2019#23 Readings of the Week
4 minutes read | 714 words by Ruben BerenguelI have been on quite the hiatus, making this more of a readings of the month edition. Sorry!
Last one was published/sent a bit more than a month ago (and my reading list is now at 347 pending), but there is a reason. The reason has been a mix of other side stuff taking over and a big project related to my blog: I have moved (after something like 14 years) from Blogger.com to hosting it in GitHub pages as a static site (generated with hugo). I’ll write about the process in due time, but the move required quite a lot of work (tweaking templates, fixing the most visited and most recent posts..) and I’m not even done (only 60 out of the 300 or so posts I have kept out of 700 are optimized for the new layout).
NOTE: Data, history, productivity. Expect a similar wide range in the future as well. You can check all my weekly readings by checking the tag here . You can also get these as a weekly newsletter by subscribing here.
Minimalist Journaling: A Fun and Effective Tool for Tremendous Habit Change
A graphical way of representing anything? Sign me up.
What Really Happened in the UK Blackouts?
I was very lucky: I was at the other side of my LGW-BCN when this happened.
Global heating: ancient plants set to reproduce in UK after 60m years
We are doomed.
Loops in Python - comparison and performance
It may not tell anything new to seasoned Pythonistas, but it’s a good reference to hand down to people asking.
Get your work recognized: write a brag document
It’s not bragging if it’s true.
Every productivity thought I’ve ever had, as concisely as possible
I specially like the idea of “clock-face pomodori”
Alone in the Dark
I love these historical analysis of classical games from my youth.
Welcome to the world of Statecharts
As above, graphical ways of representing stuff can be empowering (you’ve heard me say Wardley mapping before, right?
Scientists Are Discovering Long-Lost Rules for Ancient Board Games
This may fix the many rules for Ludum Latrunculorum or decide which is the best version of the tablut/tafl family.
Behind Nate Silver’s war with The New York Times
I don’t read The NY Times (paywall), but this was interesting.
Why speaking to yourself in the third person makes you wiser
Ruben agrees
Finally, China manufactures a ballpoint pen all by itself
Can’t deny this was surprising. Won’t spoil why.
How to assess the quality of garments: A Beginner’s Guide
My past life as a bespoke shoemaker finds this interesting.
When and why to use GraphQL
I have never dared close to GraphQL, and the when and whys here explain my fears. So, done rightly is not to fear.
Experience: I’m a world-class whistler
And not the referee kind.
How to make fresh soba noodles at home
I won’t ever do this, but as a read, fascinating.
Functional Programming? Don’t Even Bother, It’s a Silly Toy
Don’t miss the tone.
TDD on Punch Cards
Well, it wasn’t “our” TDD, but it had T and D.
The Codeless Code: a bridge to nowhere
🤣
BlazingSQL is Now Open Source
Duh, another interesting tool…
Talking to the Scientists Who Made Bread with Ancient Egyptian Yeast
I want to taste it, yes.
So, Um, How Do You, Like, Stop Using Filler Words?
I need help with this.
All the best engineering advice I stole from non-technical people
It’s not like non-technical people are less knowledgeable.
Speed matters: Why working quickly is more important than it seems
It’s just a tradeoff.
Optimized Docker builds for Haskell Stack
Worth keeping in mind if I ever get any Haskell written.
How to Keep a Zibaldone
Just a commonplace book.
The Lost Art of Lacing Cable
Neat!
📚 Ultralearning
Techniques for self-learning at a faster pace. Don’t think I picked any ideas I was not familiar with, but it’s a good book.
Newsletter?
These weekly posts are also available as a newsletter. These days (since RSS went into limbo) most of my regular information comes from several newsletters I’m subscribed to, instead of me going directly to a blog. If this is also your case, subscribe by clicking here.