Minimal Universe

Minimal Universe collect posts from our favorite minimal-related blogs listed on the right.
  • "Each step requires asking “What’s really important?” That’s the most important question you can ask..."

    “Each step requires asking “What’s really important?” That’s the most important question you can ask yourself about anything. The class would really be about answering that very question at each step of the way. Whittling it all down until all that’s left is the point.”

    -

    The class I’d like to teach - (37signals)

    Sure, it’s about writing but the essence of the idea is applicable everywhere.



  • A Lions Prey (See Ya Finder) | The Brooks Review

    A Lions Prey (See Ya Finder) | The Brooks Review:

    What is our ultimate goal here: is it to have the ultimate version of Finder, or is our real goal not to have to constantly troubleshoot other peoples computers? For me it is the latter. (The argument can also be made that in simplifying computers it helps to better society, but such an argument is far more complex.)

    Ben makes the argument for a more simple Finder that makes it easier for the average user to, well, find things. Good insight and speculation.

    Furthermore, as a consultant I can attest that way too much of my time is spent simply walking people through the filesystem.

    Also, Mr. Brooks has been en fuego lately. Read only if you are interested in thought provoking Apple related content.

  • Question

    Why is it that in the year 2010 when Notepad crashes it takes down the whole OS?

    No, it’s not Windows 95, it’s Windows 7.

    And it’s Notepad! What’s there to crash!? We are not talking about a bloated monster like Word, it’s just Notepad!

    How come Windows still doesn’t get it right!? One application crashes and it takes down the whole OS with it?

    For fuck’s sake!

    I feel sorry for all you Windows users.

    PS: I don’t care about answers.

  • The problem

    KuraFire writes in “Is Canvas the New Flash?”:

    When ads on the web start to become JavaScript, Canvas and/or CSS3–driven, we most certainly won’t have an easy way to block them anymore. Except for the relatively easy way we already have, which is to block the ad-serving servers and scripts via extensions such as the JavaScript Blacklist.

    A “ClickToCanvas” is certainly not out of the question, but it is unlikely to be as needed as ClickToFlash is. The difference between 30% CPU and 1-2% CPU is very serious, as is the difference between one third of battery life and a negligible impact on battery life.

    And even then, if we really get annoyed by CSS3 and Canvas ads that keep on rotating, even on sites we insist on visiting regularly, simple things like the user preference file and (as-yet unwritten) extensions allow us to simply disable such animations. The difference between standards-based techniques and proprietary plugins is that there are myriad ways to deal with the former, and only one with the latter. That’s why things like ClickToFlash came with features such as letting Youtube work anyway—because we couldn’t distinguish “good use of plugin” from “bad use of plugin.”

    Standards-based ads may be every bit as egregious in design and interaction as the current spawn of Flash-based ads, but their negative impact on battery life will be hugely different, and for those still bothered by the former, many more solutions will be available to make their lives happily ad-free.

    This, together with the entire post, makes a lot of sense and points out different problems, more specifically the fact that Flash is power-hungry beast of a plugin/technology.

    However, the problem is not only Flash. The problem is the ads. A HUGE part of today’s Flash usage is ads or other similar annoyances. Not a menu or a navigation tool, not a video or other media player, but annoying ads that move and keep our already busy and focus starving mind from getting things done. All that while sucking the life out of our batteries.

    When Flash is gone - and I am sure it will be gone or at least relegated to a secondary solution - the assholes that are the advertisers will use the next technology available to make your Viagra buying experience better. If this is HTML5/CSS3 then so be it. We’ll find a way to block those ads as well.

    Long live Readability.

  • Is that time of the year! (via Patagonia)



    Is that time of the year!

    (via Patagonia)



  • "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful."

    “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”

    - William Morris

  • jxnblk: Seriously love LED lamps.



    jxnblk:

    Seriously love LED lamps.



  • Final Choices | Patrick Rhone

    Final Choices | Patrick Rhone:

    Anywhere I can make a buying choice that I, with proper care and maintenance, will never have to make again for the rest of my life, I do. In those cases, I’m willing to pay far more for and item if I know it will last a lifetime and, even more importantly to me, I will never have to spend the mental energy making a choice again.

    He hit the nail perfectly.

    Buying good, quality items that with care will last a long long time is worth paying the extra money. On the long run it’ll not only pay for itself, but it’ll help keep your possessions to the minimum needed.

    Thanks Patrick for an excellent observation!

  • Masakatsu Agatsu - True victory is victory over oneself

    Rod Kobayashi Sensei said:

    If you calmly maintain control over yourself, you will not only find a way to control the opponent but will also be able to control the situation before drastic action is necessary.

    One must first learn to control oneself before attempting to harmonize and control others. Without a good balance and control of oneself, one can neither avoid an attack nor apply an effective technique on others. It is through self-control that one can learn to enjoy a harmonious way of life.

  • Mike Gancarz take on the Unix Philosophy

    1. Small is beautiful.
    2. Make each program do one thing well.
    3. Build a prototype as soon as possible.
    4. Choose portability over efficiency.
    5. Store data in flat text files.
    6. Use software leverage to your advantage.
    7. Use shell scripts to increase leverage and portability.
    8. Avoid captive user interfaces.
    9. Make every program a filter.

  • Shanghai Mahjong for iPhone, iPad and iPod [Sponsor]

    Shanghai Mahjong for iPhone, iPad and iPod [Sponsor]:

    With all the excitement about the shirt, I did not want my sincere thank you to MobileAge and their excellent Shanghai Mahjong to get lost. They have sponsored this week’s RSS Feed.

    I might understand if you don’t have $20.00 for a t-shirt right now. I get that. What I have a much harder time understanding is not having less then a buck to buy a beautiful game that will provide hours of entertainment. Seriously, 1.3 Billion People and 2000 years can’t be wrong.

    Historical Update from reader Boris Lau:

    In your latest post about Shanghai Mahjong, you alluded to Mahjong’s long history in China as a reason to buy the game. However, the “Mahjong” you are referring to is in fact Mahjong Solitaire (wikipedia) which only came to be in 1981. Other than having the same tiles, the game has nothing to do with the real Mahjong which is an entirely different game and does in fact have a long history. Just thought I could give you a quick clarification and heads up!

    I stand corrected on the history. Which is great because I love history and learning more.

    I’m not wrong about the MobileAge version though. Buy it.

  • "What’s the lesson to be learned? if you want a boost in productivity, try rethinking how you..."

    “What’s the lesson to be learned? if you want a boost in productivity, try rethinking how you multitask so that you only ever need to think about one thing at a time.”

    - You can’t multitask

  • Little Mac apps that make your life easier

    Little Mac apps that make your life easier

  • "Simple things hold the secret."

    “Simple things hold the secret.”

  • "In cooking, as in all the arts, simplicity is the sign of perfection."

    “In cooking, as in all the arts, simplicity is the sign of perfection.”

Sponsor

via Ad Packs

Sources