Tsikbal: from my perspective

After reading some good reviews, I decided to jump to what is expected the last beta of Android 16 . I wanted to see for myself if Android 16 is really shaping to be a good update and mainly jump to it a bit ahead of time. So far, it has been quite a nice user experience. As a whole, I don't feel that Android 16 is that much different from Android 15. Seems like most of the changes that affect my user experience are under the hood, which is not a bad thing in itself. And to be honest, since a major release is expected on yearly basis, I don't expect major changes in the user interface each year. I rather have a couple of years that focus on security and performance upgrades, with major user interfase upgrades only when needed. One thing I've noticed, is that since I started testing beta releases since Android 13 with the Nothing Phone (1) , Google has made a great job of making the last two betas quite close to what we get when the final Android version is released. So m...

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. Y...

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 ...

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. N...

Turns out that companies need workers to return to the office, not because the work needs to be done at the office. It turns out, that they need the tax cuts they get for people going to the office. State, and county, governments, give companies tax incentives if a certain number of employees work at an office they open. The more employees, the bigger the tax incentive they get, as such they need people to come in to the office in order to receive that incentive. So, it doesn't matter if the work can be done as well, or better, remotely. It doesn't matter how long the commute is either, they just want the worker to show up so the company reaches the head count needed. There are some companies that refuse to adapt, they fail to see that some of the jobs they have can be done as effectively, or better, remotely. It even motivates their employees to work harder to be able to keep the job, or not having to go the office. It also increases moral, since remote workers feel better ove...

I never really used email clients before I started made the jump to Ubuntu  over a decade ago. When I first installed Ubuntu, I saw that Thunderbird was one of the included apps, and since I already used Firefox , which is also made by Mozilla , I decided to give a try. Since, I haven't looked back. Thunderbird made managing my email a lot easier, specially since I got more than one email address. Not having to enter the webpage of each of them is quite convenient, specially time saving for important mails. Another thing I like, is the fact that I can set up Thunderbird the way I like, and have all my emails in one place. Which means that I don't have to jump around several webpages to see to which email address a particular email arrived. Over the years I've tried a couple of other email clientes, mainly GNOME Evolution and Nylas N1 , I even used Microsoft Outlook at work for a while, but I always come back to Thunderbird. I've found out that Thunderbird gives me t...

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 t...