Notes — Chris Armstrong https://armstrong.is/notes/ Short things from Chris Armstrong, mirrored with Mastodon. en As lyrics go, “Wake up in the morning feeling like P Diddy” has aged… https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-07-23-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-07-23-a/ As lyrics go, “Wake up in the morning feeling like P Diddy” has aged poorly As lyrics go, “Wake up in the morning feeling like P Diddy” has aged poorly

]]> Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:03:21 +0000 Macromedia Figma https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-06-24-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-06-24-a/ Macromedia Figma Macromedia Figma

]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2026 22:03:34 +0000 Anybody got experience getting vinyl signage made? I’m working with… https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-06-15-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-06-15-a/ Anybody got experience getting vinyl signage made? I’m working with two styles: white text on black, and black text on gold. On screen, it's feeling like I need to bump the weight of the black text up a little to optically match the white text... is that just a screen/backlit thing, or does this also happen with printed vinyl? Anybody got experience getting vinyl signage made?

I’m working with two styles: white text on black, and black text on gold.

On screen, it's feeling like I need to bump the weight of the black text up a little to optically match the white text... is that just a screen/backlit thing, or does this also happen with printed vinyl?

]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2026 18:07:09 +0000 This is lovely bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20ygdde4djo https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-06-13-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-06-13-a/ This is lovely bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20ygdde4djo This is lovely

bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20ygdde4djo

]]> Sat, 13 Jun 2026 13:40:00 +0000 Look we all have our own way of dealing with current events and mine… https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-06-11-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-06-11-a/ Look we all have our own way of dealing with current events and mine is using AI to make stupid games on my lunchbreak get-soaked.net Look we all have our own way of dealing with current events and mine is using AI to make stupid games on my lunchbreak get-soaked.net

]]> Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:39:39 +0000 Not sure which is more twisted: that these morons believe that… https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-06-09-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-06-09-a/ Not sure which is more twisted: that these morons believe that burning busses and terrorising families is somehow “defending their local community”, or that they only do it while the sun is shining Not sure which is more twisted: that these morons believe that burning busses and terrorising families is somehow “defending their local community”, or that they only do it while the sun is shining

]]> Tue, 09 Jun 2026 22:28:02 +0000 They literally just announced equal corner radii as a keynote… https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-06-08-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-06-08-a/ They literally just announced equal corner radii as a keynote feature #wwdc26 They literally just announced equal corner radii as a keynote feature #wwdc26

]]> Mon, 08 Jun 2026 17:11:25 +0000 Cute tiled “LA” ligature spotted near Sundbyberg, Stockholm https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-06-07-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-06-07-a/ Cute tiled “LA” ligature spotted near Sundbyberg, Stockholm Cute tiled “LA” ligature spotted near Sundbyberg, Stockholm

]]> Sun, 07 Jun 2026 19:50:47 +0000 Just had Spotify recommend an AI song to me. Weird thing was I kinda… https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-06-01-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-06-01-a/ Just had Spotify recommend an AI song to me. Weird thing was I kinda liked it, went to look up the artist, and then instantly lost interest when I realised it was a robot. I’m generally optimistic about AI, and have been pretty ambivalent about Spotify till now... but this feels icky. Like a restaurant trying to get away with swapping out organic ingredients for cheaper processed crap. Just had Spotify recommend an AI song to me. Weird thing was I kinda liked it, went to look up the artist, and then instantly lost interest when I realised it was a robot.

I’m generally optimistic about AI, and have been pretty ambivalent about Spotify till now... but this feels icky. Like a restaurant trying to get away with swapping out organic ingredients for cheaper processed crap.

]]> Mon, 01 Jun 2026 13:37:00 +0000 Anyone in London for D&AD today? https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-05-20-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-05-20-a/ Anyone in London for D&AD today? Anyone in London for D&AD today?

]]> Wed, 20 May 2026 08:33:59 +0000 I like big bots and I cannot lie https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-05-19-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-05-19-a/ I like big bots and I cannot lie I like big bots and I cannot lie

]]> Tue, 19 May 2026 13:59:04 +0000 Spring is springing https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-05-17-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-05-17-a/ Spring is springing Spring is springing

]]> Sun, 17 May 2026 09:09:20 +0000 OH: “I’ve never made a font but it’s not meant to be that difficult” https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-05-14-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-05-14-a/ OH: “I’ve never made a font but it’s not meant to be that difficult” OH: “I’ve never made a font but it’s not meant to be that difficult”

]]> Thu, 14 May 2026 11:37:31 +0000 “No one can ruin email in a product meeting” This article by @tg is… https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-05-12-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-05-12-a/ “No one can ruin email in a product meeting” This article by @tg is equal parts poetic and reassuring, and very worth your time. terrygodier.com/the-boring-internet “No one can ruin email in a product meeting”

This article by @tg is equal parts poetic and reassuring, and very worth your time.

terrygodier.com/the-boring-internet

]]> Tue, 12 May 2026 04:10:13 +0000 Opportunity to do something pretty funny at Stockholm airport https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-05-08-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-05-08-a/ Opportunity to do something pretty funny at Stockholm airport Opportunity to do something pretty funny at Stockholm airport

]]> Fri, 08 May 2026 21:11:45 +0000 @mwichary is this Gorton? youtu.be/GZRvQDMBEOE?si=2d0k4_YleIASrUmo https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-05-04-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-05-04-a/ @mwichary is this Gorton? youtu.be/GZRvQDMBEOE?si=2d0k4_YleIASrUmo @mwichary is this Gorton? youtu.be/GZRvQDMBEOE?si=2d0k4_YleIASrUmo

]]> Mon, 04 May 2026 17:26:40 +0000 Current view https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-05-01-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-05-01-a/ Current view Current view

]]> Fri, 01 May 2026 17:43:01 +0000 Sometimes I remember that we used to think icon fonts were a good idea https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-04-17-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-04-17-a/ Sometimes I remember that we used to think icon fonts were a good idea Sometimes I remember that we used to think icon fonts were a good idea

]]> Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:08:53 +0000 Easter Monday, 2026 https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-04-07-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-04-07-a/ Easter Monday, 2026 Easter Monday, 2026

]]> Tue, 07 Apr 2026 08:06:21 +0000 Gutted I didn’t know this was happening: 1,000 drones used to… https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-04-03-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-04-03-a/ Gutted I didn’t know this was happening: 1,000 drones used to recreate life-sized Titanic sailing out of Belfast Harbour youtube.com/shorts/hYw-bCT2lF0?si=BZ6z7HUw38Y55nBB Gutted I didn’t know this was happening: 1,000 drones used to recreate life-sized Titanic sailing out of Belfast Harbour

youtube.com/shorts/hYw-bCT2lF0?si=BZ6z7HUw38Y55nBB

]]> Fri, 03 Apr 2026 23:23:37 +0000 Just backed the Design Reviewed book, looks great… https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-04-02-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-04-02-a/ Just backed the Design Reviewed book, looks great vol.co/collections/design-reviewed Just backed the Design Reviewed book, looks great vol.co/collections/design-reviewed

]]> Thu, 02 Apr 2026 16:57:15 +0000 The moon launch has to be in the evening because space is at night… https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-04-01-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-04-01-a/ The moon launch has to be in the evening because space is at night Big day for flat earthers The moon launch has to be in the evening because space is at night

Big day for flat earthers

]]> Wed, 01 Apr 2026 19:53:17 +0000 Well this is insane and beautiful and I love it… https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-03-30-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-03-30-a/ Well this is insane and beautiful and I love it illustrated-manuscript.vercel.app Another great pretext experiment by Lydia Shan @ Spotify rainy-day-five.vercel.app Well this is insane and beautiful and I love it illustrated-manuscript.vercel.app

Another great pretext experiment by Lydia Shan @ Spotify rainy-day-five.vercel.app

]]> Mon, 30 Mar 2026 12:25:58 +0000 RE: typo.social/@jasonsantamaria/116290231175044646 Those are some… https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-03-25-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-03-25-a/ RE: typo.social/@jasonsantamaria/116290231175044646 Those are some very tasty numerals RE: typo.social/@jasonsantamaria/116290231175044646

Those are some very tasty numerals

]]> Wed, 25 Mar 2026 18:33:02 +0000 I feel like Last One Laughing: Scotland would be a draw https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-03-24-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-03-24-a/ I feel like Last One Laughing: Scotland would be a draw I feel like Last One Laughing: Scotland would be a draw

]]> Tue, 24 Mar 2026 19:44:02 +0000 Schindler’s Lift https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-03-22-b/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-03-22-b/ Schindler’s Lift Schindler’s Lift

]]> Sun, 22 Mar 2026 20:13:34 +0000 The toilet paper on Swedish trains is impressively good quality https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-03-22-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-03-22-a/ The toilet paper on Swedish trains is impressively good quality The toilet paper on Swedish trains is impressively good quality

]]> Sun, 22 Mar 2026 19:03:23 +0000 This is excellent internet gradient.horse https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-03-16-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-03-16-a/ This is excellent internet gradient.horse This is excellent internet gradient.horse

]]> Mon, 16 Mar 2026 12:09:32 +0000 Swedish people saying 77 sounds like my gran trying to wolf whistle… https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-03-10-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-03-10-a/ Swedish people saying 77 sounds like my gran trying to wolf whistle youtube.com/shorts/nTBi0zBT6WM?is=G5yxZD95o_ELkXIl Swedish people saying 77 sounds like my gran trying to wolf whistle youtube.com/shorts/nTBi0zBT6WM?is=G5yxZD95o_ELkXIl

]]> Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:09:47 +0000 Hi my name is Chris and my chosen pendantry is when people say… https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-03-06-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-03-06-a/ Hi my name is Chris and my chosen pendantry is when people say “there’s nothing worse than…” unless it’s literal cancer, war or similar. Hi my name is Chris and my chosen pendantry is when people say “there’s nothing worse than…” unless it’s literal cancer, war or similar.

]]> Fri, 06 Mar 2026 18:03:22 +0000 Niice is officially a teenager today. I’m so old. https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-02-25-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-02-25-a/ Niice is officially a teenager today. I’m so old. Niice is officially a teenager today. I’m so old.

]]> Wed, 25 Feb 2026 22:03:44 +0000 RE: typo.social/@mark/116088464977959327 That mad genius @mark has… https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-02-17-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-02-17-a/ RE: typo.social/@mark/116088464977959327 That mad genius @mark has mapped out the entire type industry, complete with a galaxy view. Go feast your eyes on some fonts: type.lol RE: typo.social/@mark/116088464977959327

That mad genius @mark has mapped out the entire type industry, complete with a galaxy view.

Go feast your eyes on some fonts: type.lol

]]> Tue, 17 Feb 2026 23:08:53 +0000 That sound you hear is Don Norman having an aneurysm https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-02-16-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-02-16-a/ That sound you hear is Don Norman having an aneurysm That sound you hear is Don Norman having an aneurysm

]]> Mon, 16 Feb 2026 08:56:10 +0000 Problematic* content aside, how gorgeous is this old book cover? *I… https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-02-14-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-02-14-a/ Problematic* content aside, how gorgeous is this old book cover? *I presume Problematic* content aside, how gorgeous is this old book cover?

*I presume

]]> Sat, 14 Feb 2026 22:03:48 +0000 Just realised the reason there are pigeons everywhere is because… https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-02-09-b/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-02-09-b/ Just realised the reason there are pigeons everywhere is because they were the pre-industrial comms network. Nature’s telephone boxes. Just realised the reason there are pigeons everywhere is because they were the pre-industrial comms network. Nature’s telephone boxes.

]]> Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:42:37 +0000 Just spent 15mins trying to figure out how to sign a document on my… https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-02-09-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-02-09-a/ Just spent 15mins trying to figure out how to sign a document on my iPhone. Tried Files (no luck), then moved to Word (no luck), eventually found it in some obscure menu in Pages… after battling past several ads for Apple’s new subscription. Then airdropping it didn’t work, so I sent it via WhatsApp… at which point I realised WhatsApp has annotation built-in, so I probably should have just used it to begin with. What are we doing here people. Just spent 15mins trying to figure out how to sign a document on my iPhone. Tried Files (no luck), then moved to Word (no luck), eventually found it in some obscure menu in Pages… after battling past several ads for Apple’s new subscription.

Then airdropping it didn’t work, so I sent it via WhatsApp… at which point I realised WhatsApp has annotation built-in, so I probably should have just used it to begin with.

What are we doing here people.

]]> Mon, 09 Feb 2026 15:50:02 +0000 Le poop. #sixnations2026 https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-02-05-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-02-05-a/ Le poop. #sixnations2026 Le poop.

#sixnations2026

]]> Thu, 05 Feb 2026 21:58:35 +0000 RE: mastodon.social/@verge/116003556619412722 Pour one out for Flash https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-02-02-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-02-02-a/ RE: mastodon.social/@verge/116003556619412722 Pour one out for Flash RE: mastodon.social/@verge/116003556619412722

Pour one out for Flash

]]> Mon, 02 Feb 2026 23:42:16 +0000 @mwichary just read your post about Dwarf Fortress, I think you… https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-01-24-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-01-24-a/ @mwichary just read your post about Dwarf Fortress, I think you might enjoy the (quite heartwarming) documentary about its development youtube.com/watch?v=MxV24so-dw8 @mwichary just read your post about Dwarf Fortress, I think you might enjoy the (quite heartwarming) documentary about its development youtube.com/watch?v=MxV24so-dw8

]]> Sat, 24 Jan 2026 16:49:36 +0000 It’s January 21st https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-01-21-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-01-21-a/ It’s January 21st It’s January 21st

]]> Wed, 21 Jan 2026 21:03:54 +0000 It’s crazy how quickly automatic language translation in apps is no… https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-01-17-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-01-17-a/ It’s crazy how quickly automatic language translation in apps is no longer impressive, it’s just expected… like flicking a light switch. It’s crazy how quickly automatic language translation in apps is no longer impressive, it’s just expected… like flicking a light switch.

]]> Sat, 17 Jan 2026 10:25:47 +0000 Lovely project exploring handwriting styles around the world by… https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-01-16-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-01-16-a/ Lovely project exploring handwriting styles around the world by @typetogether primarium.info Lovely project exploring handwriting styles around the world by @typetogether
primarium.info

]]> Fri, 16 Jan 2026 10:38:25 +0000 TIL that the main melody of “Feel it still” by Portugal. The Man is… https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-01-07-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-01-07-a/ TIL that the main melody of “Feel it still” by Portugal. The Man is a riff on “Please Mr. Postman” by the Marvelettes Also that song is somehow nearly 9 years old?? TIL that the main melody of “Feel it still” by Portugal. The Man is a riff on “Please Mr. Postman” by the Marvelettes

Also that song is somehow nearly 9 years old??

]]> Wed, 07 Jan 2026 22:38:45 +0000 Whaaaaaat mastodon.social/@jimniels/115841023208902327 https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-01-05-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2026-01-05-a/ Whaaaaaat mastodon.social/@jimniels/115841023208902327 Whaaaaaat
mastodon.social/@jimniels/115841023208902327

]]> Mon, 05 Jan 2026 10:10:31 +0000 Brb updating bio https://armstrong.is/notes/2025-12-29-c/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2025-12-29-c/ Brb updating bio Brb updating bio

]]> Mon, 29 Dec 2025 16:58:15 +0000 Finally getting around to playing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and… https://armstrong.is/notes/2025-12-29-b/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2025-12-29-b/ Finally getting around to playing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and holy moly this is a beautiful game Oof… that opening scene. First time I’ve ever welled up at a game and this just managed it in under 15mins Finally getting around to playing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and holy moly this is a beautiful game

Oof… that opening scene. First time I’ve ever welled up at a game and this just managed it in under 15mins

]]> Mon, 29 Dec 2025 14:53:54 +0000 Harry Potter and It’s Obviously The Professor of the Dark Arts https://armstrong.is/notes/2025-12-29-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2025-12-29-a/ Harry Potter and It’s Obviously The Professor of the Dark Arts Harry Potter and It’s Obviously The Professor of the Dark Arts

]]> Mon, 29 Dec 2025 11:26:44 +0000 Two films into watching the Harry Potter franchise for the first… https://armstrong.is/notes/2025-12-26-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2025-12-26-a/ Two films into watching the Harry Potter franchise for the first time. Finding the school faculty’s cavalier disregard for student safety highly concerning. Two films into watching the Harry Potter franchise for the first time. Finding the school faculty’s cavalier disregard for student safety highly concerning.

]]> Fri, 26 Dec 2025 20:02:47 +0000 @FediTree tree me https://armstrong.is/notes/2025-12-25-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2025-12-25-a/ @FediTree tree me @FediTree tree me

]]> Thu, 25 Dec 2025 19:01:31 +0000 Things I’ve learned during my first Christmas on Åland, Finland: #1… https://armstrong.is/notes/2025-12-24-a/ https://armstrong.is/notes/2025-12-24-a/ Things I’ve learned during my first Christmas on Åland, Finland: #1 The Swedish call Jiminy Cricket “Benjamin Syrsa” (Benjamin Cricket), the Finns call him Samu Sirkka (Samuel Cricket) #2 Apparently it’s really common for Santa to come and deliver the gifts face to face on Christmas Eve (rather than coming down the chimney while you’re sleeping). Makes sense that his route starts here I guess. #3 Mustard is a Christmas thing here. Cranberry sauce is not. #4 At 4pm on Christmas Eve, all of Sweden stops what it’s doing to watch a 1958 Disney Christmas Special, dubbed into Swedish youtu.be/4FqEM20nG5E?feature=shared Things I’ve learned during my first Christmas on Åland, Finland:

#1

The Swedish call Jiminy Cricket “Benjamin Syrsa” (Benjamin Cricket), the Finns call him Samu Sirkka (Samuel Cricket)

#2

Apparently it’s really common for Santa to come and deliver the gifts face to face on Christmas Eve (rather than coming down the chimney while you’re sleeping). Makes sense that his route starts here I guess.

#3

Mustard is a Christmas thing here. Cranberry sauce is not.

#4

At 4pm on Christmas Eve, all of Sweden stops what it’s doing to watch a 1958 Disney Christmas Special, dubbed into Swedish youtu.be/4FqEM20nG5E?feature=shared

]]> Wed, 24 Dec 2025 12:52:14 +0000