Wow, I guess November 21st is just always going to be a prolific writing/sharing day for me. (This link won’t work on the 22nd.)
Since it’s now cool to do so, I should mention that I do have a Bluesky account if you’re social networking over there. I’m @heyjb.me, and everything I post to my microblog gets crossposted there. I can even see and respond to replies using my blog because @manton’s worked some real magic with it.
Just tested the waters of going all-in on Micro.blog with a titled blog post, and then checked my stats. This will be my 2001st micropost!
Stephen Hackett made a keen observation in his (just superbly titled) blog post about Apple ending its butterfly keyboard repair program: ‘The Eeeend d of an Eraa’
It’s wild to think about how much about this generation of MacBook Pros has been erased from the product line. The Butterfly keyboard is gone, as is the Touch Bar. The Thunderbolt-only future that these machines promised didn’t pan out, and the current MacBook Pro design brought with it the return of MagSafe, HDMI, and even the SD card slot.
I hadn’t realized this, but he’s right.
John Gruber has had some good hits lately, but this one was a miss. This bit, in particular, rubs me the wrong way:
What I can say, personally, is that I read and pay for several publications on Substack, and for the last few weeks I’ve tried using their iOS app (more on this in a moment), and I’ve never once seen a whiff of anything even vaguely right-wing, let alone hateful. Not a whiff. If it’s there, I never see it. If I never see it, I don’t care.1
Just because you don’t see it, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t care. Erland made a good analogy.
Wow, @sindresorhus@mastodon.social is killing it with Supercharge. Its rapid development is making it a must-have utility.
Ben Lovejoy, 9to5Mac: ‘Satechi M4 Mac mini stand and hub supports up to 4TB extra storage’
A Satechi M4 Mac mini stand and hub promises to let owners of the new ultra-compact desktop Mac add up to 4TB of fast SSD storage, together with an SD card slot and three USB-A ports.
These stand/hub things are really cool. I debated getting one for my M1 Mac mini, but it would have made it too tall for the riser it’s in.
But what would really seal the deal for this version is (1) a headphone jack on the back, and (2) somehow, a pass-through power button back there too.
Jason Becker: ‘Four issues without ambiguity’
[A]nd our incoming government is wrong on all four at once.
- We must support Ukraine against Russian invasion
- Israel is murdering Palestinians with impunity and support.
- Climate change is a serious, immediate threat
- Trans rights are human rights. Just fucking respect people.
[…] Whether we’ve entered the end of America’s leadership on the international stage as a matter of projected force, I do not know. But whether we’ve absolutely failed the moral leadership test? There’s no question.
Yup. 😔
Google Research is working on wildfire detection and modeling:
FireSat is a constellation of satellites dedicated entirely to detecting and tracking wildfires. After it launches, it will provide global high resolution imagery that is updated every 20 minutes, enabling the detection of wildfires that are roughly the size of a classroom.
It strikes me that Apple tackles problems from the human scale (AirPods as hearing aids, crash detection, etc.), and Google tackles problems from the global scale (FireSat program, Project Loon’s internet access, flood forecasting, etc.).
Another banger from Jason Snell: ‘The App Store era must end, and the Mac is the model’
But over time, the inevitable happened: Apple used the exclusivity of the App Store and its total control over the platform to extract money through rent-seeking and to bar businesses from admitting that the web existed outside their apps. Perhaps worst of all, the App Store’s exclusivity allowed Apple to essentially treat app developers as Apple employees, forcing them to follow Apple’s guidelines and please Apple’s approval apparatus before their apps would be allowed to be seen by the public.
I’m apparently not the only one waffling. Jason Snell, sixcolors.com:
But… this also means I would need to travel with a 14-inch MacBook Pro. They are great, don’t get me wrong, but I’m a refugee 11-inch MacBook Air user now accepting life with a 13-inch MacBook Air. Do I want to travel with a larger laptop? (Or, if I mostly use the iPad when I travel, does it not matter?)
Personally, I can’t decide between an M4 MacBook Pro (that screen and nano-texture!) or waiting out for an M4 MacBook Air (that thin, fanless design!).
A worthy piece from Paul Kafasis:
I had been describing myself as disgusted by this result, but I eventually realized that was incorrect. What I actually am is disillusioned. America was a dream, and now that dream is gone from me. Holding on to beliefs like “good triumphs over evil” and “justice will be served” has always required taking a long view. But now, when a convicted felon has yet again managed to evade consequences and scam his way into the presidency, I find my faith in my country shattered. It lies in pieces at my feet and I am unsure what I’m going to do about that.
I didn’t have high expectations for my performance, but I entered my first-ever climbing competition last weekend…and came in second place for the Intermediate division! It was a ton of fun, way lower pressure than I expected, and brought together a bunch of local climbers. Thanks Mt. Van Ho!
And Re: the terrible Apple Intelligence ads, @gruber@mastodon.social spotlights an example that I didn’t, but that I totally agree with. The ads make everyone look super dumb and rude.
Re: Overcast’s update, I really appreciate the thought that went into the privacy angle of its history/sharing feature:
I asked ChatGPT, “Based on what you know about me, draw a picture of what you think my current life looks like.” Not too bad. It nailed the outdoor mountain theme, included @onwardguides, and even got Phin! I’d love to have that little cabin.
New Overcast Premium features:
- Listening stats: See your top podcasts by year, month, or day, with stats going back to the start of 2023!
- 48-hour History and Undo: Accidentally seek too far, leave your phone playing overnight, or delete the wrong episode, podcast, or playlist? Just undo it!
These are two features I’ve wanted forever and I can’t wait to dig in!
Hank Sanders, nytimes.com, on the jaw-dropping effect of introducing Nerds Gummy Clusters:
The effort seems to have worked. In 2018, Nerds products brought in $40 million in sales. In the past calendar year, the company said, that number jumped to $800 million, a 20-fold increase in about six years. The company declined to specify its profits. The new product’s following also led to the first Super Bowl ad in Ferrara’s history, and the company said it planned to release a second Super Bowl ad in 2025.
It’s true; they’re DaBomb.com and seriously addictive. I can’t resist. (Via kottke.org)
Back to Street & Nye (I promise we guide other mountains!) with @hikingwith_diane for the best weather and conditions of the past two weeks!
The weather was crisp, which gave us nice firm trails for most of the day, and the sunny view at Street was amazing! Even microspikes colluding with tree roots trying to trip us up couldn’t keep our spirits down. And learning a new skill to hike the frozen trails with them was a highlight of the day.
We had a great time in the backcountry, with big props to Diane as she completed the 9th and 10th peaks of her 46ers. 🤞 for good weather the rest of the week!
Same! Thanks to Micro.blog.
You can find me on the web.
So much chatter lately on leaving social platform this to go to social platform that.
The new thing.
The better thing?
What is everyone chasing?
I’ll be right here on the web.
Same place I was before.
Same place I’ll be in the future.
It strikes me that everyone seems to remember the “scribble a fish on your Apple Watch to let a buddy know you want sushi for lunch” example. The feature didn’t pan out, but that demo sure stuck with folks. 🤔
Oh come on, this book is awesome! I can think of at least three people who would laugh their asses off pulling it out of a stocking.
Tim Hardwick shared a good tip that I wish people never needed, but unfortunately do from time to time: ‘Hide iPhone Find My Location Without Raising Suspicion’
To hide your actual location, you’ll need to have at least two Apple devices signed in to your Apple Account with Find My enabled. This method works by telling Find My to use a stationary device’s location instead of your iPhone’s.
Hey friends, I need some advice. I started an Instagram for my new solo guiding service, but I’m already torn between posting there or on my personal account. Should I just stick to one? Thoughts on using your personal for everything vs. keeping a business account too? I’ve seen both work well.
Tom and I had the whole mountain to ourselves today as we took on Street ( ft) and Nye (ft)! After our 11-hour hike yesterday, we moved a little slower up the trail while navigating our boots carefully through each icy step.
We reached the summits before the clouds rolled in, giving us pristine views over the McIntyres, Santanonis, and Sewards. We even caught a glimpse of Gothics, which we summited yesterday. With temps warming, we had to be extra careful on the descent, trying to avoid punching through the ice into mud and water below.
Crossing back over Indian Pass Brook was our final challenge, which we dispatched with ease, and were rewarded with a fantastic view of the moonrise on our drive out from the Loj. Another perfect day in the peaks.
@newyorkoutdoorguides @lakeplacidadk #Adirondacks #PerfectDayADK #hireaguide 📷
