Friday, December 19, 2025

Larisa Manescu

Staff Writer Larisa Manescu cringes at the question "Where are you from?" because it's a long story, but it's one she loves to share if you ask her. Her interests include storytelling, social justice and choreographed group dance classes.

Hamster Pad helps you find the Slack communities you should belong to

Slack is pretty popular, but is it growing in ways that could make it the next big social media platform? Hamster Pad may have the keys to that kingdom.

Why I’m glad Proposition 1 failed in Austin [editorial]

With an increasingly globalized economy, it’s difficult to be a conscious consumer. It’s not too much to ask for a company that can blend purpose and profit, which makes the failure of Proposition 1 a time of reflection for all.

Smartphone dependency is a thing, but we’re not hopeless

As a society, phone dependency is increasingly an issue, but is that totally bad news?

4 questions to ask yourself before jumping on the learn-to-code bandwagon

People who understand the language behind the apps, websites and programs being built on the daily are valuable employees and entrepreneurs. But are we all supposed to aspire to be software engineers now?

Target CEO visiting customer’s homes (for real)

Got skeletons in your closet? Target CEO Brian Conwell will take a peek. And by skeletons, we’re talking blazers, Tupperware, and towels.

Get yourself together with DayDeed, the app that helps you build “habits that stick”

It's the time of the year to start thinking of who the "new you" will be during the "new year". DayDeed is a one stop app for good-habit-forming and to-do list crossing off.

How Snapchat just now became a true marketer’s dream

Snapchat is going further with its social media marketing and it's a win - its Discover partners are now able to link to content. This might be a marketing game-changer.

Will Uber win in Austin against controversial regulation proposal?

After launching a public campaign in Austin against the City Council's proposal, we wonder if they'll win in yet another city.