Matthew Lang

I've wrote in the past about the blogging platform Medium and how I have issue with such a high volume of people writing under one roof and how the lack of

Here's what I wrote at the start of last year:

Access to the network is easy but I can't help but wonder if in the future they'll get it wrong and piss off a good chunk of their user base. I'd rather not take that chance.

— Anywhere but Medium

Well Medium did get it wrong. The ad model isn't working for them. That and fifty of their staff have been dropped. What looks like a cost-cutting exercise is what they're calling a change in their business model. What that business model will be is unclear at the moment.

One option Medium has is to charge users for the privilege of using Medium. If Medium wanted to charge me to use Medium then I would be all for it. I love products that look for money up front before you can use their product. How else are they going to survive as a business?

I like the idea behind Medium but the recent change in their business model (or even lack of one) has me wondering how long they'll be around for. Not a nice thought, especially when it concerns a platform that many use to publish their thoughts and ideas. I'd rather not see it go under, but it needs to start adapting and fast.

Medium still isn't for me though. I'm happy to blog away from my own little corner of the Internet.

Apologies. Missed a couple of these in November and December!

After the feasting and festivities over Christmas, the New Year weekend was a chance to get some sense of normality back.

Me and Jen took the boys to the ten pin bowling on the Friday morning just to do something different. Poor performances by all except from Drew who won both games!

New Years Eve was a quiet day and a chance for the boys to mess about with their presents.

New Years Day involved dinner at my parents house. While most people might have ordered their steak pie from their local butchers (not a bad option by the way), my mum opted to make hers from scratch. It went down a storm, especially with the boys who love their steak pie.

To round off the long weekend I took Ethan up to the golf club for a few holes. The weather wasn't great but it didn't stop him putting in a solid nine holes. I'm starting to find some consistency as well which is good.

I'm starting a newsletter this year.

Yes, I'm a bit late to the newsletter thing and yes this is probably another newsletter that you don't need, but here me out before you make any decisions.

On the 19th of each month I'll send you a long form piece of writing about my thoughts on a topic that will usually revolve around technology, productivity or products. If you like my blog then you can expect content along the same lines, just in a longer form. Each month, I'll also include a link list of interesting titbits from the Internet that have caught my attention and I think are worth passing on.

Interested?

Sign up here then please!

First edition drops on the 19th of January and is entitled, "Back to basics".

Manton Reece is launching a new microblogging service and a book about independent microblogging.

I didn't even need to think about backing this. I've been looking for an alternative to Twitter for sometime now. App.net has faded away and there's nothing else out there that focuses on the open web in the way that Manton's new service will.

Backed.

When everyone else is making resolutions to do things like less social media, less eating, less television, Kurt is making resolutions to do more.

Love it.

... for 2017.

Sorry people, couldn't resist.

via starwars.tumblr.com

You might want to start with Nicholas Bate then.

Michael Wade just provided the best daily logging template for my Hobonichi Techo for 2017.

... for an awesome 2017.

It finally 'clicks' that you don't need much stuff-at all-to be very, very happy. And in fact paradoxically too much stuff makes you unhappy as you worry about what might happen if you lose it.

Get ready with the complete list by Nicholas Bate.

With the new year just around the corner, it's always a good time to clear the decks and start afresh. A few things I'll be doing today:

• Organising my desk
• Preparing my new Hobonichi Techo
• Planning out January in my bullet journal
• Reviewing clients and their products
• Reviewing my digital footprint
• Reviewing my now page

If you're at a loose end today, clear the decks. It's as good a time as any to start getting ready for a fresh start.

Saddened to hear that Carrie Fisher has passed away at the age of 60.

It wasn't until a few years ago that I was aware of her career off screen, including an author and an advocate for mental health.

Thanks for being a huge part of my childhood and the childhood of my kids Carrie.

Fascinating how many times this classic has been illustrated.

I began my annual tradition of reading A Christmas Carol last night. A chapter a night up to Christmas Eve. I look forward to reading it every year.

Hat tip to Michael Wade.

... that is Nicholas Bate.