Despite the fact that I've been unhappy with Twitter's business strategy and various "Dick" moves, the end result has been great. The main effect on me has been a reduce usage of their service. And although I signed on for App.net [https://join.app.net/] early on, my Twitter usage was not merely replaced by the new service. There are various reasons for this. Moving to a new house, a new job, and a long trip. But mostly, it's been a continual desire to use Twitter less. I'm thankful…
As I mentioned [https://chrisbowler.com/journal/new-spaces], I love the process of familiarizing yourself with a place or people. Sydney has been an easy transition due to the many similarities with Canadian life. But there can be different expectations and norms between even relatively close people groups, so it was only a matter of time. And one area when Australia differs greatly is coffee. It can be somewhat summed up in a conversation I had with a barista this morning. Him: G'day, what'l…
As I've worked with and observed online businesses, there are three concepts that have become the pillars of how I believe companies should conduct themselves. They are: 1) charge for your product or service 2) give amazing customer service and 3) invest in and empower your team. Charging for your product or service seems overly obvious in most markets, but not so with the web. Sadly, build first and (try to) profit later is the norm in a bourgeoning industry. There are a few shining examples a…
What is about about new spaces that are exhilarating? For me, it's the intrigue. When I travel to a new city, I love to simply wander, to get a feel for the people, the smells, the layout. Most of all, I want to learn of the history. What has happened that contributed to making the city what it is. Sydney has not disappointed. It has much in common with Vancouver, a city I have much familiarity with. And so, exploring Sydney has been an experience of peaceful curiosity, allowing me to dally my…
The availability of new publishing platforms is good news. Truly. But a comment I made yesterday could be taken in a manner I did not intend. I said [https://twitter.com/chrisbowler/statuses/238023245775912960]: > Publishing platforms are fine, tools lacking friction even better, but the platform/tool does not make the writer. A few friends called out my thinking (always a good thing) and presented their beliefs that platforms can be enablers, giving people an ability they previously did not ha…
I find a strange dichotomy with the direction of iOS, and correspondingly, with OS X. The push for focus, for embracing the constraints of iOS, where you can only work in one application at a time, has been a welcome change for me. Having this direction partially come over to OS X has also been positive (I say partially because full screen mode doesn't stop me from swiping between spaces, but only slightly alters my perception of my work environment). The contradiction comes with the Notificati…
My life changed on April 9, 2010. At least, my work life did. And when you own your own business, your work life tends to bleed — heavily — into every aspect of your life. So when I received the announcement early on a Friday evening that Twitter had purchased atebits [https://chrisbowler.com/p/460d5fbd-530e-463e-9ab4-cdb0c6d01f8a/], it was a punch to the gut. Backstory Let me go back one year, to April of 2009. Tweetie on the iPhone was a smashing success. I'd read the likes of Gruber sing its…
Most parents recognize that there has to be some semblance of discipline in the home in order for it to run smoothly, for its occupants to enjoy living in it and with each other. When you're a family six, this is even more true. And while what is in our children's heart is the most crucial, my wife and I do our best to teach them how to obey while they are very young. Once they've learned to obey, then we can move on to conversations and teaching that helps them recognize issue of…