Let's Encrypt

This will be a huge boon for the web when it gets out of beta: a free service that provides security certificates (i.e., https://) for websites with minimal fuss. I'll be watching this closely.

(h/t Pony Foo)

Fraiser Speirs on ‘Post-Victorian’ Education

The eloquence and insight present in Frasier’s talk transcript is something to behold, he's no spring chicken. It is evident throughout his thinking that the approach to technology in education needs to progress past, “computers as a novelty,” moreover that pedagogy needs to catch up with the last 150 years of technological progress. Having been in a school recently, it's astounding how similar the environment and teaching was compared to when I was a child.

Write Like A Person

Paul's guide is insightful without being overbearing and has made clear one of my worst writing fears: namely, writing like someone else. While I'm not sure what my style is, I do know that I want my site to read like it was written by... well, a person. This piece has given me a lot to think about.

I've printed out a copy and will let it hang above my bed. Hey, Paul.

October 26, 2015

Silly Ideas 02: Talk To Me Siri Podcast

I’ve had a load of knuckle-headed ideas for new projects over the years. I love the thought process that has gone into many of them—although not enough to follow through—and it would be a true shame to just let them whither, like a forgotten tomato on the vine. So without further adieu, I present a silly and unfinished idea from the archives.

(Imagine a narrator reading to you, in a soft but passionate grandfather-y voice, as if this were a Nicholas Sparks movie adaptation.)

In three minutes, you will be entreated to a heart warming encounter between two star-crossed lovers. One is an average human-like person, searching for a deep and profound connection. The other, a lifeless robot… with a heart of gold. The robot reads lengthy romantic prose, where upon hearing the human attempts to respond in kind.

Who writes these beautiful soliloquies? Who knows? The robot? Unlikely, but why not.

Tune in to hear an amnesic “couple” try to kindle the fires of the heart every week.

Optimism at The New York Times

I think it’s great to read a report of a legacy media company making headway into the digital frontier. The interesting lesson they’ve taken from their analysis, which seems rather obvious upon reflection, is to focus on their most loyal readerbase to generate revenue and growth. Too often, growth-above-all-else seems to be the focus of innovation, rather than focusing on what is already paying the bills. While I do not have many digital subscriptions for news, reading this report has given me cause to reconsider The Times.

Making a Watch Strap by Gorilla Leather

I recently picked up an old Seiko 5 on eBay with the intention of modifying it. Now, to assuage my excitement, I have been watching all types of watch videos. This one is pretty soothing/mesmerising, so enjoy.

GTD PSA

1. Just because you put it on your to-do list doesn’t mean you have to do it. Circumstances change quickly. Today’s fast-paced work environment requires us to adapt quickly. Sometimes that means giving up on a project in favor of one that will have more of an impact. It’s ok to delete a task to free up space for something more important.

It’s amazing how often I forget this. Half of the time, I’ve engineered my task manager to feel like a shame generator, when, honestly, it need not be that way.

Creating the Microsoft Surface Book

Like most, I can't help but say, “Interesting.” That doesn't mean I'll buy one, but there sure is something in Microsoft's approach here. This tact on the personal computer is so philosophically different than the one we see from Apple, in both the personal computer space and in mobile. It appears to be a valid approach, however, I think the dividing line between the two will continue to be based on who is pushing mobile the furthest. With the current implementation of the Surface Book, Microsoft is attempting to move forward with the last 20 years of laptop history on its back.

What is this Place?

This is the weblog of the strangely disembodied TRST. Here it attempts to write somewhat intelligibly on, well, anything really. Overall, it may be less than enticing.

Places of Note