Links: software

I've been working through this long read by Ed Zitron and taking pause while nodding furiously. This is a distillation of concepts he's been putting forth for some time about the tech industry’s pursuit of growth at all costs. The most deceptive patterns and practices has led to a degradation of user experience with dire consequences. Heavy stuff, but important to note so we can plant new approaches.

A fantastic team is building software to run a creative business. They're rolling out invoicing and payments in Feb with more goodies not long after. Jessica Hische shared a quick post about the process and color me intrigued.

Jack Cheng (normally* a writer), made an iOS app to superquickly capture notes that are then stored as text files you can fiddle with however you like. I love the hyper-focused solve. * I don't know why this makes me smile, yet it does. I light up whenever I see Jack's name — part of that is because I don't know which facet will appear.

I have no idea if I need this app in my life, but it's Icon Factory. It'll be fun and pretty and very likely awesome. Backed. More deets on their blog post.

Software that lets you record your computer screen AND front facing (or external) camera at the same time. As seen on Paul Carroll’s Everything I Made videos (there’s a new one for 2023!)

I've tried so many approaches to batch image work (scaling, extracting data, updating EXIF, changing format) and nothing made sense until today. I just threw a few tests at Retrobatch 2 and it was super easy with a visual workflow. The machine learning scaling works quite well to boot. Instant add to the toolkit.

Unite Apple Photos and Lightroom? I’m intrigued... This Mac app also supports most every major photo platform. (They also have a tool to port libraries around.) / via Phil Gyford

Figma has tight animations to show off new features. Dig. And yay for hanging punctuation among oodles of other improvements.

Turn still photos (from phone or camera) into 3D models with automatic subject masking and texture mapping. (Wikipedia on Photogrammetry)

A Mastodon app by Tapbots that leaps over the current experience on Twitter. Also enjoying the Ice Cubes app by Thomas Ricouard

A replica of the classic iTunes MiniPlayer to control Apple Music on modern macOS. Functioning nostalgia! / hat tip to Riccardo

Online webcomic by Leah Elliott that exposes what really happens when you use the Chrome browser (and other Google services). Be sure to use the arrow pagination tool and not the 'skip to the end' button.

My friend Jim said this was good. It looks kind of awesome from what I can tell for presentations online.

Online 3D Design and 3D Modeling Software

It’s easy to write an essay about fast software. It’s difficult to make fast software. But when it’s made, we’re all grateful. / via Daring Fireball (and I need to RSS Craig's essays)

Based on Chromium, but not Google. Secure, Fast & Private Web Browser with Adblocker baked in. Just read a review about this on the Verge. Super easy to be right at home with it.

John Gruber said "I love this sort of 'from sketch to finished product' look at the evolution of a design." and I concur!

There's a new version of my favorite FTP software in town / via DaringFireball

It's like a live version of After Effects but even more dynamic, says my friend Ben. I'd like to try it.

Could this be the HTML 5 animation tool I've been hoping for? Looks promising...

This is beautifully shot.

My love for Transmit is now portable / via uncrate

Optimizes images so they take up less disk space and load faster. / via DaringFireball

Though many of the products I'd like to see are planned for later release, this approach to having access to Adobe Creative Suite applications seems like a natural fit for a business budget. I'm intrigued.

Mac and PC versions available. Looks powerful good. / via @fchimero

Just downloaded this after seeing it on "It's Nice That" - Gonna give this a whirl as it has reminders. I've been taking photos every day (just 6 months behind in posting). Might be nice to record thoughts too.

Not on the iPad yet it seems, but I'm curious if there's a way that these tools might help extend the core programs I use in the Creative Suite (Photoshop and Illustrator)

I complained about Lion's whacky Mail app and a few folks recommended this Sparrow thing. Going to check it out.

A plugin for (every popular) browser that identifies and blocks tracking software. Turn it on and be amazed how much crap is tacked on to most web pages. Sweet. / via @khoi

Makes 3-D models out of snapshots / via @essl

A font made with Processing / via TypeForYou

Naz goes into his setup for work, which includes using external services and software to move files around. Increasingly more important and desirable. Filing his post to curl up with full attention.

"E-mail plug-in that flags sentences with words or phrases that may convey unintended emotion or tone" Interesting concept / via NYTimes Year in Ideas

Mini tool from Panic Software that crunches down filesize on PDFs /via feaverish

Hmmm, these additional preferences might make the Magic Mouse give my ol' Microsoft Intellimouse (with handy cord) a run for the money

FTP + text editor for iPhone (filing away for emergency)

Copy and Paste was not the big announcement with iPhone 3.0. Another example of how today is awesome and the future is bright. (via michael sippey)

I really like this (Mac-only) program, and very much like that upgrades are FREE. (bonus: the new version refined all the application and desktop icons in a good way)

Though I would wish that Netflix streaming had better options

This online image editor (think Photoshop) requires only a browser with Flash installed. I finally used it in earnest and I have to admit, the speed of the interface is pretty dang impressive (via Signal vs. Noise)

Lets you place your furniture on a house 2D plan, with a 3D preview. (via alteeffour)

Creation tool (mac osx) for guilloche designs like backgrounds, borders or rosettes (commonly found on bank notes) via Joseph Wain

web platform for publishing collections and exhibitions online. Designed for cultural institutions, enthusiasts, and educators (via MeFi)

Seems to be true if you have a .edu email address. If I had the money, I'd pick this up for the work PC.

Using the built-in Keychain application

Desktop app, web app for note taking that syncs. Initial impression, v. good (via subtraction)

Open-Source Forum Software. Looks nice. To check out later.

a web application used to build and maintain an archetypal, invisible website format that combines text, image, movie and sound

This man is smart and describes concepts very well. Great stuff.

Open-source email list management server software (thx erik)

Simple, clean, light-weight discussion forum software

(via feaverish)

Mental note to check this out in full later

(via splorp)

I may have noted this site before, but I've been tinkering with this "Store Maker and shopping cart" webservice and the attention to detail is simply fantastic. Full report later.

Organize local bookmarks in the browser. (Update, seems to run sluggishly on my powerbook g4)

A mac (and pc) solution for shipping packages. Works great, prints postage, built-in support for USB postal scales. Thumbs up

Have you ever recorded an interview in which you and your guest ended up at different volumes? I haven't. But this software evens it all out. Could be handy.

This newly updated Mac application might be my biggest motivator to hook up a second monitor.

I never got around to installing the Soundbooth beta... I suppose knowing it's Intel-only will save me the time. I'm still on a G4.