Liberation

Why we clutter


VANITY TOYS charm bracelet (detail) © briserisvegliVANITY TOYS charm bracelet (detail) © briserisvegliWhy is it so hard to keep a place or a room free of clutter? Why do empty surfaces fill up with clutter, instantly? Why do items start to gather at the very places we've just cleaned a moment ago, as if moved by a ghost's hand?

It's about more than just clearing and cleaning.

When we clean places up, we want to believe we're creating free space. However, we're just creating a vacuum. What's the difference?  » Read more


GPD: Getting Presents Done


«Opening Gifts» © Omer Ziv«Opening Gifts» © Omer Ziv

Holidays and birthdays always come as such a surprise, don't they… ;-) ?

From secular occasions like wedding anniversaries, to Valentine's Day, to New Year, to religious events like Christmas, Layla tul Mehraj, Vesak, Holi or Passover - all around the globe, many people ask themselves every year: how can I make a friend or loved one happy and make or find a special present for her or him?

There are gifts to avoid, gifts you can do yourself (DIY) and appropriate times to start.  » Read more


Protect your inbox (5): Dispose of yourself


«Vieanna» © Ian Woods«Vieanna» © Ian WoodsHere's a disclaimer: I wrote this posting because I'm fed up with spammers, telemarketers and nosy companies that try to squeeze out each and every bit of information they can get from me, be it for resale, preparing unsolicited phone calls or mailing me their boring newsletters.

This article is for you if you feel the same. If you're looking for support in becoming Mr Fraud, please go away. And when you've read this posting, stay aware that everything mentioned here is available to everybody, and there is always somebody who may or even will try to use it against you. I recommend visiting the Digital Identity Forum for more thorough discussions of identity issues that go beyond practical aspects.

The fifth part of this mini series on protecting your inbox shows you how to maintain temporary inboxes that yo can dispose of at any time, whenever they start getting abused.  » Read more


@Computer: Declare your software independence, Part Two


The goal of the Ported Open Source Software (POSS) label is simple: to point you to applications that you can safely install on any of your computers and use it for years to come, whether you're online or not, whether you switch to a new operating system or not, whether you can afford buying a new machine every year or not.

In The second part of this mini-series, I'm listing the packages that I'd never want to miss on the systems I use. It's a limited, subjective selection and I'd love to hear from you, in the comments below or via email, about great software that meets the 4 POSS criteria (for  » Read more


Tim Ferriss' The 4-Hour Workweek (5/5): Getting away from it all - Liberation


To work only four hours per week and still lead a life of adventure and luxury - Tim Ferriss says you can do it, in his book «The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich».

This is Part 5 of my series on T4HWW. An overview of the series can be found here.

Getting away from it all - Liberation

It's not a specific income, car or family what defines the «middle class» - says Tim Ferriss. But being bound to one place. Being chained  » Read more