Frameworks: Ensemble, Forked, Swift Data

I just learned about the existence of a framework called, “Forked.” The blurbs about it talk about “local first” application design and automated merging of concurrent offline editing. This seems very interesting to me. So I started looking at the source code and the example applications, and then reading about other stuff in the “localContinue reading “Frameworks: Ensemble, Forked, Swift Data”

Software Architecture Matters

I’m starting to take a look at Swift Data, and the experience is really, really uncomfortable for me. The tutorials and explanations of how this framework works and how it integrates with SwiftUI really serve to remind me that the way I think about structuring my programs is just plain not how most other folks whoContinue reading “Software Architecture Matters”

Prepare to Take Care

So, you know, things are likely going to get harder for people on the margins of power in the U.S., not just over the next few years, but probably for the next generation, until a bunch of justices retire. At least. Anyway, protests and lawsuits are great and necessary, but they’re things you do afterContinue reading “Prepare to Take Care”

Updating a macOS application’s Help Book

Why yes, as a matter of fact that is a really long title. Nevertheless, there’s not a lot of documentation to be found, and certainly not a lot of practical advice that shows up easily. Now that I’m building help books for my applications, I’ve run into the situation where I update the help andContinue reading “Updating a macOS application’s Help Book”

Okay, I Guess I’m Learning Ruby

Right, so a macOS application has a ‘Help’ menu by default, but unless the developer does some complicated and poorly documented stuff, there isn’t any help. Now, I’ve found a swell tool, Middlemac, that helps make the process much simpler. However, it doesn’t work with Ruby 3, because stuff in the past. Nowadays, middleman doesContinue reading “Okay, I Guess I’m Learning Ruby”

Modern Opera – Just Say Ouch (The Handmaid’s Tale)

We went to see “The Handmaid’s Tale” at SF Opera last night. I read the novel back in … I dunno, 1988? 1989? Somewhere around there. I knew this was going to be a megadowner. Then again, it’s not like “La Bohème” is a laugh riot or anything. But here’s the thing: it’s modern, andContinue reading “Modern Opera – Just Say Ouch (The Handmaid’s Tale)”

Maybe Don’t Do That?

Right, so I am working on a service that replaces a single part in an existing workflow. The workflow itself has been in existence for, like, 30 years and really, I’m not prepared to go down the path of explaining why the whole thing isn’t being replaced with a shiny new integrated and up-to-date system.Continue reading “Maybe Don’t Do That?”