COO and Partner @ MA Family where we help tech companies make news
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Writing
I Wish Bear Hadn’t Wasted Years
Bear emerged as the flagship notes app, but then lost its lead because of technical debt. I doubt their latest update makes them competitive right now.
Facebook Went Meta, But Google Isn’t Alphabet
Google called itself Alphabet for corporate reporting purposes, Facebook rebranded to Meta because their business had changed.
Why Privacy Is Overrated
I’m not against privacy, and I understand why people might not want someone to track web pages or apps they use. But it’s important to remember that there’s a trade-off and be prepared for the outcome.
The PR Flywheel: What It Can And Can’t Do For Your Business
People often think that PR and communications alone can help them achieve their goals and end up surprised when it doesn’t move the needle as much as they wanted. In fact, it’s a bit more complicated. PR is only a part of the virtuous circle.
You Can't Work On An iPad
Modern iPads are marvelous machines. But their software is too limited and unrealiable for them to replace your computer despite over a decade of innovation.
Why Algorithmic Feeds Can Be Good
People like to say they prefer chronological feeds to algorithmic ones. The actual problem is we rarely see good algorithms built to help us and not drive engagement. But I’d love to see a social network giving me tools to catch up on the people I care about.
Why Micropayments Don’t Work And People Hate Paywalls
Customers want micropayments but they're a bad option for news organizations. What they should do instead is provide us with better paywalls.
Touch the Glass: Finding a Better Home for Your Photos
The painful journey of photographers looking to find the best avenue to post their photos online and the lock-in exacerbated by subscriptions.
How to Use Virtual Backgrounds for Meetings in a Non-Cringe Way
Virtual backgrounds might look goofy but if you use them right you can definitely improve your picture without spending $5000 on a DSLR and a shelf full of books to be your background.
Raindrop Review: Better Bookmarks For Twitter And YouTube
Twitter, YouTube, and many other services have built-in bookmarks and playlists encouraging you to save content for later. I encourage you to try using a third-party service instead of them. Raindrop is a great alternative.
How to Read Newsletters In An App
Your email app isn't the best way to read newsletters. Especially if you're subscribed to dozens of them. Try a separate app for this.
Some Controversial Things I Believe
Just a few things I believe that a lot of people seemingly find controversial.
How to Start Your Blog in 2023
Running your own blog helps you keep an online journal of your life and thoughts that doesn't depend on unreliable tech platforms like Facebook or Twitter. But this process is still needlessly complicated and certainly not user-friendly for regular people.
A Better Way to Keep Organize Your Tasks
Sharing my approach to categorizing tasks inside your task manager so you will not forget anything and will understand what you have to work on at any moment.
How to Run A Remote Team
I’ve been working remotely for 8+ years and now running a team distributed at least across 5 countries. It’s challenging but it’s also very likely the best work environment that can help you attract talented people no matter where they live.
The PARA Method To Organize Your Work And Life
The PARA method is the most universal productivity technic. It’s very flexible and can be recreated in any app, whether it’s Notion, Workflowy, Apple Notes, Things 3, Roam Research, Evernote, or Todoist.
How to Work Remotely and Stay Sane
I’ve been working remotely for nine years now. I wouldn’t say it’s everyone’s future. There are pros and cons. For me personally, the advantages far outweigh the problems. If you ended up in a remote work arrangement, you might find these tips helpful.
Switch to a Modern Read-Later App Already
Read–later apps are simultaneously popular and outdated. A lot of people use them. They’re now embedded right in our browsers and there's a couple of age-old names, but if you’re still using any of these options you should reconsider.
How Would Anti-Instagram Look Like?
Reading all those discussions about the updates to Instagram and how people are becoming disillusioned with the app, I began thinking: what would an ideal anti-Instagram service look like?
Crypto Preachers vs Crypto Skeptics
Social networks incentivize people to take on radical positions as that brings engagement and followers. Yet in most areas, a reasonable centrist take is usually the right one (there are exceptions of course). Crypto is certainly one of the most divisive topics both on Twitter and in real life.
How to Get Media to Cover Your Fundraising
Five years ago announcing your funding round was quite a reliable option to get coverage in the press but it all changed. We ran dozens of announcements in recent months, so I wanted to give you a step-by-step tutorial on how to secure placements for your fundraising in the media.
Workflowy is the Platform to Build Your Ideal Notes System
Time and time again, I'm getting back to WorkFlowy as my primary system for notes and knowledge storage. It is truly a bicycle for the mind that helps you structure your thoughts while providing unparalleled flexibility.
The Updated Guide to Workflowy
I've updated my guide to Workflowy, the king of outliners, which I wrote almost two years ago. Since then, Workflowy has added many great features, including rich media support and backlinks, so the previous iteration felt incomplete.
All the Ways to Keep Tasks
There are so many task managers because people have drastically different views on how to keep their tasks. I went over all primary ways that I've seen.
Why I Dropped Apple Watch for a Mechanical Watch
I’ve always been into watches and for the last 5 years, since Series 2, I’ve been almost exclusively wearing an Apple Watch. Recently I pulled a trigger on a mechanical timepiece I wanted a long time ago and have been enjoying it since.
Mailbrew Review: Get Personalized Email Digests of News and Content
Mailbrew is the only app that allows you to receive news and content from the web in the form of regular digests. The idea behind it is to avoid the anxiety and guilt caused by endless feeds in social apps by doing bulk delivery of content at a pre-defined time throughout the day.
Why You've Dropped Your Todo List
I’ve always been one of the people who religiously lives by their task manager – I can’t survive without one. That’s why I’m always surprised when I talk to people who actually get by. For some, task managers only cause anxiety and end up abandoned and forgotten. What if I told you that you were just using it wrong?
