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Business in a bag

Using a waterproof backpack to fit my gear

Dec. 22, 2018
After much testing I have selected a bag and set of cases to fit my entire business, wherever I go.

Over the past few months I have been testing different bags and cases to fit everything I need to run my business. As I commute by bike, the bag needs to be waterproof. The problem with waterproof gear is that it is usually very bulky. I need my gear to be both portable and representative, a challenge worth a blog post!

Using a budget Android as main smartphone

Comparing a Nokia (€99) with an iPhone (€1329)

Oct. 9, 2018
I switched to Android to find out how good a budget smartphone performs compared to an expensive iPhone.

Every now and then, I switch phones to keep track of mobile developments. As professional app and web developer, I need to know how different devices work in real life. This time I used a budget Android smartphone, making me curious how it would compare to an expensive iPhone.

Lessons from a takeaway plastic bag

My ever increasing antipathy to planned obsolescence

Jan. 8, 2018
How we're tricked into repeated purchases replacing perfectly fine products just for the sake of change.

About five months ago I got some take away food from our local Asian restaurant. They packaged the food and gave me a plastic bag to carry it home. On my way home I was thinking about the bag. Although it has some nice styling printed on it, it's designed for single use only. What a waste... making me wonder: how long would it last if you would use it on a daily basis?

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Me wearing the hardcore Ortlieb Velocity bag through bad weather, fantastic but a little bit bulky...
Me wearing the hardcore Ortlieb Velocity bag through bad weather, fantastic but a little bit bulky...
The iPad can be charged while tucked away in its case
The iPad can be charged while tucked away in its case
LG Nexus 5 running the latest version of Chrome (v63)
LG Nexus 5 running the latest version of Chrome (v63)
Hardgraft iPhone cash card wallet
Hardgraft iPhone cash card wallet
iPhone running iOS and Nokia running Android
iPhone running iOS and Nokia running Android
Packing it together, Hardgraft and Ortlieb
Packing it together, Hardgraft and Ortlieb
Inside the Ortlieb Urban Daypack - comfortably spacious
Inside the Ortlieb Urban Daypack - comfortably spacious
The case has a high-end feeling because of its high quality finish and details
The case has a high-end feeling because of its high quality finish and details
Compared to iPhone the Nokia 2 is about the same size
Compared to iPhone the Nokia 2 is about the same size
Opening the same page on iPhone and Android
Opening the same page on iPhone and Android
Landscape photo taken at the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen with the Nokia 2
Landscape photo taken at the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen with the Nokia 2
All I need to do my business - really!
All I need to do my business - really!
The entire budget Android smartphone costs about as much as just one iPhone earpiece!
The entire budget Android smartphone costs about as much as just one iPhone earpiece!
This is a web page in
This is a web page in "reader mode" on iOS, full focus on web content without distractions
Limited storage is taken up by... Google.
Limited storage is taken up by... Google.
Access to accesoires from both sides of the
Access to accesoires from both sides of the "thing"
Battery life is measured in days - fantastic!
Battery life is measured in days - fantastic!
ThinkPad X200 running Debian GNU/Linux with OpenBox.
ThinkPad X200 running Debian GNU/Linux with OpenBox.

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