mattgemmell

mattgemmell, 7 months ago to random

Quite enjoying this look.

mattgemmell, 7 months ago to mechanicalkeyboards

Further adventures in #mechanicalkeyboard ergonomics.

Alternate view of clamped split keyboard, seen from left and behind.

mattgemmell, 7 months ago to random

Finally set up the new wifi system at home. We have modest cable into the house, and were using an amplifi hd router before with two meshpoints. New system is the tp-link deco, in its 6e variant, also with three units in total, same positions as before. With the 6GHz band dedicated to backhaul (not wired), my upstairs office furthest from the modem now gets 9x faster downstream, pretty much hitting the up and down rate cap. Amazing.

mattgemmell, 7 months ago to random

If you’re a software developer who thinks the job is just writing code, then yes, you’ll soon be replaced by a computer, and rightly so. Likewise for writing a novel being just word-generation, or making a piece of visual art being just pixel-generation.

mattgemmell, 7 months ago to random

New wifi mesh kit arrived. Maybe I’ll set that up this evening, instead of sitting on the couch with my iPad and a drink.

mattgemmell, 7 months ago to random

Without much expectation, I’ve added “don’t use my content to train LLMs etc” terms to my site. At least I’m being explicit about it in a legal sense.

mattgemmell, 8 months ago to random

Another thing I really love in iOS 17 is the ability to use your phone as a facetime camera with your Apple TV. We got a simple gooseneck clamp holder for the phone so it can clip in just above the TV horizontally, and it works perfectly to do facetime calls on the big screen. No issues with being heard, and it even does the iPad Centre Stage thing where it pans/zooms to keep everyone in frame. My son loves it.

mattgemmell, 8 months ago to random

I really love the iCloud shared photo library thing. The convenience and joy of knowing that any pics my wife or I take of our son or the dog will automatically be available to each other is a huge improvement to manual sharing.

mattgemmell, 8 months ago to random

The programmer’s sickness.

1. I should use SVG images for scaleability. 🙂
2. I should support dark mode for the images. 😃
3. I don’t like the markup generated by any of these vector editors. 🤨
4. I could just hand-code the images. 🤔
5. I should write an SVG generator for my use case. 🤓

mattgemmell, 8 months ago to random

The combination of colour wash, the depth effect, and auto-shuffling photos of just people and pets on iPadOS 17 is stunning.

iPad on desk at an angle. Image is purple colour wash of my dog looking at the camera with strained patience.
iPad on desk, Lock Screen of my son smiling at the camera.

mattgemmell, 8 months ago to random

Tiny bit of progress on the #workshed today: a third life for our (acquired second-hand for a tenner years ago) old bedroom chest of drawers. Parts storage, once I’ve rebuilt the drawers and added some dividers.

mattgemmell, 8 months ago to random

PSA: you can enable mood check-ins (with reminder alerts) in the Health app in iOS 17. A bit of mini-CBT with no extra apps needed.

mattgemmell, 8 months ago to random

First time time I’ve ever had a big phone (iPhone 15 Plus), and while it’s certainly easier on my eyes in the evening, putting it in my pocket is like having a leg splint.

mattgemmell, 8 months ago to random

If you ever find that I’m zoned out, deep in thought and unresponsive to conventional social overtures, just know that I’m pondering some things.

mattgemmell, 8 months ago to random

I’m officially a convert to the thunderbolt hub. Power, external 4k display at 60Hz, couple of spare thunderbolt or usb-c ports, and four powered usb 3.2 ports, all with one mains plug and no hassle.

mattgemmell, 8 months ago to random

@sdw Can you add an option to remove all the flickery stuff from Orion? It’s physically nauseating/painful for people with balance disorders or certain visual impairments. I checked the advanced preferences but I can’t understand what any of the cute labels and sliders actually do, if anything.

mattgemmell, 8 months ago to random

I gave in to that voice inside my head and finally cut a little groove into the underside of my desk at the front, to mark the halfway point. Now I can align things like a lunatic without outwardly looking like quite as much of a lunatic.

mattgemmell, 8 months ago to random

Trying out Personal Voice on iOS 17, from here in my wee Highland village on a Hollywood backlot.

video/mp4

mattgemmell, 8 months ago to random

Bit of a new setup.

Angle view of keyboard from top
View from below

mattgemmell, 8 months ago to 13thFloor

My 141st free weekly mini-story is out, and you can read it here: https://mattgemmell.scot/books/once-upon-a-time/stories/flags/

(Why not subscribe to get these in your inbox too?)
#amwriting #fiction #shortstory

mattgemmell, 8 months ago to random

Any advice on an Android tablet for my dad to use? iPads/Pixel/Galaxy-S are above his price bracket. Needs are modest: web, email, maybe streaming movies. Say 10-11”. Would prefer it not be a Fire device due to lack of in-built Google Play Store. What’s meant to be decent these days? Galaxy A-series? I don’t know the brands.

mattgemmell, 8 months ago to random

Imagine the laughs if Apple announced an AWS competitor.

mattgemmell, 8 months ago to random

If you’re getting a new iPhone, remember that the cable in the box is USB C-to-C, i.e. C connector at both ends. If you have a USB-A-to-Lightning cable plugged in at the bedside like a lot of people, you’ll need either a USB-C charger/plug, or a USB-C (male) to USB-A (female) adapter. The latter are readily available for a few quid in multi-packs, but plan ahead. If you’re on MagSafe, then of course no change needed.

mattgemmell, 8 months ago to random

Apple will do anything to reduce their carbon footprint, except breaking out of the incremental annual hardware upgrade cycle that serves shareholders above customers and the planet. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

mattgemmell, 8 months ago to random

You know you’re getting older when the names of online services become nouns before you get around to finding out what they are.