Minimal Universe

Minimal Universe collect posts from our favorite minimal-related blogs listed on the right.

Mobile Flash Fail: Weak Android Player Proves Jobs Right
Mobile Flash Fail: Weak Android Player Proves Jobs Right:

How bad is mobile Flash? When I went to ABC.com and tried to play a clip, I waited five minutes while the player said “loading.” During that time, it was nearly impossible to scroll around the page or tap objects on it. Eventually, I scrolled up to see a message that was previously obstructed and said ”Sorry. An error occurred while attempting to load the video. Please try again later.” It gets worse…

…

The difference between the smooth Flash trailers on Sony.com, the jerky episode of CSI, and the system locking Flash video on Fox.com is that the smoother ones were optimized specifically for phone playback. But if content providers have to go back and optimize their videos for mobile platforms, one of the key benefits of mobile Flash–backward compatibility with millions of existing videos–is lost. If you’re modifying your videos anyway, why not go the full monty and use an HTML 5 player instead of Flash?

Well, I want to write here the big I told you so, but I will refrain, I already spoke about this several times before.

The only thing I will write is: Applications should be native. You want an application for Mac? Write it and compile it for Mac, using Cocoa. You want an application for Gnome? Write it and compile for Gnome, using GTK. You want an application for Windows? Write it and compile for Windows, using a compiler and linker that creates a full binary PE file. No frameworks.
- Original article
- 08/19/10
White-on-white/black-on-black playing cards
Even though I am really not a fan of card games, these all-white or all-black playing cards made me look.

They may not be the most practical (especially in lower-light interiors), but they sure are mighty stylish. Want! (Thx, Morgan)
- Original article
- 08/19/10
iPaintings.net

For me, It is really important that I do what I love.

I launched Minimal Sites because I love simple and clean design. I wanted to sell what I would like to buy, and that’s why I started Minimal Goods.

Now, I really enjoy painting using iPad, and I start iPaintings.net I hope this site could be a fun place for artists. We can talk about your and others’ art, discuss, chat, and be connected each other. Maybe, we can have an offline exhibition together somewhere in NYC or Shanghai one day. (That will be greeeeeeat~)
- Original article
- 08/19/10
One Thing Well | Go SSD
One Thing Well | Go SSD:

I use one as the main drive on my Macbook Pro, and there’s more than enough room for the OS, all my applications and all my non-media files—I still have 17GB to spare, three months after upgrading

Jack gives two thumbs up to moving to a smaller SSD. In his case, one that fits in the Express Card slot of his Macbook Pro. He lays out the benefits nicely.
- Original article
- 08/19/10
Original here.

Original here.
- Original article
- 08/19/10
"Professionally speaking it was moving from a Windows computer to a Mac one. In terms of simplicity..."
“Professionally speaking it was moving from a Windows computer to a Mac one. In terms of simplicity and minimalism macs are just so much better than Windows. And I don’t only mean the in terms of minimalism of the design, it is the whole operative system. It just helps remove all the distractions and get down to doing the real work. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking to work better.”

- Marco – How to Make my Blog
- Original article
- 08/19/10
House Tumle
Located outside Gothenburg, Sweden, House Tumle – designed by Johannes Norlander Arkitektur – exemplifies the meaning of black and white living. With an area of 168 square meters, the two-story building is profoundly distinctive as it perches on a knoll overlooking the North Sea.

The white interior – a complete inverse to the corrugated, powder-coated black aluminum exterior – has a humbling ambiance that projects an unassuming sense of repose. The windows are placed in an abstract, almost capricious manner. I particularly enjoy the subtle instances of black around the bookshelf, window borders, and light fixtures. I also like how the glossy concrete floor discretely reflects the white walls and outside surroundings.

Photography by Rasmus Norlander
- Original article
- 08/19/10
(Via Wondermark)

(Via Wondermark)
- Original article
- 08/18/10
35 Lessons in 35 Years
35 Lessons in 35 Years:

Debates over terminology and semantics are for archivists and academics. If you’re interested in the living heart of what you do, focus on building things rather than talking about them.
- Original article
- 08/18/10
"No one gives a damn about the size of your to-do list"
“No one gives a damn about the size of your to-do list”

- Ryan Freitas, 35 lessons of his 35 years.
- Original article
- 08/18/10
Air
The Spain-born but London-based Héctor Serrano designed the Air: a plastic stool for the Spanish exterior furniture company Gandia Blasco. It is a compact and solid stool, but at the same time it looks light and slim with its fine section.

This polypropylene stool is made by rotational moulding, which is quite unconventional considering its triangle midsection.

It is available as a bar stool and low stool, and comes in white, black, tobacco and warm gray.
- Original article
- 08/18/10
Twelve South’s Compass iPad Stand — A Review
Twelve South’s Compass iPad Stand — A Review:

Milind Alvares rocks it hard with this detailed review of the Twelve South Compass iPad Stand. Go take a look for the photography alone. So, so, good!
- Original article
- 08/18/10
Darth Vader recording for the GPS… A little bit of humor...

Darth Vader recording for the GPS…

A little bit of humor that will be deleted in a couple of hours.

(Also Yoda)
- Original article
- 08/18/10
Lessons from the Japanese bath | Presentation Zen
Lessons from the Japanese bath | Presentation Zen:

Suzuki-sensei said, “we all seem to have an innate longing for primitive simplicity, close to the natural state of living.” The bathing ritual is a chance, then, to take some time off the grid of daily life and reconnect to that simple, natural state of living.
- Original article
- 08/18/10
OWC Mercury Extreme Pro Solid State Drive (SSD) Solutions – 40GB for $99.00
OWC Mercury Extreme Pro Solid State Drive (SSD) Solutions – 40GB for $99.00:
I mentioned this on my personal Twitter account but it warrants repeating here. If one wanted to go extreme minimal Mac, they could easily make due with a 40GB SSD for only $99. For instance, if one used mostly built in apps, used lots of web services, streaming music, etc. the trade of unused space for speed would be a huge win. An Intel model of the same size and price was recommended over the OWC model by a trusted source as well.

Some things to consider at least.
- Original article
- 08/18/10

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