Manton tells Daniel about Micro.blog’s new email newsletter feature. Daniel examines his self-consciousness about needing to ship two bug-fix updates to FastScripts in quick succession. They talk about the benefits of surreptitiously fixing things in web software without too much attention, and the downside that without release notes it can be hard to focus users on improvements. Finally, they talk about their efforts to wind down work obligations as they head into the holidays, and look forward to a new year with new opportunities.
Many thanks to our sponsors this week:
- Linode: Instantly deploy and manage an SSD server in the Linode Cloud. New accounts get a $100 credit.
- RevenueCat: In-app subscriptions made easy. Also check out the Sub Club Podcast!
Links:
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December 10, 2021 at 5:08 pm.
Daniel and Manton catch up after Thanksgiving, and appreciate that it might be the most universally embraced American holiday. They compare notes about the amount they choose to work on holidays and how it reflects their work being something they love to do. Manton questions how much to share about a new feature he’s developing, and they talk about scenarios where sharing too much takes away from the broader impact of the feature. Finally, they talk about the resignation of Twitter’s CEO, what it could mean for the future of the company and for Manton’s feeling about it.
Many thanks to our sponsors this week:
- TextExpander: Communicate Smarter. Listeners get 20% off their first year.
- Linode: Instantly deploy and manage an SSD server in the Linode Cloud. New accounts get a $100 credit.
Links:
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December 2, 2021 at 3:47 pm.
Manton checks in with Daniel after returning home from LA. Daniel asks again about the status of the Indie Microblogging book, and if Manton has a plan for how he’ll get the job done. They celebrate Epilogue for Micro.blog finally getting approved, and also celebrate the thrill of being able to deploy web apps and direct-download apps immediately without anybody’s approval. Finally, they talk about the great variety of web technologies and how Manton decides how to choose among the many options available to him.
Many thanks to our sponsors this week:
- RevenueCat: In-app subscriptions made easy. Also check out the Sub Club Podcast!
- Linode: Instantly deploy and manage an SSD server in the Linode Cloud. New accounts get a $100 credit.
Links:
- Train to Los Angeles – Manton’s blog post about his trip to LA.
- On a Train – Short post from Manton featuring a glimpse of the view from his train while editing Core Intuition.
- Epilogue for iOS – Manton’s blog for the book-readers’ app for Micro.blog.
- FastScripts 3 – Daniel’s recently updated Mac scripting utility.
- Jetpack Compose – Android developer framework with some similarities to SwiftUI.
- Kotlin – A popular language for Android development, with similarities to Swift.
- Hugo – The web templating framework that Manton uses for Micro.blog.
- Bootstrap – A web framework supporting the development of responsive web apps.
- Caddy – Web server software with built-in HTTPS support.
- Vincent Ritter – Manton’s inspiration for choosing the Caddy web server solution.
- Web Hosting for App Developers – Marco Arment’s post about the virtue of choosing “boring”, reliable technology for hosting web software.
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November 25, 2021 at 3:39 pm.
Daniel catches up with Manton midway through Manton’s train trip adventure to Los Angeles. Manton gives a progress update on the micro-blogging book, and his new optimism after making progress on it. Manton shares impressions of LA’s famous traffic and culture in general, as he takes in a whirlwind tour of the area before heading to catch the train home.
Many thanks to our sponsors this week:
- Linode: Instantly deploy and manage an SSD server in the Linode Cloud. New accounts get a $100 credit.
- MacStadium: Leading provider of cloud solutions built on Apple Mac hardware.
Links:
- Amtrak – What passes for America’s glorious railroad service.
- Union Station – Los Angeles’s historic railroad station.
- Clippers vs. Spurs – NBA recap of the game Manton saw in LA.
- Jonathan Hays – Manton’s friend, colleague, and basketball adventure companion.
- The Loneliest Road in America – Tourism site about the long, desolate highway through part of the Western US.
- Podcast Shuffle – Internet Archive-hosted version of Manton’s old Podcast Shuffle page.
- Typecast – Daniel’s old, yet probably still functional, podcast import utility for iTunes.
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November 18, 2021 at 10:07 pm.
Manton and Daniel talk about the successful launch of FastScripts 3.0! Manton talks about frustrating problems with App Store review for his latest Micro.blog app, Epilogue. They talk about the latest news in Apple & Google’s respective legal challenges regarding in app purchases.
Many thanks to our sponsors this week:
- Linode: Instantly deploy and manage an SSD server in the Linode Cloud. New accounts get a $100 credit.
- RevenueCat: In-app subscriptions made easy. Also check out the Sub Club Podcast!
Links:
- FastScripts 3 – Daniel’s announcement post for the latest update to his scripting utility for the Mac.
- Epilogue for Android – Manton ships his new Micro.blog for Android while Apple holds up the iOS version in App Review.
- Apple Must Comply – The Verge reports on a US judge’s rejection of Apple’s request to delay enforcement.
- Enabling Alternative Billing – Google’s blog post announcing their proposed accommodation of South Korea’s in-app purchasing law.
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November 12, 2021 at 8:24 pm.
Daniel talks to Manton about his recent development work on Micro.blog, including the debut of Epilogue, his new app for books. They talk about balancing the urge to add new features with the demand from existing customers to fix pet peeves. Manton talks more about his recent ventures in to the web development and Android worlds. Daniel reports back after attending one of Apple’s virtual Tech Talk events, and catches us up on the status of the repeatedly postponed FastScripts 3 release.
Many thanks to our sponsors this week:
- TextExpander: Communicate Smarter. Listeners get 20% off their first year.
- Linode: Instantly deploy and manage an SSD server in the Linode Cloud. New accounts get a $100 credit.
Links:
Enjoy our show? Become a sustaining member!
November 4, 2021 at 10:28 pm.
Manton talks to Daniel about the change of plans in his MacBook Pro ordering, and how he ended up getting one earlier than expected. Manton shared his experience with updating to macOS Monterey, and they compare notes about what is new in the update. Finally, they talk about cross-platform development in the context of Micro.blog and beyond.
Many thanks to our sponsors this week:
- RevenueCat: In-app subscriptions made easy. Also check out the Sub Club Podcast!
- Linode: Instantly deploy and manage an SSD server in the Linode Cloud. New accounts get a $100 credit.
Links:
- macOS Monterey – Apple’s latest macOS update.
- Eh, It’s Not Bad! – Gus Mueller’s “Monterey Review.”
- Hello, Android! – Vincent Ritter’s blog post about the new official Micro.blog client for Android.
- React Native – A popular cross-platform development framework.
- Gluon – Vincent Ritter’s own independent app for Micro.blog.
- Docker Desktop – Popular virtualization software that enables Linux development on Macs.
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October 30, 2021 at 9:28 pm.
Daniel and Manton talk about Apple’s just-announced Tech Talks, and whether this is a clue to the future of WWDC. They celebrate the announcement of new Apple Silicon based MacBook Pros, and compare notes on their buying plans. Finally, they take stock of the state of macOS as Monterey is about to be released, and revisit their ongoing grief over Apple’s strategy with respect to SwiftUI, Catalyst and AppKit.
Many thanks to our sponsors this week:
- Linode: Instantly deploy and manage an SSD server in the Linode Cloud. New accounts get a $100 credit.
- MacStadium: Leading provider of cloud solutions built on Apple Mac hardware.
Links:
- Apple Tech Talks – Apple’s online sessions and meetups, starting later this month.
- New MacBook Pros – The long-awaited Apple Silicon updates to the larger MacBooks.
- macOS Monterey – Apple’s forthcoming update to Mac operating system.
- Technical Issues – Federico Viticci on problems in iOS 15’s implementation of Shortcuts.
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October 23, 2021 at 1:40 pm.
Manton and Daniel talk about the expected MacBook Pro announcements coming on Monday, and whether they’re likely to buy one if announced. Manton shares some details about the new Micro.blog Subscriptions feature he teased, and Daniel asks him to consider whether the word Subscription has unwanted connotations. Finally, they talk about Manton’s switch of mobile providers and the various ways to avoid overage charges with data tethering.
Many thanks to our sponsors this week:
- Linode: Instantly deploy and manage an SSD server in the Linode Cloud. New accounts get a $100 credit.
- RevenueCat: In-app subscriptions made easy. Also check out the Sub Club Podcast!
Links:
- Months of Mac Rumors – The Verge reports on rumors of Mac announcements and more.
- ATP 451 – Episode in which the Accidental Tech Podcast gang discuss rumors of upcoming MacBook Pros.
- Little Screenshot – Manton’s teaser post for a forthcoming “Subscriptions” feature.
- Substack – Service for supporting writers with paid subscriptions.
- Ghost Members – Native features of the Ghost CMS that facilitate Patreon-like functionality.
- Jean MacDonald – Marketing guru and Manton’s associate at Micro.blog.
- Truphone – Service providing mobile data via eSim activation.
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October 15, 2021 at 8:32 pm.
Daniel and Manton revisit the etymology of the word “engineer”, discovering that it runs much deeper than trains. They talk about Paddle’s new iOS in-app purchase offering and whether Apple will allow it or not. Finally, they talk about Daniel’s lost momentum with his index-card motivation, and his plans to get back on track.
Many thanks to our sponsors this week:
- TextExpander: Communicate Smarter.
- Linode: Instantly deploy and manage an SSD server in the Linode Cloud. New accounts get a $100 credit.
Links:
- Paddle In-app Purchase – An alternative to Apple’s in-app purchases, coming soon from Paddle.
- RevenueCat – Another company with plans to facilitate third-party in-app purchases.
- Skirting Apple’s Cut – CNBC article about developers such as Paddle and RevenueCat.
Enjoy our show? Become a sustaining member!
October 9, 2021 at 7:46 pm.
