Blog - Arthur Dick

In Praise of Plain Text

Saturday, March 2nd, 2024

In the age of flashy interfaces, gif-laden messages, and ever-evolving document formats, it's easy to overlook the humble hero of the digital world: plain text. This seemingly simple format, devoid of fancy formatting or visual adornments, holds within it a power and versatility that often goes unnoticed. Today, let's raise a glass (or perhaps a cursor) to plain text, and explore why it deserves a place of honor in our digital lives.

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Tags: plain textfuture-proofing

Alberta's Water Crisis

Saturday, February 24th, 2024

As a software developer, I often find myself analyzing problems through a technical lens. So, reading "Alberta's Brutal Water Reckoning" in The Tyee sent my mind down a unique path. While the article focuses on the social and political aspects of the water crisis, I couldn't help but think about the potential role of technology in mitigating its impact.

The article paints a stark picture of Alberta's water woes: dwindling snowpack, disappearing glaciers, and a growing population concentrated in water-scarce regions. It highlights the historical neglect of water management and the current government's perceived shortcomings in addressing the crisis.

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Tags: droughtsustainability

French Horn Fingering Chart

Friday, February 23rd, 2024

French horn players, rejoice! Do you ever find yourself lost in a labyrinth of alternate fingerings, unsure which one will bring forth the perfect sound or intonation? You're not alone. The french horn, with its complex harmonic series, offers a multitude of options for each note, making choosing the right one a daunting task. But fear not!

Introducing your comprehensive french horn fingering chart, a revolutionary tool designed to illuminate the path to musical mastery. This chart goes beyond simply listing fingerings. It delves deeper, revealing the harmonic secrets behind each option.

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Tags: french hornfingering chartmusic

The Symphony of Code

Saturday, February 17th, 2024

Lines of code, like notes on a staff, hold the potential for beautiful symphonies or jarring cacophonies. Writing code isn't just about functionality; it's about crafting instructions that are not only effective, but also elegant, sustainable, and a joy to work with. This is the essence of the philosophy of code: the pursuit of clean, maintainable, and efficient programming.

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Tags: coding tipsclean codepoetry

Future-Proof Your Code

Saturday, February 10th, 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of web development, the pressure to constantly adopt new frameworks and libraries is immense. While they offer quick solutions and enticing features, an overreliance on them can create a ticking time bomb for your code's longevity. Let's explore how reducing dependencies and focusing on core language fundamentals can future-proof your code.

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Tags: coding tipsfuture-proofing