blaix

I've used the pomodoro + Spaces + single monitor technique for a while. I actually took things a bit farther and now keep my laptop on a stool to the left of my desk (I do my main work on a desktop). Instead of having a separate Space for non-work stuff (chat, email, casual browsing), I keep it all on the laptop. I only use it during pomodoro breaks and I have the screen go to sleep after only a couple minutes of inactivity so it's not distracting when the breaks are over.

I've found that since I have to perform the physical act of swiveling my chair to comfortably use the laptop, it is much less tempting to get distracted. It was too easy to "just check my email really quick..." or "just respond to this one instant message..." when it was only a quick Spaces shortcut away.

The article isn't about how to narrowly focus on one and only one minuscule thing (reading one article), it's about focusing on one and only one task (reading a blog post in this case, which typically implies the availability of related links), and more importantly, how to train your attention span so that it lasts longer than the usual couple minutes.

Title is a bit sensationalist, but he makes a great point. It's ok to be a little less DRY and implement your own helper methods in the namespace of your gem rather than include the whole low-level object invasion of active_support.

It's funny that I prefer mechanical buttons, but not a physical keyboard. At least not any implementation of a physical keyboard that I've tried so far.

I just got mine. It actually does from any anywhere, as long as it's unlocked. Very handy. Only thing handier would be if it worked while the phone was locked. Though I don't know how likely an accidental long-press of the button in your pocket is. My guess is not very likely. But it is quite large...

Something I remember reading in the pragmatic programmer's "Practices of an Agile Developer" is that it's better to surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. That way you are always learning and always striving to improve. The analogy they use is that you always want to be the "worst" player in a band. Once you're the best, it's time to move on so you don't become comfortable and stagnant. So my advice is to become comfortable with this feeling that so many people are better at something than you (I feel the same way!). That's a good thing! It should push you to keep learning and improving.

Typing on it is wonderful. The bigger screen really helps there.

I was under the impression that the dedicated camera button did in fact jump to the camera app. Disappointed to read that it doesn't.

I agree. The "real" buttons are one of the reasons I chose a Droid X over an Incredible. I don't think I've liked capacitive buttons on any device I've ever tried them on: my laptop's media keys, my old ipod... it never feels right. I prefer the physical feedback.

I definitely got the vibe of this being handled a bit amateurishly.

The reverse is also true for people who are passionate about programming and want to turn that into a startup, assuming the marketing/business side of things is just a small part, a stepping stone to get to that goal.

"I admit this naming convention is more for the massive nerd factor than practicality."

I think the biggest use for this would be when you don't always know the source of the video. Like with user-submitted stuff.

so is instapaper

I was thinking this exact thing while reading his article (losing the benefit of caching external files locally). It would be my guess that this does improve performance for single requests (like an article that gets popular on HN...), but as you said, reading 50 pages would be worse.

Still it's very cool, especially for a minimalist blog.

I got the impression this was more for people who can't (or don't want to) code.

Not if his language isn't strictly typed.

Do you know how they compare to the original lectures by the authors? Or the MIT OCW lectures? I've been meaning to dive into SICP and trying to decide if I want to use a video supplement, and if so, which.

In your ~/.gitconfig:

    [alias]
      ci = commit -v

Then always commit with: git ci

Wow, I completely forgot railsmachine existed.

Same setup here but it just says "missing plugin"

Precisely. But to keep the analogy going: because Apple chose to lie to you in 2008 to make that hybrid look like it gets better gas mileage than it actually does.

I don't know if this is really the case or not, but what Apple is saying is more like going to a mechanic because your gas gauge keeps dropping to E when you hold the steering wheel a certain way, and the mechanic informs you that your gauge has been reporting more gas than you actually had _for several years_.

Well then it must be using "the right algorithms", obviously.

Yeah, he's essentially saying PHP is familiar and popular because it's familiar and popular.

I loved how he explained the strange attracting/repelling nature of carbon and oxygen as a ball rolling uphill to get to a hole. So simple yet so brilliant.

You can really tell how much he loves the subject matter. Get the feeling he could just keep talking about it all day if you let him.

I'd let him.

I think the percents are merely anecdotal and the main point is to keep an open mind. Don't assume you are always right.

The mention of Pivotal's support actually improved my outlook on this whole thing. It doesn't sound like they are outsourcing the code, it sounds like they are being mentored, and that Pivotal thinks this crazy thing could work.

Good point. I'd like to know if most of the people experiencing this problem are actually experiencing lost calls/signal or just seeing fewer bars.