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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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Side by side photo comparison: left Nokia, right iPhone
Side by side photo comparison: left Nokia, right iPhone
Ortlieb Urban: Textile appearance on the outside, polyurethane waterproofness on the inside
Ortlieb Urban: Textile appearance on the outside, polyurethane waterproofness on the inside
Access to accesoires from both sides of the
Access to accesoires from both sides of the "thing"
Google Privacy Policy - telling you what personal information is collected
Google Privacy Policy - telling you what personal information is collected
Ortlieb Urban daypack 15L
Ortlieb Urban daypack 15L
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
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
Inside the Ortlieb Urban Daypack - comfortably spacious
Inside the Ortlieb Urban Daypack - comfortably spacious
With the right apps and paired with a keyboard, the budget smartphone can do some serious work
With the right apps and paired with a keyboard, the budget smartphone can do some serious work
Adjustable straps without loose ends.
Adjustable straps without loose ends.
The Nokia 2 feels nice - even compared to an expensive iPhone
The Nokia 2 feels nice - even compared to an expensive iPhone
Landscape photo taken at the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen with the Nokia 2
Landscape photo taken at the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen with the Nokia 2
ThinkPad X200 running Debian GNU/Linux with OpenBox.
ThinkPad X200 running Debian GNU/Linux with OpenBox.
Limited storage is taken up by... Google.
Limited storage is taken up by... Google.
Plastic bag at work, with food inside protecting the contents of my commuting backpack
Plastic bag at work, with food inside protecting the contents of my commuting backpack
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...

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