jknlsn.
Just a man and his blog.
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.
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.
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!
Beginner confusion
When you start learning anything, it will all seem incomprehensible. Just remember that will change. Slowly, but surely.
Delight and remove friction
I was recently reminded of an incredibly influential element of the customer experience that is easy to overlook.
Tips for TestFlight
Are you making an iOS app and nearly ready for your TestFlight launch? What can you validate with beta testing?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.