Wiser Web Wednesday – a semi-regular link to posts of interest from around the web, by those far wiser than myself:

 

The Brooks Review
Ben Brooks considers the merits of his digital vs analogue note taking, and amongst other things, concludes:

And despite my contempt for searching analog notes, as I will explain in the next section, it turns out it really doesn’t matter — because I just don’t search my notes that often.

Although I generally index my notebooks in the opening pages and also use the fantastic Indxd web service (in both cases recording only information I consider I might want to look back on), I too find the need to search extensively back through my hand written notes is fairly rare:
Handwritten Notes

 

Everyday Carry
Although I’m not the most prolific Instagrammer going around, any tips I can get on improving my analogue tool photography I’ll gladly accept.

Some very helpful information here:
How to Take Better EDC Photos in 7 Easy Steps

 

Whsky.buzz
Mark Bylok on the subsequent fallout after the release of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2016, which offers up a Canadian rye as whisky of the year.

Most media outlets got it wrong. The Internet, in its outrage, got it right

All valid points here, and of course equally relevant regardless of the country of origin the winning whisky emanates from. All you can really be sure of is that the Crown Royal North Harvest Rye will be in pretty short supply now and in the immediate future. Thankfully though, there are some other great Canadians in the mix that will now be able to bask just a little bit in the glow.

Canadian whisky is the single most creative category in the whisky world because of the freedom given to whisky makers. If anything, Canadian whisky has been held back by the stereotype that it’s smooth and clean in flavour. The new era of Canadian ryes are anything but smooth, and I mean that in the best of ways.

I guess one man’s Crown Royal Reserve is another man’s treasure:
Canadian Whisky Takes Centre Stage With Controversial “Win”

 

Informal Scribble
Stuart Hazley looks at a very affordable, yet attractive fountain pen from Platinum. I have a Platinum Preppy in the pen cup on my desk which I use intermittently for taking down quick notes or numbers, and every time I use it I smile at how such a cheap pen still provides that great fountain pen writing experience.

More of the same here, perhaps with just a little more class:
Platinum Plasir Fountain Pen (Blue)

If you are seeking some sort of consensus, Ian Hedley also reviews the Plasir at Pens! Paper! Pencils!

 

Eclectidbits
It is never a good thing to hear a fountain pen manufacturer is in financial trouble, much less one that has been operating for 90 years, as is the case with Italian brand OMAS.

OMAS is a wonderful fountain pen brand, with a rich history; be a part of history and join me in crossing pens and wishing them an even better future.

A call to arms from one dedicated OMAS enthusiast (some great looking pens in this post as well). Although perhaps I feel a little guilty in not owning one myself — I’m there in spirit:
OMAS -tars! Save OMAS – use one!

 

Futurity
Having two teenagers has certainly taught me one thing — we are long past a separation between the online and offline worlds. It’s all just life these days. Kids do some amazing things, and often technology plays a big part in that.

Being involved also gets you that much closer to the action, as well as some improved communication with those you are trying to guide into adulthood.

So, yes — my Snapchat account sees a good deal of use:
Kids Addicted To Phones: Why Parents Shouldn’t Worry

 

Digital Life – SMH
The Sydney Morning Herald offers a list of 14 Aussie podcasts. Like many of us, I’m flat-out getting through what is currently in my queue without adding more.

By the same token, there might just be that gem that turns out to be a favourite, like the fantastic Reckoner Podcast for local tech news and opinion.

Perhaps there are one or two here to broaden your mind, knowledge — or both:
Fourteen of our favourite Australian podcasts

 

The Gentleman Stationer
When the going gets tough, the tough finish by hand. A month-long NaNoWriMo odyssey ends in success.

A big congratulations are in order, not only for finishing, but for hammering home with nib and ink for the last 10k — and certainly for the following sentiment:

I’d definitely consider participating again next year

I remember my first words upon finishing last year were “I’m not doing that again”. Nice one Joe:
Done.

 

Fraser Speirs
It has certainly been all iPad Pro recently.

There has been a lot of talk in recent weeks about the MacBook Pro and, in particular, whether it can replace an iPad Pro for getting real work done.

Read that sentence again, and then read this very clever and timely piece from Fraser Speirs:
Can the MacBook Pro Replace Your iPad?

 

Five Senses Coffee Blog
An interesting take on the current state of filter coffee offerings, often a point of difference for specialty coffee establishments.

At the end of the day, a core tenant of the speciality coffee industry is to push boundaries and coffee cultures into places where it has not been. However, our opinions need to evolve and they most definitely should not be constrained in a way that limits experiences that should be approachable and quite simply, enjoyed by many

The suggestion perhaps that in trying to broaden access to speciality coffee, the result has been to essentially create a fairly narrow view of what filter coffee can offer. Interesting indeed:
What Is Good Filter Coffee?

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