I've been spending a good chunk of my recent days (and, let's be honest, nights) exploring the virtual landscapes with the Meta Quest 3, and I've got some thoughts.
Let me walk you through my adventure into this whole new world, with all its ups and downs.
First off, getting everything just right with this headset? It's kind of a mission. You've got to adjust it perfectly to match your head, eyes, you name it. If things aren’t dialed in just right, it's going to be blurry. But once you get it all set up, it's like stepping through a portal into another universe.
That setup is individual to the person. The pupilary distance, for example, is specific to you. Handing your headset to the person next to you won't give them the same experience you had. It takes dialing in.
There's something almost magical about how, after a bit, you just... get it. Adjusting windows and messing with settings in passthrough mode becomes second nature. It's like your hands and the VR world are perfectly in sync, which just makes everything feel so much smoother and immersive.
Getting the hang of how things exist in the virtual space is every bit as important as learning the controls. It takes retraining your mind on how distance is perceived. This takes a few hours, but it's totally worth it.
We really need to talk more about how insane the 3D experience is in VR. Jumping from 2D to 3D applications is like going from watching a movie to stepping into it. It’s a game-changer that doesn’t get nearly enough hype.
For many people, virtual reality is a YouTube 360 video. This is not 3D. It's two-dimensional and nowhere near as immersive as a proper stereo image. Look for something with defined right and left images.
Want crystal-clear 3D videos? You're gonna need to hunt down some 8K sources. Trust me, it makes a difference. Regular 1080p or even 4K videos are cool and all, especially if you're just throwing them up on a virtual screen, but for that immersive "I’m really here" feeling? 8K all the way.
8K means a lot of bandwidth and a lot of storage space. That's the drawback, but it is totally worth it.
One of the downsides of VR is how solo it feels when you’re in a room with friends just staring at you while you gawk at invisible wonders. A game-changer? Streaming what I see to a tablet or phone. It turns those "you've gotta see this!" moments into a shared experience.
Let them in on the fun, and use the streaming feature to "train" everyone on how to use the headset and navigate the environment before they put the headset on for the first time. This will make it much easier for them to acclimate to the virtual environment.
Ever felt like you're flying...
]]>Technical writing has the potential of being a very different career path in 2024 than it has in years prior. For a new technical writer, this means readying for quick pivots as the industry adapts to a new wave of technology.
In this post, we'll examine some of the ways technical writing is about to change in 2024.
For one, the advancement of generative AI (artificial intelligence) has created an explosion of artificially-generated content writing to subjects from technical tutorials to breaking news stories. Technical writing itself hasn't been hit quite as hard as blogging, news, or evergreen tutorials.
This doesn't mean things aren't changing. Writers can lean on artificial intelligence to craft outlines and generate a basic foundation on which they can craft a more refined draft. AI serves as a digital intern, doing the repetitive groundwork while the writer focuses on expanding and perfecting the content.
Eventually, AI will catch up to technical writers. It will be able to read the codebase and interpret functionality to craft basic documentation with minimal context added by humans.
That day is not today, thankfully.
Many economists are predicting a period of economic turmoil ahead. This is due to a decades-long period of growth and inflation, interrupted briefly by the COVID-19 pandemic and shift in economic philosophies governing several major world powers.
This has resulted in a lot of large enterprises downsizing and performing large-scale reductions in force in order to be better prepared to meet the potential downturn. Technical writers, unfortunately, are not immune to these actions.
Just a few years ago, finding a job in the technical writing field was relatively easy. Today, landing a good job as a technical writer is certainly possible, but your portfolio and work experience needs to stand out from the crowd.
If you're brand new to technical writing, consider volunteer writing for some open source projects on GitHub. Open a website and craft tutorials there that you can add to your portfolio while earning a little extra income from ad revenue or affiliate links through Google or Amazon.
This will give you a bit of experience to start from, making landing a decent technical writing job much easier.
One thing I love about the current state of documentation is how many great examples exist in the wild right now. Technical writing was a niche career choice a decade ago when I started, and beyond owners manuals and a few standout tech companies, good documentation was relatively rare.
Today, technical writing has become a big career choice for creative writers looking to pay the bills while scratching their technical itch. Here are some excellent examples of documentation you can use to inspire your next developers portal or user guide:
]]>For many new developers, APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are an important part of learning how different data systems interact. GraphQL is an API structure that is quickly growing in popularity for its simplicity and efficiency.
APIs are essential for building dynamic, data-driven applications. They connect multiple data sources together by making data available between systems and providing a method to write new data from an authorized client. Today, we'll dive into a specific type of API that has been gaining popularity for its efficiency and flexibility: GraphQL.
I'd like to start this off by explaining what an API really is.
Imagine a scenario where your application needs to display the latest weather data. Instead of storing this large, constantly-changing data within your app, you'd likely use a weather service's API. Your application sends a request to the API asking for the current weather data. The API then responds with the data, which your application can display to the user.
In this context, the API acts as a middleman that allows two separate systems to communicate with each other. This solution makes creating new applications much easier as you only need to know how to get the information you need rather than worrying about how to store and maintain it.
GraphQL stands out in the API world. Developed by Facebook in 2012, GraphQL presents a more flexible and efficient approach to data retrieval. It's not a perfect solution for all cases, but it has grown in popularity because it answers many of the problems common with REST APIs.
Unlike traditional REST APIs, which require loading from multiple URLs, GraphQL APIs allow you to get all the data you need in a single request. You can think of it as a customizable order form where you specify exactly what data you want to receive, no more, no less.
GraphQL operates through a single endpoint using HTTP. It allows clients (the applications making the request) to define the structure of the data required. This means that your application can ask for precisely what it needs, in one go, through a query.
It can also take that information and use it to make changes to the data, referred to as mutations, in the same request.
Precise Data Fetching: You can specify exactly which data fields you need, which avoids over-fetching (getting more data than needed) or under-fetching (not getting enough data in a single request). Your application doesn't have to deal with unnecessary data or filtering through response JSON for specific fields.
Single Request for Multiple Resources: You can gather data from multiple sources in a single query rather than making several requests to different endpoints.
Real-time Data with Subscriptions: Beyond queries and mutations (data modifications), GraphQL supports subscriptions, allowing real-time data updates through technologies like WebSockets.
Developers appreciate GraphQL for several reasons:
Well-documented APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are the cornerstone of any good developer portal. REST (Representational State Transfer) and GraphQL are the two dominant architectures, each with its distinct approach to data retrieval and manipulation.
This difference inherently extends to how their documentation is crafted. They are so similar on the surface, yet the way a technical writer would approach to explaining their functionality is entirely different. This post explores the nuances of documenting GraphQL compared to REST APIs, highlighting the unique challenges and strategies technical writers face.
REST APIs are designed around the concept of resources, each identified by URLs and manipulated through HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc.). Documentation for REST APIs focuses on describing these resources, the operations that can be performed on them, and the expected request and response formats.
In a sense, REST API documentation describes the "where" and "what" for each endpoint, while tutorials and use-case documentation fill in the "when," "why," and "how."
REST API documentation benefits from tools like Swagger (OpenAPI) that can generate interactive documentation, allowing developers to explore and test the API directly from the documentation.
Two popular solutions for documenting REST APIs are ReadMe (Commercial) and Docusaurus (Open Source).
GraphQL represents a shift from the resource-centric model of REST to a more flexible, query-based approach. It allows clients to request exactly the data they need and nothing more. This flexibility necessitates a different focus in documentation.
GraphQL's introspective nature means that tools like GraphiQL can offer auto-generated documentation, allowing developers to explore the schema and test queries in real-time.
Documenting GraphQL can be inherently more complex due to its flexible nature. A single endpoint in GraphQL can replace multiple REST...
]]>In the realm of technical writing, the collaboration between technical writers and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) is pivotal. It is the primary relationship on which quality technical documentation is created.
Engineers, project managers, product managers, and other stakeholders are the lifeblood of the technical writer. They provide the “who”, “what”, “when”, “why”, and “how” that technical writers use to craft their documentation.
Effective communication between technical writers and SMEs can be challenging due to differing backgrounds, priorities, and terminologies. This post explores various communication methods that can foster a more productive and harmonious working relationship between technical writers and SMEs.
The first step towards effective collaboration is establishing clear and preferred channels of communication. Whether it’s emails, messaging apps (Slack, Microsoft Teams, etc.), or project management tools (Jira, Trello, etc.), choosing the right platform can streamline interactions and ensure that both parties are on the same page.
It’s essential to agree on a primary communication channel that suits both the technical writer and the SME, ensuring that messages are neither lost nor overlooked.
For the technical writer, it’s best to meet your SMEs where they already are. If Jira is the primary project management tool used by the engineering teams, managing your content in Jira ensures that your projects remain visible and relevant to the teams you are working with.
Consistent and scheduled check-ins are crucial. These can take the form of weekly meetings or bi-weekly status updates, depending on the project's scale and deadlines.
Regular meetings provide an opportunity for both parties to discuss project progress, clarify doubts, and realign expectations. It’s a dedicated time to address concerns, share updates, and brainstorm solutions to potential issues.
These meetings may not need to happen at every scheduled instance, but it’s a big help to have that time blocked off in case you need it.
Technical concepts and processes can sometimes be difficult to articulate through words alone.
Utilizing visual aids such as diagrams, flowcharts, and prototypes can significantly enhance understanding. These tools can help in breaking down complex ideas into digestible pieces, making it easier for technical writers to grasp the subject matter and for SMEs to convey their expertise more effectively.
These visual aids can even become part of your documentation. Having their feedback at early stages in the draft saves you both time.
Leveraging collaborative documentation tools such as Google Docs, Confluence, or Microsoft Teams allows both technical writers and SMEs to work on documents simultaneously.
These platforms enable real-time feedback, revisions, and suggestions, which can significantly reduce turnaround times and improve document accuracy. Additionally, version control features ensure that changes are tracked, providing transparency and accountability in the documentation process.
Every company has its preferred collaborative platform. Find out what the teams are using and join them there.
Technical fields often come with their jargon and acronyms, which can be a barrier to understanding for those outside...
]]>Having played through the Mass Effect campaign more times than I care to admit, I'm surprised at just how few commentators on the saga have explored how Mass Effect's story mirrors the mythology shared by civilizations for thousands of years.
This epic space saga, crafted by BioWare, is more than just a tale of interstellar conflict; it's a rich tapestry interwoven with themes and icons that deeply resonate with various religious mythologies.
On the surface, Mass Effect is the story of humanity versus technology. The conflict between organics and synthetics is the primary mission of its protagonists, though how they approach the challenge is greatly influenced by the player’s choices. Those choices are often based in age-old philosophical quandaries that have fueled eons of human mythology and religious storytelling.
The protagonist, Commander Shepard, is a quintessential example of the messiah archetype. Like many religious figures, Shepard is seen as a savior, destined to deliver the galaxy from the clutches of the Reapers, a race of powerful machines intent on annihilating all advanced organic life.
This narrative mirrors the stories of figures like Jesus Christ, Prophet Muhammad, or Krishna, who are seen as saviors in their respective religions.
The Reapers, in their role as unstoppable forces of destruction, parallel the apocalyptic entities found in religious texts. In Christianity, there is the concept of Judgment Day, while in Hinduism, there's the notion of Kali Yuga, where the world is purged to make way for renewal. The Reapers' cyclical destruction of civilizations echoes these concepts of cyclical or final destruction and rebirth.
The Protheans, an ancient and extinct race in the Mass Effect universe, are akin to the concept of fallen angels or lost civilizations in religious lore.
They once guided the younger races, much like how angels are seen as messengers or guardians in various religions. Their downfall and subsequent mythic status resemble the stories of lost civilizations like Atlantis or the angels cast out of heaven in Christian theology.
The Citadel, a massive space station that serves as the political and economic hub of the galaxy, can be likened to the concept of celestial cities or realms in religious texts, such as the Christian Heaven, the Islamic Jannah, or the Hindu Svarga. It's a place of unity where different races converge, symbolizing a kind of utopian ideal.
The game’s morality system, where players make choices that align with either Paragon (virtuous) or Renegade (ruthless), reflects the dualistic nature of many religions. This system echoes the moral choices faced by individuals in religious contexts, where actions are often seen as good or evil, righteous or sinful.
Expanding Mass Effect's alignment with religious iconography are the characters and roles of Legion, Tali, and the Geth, and how they contribute to the game's rich tapestry of spiritual and mythological themes....
]]>Ayn Rand, the Russian-American writer and philosopher, has left a lasting impact on many spheres, including literature, politics, and entertainment.
One intriguing aspect of her legacy is how her philosophy of Objectivism is reflected in popular culture, particularly in the character of Ron Swanson from the television series "Parks and Recreation."
This blog post delves into the ways Ron Swanson embodies Rand's ideas.
Before we draw parallels between Rand and Swanson, it's important to understand the core of Rand's philosophy. Objectivism, as conceived by Rand, emphasizes rational self-interest, individualism, and laissez-faire capitalism. It rejects collectivism and altruism as detrimental to societal progress and personal freedom.
Ron Swanson, portrayed by Nick Offerman, is a character that resonates deeply with Rand's Objectivism. Here's how:
Swanson is a staunch individualist. He believes in personal responsibility and often expresses disdain for dependency on government or society. This mirrors Rand's advocacy for individualism over collectivism.One of his trademark statements is, "You're an adult. Solve your own problems."
Just like Rand, Swanson is a vocal critic of government overreach. His role as the head of the Parks and Recreation department in a fictional Indiana town is riddled with irony, as he often seeks to minimize government intervention, a nod to Rand's ideal of a state that exists only to protect individual rights.
Indeed, he works as an agent of chaos within the government department. He sees his role as that of an obstruction to productivity, grinding the gears of the Parks department to a halt while minimizing the taxpayer burden.
Swanson's work ethic and his emphasis on self-reliance are direct reflections of Rand's ideals. He values hard work and competence, often expressing contempt for those who don't uphold these values. This aligns with Rand's belief in the virtue of productive work and self-sufficiency.
Ron Swanson's woodworking and do-it-yourself mentality serves as a constant reminder of his dedication to self reliance. He frequently attempts to educate and uplift his friends and coworkers so that they, too, can join him in not needing anyone's assistance.
While Rand wasn't a libertarian per se, her ideas greatly influenced the movement. Swanson's libertarian leanings, marked by his skepticism of government and emphasis on personal freedom, are reminiscent of Rand's philosophy.
Just like Rand, who faced criticism for contradictions in her life and beliefs, Swanson is not a one-dimensional character. His complexities and sometimes contradictory actions (like working for the government) add depth to his character, reflecting the often challenging application of Rand's ideals in real life.
In numerous episodes, he has to swallow his pride and give in to the will of his less-Randian colleagues in order to prevent him from giving ground on other parts of his philosophies. One quote of note, “Normally, if given the choice between doing something and nothing, I’d choose to do nothing. But I will do something if...
]]>"Tales from the Afternow," an audio drama series created by Sean Kennedy, is a compelling journey into a dystopian future. While it is roughly 20 years old at this point, its quality and compelling storytelling holds up.
I'd argue that Afternow was far too ahead of its time, seeing its rise back when podcasts weren't a part of the larger community zeitgeist. If it were produced today, it would undoubtedly find a sizeable audience among fans of immersive audio storytelling. As it is, I'm fortunate to have stumbled across Rant Radio in the early 2000s to have a front-row seat to the show as it made its debut.
I've listened to the series (which canonically includes two seasons with a third non-canonical current-day audio entry called the Witchhunter Chronicles) numerous times over the years. Usually when I want to revitalize my sense of creativity.
This review delves into various aspects of the series, evaluating its storytelling, themes, production quality, and overall impact.
The series is narrated by the enigmatic Independent Librarian, whose monologues guide the listener through a ravaged world where corporations reign supreme. The narrative structure is a blend of diary entries, hacked broadcasts, and fragmented stories, creating a patchwork of experiences that piece together the grim reality of this future. The storytelling is immersive, often feeling like a series of confessions or secret transmissions in a world where information is dangerous.
Sean Kennedy excels in crafting a dystopian world that mirrors many contemporary fears. Themes of corporate dominance, loss of privacy, and the erosion of individual freedoms resonate deeply in the narrative. The show is a canvas for exploring the dark side of technological advancements, from rampant surveillance to the commodification of personal data. The world-building is intricate, with each episode adding layers to the complex societal, political, and technological landscape of the Afternow.
That's not to say that this world is entirely unique onto itself. The technology described in the series that facilitates the transmissions are heavily inspired by fiction such as Terminator. There are elements of Blade Runner, Snow Crash, The Matrix, and other popular CyberPunk properties, as well.
The heart of the series is the Independent Librarian, portrayed compellingly by Kennedy. His performance is both haunting and authentic, capturing the essence of a lone crusader against a monolithic system. The character’s depth is revealed slowly, adding a sense of mystery and gravitas to his mission of preserving knowledge. Supporting characters, though less prominent, add color and context to the Librarian's tales, although they sometimes lack the same depth.
Sean Kennedy's self-named protagonist is the heart and soul of the series. It's through his eyes that we experience the world of the Afternow, and you get a sense of the character's perspective as he attempts to describe the world in an impartial, archivist way.
The production quality of "Tales from the Afternow" is notable, especially considering its independent origins. The sound design is meticulous,...
]]>In the late '90s, a show emerged that was set to drive a stake through the heart of traditional television narratives and production. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (BtVS) wasn’t just a show about a young girl battling the forces of evil; it was a genre-bending, trope-subverting adventure that left an indelible mark on pop culture and the television landscape.
BtVS effortlessly blended elements of horror, comedy, drama, and action. It wasn’t confined to the parameters of a single genre, which allowed for a rich and varied narrative landscape. Episodes could be terrifying, hilarious, heart-wrenching, or all three at once. This genre hybridity paved the way for other shows to break free from genre conventions, leading to a more imaginative and diversified television era.
At the heart of the show was Buffy Summers, a strong, complex female protagonist who was both a high school student and a fearsome vampire slayer. At a time when female characters often played second fiddle to their male counterparts, Buffy was a beacon of empowerment. She was flawed, relatable, and above all, human, despite her supernatural calling. Her character challenged gender stereotypes and inspired a wave of strong female leads in television.
BtVS celebrated diversity through its ensemble cast known as the Scooby Gang. They represented a range of backgrounds, personalities, and even species, demonstrating the value of inclusivity and friendship. The portrayal of LGBTQ relationships, particularly the character Willow’s journey of self-discovery, was groundbreaking at the time and contributed to a broader representation of LGBTQ identities on television.
The villains in BtVS, referred to as the Big Bads, were often symbolic representations of larger societal issues. Through the lens of the supernatural, the show tackled real-world problems like addiction, abuse, and the challenges of adulthood, making it a relevant and resonant piece of social commentary.
"BtVS" was unafraid to experiment with storytelling techniques. The musical episode "Once More, with Feeling" and the almost entirely silent "Hush" are prime examples of how the show pushed the boundaries of what was expected in a TV episode, inspiring other shows to be more creative with their storytelling formats.
The legacy of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" goes beyond its seven-season run. Its innovative approach to storytelling, genre blending, feminist narratives, and diverse representation have inspired countless shows that followed. The show didn’t just change what we watched, but how we watched it, proving that television could be a platform for deeper exploration of complex societal issues while still delivering heart-pounding action and gut-busting humor. Through its fearless creativity and compelling characters, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" slayed its way into television history, establishing a legacy that continues to resonate with audiences new and old.
]]>Since the attacks on the morning of October 7, 2023, the news has been dominated by a long-standing debate between Palestinian and Israeli responsibility for violence in the region. Across social media, twenty-something-year-old experts in international affairs and the history of the Middle East have chimed in. Their support for one side or the other often staunch and unwaivering. As though the issue of Israeli-Palestinian relations is a simple matter of either genocide or terrorism.
The term "Zionist" is often used as a substitute for Israeli or Jew, receiving blame for the October attacks and 70+ years of suffering by the Palestinians. Zionism is, in many ways, serving as a villain to those that feel Israel is a colonizing bully in the region. It's important to recognize that the people of Palestine have lost land and indeed have a difficult (if not impossible) time in the presence of Hamas to establish a working government of its own.
To many Jews, and others that sympathize with the Israeli perspective, Israel's very existence is rooted in thousands of years of recorded history. The Jewish people (often mistaken for a religious order) are a tribe that long called Jerusalem and its surrounding land home. However, that home has been taken away multiple times over its long history. The Romans, Egyptians, Ottomans, English, etc. have all at one time or another laid claim to the land and its Jewish population either enslaved, forced to flee, or killed.
Zionism is, at its heart, a long-standing debate about what the future of the Jewish people should be. There are Zionists that believe a physical state of Israel should exist by any means necessary, and those that believe that the Jewish people don't even need a state, but a cultural center and adoption of a common language.
Whatever your personal thoughts about Zionism and its role in the current state of war, it's important to consider that it is a blanket term for a wide range of philosophies. As far back as the late 1800s, Zionism had no less than three distinct divisions with widely different views on Jewish claim on the land. Over the years, additional variations of Zionism sprouted and took hold among Jews.
Zionism, a diverse and multifaceted nationalist movement, seeks to establish, develop, and protect a Jewish homeland in the historic Land of Israel. Over time, it has branched into several forms, each with its own unique focus and methods. Understanding the different types of Zionists provides a nuanced perspective on the complexities surrounding Israeli nationalism. Here’s an exploration of some of the prominent forms of Zionism: