jknlsn.

Just a man and his blog.

Cover Image for Making predictions

Making predictions

I'm currently reading The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli. He highlights several interesting biases that relate to our ability to make effective predictions.

Cover Image for Holidays and Asimov

Holidays and Asimov

Astute observers will notice that there has been silence from this corner of the internet for the last six weeks. My partner and I took some time off to visit parts of Europe we'd never seen before, and I read Asimov along the way.

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Over eagerness

I am a sucker for new features, and the new iOS 16, Xcode and macOS updates shown at WWDC are no exception. Install betas on a partition, folks!

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Beginner confusion

When you start learning anything, it will all seem incomprehensible. Just remember that will change. Slowly, but surely.

Cover Image for Delight and remove friction

Delight and remove friction

I was recently reminded of an incredibly influential element of the customer experience that is easy to overlook.

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Tips for TestFlight

Are you making an iOS app and nearly ready for your TestFlight launch? What can you validate with beta testing?

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Play Journey

If you haven't played Journey yet, go play it before reading this. Just trust me on this. I played it on iOS, but any platform will do. Listen to the soundtrack while you play.

Cover Image for Alternate App Store storefronts

Alternate App Store storefronts

I'd like to build my own interface to the App Store, give it a new facade or veneer. I think it could use a fresh coat of paint, some new staff and management practices. Oh and a new algorithm.

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Pleasing everyone

You can't please everyone. So why do we try? I don't know, but I fall into this trap myself often. I often encounter this with my apps.

Cover Image for Why you should use Vote Compass

Why you should use Vote Compass

Regardless of your beliefs and views, I think this tool is invaluable to check that who you are voting for actually have policies that line up with your own.

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What to write about

I was really struggling to find a topic for this week's blog. So much so that I started wondering why I was finding this so hard.

Cover Image for The communication vs consumption dichotomy

The communication vs consumption dichotomy

I'm much less frazzled when I try to use RSS exclusively for reading and email for communication. Actual communication is now appropriately important, and content updates can be consumed at my discretion.

Cover Image for Fun with LifX lights and Python

Fun with LifX lights and Python

When I want to kick off more of a retrowave feel for a late-night coding session, I run this script, and my office lights then oscillate through the same colour scheme as the lights on my keyboard.

Cover Image for iCloud red flag for indie developers

iCloud red flag for indie developers

As a consumer, I love iCloud. One central storage for documents, photos and app data. What's not to love? As a developer, I'm much more wary.

Cover Image for Follow up questions for John List after Tim Ferriss podcast

Follow up questions for John List after Tim Ferriss podcast

I recently listened to the excellent and thought-provoking Tim Ferriss podcast with John List. Here are some of my thoughts and questions.

Cover Image for My ideal barcode wallet app - an unsolicited app outline

My ideal barcode wallet app - an unsolicited app outline

I recently started thinking about what my ideal barcode and QR code wallet looks like, to store supermarket loyalty cards, reward cards or my gym tag. This is my unsolicited barcode wallet app outline.

Cover Image for A request and proposal for App Review Reform

A request and proposal for App Review Reform

I want to see App Store Reform and I've got one idea in particular that I kept coming back to. The aim of this idea, and what I want to see most, is the implementation of an App Review process that accomplishes the goals of keeping the App Store high quality, safe and user friendly while giving developers a clearer path to success. My idea for reform? Apple Jury Duty.

Cover Image for Reflecting on 26 days in App Review Purgatory

Reflecting on 26 days in App Review Purgatory

Recently my game Word Game Hero spent 26 days unable to get an update approved, and I received notice my app would be removed if unable to comply with vague guidelines. This felt like an Apple version of purgatory.

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Minimum Viable Blog

Publishing the first post on this site has me thinking about what I want to see from a blog in the year 2022. This post was initially titled Best in Class Blog, but perhaps best in class is too high a standard.

Cover Image for Why I stopped using Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

Why I stopped using Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

Today I took a break from using Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Why? They just sucked. For me. I have wonderful friends on each platform, my connections aren't the reason. The algorithms are.