The Journal
Writing &
field notes.
Essays, guides, and unhurried examinations of the small technologies that hold the open web together. Updated when we have something worth saying.
5 posts · RSS feed
№ 005
WhatsApp Usernames Go Live: Meta Finally Steps Away From the Phone Number
WhatsApp introduces global username reservations, closing a long-standing privacy gap. Here is how the rolling rollout affects personal privacy and business integrations.
4 min read
privacyappsinfrastructure№ 004
Five Eyes Now Measures the AI Cyber Threat in Months, and the Ivanti Scramble Shows Why
Five Eyes agencies warn AI is shrinking exploit windows to hours. The Ivanti CVE-2026-10520 case shows this is already happening, not a future scenario.
6 min read
cybersecurityaiinfrastructure№ 003
How URL shorteners actually work
A short URL is a database row, an HTTP redirect, and a series of decisions you don't usually see. Here is what happens when you click bit.ly/anything.
6 min read
urlswebinfrastructure№ 002
QR code error correction, explained
Why a QR code with a logo in the middle still scans, why some codes survive coffee stains and others don't, and how to pick the right error correction level for your use case.
7 min read
qr-codesencodingdesign№ 001
The hidden cost of free URL shorteners
Free URL shorteners are not free — they trade your data, your link's longevity, and your readers' privacy. Here is what you are actually paying.
7 min read
urlsprivacyweb