December 5, 2023

Testing 1-2-3.

So, this is typewriter mode on IA Writer on my iPad Pro. The editor is clean and simple and best enjoyed with some breezy, easy music in noise cancelling headphones while one is composing their latest missive.

Is that the correct word, missive?

I like idea of a digital typewriter, especially when paired with a mechanical keyboard reminiscent of the 1980s IBM Model M keyboard or something equally poundy.

The only issue with my Velocifire mechanical keyboard is the spacebar has a certain rattle that I don’t enjoy. I need to figure that out. Or, I need to buy a new keyboard, something that would not please my husband. He doesn’t understand these things.

I’m typing away and acting like this is going to be a blog entry. It’s more exciting than “Hello, World”. And it’s much more exciting than typing out the script for an American test of the Emergency Alert System. I can do that by memory, you know, because 30 years ago it was my voice that recorded that for the group of radio stations I worked at. My claim to fame.

Starbucks.

I’m about a month into using a Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 with Ubuntu Linux. I alternate use with my M2 MacBook Air, which is a luxury few people can afford. I’m grateful for this gifted laptop that was headed for the recycling bin.

Ubuntu Linux 22.04.3 LTS has been holding up remarkably well compared to previous experiences with Ubuntu Linux. Updates haven’t broken anything, with a few tweaks the default GUI leads to productivity, and the Surface Laptop 2 is a quality piece of hardware. Battery life could be better, but it’s not awful.

The experience is enjoyable but it is not as polished as MacOS. The Gnome Desktop comes close, but there’s some incoherence that I notice from time to time. And while it does have its problems, MacOS is yards ahead when it comes to integration with my other Apple devices. It’s nice to be able to take a photo with my iPhone and have it immediately available on my iPad Pro or MacBook Air. With Linux I’m reliant on Dropbox or my Western Digital MyCloud NAS that’s stationed back home.

A quick survey of this Starbucks indicates I’m the only one using a non-Apple device. I’m not getting glared at.