Category: Cool Stuff On The Internet

Things that interest me, inspired me, made me laugh, or taught me something.

Amazon Frames, Google Glass and the Reinvented Future of Connected Eyewear

Carl Setzer

Today I logged into Amazon and the first thing I see is this ad: 

I’m surprised that I missed the announcement for Alexa Frames. Looks like these have actually been on the market for a few years.  Though not as feature-rich as the old Google glasses, they are definitely more discrete and attractive. 

This got me wondering about the status of Google Glass, and what similar products are on the market. With a little research, I found this piece about Google Glass. Now, I’ve known that the product is far from dead as there’s now Google Glass Enterprise Edition. But it has been more of a niche thing (here’s a post from the Verge from last February about it). 

 

As far as other products, I found this: Focals By North. Looks pretty interesting, but not ready for the mainstream yet. This video is from 2019, so perhaps they’ve updated things in the meantime. 

I think that the glasses will hold a significant part of the future of mobile computing. In particular, I’m curious about the ways VR/AR will be integrated into these glasses. Or how they won’t be. 

 

A Wee Bit of Motivation

Carl Setzer

I find this quote by Sun Tzu very apt. Don’t believe you are entitled to success. Seek to earn it. That is the path. Or, as is popular in the current Zeitgeist (which is a bit redundant, I guess), “this is the way”.

tweets, xkcd comics, dreams and sticking to your guns

Carl Setzer

As I expect you all know, early in 2020 I returned to school to study web application development (head here if you need an update). I’m not the youngest student. However, I’m not the oldest, either. I have had a few people mention that, as I’m older, I don’t have as much to offer the world and that I’m keeping the space from those who will contribute more. Bah! I have a lot to offer. I bring a lot to my classes, to my fellow students, and will bring a lot to wherever I land, career-wise, next.

First thing this morning I came across this tweet:

Motivates me hard! Who knows? Maybe I’ll go after a master’s (not sure I want to do a PhD…though, in my heart-of-hearts, I want to know EVERYTHING about computers).

This comic from xkcd gave me pause, too.

xkcd - Dreams

Ultimately, I need to believe in myself, in what I bring, in what I know. Don’t hold back! I’m investing far too much time and energy to be timid about all that.

Ah, to live a bold life! We’ll see, my friends, we’ll see.

Fannypacks, Life, Death and Resurrection

Carl Setzer
Timbuk2 Fannypack Ad
Timbuk2 Fannypack Ad

Having come of age in the 80s, I spent several key years with the ever-glorious fannypack. I watched its death without concern, much like the supposed demise of disco and leg-warmers. Recently, I noticed the creeping resurgence of these little gems, along with up-turned collars on polo-shirts (I proudly support polo-shirts, even without the up-turned collar).

So, I found both joy and amusement when the ad above (for high-end bag-crafter Timbuk2) drifted through my inbox. A reminder, I guess, of the old adage “what goes around comes around”.

* For some strange reason (weird, aberrant psychology, perhaps), I kept typing “up-terned” instead of “up-turned”. 

Bohemian Rhapsody: A Muppet Music Video

Carl Setzer

Now this this would be a Zoom meeting I’d enjoy deeply.

 

A Little Joyful Noise For Your Saturday

Carl Setzer

This baby’s joyful laughter delighted greatly. I hope it brings you delight as well.

Windows Programmer Calculator

Carl Setzer
Windows Programmer Calculator

It may be because I’m still pretty new at this whole programming/coding thing, but I was pretty stoked to discover this feature within the built-in calculator that comes with Windows 10 (it might be part of older versions of Windows. I just don’t know). I’ve built Excel sheets for these conversions to check my work. This is actually easier and less clunky. Sure, I can do these manually, and I’m getting better at doing so in my head, but it’s good to have the ability to check my work easily.

Along with this, a friend of mine let me know about HiPer Calculator for Android phones.  I look forward to trying it out. I downloaded the free version, but there is a “Pro” version for $3.49. I’ll see how the free one works. Trying to be frugal and all that.

Do you have any tools that you love and recommend to an up-and-coming developer? I’d really love to hear about them. Leave a comment!

 

Danny Elfman’s Creepy New Song “Happy”, Just In Time For Halloween

Carl Setzer
Danny Elfman: Happy

I’m a fan of much of Danny Elfman’s work. Oingo Boingo and The Nightmare Before Christmas only touch the surface. Reading in Nerdist that he released a new pop song made my morning wonderful. Perfectly creepy vibe for the days before Halloween. Check it out below! (caveat: there are a fair number of NSFW words).

Also, as tomorrow’s Halloween, check out my “An Atypical Halloween” playlist. You will NOT find Monster Mash there! I try to keep things trope-free.

Balmorhea’s Masollan

Carl Setzer
Balmorhea

I discovered Balmorhea a few years ago but only came across “Masollan” recently (earlier this year). I’ve become very fond of it. The instrumentation is exquisite. Electric guitar and bass with drums, violin, cello, and upright bass? I find it delightful. The ethereal way the melody floats above the harmony vibrates within my soul.

Featured image created with Adobe Spark, font: AcuminPro-Thin. I wanted a sepia styled, warm summer’s day vibe. I hope I pulled that off. 

Some Positive Energy For Your Saturday

Carl Setzer

In this age of rage and horror, I offer a few counterpoints of kindness and beauty.

 

That video makes me think of this character from Princess Mononoke.