512 Pixels

Wayne, in the interview:

I’m a footnote in someone else’s story.

After the crazy stuff that happened with Netflix this year, why didn’t Reed Hastings lose his job, not just some money?

This afternoon, between Christmas events, we put Josiah down for a nap. As we weren’t home, he had problems falling asleep, so I went to lay down next to him for a bit.

Resting there, I realized today was Josiah’s fourth Christmas. When he was first diagnosed with brain cancer in May 2009, we didn’t know if he’d make it that Christmas, let alone one three and a half years later.

The best present I got this year was to watch him sleep peacefully this afternoon. Merry Christmas, little buddy.

I’m generally not a fan of using an app that re-works a website to be more “mobile-friendly.”

Wikipanion is the exception. It makes browsing Wikipedia articles easy and fast from any iOS device. Since I co-host the world’s most popular Wikipedia-related podcast, you know I’ve played with numerous apps in this category

(While I’ll be looking at the iPad app in this review, the iPhone app is just as useful and well-designed. Note that Wikipanion is not an universal app as of this writing.)

When the app is launched, focus is placed in the search field. The app auto-fills article names after a moment:

One an article is selected, the app can show the page’s contents in the sidebar (or pop-over, in portrait mode). With a simple tap, the app scrolls to that section of the article:

The app also can be used to find related content. This is a great way to get lost on Wikipedia. This view also shows links to find articles based on your current location, or to go to the home page or a random article:

Wikipanion also can save bookmarks and store your browsing history, which can be helpful if you get lost down the rabbit hole.

The app is free, with a premium version (dubbed Wikipanion Plus) that adds a queue feature, offline access for saved articles and the ability to use the app to browse other MediaWiki-powered wikis. The Plus version is $4.99.

Go check out this app. In the months Myke and I have been doing Ungeniused, it has become a very useful tool. It really is that good.

Drew Coffman, weighing in on the curation thing:

I’m thinking the term “curator” shouldn’t be thrown out just yet. What we know as digital curation is such a unique beast that no other word seems to really fit. Traditional curators are often degree-holding specialists trusted with their materials. Translating this idea to the digital world places emphasis on content that I find very good for web culture. It shows that people place real value in the things they love. However, I think there is a requirement for those who use the term - one must provide some unique context or information when displaying their prized possessions. I have a hard time taking digital “curators” seriously when all they do is throw links together. The why is so important to me when it comes to art.

I hadn’t thought about the shift from the traditional to the digital when I wrote my piece, but I think Coffman is right — whatever the term we all land on, there should be requirements attached to it.

J. Eddie Smith:

If you find yourself staring at a problem on a screen—of any size—without taking any action for more than five minutes or so, pen and paper might be your ticket out.

I like this.

The power of the nerd community shouldn’t be underestimated.

The chart in Chris Ziegler’s post really sums things up nicely.

If you want to be respected as a customer, buy an Apple product. Android just seems more and more masochistic every day.

Vlad Savov:

Samsung has just distributed the worst news of this Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade cycle: the popular Galaxy S smartphone that sold 10 million units last year and the 7-inch Galaxy Tab tablet won’t be upgraded to Android 4.0. The company’s argument is that they lack sufficient RAM and ROM to run the new OS alongside TouchWiz and other “experience-enhancing” software.

So, instead of what is doing what is best for the customers and the Android ecosystem, Samsung is going to do what they do they do best: cover their own rear.

As Shawn Blanc asked in his Galaxy Nexus review:

Who’s fighting for the users?

Pitiful, but not surprising.

Everyone’s favorite domain registrar has gone insane.

Everyone’s favorite lawyer-turned-tech-blogger Nilay Patel has posted an in-depth look at SOPA. You need to read this.

In his excellent, in-depth Nexus Galaxy review:

But my overall impression after using Android for a week was that of being underwhelmed. Though the operating system is functional and advanced in certain areas, it still has an overarching feel of still being immature. Moreover, there was nothing on Android that made me feel more empowered compared to using my iPhone.

Sure, there are bits of the Android OS that I like and appreciate, but never once was I wowed or delighted. Which is unfortunate, because those are important elements when you are using a device day in and day out every day of the year.