February meet-up ツ
Originally sent: January 29th 2025
I hope you’re all keeping well and happy and enjoying the summer – rain or shine. This month’s newsletter is a bit of a mix of quite different bits – hope you’ll enjoy ツ
paint. a timline via Jeffrey Zeldman on Mastodon
Timeline: the origins of digital paint and draw software, and the tools that were developed to allow for hand drawing and painting: the mouse, light pen, and drawing tablet.
Hacking Google Maps
This is not new and quite long and slow in places but fascinating. At times I found it awkward viewing due to the computer voiceover but it’s a very interesting exploration of maps and their digitization.
Performance & Installation, 2020
99 second hand smartphones are transported in a handcart to generate virtual traffic jam in Google Maps.Through this activity, it is possible to turn a green street red which has an impact in the physical world by navigating cars on another route to avoid being stuck in traffic. #googlemapshacks
The lecture discusses the development of maps and their function within society. It links the genesis of early maps with the current development of urban apps and the success of Google Maps. Thus it questions the practice of mapping and gives an overview over the critical perspectives of today’s mapping.
reading list of bits’n’bobs ツ
A mix of articles, posts on Mastodon and more.
- New version of PNG to challenge AVIF and WebP for image dominance on the web
- JavaScript broke the web (and called it progress)
- Adobe is now processing all your PDFs in the cloud, by default.
- #Chrome now automatically turns all links shared from it to Google tracking links.
- for a better world – the World that is Happening – (boosted by Dave Letorey on Mastodon)
- a very long read/rant: Make Fun Of Them, Edward Zitron
Conversational Design
The first edition of this great book is now available for free ツ
“ How do we make digital systems feel less robotic and more real? Whether you work with interface or visual design, front-end technology, content design, or just want to be better at your business, learn why conversation is the best model for creating device-independent, human-centered systems. “
Anyone? Anything?
well,… ? Any…. no, I won’t ask this time… but you know I’d love to have some contributions from you, right? ツ
All the best, Prisca <3