Miscellaneous (4)
Electronic Data as Evidence
We need better defenses against assaults on our rights and privacy. In a world in which most happens electronically, one such defense gets surprisingly little attention: Everything electronic can be forged.
#37 · · advocacy
On Net Neutrality
We need net neutrality, and we need to insist on net neutrality. Everywhere, not just in the United States. Throttling internet access, or charging select content providers extra, much appears like a brazen combination of profiteering, extortion, and, effectively, censorship.
#36 · · advocacy
On Privacy
A few theses on a critical subject. The most important ones: One cannot be free without privacy, all living beings have a right for privacy, and we shall punish intentional violations of privacy.
#35 · · advocacy
On America
The United States have so far engaged in 71 wars in which they killed 13.8 million people; not counted are the World Wars they ended with nuclear strikes on Japan. The U.S. have led 26 proxy wars in which they took 1.4 million lives…
#34 ·
Sources
I always like to learn what people turn to for information, education, and also entertainment. In particular what they deem most excellent. That’s part of trying to be open. Yet, learning about people’s sources typically requires inquiring directly. Here I’m extrovert and share…
#33 ·
On Writing
Frankly, on fears.
#32 ·
The 6 Most Useful Books I’ve Ever Read
I love reading, and over time I’ve been lucky to read many useful, and then a handful quite extraordinary books. Here I like to share my current non-fiction favorites: The Nature of Personal Reality, Getting More, Public Opinion, and, you can tell, three more.
#31 ·
Lessons From Writing a Dream Journal
I love dreaming. I love dreams. Dreams are fascinating. I’ve learned that dreams are realities just as real as this one, physical reality. I’ve learned that much when it comes to dream memory depends on one’s own beliefs with respect to dreaming…
#30 · · philosophy
On Writing a Book With Google Docs and Amazon KDP
Google Docs is okay to write short books and when making limited use of the comment feature. Amazon KDP’s HTML format is a technical disgrace, and Amazon needs to fix it. A few thoughts and tips on completing a book using either.
#29 · · development
How I Read 10 Books a Month
I read 10–15 books a month. As I’ve been doing this for a few years and thus developed a routine, I thought it could be interesting to share a few notes, tips, and quirks—I remember how hard it can be to even read 1 book a month.
#28 ·
9 Tips to Become a Better Driver
What makes a good driver? I don’t know whether I know. I’ve driven much, have deepened my skills, I fit stereotypes—and I’ve also screwed up. What I do know is that I’m a driver who cares. A few ideas on what could make people better drivers.
#27 ·
The Art of Saying Thank You, One Thousand Times
But not here, on onethousandthankyous.org.
#26 · · advocacy
Surveillance Kills Democracy
I meet people who think that mass surveillance, as with NSA and GCHQ spying, is okay because they don’t have anything to worry about. The argument is either that they don’t have anything to hide or that what they’re doing is not important enough…
#25 · · advocacy
The Meanings of Googliness
The words “googley” and “googliness” are not found in common language. Even at Google, where they’ve been coined, it’s not clear to everyone what these words mean. And that’s no surprise: You don’t get a handout with a description…
#24 ·
Goodbye Google, San Francisco, California, and United States
I’m resetting my life. I’ve quit at Google, I’ve quit my apartment in San Francisco, I’ve sold most of what I own and put the rest in storage. I’m now about to backpack the world to pursue my studies and goals and to build a new life somewhere else. Here’s a little story.
#23 ·
Driving: Tips and Thoughts
It’s time for a heart-warming post about driving.
#22 ·
Teamwork, Democracy, and Decisions
As great as democracy is to prevent negative outcomes, as unsuitable is it to achieve “best” outcomes.
#21 · · management
On Solutions
Solutions require problems. If you don’t have a problem, you don’t need a solution. This is exactly why you should, whenever someone proposes a solution—which includes design and technical changes—ask what problem that solution solves…
#20 · · development
How to Relocate, the Alternative Guide
If there’s one area of expertise I’m only involuntarily linked with, it’s moving. I moved 25 times so far, spanning cities, countries, and now continents; my career stats mean .81 relocations per year, or 1.24 years per relocation. Some lessons I learned.
#19 ·
My Top 15 Android Apps
This is a serious post, not one of those “the 1,000 best blah” ones. I think. I’m an Android user for a bit longer than December 2008, and I love my HTC Magic as much as the HTC Dream (aka G1)…
#18 ·
The Result of Maturity Is Simplicity
“Finally, it doesn’t lack some irony considering that web design gets often enough protected by the credo ‘the end justifies the means’ and pragmatism’s paid homage to. The question is whether you’re talking about unhealthy, sanctimonious pragmatism or—”
#17 ·
Presenting… the Google Shoe
They finally arrived, long longed for Google shoes, in this case the “Google j9t” model based on the Adidas ZX700. They’re not for sale but I might share the configuration I used to design them. The “Google j9t” may only be worn for dynamite fishing and important launches.
#16 ·
Thoughts on Disclaimers
Disclaimers are popular in Germany, both for websites and emails. Recently I came across the German Wikipedia article on disclaimers which talks about the topic in detail, and I could not but go for another “thoughts” post…
#15 ·
meiert.com Survey Results
It’s one and a half months since I asked for your feedback about meiert.com, and I’ve finally decided to publish some of the results.
#14 ·
Asking for Your Feedback
I’d like to ask for 15 seconds (meaning exactly 15 seconds) of your precious time for a short survey related to this website, to learn about your perspective.
#13 ·
Expertise and the Inverted Parabola
I’m not a mathematician!—but it looks like applying one’s experience and expertise results in an inverted parabola when it comes to the amount of work invested. That is, knowledge or its use, respectively, seem to mean that beginners don’t know what to do and thus don’t do much, while experts…
#12 ·
Thoughts on Email
Email was, is, and will remain the Web’s true killer application, but spam, top-posting, incompetent use of newsletters, and the HTML email problem mean serious challenges.
#11 ·
The 1,000 Dollar Donation
A few minutes ago, I donated the 1,000 US dollars I offered in the 1,000 Dollar Comment Game. I rounded the 1,000 dollars to 700 euros and transferred the money to “Selbsthilfe für Wohnungslose e.V.”, Hanover.
#10 ·
Akismet Plugins Archive
Since no older versions of famous WordPress spam protection plugin Akismet seem to be available anymore, I decided to preserve the collection of Akismet plugins I could get my hands on. Get your API key all excited.
#9 ·
Dark Days for Germany
Yesterday, on the historically significant November 9, the German government approved a law that requires telecommunications providers to retain all customer communication data for a period of six months, and allows authorities to gain access to stored communications…
#8 · · advocacy
3 Great Learning Strategies for Generalists
“Lifelong learning” sounds like some sort of buzzword, but it’s necessary to develop and progress, and awesome to cultivate. Mistakes are great, too, as they are accelerating the learning process, and this needs to be kept in mind…
#7 ·
Cost of Solution vs. Cost of Problem
Problems cost money, and problems require solutions that also cost money. This is known in all industries, but in many cases, there is focus on only one side: What does the solution of the problem cost? This ignores the other side, the cost of the problem.
#6 ·
The 1,000 Dollar Comment Game
Finally, the remake of the infamous comment game. Easy money and link love.
#5 ·
Interview: Me on Blogs and Blogging
Bruce C. Brown interviewed me for his forthcoming book, The Secret Power of Blogging.
#4 · · interviews
Me on Czech TV
Czech Nova TV phone-interviewed me about The World’s Highest Website!
#3 ·
The Problem With Link Blogs (Plus Five Link Blogs That Rock)
Link blogs suck because they don’t provide content. With few exceptions, link blogs suck because they jump on the back of people who actually create content. Link blogs nonetheless play an important role in the hypertext ecosystem…
#2 ·
Weird Weekend Without Happy End: Eggebek, Flensburg, Denmark, Bremen
To be a bit more transparent to my valued readers: a brief account of a not quite optimal weekend of mine.
#1 ·