Stairs, Wiggling
Reunited with a Quaint, Wankel-Powered Friend
A broken Mazda RX-7, that lived in a shed on the family farm, was David Blue's first real experience with a car. Years later he got to try out a living, working example of the same car – and, unlike Max Prince previously found, loved it. – Speedmonkey Matt
Honda: From Trendsetters to Just Another Car Company
South Korea is poised to take Japan's place in the American market.
Last Year of the NC: 2013 Mazda MX-5 Club Review
As we bid farewell to the Miata’s third-generation, sizing up its top trim summarizes its legacy.
Automatics Suck
America's favorite drivetrain is not ideal.
David Blue's Handy Test Document™
Open
Some of my favorite projects brought to you by The Open Web.
EVENMAGAZINE.COM
CMAGAZINE.COM
X-ONLINE.SG
THEINTERNET.EXPRESS
CHARLEYPROJECT.ORG
RADIO.GARDEN
THEFLOODMAG.COM
READINGDESIGN.ORG
PUDDING.COOL
READWILDNESS.COM
AVERYREVIEW.COM
WHITEEYES.CLUB
GRANDEMAISON.DE
INCREMENT.COM
DARCENTER.ORG
DIVEDAPPER.COM
HECHINGERREPORT.ORG
FONTREVIEWJOURNAL.COM
SHADYCHARACTERS.CO.UK
POOLSIDE.FM
DATAFRUITS.FM
NEUSTADT.FR
COLORNAMES.ORG
SONG.LINK
POD.LINK
QUOTEBACKS.NET
ARCHIVE.IS
WINWORLDPC.COM
WHIMSICAL.CLUB
The Church of COMPAQ
Resurrecting the Compaq Computer Corporation with my COMPAQ Portable.
In September 2018, I bought perhaps my most prized possession: an original COMPAQ Portable. Unfortunately, it's succumbed to the common keyboard failure of the breed and I have yet to repair it.
just logging on to the machine. pic.twitter.com/cbGCdjBedr
— David Blue (@NeoYokel) May 20, 2020
View the full gallery here.
The Unlicense, Dave Edition
Considering my use of Git as a means to track revisions on my own writing, it's important to note that you should feel free to replace all instances of “software” in the statement below with “words,” “writing,” “expression,” etc.
While I appreciate tremendously the work and contribution of Arlo Bendiken in the form of The Unlicense, I would like to add that I see no need, personally, to make the refutation of Intellectual Property law regarding my own work into some profound ethical statement. As it stands, I have not to my knowledge been the victim of any sort of theft of any kind, and find the suggestion highly unlikely. If I am made aware of such a case, there is certainly a possibility that I may change my mind on this issue, so I suppose I should highlight that THESE TERMS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, though I suspect I would be more flattered and/or amused than actually offended.
I would also like to annotate that my use of this license should not be regarded as a suggestion that anyone else follow my example, or that I “believe in” taking such action regarding one's work, generally. While I did indeed take the time to set up a repository of John Perry Barlow's “The Economy of Ideas” in a bunch of different document formats, I do not necessarily agree with all of what he argued, especially in the context of the world 27 years later. If you are particularly interested in my opinion on the matter for whatever reason, here is what I have to say to you:
The principled beginning of The Open Web was a great moment in history, but – like all historical principles – it is extremely important that we consider context and maintain an appropriate level of criticism when looking back on old manifestos written by old white guys. In general, try your best to be reasonable.
***
This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
Anyone is free to copy, modify, publish, use, compile, sell, or distribute this software, either in source code form or as a compiled binary, for any purpose, commercial or non-commercial, and by any means.
In jurisdictions that recognize copyright laws, the author or authors of this software dedicate any and all copyright interest in the software to the public domain. We make this dedication for the benefit of the public at large and to the detriment of our heirs and successors. We intend this dedication to be an overt act of relinquishment in perpetuity of all present and future rights to this software under copyright law.
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS IS”, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
For more information, please refer to https://unlicense.org
Recommendations
After writing “Dirty Dave's Poweruser Tips,” I thought it'd be appropriate to have a dedicated, ongoing recommendations page for my favorite/most recommended software. (I also really just wanted to use that incredible featured image.)
Writing
Bear
Bear is the most beautiful piece of software I've ever seen, both functionally and stylistically.
Typora
As an alternative to Bear, Typora is technically much more powerful. Customizable themes and folder selection allow the user to do virtually anything, which may be a downside for some.
Social
Mastodon
Mastodon may be dominated by the tech-oriented right now, but you have the power to change that. Back in 2017, I interviewed its creator, Eugen Rochko for Extratone.
Periscope
Periscope is one of the best places on the internet, ever. It's generally positive, fascinating, and entirely unique.
Discord
Discord is advertised as “chat for gamers,” but frankly, I think it's the best way to host an active social community. I built Extratone using our Discord server.
Spark
“Love your email again” is Spark's logline, and it's a fairly accurate one. The ability to mark three emails as read at a time is absolutely invaluable for a smartphone-based mail application.