I have turned my back on Evernote permanently. Now that Evernote has been struggling with orientation and funding for some time and was acquired by Bending Spoons in early 2023, the prices were drastically raised six months later, so it no longer made sense to me. Especially since the "Free" plan is now so crippled that it can only be used for testing. Meaningful work with a limit of 50 notes and one notebook is no longer possible.

It was much harder to say goodbye as I was an early user since at least 2009, and I was unable to decide where to move to. Such a move is always associated with a lot of work, but now the time has come.

• I have simply moved all my random notes and bookmarks to Apple Notes App . Notes is a good place to jot down quick thoughts or to save longer notes filled with checklists, images, web links, scanned documents, handwritten notes, or sketches. With iCloud it keeps all my apple devices in sync.
• My work, homelab and notes for my creative life, like this blog, have been moved to Obsidian . Obsidian is a personal knowledge base and note-taking application that operates on Markdown files. It allows me to keep all my files on my own harddrive.
• The biggest chunk, all my home office scans are now well stored on my Synology and managed via Paperless-ngx . Paperless-ngx is a document management system that transforms my physical documents into a searchable online archive, all hosted with docker on my own NAS.

Obsidian - Sharpen your thinking

Obsidian is the private and flexible note‑taking app that adapts to the way you think.

Obsidian

Google recently announced that it was getting rid of the legacy free tier for Google Apps/Workspace accounts, something I've used for 10+ years. Later, Google said I have the option of transferring to a free account, but that I would lose some features doing so. Now, though, there’s going to be an option to just keep using the service that’s open to people who aren’t using it for business purposes. For me, the take a way is, it's time to say goodbye, and switch my family to iCloud+, I already pay for anyway.

Google Workspace

Google Workspace , is a set of productivity and collaboration tools developed by Google. It includes a range of tools and services such as Gmail, Calendar, Google Drive, Google Docs, and more. These tools are designed to primary help businesses and organizations communicate, collaborate, and manage their work. Workspace can be accessed through a web browser or through mobile apps, and it is available as a subscription service.

Apple iCloud+

Apple iCloud+ is a subscription service offered by Apple that provides additional features for iCloud, the company's free cloud storage and syncing service with 5GB storage. With iCloud+, users can access features such as iCloud Private Relay, which provides a secure, private way to browse the web and use apps without having your online activity tracked; Hide My Email: Create unique, random email addresses that forward email to your personal inbox, so you can receive email without having to share your personal email address. Custom Email Domain: Personalize your iCloud Mail with your own email domain. You can invite friends and family to use the same domain with their iCloud Mail accounts. Family Sharing: Share an iCloud+ plan with up to five family members. Shared Photo Library: Share the photos and videos you want with your family members. You get additional storage from 50GB up to 2TB depending on the plan you choose.

How do I switch from Google Workspace to Apple iCloud+

If you are currently using Google Workspace (formerly known as G Suite) and you want to switch to iCloud+, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Determine which features you want to use: iCloud+ includes several different features, such as iCloud Drive, Calendar, Custom Email Domain or Shared Photo Library. Determine which features you want to use, and consider how they will fit into your current workflow.
2. Purchase a subscription: iCloud+ is available as an add-on to iCloud, and can be purchased through the iCloud app on your Apple device or through the iCloud website. Determine how much storage you need a get the appropriate plan, starting at 99 ct per month.
3. Set it up on your Apple devices: You will need to set up iCloud on your Apple devices in order to access these features. To set up iCloud, go to the iCloud settings on your device and follow the prompts to sign in to your iCloud account and enable the features you want to use.
4. Migrate your data: If you are using Google Workspace for email, calendar, or other services, you will need to migrate your data to iCloud. This can be a complex process, especially if you are using a large amount of data. It is typically done by exporting your data and importing it into iCloud. You may also be able to use tools such as Google Takeout .

5. Set up iCloud Mail: If you are using iCloud Mail, you will need to set it up as your default email provider. This can typically be done by configuring your email client to connect to iCloud Mail using the appropriate server settings.
6. Update your settings and preferences: After you have migrated your data and set up iCloud Mail, you will need to update your settings and preferences to reflect the switch to iCloud+. This may include updating your email signature, setting up any additional iCloud+ features you are using, and configuring your device to use iCloud as the default cloud storage provider.

It is worth noting that switching from Google Workspace to iCloud+ can be a complex process, especially if you are using a large amount of data or have a lot of custom configurations in place.

Everyone should know the value of keeping things organized and secure in the digital world. As I run this blog on a DigitalOcean Droplet, I want to share a crucial aspect of maintaining my tech life: backing up the Droplet. Trust me; it's a lifesaver when things go south!

Introduction

Let's start with the basics. The DigitalOcean Droplet is where my blog, website, and data reside. Now, think about the unthinkable - what happens if something goes wrong? Without a backup, I could be in hot water. We're talking data loss, downtime, and potentially a lot of hair-pulling moments. For me, the lost personal time to get things up and running again is the worst, it's just wasted. But fret not, because DigitalOcean has got me covered with two fantastic backup options.

Types of Backups on DigitalOcean

Snapshot: Think of a snapshot as a frozen moment in time. When you take one, you capture your entire Droplet's state. It's like a photo of your server's condition, which can be restored whenever needed. Snapshots are handy for creating manual backups and testing updates safely.

Backup: Automatic backups are your trusty sidekick. DigitalOcean's Backup service automatically creates backups of your Droplet on a regular schedule. These backups include your entire system, data, and configurations. They're stored securely, so you can roll back your Droplet with ease.

Differences:

• Snapshots are manual, while Backups are automatic.
• Snapshots are more flexible for creating custom backups.
• Backups are more convenient for regular, worry-free protection.

Setting Up Automatic Backups

Let's keep things simple and start with setting up automatic backups:

1. Log in to your DigitalOcean account.
2. Go to your Droplet's dashboard.
3. Click on the "Backups" tab on the left side.
4. Enable automatic backups with a single click, and voilà!

Automatic backups are like a safety net, ensuring your Droplet is protected without you having to lift a finger. Just make sure you have enough disk space to store them.

Creating Manual Snapshots

For those times when you want more control or need a snapshot right now, here's how to create a manual snapshot:

1. Head to your Droplet's dashboard.
2. Click on "Snapshots" tab on the left side.
3. Give your snapshot a name, or use the one generated.
4. Hit the "Take Snapshot" button.

Manual snapshots are perfect for those moments when you're about to make significant changes to your Droplet. It's like taking a "before" picture to compare against the "after."

Managing Backup Costs

Now, let's talk about the money. I think DigitalOcean is pretty generous with its backup pricing, but it's essential to be mindful:

• Automatic backups cost 20% of your Droplet's monthly price.
  So, if your Droplet is $6/month, backups are $1.20/month.
• Snapshots are billed at $0.05/GB per month.
  Keep an eye on those snapshots; they can add up. To keep these cost in check, you can always delete snapshots.

To optimize costs, consider using automatic backups for peace of mind and manual snapshots for specific points in time before you make significant changes.

Conclusion

Backing up your DigitalOcean Droplet is like wearing a helmet when you ride a bike - you hope you never need it, but when you do, you'll be glad it's there.

Key Takeaways:

• Use automatic backups for continuous protection.
• Create manual snapshots before major changes.
• Mind your budget and storage space.

Don't wait until disaster strikes. Take action now and set up your backups—it's a small step that can prevent a world of trouble. Your future self will thank you!

DigitalOcean | Cloud Hosting for Builders

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Cloud Hosting for Builders

It's no secret that Google Fonts have become immensely popular. Many Ghost Themes come preloaded with these fonts, presenting a challenge due to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) implications surrounding Google Fonts. A recent ruling by a German court has shed light on the issue. Websites embedding Google Fonts may be in violation of GDPR because Google records the user's IP address when the browser requests a font, subsequently utilizing it for analytical purposes. To ensure GDPR compliance for my Ghost blog, I was faced with two choices: completely abandon Google Fonts or take the self-hosting route.

In this article, I will delve into the second option and guide you through the necessary steps to use Google Fonts in a GDPR-compliant manner on your Ghost blog. We'll cover everything from removing Google font requests to downloading the font files, generating CSS rules, and seamlessly integrating them into your website. Even Google itself has a short article explaning how to self-host Fonts .

By following my steps, you can embrace Google Fonts while ensuring respect for user privacy and GDPR compliance in your Ghost blog. Let's dive in and reclaim control over our font choices without compromising data protection.

Checking for Google fonts request

To check for Google fonts, I use Safari's Develop menu. We start by enabling the Develop menu in Safari's preferences.

Once enabled, navigate to the website we want to examine and open the Develop menu. Choose "Show Web Inspector" or press Command + Option + I. In the Web Inspector window, switch to the Network tab and filter for Font. We look for requests that reference fonts.googleapis.com or fonts.gstatic.com. If there are requests to these domains, it is clear that the website is utilizing Google fonts.

Removing Google font requests

1. Locate and Remove the Google Fonts Code
   Next, we'll need to find the code responsible for fetching Google Fonts. Typically, it appears as something like:

<link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com">
<link href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin>
<link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=THEFONTUSED">

Search for the code within the theme's files. The most common location is the default.hbs file. If it's not there, explore the theme directory for a file named fonts.g. Once found, we remove the <link> elements or comment it out using the <!-- and --> tag before and after the code.

2. Verify the Absence of Outgoing Requests
   After removing the <link> elements, it's important to ensure that the Ghost blog no longer generates outgoing requests to Google's servers. To verify this, we use the Developer Tool of our browser again. If everything worked, there should be no outgoing requests related to fonts in the Network tab.

Download the font files

Now that we have successfully removed outgoing requests to Google servers from our Ghost blog, you may notice that the fallback fonts, typically browser defaults, are now loading. But fear not! Since we still wish to maintain the same look and feel, it's time to take the next step and self-host the fonts.

1. Download the Font Files
   Start by visiting fonts.google.com and search for the desired font family. Once we've selected the appropriate styles or font weights, click on "Download all" to obtain the font files in a convenient zip format.
   Alternatively, I used a helpful tool called google-webfonts-helper by the awsome Mario Ranftl .

2. Place the Font Files in the Ghost Theme Folder
   After downloading the font files, it's time to integrate them into our Ghost theme. The recommended location for storing these files is the assets/fonts directory. If the fonts directory doesn't exist, simply create it within theme.

3. Ready to Self-Host the Fonts
   With the font files securely placed in our theme's assets/fonts directory, we are now prepared to self-host the fonts. This means the Ghost blog will load the fonts directly from our own server, eliminating the need for external requests and preserving GDPR compliance.

Generate the CSS rules

When it comes to using custom fonts, defining the @font-face rules is essential. These rules specify the custom font to be used for displaying text. While the default integration of Google fonts handles this automatically, self-hosting requires a more hands-on approach.

Fortunately, there's the convenient tool I mentioned earlier google-webfonts-helper that can generate these rules for us. You can find the project on GitHub . Let's explore the step-by-step process:

1. Select Charsets and Font Weights
   Begin by selecting the desired character sets for your fonts. The default option is Latin, but you can choose additional character sets as needed. Next, select the font weights or styles that you want to include.

2. Copy the Generated CSS
   The tool will generate the necessary CSS code for modern browsers. Copy this CSS code, as it will be used to define the @font-face rules in your theme.

3. Download and Place Font Files
   As mentioned earlier, ensure that the font files downloaded from the tool are placed in the appropriate assets directory of your Ghost theme. Organizing the font files correctly is crucial for the fonts to function properly.

Adding the CSS rules

When it comes to integrating custom fonts into your Ghost theme, you have two options: adding CSS either directly into a CSS file or utilizing the convenient Code Injection area in Ghost Admin. Let's explore an example to understand the process better.

Let's say I want to integrate the Viga font. After selecting the desired style and downloading the font files, I have the following font file located in the /assets/fonts directory:

• viga-v14-latin-regular.woff2

Additionally, I have the following CSS rules:

/* viga-regular - latin */
@font-face {
  font-display: swap;
  font-family: 'Viga';
  font-style: normal;
  font-weight: 400;
  src: url('/assets/fonts/viga-v14-latin-regular.woff2') format('woff2');
}

Now, I'll add these font rules inside a <style> tag in the code injection area. With this step completed, the last task is to ensure that the website uses the correct font. Although the implementation may vary depending on your theme, adding the following rule in the code injection area should do the trick:

body * { font-family: 'Viga'; }

That's it! We have successfully self-hosted Google Fonts within our Ghost theme. By following these steps, we have taken full control of our blog's visual identity while adhering to GDPR compliance.

If you have any questions or want to share your own font integration experiences, feel free to leave a comment or reach out. Let's continue exploring new ways to enhance our blogs together!

I had been looking at the Sonos system for a while, but I've always lacked the reason to switch from my old stereo to Sonos. Six years ago, there was a good opportunity and I have never regretted this step since. In the meantime my system has grown to four One , one Five , a Beam with a Sub mini .

What is Sonos?

Sonos is first and foremost a speaker. They are connected to the router via WLAN or LAN so that there is a connection to the Internet. After that, you can operate your Sonos speaker on the go.
All you need is the Sonos app or the Sonos software . Not only can you start and stop playback, but you can also use Internet radio and streaming services like Apple Music , Spotify or SoundCloud.

The price of the speakers is not only explained by the sound quality, but also by the interaction of several Sonos speakers: Since the boxes are connected to the Internet, they can communicate with each other. If you wish, you can use the app to play something different on all speakers, or the same thing on all of them. You can always play music only on the speaker that is currently in your room.

Future plans

Since a Sonos setup can easily grow over time, I always look for new opportunities to get "just one more" speaker. Luckily for me, Sonos keeps expanding their line-up, so there are more chances for me to pick one up. I am particularly interested in the new Move 2 or the Roam to close my outdoor music gap.

Sonos: Preorder Move 2 — Our Strongest Portable Speaker Yet

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Sonos

Today, I want to share with you my newest project. I'm thrilled to dive into a topic that has revolutionized my digital life - setting up a home server for self-hosting. I decided to set up my server with a Synology RS422+ . Now, you might be wondering what a home server is and why on earth would someone like me, a physician and a tech-savvy family man, take the plunge into this exciting new world? Well, grab a cup of coffee and let me walk you through the journey that led me to this decision.

The Need for a Home Server

What needs drove me to set up a home server? It all comes down to data storage, backups, file sharing, media streaming, and even home automation. As a father, I have a ton of family photos, movies, and music that need safe, accessible storage.

Setting up a home server allows me to manage my data on my terms. But it's not all rainbows; self-hosting brings its challenges, like potential downtime, the need for regular maintenance, and dealing with technical issues firsthand. However, the pros (data control, privacy, and no subscription fees) far outweighed the cons for me.

Choosing the server

Synology RS422+ is a high-performance, scalable, 4-bay rack mount NAS (Network Attached Storage) designed for businesses. But why should businesses have all the fun? I chose this model for its specs - it's powered by a 2-core AMD Ryzen processor, and offers up to 64 TB storage capacity. Its scalability and performance make it an excellent choice for my burgeoning home network needs. But for me the form-factor: 1U 19'' rack-mount extra short (328 mm) was most interesting.

Setting Up the Synology

I won't bore you with all the nuts and bolts, but here's a brief glimpse into the setup process:

• Unpack the Synology RS422+ and install the hard drives.
• Connect it to your network.
• Fire up your computer, find the server via Synology’s web assistant, and follow the on-screen instructions to get it running.

That’s it, once it's all set up, you can start exploring its incredible features.

Life with the Home Server

The Synology has made my life considerably more organized and efficient. I can now access my files from anywhere, making it easier to work from home or on the go. Streaming movies and music across devices has become a breeze, and backups are now automated. One unexpected benefit was the sense of control and independence I gained. No more worrying about what third-party services are doing with my data or going out of business!

I have to mention the rabbit hole: I installed Docker on the server to try some things out. Be aware that this is a whole new world to discover. If you choose to follow this path, great new things can happen, but most of all time disappears.

Who Should Consider Setting Up a Home Server

Home servers aren't just for tech nerds or data hoarders. If you find yourself increasingly reliant on digital files and media, or if you value data privacy and control, a home server could be a game-changer for you. A Synology NAS is a flexible solution that can cater to a wide range of users, from small businesses to creative professionals, researchers, and tech-savvy families.

Conclusion

Setting up a home server has been an empowering and rewarding experience. It's given me control, flexibility, and peace of mind when it comes to managing my digital life.

I'd love to hear from you - have you considered setting up a home server? If you've already embarked on this journey, what's your experience been like?

Tech Specs

For the tech-inclined, here are the core specs of my setup:

• Synology RS422+ NAS Server (2-core AMD Ryzen R1600 CPU, 2 GB DDR4 ECC, 2 RJ-45 1GbE LAN-Ports)
• 2x 6TB WD Red NAS Hard Drive 3.5" (WD60EFAX)
• 2x 500GB WD Red SA500 NAS SATA SSD 2,5” (WDS500G1R0A)

Let's dive into the world of Passkeys - this cool new concept that even Google has started using. If you're scratching your head wondering what's going on, that's why I'm here. Let's unpack what a Passkey is, how it works, and go through the good, the bad, and everything in between.

Passkeys vs. Passwords: A Personal Take

Now, we all know what a password is. It's that string of characters I've memorized (or tried to) or stashed away in a password manager like 1Password. Every time I try to log in, a website expects that exact password, right after entering my username.

But then, there are Passkeys. They're like the dynamic, cooler cousin of passwords. Here's how it works: I'm the user, and there's a website or app that recognizes me. The first time I logged in, I generated a "key pair", which is unique to my account.

My public key stays cozy on the website or app, while the private key finds a home in my device, be it my smartphone or a fancy FIDO2 USB stick from yubico. Every time I log in, my device comes up with a unique, single-use password, encrypted by my private key.

This special password appears either through a biometric login (fingerprint, facial recognition, etc.) or by entering a PIN or swipe pattern. My device then forwards this one-time password to the website or app, where it's checked with the public key. If everything lines up, voilà, I'm in.

So, the major difference between a regular password and a Passkey? Well, passwords stay the same until I decide to change them, but Passkeys? They're always new, always fresh, with one-time codes. And while anyone could use my username and password combo if they found it, Passkeys are uniquely mine.

The Pros and Cons of Passkeys

The Pros

• I can forget about memorizing complicated passwords.
  Say goodbye to that dreaded "password123"
• I won't be tempted to use the same password for different sites.
• Even if someone intercepts my authentication code, it'll be useless next time.
• Passkeys are like kryptonite to phishing, since there's no fixed password to steal.
• Websites don't have to store my passwords, which lowers the risk of data breaches.

The Cons

• If I have issues with my biometric identification, I could be locked out of my own apps and sites.
• Not everyone might want, or be able, to use Passkeys, which leads to potential security gaps.
• Some websites might not be able to keep up with this new tech, or might choose not to.
• Sharing my Netflix or Amazon accounts could get a bit tricky with Passkeys.
• If I lose my device? Well, that could spell trouble. Yes, key pairs are saved in the cloud, but I might need security keys to retrieve them.
• There are tech experts who warn that current encryption might not stand up to quantum computers in the future.

So, there you have it. Passkeys might be the future of logging in - more dynamic, more secure - but they've got their own set of challenges. But as long as we stay informed and ready to adapt, I believe we're heading in the right direction.

In today's digital age, images play a crucial role in the online experience. They help to capture the attention of users and convey information in a visually appealing way. However, images can also be a major source of slow loading times and poor performance on websites and other online platforms. That's where WebP comes in.

What is WebP?

WebP is making headway in the image format space this year. The image format — which is developed by Google — uses both lossy and lossless compression techniques to reduce the size of image files without significantly affecting their quality by utilizing technology that Google purchased from On2 Technologies. WebP is supported by a number of web browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. It is particularly well-suited for use on the web due to its small file sizes and fast loading times. WebP supports both static and animated images, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of applications.

Why Should You Use WebP?

There are a number of reasons why you should consider using WebP for your images:

1. Smaller file sizes: One of the main benefits of WebP is its ability to significantly reduce the size of image files. This can help to improve the performance of your website or online platform by reducing the amount of data that needs to be downloaded by users.
2. Faster loading times: Smaller file sizes translate into faster loading times for images. This can help to improve the user experience and reduce the risk of users abandoning your website due to slow loading times.
3. Improved performance on devices with limited resources: WebP is particularly well-suited for use on devices with limited resources, such as smartphones and tablets. Its small file sizes and fast loading times can help to improve the performance of your website or online platform on these devices.
4. Wide browser support: WebP is supported by a number of popular web browsers, including Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. This makes it a widely compatible choice for use on the web.

How to Convert to WebP

If you are interested in using WebP for your images, there are a number of tools and resources available to help you convert your existing images to this format. Some options include:

• WebP Conversion Tool : This online tool allows you to convert images to WebP format and preview the results.
• Pixelmator Pro or Adobe Photoshop : The latest version of the popular graphics editors include support for exporting images to WebP format.
• cwebp command line tool : This command line tool is part of the WebP package and allows you to convert images to WebP format from the command line.

Conclusion

In conclusion, WebP is a powerful image format that can help to improve the performance and user experience of your website or online platform. With its small file sizes, fast loading times, and wide browser support, it is an excellent choice for use on the web. If you are not already using WebP for your images, I highly recommend considering it as a viable alternative to more traditional image formats.

In a world that is turning faster and faster, standing still means taking a step backwards. Of course, it doesn't make sense to chase every trend. But I think it's time to jump on the WebP bandwagon when it comes to image format and cut the old ties. And while I'm at it, I'm going to add a Pinterest button to my blog.

In recent years, there has been a growing demand for chatbots that can engage users in natural conversation and provide assistance with a wide range of tasks. To meet this demand, a number of chatbot development tools have been developed, including ChatGPT . In this article, I will introduce ChatGPT and explore some of its key features and capabilities.

What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is a variant of GPT (short for "Generative Pre-training Transformer") that has been specifically designed for chatbot applications. GPT is a machine learning model developed by OpenAI that uses deep learning techniques to generate human-like text. Like other GPT models, ChatGPT is trained on a large dataset of text and is able to generate natural language responses based on the input it receives. However, ChatGPT has been optimized for the specific task of generating chatbot responses, and it is able to generate more contextually appropriate and engaging responses than a general-purpose GPT model.

How Does ChatGPT Work?

ChatGPT uses a combination of artificial neural networks and transformer architecture to process and analyze input data. When given an input prompt, ChatGPT analyzes the context and generates a response based on its understanding of the conversation and its knowledge of the topic at hand. ChatGPT is able to generate responses that are both relevant and engaging, making it a powerful tool for building chatbots that can hold meaningful conversations with users.

What Can ChatGPT Be Used For?

ChatGPT can be used to build a wide range of chatbot applications, including customer service chatbots, virtual assistants, and conversational agents for e-commerce and other industries. ChatGPT is particularly well-suited for building chatbots that are able to handle a wide range of tasks and topics, as it is able to generate contextually appropriate responses based on the input it receives. ChatGPT can be integrated into chatbot platforms such as Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and other messaging apps, making it easy for businesses and organizations to deploy chatbots and engage with users.

Conclusion

In summary, ChatGPT is a powerful tool for building chatbots that can engage users in natural conversation and provide assistance with a wide range of tasks. With its ability to generate contextually appropriate responses and its versatility in a variety of applications, ChatGPT is an important development in the field of chatbot technology. As the demand for chatbots continues to grow, ChatGPT and other chatbot development tools will play a key role in helping businesses and organizations build chatbots that can effectively serve their users.

This article describing the use of the chatbot ChatGPT by OpenAI was self-written by the chatbot using the input: "Write a blog article about chatgpt with 500 words."

Flow refers to the feeling of complete immersion and complete absorption in an activity, which proceeds as if of its own accord - in other words, the rush of creativity or activity or functional pleasure, also known as being in the zone. The happiness researcher Mihály Csíkszentmihályi is considered the creator of the flow theory, which he developed from the observation of various areas of life, including surgeons and extreme athletes. Flow can occur when controlling a complex, fast-paced event in the range between overload (anxiety) and underload (boredom). Access and flow experience vary from individual to individual.

This is where music can help to better get in the flow with greater consistency. Music helps us to concentrate by blocking out distracting noise. It acts as a stimulus that engages the brain, which modify our mood and provides a rhythm that keeps us alert. This serves to make the task at hand more engaging, less dull, and easier to concentrate on.

I've already tried using different apps, streams and playlists to create my work and leisure atmosphere so that I can concentrate or relax better. Currently, I'm sticking with ambient playlists from Apple Music and the white-noise app Endel .

Endel

Founded in 2018, Endel is an AI-powered soundscape app. The company’s technology Endel Pacific creates personalized, adaptive soundscapes backed by neuroscience. Their apps are available on iOS, Apple Watch, macOS, Amazon Alexa, and Android. The company just announced it has raised a $15 million in a Series B round. This sounds like they are going to stick around a little longer.

Apple Music

The subscription music service from Apple has plenty of atmospheric albums. But rather than choosing a particular composer, I usually select one of the pre-made playlists. While everyone's taste for atmospheric music is unique to them, with over 50,000,000 songs on the platform, there's gotta be something, somewhere on Apple Music for everyone.

Here is a list of a few of my items in my collection:

• Ambient Essentials by Apple Music
• Ambient 1: Music for Airports by Brian Eno
• Pure Meditation by Apple Music Wellness
• Peaceful Music by Peaceful Music
• Pure Focus by Apple Electronic

Endel - Personalized soundscapes to help you focus, relax, and sleep. Backed by neuroscience.

Personalized soundscapes to help you focus, relax, and sleep. Backed by neuroscience.

Endel - Personalized soundscapes to help you focus, relax, and sleep. Backed by neuroscience.

Get millions of songs. All ad-free.

Plus your entire music library on all your devices.

Apple Music

I was looking into ways to repurposing my content or better finding different ways or channels to reach people. This is kind of a hot topic in the world of digital content. Publishers of all kinds are looking for ways to maximize their investment in written content creation and engage audiences with increasingly diverse habits and needs. At the same time, audio content experienced a big jump in the last two years. That said, I stumbled across BeyondWords, an all-in-one audio CMS.

BeyondWords

Wouldn't it be great to have an audio transcript of my blog post, so my audience can decide whether they want to read or listen to it, maybe they are driving or working out, or they just have no access to their reading glasses at the moment, or maybe they are permanently unable to read my content and by listening to it, I'm still able to reach them. Following my theme of boldly advancing into fields I do not have a clue of, I decided to integrate BeyondWords into my blog.

Formerly known as SpeechKit, it has rebranded itself to BeyondWords in late 2021. With it came a new pricing plan, adding a free plan, which allows creating up to 30,000 characters of audio every month. That’s approximately four articles, which should be sufficient for me. I can create audio automatically or manually, embed audio automatically or manually, and even create a podcast feed, if I would like.

How to integrate BeyondWords into the Ghost platform

First, we need to add a custom integration in Ghost by logging into our Ghost admin dashboard, from the left bottom menu, selecting the gear symbol and then 'Integrations', here we 'Add custom integration'. We enter a name, how about 'BeyondWords' then selecting 'Create'. We keep the page open for the admin API key and API URL, we will need it in the next step.

Second at BeyondWords we get started by creating a free account , creating a project, then go to the 'Content' section of our project dashboard and selecting 'Ghost' under 'Connect your CMS'. We can then select the AI voices we would like to use for titles and body content. We the copy and paste the admin API key and API URL from the Ghost Integration we created in the previous step into the corresponding fields, then selecting 'Test' — we should get a 'Success' message. We copy the audio player script for use in the next stage and select 'Save changes'.

In the last step, we insert the audio player script into the ghost platform. We need to navigate to the 'Settings' from the Ghost admin dashboard again, but this time we select 'Code injection'. We paste the audio player script into a new line in 'Site Footer' then select 'Save'.

The BeyondWords + Ghost integration should now be installed, activated, and enabled. BeyondWords will automatically create audio versions of every new posts, with each conversion using the characters limit for the month. Once processed (this takes a few minutes), the audio version will be automatically embedded into the source page via the small player. Older post will not automatically be converted into audio. However, we can trigger audio processing by updating an old post.

BeyondWords blog

Read or listen to insights, product updates, and news from our text-to-speech engineering and product team.

BeyondWords

I always ask myself where technology can really improve my everyday life. Calendar and navigation are my absolute top favorites. Right after that comes our shopping list app Bring! Let's be honest, groceries shopping can be both joyful and a real pain, but it needs to be done.

Technology in everyday life often has the character of a gimmick. Many things, such as controlling lamps with your voice or smartly regulating shutters, are fun, but do little to change life. Not everything that is feasible really gets us anywhere. As much as I like to try new things and follow my inner play instinct, I always try to ask myself if it's really useful and if it helps me. Unfortunately, I have to realize far too frequently that this is not the case. But from time to time I discover something that is not only fun, but a real added value. The best way to see this is how quickly and naturally the technology is integrated into our life. If the family then jumps on board without any obstacles, it's clear that something has arrived to stay.

Shopping list adventure

Handwritten shopping lists have always been a horror to me, way before smartphones existed.  You either write them just before you go groceries shopping or let them grow over the week, but then you also have to keep them where anyone can find them and carry on. Most of the time it didn't work out the way you wanted it to, then you went out with half or no groceries list and forgot a third of the purchases and brought back things you didn't even need.

With the first iPhone at the end of 2007, of course, came the idea and the desire that I could also keep this list electronically. However, apps were not available until mid-2008, until then the build in Notes app had to do the job.

The first standalone app I downloaded right after the opening of the App Store was ShoppingList . Missing data synchronization with the iPhone of my wife and a somewhat cumbersome operation did not lead to a permanent adaptation. Even with a change to Remember The Milk my significant other was not convinced by the electronic concept. Actually, I had already given up until I stumbled across the app Bring! in 2013. In my view the best app for grocery list.

The solution to my problems

When I discovered Bring!, I quickly realized that the solution was right in front of me. Even though the grocery list app has grown over the years, it is still the same at its core. The shopping list can be created quickly by starting to type in the search box, which immediately brings up possible items with a visual representation, this aids to my recognition immensely. A simple tap then leads to the transfer to my list. Of course, you can add quantities or numbers. Just as easily, by tapping once, the food is removed from the list when shopping.

The highlight, however, is that the shopping list can be shared across multiple devices. So my wife and I always have the most current with us, whoever goes shopping. In the meantime, the kids are also on board, as everyone can simply use voice commands to call out an item to our kitchen Alexa if one just discovered that the last milk is taken from the fridge.

You can use Bring! for free if you accept that manufacturer and retailer use it as an advertising platform for direct marketing. I'm glad to pay a reasonable monthly/yearly subscription price for premium.

Bring! Shopping List App for iOS & Android

The simple shopping list App to share with friends and family ✓ Free ✓ Google Assistant & Alexa ✓ integrated recipes ✓ organized loyalty cards ▷ Get Bring! now ...

Bring!

Data Protection Day is an international day of action launched by the Council of Europe in 2008 and held annually on January 28 since then.

The year it is accompanied by the Data Privacy Week from 24 to 28 of January, culminating in Data Privacy Day. The aim is to raise public awareness of privacy protection in the digital space and to encourage Internet users to exercise their right to privacy.

This date was chosen because on January 28, 1981, the Council of Europe opened for signature "Convention 108," which was the first internationally binding agreement on the protection of personal data and can be considered the precursor to the EU General Data Protection Regulation.

Since 2008, a wide variety of organizations, educational institutions, and businesses have used this occasion to advocate for consistent data protection and to highlight the inherent dangers of systematic data collection by tech corporations and government agencies.

On the one hand, privacy is a fundamental human right that has intrinsic value. For another, it is an indispensable cornerstone of democratic societies. And last but not least, it is completely unforeseeable what conclusions about individuals will be possible in the future with the help of the immense amounts of data and new technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Here on my blog, I try to be transparent, which means I am open and honest about my non use of personal data. I do not use cookies, I use advertiser without tracking and my Analytics Platform Ghostboard uses an embed API that does not use or read cookies. I support the action and try to set a sign for data protection! Likewise, I put a #RegainPrivacy banner on my profile pictures. How about you showing your environment that you reject mass surveillance by authorities and marketing of user data by tech giants.