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Apps of the Day

I started a new project a few days ago that documents each app I use on my iPhone, by day. Every day, my first and last used app is the Alarm Clock. In the morning, to wake up; in the evening, to make sure it’s ready for the next day.

Because I do this, I can easily see which apps I’ve used each day, because the Alarm Clock will only be accessed at either end of the day. I don’t use any other function of the app during the day.

Just a fun little thing to see which apps get used each day (and which don’t).

I’ll post the results for the next few days with the same title as above, but with the day after it.

 

On Social Media

Each day on my drive in to work, I listen to AM radio. This morning, the crew on the show were talking about Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc. and how they are directly contributing to the “dumbing-down” of America.

I have a problem with this. To me, people who have this line of thinking really do not understand social media at all.

There is SO much more going on through social media than the token status updates (eating lunch, going to the bathroom), FarmVille…the list goes on and on.

I use the web so much more than I did four years ago (around the time social media was getting its start), and would even argue that I’ve learned more in the past four years through social media and the internet than in the previous 25 I’ve lived. Every day I’m learning new things, new ideas, new skills – all of which come through social media.

Twitter for news (often breaking faster than traditional news outlets), YouTube for instructional videos, Facebook to keep up with what those close to me have going on. I understand that a lot of information out there is wrong or biased, but don’t forget the same holds true of traditional media outlets (and sometimes schools) as well. Sure, there are plenty of time-wasters out there, but there are WAY more ways to use these services to enrich your life. It’s like they say, don’t knock it till you try it.

The change isn’t coming, it’s already here. We live in the future we could only dream about as kids.

I, for one, am glad to be a part of it.

Love Wins Live Q&A

Rob Bell is having a live Q&A session the day before his new book, Love Wins, comes out. I’m pretty interested in hearing the session, but it falls right during the time I commute home from work.

What am I going to do about it? I’m glad you asked.

I’m going to stream the talk from my CR-48 tethered to my iPhone’s data line. The CR-48’s headphone jack will be plugged into my car audio system so I can hear over the road noise.

If all goes well, I’ll be able to view and hear the whole thing. I’ll post an update on Monday post-talk to let you know how it went.

 

P.S. You can check out the live Q&A session here: http://www.livestream.com/lovewins

 

 

lovewins

Thoughts On The Readability Debacle

A lot of talk has been sweeping the web lately in response to Apple’s new terms regarding iOS in-app subscriptions.

The basic way it works is this:

  • Apple now requires all applications with subscriptions be handled via an in-app purchases
  • This means all applications must adhere to the 70 / 30 rule, giving Apple 30% of the revenue of purchases
  • If your application does not meet the guidelines, or tries to circumvent them, they app will be rejected (or later pulled)

News today came from the maker of the Readability app, letting users know their latest update had been rejected because they voilated the new terms of service.

The big problem for Readability is they already give 70% of their revenue to the people who write the content that is viewed on their application.

Going from a 70 / 30 model where Readability only takes a 30% cut, to one where they are required to give Apple 30% does sound pretty harsh, up front. How will they make any money? The more you dig in, though, the more it makes sense.

Apple is giving Readability access to millions upon millions of users, free advertising, and the potential to make a lot of money. Personally, I think they should put in a change to their model where it works with the iOS terms of service. I don’t think end-users would be too miffed to a small change, especially if the change means they can access the site in a native iOS app.

My favorite, though, was this line from The Brooks Review:

If you want to jump on Tommy’s trampoline then you are going to have to be friends with Tommy and that means going to his stupid birthday parties and playing by his rules — but its a freaking trampoline so its worth it.

Basically, if you want to use their services, you have to play by their rules. But, I’d guess that often, playing by their rules has the bigger reward in the long run.

 

Sources:

Ian Hines

The Brooks Review

Readability Blog

 

Custom Deluxe: Collection

As mentioned on my twitter feed a few weeks ago, I took the time and have now officially released the full Custom Deluxe collection to the web.

As far as I can remember (and have copies), this is every single (finished) track we ever recorded.

Included in the download (in chronological order):

Self Titled Unreleased First Album, with original singer (Veronica Parker) and bass player (Garritt Hampton)
Missing The Old Days EP
Sibling Records Demo
Life’s Novel
Custom Deluxe Live!
Previously Unreleased Tracks
Variety Show
Rookie
Three’s A Charm

I played drums on everything except for the majority of the tracks on the Rookie album, which came out while I was not with the band.

The only songs not included are the tracks from the follow up album to Life’s Novel, which was never finished and is on ADAT tape somewhere. Maybe I’ll track that down and get it up someday. It had some really great stuff.

I hope you enjoy it! The direct link is below:

Custom Deluxe: Collection (75 tracks, Zip file, 358MB)

My Grown Up Christmas List

Broken down by price, the ultimate gift guide:

$0 to $10: CRKT Eat-n-tool Multi tool. This thing is just awesome. I can always be ready to eat and fix things – all the time. AND I can hang it off my keyring.

$11 to $100: iTunes Gift Card. I want music from Safety Suit and Weaver at the Loom, among others…

$101 to $1000: Apple iPad 16GB WiFi. Needs no explanation. It’s even for sale right now at $70 off…

$1001 to $5000: Apple Macbook Air. Again, needs no explanation. It even comes in an 11-inch model for under $1000…

$5001 to $10,000: Ural Patrol Motorcycle. Ok, so maybe it’s $12,400 for this bike. But admit, it’s totally awesome. Can’t you see me and Malachi riding around town in it?

$10,001 to $25,000: Toyota Sienna. This would actually be a present that my wife would end up using most of the time, but hey, that’s fine with me.

So there you have it. My grown up Christmas list. I’m secretly hoping just for the CRKT multi tool. Cause I want to be able to carry a spork everywhere I go.

Redesign

I’ve been working on a full redesign of the site lately, tinkering here and there. Most recently, I’m playing around with the Google Font Directory. I like a lot of the fonts they have there, and think it’s a cool way to use other fonts than the standard ones you see everywhere.

Currently, I’m using Nobile for body text, and IM Fell Great Primer SC for headers. Let me know what you think.

I also removed all the content from the sidebar except the search function. Just felt too cluttered. Maybe someday I’ll design a new theme from the ground up. Until then, it’ll be a WordPress Twenty-Ten mutt!