MindNode 7 Released


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MindNode, my favorite mind mapping app, recently released version 7. The new version adds visual tags to your maps with colored dots you can drop in at the end of nodes. It gives you one more visual tool for mind mapping, and their uses go as far as your imagination. I’ve been using them to represent progress as I work through the Keyboard Maestro Field Guide update nodes. The tags work on both iOS and Mac platforms and they are an excellent addition.

The app also still has that clean design that I love and the ability to jump between mind maps and outlines in the application.

MindNode has also shifted the business model to a subscription pricing plan to help support future development. ($2.49/month or $19.99/year) Even though they’ve made this move, they are making the new update with visual tags a free upgrade to existing MindNode 5 and 6 customers. When I first got into mind mapping, the software was hundreds of dollars and couldn’t hold a candle to MindNode. I use MindNode nearly every day, so the $20 per year price tag is an easy decision for me.


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Mac Power Users 520: Weather Apps & Gear

Gone are the days of waiting for the evening news to find out the weather for the next day. Now, weather data is accessible anywhere. Stephen and I compare a bunch of different weather apps and services before picking our favorite on the latest episode of Mac Power Users.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

  • SaneBox: Stop drowning in email!

  • Direct Mail: Create and send great looking email newsletters with Direct Mail, an easy-to-use email marketing app designed exclusively for the Mac.

  • Booz Allen: Integrate. Innovate. Get it done with Booz Allen.

  • Health IQ: Insurance for the Health Conscious. Save up to 41%. Take the quiz now to see if you qualify.

Tame Your Email with SaneBox (Sponsor)

This week’s sponsor, SaneBox is the solution to so many of my email problems. SaneBox is the email service that adds a pile of productivity features to your email, regardless of what email client you use. For a lot of folks, email is a constant pain point, and it doesn’t need to be. With SaneBox at your back, you can:

  • Wake up every day to find the SaneBox robots have automatically sorted your incoming email for you so you can address the important and ignore the irrelevant. 

  • Defer email for hours, days, or weeks, so it is out of your life until a more appropriate time. They’ve even added a new feature that can optionally auto-reply to snoozed email with something like, “I’m sorry, but I’m underwater right now. I’ll get back to you in a few days.”

  • Set secret reminders so if someone doesn’t reply to an important email SaneBox gives you a nudge to follow up.

  • Automatically save attachments to the cloud (like Dropbox).

  • Use their SaneForward service to automatically send appropriate emails to services like Evernote, Expensify, and Kayak.

  • Move unwanted email to the SaneBlackHole and never see anything from that person again.

The list goes on, and MacSparky readers love this service.

The SaneBox team is constantly improving the SaneBox interface and releasing even more new tools. Why not straighten out your email by getting a SaneBox account today. If you sign up with this link, you even get a discount on your subscription. 

Apple TV+, A Few Months In

Now that Apple TV has been out a few months, I went back and looked at how much I’ve used the service. I watched all of the “For All Mankind” series, and I’m working my way through “Little America”. The big-budget “See” series couldn’t hold me for two episodes, but that isn’t surprising. Dystopian future shows do nothing for me. My wife and I watched the first few episodes of “Morning Show” together, and we have the best intentions of finishing it, but we haven’t got around to episode three in months.

In contrast, my family (without any small children) seems to watch Disney+ constantly. I get that I’m just reporting one family, but talking to friends and family, Apple TV+ seems to have the same lukewarm reception among all of them. Looking at this launch window, all we can really say is that Apple has now planted its flag on original content, but I doubt its competitors are losing much sleep at this point. In other words, Apple, don’t quit your day job.

Focused 91: Information Overload

Mike and I are kicking off a new series on overload by examining our own FOMO (fear of missing out) triggers. We also make the productivity case for intentionally missing out. Check it out on the latest episode of Focused.

This episode of Focused is sponsored by:

  • Blinkist: Read 3000+ books in 15 minutes or fewer. Start your 7-day free trial.

  • Ahrefs: SEO tools and resources to grow your search traffic. Get a 7-day trial for just $7.

  • ExpressVPN: High-speed, secure and anonymous VPN service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package.

More On Apple and Encryption

Following up on my post of last week about Apple and user privacy, I missed the point about iCloud backups. While your device is encrypted, your iCloud backup is not. At least, there is no end-to-end encryption, which means Apple can access the data. Several years ago Apple explained they were in the process of making the iCloud backup end-to-end encrypted as well, but now we are hearing reports that Apple abandoned those plans in an effort to satisfy the FBI.

There are multiple sources cited for this story and it appears to be true. So Apple is holding the line on our devices but not on our backups. That seems like a great way to upset everyone. Do they think giving the government user just iCloud backups will satisfy them? Do they think that privacy-minded users will say “good enough” when they realize their device is encrypted but not their backups? Seems to me like it is time for Apple to fish or cut bait.

Mac Power Users 519: Workflows with Greg Pierce

Drafts developer Greg Pierce joins Stephen and me on MPU 519 to talk about his move to an iMac, his development career and when it’s time not to upgrade to a new device.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

  • TextExpander from Smile: Get 20% off with this link and type more with less effort! Expand short abbreviations into longer bits of text, even fill-ins, with TextExpander from Smile.

  • 1Password: Have you ever forgotten a password? You don’t have to worry about that anymore. 

  • Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code MPU at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

  • Booz Allen: Integrate. Innovate. Get it done with Booz Allen.

Automators 41: Automated Health Tracking

Rosemary and I tackle health tracking and how we can automate it to get all of the plusses with as few negatives as possible. From “smartifying” health devices, to building habits and accountability, it’s all covered on today’s episode of Automators.

This episode of Automators is sponsored by:

  • Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code AUTOMATORS to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2021.

  • ExpressVPN: High-speed, secure and anonymous VPN service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package.

  • Kensington: The professionals’ choice. Find the right docking solutions for your organization today.

Jazz Friday: The YAYennings Quartet

One of my personal goals this year is to get back into the habit of sharing some jazz nuggets around here on Fridays. My pick this time is a recent album by the YAYenning Quartet called Scott Ave. This album gives a contemporary twist to traditional west coast jazz and, musically at least, it pushes every one of my buttons. The music was written by trumpeter Jay Jennings (or Yay Yennings). Tenor sax is played by Bob Reynolds (YouTube) (Focused guest appearance). The band is rounded out by bassist Ross Schodek and drummer Jose Perez. Several of the members are also part of Snarky Puppy.

The music is very much west coast bebop but also contemporary. If you don’t listen to a lot of jazz, something to note about this album is the lack of a comping instrument. There is no piano or guitar laying chords behind the melodies and solos. Instead, the horns will play basic tones behind one another.

The music feels fresh. Multiple times they’ll be racing along and then come to a dead stop, only to start again. It’s delightful. I love this band so much that I’ve even braved Los Angeles traffic to watch them play live and they are tight. Folks sometimes complain my jazz Friday posts have too many dead people. Well, the YAYennings quartet is four very live ones and their album, Scott Ave., was my favorite new jazz album of 2019. Check it out in the iTunes Store, or download it on Apple Music. You’re in for a treat. Also below is one of Bob’s VLOG’s when they were rehearsing, which is pretty fun to watch.