July 11, 2008
The past couple of days have been fun for those of us who get our kicks by thinking about design and technology. The kind of apps that have been written already for the iPhone are just as exciting to me as the original iPhone. They also give me something to aspire to. For the past few weeks a couple of us at Automattic have been working on an iPhone app for WordPress. It’s almost ready to go—I’m writing this post with it—and the process of learning the ins and outs of designing for the iPhone has been a lot of fun (because I am a nerd). Our app isn’t revolutionary. Blogging, or mobile blogging in particular, may turn out to be; who knows. I think it’s turned out to be a pretty cool app, though, and I believe it’s going to be a great tool for lots of WordPress users.
Because the conventions that make up the iPhone OS are so new, it levels the playing ground. Developers from a wide range of backgrounds have figured out how to design apps for this new platform that are as compelling as Apple’s, and extend it in some interesting new directions. I really hope that as we finish the development of version 1.0 of WordPress for iPhone and release the source for those who would like to contribute to the project, our app can join that list.
July 10, 2008
It’s been a busy time around the Thomas household lately, with a big project at work coming down to the wire, a hilariously-failed trip to go visit my dad, and my mom’s surgery today. On that front, at least, I’ve got good news to report—the surgery went well and her doctors foresee no complications. The tumor they found is benign, so aside from several weeks of recovery, mom’s in good shape. John and I were at the hospital tonight when she woke up for the first time; she looks great and is reasonably comfortable, with the aid of her morphine clicker. Hopefully she’ll be able to come home on Friday. That can’t happen too soon; the house is unnervingly quiet without her.
June 6, 2008
I’ve been a fan of Barack Obama for a while now. I, like many others, was first introduced to the man when he gave an amazing speech to the 2004 Democratic Convention. Having been a Howard Dean supporter, and being a little disappointed that our party was sending John Kerry into battle with W, I relished the possibility that the man could run for president in 2012—or sooner, should the absolute worst happen and Bush be re-elected.
Well, sooner it was, and I’m so glad to be supporting Obama in 2008. It also happens to be national pride month, so I was inspired to show my love for two these two aspects of my life of which I’m very proud. I doubt there’s anyone in the U.S. with internet access who hasn’t yet been to BarackObama.com, so I’ve linked the logo to Obama Pride, the great sub-site for the Obama campaign’s LGBT outreach. With the recent victories for gay families in California and the Democrats’ chances in November, I don’t think there’s ever been a better time to be a gay American.
