5,000 words on why webcams suck
No seriously, this is an exhaustive piece and points out what we have known after being isolated and living on Zoom for nearly a year — our video reality needs way better cameras.
Working From Home
Why we are underestimating Zoom & it’s impact?
The cool, crisp fall weather, the smell of roasting turkey, the prospect of soft, silky pumpkin pie, and a chance to be with family are the usual harbingers of Thanksgiving in America. In pre-pandemic times, these things indicated that it was time to kick back and get into the holiday spirit. Of course, this is … Continue reading Why we are underestimating Zoom & it’s impact?
HomePod as a speakerphone
It might not be perfect, but Apple’s HomePod smart speaker has its uses, especially if you live within Apple’s ecosystem. I use it to add items to my to-do lists, quick calculations, and listen to music. It is sitting behind my computer screen, and I usually stream music to the device using AirPlay. It sounds lovely … Continue reading HomePod as a speakerphone
What really is time in the time of pandemic
I wanted to go out and make photographs. Instead, I turned off my alarm and just lay on my back, looking at the ceiling, as if constant staring could turn it into a big blue vista. I kept thinking about a dubious milestone: 90 days in…whatever you want to label it: self-isolation, lockdown, quarantine. The … Continue reading What really is time in the time of pandemic
The present shift to “work from home” should have a moment for Skype to shine. Instead, it is an afterthought for many of us, who have turned to Zoom (warts and all) at a time when the video has become a crucial part of our daily communication. Microsoft has bungled the Skype acquisition, and on its watch ruined what was clearly a simple, effective, and a beloved product. Instead, it is foisting Teams on to former Skype-lovers. And it is not just Microsoft – other big technology companies video collaboration products are a bit meh as well. In this wonderful article, the Wired UK has covered the rise of Zoom and the fall of Skype. And given my long history with Skype, they asked me to explain why?
Five stages of Zoom
With over 300 million daily participants, Zoom is clearly having a moment. And as the pandemic rolls on, our relationship with Zoom has changed quite a bit . Even my dear friend Brad “Zen” Feld is having to re-evaluate Zoom. And it actually made me wonder if we are following the Kübler-Ross model — you … Continue reading Five stages of Zoom
Productivity: what is it good for?
I was having a chat with a friend yesterday who was feeling a little tired and exhausted. The root cause of this exhaustion was sitting in front of a computer screen for long periods. She mentioned that, if she wasn’t working, it was as if she wasn’t being productive and was letting down her team … Continue reading Productivity: what is it good for?
Away from keyboard
Some of the best ideas come from casual conversations. Take this chat I had with my friend Matt Mullenweg, founder and CEO of Automattic and co-creator of WordPress. We were talking about his company’s early embrace of distributed company culture and remote working. That has helped the company scale to more than 1,000 people, and … Continue reading Away from keyboard
The New New Working From Home Set-Up
I shared my new work from home set up a few days ago. Well, I ended up making some adjustments. The double giant screens — iMac Pro and XDR Display are not for me — I need a single screen. The folks at Apple are letting me keep the XDR Display for a few more … Continue reading The New New Working From Home Set-Up
#50
It just might be the worst kind of milestone to note — today is the 50th day of my isolation. What started on February 29 as a precaution, is now become a way of life. I have not had much contact with the outside world. Three friends have dropped by and said hello from their … Continue reading #50