My 2023 Computing Retrospect

Many tech changes filled out this year for me. There were new devices, apps, systems, and games. My setup switched more than once. I can’t imagine as much happening next year, but it wouldn’t surprise me either. And really, this year’s turnover of digital tools and toys is kind of my norm.

My 2023 Blogging Retrospect

This was a busy blogging year for me, no doubt! I blogged across four platforms and may have finally settled on “The One.” Time will tell of course. Part of the busyness was directly related to the upheaval of Social Media as we knew it, with Twitter officially imploding into X. Also, for the first time ever, I blogged long-posts every single day for an entire calendar month; I’ll probably never do that again.

Pokémon Violet Impression

Surprising nobody at all, I started playing a new video game, coinciding with my recent Pokémon TCG revival. As if getting back into TCG by itself wasn’t consuming enough, add to that a new role-playing game. RPGs are my fave, so yeah! Pokémon Violet is fresh on my Switch.

Playing With Pokémon Fire

Pokémon TCG Live is somewhat new-to-me, replacing the good ol’ TCG Online. It gives you some battle decks to start off. So far, I’ve scored three consecutive victories with the Arcanine ex deck (and lost one). A fire deck that favors attacking, it’s been fun.

Pokémon TCG Bug Bites Back

I quit playing Pokémon TCG over a year ago. Though fun, challenging, and engaging, it also consumes time, money, and space. So instead, I chose to spend my limited free-time enjoying RPGs on my Switch. But then I started taking my son to Pokémon League again, dropping him off while I do other things. One thing led to another…and I’ve been bitten by the Pokémon bug again. But I think it’s a small bite with a bonus.

My 2023 Reading Retrospect

Last year, I bought the newest Kindle Paperwhite; it’s awesome! This year, I read almost zero books on it; that’s awful! Goodreads thoughtfully reminded me how badly I bombed my Reading Challenge 2023. And you know what? No worries.

My 2023 Gaming Retrospect

This year, I didn’t watch a single minute of the annual Game Awards show. I was too focused on finishing construction on my home’s bathroom addition before Christmas. And honestly, I’m not that interested in the show itself but in the results. I just like to know what RPGs won awards and how well Nintendo games did.

Setup Switching Habit And Hobby

As a tech geek, I suffer from chronic setup switching. Bouncing from one system of devices or apps to another is an ongoing habit and hobby. Either bored with stale or tempted by shine, I like to try new tech tools or revert to the familiar.

Apple Journal Lock In

The Apple Journal is coming. And as I’ve expressed my concerns before, I plan to abstain from using it and don’t think I’ll even try it. Not to brag, but journaling is a “solved problem” for me, so I don’t need a new solution no matter how shiny Apple markets it. Yet having some interest, I watched CNET’s recent video in which Bridget Carey previews it. Something she said about “lock-in” struck a chord in me. And with that I want to reiterate some reasons why I won’t use Apple Journal.

Sometimes Hardware Sells Software

There’s the idea that “Software sells hardware.” If there’s a certain app you want or need strongly enough, you’ll buy whatever device that’s required for its usage. If you want to play PC games, you buy a PC instead of a Mac for example. Want to play Mario or Zelda? You must buy a Nintendo device. Many folks prefer Apple’s software operating system or Mac-only apps like Final Cut Pro, so they buy a Mac instead of a PC. But sometimes it goes the other way: hardware sells software.

Forgetting My Phone Was Unsettling

Today I took one of my sons to our local Pokémon League meetup. He has a phone, so I was to drop him off and he could text me if he needed anything while I was Christmas shopping. But as I started to leave, I suddenly realized my phone wasn’t in any of my pockets. I left it on the charger at home! It was kind of an unexpected shock. I casually told my teenage son he wouldn’t be able to text me, but I’d be elsewhere in the mall and return before too long, so no worries. Yet once I went Christmas shopping, concern gripped me.

Why I Dislike WordPress Stories

One of my dear readers asked me the other week what I thought about WordPress Stories posts. My first thought was, “What’s that? Never heard of it.” I was clueless until recently when I searched for the page that announced and explained it way back in March 2021. Else, I had a vague guess, based on Story posts I’d seen on social media. I won’t use the new format. Why?

My WordPress Blog Exits The Fediverse

ActivityPub is cool. It’s the protocol that enables the Fediverse, a standard way to better interconnect between different online platforms. It does for social media/blogging what protocols do for email and the web in general. Mastodon is built on ActivityPub, for example. The Fediverse is kind of like the Blogosphere 2.0.

The Post-Smartphone Era Is Not Upon Us

Over the past few years, some in the tech press have expressed the notion that a new device category will replace the smartphone, as if it’s inevitable. Will it be the AR/VR headset or some other advanced AI wearable? The idea is like the one about tablets ushering in the post-PC era. Well, PCs are still trucking along. And though we’ve reached “peak smartphone”, I’m pretty sure it’s here to stay.

Switching Up The Switch Setup

Last week, I made a big switch with my Switch. Because it can totally do that! No longer do I dock it for console mode; I’ve gone handheld. Also “tabletop.” This switch up is possible because Nintendo nailed the design years ago. Basically, the company shouldn’t switch its winning strategy. Just spec bump it.

Obsidian Is My Kryptonite

Well, I didn’t mean to switch my setup, but I’m back to Obsidian again! It’s super-powered purple kryptonite and I’m just scratching the surface. I only meant to test it out with HTML, which found a crack in my Apple Notes armor. Notes is a great app and I still have some use for it. But for my HTML coding and journaling, I find volcanic glass works best.

JBL Wireless Earbuds Are Supersonic

Hear me out: you don’t have to spend a lot to get great wireless earbuds. In early summer, I started using my AirPods (gen 2) again because they’re so convenient. Then a month ago, I was thinking it’d be nice if they had a USB-C port for charging (or at least the Qi wireless charge feature) like the newly updated AirPods Pro 2. Then it hit me: I’ll just use my JBL headphones since they have USB-C, sound much better than AirPods, and have noise cancelling. But there are trade-offs.

Apple Journal Concerns

I’ve been journaling for many years, using different apps, and typically like Apple’s software. So of course I’m interested in Apple’s upcoming new Journal app. But I have some reservations and don’t think I’ll be switching to it. In fact, I’ve already started journaling in another new app again.

A Week Without Apple Watch

After years of wearing my Apple Watch everyday, I thought about going without it for 24 hours. The idea made me hesitate. Wouldn’t I miss constant activity tracking and closing my fitness rings? Leaving my smart timepiece behind kind of felt like amputating an appendage. But I had to try, just for a day. It turned into a week-long experiment.

Unbundling The Apple One Subscription

This week, Apple raised the costs of its subscription services. Nobody likes a surprise price hike. I was reluctant to accept increased expenses. At the same time, my family was in need of more iCloud storage space, which would cost us more. One way or another, I wanted to avoid all this. So we quickly unbundled our subscription plan!

Logitech Folio Touch For iPad Review

If you want an iPad to be more than a tablet, you can totally have that. For my iPad Air 5 to replace my M1 MacBook Air, it needed a good keyboard and trackpad. It’s tough to get any better than Apple’s hardware, but the Magic Keyboard is expensive. So I found a good deal on a keyboard case by one of the next best gadget makers. It’s the Logitech Folio Touch. After a month of usage, I find it meets or exceeds my expectations. There are a few minor downsides, but overall it lets my tablet be my laptop.

My iPad Is My Computer Again

Five years ago today, I blogged that My iPad Is My Computer. Not much has changed overall. Back then, I used an iPad Air 2; now it’s an iPad Air 5. Since 2017, I’ve switched from a laptop to an iPad as my personal computer three different times. What’s so compelling about Apple’s tablet that I keep coming back to it? Chromebooks and MacBooks are adept mobile devices, but the iPad stands out in key ways. It’s simple, familiar, and flexible.

Newer Is Not Always Better And Change Is Hard

Something’s weird. I’m a tech nerd who likes to switch things up. A new or novel software feature excites me. I might be akin to an Apple Fanboy. Despite all that, the recent overhaul to how the Apple Watch works actually put me off; I’m not a fan. In early summer at WWDC23, WatchOS was hyped to have a new widget-based interaction model. But I must be doing it wrong. Or my aging brain is more averse to change than I thought. Is it a paradox, wanting new features but disliking change?

A Smartphone Is A Requirement

Most people today use a smartphone. We live in an app-driven culture, accessing the web and data any place or time. It’s convenient. And it’s expected to the point that, like electricity or water, a smartphone is now practically required to function in modern society. In fact, my job recently imposed on me in this regard, much to my dislike. But smartphones should be considered a luxury, not a necessity.

One Winner In Mobile Versus Console Gaming

Growing up, I was a console gamer like I am today, though I did own a few handheld systems and played PC games too. But there was a stretch of years when I only played mobile games on smartphones or tablets. Reminiscing of some enjoyable touch-based titles, I sometimes wonder why I don’t play mobile games anymore, especially now with better games and greater devices to play them.

October Activities

Howdy, friends. I can’t believe we’re nine days into October and I’ve yet to blog this month. Well, until now. I’ve been super busy and focused on adding a bathroom to our house. It’s a challenge and I’m in git’r’done mode. But that’s not all I’ve been up to, making progress in Tears of the Kingdom as well. Can’t be all work and no play. Topping things off, I’ve even been turning pages on my Kindle.

My Tablet Timeline

Mobile Computing (tech) has been my blog’s main topic for years. I’ve always liked gadgets, so of course I talk about smartphones, laptops, and tablets. In this post, I highlight my experience with the Apple tablets I’ve owned through the years.

Star Ocean Beckons To Be Played

Ever since Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom released back in May, I’ve was happy to see that no new must-have games were announced. I wanted to dive into TotK without distraction or haste and fully explore it. I’ve been enjoying it off and on, but now a recently revealed forthcoming JRPG grabbed my attention as a must-play.

A Week With iPad Air 5

For the past week, I’ve been enjoying my new iPad Air 5th gen. Switching to “just a tablet” after using only an M1 MacBook Air has been a breeze so far (note: this isn’t my first rodeo). In the past when I was iPad Only, I would hit the tablet’s limitations, feel frustration, and be lured away by “real” computers. I’m convinced (and delighted) that the iPad is a computer, but this time I’m approaching the tablet lifestyle with more pragmatism.

The M1 iPad Air Is A Computer

Last week, I switched from an M1 MacBook Air to an M1 iPad Air. I was using an Apple computer and now…I’m still using an Apple computer. Though my iPad is not a laptop per sé, it is a laptop replacement. In fact, it’s more. I’ve been routinely surprised by the iPad in desktop mode (with an external display and floating app windows) because it looks and feels like I’m back on my Mac. This M1-tablet actually has more power (an extra GPU core) than my MacBook. It’s a computer!

Replacing MacBook Air With iPad Air

Hello, World. It’s me on the iPad, computing like it’s 2099 and embracing the fact that there’s a lot more room for tabletsnow than ever before. About a week ago, I was set in my “real” laptop ways. One thing led to another…and now I’ve switched from MacBook Air to iPad Air.

Maybe There’s Room For Tablets

Almost a year ago, Apple released a new base iPad that seemed to muddy its tablet lineup. I agreed with a few articlesthat generalized the lineup’s confusion, stretching to say the whole tablet category became a bit puzzling. I thought maybe tablets no longer fit in the tech world like they once did since laptops and smartphones are better than ever, overlapping some tablet strengths. A few months later, I sold my neglected iPad, favoring my MacBook. But perhaps it’s time I upgrade my 3-pound brain and “think different.” Maybe there’s room for tablets.

iPad Is Not A Laptop

There’s been a recent uptick in articles and social chatter about the longstanding iPad conundrum: can it replace a laptop?The answer depends on who’s asking and what his or her computing needs are. There’s no question that the iPad excels as a tablet. But once a keyboard or other peripherals are thrown in the mix, the line between tablet and laptop computer blurs. Yet it’s clear to those who have used iPad as their primary computer and found it lacking; an actual laptop is the best tool for the job. The question then is, “Why do some want the iPad to be more than just a tablet?”

Blog Post Formats

I’ve been using post-formats over the Summer. The implementation and layout isn’t quite what I wanted. And when posting, there are too many decisions to make.

Blaugust 2023 Lessons Learned

With Blaugust 2023 at the day 31 finish line, what are some lessons I’ve learned? What might I have done differently? And would I do it again? Fair questions. What follows might be more coffee talking than wisdom. I’ll take either one.

Back To Blogflow Basics

Howdy fellow bloggers and readers of blogs. If you’ve followed mine for any length of time, then you’ve probably noticed I tend to change my theme or layout about one to half-a-dozen times a year. I might do that again soon. But it’s more than a cosmetic facelift; it’s about a structural change. It’s about simplifying my blog workflow and asking, “Should you post all your stuff on your own site or social media?” So coffee up.

Sea Of Stars Review Round Up

The Sea of Stars reviews have dropped, and there’s a consensus: the retro-styled turn-based JRPG is great! Like I figured, this is a must-play game. I can’t wait to get into it…but wait I must. I’m still enthralled with Tears of the Kingdom and have so much more to savor in it. That said, the positive reviews and scores make Sea of Stars hard to resist. One thing that really helps me is that the physical version doesn’t release until next year.

Will Apple Wow With Wonder?

As expected, today Apple invited press to an event scheduled for September 12. New versions of the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods are anticipated. Maybe next month, like Steve Jobs said in 2007, Apple will “reinvent the phone.” But rumors of the latest iteration of iPhone suggest more modest improvements. And what about the iPad or Mac? While new software for those is slated to arrive this Fall, it’s unclear when new hardware will appear. I’m interested to see what’s next, but I’m not too excited. Frankly, Apple hardware available now is already great.

Blogger Needs Miracle To Avoid Google Reader Death

Remember Google Reader? It was one of the more beloved products buried by Google in 2013. The big question is, who killed it? That’s what David Pierce at The Verge asked a few weeks ago. I’ll spoil the answer now (but you should definitely still read Pierce’s excellent article). Basically, the Google+ effort (turned up to 50!) sucked Reader’s life away.

Replacing Twitter With Mastodon Not Threads

Cal Newport has written yet another great piece at the New Yorker about Twitter, questioning the need for a global central communication network. First, he wonders if Threads can or will replace Twitter; it’s unlikely. Then he reasons why we don’t need a Twitter replacement at all.

Four Small Quests In One Huge World

Today’s post is a simple update on my latest adventures in Hyrule. Last night, I stopped “not playing,” fired up Tears of the Kingdom, and let myself get sucked in. The game is so huge! Immediately, I decided to just do what’s in front of me, bouncing from one thing to the next. There is always something new to discover. I achieved four small things in the big game.

Waiting For Sea Of Stars Is Easy

Here we are with a fresh and flashy retro-modern JRPG releasing next week, Sea of Stars. It feels like a “must-play” role-playing title to me, so it’s a question of, “When?” The tricky part is that the pending launch is digital only; I prefer physical. And I prefer not to wait, maybe.

A Rare Backlog Of Books

When I mention the backlog, it’s usually about video games I own yet haven’t played. But today it’s about books, which is a unique situation for me. I’ve found a few books on sale this year and snapped them up, adding to my Kindle library. And I’ve been too distracted busy to read them.

Touch Grind Skate 2 Review

My go-to game machine these days is the aging yet mighty Switch. Though for a good stretch of years, I only played mobile games on smartphones or tablets. Some were casual like Bejeweled, others were console-ish like the recent RPG Fantasian. But the one I’ve played the most and have always kept installed is Touch Grind Skate 2.

My Status On Social Media

The social web is sticky. But when the spider comes, this would-be prey wriggles free. That’s related to my recent stance on X (Twitter). I’ve written almost entire blog posts in a few different comments sections this week in response to others’ takes on certain social media sites. So of course it’s time to blog a summary below.

Discovering Brackets HTML Editor

Have you heard of Brackets? It’s an HTML editor I recently discovered. As you might imagine, there are several of these types of programs (apps?) available. So what makes this one stand out?

Still Need The Master Sword

This week, Nintendo Life (NL) published a check-in article for Tears of the Kingdom since it’s now been out for three months. So how far have I gotten? My progress is slow yet sweet. I determined at the start to take my time in the game, savoring its vast world. That said, the article sheds light on things I want to accomplish, and I could be enjoying the newest Zelda more than I have been. So what am I waiting for?

Guinea Pigs Move Up A Level

A month ago, I finally took ownership of my very own Guinea Pig! Two more cute cuddle muffins were quickly added over the following two weeks. Wanting to provide proper care, I knew I had to procure plenty of piggy paraphernalia. And last week, the crown jewel of their habitat arrived: a balcony!

The Writr Theme

Today I’m writing (lamenting?) about Writr, an old WordPress theme that I first used when I launched Jason Journals in March, 2017. It’s long been abandoned by WordPress. Sad trombone. Frown emoji. Boo-hiss.

Meet Squeak Dreams

Today’s creator to appreciate is Squeak Dreams. It’s a YouTube channel all about Guinea Pig behavior, care, and ownership. It’s made by Sarah. The vlog also has a companion website.

A Whole Page To Explain And Market Blocks

From WP Tavern yesterday:

“Blocks are something many casual WordPress users may still be trying to wrap their heads around, not to mention how they impact the ecosystem of plugins and themes. The Classic Editor plugin, which insulates users from the world of blocks, remains one of the most popular plugins with more than 5 million users. Its continued support is not guaranteed forever, especially as WordPress looks to revamp the admin design to be more similar to the block editor.”

Sarah Gooding

Meet Cal Newport

Showing more appreciation this week for another creator: Cal Newport. He’s a Computer Scientist (that’s code for “nerd”). His many contributions (website/blog, books, podcasts) and general approach to work/life balance are inspiring and insightful.

Meet MacMost

For Creator Appreciation Week during Blaugust2023, let me introduce you to MacMost, a website with quick tutorials and full training courses about the Mac operating system and its native apps. It’s created by Gary Rosenzweig, who is also a game developer. He’s been at it for many years and recently celebrated his 3,000th episode. That’s a lot!

Delighted With Zonelets

In my adventure of practicing a hand-coded blog, I discovered Zonelets, a nice and simple blogging engine to help start a site on Neocities. It’s free!

Neocities And Web Nostalgia

In the 90s, when the web was the wild west frontier online, sites were simple, static, and hand-coded. Among the class of ’95, my friend was quickly becoming a web junkie, learning HTML in high school and drawing detailed artwork in MS Paint. Somehow, I was otherwise clueless about the web outside of basic surfing. I was lucky to get a Windows 95 PC for college in 1997. But I remember the simple sites from that era, many of them on GeoCities. Now I’m enjoying some nostalgia and new growth through Neocities.

A Giant Backlog Approaches!

How do you react when the Giant Backlog Monster shows its scary face and threatens your time and attention? It’s like a sleeping giant you dare not disturb lest you feel the burdensome obligation to play games you already bought. When this creature throws its weight upon you, four responses are yours to choose: Fight, Magic, Items, Flee!

Blogger Bio Info - My Gamestory

I’ve been playing Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom since launch day in April this year. It’s, uh, more advanced than one of the earliest games I played, Maze Craze, in the mid 80s. Yeah, games have changed a lot over the decades. And I’ve basically played them from every console generation, except for one that I missed.

Blogger Bio Info - My Blogstory

People approach blogging differently. Some stick with one platform or host forever. Others, like me, sometimes switch things up. So how did I get into this hobby, what twists and turns did I take? I’d love to say my start was in the 90s with a hand-coded site on GeoCities. But no. I began a little late.

Blogger Bio Info - My Job

Here’s a new entry in my autobiography intro for Blaugust2023; this one’s about my day job. For a short time, my occupation title was in my social bio. But I removed it because it was two long words and didn’t seem important enough in that web space. So how do I put food on the table and buy video games? I’m a Structural Designer.

Blogger Bio Info - My Pets

Sticking with the Blaugust2023 introductory stuff, here’s some autobio info you won’t find in my social labels. I own several animals on my Texas homestead: some are livestock, some are pets. If you’ve seen my blog lately, though, you already know my favorites.

Blogger Bio Info Intro

As part of Blaugust2023, here’s my introductory post in which I share a bit about who in the world this guy on the internet is. I’m taking a simple approach by briefly explaining my social-bio labels: Gen X, Texan, Husband, Dad, Geek, Blogger, Believer.

Hyrule Is Huge

Tears of the Kingdom is just massive! I’ve played well over 60 hours and still feel like there’s so much left to explore and discover. The game is a huge world to immerse in. Thankfully, I’ve been able to take time to do that. And somehow the game continues to impress. I can see myself playing the latest and greatest Zelda game for a long time to come.

A.I. Hype Or Hysteria

Even though computer tech is one of my geeky interests, I’ve blogged nothing (except this) about the A.I. hype or hysteria this year. Maybe that’s because I see it as overblown on both the good and bad end of the spectrum. I think AI falls somewhere in the boring middle. Else, there’s really just one very important point I like to make.

Translucent Orange Super Switch Please

There’s been chatter on the web lately about “tHE nEXT sWITCH” or whatever Nintendo will call the Switch successor. Now that it’s over 6 years old — and with joycon drift still an issue for many — it seems about time for such plans to be in the works. A new Nintendo machine would be cool…or would it? A more modern device should be better, technically, but it kind of depends. So excitement is tempered.

Oops I Got Another Guinea Pig

OK, so maybe not really an oops. I was planning to get a third guinea pig eventually. I just wasn’t planning to do it a week after I bought my second piggy, which was six days after I got my first piggy. But it was good timing.

Still Flowing Tears Of The Kingdom

Upon firing up Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom last night, I noticed my last save date was — gulp — July 4th! Ouch. Have I been that busy? Yep. But no worries. My purple retro-Gamecube wired Switch controller and my blue wired headphones were plugged in. So was I.

Blaugust 2023 Begins

Howdy, y’all. Woke up this morning, realized it’s August, and then saw a post that prompted me, at the last minute, to join Blaugust this year. Thanks to Aywren! This is my first ever participation in Blaugust. [cracks knuckles] Begin!

Exit Twitter

Twitter is officially done. The name has left the building. It’s existence is being scrubbed. While the service and app remain with its core features intact, Elon’s recent rename is jarring. It may mark a major pivot or a subtle turn. Either way, I don’t think it’s change for the better.

Becoming A Guinea Pig Person

Normally I blog about gadgets and games. This one’s a unique topic since…I’m a new owner of a Guinea Pig, “FINALLY!” I’ve wanted one for a few years and almost brought one home last week. The very next day, my wife surprised me when she came home with a baby Guinea Pig!

Twitter Versus Threads

Yesteryear, I was somewhat addicted to Twitter; I deleted it. Then months after Elon Musk’s purchase, I rejoined the network. Now there’s its new clone, Threads, which I also joined. It’s still early, but if I had to use only one of these two social media platforms now, it’d be…

Apple Vision Pro Says No To Better Devices

There’s a thousand “Noes” to every “Yes.” That’s Apple’s approach to choosing designs; it’s about focus. With its recent Vision Pro unveiling, Apple clearly spent many years and dollars to develop the new spatial computing device. But what could Apple have said “Yes” to instead? To make the mixed reality headset become reality, what did the company say “No” to?

Reading Progress Or Lack Thereof

Goodreads emailed me last week, reminding me how far behind I am in this year’s reading challenge. I’m unlikely to catch up, but I should try to read something. I even bought a book last month. Yet the dust on my kindle would make you think I unearthed it from an archeological dig.

Threads Impressions

New social media app, Threads, is off to a quick rise. It’ll likely cross 100 million users by the end of today, just 3 days after launch. If the pace continues, it will surpass the user count of Twitter, around 250 million, in the next week or so. I’m in the top 3.7 million users who joined, which is saying, well not much really. But I have some first impressions.

Also, I want a Threads logo sticker for my laptop; just sayin’.

Threads To Pull Folks From Twitter

This Vergecast has an interesting discussion about Meta’s planned push into decentralized social media. It’s called Instagram Threads. Can and will it actually federate with Mastodon and the like? Will the Metaverse and Fediverse mix like oil and water? Some people don’t want Meta’s Insta in the Fedi. Despite my own past misgivings with Zuckerberg productions, I’m genuinely interested in what the Facebook owner has cooked up.

AirPods Magically Resume Playback

I first said AirPods are about convenience. Then I ditched them, seeking better sound — bass! Now I once again have AirPods in my ears every single day; convenience is better than I thought. So I decided to blog about it. And then I discovered AirPods have a superpower!

Spatial Computing Solves Nothing

Going out on a limb here to say Spatial Computing solves zero things. I’m skeptical of Apple’s new Vision Pro headset. The tech is very impressive, no doubt. But you could argue it’s similar to exploring Mars; we have the capability, but is there really a need? The key use-case of Vision Pro seems to be a fancy new way of computing. What is that, and why do we need that now?

My iPhone Is Both Less And More

About seven months ago, I bought a refurbished iPhone 11 — in yellow! It’s great, but I’ve already replaced it. Last week, I downsized and upgraded to iPhone 12 mini — in blue. It’s both less and more phone. The thing is, I wasn’t even planning or wanting to switch. So why did I do this after just a few months?

I Rejoined Twitter

My off again/on again relationship with social media continues. In April 2022, I deleted my ten-year-old Twitter account before Elon Musk bought the company. Now in June 2023, in an unexpected turn of events, I’ve created a new Twitter account. So what is happening?

Just days after creating my first ever Mastodon account, I went back to Twitter. And a few days later, I revived my Instagram account. So I think this is a general, “Hey, let’s check the latest state of social media” kind of move. Yet clearly I don’t have enough time to be active on all of them. And with traditional blogging being my main focus, I doubt I’ll have much time for even just one social site.

So why did I return to Twitter, the site that I deleted in order to avoid the addiction of checking/scrolling the feed? Why would I invest time on Elon Musk’s platform? How could I trust a site that seems to be imploding while hoards of people flee? What about content moderation and censorship concerns?

Gen X Unplugged

The “Gen X” label in a recent Fast Company headline grabbed my brain; I had to read it. What followed was no surprise to me whatsoever. Who doesn’t feel like unplugging these days? Yet please don’t take my smartphone away.

Jason Journals Relaunches On WordPress

Yes, I’m back! I’ll share about my latest move in the blogosphere. But first, a quick review. I blogged on WordPress, then on Blogger, then on Micro.blog, and now back on WordPress — all in the past nine months! Here’s a break down.

Wrapping My Head Around WWDC23

Next to the iPhone reveal each September, Apple’s WWDC is one of its biggest and best annual events. The usual keynote is jam-packed with all of the company’s newest ecosystem features and upgrades. This year’s was all of that plus…one more thing: an AR/VR headset. And while that may be the star of the show, I’m more interested in the down-to-earth improvements to Apple’s traditional gadgets.

An Apple Journaling App

A juicy guess for Apple’s upcoming iOS 17 is a new app for journaling. When I first heard of it, I thought it might be too invasive or creepy. But now I’m curious to see what it could be. I journal everyday and like Apple’s software design. So an Apple Journal sounds like it could be something worth, uh, journaling about.

Putting Apps In The Apple Basket

It seems as seasons change, so does my tech set up. I flip-flopped again. Boredom and “Greener Grass” syndrome are strong factors. Then logic steps in to justify my moving between apps or gadgets. I succumb to marketing, I fancy the shiny, and I mistake novelty as a virtue. In any case, despite my recent misgivings with Apple’s reach and living in a walled tech garden, maybe I’m an Apple fanboy more than I thought.

Nintendo’s Next Switch

In case you haven’t noticed, the Nintendo Switch has been around for over six years now. That’s relatively old in tech age. The system is great, but there’s concern over its longevity. Console generations in gaming don’t last much longer than six revolutions around the sun. But the epoch of Switch could be an exception. In any case, I have thoughts about what “The Next Switch” should be.

Apple WWDC23 Wishlist

Peaking out from around the corner is Apple’s next annual developer conference — WWDC. I’m curious about what’s coming in software and hope for a few new things. It’ll also be nice to see if Apple reveals a bigger MacBook Air that would…make me suddenly discontent with the one I’m enjoying now (I mean, if I’m being honest).

Tears Of The Kingdom Is Ultra Good

The newest Zelda game, out for a week now, has me enthralled. Maybe you’ve heard a few accolades for Tears of the Kingdom already, like: masterpiece, game of the year, amazing. It’s for real. Somehow the wizards at Nintendo made an outstanding follow-up to Breath of the Wild. And I’ve barely scratched its surface. Mostly spoiler-free thoughts follow.

A Creature Of Convenience

A few months ago, I wrote about the convenience of cloud computing. I tried to have a balanced view of it but was leaning more towards local storage over cloud storage as a default. So I leaned away from cloud storage hard. The result? I couldn’t do it! I love convenience far more than I realized.

Passkeys Don’t Pass Across Platforms

I’d heard a while back that Apple was going to make passkeys a thing. Now there’s a new article about Google promoting passkeys as an alternative to old-school passwords. Overall, passkeys are supposed to be both more secure and easier to use than passwords. What’s not to like?

Grasping Apple’s Reach

Rumors are swirling: Apple will soon unveil a virtual reality headset, adding another device to its lucrative portfolio. There’s also talk that Apple’s grasp is stretching to reach the mental health space with a new journaling app. And recently, it debuted a new Apple Pay Savings Account; could this portend a forthcoming Apple Bank? It seems the tech giant’s ecosystem knows no bounds.

A Year Without Facebook

One year ago, I signed out of Facebook, but I didn’t delete my account or deactivate it. I just logged off and didn’t look back. I haven’t signed back in a single time. I had told myself that maybe I’d delete my account if I could stay away from it for a year. Well, I made it. So will I delete Facebook now? Mmmmm, no, not yet.

Zelda Is My Next

Recently I wondered what I might play between the epic Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (finished in March) and the upcoming sure-to-be hit Tears of the Kingdom (releasing in May). I thought I’d play more XC3 side stuff instead of starting a new game in April; I did to a point. But now I’m ready for more Zelda!

More Thoughts On A Journey Of Less

Making the most of minimalism doesn’t strictly mean owning the least you can. Even if it did, I find that it’s taking me years to declutter and minimize. Attaining a simple life — the real goal — isn’t easy. I must be deliberate and mindful.

Platform Agnosticism Is User Friendly

Sometimes you discover an exciting new app but then your bubble bursts because you quickly realize it’s only on the iPhone and not Android. Or, “There’s an app for that,” but not on Windows. Sometimes this isn’t too bad because there are usually other apps with similar features that’ll work. But not always. The inconvenience can be frustrating.

The Pause Before The Next Game

In case you’re living under a rock and didn’t notice the final Tears of the Kingdom trailer that dropped today, it was awesome! It’s the one Zelda fans have been yearning for. The hype is real; I predict TotK will win GotY.

I’m A Computer Guy Among Other Things

Remember those funny, “I’m a Mac. I’m a PC,” ads back in the iPod days? They remind me of the tendency to identify with a certain brand or team. So am I an Apple fanboy, a PC nerd, or a Google geek? Am I an Android or iPhone guy? I’m a mixed bag; just a computer guy.

Unclouding The Benefits Of Local Data Storage

It’s great when you find something that resonates, like this article I just read. It brings to boil core points about digital well-being that have been simmering in me lately. The Verge author, David Pierce, talks about journaling in Day One and note taking in Obsidian - just like I do. But more important are points about trust, convenience, and the trade-offs of cloud computing.

Decoupling From One Computing Platform

Being the tech geek that I am, one of my quirks is that I go all-in on a single computing platform. Until I don’t. As I wrote earlier this month, the pendulum swung from Apple to a smorgasbord of apps and services from various developers. And of course, ones from Big Tech are hard to avoid. The trick is to not end up all-in anywhere, be it Google, Apple, or Microsoft; it’s paramount to prevent platform lock-in.

Cloud Computing Is About Convenience

I’m thinking about cloud computing versus the quaint old way we all used to just keep files in folders on our local drive. Do we really need to sync gigs of data in the cloud between devices? Is there a necessary utility to cloud computing, or is it merely about convenience?

Taking Apps Out Of The Apple Basket

Somewhere in the universe, a cosmic pendulum must have swung. I’m tilting away from my Apple-centric app focus toward cross-platform apps. For all the benefits of living nigh exclusively within Apple software, I’m reawakening to the wisdom and flexibility of not putting all my apps in one basket.

How I Became A Micro.blogger

Something happened on the internet again. A guy who likes to tweak his blog theme totally switched platforms, moving from one host to another in haste and inadvertently breaking some links. And it’s basically Elon Musk’s fault. WordPress gets some blame too. Let me explain.

Let’s Not Quarrel With A.I.

 There’s always a doomsday scenario of A.I. taking over the world, wiping out humanity, like in The Terminator where Skynet becomes self-aware. Such fear can surface with ChatGPT and the like. This Vox article on the topic has a quote that struck me:

Micro.blog Is Interesting

I’ve been checking out Mastodon lately — decentralized social media — which led me to rediscovering a related site/platform called Micro.blog. I briefly tried it out a few years ago but didn’t need it alongside my WordPress blog (and Twitter profile). But now, things are different.

Mastodon Is Interesting

As Twitter implodes, there remains the elephant in the room: social media persists. The elephant’s cousin — Mastodon — proves it. Well, sort of. As social creatures, people are going to connect online, one way or the other. At first, I heard about various Twitter alternatives, but Mastodon seems to keep rising to the top. Though I doubt I’ll join, I’m interested in that it’s “federated,” kind of like email.

A Groundhog Tradition Again

Well it's Groundhog Day...again...and I'm enjoying my annual re-watch of one of my all-time favorite movies, Groundhog Day! In the spirit of the film and its repetition, I'm re-posting my Groundhog Day post from 2019 below. Enjoy.

Backlog Bustin To Xenoblade 3

Finally. I’ve arrived. After months of bustin’ my JRPG backlog, I now begin my first play-through of Xenoblade Chronicles 3, nominated for Game of the Year 2022. Having just finished Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition and Future Connected, I think I’m primed for an epic Xenoblade zenith.

Journaling On Day One

The best time to start journaling is a day far in the past; the second best time is today. Whether you have a paper diary or a digital journal, writing your thoughts in it regularly is vital. Over the years, I’ve used different tools to journal, tending to switch them up for various reasons. So, surprising nobody, I’ve moved from Apple Notes back to Day One.

Animal Crossing Renewed Horizons

This month, I restarted playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons — on a new island from scratch! (I’m also still enjoying Xenoblade Chronicles.) Why would I do this again, after the game’s release in 2020, having built up a previous island over hundreds of hours?

Sold iPad And Dropped AirPods

As one who is all-in with Apple, it may be surprising that I quit using a few of its gadgets. My iPad is gone. And my AirPods are now just backup. Let me explain.

Is Meta Pivoting Back To Social Media?

Recode published a piece that does not help reduce skepticism towards Meta’s ambitious AR/VR/metaverse endeavors. The year 2022 was tough on the company. Will Facebook/Meta be the next MySpace or Yahoo? Its founder and CEO is optimistic:

Return Of The Blogosphere

A new article for the new year, this one from the Verge about bringing back personal blogging. How could I NOT comment on this one!? The idea is simple: since social media has devolved in recent years, proving to be less than ideal, and since people remain social, then the collective cyber culture should once again embrace the benefits of blogging. To that, yes. A resounding one indeed.

Metaverse Spectacles Skeptical

A recent piece from Vox by Shirin Ghaffary on the challenge Meta endures as it races towards the so-called metaverse:

“Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg thinks the metaverse will be the next iteration of the internet, a technological shift akin to the mobile phone.”

2023 Foresight

With a focus on computing and gaming, here are two things to look forward to this year. One is a super computer. The other: a fantastic game…that cannot be played on that super computer but rather on the equivalent of a six year old Android tablet!