Five Links #14
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Absorbing
Five links for your inbox from this week.
1. Cal.com
Cal.com is a calendar scheduling tool with an open source option to self-host.
2. Considerations for building multi-lingual sites
This is a super-helpful article on things to think about when building a site that uses multiple languages. From font choices to CSS, there’s a lot to consider.
3. W3C’s definition of tracking
Tracking is the collection of data regarding a particular user's activity across multiple distinct contexts and the retention, use, or sharing of data derived from that activity outside the context in which it occurred. A context is a set of resources that are controlled by the same party or jointly controlled by a set of parties.
This definition is worth committing to memory, particularly for discussions around adtech and tracking. A good example of this is Apple and their App Tracking Transparency – a feature that gives users a simple yes/no choice as to whether an app can track them.
Ever since this was introduced in iOS 14.5, the adtech industry has complained that this harms their business model while allowing Apple to target users based on the data they collect. The argument goes something like this:
Apple’s privacy changes only impact 3rd-party app developers + their rules don’t apply to them. Their definition of tracking is hypocritical.
But the W3C definition shows that Apple’s definition is correct.
Incidentally, Apple recently reported that App Store ads performed better with personalisaton turned off. They could go all-in on contextual ads and put that argument to bed once and for all.
4. Rectangle
Free and open source window resizer for macOS.
5. Cory Doctorow on unfair contract clauses
A wonderful read for all freelancers. It covers common contract terms to avoid and, most helpfully, highlights the tricky situations that crop up when terms aren’t discussed upfront.
Projects + other things
- What’s the deal with privacy-focused analytics? If you start looking at how to make a website more privacy-focused, analytics will come up almost immediately. Why is this such a hot topic?
- Scruples: we’re booking new projects from August.
- My Unoffice Hours are available every other Wednesday. Next slot: July 27th.
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Until next time,
Dave