What I would like to see in bars.

After listening to an episode of the Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast (Spotify link) about the economic data of the craft beer industry, it got me thinking about what the bars I like have that keep me coming back. Not only that, I also things that I'd like my perfect bar to have.

The first thing in the list, would be the beers I love and some craft beers to taste when I feel like trying something new. Preferably on draught, since I prefer it over the bottle or can options. i just like the taste better, for me it is just better.

Then comes the ambience. It has to be a placer were I can chill either by myself or with friends. The music should be loud enough so the conversations on other tables can be ignored while you can talk with the people on your table or just chill out.

Talking about the music, I prefer it to be rock, pop, lounge, or techno. The reason I prefer this music in the bars I like, is because they help me to chill out or not distract me much about the conversations happening with the people I'm with. Lounge and techno are better for the times when I'm out by myself and just want to chill out, or just want to wind down after a tough day at work.

I also like bars to have terraces to hang out, since I like to sit and just watch the world go by. For me sitting inside, and be surrounded by other people is something that I dislike. It even makes me a bit uncomfortable. That is also why I prefer bars that are not on the floor level, since it can offer better views of the sky line, and you are out of view of the people passing by.

On things that make it better for me as a geek, that the bar has Wi-Fi is a big plus. I'm a big laptop user for work and for personal use. So having Wi-Fi access is something a value a lot, to be able to do some quick work, do some web browsing, or just streaming some media content if I feel like it. As such, the tables and chair that are comfortable to use when I want to use my laptop is also a big plus.

As a sports fan, I'd love more bars in Mexico offering more sports options when they have several TVs. Having several TVs with the same game, and not with several games of different sports is one of the biggest missed opportunities. Specially since most people like more then one sport, and not everyone likes football. So, showing sports other that football, while showing the big games of the Mexican league, is something that would bring more people in.

At the end, bars are places where people come to make connections. I've a couple of friends with whom going a bar we both like is a bonding experience. They should also be places where people can safely be themselves, whoever they are in a safe way. That is why, there is a reason for different kind of bars that cater to different kinds of people rather a generic style of bar that ends up meaning nothing to everyone.

Bars should be more about the people who come to them, than the alcohol served.

Wireless lifestyle.

About a five years ago I decided to give Bluetooth headphones a try for use with my smartphone, and I must admit that not having wires to worry about was a nice thing to have. Before that, the only other wireless device I had was a mouse, because I had being using a laptop as my every day computer for years and not having a cable to use the mouse was also quite a nice thing.

After a I got a laptop that had Bluetooth when I upgraded, I had been using Bluetooth headphones for a couple of years. So, I decided to get a pair of Bluetooth headphones to use with it since I found that the audio of Bluetooth headphones is more than good enough for my use case, since I only use them to listen to music, videos, podcasts, or on video conferences. And it turned out to be quite a great experience for me. It gave a degree of freedom of movement that I appreciate a lot, since I like to stand up and walk a bit from time to time, and not having to take of the headphones to do so is quite nice. The same goes when I have to go for stuff that is nearby.

The next step for me was keyboards, since I was getting interested on mechanical keyboards since some friends where recommending them to me. After some research, I decided to go for it since I wireless ones were getting to be good for my use case on my offices at home and work. I decided to go the Bluetooth route, since I didn't want to lose an USB port to the dongle, and by just turning the keyboards on they connected to my laptop once paired with it. The same can be said to the new mouse I got when the time came to replace the one I had.

Now, I'm keeping wireless as much as I can keep it that way. The convenience is just to much, specially on the headphone and mouse side of things, to move back to wired devices with my laptop. Though buying quality Bluetooth devices can be pricey, if you get good ones they should last long enough to make them good investments.

Wireless technology has come a long way, specially Bluetooth, to make a viable options for those who want less wires to handle and the convenience it bring to they work flow or needs. it also has become cheaper, so getting quality devices at a more accesible price points is realistic for more people.

The choice of wired, or wireless, has become more about what do you need the device for rather than quality. And is a great thing.

Long live Skype.

The news that Microsoft Skype, and integrating some of its functionalities into Teams is one that hits in the nostalgia.

To be honest, the news in itself wasn't all that surprising. Microsoft had been pushing teams as a collaborative tool for a while now, while Skype has been largely ignored. While I used Skype in the early 2000s, it has been quite a while since I moved to WhatsApp, and Messenger, for most of my everyday communications including voice and video calls. I even do more phone calls using the phone app.

Though, I did use Skype to keep in touch with friends and family for a while, but we ended up moving to WhatsApp, or the massaging services of Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, Zoom, or other social media sites. Mainly because they are more convenient ways to chat and share files or other media. I can't remember the last time I used Skype for anything.

In someways, when Microsoft purchased Skype I thought it could become a worthy successor to MSN Messenger. I really loved to use MSN Messenger at the time, and most of the people I knew also liked to use it. Yet, Skype did not live to the septations, and we all move on to other instant massaging apps, all of which ended up becoming better with time.

In some ways, Skype is one of the biggest could have been. Yet. Microsoft really dropped the ball with Skype.

Six months later.

I've using a Machenike L16air with Linux Mint for over 6 months now, and it has been a great experience so far. Even though the laptop came with originally came with Windows 11, installing Linux Mint was easy and everything just works.

The upgrade to Linux Mint 22.1 Xia happened without any problems when the time came, and the improvements the Linux Mint made to the new release are quite good. The Machenike keyboards K500 Pro-B94 and K500, that I use on regular basis, also work out of the box with Linux Mint. So much so, that I'm now a fan of mechanical keyboards for when I'm at home or the office.

Not only that, it has made me a Machenike fan, and I wish they would offer their laptops with Linux Mint preinstalled for those who prefer it over Windows. Not only that, that they offered the software for their keyboards for Linux too.

Machenike has proven to be quite a great value for money. So much so, that I'm considering one of Machenike's monitors for when the time comes to upgrade or change the one I got now. The same goes the for the mouse.

As someone who prefers laptops over PCs, Machenike has given me a great option over brands like HP, Dell, or Lenovo, for laptops that fit great for my personal needs. While Machenike might not come with the latest tech, it does offer options are that are better than good enough for everyday use.

The Machenike L16air also gave me the chance to use an AMD CPU, and RADEON GPU, for the first time. And so far, AMD had become a real option for my needs.

So far, Machenike has surpassed my expectations, and remained me why I do prefer laptops over PCs. Not only that, it also proven the Linux Mint is a solid option, that just works with a wide variety of hardware. And what is better, it does in a user friendly way. 

Linux Mint 22.1 Xia: a solid point release.

It has been about a week since I upgraded to the Linux Mint 22.1 Xia,  and it has been one of the best point releases Linux Mint has had in a while.

The change that has proven to have the most impact on me, as an user, is the ability to change the power setting on my laptop. I've seen a mayor battery life improvement when I set the power setting to power saving when not plugged in, and one of several hour. It has gone up from about 4 hours, to about 8 from a full battery charge.

Other than that, it has been a great point release so far for my daily use. Now, I'm looking forward for Wayland to supersede X11.

And that's why I like Linux Mint, it give a modern OS that only changes things when necessary and it just works. It isn't at the bleeding edge of Linux, but I don't need to be at the bleeding edge. I just need at the system that just work.

Linux Mint 22.1 Xia upgrade upcoming.

Linux Mint 22.1 Xia around the corner, I'd be looking to upgrade from Linux 22 Wilma. Even though is a point release, and it focuses more on stability, I'm looking forward to it.

The main reason being the upgrade to Cinnamon 6.4, is that it brings upgrades to the user experience. While user interface is quite good, the upgrades coming up seem to make the user interface better. Which is not a big deal as a whole, but quite welcomed for someone like me that apprentices a both form and function on the the things I use on daily basis.

Also the improved system stability promised, is a great thing. To be honest, Linux Mint has proven to be quite stable for my use, but there is always room for improvement. Personally, I'd like to see a better printer experience with non HP printers. Though is not bad, for time to time the print jobs get stuck, take ages to get sent, or it doesn't play nice with all printers.

Other than that, there isn't much on my wish list for Linux Mint 22.1 Xia. I just hope for another great release by the Linux Mint team.

Google confirms 5 OS updates for Pixel 6 and 7 series.

Google just announced that it would extend the guaranteed OS updates for Pixel 6 and 7 series, from the original 3 to 5. That are great news, since means that those Pixel devices will have a longer life span, and could mean other smartphone manufactures that use Android could consider to follow suit.

To be honest, it is also great news for me. I decided to go with a Pixel 7a, and knowing that I'm guaranteed to get Android 18 makes it that much better prospect for the next 3 years. If the next 3 OS updates go as well as the update from Android 14 to 15 did, I'm looking forward to keep my Pixel 7a for at least 2 years.

While I'd like to see some big updates with each of new update, I rather have each to bring small updates that actually make my smartphone user experience better. For me, the big updates are just the cherry on the cake.