Category: Daily notes

• Government should publish user research for the public good
  • https://www.publictechnology.net/articles/opinion/government-should-publish-user-research-public-good
• The cult of bare minimum learning
  • https://postshift.com/the-cult-of-bare-minimum-learning/
• Glucomate – new app to help diabetics tracks their sugar levels
  • https://zachsim.one/blog/2023/4/19/introducing-glucomate
• The end of computer magazines in America – I used to love buying computer magazines in my teens. This was in the mid-nineties, and as a proud owner of an Amiga 500 all my pocket money got spent on magazines where the word Amiga was followed by Format, Power, Shopper amongst other things. The free stuff on the attached floppy disks were always a delight. I’ve not looked at a magazine rack in years, so couldn’t say what the situation in the UK is…
  • https://www.technologizer.com/2023/04/15/the-end-of-computer-magazines-in-america/

• I wasn’t sure about posting yesterday’s note, which was rather limited, mostly because of having a super busy day. But I thought the practice of publishing even short notes is a good one to keep up with
• dxw’s onboarding approach for new staff
  • https://www.dxw.com/2023/04/how-we-do-onboarding-at-dxw/
• Social media is doomed to die
  • https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/18/23672769/social-media-inevitable-death-monetization-growth-hacks
• A rather lovely vertically scrolling website, taking you on a tour of the atmosphere
  • https://neal.fun/space-elevator/
• I finished the Falco book a couple of nights ago. It was ok, 2/5 stars. I think the reason I didn’t enjoy it was because I just didn’t understand the main character. I get that the aim is that he’s a cynical, Marlowe style gumshoe transported to the Roman era. But while Marlowe is believable, and his occasionally idiosyncratic responses to things make sense for the character, I just didn’t find the same to be true of Falco. He just seemed a bit of a berk. Maybe I’ll give book two a go in the future, but I won’t be rushing to, I don’t think.
• Next up is March Violets by Philip Kerr
  • http://philipkerr.org/books/

• No time for notes yesterday, was interviewing all day. So impressed by the calibre of people wanting to work in digital and tech roles in local government. The sector has a bright future if it keeps investing in people like this.
• This guide to content audits looks pretty useful
  • https://lapope.notion.site/Content-audits-a-pragmatic-guide-ce6c08e8e1504f40a0a92370dd4817d7#108aee41ecf24506a432d4ebc9ca8ce5

If you have literally nothing better to do, you can browse the archive of these daily notes.

• Blog formats from Giles Turnbull. Just terrific.
  • https://www.usethehumanvoice.com/formats/
• Super interesting discussion about content moderation and specifically Substack. The use of internet platformsto spread hate speech is a problem as old as the internet, but it’s clearly not good enough for those stewarding platforms to stand back. The ‘Nazi bar’ analogy is new to me but it’s a good one I think.
  • https://www.techdirt.com/2023/04/14/substack-ceo-chris-best-doesnt-realize-hes-just-become-the-nazi-bar/
• I’m a member of a couple of Discord communities, but I have absolutely no idea how to navigate them.
  • https://discord.com/
• Had the misery of watching most of Forest v Man Utd yesterday afternoon. The centre of midfield seemed completely absent for most of the game, I am really not sure what Danilo and Freuler bring to the party. Surridge came on up front and didn’t really demonstrate he is up to Premier League quality. It all felt a bit random – perhaps due to the injuries and size of the squad. But I think, especially given Bournemouth’s good form, we have to be likely relegation candidates unless something remarkable happens.
  • https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65223934
• I do wonder how much the double @ sign in Mastodon addresses puts people off. I know it does me. How can you trust something where such a key element is so ugly?
  • https://mastodon.social/@davebriggs

This is a(nother) thing I am trying to get back into the habit of blogging regularly, recording and reflecting.

• I’m using Obsidian as a text editor for these notes. It has a connector to WordPress which means I can publish them at the end of the day with a single click. Having an offline space to be typing into seems to make it easier to leave things unpolished
  • https://obsidian.md/
• I attended OneTeamLocalGov for the first time this morning. Nearly 30 folk there I think, some interesting things discussed – lots around training and skills, as well as re-using tech in councils (so difficult!) and making change happen
  • https://www.oneteamgov.uk/
• Getting back to reading Dave Winer regularly. So dedicated to blogging, openness, better comms, news and sharing. An inspiration!
  • http://scripting.com/
• I have read 20 books this year so far, not bad going. Mostly thriller type things and historical fiction (Sharpe, etc). But also some history and literary stuff. Currently on the first Falco novel by Lindsey Davis. Not sure it’s for me.
  • https://lindseydavis.co.uk/publications/
• I found the discussion between Tom Holland and Paul Kingsnorth pretty gripping. I enjoy the former’s work on The Rest is History podcast hugely, although I find his books a little too broad-brush for my liking. Kingsnorth I am endlessly fascinated by.
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSz0Q7hoqjk