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

 

MbS-P-B
I’ve never really found the iOS lock screen a particularly useful aspect of the operating system — though of course acknowledge that also comes down to how I use it (or not) as much as anything.

iOS 10’s design still felt simpler to use, so I started over and instead compared the designs on how many actions one needed to take in order to accomplish common lockscreen tasks

Here Mike Bates takes a closer look and provides some context for why iOS 10 may somewhat improve how I use that lock screen:
Taking A Closer Look At iOS 10’s New Lockscreen

 

Harry Marks
The COVERED podcast remains one of my favourites, and although I’m not looking to ever start my own, there are some great tips here if I were.

It also provides some insight into why it is such a great show:
5 Interviewing Tips I Wish I’d Had When I Started Podcasting

 

MacSparky
Scrivener finally makes it onto iOS, and David Sparks gives things a test run. All of the key features seem to have made the transition, syncing to all of your devices via Dropbox.

That’s the magic of Scrivener. It not only allows you to write and organize your words for your big writing project, it also holds your research as well

I’ve owned the Mac version of Scrivener for a couple of years now and never really had cause to use it, and given the types of things I write (mostly in Ulysses), I cannot see that changing any time soon.

Knowing so many have waited for Scrivener to appear on iOS for so long, it is great to see it finally here, and appears to be just what everyone was waiting for:
Scrivener for iPad and iPhone

 

The Gentleman Stationer
Another of Joe’s Top 5 lists of particular interest to me, given I use pens other than the fountain variety each and every day.

The Hi-Tec-C Coleto, Retro 51 and Baron Fig Squire figure heavily in my own usage, though the Lamy 2000 multi pen does sound like it would fit right in:
Best Non-Fountain Pens for Everyday Use, Part II: Non-Disposable Pens

 

The Penman Post
A guest post from Kate Wai of Pandora’s Box, looking at the gorgeously orange OMAS Ogiva Alba.

I particularly enjoyed this post, and with the same model (number 147 of 327) sitting in my collection, I hope to put down a few thoughts of my own about it in a future post.
OMAS Ogiva Alba Orange Review

 

Three Staples
Coming in at number six on Jinnie’s order of awesomeness ranking of Field Notes COLORS Editions is the Grass Stain Green Edition from 2009.

Although I do not have such a Field Notes list – if I did, this edition would certainly be high on it as well. Another great post from a place that is high on my unofficial and undocumented blogs of awesomeness ranking:
Field Notes Colors: Grass Stain Green

 

Pen Economics
It would be easy to sit here reading this latest post by Jonathon, look at the pen’s price and think: not now, not ever — and leave it at that. High end pens exist for a reason though, and who am I to dampen enthusiasm, even if it is mixed with a little trepidation — rightly so for such a significant purchase.

Of course the post is not simply about a quest for an expensive pen, providing insight into the criteria used and decision making which goes along with such a purchase. In doing so, to me, it also highlights some of the joys this hobby brings — even if a large part of what I read or look at I’ll never own. The reality is — I’m more than fine with that.

To be honest, in the past I’ve always considered pens of this ilk (and cost) were generally bought by those who only had to satisfy the aesthetic criteria outlined in the post. Even then, satisfying that criteria only as far as how it might look on a fancy desk somewhere. That is, the wealthy tycoon for whom the cost is loose change and considering anyone else in the decision to purchase only goes as far as those who may come and fawn over it.

Thankfully, spending more time on this hobby over the past few years, and hearing more of the genuine enthusiasm those within it have for their “grail” type pens, my views have changed a little. It is certainly a joy to hear about these quests, particularly when they are fulfilled. It is also nice to think the pen in question will be appreciated for the fine writing instrument it is, rather than simply a conspicuous yet under utilised adornment on a desk somewhere.

So, for me, this fine pen that is the Montblanc Blue Hour Skeleton doesn’t satisfy my personal aesthetic criteria, and the columns on my balance sheet aren’t quite as wide when considering future pen purchases – the resulting answer for me does indeed become: not now, not ever.

Though for one particular pen enthusiast, it is good to know that same equation returns the answer: not quite now, but perhaps soon:
The Value of a Pen

 

Ninety Plus® Coffee
A brief reminder of why the term “shade-grown” is more than simply a fancy label slapped on some specialty coffee offerings.

Over the last two decades there have been increasing efforts to weave strong threads of agroecology and rainforest restoration in with specialty coffee farming. The results have been not only increased forest biodiversity and better coffee, but through branding practices like the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center’s Bird Friendly certification program, increased buyer loyalty.

A little explanation of a specific coffee growing approach with many positives:
Stewardship for Taste

 

Jimseven
As I was reading this piece by James Hoffmann, I increasingly began to think: does there necessarily have to be the next big thing or change in coffee? The answer is of course not, yet said in the knowledge that there will be something. After all, there always is – eventually.

There will be a point which we will cross in the not too distant future where speciality, as it is now, will be normalised.

As the author points out, normalising specialty coffee obviously results in the collective bar being raised as far as quality is concerned – an overwhelmingly positive result.

So where to from there?

Perhaps there will be a few transient and divergent paths along the way, however I guess something will eventually stick, and away we’ll go – invariably as the fourth wave I guess:
When Speciality Stops Being Special

 

The Age
Melbourne (and Australia’s) coffee scene becoming more scientific by the day:
Chief coffee scientist Monika Fekete: helping create the other perfect fuel cell

 

Perfect Daily Grind
Regular readers might remember my little hit and miss natural coffee processing experiment I recently undertook in my back yard. Things go a little deeper in this article on Perfect Daily Grind:

Ben Weiner explained to me how Gold Mountain use refractometers on their farm to measure sugar content. This helps him decide if the sugar content is high enough for natural processed or honey processed coffee

An interesting read, along with a little refresher on some processing differences for your reference:
Washed, Natural, Honey: Coffee Processing 101

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