Here are a few bits of text I read recently.

In “The BlueSky Patent Non-Aggression Pledge is Good for The Social Web”, the Social Web Foundation unpacks BlueSky’s new patent non-aggression pledge and argues it lowers the legal barrier for innovation in federated social systems. The piece suggests that this kind of promise can free developers from paranoid workarounds and patent-troll fear.

It’s not a panacea, but in an ecosystem where patents can strangle creativity, a public vow not to litigate is a rare, welcome bit of daylight.

In “Why WordPress Lost the Cool Kids (And How to Win Them Back)”, Nick explains why WordPress is seen as boring. Spoiler: it isn’t the code, it’s the vibes. I’ve used WordPress long enough to know the “cool kids” will eventually move on from their latest toy—leaving me to quietly keep publishing without reinventing my website every six months.

Mac Open Web is a hand-rolled directory of independent Mac software, a reminder that the Mac world still has actual character—if you know where to look. I like the idea of a software scene not owned by some “platform partner programme,” though it does feel like window shopping in a half-abandoned mall.

Apple’s Digital Markets Act statement reads like a hostage note: “Fine, you can sideload, but don’t come crying to us when you download malware.” It’s as if Apple thinks EU users can’t be trusted to cross the street without holding hands.

The “7.5.0 — Follow the Feed, Quote the Lead” post from the ActivityPub blog unveils a new default Following UI for Jetpack-connected WordPress sites. The headline is neat: instead of manually subscribing, WordPress will now fetch RSS feeds when you follow someone.

It’s hard for me not to chuckle at “write, choose, and publish with confidence.” Because readers will quietly test the quoting limits within minutes.

Brent Simmons writes about easy app writing, musing on how building for Apple platforms used to feel lighter, easier, less entangled. I envy him the nostalgia. My own programming memories are more like scar tissue.

• Micro.blog