Just a reminder, I’ll be selecting a winner *tomorrow* so if you want in on a chance to get a great backpack for free, become a member before then.
Category: Free
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‘Court: Chevron Can Seize Americans’ Email Data’
[Dana Liebelson][1]:
> Last month, a federal court granted Chevron access to nine years of email metadata—which includes names, time stamps, and detailed location data and login info, but not content—belonging to activists, lawyers, and journalists who criticized the company for drilling in Ecuador and leaving behind a trail of toxic sludge and leaky pipelines.
> When Lewis Kaplan, a federal judge in New York, granted the Microsoft subpoena last month, he [ruled][2] it didn’t violate the First Amendment because Americans weren’t among the people targeted.
And:
> Now *Mother Jones* has learned that the targeted accounts do include Americans—a revelation that calls the validity of the subpoena into question.
In summary: the United States is turning over metadata on U.S. Citizens email communications to a private company — nine years worth — the basis that the multi-billion dollar corporation is being extorted by activists and journalists.
And yet, while this is abhorrent, it’s even more astonishing to me that this is not front page news *everywhere* in the country.
[1]: http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/07/chevron-ecuador-american-email-legal-activists-journalists?utm_medium=App.net&utm_source=PourOver
[2]: http://dg5vd3ocj3r4t.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/documents/Kaplan-Order-Hotmail-IP-subpoena_0.pdf -
The 2013 Brooks Review Membership Drive
It’s been a touch over a year since I launched the paywall and removed all ads from the site. I’ve checked in to let those interested know how things are going, but for an update: it’s static. When I started the paywall I had 250 members after a month, and today I have 246 members. I’ve only ran one promotion (I sponsored Rocketink.net for a month) and done nothing much else to promote that people should become members.
What I want to do now is two things:
1. Ask for your support. If you know of someone who might enjoy the site, send them my way and, if you can, support the site by [becoming a member](https://brooksreview.net/members/).
2. Send me an [email][1] telling me something you would like to see more of, or any advice/ideas you have for the site. Anything goes, I’ll read them all.## Contest
This wouldn’t be much of a membership drive without a giveaway, so all members will be entered into a contest to win some great swag — well actually just *one* prize: a backpack.
Boring right? Nah, because I am entering you to win *the best* backpack.
The winner will get to choose between the Goruck [GR1][2], [SK26][3], [Radio Ruck][4] (a good choice for women), [SK20][5] (ditto), or the [Tom Bihn Smart Alec][6] *with* a [Vertical Brain Cell][7] for *your* laptop. ((I’ve reviewed most of these, with exception to the SK line and the Radio Ruck, but I have no doubt those are also excellent bags. The SK26 is on my to-buy list in Pinboard.in. If you win I’ll get in contact and you can let me know then, or quiz me about the bags.))
There’s just one winner because I am not getting these prizes for free, I am buying them with my own money as a thank you to all members. ((I thought about getting a bunch of stuff for free to giveaway, but in the end that’s just a different form of advertising and didn’t feel right to me.))
Thanks for your support and here’s to another year.
[1]: mailto:ben@brooksreview.net
[2]: https://www.goruck.com/Gear/Details/gr1-black?cat=41
[3]: https://www.goruck.com/Gear/Details/sk26-black?cat=41
[4]: https://www.goruck.com/Gear/Details/radio-ruck-black?cat=41
[5]: https://www.goruck.com/Gear/Details/sk20-black?cat=41
[6]: http://www.tombihn.com/backpacks/TB0103.html
[7]: http://www.tombihn.com/PROD/TB0390.html -
Shawn Today, Episode 400
A few weeks ago I let Shawn know that he *really* should have me as a guest — then I realized I invited myself and momentarily felt bad. Turns out he wanted me on episode #400 — 400! — and so I joined him and turned his lovely 7-minute podcast into a 43-minute podcast. It was a lot of fun, you should check it out and be sure to become a member of Shawn’s site — I just found out he has done 400 shows without a single sponsor.
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Kit & Kiya
Kirsten Ostgard, a friend (well friend of my Wife) has started [an Indiegogo campaign for a children’s Web/TV show called Kit & Kiya][1]. I’ve known Kirsten for a while now and I can say that [her passion for children][2], and children’s film in particular has been with her the entire time I have known her.
She’s a great person whom I think will succeed in children’s programming. She is only trying to raise $1,500 to get the project off the ground and I’m in for $100. Even if you don’t like the concept (and assuming you are a parent) the idea of having a better option than [Caillou][3] simply *must* be appealing to you.
Let’s get it funded.
[1]: http://igg.me/p/kit-kiya/x/1629035
[2]: http://500px.com/photo/13264863
[3]: http://www.caillou.com/indexEN.shtml -
The B&B Podcast #92: Yam Benjamin
>For the final episode of The B&B Podcast, Shawn and Ben talk about the history of the show, the Pebble smartwatch and watches in general, doing an OmniFocus workflow audit, Monoprice’s new 27-inch monitor, and the iPad as a “pro” PC.
Thanks to everyone for listening, being in the chatroom, sponsoring, and supporting the show. We had a great run, but more importantly we had a truly great time.
I also want to thank Dan Benjamin and everyone at 5by5 for allowing our humble show on their network — moving to 5by5 was really a dream come true.
And that’s a wrap.
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The B&B Podcast #91: The Penultimate Episode
We discuss responsive web design, side projects, and the Netbot/App.net drama I stirred up. Also, this is the second to last episode of the B&B Podcast. Next week (2/7/13) tune in [live](http://5by5.tv/live) at 11a PT to listen to the last episode of the B&B Podcast.
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The B&B Podcast #90: The Core Power Tools
>Shawn and Ben discuss what should be on the short list of apps which most moderately computer savvy people should be using.
I would add that Shawn also may have recorded the first B&B where he offends more people than I do — is that a factor of what Shawn said, or is that because I simply said nothing? You’ll have to listen to find out.
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The B&B Podcast #89: Twitter, Coffee, and Cookies
Our first show back in 2013. We talk about the dos and don’ts of chocolate chip cookies, how Starbucks doesn’t really care about coffee (and how I manage to always burn my tongue on Americanos), and we talk about Twitter and App.net (again).
It’s 2013 and Shawn and I need your support to keep the podcast going. We’d love to hear any ideas you have for funding the show, and we’d love to have you as a sponsor of the show.
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Thirty
When I turned twenty-five, five years ago, my wife can attest to the minor life crisis I suffered leading up to the event. I felt old, I wasn’t where I wanted to be, and *everything* mattered.
Today I am thirty. ((December 28, 2012))
I am closer to where I want to be, have managed to keep my emotions about turning thirty to a minimum, and realize that only a few things in life matter.
And so, as bloggers do, here are thirty things that I *think* I know:
1. The government is not infallible, and often egregious in the decisions they make, take note and speak up when they are wrong.
2. Some asshole will always drive slow in the fast lane. Said asshole will justify it with the rationale that there is no such thing as a fast lane. You can refute with the tried and true passing lane logic: “Technically it is the passing lane, and by definition then you *must* be passing someone to be in it. Therefore you *must* be traveling faster than those in the right lane(s) to be in the left lane.” At the end of the day, this won’t work. Neither will riding their ass, honking, or using *Top Gun’s* “international greeting”. However, all of these things *will* make you feel better.
3. Ignore people that constantly ask for your opinion, only to then refute your opinion. They don’t care to actually listen to your opinion, so you shouldn’t care to waste your breath.
4. People will never stop blaming their incompetence on the day of the week. “It’s Monday so I am just dragging today.” “No one works on Friday, that includes me.” It is best to avoid these people, they are the ones going no where fast and have yet to realize the day of the week doesn’t matter much any more.
5. Early morning meetings have the potential to screw over the rest of your day. Avoid early morning meetings at all costs — always get a couple of hours of work in before your first meeting.
6. No one wants to work on Friday (see number 4), so it’s a great time to catch up. Also a great time to schedule a meeting, late in the afternoon, to ensure that it will be a short meeting, or a cancelled meeting. (Additionally, choosing to work over “bank holidays” is another great way to get a lot done.)
7. The Electoral College is bullshit.
8. Well tailored clothes make you look 50% better — no matter how cheap the clothes that are well tailored were when you purchased them.
9. Facebook is changing our culture in a way that I hate.
10. A lot of paranoid people are crazy, however most people are simply not paranoid enough — which is also crazy.
11. If you simply nod and say “I understand” when you first meet people, you will learn far more about them than they learn about you (they will just assume that you agree with them). Don’t fall into the trap of assuming people agree with you based on the fact that they did not refute you — that’s a suckers game.
12. You should never be surprised when an idiot does something idiotic. We know this, but it is also important to just realize that idiots will be idiots and that is just how it is. Anger about this fact will get you no where.
13. Likewise, someone who is constantly doing idiotic things is likely also an idiot — you just may not be willing to label them as such.
14. Telling someone that you were right is far less satisfying then letting them learn you are right on their own.
15. It’s only a secret if you don’t tell anyone, and it doesn’t matter how many times people tell you this, because it’s one of those things you just have to learn the hard way.
16. Features, specs, and checklists are irrelevant. The best thing you can get is specific to you and so you should take any review not written by you with a grain of salt.
17. Whenever you check out at a store and the little credit card reader asks if you want to donate to XYZ charity — just donate a dollar. It takes no extra time, you probably won’t notice the missing dollar, and you will be doing something good while you buy your Cheetos.
18. Coke drinkers always tell themselves that Coke is better than Pepsi in the same way that Android users convince themselves that Android is better than iOS.
19. Saying things like the above, number 18, will fill your inbox every time.
20. Don’t give a shit about what people think of your honest opinion. If you think Android is better than iOS, Windows better than Mac, and Nikon better than Canon — so be it. You’d be wrong, but at least you’re standing for what you believe in, and that’s more important.
21. Life is a lot easier if you set two standard drinks: one non-alcoholic and another alcoholic. Keep both simple, the more complex your order, the bigger an asshole you look like. (Doubly so with coffee orders.) Make sure both are common enough that even a dive bar will have them. (I went with Pepsi/Coke and Makers Mark on the rocks.)
22. Respect matters to people (well most people) more than money or gifts. If you want to retain an employee/tenant/anyone just treat them with respect — whatever respect means for the relationship you have with them — it will go further than any gift or money will (mostly).
23. Expect the worse of the weather and be prepared. If forecasters say no snow, but it’s going to be low 30s and raining — expect snow. Forecasters use models, you should use common sense.
24. You have no right to complain for something that was free, so pay for your stuff and you won’t look like a fool when you complain about it.
25. Own your weaknesses. I know I’m not good at sports or grammar and a ton of other things. It is because I know this that I am willing to seek help and take advice on these matters. I was only able to do that when I admitted that I sucked at these things.
26. The little things matter.
27. Except when they don’t.
28. When you feel like shit, smile. Smiling goes a long way and if you can get someone else to smile because you smiled, your fake smile might become a real one. And, if even just for a moment, you might feel better.
29. There’s nothing better in life than making a baby giggle.
30. Lists like this are often full of bad advice. -
‘Recognizing We Have a Problem’
[Jonathan Poritsky on the massacre in Conneticut](http://www.candlerblog.com/2012/12/14/we-have-a-problem/):
>The most important thing for us to do today, as a nation, is to recognize that we have a problem, that there have been a string of senseless murders that have made 2012 a depressingly bloody year. And recognizing that we can and must do something to prevent them.
>That’s not being political. That’s being an adult.
Agreed. See also Jason Kottke’s great coverage:
– [Roger Ebert on the media’s coverage of school shootings](http://kottke.org/12/12/roger-ebert-on-the-medias-coverage-of-school-shootings)
– [Kids and guns in the USA](http://kottke.org/12/12/kids-and-guns-in-the-usa)
– [How to talk to kids about school massacres](http://kottke.org/12/12/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-school-massacres)
– [The NRA is winning the war on guns](http://kottke.org/12/12/the-nra-is-winning-the-war-on-guns)
– [Facts about guns and mass shootings in the US](http://kottke.org/12/12/facts-about-guns-and-mass-shootings-in-the-us)
– [It’s a Smith and Wesson Christmas](http://kottke.org/12/12/its-a-smith-and-wesson-christmas)
– [How do we prevent school massacres?](http://kottke.org/12/12/how-do-we-prevent-school-massacres)
– [The United States of Guns](http://kottke.org/12/12/the-united-states-of-guns)
– [The right day to talk about guns](http://kottke.org/12/12/the-right-day-to-talk-about-guns)
– [Mr. Rogers on helping kids deal with tragic news events](http://kottke.org/12/12/mr-rogers-on-helping-kids-deal-with-tragic-news-events)
– [Japan is a land without guns (and shooting deaths)](http://kottke.org/12/12/japan-is-a-land-without-guns-and-shooting-deaths)
– [Six facts about guns and gun control](http://kottke.org/12/12/six-facts-about-guns-and-gun-control)
– [Studies: more guns, more homicide](http://kottke.org/12/12/studies-more-guns-more-homcide)And that’s just what Kottke has published as of this writing.
What’s clear is that, as a country, we have a problem. Whether you believe the problem is gun control, or mental healthcare is irrelevant to the problem at hand.
The simple fact is that today, we as a nation, failed to protect our children — that’s on all of us.
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The B&B Podcast #87: Listener Q&A
>Shawn and Ben answer questions submitted by you guys, the listeners. Ranging from App.net, Twitter clients, website memberships and Ben’s paywall, what podcasts we listen to, and more.
This wasn’t live, but a really good show — not that I am biased or anything.
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The B&B Podcast #86: Interview With Shaun Inman
>This week Shawn and Ben are joined by special guest and Internet Hero, Shaun Inman. Shaun is a designer and developer, the creator of Mint, Fever, The Last Rocket, and much, much more. We talk about web design, development, growing in your skill sets, learning new skills, video game jams, and launching a Kickstarter campaign.
A huge thanks to our sponsor: [NeuYear, makers of a big, awesome calendar for tackling the year and your dreams.](http://goo.gl/4FNEs) You can use promo code `B&B` to get 30% off your order, and listen to the show for your chance to win one of ten free calendars they are giving away.
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The B&B Podcast #85: The Circle of Confusion
Shawn and I talk all about photography, lenses, and Shawn’s new camera.
(Programming note: No show next week for the Turkey Day stuff(ing).)
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The B&B Podcast #84: Tips and Tricks: Keyboard Maestro
>In an action-packed tips and tricks episode, Ben and Shawn talk about the powerhouse app that is Keyboard Maestro. They give an overview of how Keyboard Maestro works and some of the basics for using it as well as sharing many of the custom macros they use.
This week we a sponsored by the lovely:
– [Hoban Cards](https://hobancards.com/): elegant, hand-crafted, letterpress printed calling cards.
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The B&B Podcast #83: Listener Q&A
>Shawn and Ben answer questions from the listeners, covering topics about Pinboard, budgeting, tech purchases, Apple Care, upgrades, covering Apple news, and more.
Brought to you by our outstanding sponsor:
– Doxie Go — A better way to go paperless. [Go get one, or two.](http://www.getdoxie.com)
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The B&B Podcast #82: Interview With David Smith
>Shawn and Ben are joined by David Smith, an indie iOS developer. We talk about some of the things David has learned in his years developing software, and we talk about his most recent app, Check the Weather, including all that went in to building it, preparing for launch, and then handling customer feedback afterwards.
Fun interview, Shawn is getting good at doing these — I just try not to derail them too much. Bonus fact: we learn all about inverted iPhone colors.
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The B&B Podcast #81: You Gotta Remove the Mustard
>Shawn and Ben talk about five different apps that have been released in the past couple weeks.
We went over the 30 minute mark by 2 minutes and 15 seconds — it’s my fault, sorry.
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Update Your RSS Feed
Looks like Feedburner is pissy that I ditched it. You probably should check your RSS feed subscription if you aren’t a member.
The correct feed is [here](https://brooksreview.net/feed).