Example result from my “Native Dictionary” Siri Shortcut
Utilize Apple’s native dictionary integration to create rich definition Apple Notes.
Download on RoutineHub
This shortcut utilizes the native Show Definition action and its integration with Apple’s dictionary services to create rich-formatted Apple Notes for inputted terms (by way of the share sheet or text input) by passing the desired…
Joshua Topolsky on MastodonJoshua TopolskyWhat Future
It’s silly how surprised I was to find @joshuatopolsky’s most recent commentary on Mastodon to be the most reasonable, informed one I’ve heard out of the buzz, yet. Aside from tossing in the concept that Mastodon/the fediverse is related to Web3 in any sense but the abstract of a decentralized internet, I found it almost well-considered!
“Also, I’m now on Mastodon. Follow me at @neilhimself – and there’s an invitation waiting for you at https://mastodon.social/invite/kP5BRV9s. My first ever Mastodon post has a Good Omens photo from yesterday. Expect more mysterious backstage photos there – and here – for a while…”
👀.
I love how the previous post on this blog was a divorce announcement lmao.
## These two Base64-Bound Baddies might simplify your yuppie existence for another few weeks.
Somehow, I managed to find myself in possession of two Very Large image files: the(?) new dark/light wallpaper pair coming in macOS Ventura. (Here they are in full, [**light**](https://davidblue.wtf/ventura/venturalight.jpg) and [**dark**](https://davidblue.wtf/ventura/venturadark.jpg), so we’ve got that out of the way.) I don’t actually remember where they came from, so I hope that doesn’t matter much to you. (Maybe don’t contact me if it actually does lol.)
Anyhow, I’ve actually had them for quite a while, but I’ve been meaning to do what I’m trying to tell you about for far, *far* longer. Basically, files (like images) can be stored within single Siri Shortcuts entirely in plaintext form thanks to the magic of [base64](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Base64) and the now quite familiar [Base64 Encode](https://matthewcassinelli.com/actions/base64-encode/) action. I’ve been meaning to “”“"ǝ ƃ ɐ ɹ ǝ ʌ ǝ l”“”“ this capability to simplify my own, sick, superficial, yet craven need to cycle through inordinately huge image files as my desktop backgrounds/*wallpaper* for literally years, now, but I finally just fucking did it, all for you.
They’re very simple (3 whole actions!) but **please keep in mind that they are also gargantuan**. Since I’m super smart in a way I definitely love very much, I happen to know that *all* of one’s Siri Shortcuts are actually stored in a single sqlite file that is constantly being prodded every which way by iCloud Drive’s mania… Keeping these around is not going to help.
figure I might as well do a nice, undying, bigass, crossposted thread one more time for the sake of E͟s͟s͟e͟n͟t͟i͟a͟l͟ M͟a͟s͟t͟o͟d͟o͟n͟/F͟e͟d͟e͟r͟a͟t͟e͟d͟ S͟o͟c͟i͟a͟l͟ R͟e͟s͟o͟u͟r͟c͟e͟s͟ f͟o͟r͟ N͟o͟r͟m͟l͟o͟r͟d͟s͟ I started a repository, even! https://github.com/extratone/mastodon-init
there’s nothing there, at the moment, but I would love it if any of y’all’d be interested in collaboration! I still don’t know how tf to go about doing that on GitHub, though.
the first thing to know, for many of you (both Android and iOS users,) is that Mastodon’s “official” app is absolutely THE best way to create an account. (the very first app link embeds on this page.) https://joinmastodon.org/apps
if for whatever reason you are one of those folks who won’t download a free app to try it even if it’s very small (still just 33.7mb on iOS/iPadOS,) well… here’s a video demonstration of the actual process as it was at launch. https://youtu.be/bD8GQvNrE7E
if you absolutely despise the whole idea of mobile credential creation (same tbh) or something and you must do the desktop thing, the “official” site has a relatively new server search tool… https://joinmastodon.org/servers
but it’s hard to beat the tried and true instances.social tool. either start at the root to use its wizard (I really hate wizards, personally lmao) or use this URL to quick jump to a list of English-speaking servers with greater than 2000 members. https://davidblue.wtf/instance
I would suggest immediately sorting that list by Registration . please note that at this particular moment, the whole of the fediverse is experiencing its greatest concentrated server loads, ever, because y’all so (???) that you waited out SIX YEARS of my begging.
my usual advice (to just start on mastodon.social ) doesn’t exactly apply considering we’re at closed registration right now. nor does it for my second choice, mastodon.online.
I know that I find looking through instances utterly fascinating, but if you arrive at this point and are still struggling to find where to go, please contact me! we can walk through it. https://davidblue.wtf/contact
ALT
