{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1","title":"Micro.blog - Phil Bowell","home_page_url":"https://micro.blog","feed_url":"https://micro.blog/posts/philbowell","_microblog":{"about":"https://micro.blog/about/api","id":"230","username":"philbowell","bio":"I'm a Christian, a UX/UI designer, and a gadget fan who lives in Cheltenham, UK.šŸ“󠁧󠁢󠁄󠁮󠁧ó æ šŸ‡®šŸ‡± šŸŸ¦","pronouns":"","is_following":false,"is_you":false,"following_count":96,"discover_count":0},"author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://avatars.micro.blog/avatars/2022/230.jpg"},"items":[{"id":"88991699","content_html":"

@ChrisJWilson perfect excuse for notebook shopping!

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/philbowell/88991699","date_published":"2026-04-25T16:43:56+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-25 16:43","date_timestamp":1777135436,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"88979688","content_html":"

@kev same, I now have 3 Lamyā€™s and struggling to resist another one šŸ˜¬

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/philbowell/88979688","date_published":"2026-04-25T10:47:39+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-25 10:47","date_timestamp":1777114059,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"88839023","content_html":"

Interesting, Fastmail have shipped their own MCP server should you wish to try it. I like that services are trying this out rather than trying to find ways to build AI into their services.

\n","summary":"","url":"https://philbowell.me/2026/04/23/interesting-fastmail-have-shipped-their.html","date_published":"2026-04-23T08:56:18+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-23 08:56","date_timestamp":1776934578,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"88481357","content_html":"

@manton Iā€™m interested, are you all in on OpenAI or do you use others like Claude?

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/philbowell/88481357","date_published":"2026-04-17T22:11:26+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-17 22:11","date_timestamp":1776463886,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"88481314","content_html":"

@ChrisJWilson Iā€™m not sure how it will be, we have some devs with access to Claude code, I think they will feel the pressure more than us in UX. Iā€™m not using it for design, but I would like to make more use for prototypes etc as part of the design process but weā€™re not setup for that yet.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/philbowell/88481314","date_published":"2026-04-17T22:10:41+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-17 22:10","date_timestamp":1776463841,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"88451169","content_html":"

@ChrisJWilson Yep, I think GEO is in the accompanying deck as well. Weā€™ve just had an AI awareness week introducing the company AI policy and approved tools.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/philbowell/88451169","date_published":"2026-04-17T15:25:19+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-17 15:25","date_timestamp":1776439519,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"88449223","content_html":"

And so it begins, work just sent an email around to the marking BUā€”which my UX team now sits inā€”about AEO. Answer Engine Optimisation. The new SEO is here.

\n","summary":"","url":"https://philbowell.me/2026/04/17/and-so-it-begins-work.html","date_published":"2026-04-17T14:44:59+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-17 14:44","date_timestamp":1776437099,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"88247880","content_html":"

@manton very nice and calm UI šŸ‘šŸ»

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/philbowell/88247880","date_published":"2026-04-14T18:13:20+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-14 18:13","date_timestamp":1776190400,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"88227828","content_html":"

@jonhicks hmmm, looking into it now. I donā€™t see any settings in my Sonos account but when I view in Last.fm under application Sonos is there.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/philbowell/88227828","date_published":"2026-04-14T12:01:23+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-14 12:01","date_timestamp":1776168083,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"88164056","content_html":"

@jonhicks A mix of Apple Music and Plex. Seems to work with both so far.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/philbowell/88164056","date_published":"2026-04-13T14:21:20+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-13 14:21","date_timestamp":1776090080,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"88155320","content_html":"

@jonhicks ended up down a rabbit hole on your site about music apps. Thought I would let you know that Last.fm scribbling on Sonos is working again. Iā€™m not sure when it was fixed but seems to have been working for a while now.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/philbowell/88155320","date_published":"2026-04-13T10:58:28+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-13 10:58","date_timestamp":1776077908,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"88152806","content_html":"

Itā€™s roughly two weeks since I got my first new personal Mac since 2015 and Iā€™ve yet to comment on it. In short itā€™s an incredible machine. The upgrade is well worth it and I wish I had made the jump a little sooner. I am working on a piece to speak to all the differences Iā€™m noticing but for now I wanted to...

philbowell.me","summary":"","url":"https://philbowell.me/2026/04/13/its-roughly-two-weeks-since.html","date_published":"2026-04-13T10:04:44+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-13 10:04","date_timestamp":1776074684,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"88151986","content_html":"

This might be the first font I buy in years. Something about it feels really nice. Although I also like this one.

\n","summary":"","url":"https://philbowell.me/2026/04/13/this-might-be-the-first.html","date_published":"2026-04-13T09:42:43+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-13 09:42","date_timestamp":1776073363,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"88147281","content_html":"

@alpower beautiful shots.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/philbowell/88147281","date_published":"2026-04-13T07:29:21+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-13 07:29","date_timestamp":1776065361,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"87634153","content_html":"

@jthingelstad @manton definitely do this! Iā€™ve had coffee from Nomad in the UK and itā€™s superb.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/philbowell/87634153","date_published":"2026-04-05T09:27:12+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-05 09:27","date_timestamp":1775381232,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"87522009","content_html":"
\n

But he was wounded because of our crimes,\ncrushed because of our sins;\nthe disciplining that makes us whole fell on him,\nand by his bruises we are healed.

\nYesha 'yahu (Isa) 53:5 CJB\n
\n","summary":"","url":"https://philbowell.me/2026/04/03/but-he-was-wounded-because.html","date_published":"2026-04-03T09:45:02+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-03 09:45","date_timestamp":1775209502,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"87448055","content_html":"

@ChrisJWilson interesting, need to explore this!

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/philbowell/87448055","date_published":"2026-04-02T07:07:37+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-02 07:07","date_timestamp":1775113657,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"87388771","content_html":"

@ChrisJWilson certainly will be!

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/philbowell/87388771","date_published":"2026-04-01T12:07:45+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-01 12:07","date_timestamp":1775045265,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"87374841","content_html":"

@robertbreen thanks Robert! Iā€™m looking forward to it! Iā€™ve been using my iPad mostly for the last few years but some things are just too cumbersome and Iā€™ve been doing more creative work lately that needs a Mac. Finally took the plunge.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/philbowell/87374841","date_published":"2026-04-01T06:48:18+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-01 06:48","date_timestamp":1775026098,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"87349138","content_html":"

Finally pushed the go button on buying a new MacBook. M5 Air arrives tomorrow 11 years after I bought my last personal Mac.

\n","summary":"","url":"https://philbowell.me/2026/03/31/finally-pushed-the-go-button.html","date_published":"2026-03-31T21:35:06+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-31 21:35","date_timestamp":1774992906,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"87037356","content_html":"

@manton I have to use it for work and I know schools also require it.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/philbowell/87037356","date_published":"2026-03-26T22:30:49+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-26 22:30","date_timestamp":1774564249,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"86779999","content_html":"

@devondundee me too! I am always confused by that interface.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/philbowell/86779999","date_published":"2026-03-23T12:17:22+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-23 12:17","date_timestamp":1774268242,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"86612483","content_html":"

@manton I think the browser makes it messy. If it was just the chat and codex it might not be so bad.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/philbowell/86612483","date_published":"2026-03-20T15:45:30+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-20 15:45","date_timestamp":1774021530,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"86548170","content_html":"

@robertbreen itā€™s a small price but Wipr is excellent and works in Safari on all devices. I think it was about Ā£3 in the UK.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/philbowell/86548170","date_published":"2026-03-19T17:44:40+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-19 17:44","date_timestamp":1773942280,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"86451430","content_html":"

@calebgreene Oh interesting, I was misinformed. Maybe Iā€™ll give it another go.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/philbowell/86451430","date_published":"2026-03-18T11:33:47+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-18 11:33","date_timestamp":1773833627,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"86390795","content_html":"

@JohnBrady It seems Iā€™ve been under a rock for a while, I thought it was just Arc and then that was killed off for Dia. Giving Zen a try.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/philbowell/86390795","date_published":"2026-03-17T15:37:11+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-17 15:37","date_timestamp":1773761831,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"86390750","content_html":"

@calebgreene I did a long time ago but thought it was dead when Dia came out. I just downloaded Zen to give it a try.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/philbowell/86390750","date_published":"2026-03-17T15:36:35+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-17 15:36","date_timestamp":1773761795,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"86376167","content_html":"

With work I often need to jump into Chrome to use a particular website (the perils of being a Mac user in a largely Windows org), whilst I find it annoying it does give me a chance to use new features when they are released. I do really like have tabs on the side, I hope Safari in macOS 27 implements...

philbowell.me","summary":"","url":"https://philbowell.me/2026/03/17/with-work-i-often-need.html","date_published":"2026-03-17T11:10:31+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-17 11:10","date_timestamp":1773745831,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"86295410","content_html":"

@ChrisJWilson ha, I also have looked at Proton but when I tried the app something felt off. Iā€™ll probably end up on Apple Passwords and save the cash.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/philbowell/86295410","date_published":"2026-03-16T07:27:53+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-16 07:27","date_timestamp":1773646073,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"86238087","content_html":"

@ChrisJWilson same, what options are you considering?

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/philbowell/86238087","date_published":"2026-03-15T08:51:15+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-15 08:51","date_timestamp":1773564675,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"86111555","content_html":"

Iā€™ve several people linking to this piece by Sam Henri Gold for the same reason I am. It resonates with them.

\n

I got my first Mac in 2004, I was 19 turning 20, and about to head off to uni. I was a slightly older version of this quote:

\n
\n

Somewhere a kid is saving up for this. He has read every review. Watched the introduction video four or five times. Looked up every spec, every benchmark, every footnote. He has probably walked into an Apple Store and interrogated an employee about it ad nauseam. He knows the consensus. He knows itā€™s probably not the right tool for everything he wants to do.

\n

He has...

\n
philbowell.me","summary":"","url":"https://philbowell.me/2026/03/13/ive-several-people-linking-to.html","date_published":"2026-03-13T09:57:04+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-13 09:57","date_timestamp":1773395824,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"86110377","content_html":"

Took the plunge and cancelled my Feedbin account this morning before it renews. Iā€™ve been using Inkwell exclusively since I got beta access and itā€™s worked perfectly for me. No point in paying for something Iā€™m already getting in a service I use everyday and want to continue to support.

\n","summary":"","url":"https://philbowell.me/2026/03/13/took-the-plunge-and-cancelled.html","date_published":"2026-03-13T09:33:53+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-13 09:33","date_timestamp":1773394433,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"86093146","content_html":"

@tg excellent stuff!

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/philbowell/86093146","date_published":"2026-03-13T01:32:10+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-13 01:32","date_timestamp":1773365530,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"86086704","content_html":"

@tg any prospect of adding Inkwell as a sync engine to Currents?

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/philbowell/86086704","date_published":"2026-03-12T23:31:36+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-12 23:31","date_timestamp":1773358296,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"85971417","content_html":"

A lovely take on the new MacBook Neo which continues to try and woo me.

\n","summary":"","url":"https://philbowell.me/2026/03/11/a-lovely-take-on-the.html","date_published":"2026-03-11T13:02:07+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-11 13:02","date_timestamp":1773234127,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"85888600","content_html":"

Wonderful start to the day, mistyped my Mac password (one time) and it decided to lock me out for an hour. Currently trying to use my iPad do some Teams calls while I wait to get in.

\n","summary":"","url":"https://philbowell.me/2026/03/10/wonderful-start-to-the-day.html","date_published":"2026-03-10T09:19:19+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-10 09:19","date_timestamp":1773134359,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"85634565","content_html":"

Spent some time reworking my books page to become my shelf and only display what Iā€™ve read. Iā€™ve also built a new design as part of process, Iā€™d love to be able to add some other data to the books but as far as I can tell thereā€™s no way to customise the template micro.blog uses for books. This is all CSS and...

philbowell.me","summary":"","url":"https://philbowell.me/2026/03/06/spent-some-time-reworking-my.html","date_published":"2026-03-06T13:02:25+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-06 13:02","date_timestamp":1772802145,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"85488259","content_html":"

MacBook Neo looks fun! I kind of want one to replace my 11 year old MacBook Pro.

\n","summary":"","url":"https://philbowell.me/2026/03/04/macbook-neo-looks-fun-i.html","date_published":"2026-03-04T14:31:07+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-04 14:31","date_timestamp":1772634667,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"85478350","content_html":"
\n

The times it actually worked for me were the times I stopped caring about what went into it. My notebook is full of rubbish. Meeting notes, food orders, half-thoughts that trail off mid-sentence. Itā€™s a mess, and that mess is exactly what makes it mine.

\n
\n

This. Iā€™ve been through many notebooks and journaling phases over the years, but the last year or so have been the most consistent journaling Iā€™ve done. Itā€™s for the very same reason Greg says here. I stopped caring what went in it. My notebook became my everything place. No delineation between work and not work, theyā€™re both life. Everything goes in...

philbowell.me","summary":"","url":"https://philbowell.me/2026/03/04/the-times-it-actually-worked.html","date_published":"2026-03-04T11:19:57+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-04 11:19","date_timestamp":1772623197,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"85398651","content_html":"\n

Finished reading: Mr Wilmanā€™s Motoring Adventure by Andy Wilman šŸ“š

\n

Another book I got for Christmas and a fun read with a peek behind the scenes of one of my favourite TV programmes. I watched Top Gear from the first episode when I was in my early twenties until the final Grand Tour episode.

\n","summary":"","url":"https://philbowell.me/2026/03/03/finished-reading-mr-wilmans-motoring.html","date_published":"2026-03-03T09:47:50+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-03 09:47","date_timestamp":1772531270,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"85397452","content_html":"

Susan Sontagā€™s Playground of Ideas:

\n
\n

Throw-out note-taking categories: Sontagā€™s notebooks resist categorization. They include quotations, like a commonplace book; they include confessions, like a diary; they include travel schedules; they include clippings like a scrapbook. Often, with notes, we can get caught up in labels (is this a diary or a journal?) but the truth is that once a notebook gets into an individualā€™s hands, those categories cease to hold as much sway.

\n
\n

This is where I find myself landing in my own notebooks. They are a mix of stuff, meeting notes, journal entries, book quotes, doodles,...

philbowell.me","summary":"","url":"https://philbowell.me/2026/03/03/susan-sontags-playground-of-ideas.html","date_published":"2026-03-03T09:15:02+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-03 09:15","date_timestamp":1772529302,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"83960173","content_html":"

Fastmail and Kagi have a new deal so Iā€™ve signed up for three months of Kagi to give it a real test and see how I like it.

\n","summary":"","url":"https://philbowell.me/2026/02/10/fastmail-and-kagi-have-a.html","date_published":"2026-02-10T10:04:35+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-02-10 10:04","date_timestamp":1770717875,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"83895188","content_html":"

Thanks to the Super Bowl I came across the Blue Square Alliance standing up to Jewish hate. I hope they begin work in the UK as well. šŸŸ¦

\n","summary":"","url":"https://philbowell.me/2026/02/09/thanks-to-the-super-bowl.html","date_published":"2026-02-09T11:39:27+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-02-09 11:39","date_timestamp":1770637167,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"83888130","content_html":"\n

Got this for Christmas and slowly getting myself ready to read it, Iā€™ve a feeling it will be a hard one to read.

\n

Hostage by Eli Sharabi šŸ“š

\n","summary":"","url":"https://philbowell.me/2026/02/09/got-this-for-christmas-and.html","date_published":"2026-02-09T07:38:41+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-02-09 07:38","date_timestamp":1770622721,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"83552288","content_html":"

I found out thereā€™s a whole world of jailbreaking Kindleā€™s and this is very intriguing.

\n","summary":"","url":"https://philbowell.me/2026/02/04/i-found-out-theres-a.html","date_published":"2026-02-04T11:00:39+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-02-04 11:00","date_timestamp":1770202839,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"83046948","content_html":"

Came across this rather wonderfully designed website called Making Software a couple of days ago. Havenā€™t been able to bring myself to close the tab. Exceptional.

\n","summary":"","url":"https://philbowell.me/2026/01/28/came-across-this-rather-wonderfully.html","date_published":"2026-01-28T10:27:41+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-01-28 10:27","date_timestamp":1769596061,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"83040202","content_html":"\n

Finished reading: Raven Black by Ann Cleeves šŸ“š

\n

Really enjoyed this, Iā€™ve no doubt I shall be reading the rest of the series this year.

\n","summary":"","url":"https://philbowell.me/2026/01/28/finished-reading-raven-black-by.html","date_published":"2026-01-28T07:36:56+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-01-28 07:36","date_timestamp":1769585816,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"82681662","content_html":"

fifth session at the gym this morning. Wasnā€™t feeling great this morning, sore throat, tired, but decided not to text my PT cry off. Went anyway and feel better after it. It felt hard today, but glad I went.

\n","summary":"","url":"https://philbowell.me/2026/01/23/fifth-session-at-the-gym.html","date_published":"2026-01-23T10:56:56+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-01-23 10:56","date_timestamp":1769165816,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"81955798","content_html":"

Well thatā€™s a fast way to make me not want to use your service. The only thing I can think itā€™s detecting is iCloud Private Relay, but yeh, not signing up.

\n\"Screenshot\n","summary":"","url":"https://philbowell.me/2026/01/13/well-thats-a-fast-way.html","date_published":"2026-01-13T12:25:58+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-01-13 12:25","date_timestamp":1768307158,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"81455522","content_html":"I have set myself one goal this year: read one page of a book per day.\n\nI love reading. It relaxes me in a way that nothing else does, and yet I donā€™t read as often as I would like. Reviewing Book Tracker the other day I noticed there were 3 months when I only read a book two or three times (June, Septembe... philbowell.me","summary":"","url":"https://philbowell.me/2026/01/06/i-have-set-myself-one.html","date_published":"2026-01-06T10:57:34+00:00","author":{"name":"Phil Bowell","url":"https://philbowell.me","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F230.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"philbowell"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-01-06 10:57","date_timestamp":1767697054,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}}]}