4/26/2025

Not everything deserves a phone call.

That people have their smartphones with them almos the time, doesn't mean that you are available to take a call all the time. This is something that some people, specially of older generations, don't seem to understand, or struggle with.

This is why many of the younger generations prefer communicating via instant messaging, it is less intrusive and allows the other to respond when they can without interrupting what they are doing at the moment. It is also become a reason why some send a message before making a call, to make sure the other person can answer.

It is not, as some say, that we are afraid of phone calls. Is just that they have their place and reasons to be made. The same goes for instant messages, some subjects are better served by making a call.

It could be said, that sometimes an instant message is better that 20 minute call.

Which mode of communication, and when to use it, is better depends on context and who do you ask. Both have their place, and as valuable. Yet as it stands, there are not the same and have their best uses. So, when it doubt as the person you want to communicate with that their prefer.

4/12/2025

Pixel and Nothing: my favorite Android smartphones.

I've been using the Pixel 7a for over a year now, and it has been one of the best user experiences I've had so had with a smartphone so far. The only smartphone that come close, is the Nothing Phone 1 , so much so that when the time comes to replace my Pixel 7a, it will come to what Pixel and Nothing have on offering on the mid-range at the time.

While I'd like to have to latest, and greatest, flagship smartphone out there, with the experience I had with both the Pixel 7a, and the Nothing Phone 1, I've come to reilase that a good mid-range smartphone gives mee all what I need. Not only that, the user experience is just as good.

Besides, with Nothing offering at least 3 Android upgrades, and Google offering 7 on Pixels, the devices become all that better for me. Knowing that my smartphone will receive at least 3 years of OS upgrades is something that gives a lot more value for me. Specially since I know now that 3 years is the minimum amount of time I want to be able to use my smartphone before considering upgrading the hardware.

I've been using Android since 4.4 Kit Kat, and since then Android has become my go to mobile OS. And since Android 12 I've been able to use each yearly realize. The biggest user facing change has been with Android 15, and I really like it.

The way Android work, keeps me for even considering to making the jump to the iPhone. Not that the iPhone is bad, but Android gives me both the hardware, and software, that makes my user experience the one I want. Not to mention that Android devices are the ones that fit better to my lifestyle.

4/05/2025

Linux has become much more user friendly.

One of myths that persist about Linux that bugs me the most, is that Linux is not user friendly. It once was true, but it hasn't been true since at least 2010.

While Linux distributions like Arch Linux and Debian require some expertise to use, there are other distros like Ubuntu and Linux Mint that are as easy to use as Windows or macOS. While coming from Windows, or macOS, might mean needing to some time to get used to Ubuntu, or Linux Mint, the jump is not all that big.

To be honest, the question you need to make before making the jump to a Linux distro is if the apps you need run in Linux, or if it has an alternative. For most user, the answer is in the positive. It is becoming the case, that only niche user cases can't make the jump because of an app doesn't work, or it doesn't have an alternative, on Linux.

Even working on remote desktops running Windows, or macOS, is easy on Linux. I've been using Remmina for years now, and it works like a breeze. Not only that, it works better that doing so from a Windows machine; mainly when printing.

Currently I use Linux Mint on a laptop, and it just works. I've been able to pair Bluetooth keyboards, mice, and headphones without problems. The same goes connecting a keyboard or a mouse using a 2.4G. Want to connect a HDMI or VGA monitor? No problem at all, you just need to plug them in.

The battery life on laptops have been getting better over the years, not Apple levels good. And modern distros are implementing power setting that extend battery life when you need to. Personally, I've been getting around 4 hours while on performance setting, and about 8 when I use the lowest one.

Linux is a solid option, and not only for users with high computer skills.

Lack of computer literacy.

After almost a decade of  using three ERP  software at work, and the three of them being under utilized, I've come to realize that is no...