Some progress

A retro-looking picture of some robots chasing a woman
Image source: https://www.frankandmarci.com/blog/2024-how-to-thrive-when-ai-is-coming-for-your-job/

I spent some time figuring out what I’d like ronnie.fyi to look like and, ultimately, went back to a Figma layout I’d come up with about a year ago. It’s simple, but I like it. Until I don’t.

I’ll keep this post pinned to the top of the homepage for a while and make a note of anything new I add.

For example, I’ve just added an RSS feed. Go add it to Google Reader an RSS reader of your choice.

New things

Bluesky integration

I’ve added some Bluesky integration to the homepage. In theory, it should regenerate every few days and land in the middle of the regular posts.

Changelog

For my own benefit, I’ll try and keep a note of what I’m up to in a changelog.

Modular synth magic

Jonathan MacKenzie has put together a modular synth cover of Angine de Poitrine’s Sarniezz. As a synth luddite, this is basically just magic.

Recent Bluesky chat

Ronnie

Blogged about something before @kottke.org did and I'm taking that as a victory for today.

ronnie.fyi/posts/john-t...

kottke.org/26/04/004864...

Ronnie

Later this month, I'm doing the Kiltwalk. The family and I will be doing The Big Stroll, a 14 mile walk from Glasgow to Loch Lomond, on behalf of The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice.

If you can afford to donate, it will be very welcome.

kathleen-mulloy.muchloved.com/Fundraising/...

Ronnie

Did an extrovert write this?

The IndependentThe Independent@the-independent.com

Introverts may be quiet - but they aren’t actually better listeners

The Nerve

The Nerve logo. Lettering in cyan with a stylised, pink "i" forming the central stem of the final uppercase "E"
Image source: https://www.thenerve.news/

The Nerve is new to me. Seems like it might only have arrived this year. It’s a UK-based news outlet, formed by 5 women from across the Guardian and Observer newspapers.

We are the team behind the 2018 Cambridge Analytica investigation that shifted the world’s understanding of Silicon Valley.

I first heard Stewart Lee talking about his role as a contributor on Nish Kumar and Coco Khan’s podcast, Pod Save the UK. The Nerve team as a whole looks pretty strong.

Pretty strong design aesthetic they’ve gone for. Maybe they’re trying to carve a more zine-like niche, away from the other independent news outlets, like Byline Times?

John Taylor & Co. Bell Founders

Tom Scott sitting at a desk with a microphone and a mug beside him.
Image source: https://www.tomscott.com/

2 years ago, YouTuber Tom Scott hung up his video-making boots after a decade of making weekly content for the platform. His videos were always educational and presented with such enthusiasm that it was hard not to engage with him talking about stuff he’d learned, or the experiences he was having.

He’s back now with a new series. Travelling less but still telling the same kind of stories in his very own nerdy manner, this time focused on highlighting something from each of the counties of England. First up is the story of John Taylor & Co. Bell Founders, the last remaining bell foundry in the UK, found in Leicestershire.

Taylor’s have their own YouTube channel, focusing on their work and providing a wealth of information on the history of the company. They’ve even got a short “behind the scenes” video of Tom’s visit.

Check out more of Tom’s work at tomscott.com.

Mad CSS

An AI-generated picture of Wes Bos celebrating victory in an basketball scene.
Image source: https://www.madcss.com

It’s been a while since I’ve listened to their podcast but Wes Bos and Scott Tolinski’s Syntax FM have recently been in my YouTube algorithm with their riff on March Madness, Mad CSS.

16 of the best CSS players in the world.

Each round, two developers face-off in a 15-minute CSS battle, with the winner progressing to the next round. No spoilers, but the final takes place next weekend, so go watch the early rounds at the Syntax YouTube channel if you’re interested.

I think I could get close to 100% on each of the challenges, but I’d be clocking in at significantly over the 15-minute deadline. So credit it where its due to those participating. I’m not sure my stress-levels could cope with the pressure of timed, live coding.

Here are Wes and Scott talking last month about the creation of the platform their using to host the competition:

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