HomeBrew

This is my list of stuff as of June 9, 2019.

Brew

adns geoip lame libpng mackup pinentry theora
aom gettext leptonica libsamplerate ncurses pixman unbound
aws-iam-authenticator giflib libass libsndfile nettle python vim
aws-shell git libassuan libsoxr nmap readline webp
cairo glib libbluray libtasn1 npth rtmpdump whois
cask gmp libde265 libtiff opencore-amr rubberband x264
emacs gnupg libevent libtool opendetex ruby x265
ffmpeg gnutls libffi libunistring openexr sdl2 xvid
fish graphite2 libgcrypt libusb openjpeg shared-mime-info xz
flac harfbuzz libgpg-error libvorbis openssl snappy youtube-dl
fontconfig htop libheif libvpx opus speedtest-cli
freetype icu4c libidn2 libyaml p11-kit speex
frei0r ilmbase libksba little-cms2 pcre sqlite
fribidi imagemagick libogg lua pcre2 telnet
gdbm jpeg libomp lzo perl tesseract

Cask

1password amazon-workspaces backblaze calibre firefox handbrake marsedit omnioutliner slack sublime-text transmit
adobe-acrobat-reader appcleaner bartender docker github hyper omnifocus onyx soundsource teamviewer vlc
alfred audio-hijack basictex encryptme google-chrome logmein-client omnigraffle skype-for-business sqlpro-studio textexpander

Apps

Microsoft Excel
1Password 7
ABBYY FineReader for ScanSnap
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
Alfred 4
App Store
AppCleaner
Audio Hijack
Automator
Backblaze
Bartender 3
Books
Calculator
Calendar
calibre
Carbon Copy Cloner
CARROT Weather
Chess
Cisco
Compressor
Contacts
Dashboard
Day One
Deliveries
Dictionary
Docker
Downlink
EncryptMe
FaceTime
Final Cut Pro
Firefox
Font Book
GitHub Desktop
Google Chrome
HandBrake
Home
Hyper
Image Capture
iTunes
Kaleidoscope
Keynote
Launchpad
Logic Pro X
Logitech Options
LogMeIn Client
Mail
Maps
MarsEdit
Messages
Microsoft Edge Canary
Microsoft OneNote
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Remote Desktop
Microsoft Word
Mission Control
News
Notes
OmniFocus
OmniGraffle
OmniOutliner
OneDrive
OnyX
Pages
PhoneView
Photo Booth
Photos
Preview
QuickTime Player
Reminders
Safari
ScanSnap Home
ScanSnap Online Update
Siri
Skype for Business
Slack
Soulver 3
SoundSource
SQLPro Studio
Stickies
Stocks
Sublime Text
System Preferences
TeamViewer
TextEdit
TextExpander
Time Machine
Transmit
Turbo Boost Switcher Pro
Tweetbot
Utilities
VLC
Voice Memos
Webex
WorkSpaces
Xcode

5 why’s

It’s good to be here with you today. I have the pleasure of addressing you this morning on a broad subject. I pray that I might have some assistance in effectively communicating this message in a manner that provides instruction, clarity and revenance.

I work in IT. For the most part, I always have. I started out as most people do in the field. Answering phones, moving hardware, getting people to read instructions, and finally, turning things off and on. Early on, I loved it. I got to play with technology, learn valuable skills and do a job that I loved. However, as I progressed in my career, things began to get more complicated. I moved on from support to system administration, staff management, product ownership, development, and the dreaded project management.

Project management is an interesting field. Done right, it can transform organizations and accomplish wonders. Done wrong, you can quickly find yourself ostracized by your team, made the scapegoat and run out of town looking for work. Perhaps most unfortunately however, even though you may have the project management role or title, you may not have any means whatsoever to ensure success. It’s a delicate balance of perception, guidance, hard work, and luck.

Over the years, I’ve found one of the most effective tools in the project management field is the 5 whys. The 5 whys is an iterative process exploring the cause and effect relationships behind a particular situation. The goal is to determine a root cause that can ultimately be addressed. Often times, this uncovers reasons that surprise you. Take for example, the following story.

A newlywed couple moved in to their first house. Several months later, the husband noticed that when his wonderful wife was preparing his favorite meal, roast beef, she cut a small amount off each end and threw it in the trash. The husband watched this curiously and eventually asked why? His wife replied that was the way that her mother prepared the roast and that it was her secret to ensuring a tender result. Some months later, the husband had occasion to mention this to his mother-in-law who repeated essentially the same story. That her mother had taught her this trick and it made for beautiful meals. Finally, at the next family get-together, the husband asked his wife’s grandmother about it. She laughed and finally cleared up the mystery. It turns out, she had a narrow roast pan and cut the ends off to make the roast fit. Only 3 whys necessary for that one.

Questions related to spiritual matters can be addressed in a similar fashion. However, we often lack the context and perspective to see the vast link of chain and effect that we witness each day. I’m going to make a declarative statement here. All things point back to the love that our Heavenly Father has for us. No 5 whys analysis is necessary. Let me expand on this a bit.

We exist because of our Heavenly Father. We are here because He loves us and wants us to succeed. Everything points back to this single fact. It’s really that simple.

As the prophet Joseph F Smith taught, “Man, as a spirit, was begotten and born of heavenly parents, and reared to maturity in the eternal mansions of the Father, prior to coming upon the earth in a temporal [physical] body”. Every person who was ever born on earth is our spirit brother or sister. Because we are the spirit children of God, we have inherited the potential to develop His divine qualities. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can become like our Heavenly Father and receive a fulness of joy.

A veil covers our memories of our premortal life, but our Father in Heaven knows who we are and what we did before we came here. He has chosen the time and place for each of us to be born so we can learn the lessons we personally need and do the most good with our individual talents and personalities.

Our Heavenly Father knew we could not progress beyond a certain point unless we left Him for a time. He wanted us to develop the godlike qualities that He has. To do this, we needed to leave our premortal home to be tested and to gain experience. Our spirits needed to be clothed with physical bodies. We would need to leave our physical bodies at death and reunite with them in the Resurrection. Then we would receive immortal bodies like that of our Heavenly Father. If we passed our tests, we would receive the fulness of joy that our Heavenly Father has received.

Our Heavenly Father called a Grand Council to present His plan for our progression (see Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 209, 511). We learned that if we followed His plan, we would become like Him. We would be resurrected; we would have all power in heaven and on earth; we would become heavenly parents and have spirit children just as He does

We learned that He would provide an earth for us where we would prove ourselves (see Abraham 3:24–26). A veil would cover our memories, and we would forget our heavenly home. This would be necessary so we could exercise our agency to choose good or evil without being influenced by the memory of living with our Heavenly Father. Thus we could obey Him because of our faith in Him, not because of our knowledge or memory of Him. He would help us recognize the truth when we heard it again on earth

At the Grand Council we also learned the purpose for our progression: to have a fulness of joy. However, we also learned that some would be deceived, choose other paths, and lose their way. We learned that all of us would have trials in our lives: sickness, disappointment, pain, sorrow, and death. But we understood that these would be given to us for our experience and our good. If we allowed them to, these trials would purify us rather than defeat us. They would teach us to have endurance, patience, and charity.

At this council we also learned that because of our weakness, all of us except little children would sin. We learned that a Savior would be provided for us so we could overcome our sins and overcome death with resurrection. We learned that if we placed our faith in Him, obeying His word and following His example, we would be exalted and become like our Heavenly Father. We would receive a fulness of joy.

Elder Uchtdorf expounded on this topic in his October 2009 General Conference address:

“Think of the purest, most all-consuming love you can imagine. Now multiply that love by an infinite amount—that is the measure of God’s love for you.7

God does not look on the outward appearance.8 I believe that He doesn’t care one bit if we live in a castle or a cottage, if we are handsome or homely, if we are famous or forgotten. Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely.

He loves us because He is filled with an infinite measure of holy, pure, and indescribable love. We are important to God not because of our résumé but because we are His children. He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken. God’s love is so great that He loves even the proud, the selfish, the arrogant, and the wicked.

What this means is that, regardless of our current state, there is hope for us. No matter our distress, no matter our sorrow, no matter our mistakes, our infinitely compassionate Heavenly Father desires that we draw near to Him so that He can draw near to us.

Heavenly Father’s love for His children is the core message of the plan of happiness, which is made active through the Atonement of Jesus Christ—the greatest expression of love the world has ever known.

How clearly the Savior spoke when He said that every other commandment hangs upon the principle of love. If we do not neglect the great laws—if we truly learn to love our Heavenly Father and our fellowman with all our heart, soul, and mind—all else will fall into place.

The divine love of God turns ordinary acts into extraordinary service. Divine love is the motive that transports simple words into sacred scripture. Divine love is the factor that transforms reluctant compliance with God’s commandments into blessed dedication and consecration.

Love is the guiding light that illuminates the disciple’s path and fills our daily walk with life, meaning, and wonder.

Love is the measure of our faith, the inspiration for our obedience, and the true altitude of our discipleship.

Love is the way of the disciple.”

Elder Groberg (of The Other Side of Heaven fame) spoke on this matter as well, relating his well-known experience as a missionary after a natural disaster:

“After a few months our island was struck by a powerful hurricane. The devastation was massive. Crops were ruined, lives were lost, housing was blown away, and the telegraph station—our only link to the outside world—was destroyed. A small government boat normally came every month or two, so we rationed our food to last four or five weeks, hoping the boat would come. But no boat came. Every day we became weaker. There were acts of great kindness, but as the sixth and seventh weeks passed with very little food, our strength slipped noticeably. My native companion, Feki, helped me in every way he could, but as the eighth week commenced, I had no energy. I just sat under the shade of a tree and prayed and read scriptures and spent hours and hours pondering the things of eternity.

The ninth week began with little outward change. However, there was a great inward change. I felt the Lord’s love more deeply than ever before and learned firsthand that His love “is the most desirable above all things … yea, and the most joyous to the soul” (1 Ne. 11:22–23).

I was pretty much skin and bones by now. I remember watching, with deep reverence, my heart beating, my lungs breathing, and thinking what a marvelous body God has created to house our equally marvelous spirit! The thought of a permanent union of these two elements, made possible through the Savior’s love, atoning sacrifice, and Resurrection, was so inspiring and satisfying that any physical discomfort faded into oblivion.

When we understand who God is, who we are, how He loves us, and what His plan is for us, fear evaporates. When we get the tiniest glimpse of these truths, our concern over worldly things vanishes. To think we actually fall for Satan’s lies that power, fame, or wealth is important is truly laughable—or would be were it not so sad.

I learned that just as rockets must overcome the pull of gravity to roar into space, so we must overcome the pull of the world to soar into the eternal realms of understanding and love. I realized my mortal life might end there, but there was no panic. I knew life would continue, and whether here or there didn’t really matter. What did matter was how much love I had in my heart. I knew I needed more! I knew that our joy now and forever is inextricably tied to our capacity to love.”

I’ve found it difficult to reconcile such a perfect plan constructed by a perfect Heavenly Father with perfect love with imperfect intermediate outcomes. Joining the Church was an easy choice for me but that is not to say it was without consequence. A good majority of my family has chosen not to associate with me. With time, I’ve come to understand and accept that. It’s not easy. My mother, for reasons I do not know, has recently made this choice as well. It’s difficult to bear at times. Watching our children grow up without knowing their grandmother is not something I thought I’d have to endure. Nevertheless, I know the truth and understand the plan. Understanding that the symptoms of agency are a result of the root cause of Heavenly Father’s love makes the difference to me. And I know that any imperfection in the process experienced in this mortal life will be addressed in the life hereafter and through the Atoning sacrifice of our Elder brother, Heavenly Father’s Son Jesus Christ.

I’m grateful for this Church and for the lessons it has taught me. I’m grateful to have the understanding of the larger goal in mind. And while tragedy and agency complicates the journey, our final destination is worth the work and the sacrifice. I’m honored to have had this opportunity and leave my testimony of Heavenly Father’s immeasurable love for each and everyone of us in the sacred name of His Son, even Jesus Christ the Savior. Amen.

Understanding the root of motivation

This may end up seeming like a rant about users but it’s not. I’m genuinely interested in what thought processes a $10/hr worker has, particularly when dealing with difficult, technical processes. I certainly don’t want to paint with a broad brush but there are a few that I just don’t understand. 

Is it a function of effort or ability? Surely there are other areas of their lives with additional emphasis? How do you best lead these folks toward further engagement? I’m at a loss.

4 years

I quit my job at Decagon 4 years ago today. I realized a while ago that more time had elapsed since I left than I was actually there.

I’m grateful for the time and experience that I had there. I’ve spent my time since re-evaluating some of the things that happened there. Plenty of stuff to learn, for sure.

I am become death

Death makes me want to blog. I wonder why that is? 

Hypothetical: 

Company treats a man like garbage, discarding him when they think they no longer need him. Company was wrong. Man comes back to save company, charging a pretty penny but humbly accepting nevertheless. Man saves company, even while they doubt his wage and contribution. Man nearly dies. Perhaps he will tonight. Company moves on. Next man up. Flowers are sent as a reminder of the work he did but quickly forgotten. 

That’s not a haiku, unfortunately. I’m depressed.

Embracing Change

There’s been a lot of change here lately. The reasons would require far too much context and PII to adequately explain so we’ll just leave it at that. These changes have reduced in significant turnover in departments other than my own but it still hits home. I’ve worked with these folks for quite a while and it’s tough to lose a familiar face.

Some have more trouble with this than others. Goodbyes are always hard but they’re constant in life. I miss my friends as well. But I have a slightly different perspective. 

Years ago when I was 15, I tagged along with my grandparents to go pick some apples. As I was in driver’s ed at the time, they offered to let me drive. I hopped in my grandfather’s new pickup truck and started driving. Right before we reached our destination, I pulled out in front of a car doing 50+ and quickly found ourselves in the ditch across the road. Thankfully, everyone was fine (a few minor injuries but nothing of note). However, that experience shaped my early life substantially. 

I have often thought of that intersection between our lives and that family in that car. A matter of seconds would have completely eliminated that event. I remember wanting something to drink and thinking about stopping at a gas station or a drive-through to pick up a Coke. I remember being annoyed that I had to stop for a train full of fruit that seemingly took forever to cross. I remember getting lost just before the destination and having to u-turn to get to the right place. All of these events ultimately led to the consequences that came. If I were to remove one of them, it likely would have been an uneventful trip to the orchard. 

One of my co-workers passed away last Friday. She was 53 years old. I didn’t know her that well but many of my colleagues did. It’s been a rough few days. It’s interesting to think of our relationship as a cosmic coincidence – a chance encounter in a never-ending and seemingly random universe. Nothing about that relationship was intentional or permanent. It was something nice that was provided due to chance. Everything changes. At the very most, we get to briefly interact with those who are here. Whether those experiences are good or bad, it’s a brief wink in history. Understanding that context is key.

Thoughts on the iPhone 8

TL/DR: Apple, please don’t screw this up.

I’m at the point in my life where things like the new iPhone matter much less to me than they once did. Yes, it’s my favorite physical object. It’s my camera, communication tool, and holds my most sensitive information. I touch it more than anything else in my day. But, largely, meh.

The removal of touch ID is worrisome. I trust Apple to not blow it but this raises the potential considerably in my opinion. I wasn’t worried about the headphone jack – that made sense. This, on the other hand, is a recipe for disaster unless they have face ID down cold. 

I do think there’s something special about the Andy Warhol notion that all iPhones are the same. It makes sense to segment the market and capture higher profits from those with inelastic demand for Apple goodness. I think they’re going to take a hit. 

There have been an astounding number of leaks this cycle. People crave this information and then pan the actual announcement as “nothing new.” They better have their stuff together to pull this off.

I’m more excited about the new Apple Watch. I’m tired of charging mine twice a day. Can’t come soon enough.

Longing for Days of Yore

I suppose it’s trendy to wish for the days when “your” thing was cool. I’ve been a long time Apple guy — far before the iPhone and iPad drug folks into the fold. I’ve read a few people wish that fewer people had iPhones so the perceived exclusivity and appeal of thinking different would return. Meh. After I turned 25 or so, crap like that doesn’t matter.

Occasionally, however, I find myself wishing that Apple was the underdog once again. Not because I want to be cool or exclusive but because I’d like the pressure to be cranked up again. I’d like for Apple to find the niche’s that appreciate their products for what they are rather than what they supposedly represent. I’d like for them to return to their roots of excellent software, innovative features, and pushing folks towards something better. People fear that iOS vs. Android is Windows vs. Mac redux. Unfortunately, I don’t think we’re that lucky. In the late 90s and early 2000s, there was a hunger in Apple’s products and decisions. A quarter of trillion dollars in cash tends to satiate that.

Apple Pricing Strategy

I’m a big Apple fan. I also have a degree in economics which makes rationalizing the former interesting.

I’ve read a lot about Apple’s pricing decisions and it’s generally wrong. I don’t mean to seem arrogant but companies like Apple generally act rationally. During the period between the announcement of the Apple Watch and its release in the following Spring, I heard many different theories as to Apple’s practice and motivations. In reality, however, the truth is much more simple.

There’s a principle in economics known as the inverse price elasticity rule. It’s basically the following:

Set the Mark up (i.e. Price – Marginal Cost/ Marginal Cost) equal to the inverse elasticity to maximize profit.

(P-MC)/P = -1/E

This bit of math is the crux of many economic and business decision making processes. What’s elasticity you ask? That’s a bit more complicated.

Elasticity is essentially a way to measure the response in demand for a product for a given price increase. You can measure it as the percentage change in demand over the percentage change in price. The resulting ratio explains a lot about the product.

An elasticity greater than 1 indicates a higher response to a change in price. Luxuries such as eating out, purchasing expensive clothes, and other less “necessary” goods are often in this category. Inelastic products (with elasticities less than 1) are typically more required (i.e. gasoline, cigarettes, electricity, heating oil, etc.)

Apple maximizes profitability by ensuring this equation is satisfied.

The very nature of marketing is to manipulate elasticities. Apple does its best to ensure that the utility and desirability of their products is as high as possible. But they can’t deny economic truths. Apple doesn’t set their prices because of their cost of goods sold or by their margin. Apple sets their prices to maximize their profit. Samsung, LG, Google all follow the same process. Apple just does it better.