Starting 100 Days of SwiftUI

I wrote my first computer program on a cold winter night in January 1968. It was five lines of FORTRAN to add two integers and print the result. Despite the fact that my program did not work, it was the beginning of my life and career as a software analyst. I spent most of my time at IBM, much of it analyzing software failures.

I retired from enterprise-level computing, (now called Information Technology,) in 2015. I retain an interest in programming and learning new ways to apply computer technology to daily life. Since I always carry a small, powerful computer, sometimes known as a phone, I thought it would be interesting to learn how to program it.

To begin this new endeavour, I need to learn a new programming language, Swift. Since  my goal is to write an iOS application, I am going to take the 100 Days of SwiftUI course offered by Hacking With Swift and taught by Paul Hudson.

For over fifty years I have both studied and taught various Information Technology topics and have a clear understanding of what I want from the course. A preliminary look at the related materials give me an optimistic feeling about what I am soon to undertake. Mr. Hudson’s teaching style is relaxed but efficient and his videos are packed full of material pertinent to the topic. I look forward to starting Day 1 tomorrow. 

Learning and Entertaining

I used to buy and read books. I bought books to enlighten, inform, educate, challenge and entertain me. I also bought newspapers, journals and magazines. I grew up in a literary household in which writing and the thought behind it was a daily topic of conversation. In short, I was a publisher’s dream customer.

A career as a computer programmer and systems analyst ensured that I was always aware, if not a user of technology. I watched computers evolve from large, expensive speciality machines into devices which could be put on a desk or carried in a pocket. I often wondered what we would do with the technology. We had the answer, now it was time to resolve the question. I think we have it now, and it is profound and pervasive; there is little in the world, rich or poor, which has not been permanently changed by digital devolution.

There are many every-day examples of how society has changed in the last fifteen years, but the one which has affected me most is reading. All aspects of how and what I acquire to read has changed. My purchase of books and magazines is a small fraction of what it once was. The modern publishing industry faces great challenges, and although not proud of it, I am part of the problem.

There are few things more enjoyable to me that to sit with book in my hands, but now I also read from a tablet and it too can deliver an enriching experience.  There will be tough competition for revenue from publishing. Old models are failing and in some cases have become irrelevant. Of course the industry will survive, but in a very different fashion from the twentieth century. Adaptation and integration of new forms with traditional ways of publishing is key to a future which provides adequate and stable income for authors and publishers. How that will happen is yet to be determined, but one has only to look at the music industry to see how not to do things.

Blogs, tweets, video, photo-sharing and more will not replace books, but will be another way to learn and entertain. It has been exciting to have been an insider at the beginning of the digital age.

Time to Write and Think Again

Much has happened in my life during the last two years making it seem even longer to me. Absorbed with changes, I have let things slide. So, like the door of the old Naramachi house, it is time to open and let some sunlight in and dust out.

奈良町 Spring Sunlight

Lights in the Forest

On a Nara summer afternoon walking the paths of 春日大社 (Kasuga Taisha) brings one relief  from the heat and sunlight.

As a boy I enjoyed reading my mother’s ikebana books while she created simple, elegant arrangements. It was difficult to imagine that something so beautiful could arise from the newspapers and greenery covering the kitchen table. One book had a chapter on placing 燈籠 (stone lanterns) in a garden and I constantly asked for a lantern.

The paths and grounds of Kasuga Taisha are lined with hundreds of lanterns; the work of masons over centuries. Seeing them with lights flickering inside is an experience beyond words.

Leadership needed, NOW

In arguably the most important period in Japan since August 1945, in-fighting and power struggles have hijacked the institutions needed to lead and restore the nation post 11th, March.

The cultural qualities which are an important factor in Japan’s future recovery, industrial growth and economic success seem lacking in the political class which rules this nation. In his post of 4th, June, Garren details both the politics and the plight of the large portion of the population directly affected. This article should be required reading for all in the world concerned with public policy and it’s impact.

In the immediate aftermath of the quake, tsunami and nuclear reactor failure I read many articles and posts comparing the effects with previous calamities, almost all of which I felt underestimated the impact. Inaction and indecision will surely result in this effectively becoming the worst natural disaster to affect an industrialized country.

I struggle to understand the aspects of Japanese culture which seem to accept this worst of all possible reactions to the crisis by politicians as being acceptable. Motions of non-confidence and other parliamentary procedures calculated to make problems are not acceptable now, however, those proposing them do so with with apparent impunity. The anger of the mayors and residents of the destroyed cities and towns of Tohoku is apparently irrelevant.

Those qualities mentioned by Garren (diligence, honesty, consensus, community and perseverance) are admirable and even enviable; they are also essential to the rebuilding and restoration of modern life in Japan. Leadership and vision are required; unfortunately it seems that those who should be providing them are otherwise engaged.

 

Ed. Steve Naegele sent a comment which I will add here. It truly captures the essence of what I was thinking.

仕方がない (shikata ga nai)

 

Summer Tomato Salad

It does not get much easier than this:

• Wash and cut slits into a tomato. I prefer the black-green ones but any tomato with rich flavour will do.
• Slice a soft cheese such as bocconcini into wedges and insert into tomato slits.
• Place on a plate with full flavoured greens like arugula and basil. Drizzle a little vinegar .

Preparation time: about two minutes.

Melting Snow Sake 雪解け酒

Hey Jas,

Spring weather does not get any better than this. Cloudless sky, cool breeze and green rice fields with blue mountains in the distance. Naoko’s day off so we went to Osaka in the afternoon. Spent the time walking and sight-seeing.

Listened to a very good local punk rock band playing in front of  JR Osaka Umeda station. Jeff, my God Son, a serious punk rocker, would approve.

In the evening we went to one of my favourite restaurants in Namba, 三間堂、 San Gen Dou. Take a look at the attached; it may appear to be a slushie in a box, but it is really Yuki Doke Zake, (melting snow sake.) Presented with a small dish of black sesame tofu (left), don’t believe what you learned in medical school about low temperatures slowing reactions, this innocent-looking treat will hit one like a Shinkansen on the fast track. A frozen glass is filled with very cold sake such that it overflows, filling the box which is also frozen. Almost instantly the sake — take your pick, dry or fruity — turns to ice. The challenge is to consume it without getting any on one’s kimono.

Wherever this note finds you, I hope it finds you well, J

A

Original note written April 25, 2010.

Cold Cantaloupe Salad

When the summer is hot, as it is at the moment, I usually keep a melon seeded and cut into ready-to-eat-pieces in the Frigidaire.

I arrived home from the gym hungry and craving something cold, and filling. There was not much cold in the house at the time but I did have cantaloupe and bocconcini. I made my own variation of a Caprese salad by putting a little balsamic glaze on top; a healthy instant cool-down.

For those concerned that this is insufficient to restore one after a heavy workout I recommend a cheeseburger for dessert.

Digital identity; a Hanko

As a long-time employee of IBM, the famous blue logo was an integral part of my identity: it was on much of the mail, both electronic and paper, which I sent and on most of the vast number of documents I wrote. It was on luggage tags of bags I carried all over the world. I displayed it proudly on my time-stained Hartmann briefcase which seemed to travel a million miles with me on the trains to work and the disintegrating backpack in which latterly I lugged around computers.

But what about the time when I did not want to be identified with IBM?  How would I identify myself? Which one of my many interests or hobbies could best represent me? And, after I decided that, how would I display it visually? I let the questions rattle around, unanswered, in my head.

Standing at the bus stop one snowy night after calligraphy class I found the answer: a signature stamp, an inkan or hanko as it is also known. Briefly, a hanko is a stamp used with red ink as a signature. I decided to create a digital version which could be inserted into a document or used as an avatar.

Hanko designs can be very elaborate but since I would not be able to control the  display medium  I drew a single character within a square box using a stylized hiragana form of the character shi, the first of  my name. The enclosing box was a set of  Bézier curves and I saved the drawing as a PNG-file to preserve transparency such that an underlying image or background colour would be visible.

Although I initially intended to use the hanko only in digital form, recently I printed calling cards which included it. Peter Sherk of Haddon Press submitted three designs of which I chose the one below.

Although I have been interested in graphic design since childhood, my hanko project reminded me that there is much to think about before any work is begun. To anyone embarking on a similar activity I recommend two articles on the topic of Logo design written by Steve Naegele in February 2010, in his blog, A Sumtyme Blog of Knowthing. Whether you are thinking of doing it yourself or sending it out to the pros, read this first; you are tying your life to the results.

Damn Good Tartare Sauce

I like tartare sauce; I always have. I eat it with fish and seafood, but for the ultimate treat, with steak tartare.

Most recipes, including this one, are based on the classic combination of mayonnaise and finely chopped ingredients. My variation is to use the capers whole and coarsely chop everything else. Warning; do not substitute relish for pickled cucumber. This is not a family secret recipe handed down over generations. I dreamed it up and whipped it up for the first time about ten years ago. It is named after my initial reaction to my first taste.

Tartare Sauce

• 45 g (3 tbsp) Whole capers
• 45 g (3 tbsp) Red onion
• 45 g (3 tbsp) Pickled cucumber or dill pickle
• 30 g (2 tbsp) Parsley
• 75 g (5 tbsp) Mayonnaise

Coarsely chop the onion, cucumber and parsley so that the pieces are about the size of a caper. Mix all ingredients and chill in a refrigerator for a few hours, preferably overnight. Keep cool at all times, that applies to both you and the sauce. Serves one (if you’re fast.)

Did I mention that if you substitute relish for pickled cucumber a bolt of lightning will vaporise your barbecue?