Photo of a setting full moon early in the morning next to Sutro Tower in San Francisco.

The photograph titled "Moon, Sutro Tower (from Bernal Heights)" captures a serene cityscape bathed in the delicate glow of twilight. At the forefront, the silhouette of Sutro Tower stands elegantly against a soft pastel sky, its intricate framework juxtaposed against the gentle curves of the hills. To the left, the full moon hangs quietly, a perfect spherical balance rendering an almost poetic alignment with the tower. Below, the distinctive architecture of the residential buildings spreads across the landscape like a meticulously woven tapestry, transitioning from shadowed obscurity to the sun’s gentle embrace at the horizon. The subtle gradient from the pale blues to warm oranges encapsulates a sense of tranquil resilience often found in urban environments.

The style of this photograph leans toward minimalistic composition, utilizing a vast expanse of sky contrasted by the defined structures of Sutro Tower and the moon. The Rule of Thirds is subtly employed, with the tower vertically sectioned toward the right, and the moon balancing it to the left, creating a pleasing visual harmony. The use of natural light is commendable, giving the scene an ethereal and timeless quality. However, while the pastel hues add a soothing atmosphere, they may lack the color saturation that could accentuate the architectural details further. The image communicates a quiet strength and a delicate intersection between nature and man-made marvels, though a slightly sharper focus might enhance the picture’s depth. Nonetheless, this photograph wonderfully captures the spirit and serene complexity of its urban setting.

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(Published to the Fediverse as: Moon, Sutro Tower (from Bernal Heights) #photo #bernal A photograph of the moon and Sutro Tower in San Francisco, California. )

I've been using my Samsung Chromebook at work for around ten months now. It's not my main computer but it's a meeting survival powerhouse for email, instant messaging and note taking. The battery lasts approximately forever, it boots immediately and the decent keyboard and trackpad are just miles ahead of fumbling around on a tablet.

There are two problems for me with the Chrome universe. One will probably get fixed, one could be a deal breaker.

The first issue is VPN support. Apparently we use some sort of old, fiddly Cisco VPN that ChromeOS simply won't talk to. I filed Issue 261241 in the Chromium bug tracker and hopefully it will get fixed soon. If you're struggling with the same thing please star the bug report.

I can work around the VPN problem by using LogMeIn or Chrome Remote Desktop. But I can't live long without Skype. Actually I'd be perfectly happy to never use Skype again but my company runs on about fifty thousand Skype chats. I used Imo.IM for a while but they were forced to drop Skype support. Right now I'm using IM+ which as far as I'm aware is the only working Skype option for a Chromebook (please tell me if I'm wrong) but it's buggy and can't restore a connection between sessions. I either need to find a way to kill Skype at work or wait for (or write) a better web-only client.

Probably worth sticking it out, Gartner reports a 8.6% fall in PC sales but predicts Chromebooks growing to over 12 million units by 2016.

(Image by he4rtofcourage, CC).

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Read the full Chromebook Adventure

• Leaving Chrome
• Going Chrome
• Full Outlook Web Access on Chromebook

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(Published to the Fediverse as: Staying Chrome? #etc #chromebook #google Can I use a Chromebook for work? I'm blocked by the lack of comprehensive VPN support and the lack of a decent Skype client. )

The long bolts with plastic washers attach to the head and foot of the cot (1). These are easier to screw in using a drill with a hex bit. Put the four smallest bolts through the holes (2) before attaching the sides or you’ll be taking the sides off again. These will be used to attach the mattress spring.

Cams go in the head and foot (1), smallest bolts as described above (2).

Now just attach the sides with the medium bolts and then the mattress spring using the wing nuts.

Missing one of the medium bolts? It’s in this bag somewhere. When asking Kate to help by putting bolts in a bag remember to be very, very specific about which bag next time. The rest of the hardware is in a Ziploc in a side pocket.

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(Published to the Fediverse as: Memo to future: How to reassemble Kate’s cot #etc #cot How to reassemble Kate’s cot, has been helpful at least twice, hoping not to need these instructions again though. )

The Gmail Android client helpfully puts the first letter of the name of the person who emailed you in a big block at the left of the mail list (I guess if you have Google Plus friends you probably get a photo instead). But it's pretty easy to change the from name in your email client and trivial to do this programmatically.

Tips... spell your message backwards and use a different subject line for each email so they don't get grouped together.

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(Published to the Fediverse as: Immature Gmail Exploit #etc #gmail How to get Gmail to say anything you want in the message list... )

Panoramic photo of the Golden Gate, taken from Baker Beach in San Francisco.

This photograph captures a sweeping panoramic view of a sunlit beach with the iconic Golden Gate Bridge peeking prominently in the distance. The vast azure sky stretches from one edge of the image to the other, meeting the gentle arch of the bay. The frothy white waves crash rhythmically along the sandy shores, creating a delicate lace at the water's edge. To the left and right, hills cradle the scene, framing the bay and bridge in a natural embrace. The bridge itself, though small on this grand canvas, stands as an iconic silhouette against the clear horizon, hinting at the bustling life beyond the tranquil seascape.

The panoramic style of this image is both its strength and challenge. By presenting such an expansive field of view, it conveys a sense of grandeur and endless possibility. However, it risks losing detail and focus, especially for the distant bridge. The composition effectively uses the rule of thirds, positioning the horizon along the upper third, and allowing the viewer's eye to dance along the shoreline that leads towards the bridge. The balance between the serene water and the solid land anchors the image. I appreciate the vastness and clarity of the sky but feel the bridge, as a focal point, might benefit from a slightly closer perspective to engage more intimately with the viewer. The overall effect, though, is a serene ode to the meeting of nature and human achievement.

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(Published to the Fediverse as: Golden Gate #photo #sanfrancisco #ggb Panoramic photo of the Golden Gate as seen from Baker Beach in San Francisco, California. )

Photo of clouds spelling cloud (actually a cunning crop of a sky writing advert).

The photograph titled "Cloud" captures a vast expanse of clear blue sky, interrupted only by the playful and creative formation of the word "CLOUD" written in skywriting. The letters seem to be made from tiny cloud-like dots, floating weightlessly in the upper left portion of the frame. In the lower right corner, a small section of a tree's lush green foliage sneaks into view, adding contrast and grounding the open space above. The image is minimalist in essence, focusing primarily on the juxtaposition of art and nature in the open air.

The composition employs a simple yet effective juxtaposition of elements. The use of negative space is pronounced, allowing the viewer’s attention to zero in on the skywritten text. The asymmetry created by the position of the text and the tree branch adds interest and arresting balance to the photo. The direct approach and minimalistic style are charming, though the photograph might benefit from a more vibrant color to intensify visual impact. The simplicity is refreshing, but some might find the image too sparse, craving more detail or activity. Overall, the photo plays cleverly on its title, offering a whimsical twist on how clouds can be perceived.

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(Published to the Fediverse as: Cloud #photo #cloud Photo of clouds spelling cloud (actually a cunning crop of a sky writing advert). )