Will Hopkins

Will Hopkins http://willhopkins.posterous.com Reading and Writing on the Web posterous.com Fri, 29 Jul 2011 05:29:43 -0700 Keyboard Maestro and Tembo http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~3/3qFrpvny3gY/keyboard-maestro-and-tembo http://willhopkins.posterous.com/keyboard-maestro-and-tembo <p> <p><a href="http://houdah.com/tembo/">Tembo</a> is a great Spotlight interface app from HoudahSpot. It is snappy and efficient, so I bound it to Opt + \ to draw on my LaunchBar clipboard history muscle memory. A few quick keystrokes later and Tembo has filtered through my files (default search locations defined by me) to deliver exactly what I’m looking for.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/keyboard-maestro-and-tembo">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/keyboard-maestro-and-tembo#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~4/3qFrpvny3gY" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/961330/Photo_on_2009-12-10_at_20.35__2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sDwfSpgKG09 Will Hopkins willhopkins Will Hopkins http://willhopkins.posterous.com/keyboard-maestro-and-tembo Thu, 28 Jul 2011 13:17:43 -0700 Keyboard Maestro 5 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~3/OE2MJNp24dw/keyboard-maestro-5 http://willhopkins.posterous.com/keyboard-maestro-5 <p> <p><a href="http://www.keyboardmaestro.com/">Keyboard Maestro</a> is a macro application for Mac. It can do anything from text replacement to app launching to clicking your mouse every minute to remembering your clipboard history, and even includes a window switcher. Any action you perform on your Mac more than once can be automated within a minute and save you both time and attention.</p> <p>I would review KM here, but <a href="http://brooksreview.net/2011/07/km-5/?">Ben Brooks’s article</a> does it far better. Read his review of V5, download the trial, and program a few macros. If you’re in need of ideas, try these:</p> <p><em>–</em> Launch nvALT (F5)</p> <p><em>–</em> Format Markdown links (Cmd + Shift + A; h/t to Ben Brooks for this one)</p> <p><em>–</em> Clean unnecessary capitals from pasted text with filter clipboard</p> <p>Peter Lewis, the developer of KM, recently released Version 5. The update includes Lion support and a macro library, just to name two of the most significant changes. If you haven’t already downloaded the trial, go do it now. Then, come back here when you’re ready to buy and use <a href="http://www.stairways.com/action/kmdiscount?REF9JDR">this link</a>, which gets you a 20% discount and helps me get a free upgrade when V6 rolls around.</p> <p>It’s worth pointing out that I think KM is a bargain at full price, and I would never recommend a purchase if I did not stand behind it and the developer (who offered this discount link to all of his mailing list subscribers, and offers tireless individualized tech support).</p> </p> <p><a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/keyboard-maestro-5">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/keyboard-maestro-5#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~4/OE2MJNp24dw" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/961330/Photo_on_2009-12-10_at_20.35__2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sDwfSpgKG09 Will Hopkins willhopkins Will Hopkins http://willhopkins.posterous.com/keyboard-maestro-5 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 05:24:20 -0700 Maintenance http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~3/9cHrrSn84OM/maintenance http://willhopkins.posterous.com/maintenance <p> <p>Shawn Blanc reminded me in a recent post that </p> </p> <p><a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/maintenance">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/maintenance#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~4/9cHrrSn84OM" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/961330/Photo_on_2009-12-10_at_20.35__2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sDwfSpgKG09 Will Hopkins willhopkins Will Hopkins http://willhopkins.posterous.com/maintenance Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:02:48 -0700 Cats and chemistry http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~3/9y6WsugQG0A/cats-and-chemistry http://willhopkins.posterous.com/cats-and-chemistry <p> <p>[What could go wrong?][ <a href="http://icanhascheezburger.com/2011/07/26/funny-pictures-chemistry-cat-science-puns/">http://icanhascheezburger.com/2011/07/26/funny-pictures-chemistry-cat-science...</a> ]</p> </p> <p><a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/cats-and-chemistry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/cats-and-chemistry#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~4/9y6WsugQG0A" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/961330/Photo_on_2009-12-10_at_20.35__2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sDwfSpgKG09 Will Hopkins willhopkins Will Hopkins http://willhopkins.posterous.com/cats-and-chemistry Mon, 25 Jul 2011 10:21:00 -0700 My MacBook is part of an endangered species http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~3/B2klVOOt-l4/my-macbook-is-part-of-an-endangered-species http://willhopkins.posterous.com/my-macbook-is-part-of-an-endangered-species <p> <p>As of a few days ago, you can no longer find MacBooks for sale on <a href="http://www.apple.com/mac/">Apple’s online store</a>. They have discontinued the loyal machine that saw me (and most of my classmates) through the last four years. The few white polycarbonate Apple laptops that remain are now endangered and will not be replaced.</p> <p>I’m both sad and curious about Apple’s decision. First, the reasons for my sorrow. The white laptop was both distinctive and ubiquitous. It was clearly a MacBook, and yet they were everywhere. The design certainly had its flaws, but we grew to know our machines like extensions of ourselves and the chips and cracks in the plastic became our own scars and distinctions.</p> <p>While my laptop’s specs are no longer anywhere near top of the line, they were powerful back in the day and did well enough. Even without an i7, or a dedicated graphics card, or a SSD, my MacBook could open documents, serve web pages, and do the essential work of a student and writer with grace. What more could I ask?</p> <p>Sometimes I think it’s strange that I’ve become so attached to my quirky, outdated laptop. But given the number of hours we’ve spent together working on homework and half-finished flights of fancy, is it any wonder that I treat it like a close and valued friend?</p> <p>I’m also curious about the MacBook’s demise. Apple’s intention is obvious: the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro are now the only Apple laptops available, and the Air has moved down market. It is not, however, a match for the MacBook’s specs. When choosing an Air, customers will be paying for a lighter, faster machine that is smaller and has less storage. Will they care?</p> <p>I think many customers will not be fazed by the smaller hard drive. External storage is ubiquitous, and while I always want more onboard storage I would sacrifice some for an SSD’s impressive stats. The screen size, though, is where most people will have qualms. Many people, especially college students, use computers for TV and other large-format viewing. Spending an extra few hundred bucks on the larger laptop (I believe) will seem frivolous, and people will look elsewhere. They may just get an external monitor, but it certainly won’t be Apple’s. Have you seen the price of a <a href="http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC914LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA5OQ&mco=MjMzOTYzMjc">Cinema/Thunderbolt display</a> lately?</p> <p>Overall, I think the Air has potential. It is the future of Apple laptops, no doubt about it. Its amazing speeds and low weight make it a very attractive portable machine for people who just want to open the lid and go. Still, the end of the MacBook is the end of an era, and I am sad to see it go.</p> <p>On and every on, friends!</p> </p> <p><a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/my-macbook-is-part-of-an-endangered-species">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/my-macbook-is-part-of-an-endangered-species#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~4/B2klVOOt-l4" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/961330/Photo_on_2009-12-10_at_20.35__2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sDwfSpgKG09 Will Hopkins willhopkins Will Hopkins http://willhopkins.posterous.com/my-macbook-is-part-of-an-endangered-species Sat, 16 Jul 2011 15:14:47 -0700 Raise your spirits http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~3/oiQXl07ZWWw/raise-your-spirits http://willhopkins.posterous.com/raise-your-spirits <p> <p>In his latest issue of the <a href="http://www.sustainablycreative.net/free-micromagazine/">Getting Your Important Work Done</a> newsletter (#24 to be precise), <a href="http://michaelnobbs.com/">Michael Nobbs</a> offers a list of ways to raise his spirits. Raising spirits is not about cheerleading yourself (unless it is)—everyone has down days or hours, and knowing how to remind yourself of your own worth is a great way to beat the slump.</p> <p>When I’m feeling down, I like to:</p> <ol> <li>Brew and drink a cup of tea, Earl Grey, hot.</li> <li>Read a book.</li> <li>Go for a walk in the nearest green space I can find.</li> <li>Listen to Led Zeppelin, Journey, early U2, and any music featured on <em>Chuck</em>.</li> <li>Read <a href="http://www.sustainablycreative.net/">Sustainably Creative</a>.</li> <li>Call my grandparents and catch up.</li> <li>Write an email to my sister and parents.</li> <li>Stare out the window.</li> <li>Go for a drive, preferably on winding backcountry roads.</li> <li>Get a massage (swap with a friend to feel good about doing someone a favor).</li> </ol> <p>What do you do?</p> </p> <p><a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/raise-your-spirits">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/raise-your-spirits#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~4/oiQXl07ZWWw" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/961330/Photo_on_2009-12-10_at_20.35__2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sDwfSpgKG09 Will Hopkins willhopkins Will Hopkins http://willhopkins.posterous.com/raise-your-spirits Thu, 14 Jul 2011 07:19:08 -0700 Windows usability http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~3/8ipLzgIU74c/windows-usability http://willhopkins.posterous.com/windows-usability <p> <p>I try not to get involved in <a href="">OS flame wars</a>. To be honest, it’s not worth anyone’s time. Which OS you use depends on needs and subjective preferences, not the objective superiority of one system over another. While I prefer a Mac for my home computing life, I have to use Windows at work, and I can see advantages to both.</p> <p>For one, Windows 7 is pretty and fast. Aero is (for me) a nice touch that makes it just a bit easier to navigate. And, of course, much of the software we use is only available on Windows (curse you, Teleform!). Windows 7 is such an improvement over previous versions of the OS that I’m almost willing to use it.</p> <p>On the other hand, I have a pretty big issue with Windows: lack of a comprehensive, simple standard search function. The search in the toolbar is a step in the right direction, but it still makes finding files and folders a hassle compared to the lightning speed with which I can locate almost anything with Spotlight on my Mac. When working with files all day long I miss my Spotlight.</p> <p>When it comes to usability I prefer a Mac, but when I use Windows I just do my best to adapt.</p> <p><a href="http://lifehacker.com/5809879/how-to-get-windows-best-features-on-mac-os-x?comment=39890388#comments">http://lifehacker.com/5809879/how-to-get-windows-best-features-on-mac-os-x?co...</a></p> </p> <p><a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/windows-usability">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/windows-usability#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~4/8ipLzgIU74c" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/961330/Photo_on_2009-12-10_at_20.35__2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sDwfSpgKG09 Will Hopkins willhopkins Will Hopkins http://willhopkins.posterous.com/windows-usability Wed, 13 Jul 2011 05:38:57 -0700 A cup of calming jasmine tea http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~3/2KnTEeaCga8/a-cup-of-calming-jasmine-tea http://willhopkins.posterous.com/a-cup-of-calming-jasmine-tea <p> This morning I had a cup of calming jasmine tea. While I don't need any calming tea (I need the Avatar), it still makes for a relaxing start to the day. </p> <p><a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/a-cup-of-calming-jasmine-tea">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/a-cup-of-calming-jasmine-tea#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~4/2KnTEeaCga8" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/961330/Photo_on_2009-12-10_at_20.35__2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sDwfSpgKG09 Will Hopkins willhopkins Will Hopkins http://willhopkins.posterous.com/a-cup-of-calming-jasmine-tea Sun, 10 Jul 2011 07:12:19 -0700 The value of silence http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~3/4Q6vR_XPkIg/the-value-of-silence http://willhopkins.posterous.com/the-value-of-silence <p> <p>As a Quaker, silence absolutely necessary. Through silence I center myself and find silence within.</p> <p>Silence is a place, strange as that may sound, both external and internal. In a silent place I can meditate and enter a more peaceful focused state.</p> <p>Yet silence within is hard to find. I have my own little soundtrack, playing constant snatches of music, conversation, and background noise. The value of silence is in learning to quiet the inner soundtrack and learn to be comfortable with oneself.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/the-value-of-silence">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/the-value-of-silence#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~4/4Q6vR_XPkIg" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/961330/Photo_on_2009-12-10_at_20.35__2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sDwfSpgKG09 Will Hopkins willhopkins Will Hopkins http://willhopkins.posterous.com/the-value-of-silence Thu, 07 Jul 2011 05:40:33 -0700 A system for a system's sake http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~3/DfZItWvaCkU/a-system-for-a-systems-sake http://willhopkins.posterous.com/a-system-for-a-systems-sake <p> <p>I like organizational systems. They offer a sense of security, a feeling that I’m doing things the Right Way. I enjoy spending time organizing according to my system, tagging and renaming files, sorting objects into folders. The act of organizing itself provides that neurochemical rush that makes me feel good, productive, <em>organized</em>.</p> <p>When am I using that system for the system’s sake? For example, I enjoy going through my file folders and <a href="">tagging files</a> with <a href="">HoudahSpot</a>. I could spend hours just tagging files, most of which I will never search for again. It would make more sense to search for files as I need them and tag them then, since if I’ve searched for it once I’ll probably need to do so again. Nonetheless, I spend time tagging and using the system for the system’s sake.</p> <p>Using a system for the system’s sake is a Bad Idea. It’s a security blanket that lets me avoid doing real work, like acting on files or closing the computer and reading a good book.</p> <p>Now that I am working full time, a system for the system’s sake is a luxury I can’t afford. Time to streamline my process, simplify, and make time for <a href="http://houdah.com/houdahSpot/">what I’ve got</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://willhopkins.tumblr.com/post/6318332675/tagging-with-openmeta-and-houdahspot">http://willhopkins.tumblr.com/post/6318332675/tagging-with-openmeta-and-houda...</a></p> </p> <p><a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/a-system-for-a-systems-sake">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/a-system-for-a-systems-sake#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~4/DfZItWvaCkU" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/961330/Photo_on_2009-12-10_at_20.35__2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sDwfSpgKG09 Will Hopkins willhopkins Will Hopkins http://willhopkins.posterous.com/a-system-for-a-systems-sake Wed, 06 Jul 2011 08:21:32 -0700 "It is more important that innocence be protected than it is that guilt be punished" http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~3/lnu_pqDhGlk/it-is-more-important-that-innocence-be-protec http://willhopkins.posterous.com/it-is-more-important-that-innocence-be-protec <p> "It is more important that innocence be protected than it is that guilt be punished, for guilt and crimes are so frequent in this world that they cannot all be punished. But if innocence itself is brought to the bar and condemned, perhaps to die, then the citizen will say, "whether I do good or whether I do evil is immaterial, for innocence itself is no protection," and if such an idea as that were to take hold in the mind of the citizen that would be the end of security whatsoever."<p /> — <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1480.John_Adams">John Adams</a><p />Via <a href="http://daringfireball.net/linked/2011/07/05/adams-guild-innocence">Daring Fireball</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/Ihnatko/status/87936176073359360">Andy Ihnatko</a> </p> <p><a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/it-is-more-important-that-innocence-be-protec">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/it-is-more-important-that-innocence-be-protec#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~4/lnu_pqDhGlk" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/961330/Photo_on_2009-12-10_at_20.35__2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sDwfSpgKG09 Will Hopkins willhopkins Will Hopkins http://willhopkins.posterous.com/it-is-more-important-that-innocence-be-protec Mon, 04 Jul 2011 05:16:10 -0700 Pulp reviewed http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~3/ul3G5rIt5zo/pulp-reviewed http://willhopkins.posterous.com/pulp-reviewed <p> <p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pulp/id406857632?mt=12">Pulp</a> is a newsreader app for Mac. Similar in appearance to <a href="http://reederapp.com/">Reeder</a>, it takes a more newspaper-like approach and occupies a different role. Where Reeder or <a href="http://reederapp.com/">NetNewsWire</a> is built for the power user, Pulp is perfect for casual reading. I use it side-by-side with NetNewsWire depending on what I feel like reading—I keep different content in each that, I feel, better suits the application.</p> <p>What I like best about Pulp is that I don’t feel pressured to read every item (no feed counts). Of course, that is due, in part, to the way I choose to use it, but the design helps. It offers a nice reading interface, and I find the whole app very pleasing to the eyes and well-designed all around. The low contrast is easy to read and makes the important text stand out instead of buttons or widgets.</p> <p>Pulp also contains a handy tray to drag articles in that you want to read later, but I prefer to use <a href="http://instapaper.com">Instapaper</a>. Naturally, it also offers integration with ReadItLater, Readability, Facebook, and Twitter. I wish it offered <a href="https://pinboard.in">Pinboard</a> integration as well, but you can’t have everything (right away). The app shows great promise but is, most importantly, completely usable in its current form.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/pulp-reviewed">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/pulp-reviewed#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~4/ul3G5rIt5zo" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/961330/Photo_on_2009-12-10_at_20.35__2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sDwfSpgKG09 Will Hopkins willhopkins Will Hopkins http://willhopkins.posterous.com/pulp-reviewed Tue, 28 Jun 2011 07:19:20 -0700 Nothing like a cup of Earl Grey http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~3/FSkdeCVXSsU/nothing-like-a-cup-of-earl-grey http://willhopkins.posterous.com/nothing-like-a-cup-of-earl-grey <p> I mean, really. What could be a better start to the morning? Nothing is so flavorful, so delicious, so energizing. What a tasty morning ritual I have. </p> <p><a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/nothing-like-a-cup-of-earl-grey">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/nothing-like-a-cup-of-earl-grey#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~4/FSkdeCVXSsU" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/961330/Photo_on_2009-12-10_at_20.35__2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sDwfSpgKG09 Will Hopkins willhopkins Will Hopkins http://willhopkins.posterous.com/nothing-like-a-cup-of-earl-grey Mon, 27 Jun 2011 07:52:00 -0700 Books, e-readers, and literacy http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~3/c6calrtTHqQ/books-e-readers-and-literacy http://willhopkins.posterous.com/books-e-readers-and-literacy <p> <p>I, like most middle class Americans, have been reading books all my life. I love them—without books to read, I would be bored and would have had many fewer chances to indulge my imagination. The rise of the <a href="http://amazon.com/kindle">Kindle</a>, of course, offers thousands of books just seconds away. What possibilities.</p> <p>I have many conflicting feelings and opinions on the Kindle and its ilk. Most salient day-to-day is that it’s a gorgeous device with incredible power. Second most salient is that it is, largely, controlled by Amazon and corporate types whom I distrust (for more on that, see <em><a href="http://www.thelateageofprint.org/">The Late Age of Print</a></em> by Ted Striphas). I’ll leave the paranoid rant there and simply say that I have conflicted feelings about e-readers.</p> <p><a href="http://metafilter.com">Metafilter</a> has <a href="http://www.metafilter.com/104978/Get-off-the-internet">a superb post</a> about an article on e-readers, and the comments are well worth reading. Many boil down to one or more of the following arguments: aesthetics, function, privilege. Obviously, books and e-readers are designed differently, leading to divergent aesthetics and functions. Both form and function are connected, and ultimately preference is determined by which factors one values more (convenience, one thing well, etc.). Most commenters have valid points that are impossible to argue with because, in the end, they are subjective value judgments.</p> <p>The question of privilege, though, I find especially interesting. One commenter <a href="http://www.metafilter.com/104978/Get-off-the-internet#3781516">argues</a> that, “For the first<em>second</em> time in history, only the Haves will be literate.” E-readers are, for the most part, expensive gadgets unaffordable to most people around the world. Nonetheless, others claim, e-readers have the potential to <em>increase</em> literacy by vastly increasing the number of books available (including, perhaps, language courses). Instead of needing to assemble libraries of physical books, all of which may easily be destroyed and not so easily replaced, e-readers offer the wealth of the public domain almost instantaneously. Of course, without an affordable e-reader the point is moot, but I think e-readers have the capacity for addressing questions of privilege, literacy, and social justice around the world.</p> <p>Am I the first person to propose that e-readers may make great educational tools? Certainly not. Nonetheless, the more often we say it the more likely it is to become reality. Check out Metafilter’s discussion and think about what steps you can take to increase literacy and make e-books a viable educational option. Buying a pallet of Kindles to send to Africa might not be the best first step, but consider becoming an ESL tutor, help <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Translation">translate Wikipedia articles</a> and e-books in the public domain, or simply volunteer at a local school or daycare. Be an advocate for open education in your community.</p> <p>/soapbox</p> </p> <p><a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/books-e-readers-and-literacy">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/books-e-readers-and-literacy#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~4/c6calrtTHqQ" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/961330/Photo_on_2009-12-10_at_20.35__2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sDwfSpgKG09 Will Hopkins willhopkins Will Hopkins http://willhopkins.posterous.com/books-e-readers-and-literacy Thu, 23 Jun 2011 06:26:29 -0700 New job week 1 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~3/30MgnEaYlus/new-job-week-1 http://willhopkins.posterous.com/new-job-week-1 <p> <p>On Monday I started my new job at the <a href="http://www.ppc.sas.upenn.edu/">Positive Psychology Center</a>. It’s been a busy few days (I saw Martin Seligman today!), and we’re still moving into the new apartment and building stuff out of Ikea boxes. Our Internet was finally switched on today, and the end result was some <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em> on Netflix, but I have a queue of posts coming up that highlights me and my gear, as well as some cool tech/geek stuff I’ve found lately. In the mean time, check out <a href="https://pinboard.in/u:willhopkins/public/">some cool articles I bookmarked</a> on <a href="https://pinboard.in">Pinboard</a>.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/new-job-week-1">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/new-job-week-1#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~4/30MgnEaYlus" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/961330/Photo_on_2009-12-10_at_20.35__2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sDwfSpgKG09 Will Hopkins willhopkins Will Hopkins http://willhopkins.posterous.com/new-job-week-1 Fri, 17 Jun 2011 09:03:11 -0700 My use case for iA Writer http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~3/0iPxH6fLx4U/my-use-case-for-ia-writer http://willhopkins.posterous.com/my-use-case-for-ia-writer <p> <p>What is it about minimalist writing apps? They draw you in with promises of smooth writing and a pure experience. I try to avoid them because all I really need is somewhere I can write text and the more minimalist an app is the more likely it is I’ll spend hours trying to find ways to tweak it.</p> <p><a href="http://www.iawriter.com/">iA Writer</a> has made quite a splash, and I’ve considered buying it. At $18, though, it is pricey given that I will soon be doing most of my computing on a Windows PC at my office. Nonetheless, I appreciate the thought put into the app’s design, and I see one key feature that may tempt me: auto <a href="http://daringfireball.net/projects/markdown/">Markdown</a>.</p> <p>Plenty of apps (like <a href="http://bywordapp.com/">ByWord</a>) support Markdown, but Writer automatically formats the Markdown text while leaving the text flags in, thus enabling a preview while leaving the text intact. I like it, and it represents an improvement over my current (relatively) cumbersome nvALT/TextEdit workflow.</p> <p>That’s my use case. The only question now is whether or not I will actually <em>use</em> it.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/my-use-case-for-ia-writer">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/my-use-case-for-ia-writer#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~4/0iPxH6fLx4U" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/961330/Photo_on_2009-12-10_at_20.35__2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sDwfSpgKG09 Will Hopkins willhopkins Will Hopkins http://willhopkins.posterous.com/my-use-case-for-ia-writer Tue, 14 Jun 2011 05:17:12 -0700 Seth's email checklist http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~3/uEbHgXzunDo/seths-email-checklist http://willhopkins.posterous.com/seths-email-checklist <p> <p>Seth Godin created an <a href="">email checklist</a> three years ago in the hopes of teaching email etiquette and reducing the number of unnecessary and annoying emails filling inboxes around the world. Clearly it hasn’t worked or certain unnamed companies would no longer include meaningless (legally and personally) disclaimers on every message and I would also never receive another chain email with animated dancing unicorns and rainbows.</p> <p>Do you send email? Read this checklist, make it your computer wallpaper, or forward a link to every person in your company (kidding about that last one). Spread the word and some email love today.</p> <p><a href="http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2011/06/email-checklist-maybe-this-time-itll-work.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+typepad%2Fsethsmainblog+%28Seth%27s+Blog%29">http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2011/06/email-checklist-maybe-this-ti...</a></p> </p> <p><a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/seths-email-checklist">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/seths-email-checklist#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~4/uEbHgXzunDo" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/961330/Photo_on_2009-12-10_at_20.35__2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sDwfSpgKG09 Will Hopkins willhopkins Will Hopkins http://willhopkins.posterous.com/seths-email-checklist Mon, 13 Jun 2011 04:59:00 -0700 Professionalism http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~3/OjwLtlsGOlY/professionalism http://willhopkins.posterous.com/professionalism <p> <blockquote class="posterous_short_quote"><p>If you only show up when you want something, we’ll catch on.</p></blockquote> <p>—<a href="http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2011/06/the-professionals-platform.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+typepad%2Fsethsmainblog+%28Seth%27s+Blog%29">Seth Godin</a></p> <p>Not only will everyone else catch on, but it will also erode your own sense of professionalism and commitment. Make commitments, build relationships, and show yourself that you are there to stay.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/professionalism">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/professionalism#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~4/OjwLtlsGOlY" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/961330/Photo_on_2009-12-10_at_20.35__2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sDwfSpgKG09 Will Hopkins willhopkins Will Hopkins http://willhopkins.posterous.com/professionalism Wed, 08 Jun 2011 05:48:17 -0700 Tagging with OpenMeta and HoudahSpot http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~3/R6LcB1vW9yI/tagging-with-openmeta-and-houdahspot http://willhopkins.posterous.com/tagging-with-openmeta-and-houdahspot <p> <p>To tag or not to tag? On the one hand, tagging is an easy way to add metadata to files and make them easily searchable. On the other hand, tagging is an extra layer of metadata that can easily gobble more time than it saves.</p> <h2>The Why</h2> <p>I am going to try tagging on my Mac. I listened to <a href="http://macpowerusers.com/2011/03/mpu-045-finding-files-and-tagging/">Mac Power Users 045: Finding Files and Tagging</a> and read Brett Terpstra’s post on <a href="http://brettterpstra.com/on-sorting-tagging-and-other-nerdery/">his tagging workflow</a>, and both convinced me of the power of tagging. For one thing, my recent change in circumstances (I graduated) has prompted me to evaluate how I organize my file system, and to consider some drastic changes while in this natural period of transition.</p> <h2>The How</h2> <p>To tag files and folders on Mac OS X, the best option is <a href="http://code.google.com/p/openmeta/">OpenMeta</a>. While not officially supported by Apple, OpenMeta has been adopted by multiple devs and is stable enough for the time being. OpenMeta tags are also Spotlight searchable, meaning that it takes relatively little to</p> <p>A couple of options exist for those who wish to tag files with an app:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.caseapps.com/tags/">Tags</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.indev.ca/MailTags.html">MailTags</a></li> <li><a href="http://yepsoftware.com/index.html">Leap and Yep</a></li> <li><a href="http://c-command.com/eaglefiler/">EagleFiler</a></li> <li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/filr/id402468144?mt=12">Filr</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.houdah.com/houdahSpot/">HoudahSpot</a></li> <li><a href="http://yepsoftware.com/tagit/index.html">Tagit</a> (the only free one of the bunch!)</li> <li><a href="http://code.google.com/p/openmeta/wiki/OpenMetaApplications">At least another half dozen that I have yet to try…</a></li> </ul> <p>I took a look at Tags, but I was reluctant to shell out $30 for an app that Apple may break and that I may not continue to use. I had a lightbulb moment when I realized that HoudahSpot was capable of adding and searching OpenMeta tags, since I already own HoudahSpot and have it set up to my liking. Even better, it includes several services that integrate with <a href="http://www.obdev.at/products/launchbar/index.html">LaunchBar</a>.</p> <p>To tag my files, I now use a combination of Filr, MailTags, and HoudahSpot/LaunchBar. Filr. I use Filr because it was a few bucks on the Mac App Store and reliably handles batches and folders. MailTags integrates with Mail’s rules and automatically tags most of my email.</p> <p>HoudahSpot and LaunchBar, though, are the glue that holds the system together. Tagging mostly happens when I’m sorting through my Downloads folder or when hunting for a file. Thanks to HoudahSpot’s “Tag using HoudahSpot” service, I can invoke LaunchBar, type “THS” to activate HoudahSpot’s tag dialog, add a few tags, and be on my way. HoudahSpot also provides a more powerful search interface than stock Spotlight, and I use it for finding files, too.</p> <p>Like Brett, I tag files with whatever comes to mind since that is what I’m most likely to think of when next looking for the file. All tags are lowercase, contexts get an “@”, and multiword tags use camel case (e.g. WikiWord).</p> <h2>The What</h2> <p>What am I tagging, you ask? OpenMeta tags apply to almost anything in the Mac filesystem. For my part, I’m sticking with important emails and files, and any files I want to keep connected without necessarily keeping it in the same folder. The beauty of tags is that they can associate files anywhere in your filesystem, regardless of kind or application.</p> <p>I’m coupling my tags with a shallow folder architecture. In the past, I have used hierarchical folders half a dozen layers deep, but it results in a great deal of unnecessary clicking (or spacebar pressing, in LaunchBar). I’m moving to a single fold workflow in which working files and downloads are kept together, then filed and tagged at the end of the day. Folders will be project-motivated and only as deep as is absolutely necessary.</p> <h2>Conclusion</h2> <p>After using tagging for the last week, I like the OpenMeta system. I wish it were officially supported by Apple, but I wish for a lot of things, including rainbows and unicorns every day. I’m still very much in my trial phase of tagging, and I will continue to tweak my workflow going forward.</p> <p>I need to transition my old files and folders to a new hierarchy. It will take time, and I need to determine the most logical setup. Determining how to sort files has always been the biggest stumbling block for me when organizing my computer, and my new system will be as difficult in that regard until I have become comfortable with a more naturalistic way to file.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/tagging-with-openmeta-and-houdahspot">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/tagging-with-openmeta-and-houdahspot#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~4/R6LcB1vW9yI" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/961330/Photo_on_2009-12-10_at_20.35__2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sDwfSpgKG09 Will Hopkins willhopkins Will Hopkins http://willhopkins.posterous.com/tagging-with-openmeta-and-houdahspot Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:54:22 -0700 Use the application switcher to quit and hide programs http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~3/oGEeq1T2FJs/use-the-application-switcher-to-quit-and-hide http://willhopkins.posterous.com/use-the-application-switcher-to-quit-and-hide <p> <p>I knew this: By pressing Cmd + Tab, you invoke Mac OS X’s application switcher. By holding down Cmd and pressing Tab repeatedly, you cycle through the currently open applications.</p> <p>I didn’t know this: By pressing Q or H while selecting an application in the switcher (still holding Cmd), you can quit or hide that application. Nifty.</p> <p>This and other application switcher tips via <a href="http://www.macworld.com/article/159921/2011/05/appswitcher.html">Macworld</a>.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/use-the-application-switcher-to-quit-and-hide">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://willhopkins.posterous.com/use-the-application-switcher-to-quit-and-hide#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/WillHopkinsPosterous/~4/oGEeq1T2FJs" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/961330/Photo_on_2009-12-10_at_20.35__2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sDwfSpgKG09 Will Hopkins willhopkins Will Hopkins http://willhopkins.posterous.com/use-the-application-switcher-to-quit-and-hide