Issue 44

6 November 2019

by Lori M Olson

#OPED ‐ Our Unvarnished Opinion

As a business owner, in charge of my own hours and schedule, I read this four day work week stuff and think…that would probably work for me. But someone who also habitually over-commits and has problems saying no…I wonder how I would ever manage to force myself to stick to it? I probably need an accountability partner. Anyone else up for a month-long trial?

#DRSH ‐ Dragon Riders Slack Highlights

This week, Amir provides a jam packed update on all things RubyMotion, including: some staffing updates, news on the interactive console (REPL), Xcode 11.2 compatibility and the upcoming move to Catalina. Check it all out on the Motioneers Slack. You are a member, right? If not then why not?

#ANDROID ‐ Nothin’ but…

As cheerful and delicious as those Android release names Ice Cream Sandwich? Jelly Bean?) sound a reminder that in the Android ecosystem, previous version support is quite a bit more complex than iOS. Like their namesakes, it may even give you heartburn.

#GOTW ‐ Gem of the Week

For those who never met a command line they didn’t like, Aaron Lasseignetweets out news of a nice gem that came out of the DragonRuby Game Tooklit work. Looks great, Aaron, thanks!

#COMM ‐ Community

As many of them are, the Apple promise is pretty lofty: “[w]ith Mac Catalyst, your apps share the same project and source code so you can efficiently convert your iPad app” to macOS. Wow. However, if you are interested in Catalyst, you might want to read this first. In Designing LookUp for macOS, author Vidit Bhargava provides some pointers on how to more effectively cross-platform your app. It’s an easy and informative read.

#AHOTW ‐ App Highlight of the Week

Yes, Alberta, Canada is one of the few places in the world where you really can wind up with an oil or gas well in your backyard and not even know it. WNDXlori was justifiably alarmed enough about this she came up with WIMBY. Or, as she said, “OK, you made me do it. I had to highlight my own damn app” in #AHOTW. While only available in the Canadian app store, you can read all about it on the web site, and a bit about its history on Lori’s blog. Even if we say so ourselves, it’s pretty sweet. Unlike the leaking gas well in your backyard, perhaps.

#DRGTK ‐ DragonRuby Game Toolkit

We are pretty much known for carefully setting up these story categories and then summarily ignoring them. Here’s another great example of something obviously not #DRGTK. HOWEVER, there is some great stuffhere for new game developers from Nick Lockwood

#FITS ‐ Featured in the School

For those of you who patiently wait for the monthly school discount which normally comes out around this time, first of all “get a life” (Shatner, SNL, 2007). But more importantly, it’s going to be be available during RubyConfweek ONLY. And it’s gonna be a big one. Stay tuned!

#TWIL ‐ This Week I Learned

Ridley Scott’s fever dream Los Angeles of 2019 featured in 1983’s Blade Runner is still way cooler than the real Los Angeles of 2019. And we’re still waiting for those flying cars. But despite 36 years having elapsed, there are still surprises about the groundbreaking movie being revealed. Chartiercomes up with a gem.

#HAHA ‐ And They All Laughed…

Some swear by pair programming. Some swear at it. But regardless of where you stand on the matter, there is no arguing with Dave Geddes that it’s kinda like this. Note, we’re usually the ones in the middle, being spun by others, as opposed to the ones doing the spinning.

That’s a Wrap!

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“Replicants are like any other machine: they’re either a benefit or a hazard. If they’re a benefit it’s not my problem.” ‐ Rick Deckard, Blade Runner 2049 from 2017.

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