Rob Jackson

I guess I still don’t get it. I have been a paid subscriber for many years, and it just never seems to work for me. I am not sure why. I keep trying, but the interface seems …. hard. Whatever. I will keep trying, but not sure that it should be this hard.

I will gladly accept or be directed to any resources to help me. It is not for lack of trying

For over a decade I have really despised Facebook. Its hard to like a company that you can’t trust. And you most definitely can’t trust Facebook. They suck up every data point on your life to sell and exploit. They give you basically zero control and obfuscate the limited controls they give you.

They are just not nice people.

So why am I returning?

First, its limited. I do get some value out of the network and relationships Fakebook helps me maintain. that is a plus. A plus that may even outweigh the minuses.

Second, I am getting too old. I value my privacy legitimately, but I have been getting grumpy about it. I dont want to be grumpy - at least that is what my wife tells me. And she is a lot smarter than me.

So I will give Fakebook a second (or third) chance. Slowly at first, but maybe more. Maybe. And I promise to never forget what FB really is - a giant data collection machine that needs you users more than you need it. But for now, I will use it - on my terms.

Well… my Micro.blog annual subscription automatically renewed today. So i guess that means i will have to try it out and give it another go. I did sign up for Twitter Blue and have thus far been … unimpressed.

See if this is any better.

This blog is rising from the dead - yet again. I have blogged and not blogged. Stop and go for many many years. I have tried many different platforms:

• Wordpress
• Joomla
• Typepad
• Posthaven
• Micro.blog

to name a few. Many of the platform names I can’t remember anymore. And this doesn’t include “social media blogging” like Facebook, instagram, Twitter, etc…

Consistently Inconsistent

There have been two things constant in my blogging journey.

One, I like to do it. I keep coming back to blogging. Don’t know why, but I do.

Two, I suck at it. I have tried long form blogging, micro blogging, interactive blogging, photo blogging, … you name I just am never sure where I am going with it. I get disenchanted and move on. I start with a catapult launch, then flame out as soon as I clear the deck. Crash and Burn, Mav… crash and burn.

And Now For Something Completely Different

So what will I do differently this time? What will change?

Well, I think me. I have been blogging for all the wrong reasons: to build an audience, to get follows, to interact with people, whatever. It’s always been for other reasons besides the real reason I want to do it. For me. Now I am pulling my own Ricky Bobby and blogging only because I want to. I am going to post whatever the f**k I want (pardon the profanity - not a big fan of it in persuasive writing). I will interact with anyone I feel like (or no one) and won’t feel pressure to do so.

This is me. And if you don’t like it, don’t read it. Period. I, me personally, want to keep a record of what I am doing when the mood strikes me. I do have things to say now and then, and I am going to say them.

A New Blogging “Platform”

Surprise, surprise. I am starting this new journey on a new platform. And it is about as simple of a platform as can be - there is no platform. You post a bunch of text or related files and it makes a blog from them. No prep other than the files; no configuring, nothing. Simply write and post. And you always have a backup because they are your files on your system.

Perfect!

Enter the Blot

The new system is called “Blot.im”. I know, terrible name, but I would rather it work for me than have a good name. It’s kind of under the radar, which I like, but it is also a one man shop apparently, which I don’t like. Risky. But so it goes. I will have a back up of whatever I post anyway and can do something different if this doesn’t work.

A New Writing Platform Too!

While I am trying out new platforms, I might as well switch up my writing platform too. Recently, I make the commitment to switch from Mac to Linux (much more on this later). And although I am happy with the switch and will not be leaving Linux anytime soon, I have to keep using my Mac at work and will be continuing to use my iPhone too. So no matter what, my ties to the Apple ecosystem remain.

It’s been tough to find a decent cross platform or Dropbox-based text editor and writing app. I was using Editorial - which is great - but it has not been updated in a while and is developed by a one man shot who has lost interest. I have watched this movie before, and it doesn’t end well for me. I also use Drafts, but there is no Dropbox integration. It’s iCloud only.

EnTer iAWriter

I am switching from Editorial and Drafts on iOS to iAWriter. Another dumb name. This post should be titled the “Dumb Name Restart,” not Blog Restart. Anyway, I am not sure why it’s named this, but there must be a reason .. there must be. Regardless, it works great so far. Works well with Dropbox. Good and easy to use Markdown shortcuts. Can easily type on my iPad and it’s not useless on my iPhone. There is no Linux app, however, and it uses iCloud as its base storage, but those are not dealbreakers. Dropbox is supported well, and through Dropbox, I can move documents from to and from my Linux or Mac systems and files.

A New Day

Here is to new beginnings. One thing I have learned in my advancing age: the sun rises every day and with it comes the change to start anew. Today is that day. A new day. Time to settle down and just be me.

Love and Be Loved.

Day 17: Hold (courtesy of Master and Commander - what a fantasic movie)

Does anyone have any significant experience with Tiddlywiki?

I am considering giving it a serious trial run for personal knowledge management.

Spring Flowers . . .

My micro.blog has been screwed up for some time. Not sure what is going on, but I did change themes. I am prett sure that is it. Unisiatleed and reinstlled a new one. Hopefully it will fix.

Dogwood at the Front Gate

“The way to get your account unfrozen is to stop being part of the blockade and occupation,” she added.

• Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Monday, Fenruary 21, 2022

Lesson: Stay away from banks in general and Canadian banks in particluar.

Very scary stuff.

Foxlore by Rebecca Green. She’s wearing a crown…like the queen she is.

Watching the Disney + Hamilton. What a great show! I forgot how good the music is.

An enjoyable way to spend an evening.

From the Harlem Renaissance. Amazing painting. Jumps out at you. And timely, both this month and at the time it was painted. Its a painting of an incredibly talented African American singer, depicted by an incredibly talented African American woman artist at the height of her creative power.

From Daily Art. I continue to love that app….

I think I FINALLY found a solid, supported, cross-platform markdown editor:

Typora.

It was surprising how long it too to find one. But looks like it was worth it. Handles my files fine, renders nicely. No complaints so far

Spent a wonderful day with my wife after speaking at a professional conference in a town about an hour from here. We got lunch at an Italian cafe, spent a few hours in a book store, and had milkshakes.

Not good for the diet, but an otherwise Perfect Day!

Sunrise over Destin Harbor . . .good morning!

Just got a Starlink yesterday. Have not taken it out if the box yet, but will do so this weekend.

Does anyone have any experience with Starlink?

I am somewhat skeptical. Not a huge Musk fan, but I need this for coverage ina rural area - only viable option.

Goodbye Twitter. Hello Micro.Blog

rcj.life/goodbye-t…