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  • I got tired – Scott Hanselman’s Blog

    I got tired – Scott Hanselman’s Blog



    I got tired - photo by Elisa VenturI have been blogging here for the last 20 years. Every Tuesday and Thursday, quite consistently, for two decades. But last year, without planning it, I got tired and stopped. Not sure why. It didn’t correspond with any life events. Nothing interesting or notable happened. I just stopped.

    I did find joy on TikTok and amassed a small group of like-minded followers there. I enjoy my YouTube as well, and my weekly podcast is going strong with nearly 900 (!) episodes of interviews with cool people. I’ve also recently started posting on Mastodon (a fediverse (federated universe)) Twitter alternative that uses the ActivityPub web standard. I see that Mark Downie has been looking at ActivityPub as well for DasBlog (the blog engine that powers this blog) so I need to spend sometime with Mark soon.

    Being consistent is a hard thing, and I think I did a good job. I gave many talks over many years about Personal Productivity but I always mentioned doing what “feeds your spirit.” For a minute here the blog took a backseat, and that’s OK. I filled that (spare) time with family time, personal projects, writing more code, 3d printing, games, taekwondo, and a ton of other things.

    Going forward I will continue to write and share across a number of platforms, but it will continue to start here as it’s super important to Own Your Words. Keep taking snapshots and backups of your keystrokes as you never know when your chosen platform might change or go away entirely.

    I’m still here. I hope you are too! I will see you soon.

    Related Links:




    About Scott

    Scott Hanselman is a former professor, former Chief Architect in finance, now speaker, consultant, father, diabetic, and Microsoft employee. He is a failed stand-up comic, a cornrower, and a book author.

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  • This Forgotten Python Command Makes Code 14,000 Times Faster



    This Forgotten Python Command Makes Code 14,000 Times Faster



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  • Online Signature Tools Now Have Neat Icons

    Online Signature Tools Now Have Neat Icons


    Last month, we added neat icons to Online JSON Tools, and today we have also added neat icons to Online Signature Tools. The new icons make it easier to find and use your favorite tools.

    What Are Online Signature Tools?

    Online Signature Tools, also known as Digital Signature Tools, are browser-based apps that help you edit and enhance your handwritten signature for digital use. They let you do things like remove the background, change the color, resize, rotate, and improve the quality of your scanned signature image. These tools are super useful for making your signature look clean and professional when signing PDFs, Word docs, or other digital documents.​

    What Are Online Signature Tool Synonyms?

    • E-signature tools
    • Digital signature makers
    • Online signing apps
    • Electronic signing software
    • Signature creator tools
    • Web signature generators
    • Digital signing tools
    • E-sign apps
    • Signature editor tools
    • Online signature generators
    • Digital signature software

    Who Created Online Signature Tools?

    Online Signature Tools were built by me and my team at Browserling. We wanted to create something simple and easy for people to use right in their browsers – no downloads, no installs, no complicated stuff. While we work on a bunch of handy online tools, we also do cross-browser testing to make sure everything works great no matter what browser you’re using. Our goal is to help regular users and developers save time and get things done without any tech headaches.

    Who Uses Online Signature Tools?

    Online Signature Tools and Browserling are used by everyone, including regular Internet users, freelancers, small business owners, and even Fortune 100 companies. They’re handy for signing documents, contracts, or forms quickly without printing or scanning. Everyday users use them for signing agreements or apartment leases, while professionals use them for signing NDAs and big contracts.

    Buy a subscription now at onlinePNGtools.com/pricing and use the coupon code SIGNLING for 30% off! 🤑



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  • 4 Python Loop Mistakes Everyone Makes (And How to Fix Them)



    4 Python Loop Mistakes Everyone Makes (And How to Fix Them)



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  • How Can Your Social Media Presence Keep Your Business Afloat?


    In today’s digital age, the survival of many businesses hinges on their ability to navigate the complexities of online presence, particularly through social media. As economic challenges mount, companies are increasingly seeking innovative strategies to maintain viability. For some, the situation becomes so dire that they consider drastic measures like Chapter 7 bankruptcy—also known as liquidation or straight bankruptcy—often used by individuals or businesses that have a limited amount of income and owe a significant amount of debt. However, before reaching that point, harnessing the power of social media can be a game-changer in fostering growth and resilience.

    The Financial Reality: Navigating Bankruptcy

    The stark reality is that many businesses face financial hurdles that can lead them toward Chapter 7 bankruptcy. This form of bankruptcy allows for the liquidation of assets to repay creditors, effectively shutting the door on a company’s operational life. For small businesses and startups, the impact can be devastating. According to the U.S. Courts, small businesses frequently find themselves in this position due to high overhead costs, competition, and lack of effective marketing strategies.

    This financial pressure makes it imperative for businesses to adopt proactive measures to engage with consumers and build a loyal customer base. A strong social media presence can serve as a crucial tool in mitigating these risks. By promoting products, engaging with audiences, and sharing valuable content, businesses can increase their visibility and attract new customers. This proactive engagement can lead to improved sales, which is vital for avoiding the pitfalls of bankruptcy.

    The Power of Social Media in Attracting Consumers

    One of the most compelling arguments for investing in social media is its potential to drive consumer acquisition. According to marketing expert Neal Schaffer, social media earned new consumers for a staggering 93% of brands. This statistic underscores the reality that a vibrant online presence can serve as a powerful magnet for new customers.

    Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn offer businesses the opportunity to reach broad audiences while also allowing for targeted advertising that can hone in on specific demographics. This ability to tailor messaging based on consumer behavior and preferences means businesses can not only attract new customers but also convert them into loyal followers. The organic nature of social media interactions fosters a sense of community and trust, elements that are increasingly important in a marketplace where consumers have numerous choices.

    Furthermore, effective social media strategies can help a business differentiate itself from competitors. By showcasing unique aspects of products or services and engaging with customers on a personal level, brands can create a distinct identity that resonates with their audience. This differentiation is crucial for survival in a crowded marketplace and can ultimately protect a business from financial ruin.

    Building Community Engagement for Business Growth

    The impact of social media extends beyond merely attracting new consumers; it can also enhance community engagement, which is essential for business sustainability. According to Entrepreneur, 44% of entrepreneurs report that their businesses have grown as a result of engaging their communities. This highlights the importance of building relationships with customers, suppliers, and the local community.

    Social media provides a platform for businesses to interact with their audience in real time, addressing concerns, soliciting feedback, and fostering loyalty. Engaging with the community not only helps businesses understand customer needs but also allows them to showcase their commitment to service and quality. When customers feel valued and heard, they’re more likely to remain loyal and advocate for the brand within their networks, effectively expanding the business’s reach.

    Moreover, active community engagement can lead to opportunities for collaboration, partnerships, and even referrals. By creating content that resonates with the audience—such as behind-the-scenes looks, customer stories, and user-generated content—businesses can strengthen their community ties and create a supportive network that encourages growth.

    Conclusion

    In an era where economic challenges loom large, social media emerges as a lifeline for businesses seeking to stay afloat. By leveraging platforms to attract new consumers, engage with communities, and build lasting relationships, businesses can foster resilience against financial hardships.

    The statistics speak for themselves: a solid social media strategy not only enhances visibility but can also be the difference between thriving and facing bankruptcy. As companies navigate the complexities of the modern marketplace, investing in social media is not just an option; it’s a necessity for survival.



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  • Use your own user @ domain for Mastodon discoverability with the WebFinger Protocol without hosting a server

    Use your own user @ domain for Mastodon discoverability with the WebFinger Protocol without hosting a server



    Mastodon is a free, open-source social networking service that is decentralized and distributed. It was created in 2016 as an alternative to centralized social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook.

    One of the key features of Mastodon is the use of the WebFinger protocol, which allows users to discover and access information about other users on the Mastodon network. WebFinger is a simple HTTP-based protocol that enables a user to discover information about other users or resources on the internet by using their email address or other identifying information. The WebFinger protocol is important for Mastodon because it enables users to find and follow each other on the network, regardless of where they are hosted.

    WebFinger uses a “well known” path structure when calling an domain. You may be familiar with the robots.txt convention. We all just agree that robots.txt will sit at the top path of everyone’s domain.

    The WebFinger protocol is a simple HTTP-based protocol that enables a user or search to discover information about other users or resources on the internet by using their email address or other identifying information. My is first name at last name .com, so…my personal WebFinger API endpoint is here https://www.hanselman.com/.well-known/webfinger

    The idea is that…

    1. A user sends a WebFinger request to a server, using the email address or other identifying information of the user or resource they are trying to discover.

    2. The server looks up the requested information in its database and returns a JSON object containing the information about the user or resource. This JSON object is called a “resource descriptor.”

    3. The user’s client receives the resource descriptor and displays the information to the user.

    The resource descriptor contains various types of information about the user or resource, such as their name, profile picture, and links to their social media accounts or other online resources. It can also include other types of information, such as the user’s public key, which can be used to establish a secure connection with the user.

    There’s a great explainer here as well. From that page:

    When someone searches for you on Mastodon, your server will be queried for accounts using an endpoint that looks like this:

    GET https://${MASTODON_DOMAIN}/.well-known/webfinger?resource=acct:${MASTODON_USER}@${MASTODON_DOMAIN}

    Note that Mastodon user names start with @ so they are @username@someserver.com. Just like twiter would be @shanselman@twitter.com I can be @shanselman@hanselman.com now!

    Searching for me with Mastodon

    So perhaps https://www.hanselman.com/.well-known/webfinger?resource=acct:FRED@HANSELMAN.COM

    Mine returns

    {
    "subject":"acct:shanselman@hachyderm.io",
    "aliases":
    [
    "https://hachyderm.io/@shanselman",
    "https://hachyderm.io/users/shanselman"
    ],
    "links":
    [
    {
    "rel":"http://webfinger.net/rel/profile-page",
    "type":"text/html",
    "href":"https://hachyderm.io/@shanselman"
    },
    {
    "rel":"self",
    "type":"application/activity+json",
    "href":"https://hachyderm.io/users/shanselman"
    },
    {
    "rel":"http://ostatus.org/schema/1.0/subscribe",
    "template":"https://hachyderm.io/authorize_interaction?uri={uri}"
    }
    ]
    }

    This file should be returned as a mime type of application/jrd+json

    My site is an ASP.NET Razor Pages site, so I just did this in Startup.cs to map that well known URL to a page/route that returns the JSON needed.

    services.AddRazorPages().AddRazorPagesOptions(options =>
    {
    options.Conventions.AddPageRoute("/robotstxt", "/Robots.Txt"); //i did this before, not needed
    options.Conventions.AddPageRoute("/webfinger", "/.well-known/webfinger");
    options.Conventions.AddPageRoute("/webfinger", "/.well-known/webfinger/{val?}");
    });

    then I made a webfinger.cshtml like this. Note I have to double escape the @@ sites because it’s Razor.

    @page
    @{
    Layout = null;
    this.Response.ContentType = "application/jrd+json";
    }
    {
    "subject":"acct:shanselman@hachyderm.io",
    "aliases":
    [
    "https://hachyderm.io/@@shanselman",
    "https://hachyderm.io/users/shanselman"
    ],
    "links":
    [
    {
    "rel":"http://webfinger.net/rel/profile-page",
    "type":"text/html",
    "href":"https://hachyderm.io/@@shanselman"
    },
    {
    "rel":"self",
    "type":"application/activity+json",
    "href":"https://hachyderm.io/users/shanselman"
    },
    {
    "rel":"http://ostatus.org/schema/1.0/subscribe",
    "template":"https://hachyderm.io/authorize_interaction?uri={uri}"
    }
    ]
    }

    This is a static response, but if I was hosting pages for more than one person I’d want to take in the url with the user’s name, and then map it to their aliases and return those correctly.

    Even easier, you can just use the JSON file of your own Mastodon server’s webfinger response and SAVE IT as a static json file and copy it to your own server!

    As long as your server returns the right JSON from that well known URL then it’ll work.

    So this is my template https://hachyderm.io/.well-known/webfinger?resource=acct:shanselman@hachyderm.io from where I’m hosted now.

    If you want to get started with Mastodon, start here. https://github.com/joyeusenoelle/GuideToMastodon/ it feels like Twitter circa 2007 except it’s not owned by anyone and is based on web standards like ActivityPub.

    Hope this helps!




    About Scott

    Scott Hanselman is a former professor, former Chief Architect in finance, now speaker, consultant, father, diabetic, and Microsoft employee. He is a failed stand-up comic, a cornrower, and a book author.

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  • 6.37 Million Google Clicks! 🤑

    6.37 Million Google Clicks! 🤑


    Yesterday Online PNG Tools smashed through 6.36M Google clicks and today it’s smashed through 6.37M Google clicks! That’s 10,000 new clicks in a single day – the smash train keeps on rollin’!

    What Are Online PNG Tools?

    Online PNG Tools offers a collection of easy-to-use web apps that help you work with PNG images right in your browser. It’s like a Swiss Army Knife for anything PNG-related. On this site, you can create transparent PNGs, edit icons, clean up logos, crop stamps, change colors of signatures, and customize stickers – there’s a tool for it all. The best part is that you don’t need to install anything or be a graphic designer. All tools are made for regular people who just want to get stuff done with their images. No sign-ups, no downloads – just quick and easy PNG editing tools.

    Who Created Online PNG Tools?

    Online PNG Tools were created by me and my team at Browserling. We’ve build simple, browser-based tools that anyone can use without needing to download or install anything. Along with PNG tools, we also work on cross-browser testing to help developers make sure their websites work great on all web browsers. Our mission is to make online tools that are fast, easy to use, and that are helpful for everyday tasks like editing icons, logos, and signatures.

    Who Uses Online PNG Tools?

    Online PNG Tools and Browserling are used by everyone – from casual users to professionals and even Fortune 100 companies. Casual users often use them to make memes, edit profile pictures, or remove backgrounds. Professionals use them to clean up logos, design icons, or prepare images for websites and apps.

    Smash too and see you tomorrow at 6.38M clicks! 📈

    PS. Use coupon code SMASHLING for a 30% discount on these tools at onlinePNGtools.com/pricing. 💸



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