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Obsidian Web Clipper works on iOS
I just discovered that the Obsidian Web Clipper also works on iOS! I’ll need to use Safari since it’s a Safari extension, but that’s okay.
I struggled with importing my settings. I had to import each template manually, and configuring the Interpreter was a bit of a pain, but it works!
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Default Apps 2024
Inspired by the Hemispheric Views podcast, here is my annual list of Default Apps for 2024. My list seems pretty boring (to me). It’s changed a good deal over the year, but this is what I’m currently using and what seems to be sticking with me for now.
- 📨 Mail Client: Hey 1
- 📮 Mail Server: Hey 1
- 📝 Notes: Obsidian 2
- ✅ To-Do: Things 3 iOS
- 📷 iPhone Photo Shooting: Default camera app.
- 🟦 Photo Management: Apple Photos
- 📆 Calendar: Apple Calendar
- 📁 Cloud File Storage: Apple iCloud
- 📖 RSS: Readwise Reader
- 🙍🏻♂️ Contacts: Hey 1 and Apple Contacts
- 🌐 Browser: Edge on Windows. Orion on iOS
- 💬 Chat: Apple Messages. Signal.
- 🔖 Bookmarks: Obsidian 3
- 📑 Read It Later: Readwise Reader
- 📜 Word Processing: Obsidian
- 🛒 Shopping Lists: Our Grociers iOS
- 🍴 Meal Planning: N/A
- 💰 Budgeting and Personal Finance: YNAB
- 📰 News: RSS
- 🎵 Music: Apple Music
- 🎤 Podcasts: Overcast
- 🔐 Password Management: 1Password
- 🔎 Search: Kagi 4
- 🌍 Blogging Platform: Micro.blog and Pika
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I like Hey, but is it worth $99 a year? I’ll reevaluate when its time. ↩︎
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I’m working on transitioning all of my notes (worth keeping) from Apple Notes, Upnote, Reflect, Evernote, Drafts, and anywhere else I may have them stored. ↩︎
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I’ve been using Obsidian Web Clipper to save bookmarks into Obsidian. It’s lacking on mobile though. ↩︎
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I love Kagi, but have been experimenting with Perplexity and even ChatGPT Web search. ↩︎
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Maybe I’ll give the Cards Theme some attention over the holiday break. I’ll make sure it’s supporting all the latest Micro.blog features and I’ll tweak some things. Any requests?
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One of my goals over the next couple of weeks, while I’m off work, is to move all of my notes from various places into Obsidian.
Somehow, I get notes scattered all over we then place in various apps. I need to move them and cut out these other apps from my system.
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Microsoft Copilot experiment: Day 2
I’ve been trying Microsoft Copilot for the past couple of days. I’ve been jumping around between Perplexity, Kagi Assistant, ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, and Google’s Gemini trying to better understand which may work best for me long-term.
Copilot was recently updated with a simple and friendly UI. It’s nice to use. However, I don’t see any advanced features that power users will certainly want in their AI assistant. No projects, prompt configuration, no option to switch LLMs. The Pro version offers a simple “Think Deeper” button that, when clicked, switches to a more advanced model that helps the conversation go deeper. You’ll also get priority access and other perks with Pro.
There is a Copilot Daily feature that reads today’s top headlines. Today’s headlines included a public service message to turn off lights when not in use, and headlines about the Apex fossil in the NY museum, Trump’s goal to end daylight savings time, MicroStrategy to join Nasdaq-100 Index, Jared Padalecki’s holiday message, and incentives to attract new residents in other countries. Overall, a good mix and summary of each. It was convenient to listen to it the past couple of days. As far as the ongoing content, we’ll see.
It’s obvious Microsoft is trying to make Copilot the “everyday user’s” AI. Since Copilot is included front-and-center, for better or worse, on Windows machines going forward, they want it to be as simple as possible.
I’m not convinced any Power User will want to use it. But, I need more time with it to see if I’m missing anything. The Pro version of Copilot is the standard $20 per month. I’ll certainly need to try more advanced tasks to see if it’s even worth considering.
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I’ve been going all in with Microsoft Edge browser. I’ve used it for work, but for my personal browser, I jump around a bit. I always use Safari on my iPhone. Microsoft Edge on the iPhone is surprisingly good. Part of this experiment is to compare Microsoft Copilot with other services.
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Indiana Jones and The Great Circle
I started playing Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. I’m only a couple of hours in, but have to say it is very well done. It feels like your Harrison Ford in the movie. Troy Baker does the voice of Indiana, and nails it.
It’s my kind of game. A slower, story-driven adventure. I only wish my PC would support cranking up the graphics.
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I started using the Keychron Q1 Max keyboard a few days ago. I’m loving it so far. It feels so premium. It weights about 3.8 pounds (1.72 kg) and doesn’t move unless intended. And, I should be able to replace parts over time to keep it feeling fresh.
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I just upgraded my Micro.blog subscription to Premium—mainly to support @Manton. My blog currently uses 11ty, which I enjoy, but I feel I might move it back. The built-in features, like cross-posting, web mentions, bookmarks, bookshelves, newsletters, and more, make it a great deal!
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I just switched my home internet to fiber and have a new TP-Link Deco router. It comes with Homeshield security, available for about $55 per year. I don’t know if that’s any good. Does anyone have recommendations for home security that can be applied at the router level?
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The Wild Robot, 2024 - ★★★★★
🍿 Yesterday, the family and I went to see The Wild Robot. It was an excellent movie. The girls cried (several times). I didn’t (I’m not a crier), but they kept checking to see if I was. The movie was visually stunning, fun, and fast-paced. It is a kid’s movie, but the story is very deep, and adults will love it as well. My daughter thanked me for “making” her see it.
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I gave Capacities a quick look. I like the idea of organizing everything as objects. I don’t think I could stick with it. Too many possibilities and my brain will want to try every one of them.
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Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks
📚 I was listening to the Bookworm podcast and the next book that the hosts will be talking about is Storyworthy, by Matthew Dicks.
I wasn’t interested in the book at first, as I’m not a storyteller, but then I thought there could be some useful tips in here for writing. Anyone who reads my writing knows I need all the help I can get.
So, I picked up a paperback copy of the book and gave it a shot. Was it good? Well, I finished it (although I skipped a little here and there), so that’s a good sign.
As you would expect, Storyworthy, is about creating good stories, so obviously, the book was full of stories. Not long stories. Rather, short, easy to read stories (that didn’t stop the author from plugging the long versions that are available on the website and YouTube channel).
As far as storytelling/writing tips, I was able to abstract a few that I found could be useful for elaborating in some of my writing.
- Every story should have a five-second moment. This is the moment when the story contains a turning-point. A transformation.
- Every story must have an Elephant, which is a part of the story that is obvious. This may be a clear definition of the problem, or mystery. It signifies where the story is heading.
- Always provide a physical location for each moment of the story. This gives your audience something to visualize.
- The ideal connection between sentences is “but” and “therefore” including synonyms. Don’t use “and”. When your paragraphs can be connected by a silent “and”, then it feels like rambling. Instead, each should flow into the other.
- Stories about failure are more engaging than those about success.
- Your story must reflect change over time. Otherwise, what’s the point?
I admit, at times I got lost and didn’t understand the point of what was said. I’d have to reread parts or look back (or forward) to see where the actionable advice is.
There are also a few very short chapters in the book that didn’t have any rhyme or reason for being there. They felt like filler text to make the book a bit longer.
Although I found some parts of the book tedious and disjointed, I found Storyworthy had enough practical advice, with examples, to help strengthen my non-technical writing.
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I’ve been watching Evernote since I stopped using the service a few years ago. During the past few months, Bending Spoons has been cranking out improvements and features, making it look like a great product.
I’m still not comfortable with Bending Spoons as a company. Not enough to go back.
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I’ve been using Raindrop pretty consistently for all of my bookmarks. I’m experimenting with sharing some of my collections for others to enjoy. I created a Bookmarks page on my site that acts as a landing page.
I considered sharing links and bookmarks as blog posts, but it’s too much work. 😁
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I fixed the Subscribe link on my sites. Today, I realized that the URL was missing and went to a Not Found page.
That explains why I have not received thousands of followers in the past few weeks. 😉
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My daughter has become quite the home chef. She whipped up some sort of Korean Rice Cakes and pork with a nicely fried egg on top. It was delicious!
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I have a habit of ruining my experience with an app I enjoy using by slowly trying to make it do things it was not meant to do.
I think I’m getting better at reminding myself of this before I get myself in trouble.
Still a long way to go.
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I preordered my copy of Anne-Laure Le Cunff’s (Ness Labs) book Tiny Experiments. I’ve always enjoyed her content. Looking forward to see what the book offers.
