There is something about Tapbots’ apps that I can’t resist. They weild little sound effects and whimsey the same way Dr. Jones does that whip. Despite Tweetbot’s nightmare-inspiring icon, I use this app as my weapon of choice throughout iOS and am happy to be doing so now on my Mac as well.
Sponsor: Sifter
Sifter is a simple project management tool for small teams. It frees you up to focus on shipping better software instead of checking in on team members.
It’s perfect for serving as your team’s central location for capturing and managing all of a project’s issues, questions, bugs and new features. No more swimming through emails or multiple applications to check on the status of an issue. Sifter’s powerful search and filtering make sure you can easily find what you need.
Also, by keeping things obsessively simple, Sifter helps ensure that even the least technical team members feel welcome and comfortable participating so that they can be actively involved in both development and testing without any training.
The result is increased participation working hand-in-hand with a focus on accountability to ensure projects get delivered on time and that nothing slips through the cracks.
MPU 107: Workflows with Jean MacDonald
A recurring question we receive on the Mac Power Users is, “how do I get started programming?” We have tried to address this in past episodes when interviewing veteran programmers. I think we finally cracked this nut last week when we interviewed Jean MacDonald and she explained her journey on becoming an iOS programmer. Jean is just starting this journey and from that unique perspective she has a lot of good advice. She also talks about how she uses her marketing savvy to help Smile Software and scolds me about my lack of Facebook participation. Good times.
Send PayPal a Letter
And there lies the first (and probably) last legal advice you’ll ever read at MacSparky.com.
Scapple Beta
Literature and Latte (The Scrivener Developers) are about to release a new application, Scapple, which looks to be a sort of brainstorming tool (that will work with Scriviner). I’m just starting to play with the beta and you can too.
Music Concierge – Songza
I recommended Songza on the Mac Power Users a month ago and I’ve received several emails thanking me for it. It is a free music service that will select music for you based on the time of day. I prefer their music selections over Pandora and I use it all the time.
Access the Downloads Folder By Key Combination
One of my favorite tips in the 60 Tips Book is a list of all the keyboard shortcuts you can use in the OS X Save/Open Dialog box. For example, ⌘+D goes to the desktop.
I just learned a new one from Dark Sky’s Jack Turner.
⌥+⌘+L goes to the downloads folder.
Hazel Tutorial
Andreas Zeitler from Mac OS X Screencasts just released a 1-hour Hazel tutorial for 10 Euros. If you’re flumoxed by Haze, now is your chance.
Home Screens – Myke Hurley
Today is the first anniversary of the 70 Decibels Network, which hosts some of my favorite podcasts. In honor of this celebration, this week I’m featuring Myke Hurley’s home screen. Myke (Twitter) is the co-founder of 70 Decibels, the host of CMD+Space, and an all around swell guy.
So Myke, show us your home screen.
What are some of favorite apps?
I consider Tweebot to be the best app ever created on iOS. I use it multiple times a day, basically living inside the app when I’m away from home. Even when at home I use Tweetbot on my iPad as my main client. I basically have my iPad set up as a second screen at home. Day One has also become a new favourite of mine, it’s easily one of the most beautfiully designed apps I’ve used and the recent addition of being able to add photos has made the it important enough to replace the phone app in my dock! I’m also a massive fan of Instacast. In my opinion it’s the only way people should listen to Podcasts on iOS. And trust me, I’ve tried every app available.
Which app is your guilty pleasure?
I think Instagram has become a guilty pleasure of mine. It has recently made it’s way to my homescreen as I have been using it more and more every day. I enjoy posting silly pictures of not very important things and I like to see similar updates from my friends.
Other guilty pleasures of mine are games. I have a folder on another screen full of games like Jetpack Joyride, Peggle and Angry Birds (among others). I am always on the lookout for other games to add to this list.
What is the app you are still missing?
I am a Podcaster in my free time, and I’m still on the lookout for an app that will allow me to record, edit, add shownotes and post by FTP to a podcast host—all in one. Garageband can do some of this stuff, but not all of it. Basically, the only person that would be able to create an app like this would be a Podcast producer, as they’ll know exactly all of the steps needed. But it’s such a niche market, that I doubt I’ll ever see it.
How many times a day do you use your iPhone/iPad?
I think I could easily lose count with my iPhone. At my day job I have to use a Windows PC and I have very limited access to what I can install. So my iPhone remains as my connection to the online world. It’s where I’ll check twitter, listen to music or podcasts, read RSS and check email. All day, every day. I dont use my iPad as much as I tend to leave it at home, but it will be in constant use during the evening.
What is your favorite feature of the iPhone/iPad?
The apps available for iOS are what stops me thinking about switching to a competing platform (for any of the reasons there may be). The developers on the iOS platform churn out absolutely top quality apps, that are lovingly designed and often solve problems I didn’t even know I had
If you were in charge at Apple, what would you add or change?
I think I would extend the background capabilities of third-party apps. It would be great if I could have Reeder update itself, or Instacast download all my new shows, without me needing to prompt it. I think it’s about time Apple gave a little more capability to devs and trust that they will implement these features efficiently, practically and transparently.
Anything else you’d like to share?
In case anyone is interested, my background image is from the colour edition of the comic Scott Pilgrim vs the World. The image is of the character Ramona Flowers
Thanks Myke.
iGrand Piano for iPad
IK Multimedia has a new iPad app that includes some fantastic Piano samples (237 MB worth). I’ll be putting these through their paces this weekend on my MIDI keyboard as I continue my life-long assault on the music of Thelonious Monk.