PlayStation 5 demo — Stunning!
For the first time ever, I’m tempted to get a PlayStation! youtu.be/qC5KtatMcUw
You should wait to install MacOS Catalina
There is a lot of really great stuff in Apple’s new macOS release, Catalina (macOS 10.15). But there is also a lot changed that can cause problems. I strongly recommend you wait until the first major update (likely macOS 10.15.1) before upgrading to macOS Catalina. If you do decide to upgrade to Catalina, be…
Celebrating the Public Domain
Today I’m in San Francisco at The Internet Archive, where they are hosting a “Grand Re-opening of the Public Domain.” The main stage program is being live-streamed on the YouTube Channel of the Internet Archive: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IoATBk-3yn8 In this time of uncertainty, confusion, and division, it’s wonderful to be celebrating creativity and history here today.
Finding Optimism in the Tech Industry
Until a few years ago, the tech world, and especially the computer systems and software industries, were full of imagination and inspiration. A computer was a ‘bicycle for the mind’ 1, and the internet a ‘town square for the global village’ 2. Now, instead, we have growth at any cost and an advertising-driven business model…
A Better Facebook
Simple Steps to get the shit out of your newsfeed I’ve done a bit of cleanup on Facebook in the last few days, and with great success. All I did was “Hide all from …” for a handful of pages on Facebook. In the iOS app, it’s two clicks: the … on the upper right…
Know-How
From Hobbies to Trade Skills to Artistic Expression, developed knowledge and improved craft is the mark of accomplishment — Coding is no different. – Darius Dunlap I wish schools still had Shop, and Band, and Art. I believe there is a kind of mental development that’s missing without them. And I believe that these kinds…
Your Online Home
Big companies on the internet make it easy for you to just rely on them for everything you need online. But there’s value in having your own place independent of your Internet Provider (ISP) or other companies. By having your own internet domain, and the basic services to go with it, you get at least…
iPhone Changed Everything
10 years ago today, Steve Jobs introduced the world to a new thing — the iPhone. Even if you are familiar with the event, have seen the video, or were there, it may not occur to you how weak the reception was in that room, that day. With remarkable style, Steve Jobs setup the context masterfully,…
Whiplash
My own book research has me reading even more than usual. Last week I received a new book that I had pre-ordered, Whiplash: How to Survive OurFaster Future, by Joi Ito and Jeff Howe. I set aside the several books I’m currently reading and finished this new one in just a few days. For people…
Hour of Code
Computers are not magical or mysterious. Their amazing abilities are built up from simple ideas. That’s what’s surprising. How did we arrive at today, with these devices in our pocket and a (nearly) global network connecting them, and with software running that allows it all to do so many useful and entertaining things? Lady Ada,…