Links for Friday May 23rd 2014

  • On the Future of MetaFilter – Marco.org
    Marco Arment discussing the Google-inflicted problems MetaFilter are having, pretty much nails what I consider a reasonable and sane attitude to Google: "People wonder why I’m so skeptical of Google and careful not to rely on them for too much. This is why: they’re in this unassailable position of absolute monopoly power for such a massive part of web publishing because too many people aren’t so skeptical."

Links for Thursday May 22nd 2014

  • Signs from the near future
    On the one hand, this is interesting because it's about the practical applications of design. On the other, quite a lot of these feel a bit retro-future to me. Which is kind of weird, and an idea I probably want to explore a bit in some form when time permits.
  • On the Future of MetaFilter — Technology Musings — Medium
    Relatedly to one of today's other links here's a write up of what's going on with Metafilter, which basically comes down to "it's business model is built on Google being helpful in a specific way". Which is a flaw in their model, but it's also an interested outside perspective on things changing inside the Google black box.
  • Jeremy Palmer — Google is Breaking the Internet
    This is insane to me. I know I'm on record as not being a Google cheerleader, but this is weird, even for them – their business is built on accurately rating the trustworthiness of links, and yet they're mis-classifying trustworthy links as untrustworthy? This says to me that something is broken internally in Google, and if they don't get if fixed, it's going to be long-term bad for *everyone*. I'd like to see this do the rounds and get outcry about it, not because I believe Google are being Evil here, but because I think they need to be made very aware of the mistake, for everyone's good, including theirs.
  • Read This If All You Know About Hyenas Came From The Lion King
    OK, I now understand why Del is a fan of these creatures. Absolutely fascinating.

Links for Wednesday April 30th 2014

  • Programming Sucks
    If you ever wonder what it is I do all day (and I don't blame you, a lot of the time I wonder the same thing), then I suggest you read this. It is pretty much the most perfect encapsulation of my daily working life I have ever encountered, and, I should point out, has been true everywhere I have worked. Warning: after read this, you may never wish to use the internet again.
  • Another Way To Breathe – WicDiv Playlist: Alice
    Kieron on The Sisters of Mercy, their place in his life (a very similar one to mine, and a lot of other people, I suspect), and their place in his upcoming work. Well worth a read.