MacManX.com – Stuff from James Huff

Tumblr vs. WordPress
Before I begin, I don’t mean this to be a hit piece. I love both platforms dearly, and as I’ve been noticing myself spending much more time on one than the other, I thought I’d explain why.

Let’s start with my old friend, WordPress. WordPress is an open-source publishing platform. It’s software, provided for free and developed and supported by volunteers, that you install on a hosting provider. So you take this free software and install it, your site is entirely self-contained, and that is its biggest strength, something no other platform can claim. You own and can do everything. And I’ve been doing that a long time, since the start. This year, I’ve been using WordPress longer than I haven’t, and that’s mind-blowing!

WordPress is powerful; it does so much. Its editor can’t be beaten if you want complete control over your posts. If you want full control over how your site looks, the site editor will let you easily reach your heart’s desires. That is power, real power, for free. Is that not enough power? No problem, there are currently 59,271 free plugins available. Don’t want to customize your theme from the default? No problem, there are currently 9,603 free themes available.

That’s a lot! It’s truly incredible, in many ways freeing, but it’s also a lot. Sometimes, or I guess often these past few years, I need less, and that’s where Tumblr comes in. I’ve been on there for 2 years now, and the more I’m there, the less I’m here. One word can summarize that: convenience. Or, more specifically, convenience by ease of use, and most important, lack of options.

That’s not to say Tumblr is crippled; it’s not, and far from it. Tumblr’s editor may not have as many options as WordPress, but it’s more than enough, and it’s getting better every day (and now powered by Gutenberg). There are no plugins, and theme editing is limited to editing raw HTML and CSS, but you can still find a theme that’s close enough to what you want.

You simply get your Tumblr site looking the way you want, then use the app or visit the site and start writing and sharing content you love. And I know what you’re thinking right now; WordPress has an app too, but again: convenience and lack of options, just write and share.

So, that’s where I am right now. If I have something short to share; a few paragraphs, an image, a video, or an article I love, it will be on Tumblr because I can do that with nothing in the way. But if I’m writing a long post like this, something I’d be happy to know is on a platform where I fully own the content, it’s going to be posted here with WordPress. A long post is by no means a quick process, and the tools here are just more suited for that. This is by no means a character limit thing, just to clear that up. Tumblr is not Twitter. A single text block on Tumblr can have 4,096 characters, and a single post on Tumblr can contain 1,000 blocks.

So, at the end of this stream of consciousness, it’s all about using the tool that’s best suited for the purpose. Tumblr is quick and convenient, and excessive options don’t get in my way. It’s perfect for short and immediate content creation and sharing. WordPress is powerful; it’s perfectly suited for building longer content that I don’t mind spending time on.

In short, use the right tool for the job, or perhaps, more importantly, use the tool that feels right to you.
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May 25, 2022
How I Make GIFs … in 2022
About a year ago, I shared how I made GIFs. Since then, a lot has changed, so I figured it was time for an update.

A few months back, Automattic sent me a new computer, complete with an M1 Max SoC (we’re hiring, btw). If you’ve heard anything about Apple’s new M1 chips, it’s probably that they’re ridiculously fast, but only on apps built for M1, so of course I had to find one for GIFs. It didn’t take me long to find Gifski. It’s free, fast, and the quality is excellent!

My process for cutting the videos hasn’t changed since the last post, so let’s dive in with Gifski. When I say it’s fast, I mean it. GIF Brewery took minutes to convert GIFs, and Gifski takes seconds. It also estimates the file size first, so you don’t have to waste time repeatedly generating GIFs to get them under your platform’s limit. Just open the video, make sure the settings are good, double-check the estimated file size, convert, and you’re done in seconds.

https://macmanx.tumblr.com/post/677366413639499776/dont-worry-about-it-its-nothing

GIF Brewery maxed out at 256 colors, but Gifski supports thousands of colors via whatever “cross-frame palettes and temporal dithering” is (hey, I just make GIFs, I don’t understand them). The added colors make a huge difference in vibrancy, and I’ve noticed an especially huge improvement in darker scenes, they’re no longer washed out. Gifski also supports up to 60 frames per second for crisp slow motion scenes. The downside though is that more colors + more frames = larger files. Watch out for green bar artifacts too. The green bars are a problem upstream that can’t be fixed, but you can get rid of them by making sure your dimensions are divisible by 4, which is fine.

https://macmanx.tumblr.com/post/673749192183775232/kind-of-okay-which-is-still-pretty-good

Gifski is free, it’s fast, and the quality is impressive, but it does lack GIF Brewery’s built-in text and sticker features, so I still keep it around for that. With that said, GIF making is more about fun than perfection.

You won’t learn anything about making GIFs by not making GIFs, so have fun! If you don’t know where to post your GIFs, consider opening a Tumblr or WordPress.com site just for them, and don’t forget to share your GIF’s source. If you’re using Tumblr, they have a special field for that.

If you’re just getting started with your own GIFs, I hope this helps! All of the GIFs embedded in this article were made with Gifsky, and for more, check out my GIFs from Ultraman Z.

https://macmanx.tumblr.com/post/678000188590342144/bye-bye-bye-bye
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March 22, 2022
California Botanic Garden, part 2
Yesterday, Sarah and I went back to the California Botanic Garden. Since our first visit, the garden is now completely open, so naturally I took more photos.

I’m absolutely in love with this place, and while I expect more photos to come in the future, it felt wrong to let the previous post stand alone with only photos from half the garden. Please enjoy, and I hope you can visit the California Botanic Garden in person some day!
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March 11, 2022
California Botanic Garden
Last weekend, Sarah and I visited the California Botanic Garden, “the largest botanic garden dedicated to California native plants.” Sadly, they took a beating during the last wind storm, and half the garden was blocked off. The garden is members-only right now, but we are very local, and it’s just a bit more than the price of 4 visits a year for the 2 of us, so we went for it.

It’s a pleasant and beautiful walk, with nature and artwork all around, so naturally I took some photos, enjoy!

Update: Now that the rest of the garden is open, please see part 2 for more photos.
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February 22, 2022
Must-Have Safari Extensions
With iOS/iPadOS 15, you’re finally able to install browser extensions in Safari. There are a lot of great ones out there, but now that it’s been possible for a few months, I thought I’d briefly share my favorites.

One quick disclaimer: My favorites may change over time, but I’m not going to keep this list up to date. Consider this list accurate as of today, and less accurate as time goes on. 🙂
- Firefox Focus: This private browser extends its tracker blocker capabilities to Safari. It’s not as extensible as other ad/tracker blockers, but consequently, it gets the job done without any bloat.
- Noir: Dark modes are finally coming to sites across the net, but not soon enough. This extension applies a decently improvised dark mode to any site that doesn’t have one after your device switches itself over to dark mode. No more blown-at eyes at night!
- Vinegar: YouTube’s player has been becoming messy/noisy lately. This handy extensions replaces all of that with a simple video player.
- Amplosion: Ever open a link that takes you to a badly formatted mobile page that looks nothing like the original site with “amp” in the URL? That’s Google’s attempt at automatically generating mobile-friendly content, and it’s usually not great (and packed full of trackers). Amplosion says a resounding “No!” to those links and redirects you back to the original content.
- Mapper: Kind of like Amplosion, have you ever clicked an address or a map on a page only to be sent to Google Maps (which you probably don’t have installed)? This handy app opens those links in Apple’s Maps app instead.
- Achoo: From the developer of Amplosion, Achoo allows you to easily and cleanly view the HTML source of any site you’re visiting. No more tethering your phone to your Mac just to inspect a mobile page.
And, for even more good news, all of these extensions (except predictable Amplosion and Mapper) are available for Safari on your Mac too under macOS 12.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I do!
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January 29, 2022
WordPress 5.9 Released
WordPress 5.9 has been released! Among a few smaller changes, WordPress 5.9 introduces full site editing, which is bound to turn some heads. For specifics, check out the changelog.

624 volunteers contributed to this release, and at the time of writing this, WordPress 5.9 has been out for just a bit over a day, and has already been downloaded 2,520,582 times!

All users can safely update from Dashboard -> Updates or download and update manually, though you should probably backup first just in case, unless you’re already using Jetpack Backup, which you really should be.

One quick personal recommendation, if you’re having trouble with the new full site editor, you may simply be using the wrong theme, trying to make it fit a purpose it wasn’t designed for. Try a different theme instead to find out.

If you run into any problems, stop by the known issues first, and if it’s not covered there, please let us know in the support forums!
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January 25, 2022
Hawaii in 2022
I haven’t seen Mom since 2 years ago, so even with the pandemic sadly not over (and sometimes I feel like no end in sight), Sarah and I decided it was time to go back to where Mom lived, Hawaii. We’re vaccinated, boosted, and we packed KN95 masks from Project N95 exclusively. We wouldn’t have gone otherwise. We’re also isolating until our test results come back, and 3 days later, we have no symptoms. Get vaccinated, wear a mask, and we can beat this thing if we all just try.

Overall, we had a great time all things considered. The beaches were a bit rough for swimming this time, as you’ll see, but they were great for simply reading.
Oh, and if you followed me on Tumblr, you would have seen these photos as close to realtime as Hawaiian cell coverage allowed. 😉

Update: COVID test finished, we’re negative! Two 6-hour flights, 1 week in Hawaii, 0 COVID. Folks, you can do it too! Get vaccinated, get boosted, and wear a non-counterfeit KN95 or better mask around people unless you’re outdoors.
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January 14, 2022
Happy New Year! the 2022 edition
2022 begins today, and looking back, the top post here was How I Make GIFs. That process has changed significantly, so I guess I’ll need to write an update. Maybe that will be the top post this year?

A quick list of favorites this year, I hope you enjoy them too:
- Movie: The Matrix Resurrections
- TV: Ultraman Orb
- Game: Mini Metro
- Comics: Batgirls
- Book: Star Wars: Ronin a Visions novel
Consider sharing your voice and experiences with the world this year. If you don’t have a place to write yet, launch your own site with WordPress (and Jetpack) or WordPress.com, or if shorted content is your thing, take Tumblr for a spin. Don’t know what to write yet? Join the Bloganuary Challenge!

May your new year be what you make of it.
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January 1, 2022
Thoughts on The Lord of the Rings Extended Edition
For The Fellowship of the Ring‘s 20th anniversary this month, yes 20th, we sat down and rewatched The Hobbit Extended Edition and The Lord of the Rings Extended Edition. We didn’t binge it, goodness no, but we rewatched one film a night. Originally, this was going to be a Rewatch review, but while watching, one particular thought kept gnawing at my mind.

I have seen both the theatrical versions and the extended editions many times (I love these films, ok?). The theatrical versions always felt too long, excessive even, a slog. But, the extended editions? The ones that add even more content (some almost an hour)? They feel just right, they’re enjoyable, the time spent watching practically flies.

I’m not going to list the new and extended scenes, because it’s not about them specifically, it’s about their context. They aren’t really meant to be noticed, but their absence can be felt, and I think that is overall why the theatrical versions feel longer than the extended editions. Sure, a lot of films get away with deleted scenes, it’s still a popular bonus feature these days, but these scenes weren’t cut because they were poorly done, unfinished, or didn’t fit. They were cut simply because there was too much material for the average theatergoing audience. When you cut apart films this big, you’re going to be cutting scenes that the rest of the film relies on.

Something a character does 2 hours into the film seems very out of place, but only because about 5 minutes were cut from the first hour that would have informed their decision. Little things that don’t make sense can build up and become a distraction. If you make enough cuts like that, your 3-hour film becomes a 2-hour confusing slog that feels somehow longer than the original version. If you take the time to give that context, everything makes sense, and you’re just along for an enjoyable ride.

By the way, I don’t blame Peter Jackson for any of this. He had an excessive amount of material to adapt, but he also had to consider the attention span of the average theatergoer. I’m just thankful that he released the extended editions in the first place.

If you weren’t a fan of the theatrical versions of these films, grab the extended editions, sit back, and enjoy. You can stream The Lord of the Rings Extended Edition on HBO Max, but you’ll need to buy or rent The Hobbit Extended Edition from your platform of choice. Hopefully you’ll notice the same difference I did.
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December 9, 2021
Rewatch – Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Star Wars: The Clone Wars is a 2008 animated Star Wars series, which takes place between Episode 2: Attack of the Clones and Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith. The series follows Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and his new Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, as they navigate all of the action and politics that come with a war lasting 3 years.

Joining our heroes is an impressive and ever-growing legion of supporting characters, but perhaps the most interesting are the clone troopers. Voiced by Dee Bradley Baker, many are given their own personality with slight vocal changes and various physical expressions. Perhaps the most iconic is Rex, who serves as Anakin’s second-in-command, and friend and mentor to Ahsoka. It’s hard to describe just how much justice this series did for the clones, but they really did. There are many who are just standard copies, but the show makes clear there some who strive for more individuality, and Dee Bradley Baker has his work cut out for him, sometimes leading whole episodes alone while voicing a variety of clones with slight differences.

Along with expanding the role of the clones, significant insight is presented not only as to how the Jedi train and operate, but also as to what the Force is and how it operates. A trio of episodes beginning with season 3’s Overlords expands on the mythology of the Force from the movies so much that it’s practically redefined entirely.

The show ran for 5 seasons, was picked up by Netflix who rescued its final canceled season, and then given yet-another final season by Disney+. 7 seasons in, is the show done? It’s anyone’s guess! But one thing is for sure, the animation improves dramatically every season.

If you’re new to Star Wars, Star Wars: The Clone Wars is a great jumping on point. You’ll definitely want to check out the movies after, and I have a recommendation on the viewing order. Star Wars animation doesn’t end with Star Wars: The Clone Wars. There’s also Star Wars Rebels and Star Wars Resistance, both excellent as well. Ahsoka returns in Star Wars Rebels, and she makes her live action debut in season 2 of The Mandalorian. And, coming soon, don’t miss the continuation of Ahsoka’s story in her own series, and Obi-Wan Kenobi in his.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars is a fun and fulling ride from start to finish. You can stream Star Wars: The Clone Wars on Disney+, or buy all but the last season on Apple TV for $29.99 per season, so maybe just watch it on Disney+.
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November 9, 2021