Recent Articles

Anybody else confused about Evernote’s endgame?

The amazing Brett Terpstra posted his [Markdown Editor Wishlist](http://brettterpstra.com/my-ultimate-markdown-editor-wishlist/), which was met with much praise. Dr. Drang however has this to say:
>I guess the real problem with Brett’s list and me is that I disagree with the entire notion of a Markdown editor. Markdown is just plain text—any text editor should do just fine.

I land (mostly) on the side of Dr. Drang here. It’s nice that iA Writer does some of the things specific to Markdown, but it’s not a deal breaker for me if it did nothing but plain text.

Where I do see a need, is for better Markdown support in iOS text editors. Specifically in getting some of the Markdown keys to the top layer (such as the asterisk and hyphen keys) — that’s something that is problematic because of the iPad keyboard, not because Markdown users need more help.

Another thing I think we are seeing here is that Markdown is becoming more widely adopted as a replacement for having to learn HTML, and that in itself is going to prove problematic.

Samantha Grossman:
>Thank goodness someone has finally invented a product that allows you to sit back, spray some liquid into your mouth and bam! — instant drunken stupor.

I mean, *finally*.

Ryan Kim:
>After Color’s much publicized flop last year, it would seem unlikely that anyone would look to the company as a big-time partner. But that’s just what Verizon Wireless plans to do. It will offer its customers the chance to use an enhanced version of Color, which will enable live video streaming with audio for the first time and double the existing frame rate.

You know, looking back at it, I probably would been obsessed with Color if I had only had the “enhanced” version…

I saw this lighter in an issue of Backpacker magazine and immediately ordered it based only on it’s looks. I actually didn’t read much up on it, as Backpacker only had a small blurb.

When I got the lighter I was pretty shocked, it isn’t a butane lighter — the Fidis uses old-school lighter fluid. I actually had to go buy some. So to compare I also fueled up my Zippo.

They don’t compare. I think the Zippo has a bigger flame and the Zippo holds a lot more lighter fluid, but these are two very different lighters.

Both are wind proof, as evidenced by testing them with the Dyson AirBlade blowing on them both and lighting under those full-speed conditions. The Fidis, however, also has two other really cool things that make it great for a week long hiking excursion.

The Fidis has a lighter fluid reservoir that you can use to store refill fluid and thus refill the lighter without having to pack in a separate container. There is also no shortage of extra flints sized for the lighter stored in the lighter as well. These little things add up to a really nice camping lighter, one that makes a good effort to make sure it is all you may need on the trail — especially for shorter outings.

You won’t be melting plastic like you do with a butane lighter, but it is a really nice lighter that should get the job done.

Oh and I should say: it is built like a tank. The entire lighter feels solid, much better feel than a Zippo.

I don’t agree with the asstastic headline chosen over at ZDnet, but this is a real problem. Interestingly FileVault 2 users remain unaffected (I have been using FileVault 2 for a long time — works well).

A great app that I use all the time. I have been testing the new version for a while now and it has been absolutely great. One of the many neat new features is the podcast-by-podcast settings that you can change. Meaning I can tell Instacast to always download The B&B Podcast and never download some other ones.

Great up, also read the post to see the new pricing structure if you have been holding off on a purchase of the app.

A very fair take of Google versus DuckDuckGo. For me it’s a no-brainer because I can’t stand Google’s privacy “issues”. However I do know that for many, DuckDuckGo isn’t “there” quite yet.

What I want to point out is that making the switch from Google to DuckDuckGo takes a big adjustment. DuckDuckGo is not trying to be Google, therefore it does things very differently.

Most of us are so used to Google that we subconsciously work around the flaws in the product. We have trained ourselves to ignore sponsored results, plus one bullshit, and all the other stuff Google throws our way.

I recently moved all my iOS devices to using Bing, and it wasn’t as huge of an adjustment because Microsoft is trying to make Bing as close to Google as they can. If you want a Google clone to get away from Google, go with Bing — if you want something new, go with DuckDuckGo.

I’ve never once understood how it is legal to let a dog walk around on your lap, but completely illegal to eat while you drive. I am not saying that we should go out and enforce dogs be in special seats with seat belts, but I think you are damned fool to allow a dog to walk around on your lap while you drive.

Speaking of dogs and damned fools, [did you know Chicago wants to make it perfectly A-OK to allow dogs in restaurants](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/04/chicago-dog-friendly-rest_n_1477714.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003)? Guess I can scratch Chicago off the list of places I want to ever eat at.

Stephen Baker, Vice President, Industry Analysis for NPD:

>Shipments are not sales, seems like a pretty simple concept to grasp, but it’s apparent from the hysteria that has erupted over IDC’s release of their Q1 tablet shipment data that most of the blogosphere still doesn’t get the difference.

His entire post explains how shipments are a meaningless number and how sales are really important. Baker seems to be condemning people who say that Kindle Fire sales are not good because they shipped far less in Q2 than Amazon did in Q1.

This is funny to me because a [quick search of “npd shipments”](http://www.bing.com/search?q=npd+shipments&form=APIPA1) shows you just how much NPD reports about shipment numbers…

Mike Masnick on all the Internet privacy legislation:

>It’s bizarre and troubling that no one in the federal government seems willing to provide a real justification for any of these bills others than “oooooh, it’s scary out there on the internet!!”

The Macalope:

>Samsung has something for every niche need. Well, except the niche for the best all-around smartphone with a terrific user experience. That was taken by another company.

Fantastic post by Chris Foresman looking at the App Store and the success that a select few developers have had. Spoiler: being in the top charts is where the money is.

The Beastie Boys official site on the passing of Adam Yauch:

>Born in Brooklyn, New York, Yauch taught himself to play bass in high school, forming a band for his 17th birthday party that would later become known the world over as Beastie Boys.

I love this game because it’s fun and you can play it with one hand (the baby is often in the other). Can’t quite get to Kottke’s high score, yet.

Horace Dediu and Dirk Schmidt:
>Apple offers a place where people can discover and get answers about technology without the pressure of making a purchase. The job is to simplify that which is complex for a price premium.

Well said. Going to an Apple store is like no other store experience that most people have had. Not only are the staff friendly, but [they trust you](https://brooksreview.net/2011/12/trust-respect/).