just put words down whenever I get time, or am so inspired.

[1]: http://shawnblanc.net/2013/05/the-root-of-non-writing/
[2]: http://jamesmart.in

You know what to do, donate like a mofo to take down a patent troll and [“save podcasting”][1]. No brainer.

[1]: https://supporters.eff.org/donate/save-podcasting

[Nick Guy posted an update to his ice cube tray post][1] on Sweet Home, following the challenge from [Dr. Drang][2]:

> I wanted to prove or disprove if using different ice cube sizes from our recommended Tovolo trays (big and small) would make a difference in taste.

I’m glad this came back up again because I have some additional points to make on this subject. In Guy’s test two out of three people could taste the difference, saying that the smaller cubes were diluting the drink more. Now this test is flawed for a few reasons:

1. The tester group was too small.
2. Allowing ice to melt and re-freezing the ice can/will cause a taste problem with the ice and is not a real world situation to begin with. A better test would have been multiple setups where the ice need not be removed at all.
3. It’s unknown how familiar the testers are with whiskey, or the flavor profile of the particular whiskey they were tasting.

The last bit is important, because slight dilution of whiskey with water can actually *improve* the flavor of the drink. Much like allowing red wine to breathe, good whiskey will need the same thing. It is not uncommon for a whiskey drinker to add a drop or two of water to the drink to “open up” the flavor profile.

You can read a bit more about [adding drops of water to whiskey on Quora][3].

[1]: http://thesweethome.com/reviews/the-best-ice-cube-tray/
[2]: http://www.leancrew.com/all-this/2013/05/big-ice-cubes/
[3]: http://www.quora.com/Whiskey/Why-add-a-drop-of-water-to-whiskey

I love [this passage from Karen McGrane][1] talking mobile websites:

> It’s frustrating and confusing for them if you only give them a little bit of what you offer on your “real” website. If you try to guess which subset of your content the mobile user needs, you’re going to guess wrong. Deliver the same content as your desktop user sees. (If you think some of your content doesn’t deserve to be on mobile, guess what — it doesn’t deserve to be on the desktop either. Get rid of it.)

Unfortunately McGrane has it wrong, the section that should be in parentheses is the entire article, with the bit that *is* in parentheses in bold instead.

[1]: http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2013/05/the_rise_of_the_mobile-only_us.html

[Glenn Fleishman’s ending to the press release announcing the sale of The Magazine][1]:

> MARCO ARMENT is an ostensibly carbon-based life form currently residing in Hastings-on-Hudson, declared the Williamsburg of the North by the New York Times, whence he produces podcasts, blog entries, jeremiads, and software. He and his wife have one child and one dog. Neither is for sale.

Perfect.

[1]: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/marco-arment-sells-the-magazine-to-its-editor-glenn-fleishman-209349501.html

[Dr. Drang debases the current douchebag-bourbon drinker trend of big ass ice cubes][1] ((I’m not saying all bourbon drinkers are douchebags, just the ones that drink it because it is the “in” drink at the moment. People who do that are clearly douchebags. It just so happens that this class of people get all hot and bothered over big ass ice cubes.)) :

> The writers of these articles seldom invoke the [square-cube law][2] explicitly, but that’s what they’re talking about. In some cases, they go beyond just saying that big cubes melt slower and also claim that they do so while cooling your drink just as much. These claims should be looked upon with a gimlet eye, because the cubes’ melting is what does the cooling.

So big ice cubes do dilute less, but at the cost of less cooling. As a whiskey drinker I have to say that there is little reason to use ice in good whiskey. The main reason people *actually* use ice is not for the temperature, but more often to dilute the strength of the drink, which is sad and wrong. Those that do that to any whiskey better than the run of the mill whiskey deserve to be banned from all whiskey for life.

[1]: http://www.leancrew.com/all-this/2013/05/big-ice-cubes/
[2]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square-cube_law

[I want to offer a huge congratulations to my wife,][1] as she will now be featured in Nordstrom’s wedding boutiques and Nordstrom.com for her work at her company [Serephine][2]. I know first hand all the long nights she has pulled to make this happen and I am very proud of her.

[1]: http://blog.serephine.com/post/51243668813
[2]: http://www.serephine.com

[Mitch Joel][1]:

> My niece is nineteen years old. When she was sixteen, she would come home from school, take out her laptop, plop down on the couch, lift the computer lid, turn on the TV, plug in her iPod earbuds, and set her BlackBerry down next to her. From afar, it looked like she was running [NORAD][2]. But fast-forward a mere three years, and now she comes home from school, takes out her iPad… and that’s it.

Whereas I come home form work, setup my laptop on my desk, grab two iPad and my iPhone and plop down on the couch — but the thing is I only really need one of those devices. And the argument that Joel is making isn’t that the iPad rules the roost, it’s that we can only look at one device at a time (duh).

More importantly Joel notes:

> All of that core content is now readily available on one screen. From content (in text, images, audio, and video) to communications (chatting with friends on Skype or via Google Hangouts), it’s all there on this one device that rules them all.

Everything that we used to *need* multiple devices to do, can largely be done on just one device. There are certainly things I can’t do on iOS, or OS X, but more often there are just things that I *prefer* to do on a particular device. Force me to choose, and well, it doesn’t really matter what device I choose.

This is why the App Store is such a profitable space, because the more you make the decision of choosing between devices irrelevant (via filling needs with apps), the more power you are giving to users. That translates into users willing to pay to get that “power”.

[1]: http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2013/05/welcome_to_the_one-screen_worl.html
[2]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Aerospace_Defense_Command

[Matt Gemmell on how to not design your blog like a douchebag, I mean, well no, that’s actually what I mean][1]:

> The design should serve the text. Text should never be made to conform to a design for any purpose other than legibility, on a personal blog.

I almost entirely agree with Matt and on the matters that I don’t agree with him, my disagreements are more matters of personal taste than anything else. (Even in those instances Matt likely knows more than I do.)

I’ve talked a bit about [well-designed sites for readers][2], but I think the above quote is really the essence of blogging: it’s about the content. Whenever I see a bunch of clutter on a website design I jump to one of (or both of) these conclusions:

1. This “guy” is desperate for attention.
2. This “guy” is desperate for money.

Probably not the conclusion you want me drawing when I, or anyone else, comes to your site.

—

I’ve made some tweaks to this site over the past 6 months to try and boost membership in subtle ways. The most annoying of those moves is to put nagging text in the footer of the free RSS feed. Other instances are the subtle way that I word the date strings (“Originally posted for members on…”), and at the bottom of posts as a reminder that you *can* subscribe.

For the most part I am uncomfortable with those elements being present and would love to remove them (in an ideal world), but they serve an important purpose that I can’t find a better way around: selling memberships. (Funny enough, when I remove those aspects I usually get a lot of emails from *current members* complaining that I am not doing enough to promote my site.) ((Also, be sure to check out the swell ad on RocketINK.net this month.))

At the end of the day there will always be things about your site that you do because you kind of have to. I don’t think many people that have ads on their sites (single authors at least) love the fact that they have ads, but for many it has almost become a necessity as there is no better way to get paid for writing.

All this to say: make the site something you are proud of, and only use articles like Matt’s as a guide, not as gospel.

[1]: http://mattgemmell.com/2013/05/22/designing-blogs-for-readers/
[2]: https://brooksreview.net/2012/11/readable/

People, today we have [Keyboard Maestro 6]() and oh baby is it awesome. A few new features that are killer:

– Safari Actions to grab the URL and Title. I had a ton of actions that grabbed this data by using a slew of different methods, but I just went through and changed them to the new actions to speed up the flow.
– There’s a new trigger that is based off of your wireless network. This is amazing. I have an entire set of macros that I want to run when I get to the office and when I get home from the office. Previously the only way I triggered these was by time, but that doesn’t work when I leave early or stay at work late. Now I can just trigger macros when I actually get to the office which is amazing.
– The ability to write your own action was added too, and I’d love to see app developers take advantage of this by adding custom actions for their apps in Keyboard Maestro. *I’m looking at you OmniFocus.*

There’s also a new icon (about time right?) and it looks fantastic.

One more nerdy addition: `%|%`. Using that text token you can set where your cursor will be after an action is run. Why is this cool? Well I use Keyboard Maestro to create Markdown and HTML links all the time and this will allow me to have a macro that formats everything so I can type in the linked text last without having to touch the mouse — a really nice addition that will keep me in the writing mode instead of forcing me to move my hand to the trackpad.

Keyboard Maestro 6 is $36, or $18 for an upgrade (until 7/31) — it’s a must buy in my book.

I totally missed this, but the Congressional Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus [sent a letter to Google CEO Larry Page][1], posing eight specific questions about their privacy concerns with Google Glass(es). I doubt Google will answer these truthfully, so let me go ahead and do that *for* them.

> In 2010, it was discovered that Google was collecting information across the globe from unencrypted wireless networks. This practice caused multiple investigations into the company along with consumers left perplexed. Google just recently agreed to pay $7 million to settle charges with 38 states for the collection of data from unprotected Wi-Fi networks without permission. Google also admitted that they did not adequately protect the privacy of consumers and “tightened up” their systems to address the issue. While we are thankful that Google acknowledged that there was an issue and took responsible measures to address it, we would like to know how Google plans to prevent Google Glass from unintentionally collecting data about the user/non-user without consent?

“First I would like to start by thanking Congress for their keen interest in our exciting Google Glass project — it really will change the world (Or an island. You guys catch my keynote?). As for Glass unintentionally collecting data, I can assure you that Google Glass will indeed only *intentionally* collect data. This collection is not limited and therefore is all encompassing and should help us better tell you what you actually want to do. All users and non-users have consented to Google Glass’ collection of data by simply searching on Google.com.”

> What proactive steps is Google taking to protect the privacy of non-users when Google Glass is in use? Are product lifecycle guidelines and frameworks, such as Privacy By Design, being implemented in connection with its product design and commercialization? For example. if a Google Glass customer/user decides to resell or to dispose of their Google Glass product. Would there be any product capabilities incorporated into the device to ensure that one’s personal information remains private and secure?

“We are leaving it up to the user to make sure that they are not using Glass in a way that negatively effects non-users. Further, we see this as an issue for Congress itself to address with lawmaking. All Google Glass devices are protected with a retina scan of the users eye — the data of which is stored on Google servers — and no data will be accessible to another user without first allowing us to collect their retina scan.”

> When using Google Glass, is it true that this product would be able to use Facial Recognition Technology to unveil personal information about whomever and even some inanimate objects that the user is viewing? Would a user be able to request such information? Can a non-user or human subject opt out of this collection of personal data? If so, how? If not, why not?

“Using the vast database that Google has amassed about our users we will apply an algorithm to determine if that user actually wants us to share their personal information. So, yes to Facial Recognition, and a big ‘Hell No’ to opting out. Do you have any idea how many requests we would get if we let people opt out?”

> In Google’s privacy policy, it states that the company “may reject requests that are unreasonably repetitive, require disproportionate technical effort… risk the privacy of others, or would be extremely impractical” Please provide examples of when Google would reject requests on Google Glass that would risk the privacy of others? Would Google place limits on the technology and what type of information it can reveal about another person? If so, please explain. If not, why not?

“Look for our privacy policy to be updated… While Google will not be limiting the technology, for the greater good, Google would certainly hold back Social Security Numbers for individuals — that kind of privacy invasion is just creepy.”

> Given Google Glass’s sensory and processing capabilities, has Google considered making any additions or refinements to its privacy policy’? If so, please explain. If not, why not?

“We absolutely will be tweaking our privacy policy to adapt it to the ever changing needs of Google. Starting July 4th, 2013 we will be editing the privacy policy of Google to simply reflect our motto: ‘Don’t be evil’. This will make Google’s privacy policy the shortest of any tech company and the most open.”

> In Google’s privacy policy, it states that the company “may collect device-specific information (such as your hardware model, operating system version, unique device identifiers, and mobile network information including phone number).”
a. Would this information be collected from users operating Google Glass? If so, what specific information is Google intending to collect’?
b. Would Google Glass collect any data about the user without the user’s knowledge and consent? If so, why? If not, please explain.

“A. Google is intending to collect all information input to, located around, seen by, heard by, touched by, or thought by Google Glass users and those within 30 feet of Google Glass Users. B. We will be clearly popping up a dialog that the user will see when they don Google Glass explaining what will be collected. Should the user not want to consent, they must simply click the ‘No’ button with their mouse, otherwise the message disappears in 3 seconds and thus the user will have consented. This we believe is the best experience for Google, I mean the user.”

> It was recently revealed that the New York Times was the first to release an app for Google Glass. To what extent was privacy considered in approving this app? Is Google planning to make privacy a priority for future app developers? If not, why not? If so, please explain.

“Our engineers, the smartest in the world, scrutinized the app to make sure that it did not compromise the privacy of Google in any way. Thank you for your concern, and I can assure you we will do our very best to protect the privacy of Google’s algorithms.”

> Will Google Glass have the capacity to store any data on the device itself? If so, will Google Glass implement some sort of user authentication system to safeguard stored data? If not, why not? If so, please explain.

“All data will be stored in the cloud so that Google can better sift through the it and help pull out the relevant bits while tossing aside things the user need not concern themselves with. For example, we have determined that emails from the ‘Brooksreview.net’ domain are superfluous to all recipients, while Viagra related emails clearly need priority.”

“In closing I would like to thank each of you personally for your letter:

– Mr. Barton: Thank you, FYI your dinner will be ready 10 minutes late today because your wife just Google’d ‘how to make burnt food taste better’.
– Mr. Rush: URGENT: Do not eat at that diner again, the waiter is upset you only tipped 5% and Google’d ‘How to hide spit in food’.
– Mr. Nugent: I can see you.
– Mr. Chabot: It’s 78° outside and a comfortable 72° in your office, yet you insist on flannel underwear, please explain — just speak to the east wall in your office.
– Mr. Barrow: I would like to thank you for using Google to research the article citations in this letter. It made it much easier for us to know what would be said.
– Mr. Jones: In 1972 you said that you traveled to Borneo, however given your recent search history we now know where you really were. Call me.
– Mr. Johnson: Dad *is* proud, right this moment.
– Mrs. Sanchez: *Hi.*”

There you are Mr. Page, I saved you some time.

[1]: http://joebarton.house.gov/images/GoogleGlassLtr_051613.pdf

[Over the weekend Yahoo! acquired Tumblr.][1] (What the fuck do I do here, place a double period? *Jesus*, these names.). I didn’t think I had much to say on it, then Yahoo! went and Yahooed ((Should “yahooed” have an exclamation point? This shit is so confusing.)) it up.

In the announcement, CEO of Yahoo! Marissa Mayer (whom I like) says:

> We promise not to screw it up.

That’s the second fucking sentence and it’s a catastrophe. At no point should you state such a weak saying at the top of your press release. You are the new CEO of Yahoo, perhaps if you had previously screwed up other web companies you bought this might be warranted, but in this case it just looks pathetic.

I didn’t read past that line, because who cares.

Instead let’s look to the reaction of others:

[Adam Lisagor][2]:

> Marissa Mayer uses two spaces between sentences.

*Cringe.*

[Jim Ray][3]:

> (whispers) i like this yahoo tumblr thing

That’s about the reaction I had when news started coming out Saturday/Friday. I thought it was smart on Mayer’s part and smart on Tumblr.’s part.

The problem here is not that Yahoo ((I’m done with the stupid punctuation.)) bought Tumblr, the problem isn’t that Yahoo promised not to screw it up, or that two spaces were used. No the problem is that Yahoo already screwed it up. How?

[Neven Mrgan][4]:

> SnarkAttack! The fact that Yahoo announced their acquisition of Tumblr using that tired “keep calm and carry on” image reflects well their strategy of buying the cool kids of three years ago.

Not to mention that the image they used is an animated gif and should carry an epileptic seizure warning on it — the entire gif is reminiscent of Geocities. And while I wouldn’t read too much into [the WordPress import numbers][5], it is still telling that people are leery of Tumblr’s future.

But most importantly, what the hell *does* Yahoo do with [all the porn?][6]

Because it’s a catch 22 for Yahoo. They just promised not to screw Tumblr up, so does that mean porn stays? If it doesn’t stay, isn’t that “screwing it up”?

[1]: http://yahoo.tumblr.com/post/50902111638/tumblr-yahoo
[2]: https://alpha.app.net/sandwich/post/5861157
[3]: https://alpha.app.net/jimray/post/5859046
[4]: https://alpha.app.net/mrgan/post/5858246
[5]: http://ma.tt/2013/05/yahooblr/%23comments
[6]: http://mobile.businessweek.com/articles/2013-05-17/if-yahoo-buys-tumblr-what-will-it-do-with-all-that-porn