Software
How to Convert a Bluesky Starter Pack into a List Easily
2024-11-22
In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, a game-changing tool has emerged for the rapidly growing X competitor, Bluesky. This innovative tool enables users to quickly create new feeds that can be pinned to the app's home page, allowing them to effortlessly follow their diverse interests. For those daunted by the task of rebuilding Twitter/X lists on Bluesky's app, the Pack2List web app offers a convenient solution. It allows users to leverage the curation work done by other Bluesky users and create their own customized lists.

Unlock the Power of Customized Lists on Bluesky

Starter Packs versus Lists

Let's take a moment to understand the distinction between Starter Packs and Bluesky Lists. A Starter Pack is designed as a quick means to follow a group of users en masse. Any Bluesky user can create a Starter Pack of individuals they believe others should follow and share it on their feed or elsewhere. These packs are also accessible in a tab on users' Bluesky profiles.

For instance, there are Starter Packs focused on various domains such as politics, journalists, developers, technologists, academia, sports, AI, health, and different fan groups. The Bluesky Directory, a third-party site, keeps track of the increasing number of available Starter Packs. With a simple click, you can follow everyone in a Starter Pack or selectively choose specific individuals.

Turn a Starter Pack into a List

Although both types of lists are valuable, Bluesky currently lacks a key feature that would enable users to convert a shared Starter Pack into a list accessible from their Bluesky account. This is where the Pack2List web app by developer Seth Miller comes into play. The tool is available on GitHub and a basic PHP website, along with other useful tools for list management.

To use the service, you need to enter your Bluesky credentials, including your username and an app password generated from Bluesky's security settings. This ensures the security of your account. Once logged in, you simply paste the URL of the Starter Pack you want to convert into a list and select whether it's for following ("Content") or blocking people ("Moderation"). After clicking the "Submit" button, the Starter Pack is instantly added as a list on your Bluesky account. You also have the option to merge the Starter Pack with an existing list on your account if preferred.

Benefits of Using Pack2List

Using the Pack2List app offers several advantages. It saves users the time and effort of manually creating lists from scratch. By leveraging the curation work of other Bluesky users, you can quickly build a customized list that aligns with your interests. This allows for a more personalized and efficient experience on the platform.

Moreover, it provides flexibility. You can choose to follow or block specific users based on the Starter Pack you convert. This gives you greater control over the content you see on your Bluesky feed and helps you curate a more engaging and relevant social network.

Bluesky's User-Friendly Experience

One of the great things about Bluesky's app is its user-friendly nature. You don't need to be tech-savvy to create an account, follow others, and interact with posts on your timeline. It resembles the familiar interface of old Twitter, now known as X under Elon Musk. However, for those who want to explore Bluesky's more advanced features, the presence of a vibrant developer community building tools, services, and apps is a valuable asset.

These tools enhance the functionality of Bluesky and allow users to make the most of the platform. Whether you're a casual user or a power user, there are options available to suit your needs and preferences.

Pestle's App Can Transform TikTok Recipes into Saved Ones
2024-11-25
Recipe app Pestle is making waves with its latest innovation. By leveraging on-device machine learning, it can now transform your beloved TikTok recipe videos into detailed, step-by-step instructions. This is a significant step forward for home cooks and recipe enthusiasts alike.

Transform TikTok Recipes into Cookbook-Worthy Guides with Pestle

How Pestle's New Feature Works

Pestle's new feature is a game-changer. It processes the captions of TikTok recipe videos, where creators typically document their ingredient lists and instructions. Instead of relying on a third-party AI provider, this on-device machine learning-powered feature ensures a seamless and efficient conversion process. For example, imagine you come across a viral TikTok recipe for baked feta pasta. With Pestle's new feature, you can easily share the video with the app and have it imported as a detailed recipe, complete with ingredient list and instructions. This saves you the hassle of manually transcribing the recipe and ensures accuracy.Moreover, the feature is not limited to just importing basic recipe information. As of this update, it also includes nutritional info, providing a more comprehensive cooking experience. This is especially useful for those who are conscious about their diet and want to make informed choices while cooking.

The Evolution of Pestle's Recipe Saving Capabilities

Pestle was launched in 2022 by developer Will Bishop with the aim of making recipe saving and cooking easier. Initially, it focused on saving recipes found on the web, similar to other apps in its space. However, users have long been demanding a way to save recipes from social media platforms like TikTok. Bishop initially pushed back against this idea due to the challenges of parsing recipes written in different ways without AI. But through extensive research and development, he discovered that on-device machine learning could handle the job efficiently and speed up the process.This summer, Pestle added a feature that could turn Instagram Reels videos into saved recipes. Now, with the arrival of the same functionality for TikTok, users can enjoy the convenience of saving their favorite TikTok recipes directly in the Pestle app. It's a seamless integration that enhances the user experience and makes cooking from social media recipes more accessible than ever before.

Benefits of Using Pestle's Recipe App

Pestle's app offers a range of benefits beyond just recipe conversion. Paid subscribers gain access to expanded features such as a Discover section for cooking inspiration, 14-day meal planning support, and shopping lists with Apple Reminders integration. These features make meal planning and grocery shopping more organized and efficient.For example, with the 14-day meal planning support, you can create a customized meal plan based on your preferences and dietary needs. The shopping lists integrated with Apple Reminders ensure that you never forget to buy the necessary ingredients. It's a one-stop solution for all your cooking and meal planning needs.In addition, the app's free download on the iOS App Store makes it accessible to a wide range of users. Whether you're a professional chef or a novice cook, Pestle has something to offer.
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Plex Redesigns Software for Better Discovery & Personalization
2024-11-22
Streaming service Plex has taken a significant step forward with the introduction of a redesigned software. This update aims to enhance the user experience by emphasizing discovery, easy access to watchlists, and personalized features. It caters to both home media enthusiasts and those who rely on the app for organizing their media libraries.

Redefining Streaming with Plex's Software Upgrade

Emphasizing Discovery

Plex's new software places greater importance on discovery. Instead of the traditional hamburger menus, a tabbed navigation with buttons at the bottom of the screen has been introduced. This design change makes it easier for users to explore the various parts of the service on mobile devices. Users can seamlessly move between their media library, Live TV channels, On Demand streams, and more. The Discovery section and personalized home page provide quick access to content that users may want to continue watching.This updated interface is a result of two years of meticulous work by the Plex team. It is designed to enhance the user's journey through the platform and make it more intuitive and enjoyable.

Personalized Features for Home Media Enthusiasts

Home media enthusiasts will appreciate the dedicated button that centralizes access to their media libraries. They can favorite libraries to customize the experience according to their needs. The Plex Watchlist, where users track the shows and movies they want to see, now has a more prominent spot in the top navigation, allowing for faster access. Over time, more people have started using this feature, and Plex has responded to their feedback by making it more accessible.In addition to these changes, the new release also includes a reorganization of areas where users access their personal details. Profile information, watch history, friends, and streaming services are now all available in one place, providing a more streamlined experience.

Visual Enhancements

The updated app has expanded its use of visual imagery, which is particularly noticeable in movie and show detail pages, as well as cast and crew profiles and users' own Plex profile pages. Title artwork for movies and shows has been added, enhancing the visual appeal and providing a more immersive experience.Plex has also rewritten its apps under the hood and streamlined its codebase as part of this process. This unified codebase allows the team to release new features across all supported platforms quickly, speeding up the development cycle.However, the redesign is initially rolling out to mobile devices in an "early-access preview" to gather user feedback. During this period, features like playlists and cast support are still in the works and will be added. Support for TV platforms will soon follow, ensuring that users across different devices can enjoy the benefits of the redesigned software.
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