Monday, June 17, 2024
In continuation of week 23, here are a few thoughts and things that caught my attention in the 24th week of 2024. My eldest son has a guest student from America visiting, who will be staying with us for the next three weeks. Last week was therefore very much about preparation and, after his arrival, a lot of social activities. I really hope, he enjoys his stay with us 😅.
Friday, June 14, 2024
I am a long-time macOS user and over the decades I’ve tried a lot of different apps. Many I have used only briefly or they were discontinued after some time. However, some grow close to my heart, accompany me for countless years, and make my daily life easier. Nevertheless, sometimes some of them eventually lose their shine or fall behind, and I use them just out of habit or nostalgia, even though there are (supposedly) better alternatives.
Sunday, June 9, 2024
In continuation of week 22, here are a few thoughts and things that caught my attention in the twenty-third week of 2024: 🔑 As the Safari integration of 1Password is getting worse and worse - at least for me it is so buggy, that I have disabled the Safari extension and moved my passwords to Apple’s Keychain1 - I am looking for alternatives. I actually don’t want to store my passwords only with Apple, either.
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Bartender was acquired and neither the original programmer nor the new owner informed about it. Since the app requires extensive permissions to perform its service, including screen recording, and the communication about the sale apparently went rather catastrophically1, many users are somehow concerned and are looking for an alternative. Fortunately, there are some, but I have not dealt with them much, as I have been using Bartender since its initial release many years ago.
Sunday, June 2, 2024
In continuation of week 21, here are a few thoughts and things that caught my attention in the 22. week of 2024: 🚴♂️ This week was relatively quiet in terms of tech-related news, partly because my wife had a bicycle accident in the middle of the week. I have borrowed a car, transported her 100 km from one hospital to the local one, she had surgery, and now she is hopefully recovering quickly at home and will soon be back on her feet (and back on the bike).
In the whole Pro discussion about the iPad, I always miss the decisive factor for me: There is no multi-user support. I’m not going to spend €2000 on an ultra-modern device that only one person in the household can use, whereas a Macbook Air is available to the whole family for a very similar price.
Monday, May 20, 2024
In continuation of week 18, here are a few thoughts and things that caught my attention in the 19. - 20. week of 2024: 🚴♂️ I was cycling with my wife for a few days along the former East-West German border. The weather was fantastic, the inclines were not to be underestimated but manageable. A bit of a shame, but we tried to take it with humour: Once again, we had to realize that the concept of Deutsche Bahn has unfortunately totally failed.
Sunday, May 5, 2024
In continuation of week 17, here are a few thoughts and things that caught my attention in the 18. week of 2024: 🚀 Carlo just released a beta of UI Actions. It follows his awesome Actions for Obsidian, but with this you can script macOS apps that lack native shortcut integration. Definitely an app to keep an eye on, as an addition or alternative to Keyboard Maestro. 🕹️ It seems like every week a handful of new retro handhelds hit the market.
Sunday, April 28, 2024
In continuation of week 16, here are a few thoughts and things that caught my attention in the seventeenth week of 2024: 🖱️ Logitech’s Mouse Software Now Includes ChatGPT Support, Adds Janky ‘ai_overlay_tmp’ Directory to Users’ Home Folders: It seems to be a good time to reconsider using SteerMouse or BetterMouse – Comprehensive mouse utility for macOS instead. In addition, lots of people seem to like Mac Mouse Fix.
Sunday, April 21, 2024
In continuation of week 15, here are a few thoughts and things that caught my attention in the sixteenth week of 2024: 🎮 This week was an exciting one for retro gaming on iOS. After some initial debacle with a ripoff GB emulator, which was pulled after a few days by Apple, another one, Bimmy, was pulled by its developer just a day after it was approved. But then the well-known Delta emulator developed by Riley Testut, which was previously only available via the AltStore was released worldwide in the App Store, except for Europe.
Monday, April 15, 2024
In continuation of week 14, here are a few thoughts and things that caught my attention in the 15. week of 2024: 🎮 I was briefly excited when I read that the first GBA emulator had landed in the iOS App Store. Unfortunately, it was not a legitimate app, and it was subsequently removed (again too late and why at all approved?) from the store: Apple Removes Game Boy Emulator iGBA From App Store Due to Spam and Copyright Violations - MacRumors.
Sunday, April 7, 2024
The week before Easter was once again very quiet in terms of new software and tech-related stuff. This was probably also because there was a lot to do at work before we went on our Easter vacation. For a few years now, we have been traveling more or less regularly during the Easter holidays together with my wife’s family. She has three siblings, all of whom have partners and children, and our dog joins us as well.
Monday, March 25, 2024
In continuation of week 11, here are a few thoughts and things that caught my attention in the 12th week of 2024: 😴 Actually, this week was a very quiet week in terms of tech-related stuff. It was probably because I was very busy at work and in the evenings, I preferred to relax with a game of Balatro1 instead of surfing the net a lot. 🛠️ This week, many things just broke.
Monday, March 18, 2024
In continuation of week 10, here are a few thoughts and things that caught my attention in the 11. week of 2024: 👀 Adam is once again working on something new: Neato. 🏦 IndieAppSales 2024 was going on last week and I bought some new apps. 📱 Just like for iA Presenter, there is now also an iOS version of Deckset. I had hoped that it might do without a subscription, but far from it.
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Indie App Sales! is running from 12. to 13. March 2024 Here are some Apps I’ve looked into so far: Blur sensitive data with BlurData (macOS) → I don’t really need the app and then it’s a bit too expensive; not bought Bridges Link Formatting (macOS) → bought it and after I found the hidden “add folder” icon in the left pane thanks to the friendly support of its developer I really like what I’ve seen so far Bridges: Link Formatting → bought the iOS version as well Clorde → bought it and like the iOS widget (on my Mac) Countdowns - Event Countdown → already own the app and use it often and with pleasure DisplayBuddy - Control monitor brightness directly from your Mac → available via Setapp as well DoMarks → not sure if this is really better than Anybox Everlog Journal → I have heard a lot of praise for this app and you can get the lifetime option for a steep discount; I personally use Obsidian for journaling so I have no need for the app at the moment.
Monday, March 11, 2024
Continuing from week 09, here are a few thoughts and things that caught my attention in the 10th week of 2024: 🌸 Michael made incredible paper flowers and you can help him picking the best one: Battle of the Blooms 2024. 🎥 In addition to Office Space, Jason made The Matrix Gifs available as well 🥳. 🎞️ Full of Themselves: An analysis of title drops in movies (thanks Robb).
Sunday, March 3, 2024
In continuation of week 8, here are a few thoughts and things that caught my attention in the 9. week of 2024: 🎥 Inspired by Jason’s awesome OfficeSpace.gif, we (re)watched Office Space (1999) as a family. We had a lot of fun. 😆 Cool: RSS IS DEAD LOL. 📚 Bookmarked Calibre Sync. It seems like a great way to access your Calibre library on the go.
Sunday, February 25, 2024
Continuing from week 07, here are a few thoughts and things that caught my attention in the eighth week of 2024: 📱 Simple Scan • Quick Scanner was teased by Agile Tortoise. Curious to see if this will be a better solution than just opening the Files.app and initiating a scan from there. (Actually, I’ve never checked if those generated PDFs have automatic OCR.) ☑️ Twodos - Simple Todos: Interesting concept but definitely too basic for my needs.
Monday, February 19, 2024
Continuing from week 06, here are a few thoughts and things that caught my attention in the seventh week of 2024: 👌 So, I think I’ve read and seen enough about the Apple Vision Pro for now. I hope I’ll stay firm and wait at least for Gen 2 and not want to buy it as soon as the AVP is available in Germany. However, I still find this video noteworthy: What Reviewers Aren’t Telling You About Apple Vision Pro.
Monday, February 12, 2024
Continuing from week 05, here are a few thoughts and things that caught my attention in the sixth week of 2024: 🤦♂️ Last week, I failed to configure my Mac as a WIFI Access Point with NordVPN. This week, I tried to do it with a Raspberry Pi 4. Since I no longer have a monitor with an HDMI input, I connected the Raspi using a micro-HDMI to HDMI adapter, HDMI cable, HDMI Capture Card with a USB-A connection, and a USB-A to USB-C hub to my iPad 🤯 What a mess but it worked with HDMI Monitor - Orion perfectly fine.
Saturday, February 3, 2024
Continuing from week 04, here are a few thoughts and things that caught my attention in the fifth week of 2024: 🎮 This week I had to repeatedly curb my nearly uncontrollable urge to buy gadgets I don’t need - so far quite successfully. I did not order the Ayaneo Next LITE nor pledged the Ayaneo Flip - World 1st Dual-Screen Windows Handheld on Indiegogo. I definitely do not need more gaming handhelds at the moment, even though I don’t own one that supports Windows games yet.
Sunday, January 28, 2024
Continuing from week 03, here are a few thoughts and things that caught my attention in the fourth week of 2024: 🌐 I didn’t quite understand the commotion about the DMA this week. Gruber proved himself to be a true patriot once again, and I still don’t understand where exactly the doomsday mood is coming from. Whether Apple has chosen an appropriate strategy, I don’t know either, see also Apple ruins its big week.
Monday, January 22, 2024
In continuation of week 02, here are a few thoughts and things that caught my attention in the third week of 2024: 🖨️ Almost 2 years after Anker introduced its V6 Color Engine for the M5 3D printer, it cancelled it. You can either get a $600 discount for an as yet unannounced product, or they will refund the paid money. I’ve opted for a $330 refund. Although it’s a pity, I think it was the right decision for Anker to pull the plug on this product.
Sunday, January 14, 2024
In continuation of week 01, here are a few thoughts and things that caught my attention in the second week of 2024: 🏋️ After my Covid infection in early December, followed by exhaustion, I started with a training program. It includes (indoor) cycling, strength training, and yoga sessions. It’s exhausting, but it also feels good to finally be able to challenge my body a little again. 📚 Additionally, I wanted to read more, watch movies more regularly, meditate daily if possible, and do other nice little things more frequently.
Sunday, January 7, 2024
In continuation of week 52, 2023, here are a few thoughts and things that caught my attention in the first week of 2024: 🤔 I read some blog posts about One Month Without and I always find it interesting to see what people are willing to give up for a month. I did this spontaneously in the first half of 2023, giving up alcohol, caffeine (not entirely true, I did drink green tea a few times, but completely abstained from coffee, cola, etc.
Sunday, December 3, 2023
In continuation to week 47, here are a few thoughts and things that caught my attention in week 48, 2023: 🦠 My wife was plagued at the beginning of the week with severe headaches and especially nausea. The Corona test was negative. However, on Friday it turned out that she did have Corona, for the first time (proven) since the beginning of the pandemic. She is now slowly getting better, but it has really knocked her down.
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Adam told me to stay on the path, so I’m trying to motivate myself to get back into the habit of writing down what has interested me throughout the week. So, here comes week 47. 🎮 I finished playing Horizon Forbidden West. It was my first computer game in years, and probably the first AAA title in decades that I actually watched the end credits for. Usually, I start playing and then eventually stop.
Friday, November 24, 2023
It feels like every day for weeks now is a special day and everything is and will be discounted. Oh, wouldn’t life be nice if things were just generally cheaper and my inbox was spared the flood of advertising? Anyway … There’s another Indie App Sale this year and there are now over 400 (!) programs listed for macOS and iOS. Fortunately, I already own the ones that interest me most and bought three additional apps this year:
Saturday, November 4, 2023
Shamelessly stolen from Robb and inspired by Hemispheric Views 097 - Duel of the Defaults! here are all the apps I use in the various categories as written by Andrew: Mail Client: Mail.app Mail Server: iCloud with custom domain and posteo.net Notes: Obsidian and some stuff left in Notes To-Do: Reminders (and Things at work) iPhone Photo Shooting: iOS Camera Photo Management: Photos Calendar: Calendar Cloud file storage: iCloud Drive RSS: Reeder Contacts: Contacts Browser: Safari Chat: iMessage, Threema, WhatsApp Bookmarks: Anybox Read It Later: Readwise Reader Word Processing: Pages (MS Word at work) Spreadsheets: Numbers (MS Excel at work) Presentations: Keynote Shopping Lists: Pons Meal Planning: Mela Budgeting & Personal Finance: YNAB News: Mastodon, tagesschau.
Saturday, November 4, 2023
TIL that you can easily uninstall your entire MS Office package under #macOS with Office Reset (https://office-reset.com/), then download only the app(s) you need from the Mac Appstore and use your existing Office 365 subscription. I always thought you had to purchase a new one somehow via Apple IAP. Cool, now I’m rid of all that garbage MS AutoUpdater.