I’m Nikolaus Bauman (about/bio). For some of my older longer-form writing, check out the prose. var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-6815368-1']); _gaq.push(['_setDomainName', '.snikolha.us']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); var _sf_startpt=(new Date()).getTime() var _sf_async_config={uid:9395,domain:"log.snikolha.us"}; (function(){ function loadChartbeat() { window._sf_endpt=(new Date()).getTime(); var e = document.createElement('script'); e.setAttribute('language', 'javascript'); e.setAttribute('type', 'text/javascript'); e.setAttribute('src', (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://s3.amazonaws.com/" : "http://") + "static.chartbeat.com/js/chartbeat.js"); document.body.appendChild(e); } var oldonload = window.onload; window.onload = (typeof window.onload != 'function') ? loadChartbeat : function() { oldonload(); loadChartbeat(); }; })(); Tumblr (3.0; @snikolhaus)http://log.snikolha.us/<img src="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyxwn8HNkP1qz6f9yo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://rickwebb.tumblr.com/post/17120654071/nevver-social-media-explained-with-donuts" class="tumblr_blog">rickwebb</a>:</p> <blockquote><p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://thisisnthappiness.com/post/17115675763/social-media-explained-with-donuts">nevver</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>Social Media Explained (<a href="http://copyranter.blogspot.com/2012/02/social-media-explained-with-donuts.html">with donuts</a>)</p> </blockquote> <p>Tumblr: This is a really beautiful photo of a high end donut.</p> <p>Reddit: There is a conspiracy in the donut industry</p> <p>4Chan: Donut. Hole. LOL. </p></blockquote> <p>Quora: What’s the industry wide standard deviation in donut hole size?</p>http://log.snikolha.us/post/17136100468http://log.snikolha.us/post/17136100468Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:39:40 -0500<p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyba340DGI1qz9mgb.png" alt=""/></p> <p>Dear Internet Friends,</p> <p>We started Tonx just a few short months ago and the response has been very encouraging. We do one thing, and do it well - which is ship great coffee to your doorstep when you need it.</p> <p>Right now we want more people to experience our product, plain and simple.</p> <p>So we’ve decided (temporarily) to allow people to sign up for a free trial of Tonx. If you sign up before February (and we haven’t totally run out of product) we will send you a half bag of Tonx, for free.</p> <p>If you know of others who have been wanting to try Tonx, or perhaps someone who doesn’t know about Tonx yet but should - now might be a good time to spread the word!</p> <p>Sincerely, Nik</p>http://log.snikolha.us/post/16476945206http://log.snikolha.us/post/16476945206Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:13:54 -0500tonxtonx coffeefree as in beer<img src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lydcyhxilS1qarmmgo1_r1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://shotzombies.tumblr.com/post/16475141272/tonx-or-how-i-learned-to-stop-worrying-and-make" class="tumblr_blog">shotzombies</a>:</p> <blockquote><p><a href="https://tonx.org/free">Tonx: Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Make Great Coffee at Home</a></p></blockquote> <p>:D</p>http://log.snikolha.us/post/16475725245http://log.snikolha.us/post/16475725245Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:47:17 -0500tonxtonx coffeecoffeecatsdrugsdealers<img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lybzcvreos1qz9n9bo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://tumblangeles.com/post/16439419603/tonights-sunset-in-los-angeles-careygly" class="tumblr_blog">tumblangeles</a>:</p> <blockquote><p>Tonight’s sunset in Los Angeles. —<a href="http://careygly.tumblr.com">CareyGLY</a></p></blockquote> <p>I was driving into Venice while Tony was watching this from his Echo Park deck. Every other sentence I kept interrupting to remark at how awesome it was.</p>http://log.snikolha.us/post/16441790937http://log.snikolha.us/post/16441790937Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:17:00 -0500<img src="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lya2llLq6Y1qz7vv6o1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://annamarie.tumblr.com/post/16379226260/la-in-color" class="tumblr_blog">annamarie</a>:</p> <blockquote><p>LA in color.</p></blockquote> <p>Today was gorgeous in between the rain.</p>http://log.snikolha.us/post/16392889055http://log.snikolha.us/post/16392889055Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:26:48 -0500<img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxo7ue8iz01qzn6zho1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>WHAT?!</p>http://log.snikolha.us/post/15712237630http://log.snikolha.us/post/15712237630Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:42:14 -0500<a href="http://keatonviolet.tumblr.com/post/15593156083/kenya-karatina-aa-tonx">one bag at a time: Kenya Karatina AA - Tonx</a>: <p><a href="http://keatonviolet.tumblr.com/post/15593156083/kenya-karatina-aa-tonx" class="tumblr_blog">keatonviolet</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxk0xaSn021r2mhpi.jpg"/></p> <p>They [Tonx] work hard to back up the claim that they really want you to drink good coffee and it shows. This means You can email them, call them, or send them a letter and they’ll respond. This also means they ship out your coffee within 24 hours of it being roasted and send it priority so it gets to you super fresh. If you haven’t yet left this silly blog to sign up for their awesome subscription, which gets you an awesome bag of coffee every two weeks, I’ll go on. Something that their coffee and business model has taught me is to just chill out. You don’t have to fret about whether you are drinking the coolest current single origin or waste a lot of time dialing that coffee in to your preferred method. I’ve had five coffees from them in the last two months and they’ve all been tasty in all the methods I can think of. Tonx is like rehab. Relax and enjoy the coffee. </p></blockquote> <p>This type of feedback creates many smiles in the Tonx HQ.</p>http://log.snikolha.us/post/15593777500http://log.snikolha.us/post/15593777500Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:05:40 -0500tonxtonx coffeecustomer feedbackpriceless<a href="http://nleach.com/post/15473860597/2011-in-coffee">@nleach: 2011 in Coffee</a>: <p><a href="http://nleach.com/post/15473860597/2011-in-coffee" class="tumblr_blog">nleach</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p> Coffee of the Year</p> <p>Looking back over the year, was there a single stand out? You bet!</p> <p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxg6627RpC1qzl5gr.jpg" alt="Tonx" coffee el salvador finca montery bambu/></p> <p>I’d like to say this was a difficult decision, and while more than a few exceptional coffees hit my cup, none came close to the El Salvador Finca Montery Bambu from Tonx. The Coffee Adventures review of this coffee pretty much sums it up for me: </p> <blockquote> I enjoyed this coffee more than I can put words together to describe this feeling. </blockquote> <p>The aroma alone convinced fellow developer Bob Patterson to give coffee a second chance.</p></blockquote> <p>Hot damn! Thanks Nicky!</p>http://log.snikolha.us/post/15474159555http://log.snikolha.us/post/15474159555Sat, 07 Jan 2012 17:56:44 -0500<script src="http://speakerdeck.com/embed/4ebaea7763912f032300cbe8.js"></script><br/><br/><p><a href="http://bryce.vc/post/15349417268/this-presentation-from-tom-preston-werner-founder" class="tumblr_blog">brycedotvc</a>:</p> <blockquote><p>This presentation from <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/mojombo">Tom Preston-Werner</a>, founder of GitHub, is a veritable master class on building teams and company culture. </p> <p>Have a flip through here or <a href="http://speakerdeck.com/u/mojombo/p/optimizing-for-happiness">click/tap</a> to see the speaker notes which add much more depth to the slides. </p></blockquote> <p>Frankly, almost everything that has come out of Powerset and Github on company building/culture is something that frequently send to others and re-read frequently. They are empowering, smart, and wonderfully opinionated.</p>http://log.snikolha.us/post/15349733322http://log.snikolha.us/post/15349733322Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:58:11 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx0pktd1rW1qarmmgo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://shotzombies.tumblr.com/post/15024353767/2011-in-empty-coffee-bags" class="tumblr_blog">shotzombies</a>:</p> <blockquote><p><a href="http://shotzombies.com/2011/12/30/2011-in-empty-coffee-bags/">2011 in Empty Coffee Bags</a></p></blockquote> <p>Glad Tonx snuck a couple in there. Looking forward to seeing 2012 :)</p>http://log.snikolha.us/post/15032647176http://log.snikolha.us/post/15032647176Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:25:57 -0500<img src="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwq0pr6sKd1qcxo2vo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://brews.tumblr.com/post/14730710868/photo-via-nathen-heskew-a-couple-of-months-ago" class="tumblr_blog">brews</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>(Photo via <a href="http://nathan.heskew.com/tonx.-coffee.-lsquo-nough-said">Nathen Heskew</a>)</p> <p>A couple of months ago I signed up for <a href="https://tonx.org/">Tonx</a>, a coffee subscription service. Their pitch:</p> <blockquote> <p class="p2">We are a small team of <a href="https://tonx.org/about">longtime coffee zealots </a>focusing on sending great coffee straight to your door. All of our efforts go towards helping you brew the best possible coffee at home.</p> </blockquote> <p class="p1">Most subscriptions are created by previously <a href="http://my.counterculturecoffee.com/coffee/subscriptions/">notable</a> <a href="http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/intelligentsia-at-home">coffee</a> <a href="http://store.bluebottlecoffee.net/Categories.bok?category=Gift+Subscriptions">roasters</a>. Tonx was started by a former Intelligentsia employee, but they are not attached to any existing coffee shop. They ship (2) 12 oz bags a month for 35 dollars and the coffee is different every time.</p> <p class="p1">This review would end right here if the coffee was bad, but that is not the case. I wake up every morning excited about how the new batch will taste. However, one of my favorite parts about the subscription has nothing to do with the coffee. Every piece of correspondence they send proves that they:</p> <ul><li>Care about coffee.</li> <li>Care about their customer’s coffee and experience.</li> </ul><p>They send cupping notes, emails about how excited they are about a particular batch and even remind people to change their mailing address for the holiday if they are traveling. I feel like my coffee experience is in good hands with Tonx.</p> <p class="p1">The coffee is more expensive than the Stumptown beans that I was buying at a local shop, but in this new Amazon Prime based world, the convenience is worth a few extra dollars per month. They ship immediately after roasting and the LA to NY trip takes 2-5 days. I wish it was always two days, but most of the beans I find in local shops are at least a week old, so this is not a deal breaker.</p> <p class="p1">Tonx is a great option for those that want no fuss infusions of good coffee and good cheer. It is also nice to support a couple of guys who are trying to share what they love.</p> </blockquote> <hr><p>Thank you so much! We appreciate the support!</p>http://log.snikolha.us/post/14738530309http://log.snikolha.us/post/14738530309Sat, 24 Dec 2011 16:23:00 -0500<a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2011/12/05/the-national-defense-authorization-act-is-the-greatest-threat-to-civil-liberties-americans-face/">The National Defense Authorization Act is the Greatest Threat to Civil Liberties Americans Face - Forbes</a>: <p><a href="http://whatevernevermind.com/post/14448338530/the-national-defense-authorization-act-is-the-greatest" class="tumblr_blog">whatevernevermind</a>:</p> <blockquote><p>What’s the line from Batman? The night is always darkest just before the dawn. I like to think that’s true, because times seem awfully dark these days.</p></blockquote> <p>Agreed. Very dark.</p>http://log.snikolha.us/post/14465110577http://log.snikolha.us/post/14465110577Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:49:13 -0500<img src="http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvwe41BIzI1qmkxx9o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://discoverynews.tumblr.com/post/13928020598/virginia-techs-web-site-covers-the-breaking-news">discoverynews</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>Virginia Tech’s <a href="http://www.vt.edu/">web site</a> covers the breaking news on their campus.</p> </blockquote> <p>Such bad news. :(</p>http://log.snikolha.us/post/13934576997http://log.snikolha.us/post/13934576997Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:24:59 -0500<img src="http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvua138CZe1r4fusso4_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvua138CZe1r4fusso5_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvua138CZe1r4fusso6_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvua138CZe1r4fusso7_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvua138CZe1r4fusso8_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvua138CZe1r4fusso9_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvua138CZe1r4fusso10_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p><a href="http://mmntm.tumblr.com/post/13873981966/thanks-to-tonxcoffee-my-morning-coffee-ritual" class="tumblr_blog">mmntm</a>:</p> <blockquote><p>Thanks to @<a href="https://tonx.org/" title="Tonx Coffee Subscription">Tonxcoffee</a>, my morning coffee ritual has gotten that much tastier.</p></blockquote> <p>Such good pictures!</p>http://log.snikolha.us/post/13882181586http://log.snikolha.us/post/13882181586Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:38:58 -0500tonx coffeetonxbaratzavirtuosokenyachemex“Overall, I think it’s a good time to have a girl in the 21st century because things are changing, with more opportunities for women. But girls are still the underdog, which means they’ll work harder, and everybody loves an underdog. The next Steve Jobs will totally be a chick, because girls are No. 2—and No. 2 always wins in America. Apple was a No. 2 company for years, and Apple embodies a lot of what have been defined as feminine traits: an emphasis on intuitive design, intellect, a strong sense of creativity, and that striving to always make the greatest version of something. Traditionally, men are more like Microsoft, where they’ll just make a fake version of what that chick made, then beat the shit out of her and try to intimidate everybody into using their product.”<br/><br/> - <em><a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/161/louis-ck-on-female-culture">Louis C.K.: The Next Steve Jobs Will Be A Chick | Fast Company</a> (via <a href="http://hystericalparoxysm.tumblr.com">Briana Mowrey</a>)</em>http://log.snikolha.us/post/13161553774http://log.snikolha.us/post/13161553774Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:59:54 -0500<a href="http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/anonymous_web_browsing_ipad_iphone.php">Browse Anonymously on Your iPad and iPhone With Tor-Powered Browser</a>: <p><a href="http://whatevernevermind.com/post/12977235886/browse-anonymously-on-your-ipad-and-iphone-with" class="tumblr_blog">whatevernevermind</a>:</p> <blockquote><p><span>It uses Tor to encrypt Internet traffic and route it through three different servers to ensure data about users cannot be intercepted by third parties. Such data would include browsing history or, more commonly, one’s geographic location.</span></p></blockquote>http://log.snikolha.us/post/12977317126http://log.snikolha.us/post/12977317126Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:20:44 -0500“If you do go down the VC path, choose wisely. Your investors are one of the most important hiring decisions you’ll make.”<br/><br/> - <em><p><a href="http://veen.com/jeff/archives/investors.html">Veen</a> (via <a href="http://bryce.vc/" class="tumblr_blog">brycedotvc</a>)</p> <p>And too often “chosen” without leverage, meaningful evaluation or any due diligence.</p></em>http://log.snikolha.us/post/12970398835http://log.snikolha.us/post/12970398835Fri, 18 Nov 2011 11:19:38 -0500<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/31883015" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><br/><br/><p>Go Wootten! Such nostalgic footage.</p>http://log.snikolha.us/post/12929165469http://log.snikolha.us/post/12929165469Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:16:35 -0500mountain bikingvirginia mountain bike trailsingle track<img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lurhmdwJDx1qzj0mao1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://bryce.vc/post/12884241680/i-3-tumblr-i-3-pipa-and-sopa-if-you-feel-the" class="tumblr_blog">brycedotvc</a>:</p> <blockquote><p>I <3 Tumblr</p> <p>I </3 PIPA and SOPA.</p> <p>If you feel the same. <a href="http://www.tumblr.com/protect-the-net">Do</a> <a href="https://sendwrite.com/sopa/">something</a> <a href="https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/sjres6/comment/208431">about</a> <a href="http://americancensorship.org/">it</a>.</p></blockquote>http://log.snikolha.us/post/12889811464http://log.snikolha.us/post/12889811464Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:47:58 -0500<p><em>Disclaimer: This is a pet peeve of mine. Please excuse me while I am a dick for a moment.</em></p> <p>I don’t understand companies emailing their customers funding announcements. Why do I care about your funding? You closed your series B? Why do I need to know that? What the hell does that mean? I mean, I know what a series B is, but most of your customers don’t. And even though I can evaluate the names that you so casually drop when you tell me who led your round, your customers don’t.</p> <p>Instead of telling me how proud you are by raising X dollars from Y investors, show me you can put that money to work by improving the product. If you’re going to improve uptime, do it. Then you can brag to me. For all I know you’re going to be using the money to expand into markets I care very little about.</p> <p>If you’re going to add more selection and or better deals to your site because of your war chest, do it. I don’t care how you get there or who is backing you; that’s for your startup colleagues and followers on AngelList to care about - not me, the customer. Show me don’t tell me.</p> <p>My opinion (and we all know how much those are worth): Unless knowing that you have cash in the bank directly improves the value delivered to me, you look more concerned with your startup image than the service you’re providing.</p> <p>By the way, I hate businesses like that.</p>http://log.snikolha.us/post/12498063988http://log.snikolha.us/post/12498063988Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:16:00 -0500circlejerkpetpeeverantshow not tellstartupsvanityvcventure capitalwhinymasturbatory silicon valley bullshitshort term thinkers