One of my favorite shows every year on the Mac Power Users is the workflow interview with Merlin Mann. Merlin is a friend and was the very first workflow guest on the show. This year’s episode delivers in spades. We talk about how we use Evernote, GTD in 2013, the iPad, Podcasting, and Merlin’s favorite Apps. Enjoy.
Farewell Roger
Today we lost Roger Ebert. Roger Ebert was prolific and has been my trusted source for movie reviews my entire life. Every time I start feeling sorry for myself, I think of Roger Ebert, who couldn’t talk and couldn’t eat, but published amazing stuff every single day.
Looking at Ulysses III
I was provided an early release of Ulysses III and my first impression was “wow”. The developers have really created something different with Ulysses and for the first time I was really tempted to try and write a big project with it. I particularly like the baked-in sync with their iOS text editor, Daedalus Touch.
Yesterday Ulsses III went on sale in the Mac App Store and I bought in. (It is on sale, $20 this week and will go up to $40 next week.) I spent several hours yesterday trying to move the next Field Guide’s text into Ulsses III and testing the syncing link to Daedelous Touch on my iPad.
Ulysses III is gorgeous. The way it renders text and iterates on the three pane view is truly remarkable. However, ultimately, I am not going to be writing a Field Guide in it, at least not this version of it. I experienced some wonkiness in syncing tests to the iPad, I really need a global search, and it just feels not quite there yet. I think Gabe Weatherhead’s views are pretty similar to mine.
I don’t regret buying it though. I think this app is on the right track and I really want to see it get better. In my book, Ulysses is definitely one worth watching. I’m going to be keeping up with the updates.
Macworld/iWorld moves to Late March 2014
Next year’s Macworld/iWorld expo, previously scheduled for Superbowl weekend (January 31-February 2), just moved to March 27 through March 29, 2014. Macworld.com has the full story. While I have to admit I’d have no problem giving up the Super Bowl for Macworld, I’m not sure everyone would agree. I think this move is a good one. Moreover, the new date means I don’t have to leave town on my wife’s birthday.
I’ve written before that I believe Macworld has found its groove since Apple left. Moving the date further helps draw the distinction between the Macworld of old and the Macworld of now. It’s no longer competing with CES. Instead, it takes place months later.
So now we’ve all got a year’s notice and no excuse not to make plans to attend next March. It’s just not right how much I enjoy attending Macworld every year.
MPU 131: Markdown Revisited
In episode 131 of the Mac Power Users, Eddie Smith joins us to talk about how Markdown is no longer just for geeks. We also talk about a book you may have heard of but I we don’t hard sell it. (At least we tried not to.) Finally, we spend some time on the challenges faced collaborating on a rich-media book and the tools and workflows we used to get there.
In the Looming Battle for my RSS Business…
Feedbin just got a leg up. It is, however, still too early to say. I recommend everyone sit tight a while longer with their Google Reader account. There will be options.
Apple’s Enemies
I’m 100% on board with Brent Simmons’ post at Macworld yesterday.
“Instead, Apple’s enemy is Apple itself. It must attract and retain talent. It needs to get strong where it’s weak—particularly with syncing and online services.
It needs to retain that awesome balance between cautious incremental updates and the occasional, mind-blowing new.
It’s not easy. But nobody does it better than Apple.”
I tried to make a similar point in my Macworld article about the culture of fear in the Apple community. We are not going back to a world where one platform gets 96% of the market share. We no longer need to be worried about our beloved fruit company shuttering its doors. It is now up to Apple to continue to deliver.
1Password Browser Extension Update
Agile today released an update to the 1Password Safari browser extension that adds a nice little animation as it fills in web forms. People sometimes ask me why I trust 1Password to manage my passwords. When they sweat litle details like this, you can rest assured the big details are well in hand.
MPU 130: Computing with Kids
This week’s Mac Power Users episode include guest Natali Morris and we talk about the challenges of raising children around technology. Natali is really smart and had some great ideas.
Sunday Night Advice: No Snooze
Great advice. Not always so easy Monday morning.