June 2011
45 posts
Boston or Bust!
Hey all! Just a quick note to say that I will be in Boston at the end of this month (June) and am exploring the possibility of having a Minimal Mac meetup. That said, in order to see if it is even worth doing such a thing I need to find out how many folks would possibly attend such a thing.
It would likely be a very casual afair at some easy to get to local establishment that served fermented...
May 2011
54 posts
Enough Episode 38 — Enough for Stephen →
On this episode of the Minimal Mac podcast, we talk to Stephen Hackett of Forkbomber fame and “Lord Vader” over at Macgasm.
Stephen just became the proud owner of an 11 inch Macbook Air so what better time to ask him about what is “enough” for him on this new machine.
Also, we talk Barbecue. Yes, barbecue.
My Favorite Tool for Prioritizing E-mail →
A short article in this month’s Inc Magazine about how I use AwayFind to make sure I get the email that matters (so I can ignore the rest and save it for later).
Like Hammers - kung fu grippe →
Distractions have never prevented a Writing Writer Who Writes from writing; distractions are an excuse proffered by Non-Writing Non-Writers Who are Not-Writing for why they are not writing.
Merlin Mann on “distraction free” writing apps. Bottom line, the only tool that will help you focus on writing is you.
Bonus Pro-Tip: When distracted and unable to focus on writing, try writing...
Mac OS 9 Isn't Dead Yet →
What surprises me is how many people are still using a ten-year-old operating system for productive tasks. A not-insubstantial set of folks still need (or want) to run OS 9 for reasons both business and personal.
Like in the article, I too have one client who has a Mac OS 9 machine for a specific piece of software that his business relies upon. I have tried to convince him for years that,...
Information Architects – iA Writer for Mac →
A better tool doesn’t make a better craftsman, but a good tool makes working a pleasure. iA Writer for Mac is a digital writing tool that makes sure that all your thoughts go into the text instead of the program. iA Writer has no preferences. It is how it is. It works like it works. Love it or hate it. It’s unique FocusMode allows me to think, spell and write at one sentence at a time. iA Writer...
Ringer - Effortless iPhone Ringtones [Sponsor] →
I did not want to let this long week pass without throwing up a thank you to Pixel Research Lab’s excellent app Ringer. It the easiest, most elegant, and most Mac-like way to make custom ringtones for your iPhone. It’s only $0.99 in the Mac App Store. Trust me, the fun you will have with this is worth the buck alone.
The Only Way to Get Important Things Done - Tony... →
It turns out we each have one reservoir of will and discipline, and it gets progressively depleted by any act of conscious self-regulation. In other words, if you spend energy trying to resist a fragrant chocolate chip cookie, you’ll have less energy left over to solve a difficult problem. Will and discipline decline inexorably as the day wears on.
This is very much in line with the...
OneSwarm →
onethingwell:
OneSwarm is a new peer-to-peer tool that provides users with explicit control over their privacy by letting them determine how data is shared. Instead of sharing data indiscriminately, data shared with OneSwarm can be made public, it can be shared with friends, shared with some friends but not others, and so forth. We call this friend-to-friend (F2F) data sharing.
It also...
Have You Started Keeping It Straight Yet? →
You can save 25% off of my book, Keeping It Straight, on Lulu right now if you use the coupon code CYBERMAY305. It’s the best discount yet and the offer is only good until the end of the month. Available in ePub (which works and looks great in iBooks) and Paperback.
Enough Episode 37 – Empty Nest →
I today’s episode of the podcast, Myke and I discuss some of the recent changes with Twitter which I find, well, disappointing. Not the least of which is that they are rolling out a new “feature” in which they send you an email every time someone sends a reply, or retweets you, or marks a tweat as a favorite. As someone who gets a lot of email, let’s just say that I was less than happy...
Tac-Pad iPad Case →
Now this is a BadAss™ iPad case. Make sure to take a peek at the video so you can know how to attach your mine probe kit to it (not kidding).
Also, it’s priced for a military grunt’s salary – Only $16.50. God bless America.
(via Pack Light, Go Fast)
The Art of Impossibility | Management Innovation... →
As the parable of RIM suggests, Apple’s biggest ally might not be marketing, design, or the Apple Store. Instead, it might just be the sheer smallness of ambition of its rivals—so satisfied with the status quo, they simply can’t believe that the impossible can be attempted, much less mastered.
I’m reminded of a recent conversation I had with someone I admire, who has an unbelievable...
BusyToDo - To Do List Manager for iOS syncs with... →
New offering from one of my favorite developers. My wife and I would likely be divorced if not for BusyCal.
The Opulence Bubble - Umair Haque - Harvard... →
The plain truth might be that we’re living beyond our means because our way of life atrophied our means. And it may be that way we live, work, and play requires deep transformation — if we’re to upgrade our means to live, work, and play better tomorrow.
An interesting theorem about how our own desires to live beyond our means is creating a “superbubble” that is the real...
Forkbombr — Notification Badge Anxiety Disorder →
I’m the one who signed up for all of these apps and services. I’m the one who went out and spent money on an iPhone. The phone can’t edit its notification settings, or what apps are installed on it. I’m the user; it is the machine.
A great post from Stephen on NBAD and what you can, and should, do about it.
Ringer - Effortless iPhone Ringtones [Sponsor] →
Ringer is the easy and fun way to make custom ringtones for your iPhone. Some of you may remember it as the program that changed me from a ringtone naysayer into a believer. In fact, I had never even used a custom ringtone before because of the time thought it would take. I could have bought one but the expense in getting something I likely already owned in a smaller increment turned me off....
WatchGrandview is a new “distraction-free” writing environment that has one of the more interesting interfaces you likely have ever seen. It’s clearly one of those things that was developed to serve a particular need of the developer and is not for everyone.
Basically, by default, you see one word at a time as you type. Get to the end of a sentence and it then displays the entire...
My Bag is Badass | My Levenger Stanley Briefbag →
Ever wonder what bag I carry my kit around in? Wonder no more.
“As an aside, here’s a tip for using any bag: load it before you leave, unload it...”
– Randy Murray — iPad Satchel Heaven: The Levenger Bomber Jacket Messenger
This is a great tip.
Enough Episode 34 — Nothing But Over The Air →
On today’s episode of Enough, Myke discusses how he has managed to untether his iPhone from a Mac and get all the syncing he needs using over the air tools. He’s living the dream (and shows that you can too).
iCloud – Conjecture, Magic, and A Fools Hope
Those who follow me on Twitter saw me drop this idea last night in my stream so this may not be new to you.
I was just thinking aloud after reading the umpteenth rumor/speculation/claim-chowder post about the alleged Apple iCloud service and the possibly to stream music from some giant locker in the sky. In almost every one of these I have read, it is speculated that one would be able to upload...
Sponsorship Slots Available for June
I have finally posted the next round of sponsorship slots. A couple are already taken but there are other great slots still available. Also, though readership has increased the price remains the same. It’s a great opportunity for anyone with the right product to put in front of a bunch of smart and savvy (and good looking) people. Not sure if your product is right? Well, getting in touch is...
Founder of data storage backup firm has a plan:... →
“If you take venture capital, one of the commitments you’re making is, you’re saying, ‘I will sell,’” Dornquast said. “Is a company in Minnesota going to acquire my technology? No. Where is it going to go? East Coast or West Coast. Whose students are going to benefit? East Coast or West Coast.”
Many regular readers know that I’m a big fan...
Dropbox Lied to Users About Data Security,... →
Yes, it seems the whole Internet is talking about this story. That said, here is the general rule of thumb we all should be aware of as a blanket statement of security about everything:
If you want your data to be 100% secure, here’s the solution:
Don’t have data.
Anything on or attached to the Internet could be accessed no matter what. This is especially true of anything you willingly give to...
AppleCore Cable Management →
These look like a really nifty solution to wrangle the tangles. They are pretty reasonably priced too. They come in three sizes ranging from $1.99 to $4.99. I ordered a few.
(via Herman Miller Lifework Blog)
I don’t work in a museum (and so should you) – 52... →
How tightly organized should I be? Enough to pass a white glove test? No. That’s not going to happen, and imposing that ideal on myself is actually counter-productive. So, I stay organized enough to achieve my goals. Today, I achieve what I’m after, stacks and all. I’m OK with it. I have things I love around me, like photos, drawings and Disney Vinylmations. It’s working and, more importantly, I...
The Ballmer Days Are Over — The Brooks Review →
While these charts are anything but proof of bad management — in business school the first thing they teach you about CEO’s is: it is the CEO’s job to increase the shareholder value of the company. Since taking the position Ballmer has decreased shareholder value, as reflected by stock price, by -56.63%. That. Is. Not. Good.
I agree. It is absolutely astonishing to me that Ballmer is still in...
Enough Episode 33 — Enough for Ben →
Want to know what constitutes enough for Ben Brooks of the excellent and essential site The Brooks Review? In the latest episode of the podcast I ask him what he would do if he had nothing but a 64GB MacBook Air to work with. I had a lot of fun doing this one. Take a listen.
Verbs App – Simple Instant Messaging for iPhone &... →
I just pulled the trigger on this app after knowing about it for a couple of weeks. I find myself increasingly using (or wanting to use) instant messaging. Especially to stay in touch with a select few key people who I’m involved in projects with right now.
This is a really simple yet well designed IM app with just the features you need. It has AIM/iChat/MobileMe and GTalk support. It...
Weekly Poll: How Much Internal Storage Do You... →
Not what poll results we believe in…
Make your choice then vote to see the results.
(via Chris Long)
The Purpose Varies — by Chris Bowler →
You’re going to make a lot of great connections on Twitter, but don’t feel the need to make every connection.
I don’t normally post a whole lot about this stuff here at Minimal Mac. I usually reserve it for that other site I do that deals with and curates around such themes. That said, this is a message that needs to be heard and Chris does a brilliant job delivering it.
Five amazing computers for under £100... →
Both the Apple iPhone 2G and the G3 Pismo make the list.
(via Boing Boing)
Keeping It Straight – Update, Answers, and A Deal
I just wanted to take some time out to thank everyone who has purchased my book, Keeping It Straight, so far. I’m absolutely floored by the fantastic response and those who have reached out to give me such kind reviews. Really appreciated.
If you have not checked it out yet, I would love it if you considered doing so. To make it even more enticing, here is a deal that’s hard to...
Societal pressure to ‘keep house’ →
Personally, unless a home is filthy or is a danger to the person who lives there or a burden to others, I don’t care about the clutter. I just hope the person is happy and the clutter doesn’t interfere with her ability to pursue the life she desires or anyone else’s. Not only do I think gender is irrelevant to this topic, I believe we need to stop cluttering up our thoughts and time by...
iCloud Predictions — Shawn Blanc →
I think Shawn Blanc hits pretty close to the mark with these.
“Inside Apple” Reveals Steve Jobs Anecdotes,... →
In Adam Lashinsky’s latest feature story on Fortune magazine’s new issue — available now on the iPad at $4.99 as single in-app purchase, and free for Fortune subscribers — the author reveals several unknown anecdotes about the company, internal management, and Steve Jobs. The story is full of interesting details for Apple fans and journalists, as well as little known facts about the personality...
Forkbombr — The First 64 Gigs →
Stephen covers what would be “enough” for him if he chose to live with just a 64GB Macbook Air.
Related: It’s frustrating me more than a little that people I want to have on the podcast are getting to this question before I have the chance to ask them.
Laptop size, weight, and power – Marco.org →
This is a really good post that contains everything that we believe in when it comes to making smart a reasoned decisions about what “enough” means to you. To wit:
One of the core tenets of happy computing is to have a holistic view of your overall intended usage that can help you distinguish between “needs” and simply “nice to haves”.
I’m going to keep driving this notion...
Tech Test Drive: iPad2 as productivity device... →
My friend, technology reporter and all around nerd, Julio Ojeda-Zapata gives his report of round two in using the iPad for his main machine. He tried this the first time around with the first generation model to only a modicum of success. This time around, with the iPad 2 in hand, he fares quite a bit better (and seems to have a lot more fun at the same time).
He is right about one thing, there...
My Bag is Badass →
As I have mentioned before, I often have more ideas than time to execute them. Sometimes, I want this idea to come to fruition so badly that I put them out there, for free, in the hopes that someone will take it, build it, and allow me and others to enjoy it. This is one of those ideas. I mentioned it on Twitter yesterday and, well, here it is. It’s like magic.
My Bag Is Badass is a place...
Fantastical Preview — Shawn Blanc →
There is a fine line between not enough and just enough — between usability and unnecessary lack. That line is defined in part by the developer but also by the user.
We, the users, define what is too much, not enough, or just right for the software we use. Often times, the best of developers will be able to aptly build in the appropriate features for all sorts of users. So that those users...
“Less Software” — The Brooks Review →
I could delete Office and Photoshop and get by with the other apps, but my goal isn’t to decrease HD space (I have plenty of that), nor is my goal to reduce the usefulness of my computer — my goal is to use less resources while I am working.
I can get by just fine with out Photoshop or Word, but it is far less convenient to do so. My move towards this type of software has nothing to do with the...
Enough Episode 31 — Enough for Brett →
We launch a new regular feature on today’s episode of the Minimal Mac Podcast. I’m calling it “Enough for…”. The Plan: I propose to each guest that they are getting a brand new, fresh out of the box, Macbook Air 11inch 64GB and ask what software would they absolutely need to get by given the space they have to work with. It’s a question I’m forced to ask...
