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The Year of the Linux desktop, for Windows 10 holdouts
Read more: The Year of the Linux desktop, for Windows 10 holdoutsEvery year is “the year of the Linux desktop,” but 2026 might actually count if you’re stuck on Windows 10. Zorin OS 18 delivers a surprisingly familiar Windows-style experience. Now might be the time to embrace your inner open source.
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Why AI prompting is hard
Read more: Why AI prompting is hardWe’re all accustomed to searching on the Internet. For twenty years it’s been the primary interface for finding information and answers to our questions, so we get a lot of practice! But AI chatbots don’t work like search engines; they require the user to prompt them to get information. So, why is prompting so hard?
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Xbox 360 turns 20: Innovations we take for granted today
Read more: Xbox 360 turns 20: Innovations we take for granted todayThe Xbox 360 game console, originally released on Nov 22, 2005, was not only a gaming juggernaut, it also introduced a number of technical innovations that we take for granted today.
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Apple Watch SE 3, star of the show
Read more: Apple Watch SE 3, star of the showContinuing with my thoughts on the September Apple event, I’ve turned my attention to the Apple Watch, as it also received some substantial updates this year, though not in the way we’d expect. The Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3 were all unveiled, but only the latter got major upgrades. In fact,…
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iPhone Air, “a piece of the future”
Read more: iPhone Air, “a piece of the future”Another Apple event has come and gone, and I have a few thoughts to share. When I ran tech-bytes.net, I used to do long articles covering the events in great detail. Instead, I’m going to trickle out my thoughts as I process these announcements and read the upcoming news coverage. This September, like others before…
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The everyday essentials that power my productivity
Read more: The everyday essentials that power my productivityI’ve assembled a personal toolkit of small, often-overlooked essentials that significantly boost my daily productivity, comfort, and convenience during my commute between home and work.
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Book Notes: “When Things Don’t Go Your Way” by Haemin Sunim
Read more: Book Notes: “When Things Don’t Go Your Way” by Haemin SunimBook notes from “When Things Don’t Go Your Way” by Haemin Sunim.
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When technology was simpler: Using single purpose devices
Apple Watch, books, ereaders, ereading, focus, iPad, ipod, mindfulness, phone-free, single purpose devices, smartphones, writingRead more: When technology was simpler: Using single purpose devicesI’ve found smartphones and tablets incredibly useful, but they can also be overwhelming. In this post, I explore how embracing single-purpose devices like eReaders and MP3 players, along with intentional tech use, has helped me reclaim focus, minimize distractions, and make better use of my time.
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Link-ing to the future: Microsoft brings back the thin client PC
Read more: Link-ing to the future: Microsoft brings back the thin client PCMicrosoft introduces a new thin client, the Microsoft 365 Link, a cloud PC aimed at businesses, enhancing security and management. Priced at $349, it contrasts Apple’s local hardware focus. The shift reflects a broader trend towards cloud computing and cost-effective solutions.
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The rise of the AI PC
Read more: The rise of the AI PCThe rise of AI PCs has transformed how computers operate, with Microsoft and Apple leading the charge. From Microsoft’s integration of OpenAI’s technology to Apple’s innovative chips with neural processing units (NPUs), AI PCs are reshaping performance and privacy in computing. But what exactly qualifies as an AI PC?
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“This is the way”: Notion AI integration
Read more: “This is the way”: Notion AI integrationNotion’s AI integration enhances the writing process by offering fast, context-aware assistance through both a chat feature and in-text editing tools. This thoughtful approach to AI makes writing and editing more efficient, striking a balance between flexibility and simplicity.
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When technology was simpler: Subscription creep
Read more: When technology was simpler: Subscription creepAs a technology enthusiast, I’ve been simplifying my life by decluttering, including digital items. However, the rise in subscription services has made our digital lives complex, leading to accumulation, hidden fees, reduced control, diluted value, and potential innovation stagnation.
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Creating a searchable personal archive with AI
Read more: Creating a searchable personal archive with AIGenerative AI’s capacity to produce unexpected responses has raised interest, but applying custom instructions in a personalized GPT can minimize these occurrences. Smaller localized language models show promise in reducing costs without sacrificing functionality. Creating custom GPTs tailored to specific document collections allows for efficient querying of specific information and enhances the technology’s practicality.
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Brainstorming Keywords Using AI
Read more: Brainstorming Keywords Using AIWhen searching for academic literature, having the right language is key. Experts may use different terms for your topic, so be flexible in your searches. Don’t fear using AI for brainstorming research – it’s more than a plagiarism machine. Map out your search with a mind map and consider AI-generated search terms. Experiment with different…
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Backtracking on notes and using the PARA method
apple-notes, decluttering, note-taking, notes, obsidian, organization, productivity, productivity guru industry, skepticismRead more: Backtracking on notes and using the PARA methodI’ve struggled with digital organization for years. My previous systems were more like organized hoarding, making it hard to determine or find important notes. I once thought I’d figured out a perfect system, but it only complicated my life and distracted me from writing meaningful content. In a previous post, I claimed that I finally…
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Not all time is equal. Know your limits.
Read more: Not all time is equal. Know your limits.I consider myself adept at orchestrating my schedule. My agenda is well maintained, with important deadlines conscientiously logged. I’m good about tracking follow-ups for collaborative tasks. These are, in my view, quintessential organizational competencies. However, the element of production I’ve found most challenging is getting the timing right. When to schedule a task is just as important…
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Write. Think Later.
Read more: Write. Think Later.In the movie “Finding Forrester,” William Forrester, portrayed by Sean Connery, imparts a piece of wisdom to his newfound protégé, Jamal Wallace: “The first key to writing is to write, not to think.” Although I don’t work in a university writing center, and I’m definitely not the go-to person for the intricacies of writing like…
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Opinion piece: There is already a solution for easing high cost of post-secondary textbooks
Read more: Opinion piece: There is already a solution for easing high cost of post-secondary textbooksSome colleagues and I recently wrote an opinion piece for the Calgary Herald, arguing for provincial support for open educational resources. Below is a preview. Less well-known is the fact that the cost of textbooks and other learning materials has been increasing well above the rate of inflation for decades. According to a 2014 CBC…
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I’ve finally figured out notes
Read more: I’ve finally figured out notesI tend to take a lot of notes, and as a result, they get saved in several places. Over the past seven years, I’ve been on a quest. My goal has been to develop a workflow that would give me maximum flexibility. I don’t always have a paper notebook or a device with me, so…
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New paper: Italian immigration to Kelowna and its lasting legacy
Read more: New paper: Italian immigration to Kelowna and its lasting legacyThe Okanagan Historical Society’s latest issue of Okanagan History is out, and I’m proud to have an article published in this year’s annual report. Roughly ten years ago (when I was an undergraduate), I received UBC Okanagan’s undergraduate research grant. This grant was an incredible opportunity, as allowed me to spend the better part of…
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Erik Christiansen 