Clearing the Cache #5

Updates

I decided to rename this newsletter from The Weekly Cache to Clearing the Cache. The main reason seems obvious. I don't always send it out weekly. I don't want to be on a set schedule with this type of thing. Instead, I want to accumulate some interesting links and updates, and then click send, as if I were clearing my cache, hence the name. I do still hope to send it weekly(ish) or maybe every couple of weeks if things get hectic.

I debated whether to use Ghost's Bookmark feature to display links in this newsletter. I tried it, but decided against it because it looks too cluttered, and I want to keep this lightweight. I'll use them sparingly.

I also decided to include a photo in each edition. Nothing AI-generated. Either a new or an old personal photo that I'd like to share. Perhaps I'll be inspired to take more, and better quality, photos.

My recent posts include:

Writing for Developers: Blogs that get read

Writing for Developers: Blogs that get read by Piotr Sarna and Cynthia Dunlop is about, you guessed it, writing for developers. While it is full of practical tips that can apply to any technical writer, the book is focused on writing technical blogs. This book is packed full of information

Eric GregorichEric Gregorich

One thing at a time

I was sitting on the couch, reading an article, when I realized I had finished it but had no idea what it was about. I realized I was not only reading the article, but was listening to a podcast with headphones in one ear, and was watching a baseball game

Eric GregorichEric Gregorich

A new chapter begins as my daughter moves out for college

My little girl moved out to her college dorm today. It’s the first time she’s “lived” away from home. I didn’t think it would be a big deal since she’s 30 minutes down the road and not home half the time anyway, but it’s hitting me harder than I thought

Eric GregorichEric Gregorich

Books

Writing for Developers: Blogs that get read

I finished reading Writing for Developers: Blogs that get read, by Piotr Sarna and Cynthia Dunlop. A good reference book for those writing about development and technical stuff. Here are my notes.

Music

Chevelle: Bright as Blasphemy

Chevelle's new album, Bright as Blasphemy, was released last week and has been the only thing in my playlist since.

Articles

Do not Interrupt Developers, Study Says

The research showed that it takes 10-15 minutes for a developer to return to editing code after an interruption, and as much as 30-45 minutes to recover the full context they had before breaking focus. That disruption does not mean that they’ve wasted only those 10 to 15 minutes; the cost is also in fragmented flow and decreased creativity. And the importance of the requester increased the impact of the interruption.

Research shows that teams with just one meeting per day maintain daily progress nearly 99% of the time, while adding a third meeting drops progress to 14%.

People can change

I enjoyed reading Annie's post on how people can change.

Some days I miss the comfort of knowing, or believing that I know, so many absolute truths. It’s easier to have things mapped out, lined up. You don’t have to do so much figuring out of life when you already know what it’s all about (or think you do).

Videos

Tech Promised Everything. Did it deliver?

I've been following Scott Hanselman for years. He's a developer and a great public speaker who is now a VP at Microsoft. He now has a TED Talk about the gift of technology and how it promised everything, but betrayed us, and we need to take it back.

Apps

Mymind

Mymind is a super simple, fast, private, and visually stunning bookmarking and lightweight notes application. I plan to write a post about it soon.

Feedbin

I renewed my Feedbin subscription. I find it the simplest, cleanest, and fastest RSS reader that I've tried. I love their new browser extension. Unfortunately, since Feedbin does not have a native app on Android, I need to use another app, Capy Reader, which syncs flawlessly with Feedbin.

Hardware

Traveler: A keyboard with an e-ink display. For writers.

The Traveler appears to be a cool device for those seeking a dedicated writing tool. If I wrote more without needing my computer for reference, I'd be more interested.