Category Archives: Technology

Responsive App Design

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Michael Schechter • 7 Comments

With the introduction of OS X Mountain Lion it is obvious that Apple is aligning the Mac with iOS devices, but it also feels like more.

The approach is akin to responsive web design: the need for sites to adjust and adapt to best leverage the device on which they are displayed. This is something that is becoming a standard when designing for the web and after this summer’s release I can’t help but wonder if it will become the standard for our applications. One look at this image from the Macworld article announcing Mountain Lion and another from The Theme Foundry’s Duet theme for WordPress and you see how one informs the other.

OS X Mountain Lion Messages App on an iPhone, iPad and MacBook Air

The Messages App on an iPhone, iPad and MacBook Air

The Duet WordPress theme from The Theme Foundry

The Duet WordPress theme from The Theme Foundry

Much like responsive web design, both the form and functionality of any given app are culled as real estate and processing power are reduced. Compromises are made to ensure the best possible experience on any given device. Eventually, you wouldn’t seek out an application on your Mac and then find one that can sync with it on your iPhone (e.g. nvALT and Simplenote). The expectation would be one unified application that has been seamlessly thought through at all levels, making the distinction between mobile and desktop that much more irrelevant. This could inevitably lead to a unified App Store with truly universal apps that span both OS X and iOS.

More than an alignment of two operating systems, you can’t help but wonder if this will continue to bring the best practices used in development for the web, for our apps and for our operating systems one step closer together.

Note: Updated with an additional thought on the future of the App Store and Mac App Store

Filed Under: Technology

Code-Free Geekery

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Michael Schechter • 2 Comments

From Gabe Weatherhead of Macdrifter:

It doesn’t take an engineer to suggest a solution. If a person can use TextExpander, then they have the skills to make technical solutions to interesting problems.

Shameful geek confession: I don’t know how to code. Not one bit. I’ve thought about learning over the years, but I’ve never committed the time to learning how to make a computer do exactly what I want it to do. When I see the things that people like Brett Terpstra, Dr. Drang and Gabe create, I get envious. When I hear Merlin talk about getting closer to the metal, I get tempted. So when Codeacademy offered Code Year, a year-long plan to learn how to code, I signed up along with 384,000 other eager students.

After a month, I’ve come to a conclusion that learning to code isn’t in the cards for 2012. When I look at my priorities and my goals for the year, it isn’t essential. As Gabe points out, the apps that are now available make it possible for someone like myself who has no coding abilities whatsoever to accomplish just about everything I need to. While I’ve had to stretch my own skills, I’m yet to find a problem that Google1 and an existing solution hasn’t been able to solve2. Oftentimes I need to combine a few things together, but I’m yet to find anything that would warrant the time required to learn these skills at this point in my life.

As someone with a full time job, a family with two young children, a blog and a podcast, learning to code just wasn’t going to be a reality. Instead, I’ve come to realize that what I really want to focus on is what I’ve already started sharing here: code-free geekery… showing people just what’s possible with the tools that are already at our disposal. Tools that are simple to use and don’t require a year-long program. I want to show those who have always used excuses like, “I’m just not all that good at computers” what they can accomplish if they are just willing to get past their excuses and over their fear of technology.

Perhaps I’ll come back to coding when time allows, but the reality is, you can make an amazing amount of things for others with your computer without ever actually learning how to make something for your computer.

If you’re yet to subscribe, feel free to signup for free delivery of future posts by RSS or email. There’s lots more code-free geekery to come.

  1. or DuckDuckGo if you’re Mike Vardy. [↩]
  2. Or that I haven’t be willing to live without. [↩]
Filed Under: Creativity, Productivity, Technology

It Doesn’t Make A Damn Difference What You Call The iPad

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Michael Schechter • 12 Comments

We geeks love the nuance of our geekiness. We debate the merit of things like blog comments at length (or more likely ad nauseam). We overanalyze our iPhone’s mute switch. And now we have turned our obsessive need to categorize onto the iPad, questioning if it is a personal computer or not.

As Terry Lucy puts it:

So here’s my definition of a personal computer:

A Personal Computer (PC) is a device that one can interact with seamlessly. A device that can store memories, media, books, TV and film for the user to consume on-demand. A device that the user can create and share their own content from. A personal computer is a device that is easy to use for anyone. [...]

When Apple released the iPad, I would argue that it actually released the first, truly personal, computer.

And that’s a truly remarkable point1, but as Patrick Moorhead argues:

The way technology is headed in the future, calling the iPad a PC will set precedence that will only lead to even more confusion and misinformation. […] Let’s stop classifying the iPad as a PC, it only serves to confuse people.

My thoughts… who gives a crap? We need to stop obsessing about what we call the device and focus on how we use them. People are going to gravitate toward the device that best suits their needs. For a filmmaker, a desktop is likely the most personal. For a writer, it could be a MacBook Air. For a college student, the iPad is likely ideal. For a person on the move, the iPhone might be more personal than them all.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what you call the device sitting upon your desk, on your lap or in your pocket. It matters what you do with them. We are quickly getting to the point where several of the things in our lives could be classified as personal computers. When it comes to everything from our desktop to our phone, these devices are inarguably computers. As to the personal nature of them, well, that is up to us. When it comes to classifying our devices, their names are irrelevant; the only things that truly matter are our needs and the ability of our tools to meet them.

Don’t get me wrong, the introduction and impact of the iPad are important, as Shawn Blanc2 rightly points out:

It’s fascinating that such a small and inexpensive tablet device actually has a shot at replacing someone’s large and expensive desktop computer. But what else is fascinating is that the device and the market are less than two years old and people are already starting to make that transition.

The impact matters. The distinction is a waste of time.

If you truly want to know how personal a device is, go make something with it. Test its limits. Hell, test yours. See what you can accomplish. You’ll quickly know if what you’re using is personal, a computer, or better yet, both.

  1. I’m not being sarcastic, that actually is rather remarkable. [↩]
  2. Note: Both of the quotes above also came from this Shawn Blanc article. [↩]
Filed Under: Technology

Google V. Our Trust

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Michael Schechter • 40 Comments

Leaving Google is going to be a lot of work…and compromise. But it’ll be worth it since they just turned full heel on us all.

Mike Vardy

My soon-to-be Podcasting Co-host1 dropped a bomb on Twitter. He is leaving Google in light of some of their recent, questionable decisions. He is slowly but surely going to unravel as much of his life as possible from their services. And from my understanding, his life is rather raveled in them.

Between recent privacy changes (which I agree with Ben Brooks on, it isn’t a problem for me) and Search Plus Your World (which I agree with MG Siegler on, it’s a relevancy problem for Google as well as a ethical issue for me), many of us can’t help but question Google. So much of this just feels like the strong-arm tactics we saw from Microsoft in the ’90s.

Showing themselves this kind of favoritism not only weakens their core service, it’s an indication that Google is willing to go far beyond leveraging their power in search. They are willing to mortgage it.

So much of my life is spent in Google. It’s spent there because I trust them with my data. My life is deeply entwined in their services; they are at the core of how I manage my communication, my scheduling and my network. They are my foundation. Sure, they are reading my emails, my search results and probably have a camera hidden somewhere in my house, but I knew that was the deal when I signed up. They serve me up ads, I get amazing services at low to no cost. Good for the goose…

But if Google is willing to risk what they’ve built in search, you have to stop for a second and ask: what’s sacred to them? We’re all big kids here, and we understand that they’re a business and not our buddy pals, but it certainly shows what kind of company they plan to become and worse yet betrays who they’ve always been. And that, I’m not sure I can continue to trust… but to be completely honest, I’m not sure I’m willing to unravel from it either. I’ve spent a lot of time getting my act together, building up a foundation for getting things done and Google plays several key roles in that structure. That may not seem like a big deal to others, but to when it’s something you’ve lacked for most of your life, you don’t give it up all that easily.

I’m not proud to admit it, but Google has me exactly where they want me… so deeply entwined in their services that I’ll just turn a blind eye whatever nonsense they try to pull. Just as Google is willing to leverage everything for dominance in social media, I can’t help but wonder if my own desire for their services will drive me to ignore their actions. Sure, in theory I can use all of Google’s services except search, where they make their money, but that seems like a pathetic and hypocritical attempt at “taking a stand.” And while I seriously admire Mike’s stance, I can’t help but remember Quit Facebook Day and question the futility of leaving either (then again, I’m probably just rationalizing staying). Hopefully the FTC does something, hopefully enough people with Google speak out and they back off a bit, but to be honest, I doubt it.

So at the end of the day, here’s the question… is Mike Vardy a man of morals? overreacting? Or just one of the first of many?

  1. oh, yeah, I’m going to be doing a podcast with Mike Vardy… SURPRISE! [↩]
Filed Under: Productivity, Technology

Don’t Go Dark. Do Something.

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Michael Schechter • 6 Comments

From Gabe Weatherhead at Macdrifter :

Banners and Cartoons are not going to create the change most internet users want. I know it’s not something I care to waste time on. Instead, I’m gathering links and writing this post. Here’s some things that will actually make a difference.

  1. Donate to EFF
  2. Donate to Wikipedia (Wikipedia is down today in protest)
  3. Stop giving money to companies that support SOPA or PIPA
  4. Talk to people about what’s going on
  5. Call a representative. A lot.
  6. Support representatives that oppose this garbage
  7. Campaign against representatives that support SOPA and PIPA

As I mentioned in this morning’s post, I’m not a massive fan of today’s blackout protests. Instead I tend to lean towards speaking out and offering financial support when an issue matters to me. If SOPA and PIPA really matter to you, take some of the steps Gabe suggests. Speak out with both your actions and your wallet.

Also be sure to visit Macdrifter.com today. Instead of going dark, he is shining a light on those who support this nonsense.

Filed Under: Technology

The Power Of Tools

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Michael Schechter • 3 Comments

Note: I know that much of the web has gone dark today in protest of SOPA and PIPA, and while I respect any action to stop these bills, I’m personally more a fan of speaking up than protesting. Regardless if your site is light, dark or even non-existent, if you care about censorship please take a moment today to contact your Congressional representative and voice your concern. Now without further ado, a conveniently timed, yet completely unrelated tale about how people should fully understand technology before they decide what to do with it.

Last week a member of my family who will remain nameless finally upgraded from the iPhone 3S to the 4S. Now I’m not going to focus in on the fact that he was reluctant to upgrade because, “I love my current phone and hear it is better than the newer models,” although I could easy write an entire series of posts on why that is just adorable. What really surprised me was this persons reluctance to fully learn the benefits of the new model.

Like most geeks, I tend to be the family IT person. Get a new device, have a question, I’m your guy. When an update happens, I tend to pop up to make sure you’ve upgraded and show you around a bit. We all have our roles in our families, and that’s certainly mine. Not only was said unnamed family member on the old phone, but he was still on iOS 4.1, so I had quite a few things show off. Things started off well enough as people love playing with Siri for the first time, but when we got to the Reminders app, my loving family member was very reluctant to learn how location based reminders (easily one of the best features of the app) work. It wasn’t as if he understood it and decided it wasn’t for him, he wouldn’t even hear about it. It was a “you use the device your way and I’ll use it mine” moment, but I persisted and he obviously loved the functionality once he understood it.

We assume a lot. We assume we already know how to get the most out of our devices. We assume our way is best (and if you’re half as stubborn as I am, you often insist that your way is best), but it isn’t until we truly know what a device or an app is capable of that we are in the best position to decide how it can benefit our lives. Unlocking the power of our tools comes in knowing what they are capable of. While it takes time to learn every nuance of an app, you should at least take the time to fully grasp its capabilities.

Despite my own frustrations with the experience, it was an illuminating moment. Something that reinforced why we need to organize and learn our technology before we begin using it. Sure, this particular experience may be a small thing on the surface, but when you start to think about all the little ways that we don’t fully understand the potential of the technologies we already possess, you begin to understand why we aren’t fully taking advantage of them. Because more often than not, when we think our technology is the problem, it almost always turns out to be our own lack of a understanding as to how they work.

We already have more power than we will likely need in the tools at our disposal, we just need to take the time to learn them rather than simply use them. Especially when you have a mildly obsessive geek in the family such as myself who is willing to walk you through the process.

Do you really understand the power of tools you are using or are you simply using them?

  1. You can lead a family member to water… [↩]
Filed Under: Productivity, Technology

Which Apps Are You Thankful For?

Posted on November 24, 2011 by Michael Schechter • 0 Comments

From Eddie Smith:

I think it’s important to talk about apps that you like. [...]

I know that when I freely advertise useful apps, I win. If developers that make my favorite apps do well, I do well. And so I talk about them. A lot.

You should start talking, too.

Eddie’s post got me thinking. Today we’re all going to spend a lot of time with those we know and love, but why not take a second to say thanks to developers who we will never meet, but make every day of our lives a bit better. While there are a ton of apps that I love and use, there are two that I want to “give thanks” for that rise above the rest.

Instapaper

The first is Marco Arment’s Instapaper. I’ve spoken about it time and time again on this site, but nothing has done more to help me to continually self-educate over the past few years. At its core, is an app that can take whatever web page you are looking at and save it for later in a clean, easy-to-read format on your iPhone, iPad or through any web browser. All of those articles that you want to read, but don’t have time for and never get to… send them to Instapaper and you will always have something interesting to read.

Purchase Instapaper for $4.99 on the App Store

nvALT

Next up is Brett Terpstra’s free and excellent nvALT. This Mac app syncs all of your text files across all of your devices through the magic of Dropbox or Simplenote. It has not only changed the way I write, but is so fast and easy to use that it has done more than anything else to encourage me to write more. If, like me, you are also a fellow Markdown junky (or an aspiring junky), you can support Brett through his easy-to-use Markdown Preview app, Marked.

Download nvALT for free and please, purchase Marked for $2.99 in the Mac App Store

These two apps alone have done wonders to help me continually improve and I could not recommend them more. Thanks Brett and thanks Marco for the time and love you put into these life-altering applications. And thanks Eddie for the great suggestion.

I’m sure you are all spending time with friends and family today, but if you get a chance over the next few days, please share your own favorite apps in the comments, in your own post, or on Twitter under the hashtag #ThanksApps. With the busiest shopping season of the year upon us, I’m sure that many of your favorite developers would greatly appreciate you pointing your friends, family and assorted holiday shoppers in their direction.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hope you are ridiculously full and happy as you read this.

Filed Under: Technology