Useful things,
kept simple.

Make room for a better reading habit

A useful reading list is one you can actually finish. Keep a short queue, choose a time to read, and give each article enough attention to decide whether it deserves a place in your notes.

Start with a small queue

Five unread links are easier to return to than fifty open tabs. When a new article arrives, decide whether it replaces something already in the queue. Saving a link is a decision about your future time.

Keep one sentence

After reading, write the main idea in your own words. Add the source link and one question you still have. This turns a bookmark into something you can use later.

Use the browser you already have

• Open reader mode when a page layout gets in the way.
• Use Ctrl/Cmd + F to return to a specific phrase.
• Keep related links in one named bookmark folder.
• Review the queue weekly and remove what no longer matters.

Plain text that travels well

Plain text is easy to search, copy, compare and back up. Markdown adds a little structure while keeping the words readable in almost any editor.

Use a single # Title, followed by short sections with ## Headings. A paragraph should develop one idea. Lists work best for steps or items that belong together.

Name files for the next reader

A filename such as 2026-10-reading-notes.md is more useful than final-new-2.txt. Keep source links alongside the notes and separate quotations from your own observations.

Keep a second copy

A folder is not a backup if every copy lives on the same device. Use another disk or a trusted backup service, and occasionally check that you can restore a file.

A smaller, more durable website

A page of useful information does not always need an application behind it. HTML gives content a structure, CSS makes it readable, and ordinary links connect it to the rest of the web.

Build for the content first

Start with a clear title, descriptive headings and a comfortable line length. Check the page on a small screen and use the keyboard to reach every link. Good defaults help more readers than elaborate animation.

Give every addition a purpose

Resize images before publishing, avoid unnecessary font downloads, and add scripts only when they improve a real task. Fewer dependencies mean fewer things to maintain.

For further reading, explore the MDN web development guides and the W3C accessibility tips.