Wiser Web Wednesday

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

 

Daily Coffee News
As suggested in this post, coffee batch brewing has evolved in many areas with the possible exception of reinventing the actual brewing process itself. Whether or not it needs reinventing is perhaps another matter, however the Ground Control brewer by Voga Coffee is aiming to do precisely that.

Every time you eliminate all the water from the grounds, you establish a new solid-liquid phase partition equilibrium. In advanced chemistry labs, this technique is used to enhance extraction efficiency. This addition of new, fresh solvent to dried grounds essentially ‘re-starts’ the extraction, putting you at the beginning of the extraction curve. You can get at all the flavor you left behind in the prior brew cycles, but also remove all the brewed coffee from the grounds before it ever gets to the point of the extraction curve where bitter tannins are significantly pulled out.

An interesting approach, and as always, the proof will in the cup:
Voga Coffee Readies Ground Control, a Reinvention of Commercial Batch Brewing

Also from Daily Coffee News

This new release grinder from Baratza only needs to work as well as their reputation and grinders which precede it to be a hit.

To this point, conical burr grinders have always functioned with a stationary outer ring burr and a rotating conical inner burr. The Etzinger Mechanism works oppositely. The inner burr is stationary, and the ring burr spins around it, driven by a proprietary direct gear-drive system Baratza has licensed from another Swiss company and tested for strength and durability

A beautiful looking machine indeed:
Baratza Reveals the Sette: One Rotating Ring to Rule Them All

 

Nick Cho on Medium
There are certainly more and more coffee brewers around these days, with another version appearing (it seems) every other day, be it on Kickstarter or by direct production.

Problem is, when the next new machine comes out, your machine has now been made obsolete because your new machine was good at being new, not good at making coffee.

A sobering thought for the new next big thing:
On designing new coffee equipment

 

Jim Seven
James Hoffmann with some high level analysis and comment on dark versus light roasting, and the overall philosophies that have developed relating to same in this current “wave”.

My point is that we are scathing to anyone who lets a roast run a little too deep, while utterly forgiving of those who make the opposite mistake. I would like that to change. I believe they are both equal mistakes, both impact the enjoyment of the end cup (though I would argue light roasting is perhaps worse as it seems to discourage consumption more. Also a painful truth: dairy and sugar do little to make a grassy, sour cup of coffee palatable…)

True enough. Even if you enjoy variety and consider all roasts are equal, there are many who consider some are more “equal” than others — a fact likely to be explained for the most part by footnote two in the post:
Lightness and Darkness in Roasting

 

The Gentleman Stationer
I’d say the following is pretty accurate in the eyes of many who are familiar with both brands of notebooks:

I always think of the Leuchtturm 1917 notebook as the fountain-pen friendly option for those who like the Moleskine aesthetic but hate Moleskine paper.

Leuchtturm is certainly a good place to start when looking for a notebook to handle a far greater variety of inks if you are currently a Moleskine user — assuming you need it to of course. Its only when the search continues you find even more options out there, such as Rhodia and Quo Vadis which Joe mentions in the post — or even this Monokaki Notebook for example.

Wherever you end up, and with so many great colours available, the Leuchtturm 1917 is well worth a run if you haven’t tried one already. A reliable source (me — in store on Monday) tells me you can pick one up for AU$31.99 from your local Dymocks, or the slim version for AU$24.99:
Leuchtturm 1917 A5 Notebook: The Fountain-Pen Friendly Basic Black Notebook

Now is also a good time to remind you Joe’s Newsletter, the Digital Divide is going from strength to strength. The current edition discusses that age-old conundrum of multitasking, in the context of Cal Newport’s theories on “deep work”. Or as I like to call it: focus.

Joe also shares his thoughts on how his analogue tools fit into the mix.

 

The Fountain Pen Quest
A pen I am certainly unlikely to ever be pulling out and using, though I agree with Ray: what a beauty.

Look at it! It’s said that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Well, the Regency Stripe is beautiful in my eyes. While I wouldn’t normally go for something so shiny, this was conservative bling.

Just enough of the shiny, which is held in check by the contrasting black. Perfectly balanced. Love it! A fantastic review by Ray as always:
Review: Sailor Pro Gear Regency Stripe

 

The Well Appointed Desk
I’m always interested in “sketchbooks” from the perspective of trying them as notebooks, given I’m certainly no “sketcher”. In this post Ana also explains the origins of the 140 gsm “cartridge paper” which I was unaware of before now.

Viewed from the reverse of the writing sample, the only show through was the Pilot Envelope pen and a bit of the panda drawing…

Sounds like an extensive and varied testing process to me:
Review: Seawhite of Brighton A5 Starter Sketchbook

 

Matt Gemmell
As I’d expect, there are more eloquent turns of phrase here than pretty much anything else you’ll read on productivity and in particular — task management systems.

And I most definitely think that if you’re using something with a load of bells and whistles that you never touch, it’s a red flag. There’s a cognitive load there, and I bet it’s a bit ego-depleting too. Like you’re playing at being an adult, and hoping no-one notices. I like simple things that I can use elementally and idiosyncratically.

Although I’ve switched over from OmniFocus to 2Do fairly recently, part of that process also involved asking myself whether or not I just needed a list rather than a task management system. I went with 2Do and it’s working well for me.

A compelling argument here though for changing your philosophy and approach — if this resonates with your thinking:
Power Unused

In addition, Matt has just re-released his 5000 word e-book: Writing in Markdown, which is well worth checking out if you already do, or are perhaps considering that format for your writing.

 

Lauren Gemmell
For peak technology awareness and analysis, you needn’t go past the Gemmell household. Here Lauren Gemmell comments on a recent episode of television’s The Good Wife, shown here in Australia on Channel 10.

We all like to think of technology being clean and separate from these human concerns, however the problem with technology is humans.

The piece also mentions diversity in technology, something very relevant to us all.

The episode makes a very clear dig at the lack of diversity in technology and how it influences the products that are built and the knock-on consequences in the real world. It is easy to forget but so important for everyone in technology to keep in mind.

The topic of diversity is also making a frequent appearance in my listening and readings around the coffee industry. That’s two out of the three broad topics I generally link to each week, and is no less important in the third.

This point is also not lost on me in looking through the origins and authors of many of today’s — and previous Wiser Web Wednesday posts:
Data Scientists: if you watch one thing this week make it this

 

Reckoner
If you have a spare $1000 to put down on a Tesla Model 3 electric car, before you do, perhaps check out this comparison by Anthony Agius with the good old Toyota Corolla.

For $60,000 that’s really the domain of a Mercedes A250, BMW 318i, Lexus IS200 or countless other entry level prestige cars I’d normally not give a rats arse about because I can’t justify the extra cost over a more conventional Toyota, Mazda, Kia or Hyundai. But a Tesla, man, I could treat myself and go against every cheapskate bone in my body.

Always an entertaining read, however also a pretty definitive and in-depth look at the potential running costs and possible savings made by owning one of these (eventually) — also, it might run longer between charges than your iPhone:
A Close Look at Tesla’s Model 3 Potential Cost in Australia

 

Macworld
Jason Snell writing for Macworld, in the context of Apple’s recent 40th birthday. Count me in as one of the late adopters, entering the ecosystem through an iPod and soon after, an iPhone 3Gs.

The Mac was so groundbreaking that it deserves a lot of credit, but the iPhone is a product that has transformed Apple. There are many, many people who never used an Apple product before they bought an iPhone

The above quote carries similar sentiment about the Mac to many who have been Apple users far longer than that:
My life as an Apple guy

 

Analog Senses
In contrast to the above, comments were made by Apple at the recent product event last month, stating the 600 million PC’s over 5 years old currently still in use was “sad”.

Writing on his blog at Analog Senses, Álvaro Serrano takes that sentiment to task, mostly likely using either his 2008 or 2010 Mac — as mentioned in the post.

Yes we all like new and shiny stuff, but replacing a perfectly working computer just for the sake of owning the latest is a luxury at best, and irresponsible at worst. In any case, there’s absolutely nothing sad about owning your machines long-term, until they reach the end of their useful life.

Certainly food for thought:
Morning Coffee

 

Fraser Speirs
In putting down my thoughts on making the decision to go with an iPad Air 2 recently, I made a point about the relative merits of the “Pro” accessories, and how they fit (or not) into the overall purchasing decision.

Teaching with, and responsible for the deployment of iPads on a 1:1 basis for a school in Scotland, Fraser Speirs makes a great point about such a decision at scale:

My problem is that, processor performance aside, many of the Pro features just aren’t that important to us. The Pencil support is the biggest one but, if that’s all that really leads us to the Pro, the effective price of getting access to, say 20 Pencils is 20x£79 for the Pencils themselves plus 120x£70 to buy into owning the iPad Pro that supports them. Is access to 20 Apple Pencils in the school really worth nearly £10,000?

Whether its 120 or one — it depends on that all important budget:
Deployment Diary: iPad Pro or iPad Air 2?


In Praise of the iPad Air 2

IMG_1136

Image courtesy Apple

With the release of the 12.9 inch iPad Pro late last year, and more recently the 9.7 inch version, much of what I’ve been reading recently has centred around the virtues of that larger 12.9 inch screen, or equally since earlier his month, the benefit of the “pro features” — namely the Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil support for both sizes of the device.

I’m happy to admit in my links post two weeks ago, I myself extolled the virtues of “newest and shiniest”, however when it came to an actual purchase, common sense and a little objectivity thankfully ruled the day.

My previous iPad? A mini 2 – or as it was known at the time I bought it in November 2013, the iPad mini with Retina display (a 32 GB WiFi model). The mini served me well for over two years, until I made the decision late last year a little extra screen real estate and additional features of iOS 9 (read Split View) were probably something I could utilise quite well on my iPad. Having made the decision to upgrade, I was very tempted to immediately pick up an iPad Air 2 (64 GB) from the Apple Refurbished stock at a pretty decent AU$619, however given the timing, decided to wait until March this year to see what a new release might bring in the way of features and processing.

With that decision made, I had a few months to think about what I really needed in a mobile device, and with a pretty firm commitment to the Apple ecosystem these days, it was always going to be a 9.7 inch iPad. The only question being whether that would be a newly released version, or a pretty compelling iPad Air 2 on a reduced price tier. I was, of course, excited in anticipation of the “new”.

Exactly how do I use my iPad? In summary, I’d say I am a moderately frequent, yet low demand user. By that I mean it certainly gets a good deal of use, however most of that use relates to reading, writing and research; followed by email & social media; with some video content consumed on the way home during my afternoon commute (there’s no better way to wind down after work than with an episode of House of Cards or Vikings). Most of this use typically occurs on the couch at home, at my favourite cafe, or on a bus. By low demand, I simply mean I do no video recording or editing, gaming and only perform infrequent photo editing, with no actual photography. All activities which might be a little more demanding on the processing capacity.

Perhaps I’m mistaken, however I’d like to think this pattern of usage is not unique to me, and I think you can probably see where I am heading with this post.

What they’re saying

The larger model: iPad Pro 12.9 inch

Firstly, a comment on why I so easily ruled out the larger 12.9 inch iPad Pro. For what I use this thing for, it’s simply too big. A tonne of added features mean nothing if it won’t fit where you want to use it. I’m almost at the point where I laugh upon repeatedly hearing “I could never go back to the smaller size after using this 12.9 inch screen”. Well, if it fits where and how you use it — why would you? When was the last time anyone chose to buy a smaller TV unless they absolutely had to?

Believe me, I get it that Split View gives you two “full size” apps side by side; the 4 GB of RAM and A9X chip are fantastic; the Apple Pencil is great; and that keyboard — once “I got used to it”, works really well.

For me however, ruling the 12.9 inch size out was pretty simple, and in fact, it was never really in the hunt in the first place. Great device yes — just too big for how I want to use it, and at a base price of AU$1249.00, never really a consideration.

The smaller two: 9.7 inch Pro and Air 2

The recent release of the 9.7 inch iPad Pro, has brought even more comparisons between screen sizes on the Pro line, and to a lesser extent, between the iPad Air 2 and the corresponding Pro version. A quick scroll down the iPad comparison table on the Apple website will highlight the main differences between the two 9.7 inch iPad models, and my aim is not to provide an exhaustive listing here.

What I would recommend however, is when scrolling down said list, for every difference in specs or dashed line in the Air 2 column, ask yourself whether that will really make a difference to how you use the iPad. And I mean real differences — not just nice-to-haves.

A case in point for example is this, from CNET, admittedly not my usual tech reading source, though many have expressed similar thoughts. Here we have five reasons to pick the iPad Pro over the Air 2, stating “it’s what’s under the hood”. The article then cites:

  • More storage (32, 64 and 128 GB vs 16 and 64 GB for the Air 2)
  • Apple pencil support
  • That “Smart Connector” (with the Smart Keyboard it “means no more bulky batteries in keyboards”)
  • 4K video shooting, better selfies
  • Better audio

We then read, almost as an afterthought, about the A9X chip and M9 coprocessor with Hey Siri capability, and the True Tone display.

Writing on Macsparky (more like my usual tech reading), David Sparks, in a comparison with the Air 2, cites the better processor; the “pro features” (Pencil and Smart Connector); the camera; and better colour and sound. Also acknowledged here are the levellers — being the 64GB Air 2 storage and 2 GB RAM on both models, and introducing the article with the comment that neither is a bad choice.

Looking at the bigger picture, I don’t necessarily disagree with any of the above. Any review of a new device or model will always highlight those new features — otherwise what is the point of it at all. Again, objectively consider what sits before you, how you will use it, and the value proposition it presents.

Which is exactly what I did — before picking up a pretty good deal on a 64GB iPad Air 2 at AU$687.00 last weekend.

Ending up with the Air 2

With reference back to my use case above, let me outline a little further on how I ended up with the Air 2.

Firstly, the Pro model’s A9X/M9 chip/coprocessor. For me, this could have gone either way. Of course, for longevity of performance in future years, faster equals better. The 2GB of RAM (the same as the Air 2) probably swayed me towards the Air 2 a little here. I’d also note, for the way I use the device – I’ve never had any performance issues with the A7 chip on my iPad mini 2. Yes, the Air 2 is significantly snappier across all aspects of usage by comparison, however somehow I don’t think I’ll be hardly done by in choosing the A8X of the Air 2 over the newer A9X.

IMG_1137

Ulysses and MindNode in Split View

Next: go and draw a line through everything which is identical between the two devices on that iPad comparison page — it’s an awful lot of lines. Only a few things remain, essentially those listed by CNET above. It is for you to decide whether they are worth it. I’m simply here outlining how for me, they are not.

I am certainly no tech writer (pretty clear), however what I am is a consumer with a budget, who carefully considered the options and ultimately purchased the best device for my needs at the best available price — I’d imagine the same as anyone. Given these considerations, what follows is simply my thought process before I ultimately made the purchase. Whether or not they able in your case is another matter of course, however I could not be happier after using the Air 2 over the past week.

The Numbers

Any real comparison surely must look at the numbers (read price) to some extent, and if the difference we’re talking was $50 or $60, or even say $100 then I wouldn’t be suggesting there is much of a decision to be made. That said, I also understand new technology comes at a cost. For reference, in Australian dollars, we have:

Model iPad Pro 9.7 (WiFi) iPad Air 2 (WiFi)
Storage 32 GB 64 GB
List Price $899.00 $729.00
Apple Pencil $165.00 N/A
Smart Keyboard $229.00 N/A
Total cost $1293.00 $729.00

Consider that final figure for the iPad Pro for just a second — particularly in the context of many reviews holding up the Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil as some of the main reasons you should invest in the Pro model. It then isn’t “just a couple of hundred bucks” more is it? I say go for it if those are two accessories you could really get a lot out of, though to suggest the price is not much more, and have those as some of the main arguments for the Pro model I find a little misleading, and in many ways a little disrespectful — particularly to consumers prepared to spend the money if required, yet for which it would be a considerable stretch to do so.

I hear what you are saying — no one is forcing anyone to buy anything, and the cost of these accessories can be spread out, yet the tone is often one of you should, or in many ways it would be a mistake not to buy them. In this case, I simply don’t agree.

Of course I have not included the 16 GB Air 2 as the comparison above, which can be picked up even more cheaply, and there are a few very good discounted deals on the 64 GB model available at the moment.

Those points

So in looking at the points made by CNET above, were there compelling reasons for me to go with the Pro rather than the Air 2? Perhaps I have erred after all?

Remember – my thoughts based on my use case.

As far as storage is concerned, the Pro has more storage, yet at the same time less. I have never needed more than 32GB on my iPad mini 2, having never come close to the limits. If anything, it would have been the 32 GB model for the Pro, yet all of a sudden, I now end up with 64 GB and refer you back to the price comparison above. Not a bad deal, of course I could argue just as easily there will be quite a few GB wasted on me, though for the price, I’ll take it.

Regular readers of this site will of course realise, I love my pens and notebooks. For my handwriting, I am firmly embedded in the analogue world, however when it comes to drawing, I am utterly hopeless. My point? Apple Pencil support brings nothing to the table for me as far as features go. Given my fairly jarring lack of creativity with a standard pencil, the only possibility was taking digital handwritten notes with the Apple Pencil. Set aside my pens for that? Not for me.

On to the Smart Keyboard, which I admit to looking a little longingly in the direction of, though again, at the end of the day I cannot justify a purchase here given the price (remember we are talking the combined price of the Pro itself and the Smart Keyboard just for the benefit of this specific keyboard). I do use an external Bluetooth keyboard with my current iPad mini (laughable to some I know), essentially for the extra screen real estate it gives me when writing, however also find it more comfortable to so.

As far as my pattern of use is concerned, when out and about in my lunch break, if I know I’ll be sitting to write, the keyboard is attached just before I leave the office. If I’m not, or prefer to write by pen and notebook that day — it won’t. All other times it is Smart Cover only, as I prefer the iPad as thin as it comes. Although it is minimal, the added thickness of the Smart Keyboard doesn’t appeal to me as an “always on” cover, and I suspect I would find myself swapping it on only when I planned to sit and type as I’ve outlined above. A pretty expensive proposition for a three or four times per week occurrence.

The most likely scenario? Were I to indeed buy the iPad Pro I would most likely have purchased the Bluetooth keyboard I am planning to buy for the Air 2 anyway (at a third of the price), with the Smart Connector left out in the cold. True, there may be additional accessories which will utilise this capability, yet I cannot imagine any over the next few years that I’ll be kicking myself for missing out on.

As for the 4K video and better selfies? I’ve not too much to say here, having never taken a photo on my iPad mini let alone a video. I have nothing against those who do, and a better camera would no doubt be a boon for said people, however I am just someone who has always used my phone. Further I cannot remember the last selfie I took on either device, which is probably a similar boon for any of my followers on social media.

I also mentioned in my Wednesday links post a couple of weeks ago that if the Pro was my preferred purchase, the camera bump would be a non-issue, and after further consideration in writing this post, I’m even more certain on that point. If my iPad lays completely flat when not in use, it is face down on the Smart Cover, and when used, the flattest it will ever get is at the lowest Smart Cover elevation. I cannot come up with a scenario in my daily use where I’d notice it.

I have no doubt the four-speaker audio is a significant improvement on the Air’s two, however in the last 6 months I’ve listened to the audio on my iPad without headphones probably once or twice, and that’s because I was too lazy to get of the couch and go and get them. Again, just not something I’d use.

Finally, I don’t use Siri on my iPad, so the “Hey Siri” option doesn’t afford much benefit, and although I absolutely love the Night Shift feature in iOS 9.3, the True Tone display (while a nice touch), also isn’t a big drawcard.

In conclusion

I seem to have rambled along quite a bit here, however my intention was simply to say: if you are anything like me in how you use an iPad and are considering an upgrade, there is an awful lot to like about the iPad Air 2 in the context of the current iPad line up — particularly given the price. With my main criteria being able to access Split View, at a minimum the Air 2 was needed, however now two options (at the 9.7 inch size at least) are available if you are considering something similar.

For me, the iPad Air 2 is the perfect mobile device to get a few things done, as well as serving up everything else I consume online. The iPad Pro 9.7 inch? It would of course be the perfect device for the exact same thing — it’s just that some things are a little more perfect than others, and at $729.00 (or less with a good deal) for the Air 2, there’s never been a better time to pay a little bit less for that.


Wiser Web Wednesday

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

 

Ink & Flour
There is a lot to be said for a more focused approach in pens inked or in use at any given time, even if our collections may be increasing in overall size.

I have been itching to ink up another pen, something a little bigger or heavier, but we’ll see. I’m very pleased with using a smaller number of pens, I feel like I’m getting to know them better and getting to know the inks better as well.

It sounds like we’ll be seeing a few more pens in the collection here over the coming months, and I look forward to hearing about them:
Loadout Update: End of March Edition

 

Alt. Haven
Earlier in the year I picked up a Jinhao X750 fountain pen with some store credit at local online store Just Write, and am yet to ink it up.

I admit, the overall feel is equivalent to what I paid for it, however that of course doesn’t mean it won’t write well. If Junee’s review is anything to go by, I may be pleasantly surprised, and if I’m not, then there are always options:
Review: Jinhao X750

 

The Pen Haul
A guest post on The Pen Haul from Chris of The Penman Post, looking at the Pilot Custom 74. I like the colour of this model very much, as it reminds me of the grey, blue and transparent colour scheme of my Pilot Custom Heritage 92 – still one of my all time favourites:
Pilot Custom 74 – The Penman Post

 

The Gentleman Stationer
Having backed Baron Fig’s Squire pen fairly late in the game, I will be down the list a ways in receiving mine, though kudos to the Baron Fig team for getting things out on time as promised.

As described, the pen is medium-sized and perfectly balanced in the hand, and the refill extends using a twist mechanism that functions smoothly.

I’d normally avoid a review of a pen I have bought (or backed in this case) yet not received, for fear of reading a bunch of negatives. This time I couldn’t resist having a peek at Joe’s thoughts, which makes me just that little bit more excited about receiving that shipping notice myself:
First Impressions of the Baron Fig Squire: The Pen Is A Mighty Sword

 

The Pelikan’s Perch
Appearance and design a 10/10? Agreed.

Each pen produced has a somewhat unique finish but all are beautiful. The vibrant blue swirls evoke a sense of water flowing amongst the earthy deep browns to create a visually stunning piece.

Simply a stunner — great pen, great post, great pics:
Review: M800 Grand Place (2016)

 

Piktochart Blog
Although I miss the Dot Grid podcast, Will Fanguy’s new gig at Piktochart seems to be going pretty well.

There’s still the hurdle of taking a template like ours (and we have almost 500 of them) and making it work for you. The good news is that with some imagination and a bit of dedicated effort, you can turn something good into something great. The best part is your kids will know you made it. Maybe now they’ll stop giving you a hard time about stealing someone else’s Powerpoint.

Although I’m not a teacher, a few valid points for the business world in this post, where we’re all just stealing each other’s Powerpoints anyway:
3 Tips for Easy and Engaging Classroom Visuals

 

Pinboard Blog
I’ve never used IFTTT to any great extent, however one action I do use is to send archived articles from Pocket as links to Pinboard. That being said, when this recipe ceases to function, that will most likely be the last of my IFTTT usage.

For users left stranded, I recommend taking a look at Zapier or Botize, which offer a similar service, or at one of the dozens of new sites that will spring up next week to capture the market that IFTTT is foolishly abandoning.

For anyone looking for an alternative, it appears there are a number of them out there.

An interesting read on the other side of the story from the creator/operator of Pinboard:
My Heroic and Lazy Stand Against IFTTT (Pinboard Blog)

 

MacStories
This was one of those apps I downloaded some time ago and never really got around to using, however as you’ll read in this post, a recent update is probably as good a time as any to get in and give it a run.

While I’ve been using Copied to move bits of text and screenshots between devices with iCloud, DeskConnect’s simpler approach, 30-day automatic deletion, and integration with documents will work just as well for a lot of people – especially for those who can’t stand the unreliability of AirDrop between iOS and OS X or who just want a quick way to send a file from an iPhone to an iPad.

In my limited time using the app, transfer is indeed fast and reliable.

Worth a look:
DeskConnect Brings Fast File Transfers Between iOS and OS X

 

Asymco
Interesting reading — well if, of course, you are interested in this type of thing — on the next 40 years of Apple.

Combining the history of customer creation and customer preservation with the value obtained from each customer implies that the next 40 years will be about creating another large tranche of customers whose willingness to spend on whatever Apple creates will be relatively unchanged.

A couple of things struck me when reading this post. One was the overall shipments of Windows PC’s over the time period of the review. Yes, I acknowledge that trend is declining, however it was an awful lot of sales and market share over a long time.

Also, think about what devices we may be using in 40 years time, and how we evolve to that point from where we are now. Boggles my mind a little:
The Next 40

 

The App Factor
Probably not something I’d bother doing, however yet another of those little hacks made possible by Launch Center Pro.

Launch Center Pro, which lets you choose what apps you get access to through 3D Touch actions. I’ve chosen to take advantage of this by using it as a way to launch my most used media apps; Rdio (RIP), Sonos, Music.app, and Pandora

LCP seems to be the glue that holds many a workflow together:
3D Touch tips: Using Launch Center Pro as a media controller


Wiser Web Wednesday

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

 

Three Staples
Upon first glance I thought this was simply a Kakuno customisation initiative — an extension of the “whimsical and colourful design” of the pen, which Jinnie describes in the post.

Although the cracked caps are a little concerning, I am sure there are more than a few completely undamaged Pilot Kakunos now sporting embellished caps since this post was published.

Three out of three staples for both vision and execution. I like it:
Pilot Kakuno Fountain Pen Caps

 

The Pen Haul
Cody of The Pen Haul writes about becoming a pen addict. Like many, it began a long time ago, yet accelerated and expanded with the assistance of the internet and discovery of the online pen community.

Although the stories always interest me, I always find it interesting to read about the pens which dot the path of these journeys:
How I Became a Pen Addict

 

The Gentleman Stationer
The Pelikan Stola III definitely caught my attention when I first saw some images online, and Joe’s review certainly doesn’t discourage my interest. This pen actually reminds me of the Tombow Object fountain pen in my collection, which I wrote about a year or so ago.

Pelikan markets this pen as “a modern writing device for a successful start into the business world.”  If that’s their goal, Pelikan has largely succeeded, though the relatively short barrel, inability to post, and the lack of any variety in nib size will probably limit the size of the audience who can use this pen for a true daily writer.

Personally, were I to use it in my “business world”, I finer nib choice would go a long way:
Pelikan Stola III: A New Entry Level Contender?

 

The Pen Addict
I admit to having never been a fan of “word cloud” type patterning — particularly so with my pens. This one? Well, I must admit topic might just trump my usual preference. The texture and antique bronze trim just about seal the deal.

The build quality, form and function of the Retro 51 is, of course, a given. Indeed – I like it.
Retro 51 Coffee Tornado Review

 

From the Pen Cup
Although the nib grind is the hero of this story — what a great looking pen as well.

I’m trying to make 2016 the year of fewer acquisitions and more/deeper use, so it finally seemed like the perfect time to send this pen off to Dan Smith, The Nibsmith, for some nib magic.

To me, that is a sound strategy, and better yet — some mighty fine execution as far as I can tell:
High Praise: An Architect Grind by Dan Smith

 

David Hewson
I must admit I’ve found the Ulysses iPhone app pretty handy for adding a few hundred words to draft posts here and there, as well as putting these links together while sitting on the bus during my daily commute.

Although I could be capturing this text anywhere and adding it later, removing one step from the process makes it infinitely more efficient and convenient.

One essential in my view is that you need to be able to read, edit and make entries on a phone. A lot of the time I have thoughts about the book I’m nowhere near a computer. I need to be able to get them down quickly and have the results synced back to all of the places I want to access them

Author David Hewson writing about another use for this type of convenience — keeping a book diary:
Writing a book diary in Ulysses – David Hewson

 

MacStories
Early yesterday morning saw a fairly subdued Apple event, which included the release of the smaller 5s-by-design, 6(ish)-by-nature iPhone SE.

Macstories is a great one stop shop for all the news and announcements, as well as looking a little deeper into the new products.

Clearly the descendant of the iPhone 5s, the new iPhone SE comes in a very similar form factor, but now packs nearly the same power and feature set as Apple’s flagship iPhone 6s

Having jumped from an iPhone 4s to the 6 upon its release 18 months ago, I am not about to return to the smaller phone, however I do believe the from factor still has considerable merit, and it sounds as though there is a market for such a device:
Apple Announces New 4-Inch iPhone SE

The real reason for my early morning yesterday? To hear about the upcoming addition of the smaller 9.7 inch Pro to the iPad line. Over the past 12 months, I’ve been particularly surprised by the proportion of writing I do when away from home, most of which occurs on my iPad mini 2 — a fantastic device in its own right.

I have however been looking forward to returning to the slightly larger form factor, and the added advantage of split screen capability. A combination which narrows my choice to either the iPad Air 2, 9.7 inch Pro, or of course the larger iPad Pro.

Federico Viticci writes in a review of the new device:

Apple is positioning the 9.7-inch iPad Pro as a smaller version of the bigger iPad Pro that comes with some unique benefits because of its higher portability. The improved display, for instance, with True Tone capabilities directly relates to the fact that more people carry around a 9.7-inch iPad than they do with a 12.9-inch device.

That said, as someone who uses a bigger iPad Pro as his only computer every day, the changes to the display brought by the 9.7-inch model don’t sound as compelling as fast charging, USB 3 transfer speeds, and the additional screen real estate of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

In some ways I’d agree with the above sentiment, however portability is key here for me, and the precise reason I moved from an iPad 2 to the mini in the first place. It won’t be much of an adjustment returning to the 9.7 inch size, and the added benefits I see for my writing workflow I’m very much looking forward to.

Read more on the Macstories review here:
The 9.7-inch iPad Pro: Our Complete Overview

Pardon…? Oh, the Air 2 or the 9.7 Pro? Newest and shiniest does have its place dear reader — indeed it does.

Before I move on, one more thought: there has been a little hand wringing online about the camera bump on the rear of the device. While I hardly use the camera on my current iPad (with the exception of scanning a few documents), I also cannot remember the last time it lay flat on its rear surface while I used it. For me and how I use an iPad? The bump won’t even get a second thought.

 

The Telegraph UK
With a headline like the one below, why would we panic, I mean — wait..what!

Experts say the shortage could last 10-15 years, and push up prices considerably

Don’t panic, but we might be running out of Scotch whisky

Though another article would suggest we need not worry — the French have it covered:

Nicolas Julhès, head of the Distillerie de Paris, said: “Within 15 years the world’s best whiskies will be French. We will be able to stop copying the Scots to bring a real French style. We have the greatest specialists on the ageing who have always worked in wine and cognac.”

Umm… there remains a 15 year gap in there:
Whisky could soon be France’s national drink

 

Perfect Daily Grind
If there is one main aim of adding water to grounds and brewing coffee, it is extraction. An interesting look into the principle of measuring said extraction through TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) via a refractometer

This tends to be between 18-22% extraction, yet each coffee is individual and has a different character. Merely aiming for this golden range, without evaluating its impact on the coffee’s taste, will leave you doomed to failure

Of course, it follows that if there is one main aim of drinking the coffee you have just extracted, it is taste:
Coffee Science: What Is TDS and Why Should You Care?

 

FRSHGRND
Speaking of extraction, one way of achieving the result you are seeking is though even grind particle size — something the Rafino Kickstarter project aims to assist with.

Frsh Grnd take a look:
Rafino Coffee Sieve


Wiser Web Wednesday

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

 

Pens! Paper! Pencils!
What appeals to me most about systems such as the Atoma or Arc is the ability to reorganise the page order at will — something I typically find quite useful for larger projects.

What makes it not quite perfect: while the system is good, the paper can come unstuck now and then if you’re careless turning the pages. There’s also something lovely about writing in a good quality hardcover notebook that you don’t get with this.

Ian has done a pretty good job in sourcing a great value alternative, which incidentally appeals to me even more:
Atoma and Arc Notebook Systems

 

Alt. Haven
Junee reviews a pretty good-looking and well performing entry-level pen, in the Platignum Studio.

An affordable and colourful offering from a brand I haven’t really seen a great deal written about before:
Review: Platignum Studio

 

Crónicas Estilográficas
After seven years of blogging on mainly vintage pens, some thoughts from Bruno Taut on some of the changes that have occurred over that time — particularly as the actual pens become more difficult to acquire.

The conclusion of all this is that writing about pens and, particularly, about vintage pens is a bit like shooting ourselves on the foot. But somehow I enjoy it—the writing, not the bullet.

Thanks to blogs like this one, the information is certainly a little easier to find, but the pens themselves? Perhaps not:
Side Effects

 

Ink and Ben
Ben Elijah with some thoughts on encryption, and an interesting take on perhaps improving your own.

It’s important to make a difficult, mature decision about the compromise you’re prepared to make between the convenience you want and the security that you need. Right now, I want more security and I’m prepared to tolerate less convenience.

So, I’ve decided to experiment with taking my task system partially offline. So I’ve retired my OmniFocus installation and work from paper.

Whether you are talking simple organisation, or something as important as encryption, we all make trade offs in what we use and how we use it. In case you were wondering, the possibility of loss or theft of a physical notebook is also acknowledged:
Upgrading to Paper

 

Laughing Squid
These great looking postcards have a complete picture only when stained with the ring from a cup of coffee — just don’t waste too much finishing off your masterpiece.

Better yet, send me one and I’ll finish it off myself:
Adorable Postcards That Are Only Completed When You Stain Them With a Coffee Ring

 

MacStories
Yes — another blurb from me on Ulysses.

I’ve been using Ulysses on my Mac (and subsequently my iPad) since 2014’s NaNoWriMo, and have not needed to look elsewhere. It has all the features I need, and beyond that, it simply suits me, the way I write, and what I then do with said writing.

One of the significant ways Ulysses stands out and earns its price tag is with a variety of feature, power, and polish in the vein of what I’ve already mentioned, spread throughout the app. In my experience with nearly every app you could name, you’ll be hard-pressed to find much of this elsewhere.

With Ulysses for iPhone now released, read a comprehensive review on Macstories.

Ulysses for iPhone — you complete me:
Review: Ulysses 2.5 for iPad and, now, iPhone

 

Macsparky
One of the reasons I love Ulysses so much is its suitability for all my writing, large or small. Don’t take my word for it though – David Sparks is infinitely more qualified to comment than I:

It lets you collect bits of text together and organize them, reorganize them, hide them, delete them, write them over again, and generally carry you through all the angst that comes with large writing projects. I currently have 2 books half-written in Ulysses and several long legal briefs and letters.

Collecting bits of text? Absolutely, these weekly links are now collected as seperate sheets via the Ulysses iOS extension; tweaked a little; then merged into this post.

Brilliant:
Ulysses Version 2.5 — MacSparky

 

Open Culture
My high school years through the 80’s were in no small part accompanied by a New Order soundtrack.

Not played quite like this though:
New Order’s “Blue Monday” Played with Obsolete 1930s Instruments

 

Colossal
While we’re on music — not really sure how to explain this one.

…the Wintergatan Marble Machine, a hand-cranked music box loaded with instruments including a circuit of 2,000 cascading steel marbles. As the devices cycles it activates a vibraphone, bass, kick drum, cymbal and other instruments that play a score programmed into a 32 bar loop comprised of LEGO technic parts. The marbles are moved internally through the machine using funnels, pulleys, and tubes.

That will do it. Certainly worth a look:
This Ludicrous New Instrument Makes Music with 2,000 Marbles

 

The New Industrialist
A post which although not its specific intention, goes a long way towards explaining why we are so passionate about our side interests.

We may even have an organisation chart that shows that someone is now an ‘Improvement Champion’, ‘Project Champion’, ‘Lean Facilitator’ or some other title. They have been touched by the Magic Wand!

I know them well. Someone, please save me… please?:
Why Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma And Other Improvement Projects Fail

 

The Fix — MistoBox Blog
You could do worse than cherry picking a few of these items for a home coffee brewing setup:
Inside Peek: MistoBox Director of Coffee’s Favorite Coffee Gear

 

The Barista Hustle
A new page on The Barista Hustle looking to create the resource for links to articles on all things coffee, many of which would otherwise be scattered about the Barista Hustle Facebook page.

Matt Perger in the Barista Hustle newsletter describing the page:

Brew recipes, research papers, blogs, videos; you name it, I want The Guide to have it. Soon it’ll be a one stop shop for anyone looking for anything to do with coffee.

A great resource in the making:
The Barista’s Guide to the Galaxy