First off, thanks to all the people who have subscribed to this newsletter experiment so far! Second, in my years doing content, I’ve always found Fridays to be frustrating. Namely because people are (understandably) getting ready (either mentally, physically, or both) for the weekend, and so I’ve found that basically no one reads anything after around noon, local time. Hence, why the Friday Afternoon News Dump™ exists!
Anyway, figured I’d use Fridays from time to time to ask for thoughts/feedback here. Seems like a good use case for Substack’s “Threads” feature, if nothing else. 🍻
I like the added photos. I like the increased frequency. It’s short enough that I get through it each time I read it. I’ll add my vote that I like the preamble, but I can see how it can get tricky not to go too long and turn into a 500ish post. I think I like the more varied topics vs one singular topic for the links. Always enjoy your writing and insights!
Hi MG like the new 5ish format. Enjoyed the old format as well, but this new one reminds me of another favorite site, daring fireball. Love the brevity of the approach and like that it lands in my inbox. It’s there for me to go through; there is no way to forget it. It usually takes me less than 10 minutes to go through. Perfect for checking on the go. I usually don’t follow the links but gat all my info from your takes. I dislike the interruption of moving away from mail to another app, it disrupts my flow. Please continue the great work 👍
The context and commentary is always a highlight for me. I don’t always click through but I read every highlight and commentary every email. Only other digest I do that with is Farnam Street.
Happy Friday, M.G.! For what it’s worth, I like the newsletter preamble. It’s the beginning of a conversation, like friends talking over beers. The “how’s it going?” before diving into deeper topics. It’s what makes your writing, well, uniquely M.G. And, I suspect, one of the reasons so many of us continue to read your stuff over the years. Have a great weekend🍻
I mostly miss that really sweet 80's-inspired header logo from First Draught. But, as always, the content is on point. I don't mind the new format, although I did really like the longer intro (totally get that this is super time-consuming!).
I'm enjoying the Substack format. While I don't think it's necessary to kill all images, I do like more of a text focus. Think Gruber with Daringfireball, he uses zero images. Though, don't think you need to throw out the baby with the bath water in that regard. With respect to the commentary, that's why I follow you. :) If it were just links with excerpts, I would find that much less interesting. Finally, about frequency, I may be a minority but I prefer less. It's partially self serving, I just don't want more email. But also, I think it'll tighten the quality of the links when you do share. There's a lot out there this is just semi-interesting. By focusing on less, the best of what you uncover/think about should naturally rise to the top. Like a couple times per month frequency is perfect for me.
Voting for more parenting content in your newsletter. As a new-ish parent, that would be insightful to me. Apart from all the other regularly scheduled programming.
MG, I'm a *big* fan of your writing. So, I'd read wherever you'd write. I like the Substack product, platform, and ethos. That said, I miss *going* to your website. My guess is Substack will help you build a custom one later, so we are back to Medium 2014 days again, but this time with a creator-business model built in. One thing Substack could do is to limit the characters of your post (and of comments) so that the discussion is focused and threaded on a particular topic. This would turn it into what a Quora thread should've been, which has longer-standing value.
Hi MG, greetings from Istanbul! Love your writings and reading them for a few years as someone working in tech industry. Just realized you've moved to Substack from Revue and love to hear your comments and reasons about these products and moving journey so far. Otherwise, just love reading.
And one other thing, I was available to respond writers by just replying the newsletter, however Substack isn't allowing that :) This was one thing I've faced after your last newsletter.
Hey MG - I'd be interested to understand your view on what a link blog is / should do. In January in 'Tumblr Too' you wrote "f you wanted to start something as simple as a link blog these days, there’s no good way to do it." Then, a few months later beginning of July in 'Hello, I must be going' you wrote "I miss having a link blog. But since Tumblr has all but died, there’s no great home for those anymore." I use Tumblr since 9 years now but never considered it a link blog in the first place. What would you ask a simple link blog to do for you primarily?
MG, As Devon commented, it would be great to cross-pollinate links to your 500ish articles.
Like Sean mentioned about current apps, services and stuff you are using, you could do an MG-version of Tim Ferris’s 5 Bullet Friday format.
As Deb mentioned, Friday’s are a good place for weekend or backlog reads. Brian on the Tech Meme Ride Home podcast does this. Dave Pell on Next Draft usually does a “what to read/watch/bing/book” etc on a Friday which is great!
I agree with Andrej that images are not such a big deal - Ben Evans’s newsletter is a good example. I do love the “.gif to go” at the end though! That is a great touch and is unique to you amongst the newsletters I read.
Are you still doing the mention of the beer you are drinking? Friday-beer-mentions work!
I'm seeing Substack mentioned a lot online lately – a couple other email newsletters I subscribe to have switched in the past few weeks. My impression though is that it's designed to let writers charge for subscriptions. Are you thinking about creating a paid subscription?
Hi M.G.! Been waiting for a way to comment. I noticed below you addressed the issue of commenting by subscribing/member. I recieved a notice from technical support one day when I was trying to contact you that I had to pau to comment. I argued your newsletter was free, but that didn't help. So I went the email root.
This thread system works though which is strange. Revue could use this. It's the one thing I miss posting there. Very few comment even with just clicking a thumbs up or down. I have a rough time. I thought of trying to add Disqus commenting somehow to the newsletter, but that causes issues also.
As always love the newsletter and the new style. MOst of the time I believe less is more and am thinking of switching CM that way at some point. People just don't have the time to read it all.
A podcast is a rgeat idea also. I am trying it out now on Anchor. I need to refine it and test some new content startegies to make it listenable.
Hi MG, here is a fan for your Newsletter from KSA. To me, the best time to receive and read the newsletter on Saturday or Sunday (BTW, in Saudi Arabia weekend days are Friday and Saturday) so consider this as suggestions days to send the newsletter.
Next suggestion, add a recommendation section for tv or movies (old or new) shows.
Finally, Substack does not support RTL languages; this way, we can not use the service here :(. We need help from you to convince Substack to support the RTL languages.
Glad to see that there is a comment ability, it is the only thing lacking from the previous newsletter. Your topics remain relevant and interesting to me and you always manage to codify thoughts that seem to be in the fringes of my thinking but never fully formed. I am always learning from your posts and appreciate you sharing your thoughts so openly. Keep going!
Hey MG! Big fan here, love all your writing. Would love to see more 1) top picks of things you're into lately - restaurants, apps, books, whatever! You seem to be very dialed in to the latest and greatest and I think a lot of us would really enjoy hearing your take, and 2) a podcast! Knowing your affinity for audio, why not put out something with low-stakes 1-2x a month? Anyway, thanks for all the great writing/content.
Hi M.G. - have loved your writing and unique perspectives since TC days. I really like that you are continually working to better your “content and distribution platform “, for lack of a better name.
Given how much amazing stuff their is out their to read - having reading time for links posted and a good description is key. My only other newsletter I subscribe to and read regularly (I am not counting Medium and their update emails) is Dan Lewis with Now I Know. His weekday newsletters focus on amazing stories but Friday he sends out the Weekender - with links to great longer read articles from around the web. He also encourages readers to let him know if they come across a great long read to include. What is great is these aren’t always “current “ - sometimes you run across a great story from several years ago that is still amazing and relevant.
It might be useful for your format to segregate story length sometimes, grouping longer reads together accordingly. I have several of Dan’s emails flagged that have stories that are 20plus minute reads - and will pull them up when I am in a waiting room, or waiting for a late friend.
Other than that - I think the format is great and the content as well.
Long time listener, first time caller! I love your writing and follow you across various channels, including 5ish. I like your intro and don’t think it even has to be related to the 5ish links—if you want, look at The Verge’s ‘Trailers to Watch This Week’ series to see what I mean. The move to Substack is interesting and has actually gotten me to sign up as well. I look forward to being along for the ride as you sort this and yourself. But please, keep it up!
FIRST!
I like the added photos. I like the increased frequency. It’s short enough that I get through it each time I read it. I’ll add my vote that I like the preamble, but I can see how it can get tricky not to go too long and turn into a 500ish post. I think I like the more varied topics vs one singular topic for the links. Always enjoy your writing and insights!
Always a pleasure to read your writing. Whatever gets you to write more and give your opinion, I’m all for. Enjoying this new format and frequency.
This is a very cool feature in Substack, thanks MG
Just subscribed few days ago, so far so good :)
Hi MG like the new 5ish format. Enjoyed the old format as well, but this new one reminds me of another favorite site, daring fireball. Love the brevity of the approach and like that it lands in my inbox. It’s there for me to go through; there is no way to forget it. It usually takes me less than 10 minutes to go through. Perfect for checking on the go. I usually don’t follow the links but gat all my info from your takes. I dislike the interruption of moving away from mail to another app, it disrupts my flow. Please continue the great work 👍
The context and commentary is always a highlight for me. I don’t always click through but I read every highlight and commentary every email. Only other digest I do that with is Farnam Street.
Love your iPad stories just don’t stop that content.
1:12pm on the EST, always have time for updates and informative, thought provoking rabble..... even on Fridays
Thank you
SECOND! :) I like it so far - a little context/thoughts with the links is I think very welcome
second. Good mix of tech insight with humor - well done
Happy Friday, M.G.! For what it’s worth, I like the newsletter preamble. It’s the beginning of a conversation, like friends talking over beers. The “how’s it going?” before diving into deeper topics. It’s what makes your writing, well, uniquely M.G. And, I suspect, one of the reasons so many of us continue to read your stuff over the years. Have a great weekend🍻
I mostly miss that really sweet 80's-inspired header logo from First Draught. But, as always, the content is on point. I don't mind the new format, although I did really like the longer intro (totally get that this is super time-consuming!).
I'm enjoying the Substack format. While I don't think it's necessary to kill all images, I do like more of a text focus. Think Gruber with Daringfireball, he uses zero images. Though, don't think you need to throw out the baby with the bath water in that regard. With respect to the commentary, that's why I follow you. :) If it were just links with excerpts, I would find that much less interesting. Finally, about frequency, I may be a minority but I prefer less. It's partially self serving, I just don't want more email. But also, I think it'll tighten the quality of the links when you do share. There's a lot out there this is just semi-interesting. By focusing on less, the best of what you uncover/think about should naturally rise to the top. Like a couple times per month frequency is perfect for me.
Predictions for Michigan football and big ten this year?
Voting for more parenting content in your newsletter. As a new-ish parent, that would be insightful to me. Apart from all the other regularly scheduled programming.
MG, I'm a *big* fan of your writing. So, I'd read wherever you'd write. I like the Substack product, platform, and ethos. That said, I miss *going* to your website. My guess is Substack will help you build a custom one later, so we are back to Medium 2014 days again, but this time with a creator-business model built in. One thing Substack could do is to limit the characters of your post (and of comments) so that the discussion is focused and threaded on a particular topic. This would turn it into what a Quora thread should've been, which has longer-standing value.
Hi MG, greetings from Istanbul! Love your writings and reading them for a few years as someone working in tech industry. Just realized you've moved to Substack from Revue and love to hear your comments and reasons about these products and moving journey so far. Otherwise, just love reading.
And one other thing, I was available to respond writers by just replying the newsletter, however Substack isn't allowing that :) This was one thing I've faced after your last newsletter.
Cheers,
Mert.
Hey MG - I'd be interested to understand your view on what a link blog is / should do. In January in 'Tumblr Too' you wrote "f you wanted to start something as simple as a link blog these days, there’s no good way to do it." Then, a few months later beginning of July in 'Hello, I must be going' you wrote "I miss having a link blog. But since Tumblr has all but died, there’s no great home for those anymore." I use Tumblr since 9 years now but never considered it a link blog in the first place. What would you ask a simple link blog to do for you primarily?
MG, As Devon commented, it would be great to cross-pollinate links to your 500ish articles.
Like Sean mentioned about current apps, services and stuff you are using, you could do an MG-version of Tim Ferris’s 5 Bullet Friday format.
As Deb mentioned, Friday’s are a good place for weekend or backlog reads. Brian on the Tech Meme Ride Home podcast does this. Dave Pell on Next Draft usually does a “what to read/watch/bing/book” etc on a Friday which is great!
I agree with Andrej that images are not such a big deal - Ben Evans’s newsletter is a good example. I do love the “.gif to go” at the end though! That is a great touch and is unique to you amongst the newsletters I read.
Are you still doing the mention of the beer you are drinking? Friday-beer-mentions work!
I'm seeing Substack mentioned a lot online lately – a couple other email newsletters I subscribe to have switched in the past few weeks. My impression though is that it's designed to let writers charge for subscriptions. Are you thinking about creating a paid subscription?
Hi M.G.! Been waiting for a way to comment. I noticed below you addressed the issue of commenting by subscribing/member. I recieved a notice from technical support one day when I was trying to contact you that I had to pau to comment. I argued your newsletter was free, but that didn't help. So I went the email root.
This thread system works though which is strange. Revue could use this. It's the one thing I miss posting there. Very few comment even with just clicking a thumbs up or down. I have a rough time. I thought of trying to add Disqus commenting somehow to the newsletter, but that causes issues also.
As always love the newsletter and the new style. MOst of the time I believe less is more and am thinking of switching CM that way at some point. People just don't have the time to read it all.
A podcast is a rgeat idea also. I am trying it out now on Anchor. I need to refine it and test some new content startegies to make it listenable.
Keep up the great work! My best always!
Hi MG, here is a fan for your Newsletter from KSA. To me, the best time to receive and read the newsletter on Saturday or Sunday (BTW, in Saudi Arabia weekend days are Friday and Saturday) so consider this as suggestions days to send the newsletter.
Next suggestion, add a recommendation section for tv or movies (old or new) shows.
Finally, Substack does not support RTL languages; this way, we can not use the service here :(. We need help from you to convince Substack to support the RTL languages.
Glad to see that there is a comment ability, it is the only thing lacking from the previous newsletter. Your topics remain relevant and interesting to me and you always manage to codify thoughts that seem to be in the fringes of my thinking but never fully formed. I am always learning from your posts and appreciate you sharing your thoughts so openly. Keep going!
Hey MG! Big fan here, love all your writing. Would love to see more 1) top picks of things you're into lately - restaurants, apps, books, whatever! You seem to be very dialed in to the latest and greatest and I think a lot of us would really enjoy hearing your take, and 2) a podcast! Knowing your affinity for audio, why not put out something with low-stakes 1-2x a month? Anyway, thanks for all the great writing/content.
-Sean
PS. What does Paris Lemon actually mean??
Hi M.G. - have loved your writing and unique perspectives since TC days. I really like that you are continually working to better your “content and distribution platform “, for lack of a better name.
Given how much amazing stuff their is out their to read - having reading time for links posted and a good description is key. My only other newsletter I subscribe to and read regularly (I am not counting Medium and their update emails) is Dan Lewis with Now I Know. His weekday newsletters focus on amazing stories but Friday he sends out the Weekender - with links to great longer read articles from around the web. He also encourages readers to let him know if they come across a great long read to include. What is great is these aren’t always “current “ - sometimes you run across a great story from several years ago that is still amazing and relevant.
It might be useful for your format to segregate story length sometimes, grouping longer reads together accordingly. I have several of Dan’s emails flagged that have stories that are 20plus minute reads - and will pull them up when I am in a waiting room, or waiting for a late friend.
Other than that - I think the format is great and the content as well.
Looking forward to seeing how things develop!
Long time listener, first time caller! I love your writing and follow you across various channels, including 5ish. I like your intro and don’t think it even has to be related to the 5ish links—if you want, look at The Verge’s ‘Trailers to Watch This Week’ series to see what I mean. The move to Substack is interesting and has actually gotten me to sign up as well. I look forward to being along for the ride as you sort this and yourself. But please, keep it up!