@macdrifter tweeted a link: You know, just drinking awesome beer and reading about the history of Corn Nuts. As you do on a vacation. http://t.co/mDX35O4P http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/206130650267394049 May 25, 2012 at 05:12PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: Data visualization tools by way of SwissMiss http://t.co/0Gax0KDe http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/206017270311419904 May 25, 2012 at 09:41AM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: Announcing Wolfram SystemModeler http://t.co/qnsh4b9P http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/205992556780199937 May 25, 2012 at 08:03AM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: There's more water on Jupiter's moon Europa than there is on Earth http://t.co/X21fwyVO http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/205982123016982530 May 25, 2012 at 07:22AM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: I'm confused. I thought the TSA just stole them: U.S. TSA to buy thousands of Macs, iPads, and iPhones; pilot Apple TV http://t.co/TlzBUr1E http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/205978975992942592 May 25, 2012 at 07:09AM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: I'm sure this had nothing to do with who pays their salaries: Senate Panel Cuts Off Navy’s Biofuel Buys http://t.co/FiWfCM7y http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/205978786972434432 May 25, 2012 at 07:09AM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: Sure, this pricing *seems* insane, but… I got nothin' http://t.co/ZfzzTfb5 http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/205844373928284160 May 24, 2012 at 10:14PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: A Keyboard Maestro macro to resize images in the Finder: http://t.co/XLKIMYx6 http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/205824831281827843 May 24, 2012 at 08:57PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: @amahnke I'm all set http://t.co/WBe2Ptno http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/205797816956747778 May 24, 2012 at 07:09PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: @amahnke http://t.co/ByuVw4iE http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/205793103611826177 May 24, 2012 at 06:51PM

Entitled Readability

Just spit-balling here, but I was thinking of offering a for-pay service where I subscribe to Readability. Readers pay me a small fee and I then use my single Readability account to package their products and send them to you. You will never need to visit the Readability site or even participate in their business. If Readability contacts me on behalf of each user individually, I will then give them a portion of your money. Yes folks, I want to protect you and be your middleman. I will be your gateway to distasteful businesses with poor planning.

This should certainly be douchey enough to get VC backing.

Just a reminder of who Readability is:

Before we cool down and come to our senses, we might as well share how we’re feeling right now: we believe that your new policy smacks of greed. Subscription apps like ours represent a tiny sliver of app sales that represent a tiny sliver of your revenue. You’ve achieved much of your success in hardware sales by cultivating an incredibly impressive app ecosystem. Every iPad or iPhone TV ad puts the apps developed by companies like ours front and center. It was a healthy and mutually beneficial dynamic: apps like ours get exposure and you get to show the world how these apps make your hardware shine. That’s why we’re a bit baffled here.

Studio Ghibli Postcards [Link]

As a major fan of all things Miyazaki, this is now something I own.

By way of BoingBoing

Expert’s Guide to Instapaper [Link]

Eddie Smith does his typical high quality work on Macworld. A good quick read for anyone using Instapaper.

As a side note, I really enjoy the Macworld freelance writing done by smart people. Between Macworld and TechHive, I think Jason Snell has made a significant and positive impact on the quality of actual journalism about Apple.

Keyboard Maestro Zip and Share [Link]

I’m just catching up on my Keyboard Maestro reading. There’s some good stuff happening with it these days.

Eugene Gordin has been evolving some really nice macros to fit some unique use cases. This one zips a group of files and shares them on Dropbox for a limited time. Hazel does some file clean up at a set interval to remove the shared files. A really nice way to do it.

TextDrop 3.5 Update

TextDrop 3.5 is out now1 and brings some big enhancements for customizing the text preview window. Version 3.5 brings features like custom stylesheets, iframe support and embedded javascript.

Every update to TextDrop is significant.

What I really like is that the developer adds these features to scratch his own itch. The app gets better because he uses it.

Go watch the video.

What is TextDrop? It is the best webapp for Dropbox based notes. I’ve reviewed it previously. ↩

Lumin App

Lumin has been out for awhile but I only recently discovered how useful it can be.

Lumin is an electronic magnifying glass that uses the iPhone camera. I’ve used it a couple of times when I needed a close look at something while not at home. When I am at home, I have a jewelers loop a retina-qaulity display.1

Here’s the tip of my Adonit Jot snapped with Lumin.

A couple of weeks ago, my daughter was playing with a reflector rod used to mark my drive way. It helps the snow plows know exactly where they can do the most damage to my yard. Little did I know, the rods are made out of fiberglass. My daughter ended up with several fiberglass splinters in her hand and I ended up being a jerk.

The jewelers loop was useless for finding them. I was running out of options to demonstrate my super-human daddy skills. I grabbed my iPhone and opened Lumin. It was worth a shot. It worked, but not just becuase of the magnification.

The iPhone camera picked up the light reflecting off of the splinters and showed them as tiny bright-white dots in the image.2 I’m guessing this is an artifact of the sensor technology, but I’ll leave that for a Dr. Drang post.

I could not remove the splinters with tweezers, but Daddy’s utility belt always has the right tools. Gorilla tape to the rescue.

I’m back on my temporary pedestal.

wink, wink, nudge, nudge. ↩

Lumin easily allows the flash to be used as a flashlight while viewing. ↩

Todo List [Link]

What, no inbox-zero? This kid could be so much more productive.

Chemical Free [Link]

Previously, one of my biggest pet peeves was the expression “chemical free” with second place going to “organic”.

Over time, and as I became more thoughtful about how science is viewed by the average person, I softened. I became more pragmatic. Language exists to communicate ideas. When the meaning of a word or expression becomes commonly used and excepted by a majority in a group, then the definition changes. Holding on to the original meaning is futile and a waste of effort. Only huge amounts of money can force a change in mind share.

That doesn’t mean I don’t die a little inside when I hear stupid expressions.

“Irregardless”

“I found it in the last place I looked”

“I could care less”

@macdrifter tweeted a link: How a phone's accelerometer works - a terrific video http://t.co/pqZyEe6K http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/205118751463579649 May 22, 2012 at 10:11PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: Every aspect of Facebook is shady and deceitful: Here's The Inside Story Of What Happened On The Facebook IPO http://t.co/sPn1voP0 http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/205117469638131713 May 22, 2012 at 10:06PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: RT @lexfri: Flashed Face Distortion Effect (via @flargh)—this is an amazing optical illusion. http://t.co/oamOJOz8 http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/205090247749537792 May 22, 2012 at 08:18PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: Who knew, the Wolfram store has some nice stuff: http://t.co/BioardT0 http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/205086239517446144 May 22, 2012 at 08:02PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: Keyboard Maestro macro for quick DDG bang searches in Safari: http://t.co/hssc0eoP http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/205083035811581953 May 22, 2012 at 07:49PM

Keyboard Maestro 5.3 Update

Another solid update. This time Peter has added a bunch of image manipulation actions and better mouse controls. Every time I build some elaborate solution with twine and tape, Peter comes along and embarrasses me with a new feature set in Keyboard Maestro.

The NEC 3090WQXi Monitor

Just a quick post to praise the 30″ monitor that has been in daily use on my desk for five years1 without a single problem.

The poetically named NEC LCD3090WQXi display is a beast. But it is a beautiful beast. Every pixel is bright and accurate. The hardware controls are easy to access and actually work. There are built in power saving modes to power down the display after a finite amount of time. Finally, “The Beast” pivots to portrait mode (my preferred orientation as a secondary monitor) with little effort. I paid a grotesque amount for it when it first came out. As the Macworld review shows, it was $2,200. But, as the Macworld review shows, it was worth it.

The brightness and colors are still excellent. I have not had any need for service. If this old boy ever dies, I will replace it with another NEC without even thinking about it.

I’m almost positive I bought it at the end of 2006 before the holidays. I bought my Mac Pro in 2006 and the monitor followed shortly after. ↩

Reagents iOS App [Link]

Looks exactly like the kind of app I would have drooled over before I became a jaded ex-chemist. A bit pricey at $5 but incredibly cheap in the world of chemistry software. 1

Affiliate Link.  ↩

Mr. Arment on The Verge [Link]

Not much knew for fans of the Build and Analyze podcast, but a good 20 minute summary.

@macdrifter tweeted a link: Some LaunchBar custom site searches with DuckDuckGo: http://t.co/pDaGAgw1 http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/204743943114588161 May 21, 2012 at 09:22PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: RT @panic: REPOST: If you thirst for more Coda 2 info, beta tester Andy Soell (@amsoell) has some! ªªhttp://t.co/1wmMJ2vA  —Cºº http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/204717799673831425 May 21, 2012 at 07:38PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: Just checking: http://t.co/0MN4Qxkc Diet Coda 2880 minutes away. http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/205085469820719108 May 22, 2012 at 07:59PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: Coda 2? Diet Coda? Best reveal of the year? Yes. I love @panic http://t.co/Ek1pUn04 http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/204665505607467008 May 21, 2012 at 04:10PM

Regarding the Talk Show [Link]

From Dan Benjamin

Bang Beer Search

I just realized that DuckDuckGo provides a search bang to automatically search BeerAdvocate.com. They get me.

!beer pretty things

Gets a list of some excellent beers.

More Python and Mac Clipboard [Link]

A really nice post about using the Mac clipboard in Python. Specifically, the script adds a nice bit to filter the clipboard content type. The entire site is great.

Why Wasn’t I Consulted [Link]

A timely article linked by Gruber.1 Paul Ford’s take is one of the best things I’ve read all week. Smart.

Brace yourself for the initial angry wave of criticism: How dare you, I hate it, it’s ugly, you’re stupid. The Internet runs on knee-jerk reactions. People will test your work against their pet theories: It is not free, and thus has no value; it lacks community features; I can’t believe you don’t use dotcaps, lampsheets, or pixel scrims; it is not written in Rusp or Erskell; my cat is displeased. The ultimate question lurks beneath these curses: why wasn’t I consulted?

I really like Gruber’s style in linking to an appropriate response written by someone else about different events. ↩

TheMacBundles [Link]

A new Mac bundle provider (or at least new to me). I like the build-to-order option of just choosing things I want, but I really like the business policies.

TheMacBundles’ cooperative marketing model brings unprecedented value to consumers while also returning to developers an exceptionally high percentage of the revenue produced by the sale of their software. Additionally, TheMacBundles’ no-fine-print policy means that purchasers of its bundles get the same software, support, licenses, and upgrade benefits that apply to users who pay the full price for the software. Also, users always get a 30-day money back satisfaction guarantee on the software that they order on TheMacBundles’ website.

I would warn though, check the retail prices for yourself. Some of the prices listed are not for the standard consumer versions but for site licenses, which are generally inflated.

By way of MacMegasite

@macdrifter tweeted a link: I wasn't aware there was such a thing as plastic kegs: Worker’s death in keg explosion puzzles beer brewers http://t.co/jyrLUahE http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/204355502099013634 May 20, 2012 at 07:38PM

Python and OS X clipboard

@macdrifter tweeted a link: A few things to remember while coding in Python. http://t.co/inPfysFW http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/204352161033895937 May 20, 2012 at 07:25PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: Inbox Evil Numerology. http://t.co/VaezjY26 http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/204200362486403073 May 20, 2012 at 09:22AM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: 75 minute DFH with steaks. Great combo. http://t.co/OdlclsTP Better than it sounds. http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/203981526814298113 May 19, 2012 at 06:52PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: I am sure about this though. Jack D'Or is a good summer brew: http://t.co/zpNJnyNk Lovely after digging a ditch this afternoon. http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/203956077635702784 May 19, 2012 at 05:11PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: I'm not so sure about this one. Beer with Bacon?: What does a Lumberjack have for breakfast? Or Lunch? http://t.co/bxK4kP7W http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/203955406257651712 May 19, 2012 at 05:08PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: Beer Popsicles: Lemon Pale Ale http://t.co/8SPQ8CEp http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/203955132801613824 May 19, 2012 at 05:07PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: Summer New England wine tasting. Great weather, mediocre wine. http://t.co/tOzsjgx3 http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/203923829452587008 May 19, 2012 at 03:03PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: Things that I actually concern myself with. http://t.co/nwhZOGZK http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/203894315242631168 May 19, 2012 at 01:06PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: 40 Hours and a Mule. Uncharacteristic cursing and all: http://t.co/JxOnhzw8 http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/203856685524197377 May 19, 2012 at 10:36AM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: Snipt – Long term memory for coders http://t.co/Tm2o8Fqw http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/203809247790772224 May 19, 2012 at 07:28AM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: Miles Davis turned to Nancy Reagan and said... http://t.co/FItrc1Ze http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/203806269449043968 May 19, 2012 at 07:16AM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: In Defense of Polymaths http://t.co/p0J76IDo http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/203637645602066433 May 18, 2012 at 08:06PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: Wow, Lri just smart bombed my NVAlt Tips post and left brain drippings everywhere. I love smart comments. http://t.co/AMILDrzx http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/203617575710633985 May 18, 2012 at 06:46PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: Related: It Takes 6 Days to Change 1 Line of Code http://t.co/ggTacTZg http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/203611140817817600 May 18, 2012 at 06:20PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: Why Quit? Because They Have Bigger Monitors http://t.co/uGN8nI0I http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/203610623966322688 May 18, 2012 at 06:18PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: This guy cost Apple $96 billion this week http://t.co/drIkaso1 http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/203609987786878976 May 18, 2012 at 06:16PM

Before Watchmen [Link]

I like the Rorschach cover the best. Look at the image on his mask.

By way of Twitter

Optimism Bias [Link]

Ted Talk on Optimism Bias. I guess I’m the 20%.

I liked this quote in particular:

Remarriage is the triumph of hope over experience

—Samuel Johnson

By way of SwissMiss

@macdrifter tweeted a link: @cgarmstrong By not violating the Wil Wheaton rule: Don't be a dick. http://t.co/aQ4WWsav http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/203515356919238656 May 18, 2012 at 12:00PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: @MSchechter @ttscoff http://t.co/nZElw5Vw http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/203496149485760513 May 18, 2012 at 10:43AM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: @ttscoff I think you have to admit, the ad placement in Peg.gd is pretty bad: http://t.co/6awRBlXL http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/203485417360723968 May 18, 2012 at 10:01AM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: NVAlt Tips: http://t.co/sn5kbRrO http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/203476058723454976 May 18, 2012 at 09:24AM

Is HDL Always “Good Cholesterol”? [Link]

A good summary with plenty of references at In the Pipeline. Lower LDL is proven to be good. Higher HDL, not so proven.

List Python Packages [Link]

Clark’s script prints the entire list of Python packages installed with easy_install. I don’t know what’s normal, but I feel like maybe I have too many.

@macdrifter tweeted a link: The secret molecular life of soap bubbles (1913) http://t.co/rZJfnQkR http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/203291428607111170 May 17, 2012 at 09:10PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: Texas's war on history http://t.co/vco356zj http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/203290155321266177 May 17, 2012 at 09:05PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: @MSchechter Like I said. "If true": http://t.co/Zehf4ZTl http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/203283778779619328 May 17, 2012 at 08:40PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: A federal judge learned to code http://t.co/sWZgRccP http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/203278225944739840 May 17, 2012 at 08:18PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: Even a baby tree bottled in November tastes amazing: http://t.co/6EA5aEsy http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/203245314889613312 May 17, 2012 at 06:07PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: On “Stealing” Jokes http://t.co/M2PWSQrY http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/202914014064427008 May 16, 2012 at 08:10PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: Do Psychedelics Expand the Mind by Reducing Brain Activity? http://t.co/ddbCGnu1 http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/202913264554872833 May 16, 2012 at 08:07PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: I tried to resist but I couldn't. Please teach how to code: http://t.co/jBy1PzvD http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/202741925839777792 May 16, 2012 at 08:46AM

Byron Sonne [Link]

Remember kids, even when the judicial system works, you’re still pretty much screwed.

A moment of sanity from the Canadian judicial system, and all it cost was Sonne’s marriage, house, and freedom.

Selenophenol [Link]

From In the Pipeline:

The biggest stinker I have run across. . .Imagine 6 skunks wrapped in rubber innertubes and the whole thing is set ablaze. That might approach the metaphysical stench of this material.

Also known as things I have regrettably worked with. Every step of the chemistry sucked. Luckily, I spent so much time in lab, no one ever noticed that my skin and hair stunk for a couple of months. So when I see dapper scientists in nice white coats and perfect teeth, I known that it is mostly bullshit. A lot of basic science is done by smelly, unkempt, poorly dressed and often hung-over graduate students regularly sacrificing their wellbeing.

@macdrifter tweeted a link: Speedtest X HD received a nice update. Still love my FiOS speeds. http://t.co/wCEjH1IX http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/202569653883650050 May 15, 2012 at 09:22PM

@macdrifter tweeted a link: I think the Internet just ran out of surprises for me: Zookeeper reportedly licks baby monkey's anus for over an hour http://t.co/VzllwTGl http://twitter.com/macdrifter/status/202538091192393729 May 15, 2012 at 07:16PM

$10K to $15K a Day in Donations [Link]

The biggest Kickstarter in the world is still Congress. From This American Life:

I needed to bring in ten to fifteen thousand dollars a day [for two years]

Think about that. One congressman. $10K-$15K a day to get reelected. Not to build something. Not to create infrastructure. It’s to run ads to buy votes from people that do not understand what they vote for.

Another great one about the return on investment for a giant corporate tax break called the American Jobs Creation Act1:

22,000%. So For every dollar on average these firms spent on tax lobbying they received $220 in tax benefits from this repatriation provision.

It passed in 2004. Sure, it had other provisions tacked on, but it was really a huge tax shelter. How’s that job creation working out? ↩

The Janitor from Columbia [Link]

It’s a feel good story about reaching beyond limitations and finding new potential. But I think it highlights how much a society loses by not creating an inexpensive route into higher education. Is there any downside to getting an education other than debt?

By way of Kaush’s Journal