I’ve been thinking about a workflow to automatically file documents with Hazel using highlighted terms since Fujitsu first added the ability to selectively apply optical character recognition. Brooks Duncan pulls it all together. As an aside, my not so scientific experimentation using the ScanSnap OCR features say green highlighters work best.
The Pomodoro Technique
I’ve talked a lot on the Mac Power Users about our sponsor Navel Labs and its Pomodoro Timer application. This has triggered a steady stream of e-mails about this kitchen timer based productivity system. The Pomodoro Technique is the inspiration of an Italian graduate student. The idea is you work in 25 minute bursts with 5 minute breaks. You can read all about it here. If you are curious, try out out Navel Labs’ Pomodoro Timer.
BusyCal 1.5 Beta
The new BusyCal public beta allows you to sync with the new MobileMe calendar beta and other CalDAV servers. It also includes the ability to sync over your local area network and Google calendar. I’ve been running it since last week with no troubles. I think, in the end, the transition to CalDAV is going to benefit everyone.
Mac Power Users: Keynote Pro Tips
I got to unload for an hour and a half about my thoughts and practices for presenting on a Mac in the most recent episode of the Mac Power Users. It was therapeutic. Get it on the Web or in iTunes.
MPU on MacVoices
It was my pleasure to record an episode of MacVoices Chuck Joiner all about the the Mac Power Users. In it Katie and I talked about the genesis for the show and how much fun it is. Chuck is the James Lipton of the Mac community and it was privilege joining in.
Objective C for Absolute Beginners, Review and Discount
Everyone who worked with computers back in the 8 bit days thinks of himself as a programmer. I’m no different. I remember the days …
10 Print “Hello World”
20 Goto 10
I even tried my hand at assembly code at which, in hindsight, I was terrible.
So fast forwarding 20 (or 30) years I still like the idea of pushing pixels around the screen and want to pick it up again. I’m not looking for a new career. I just think as a hobbyist (and Mac nerd), it would be fun to understand Xcode more. I’ve bought a few books for this purpose over the years. The problem is, I never seem to finish them.
I am probably not the only one who buys a programming book with the greatest intentions and never makes it to the end. The reason for this is that the landscape of programming has changed so much since I was “in the game” that I can’t keep up with a book that takes anything for granted. I need the basics. That is what led me to read Objective-C for Absolute Beginners by Gary Bennett, Mitch Fisher, and Brad Lees.
If you are looking to get started with Xcode, this is the book. The point of an objective based programming language is working with, well … objects. The trouble is, applying (and learning) the basic concepts of Objective-C objects requires a lot more knowledge of Objective-C than just the basics. As a result, a lot of new programmers get stuck at the gate.
The authors have a solution. They use the open source Alice Project to teach basic objective programming concepts and then move back to Xcode to use those principals with Objective-C.
The title gets it right. This book is for absolute beginners. You can pick it up without a lick of programming knowledge and (with a little patience) work your way through the book. If you are looking to get a working knowledge of Objective-C, this one is for you.
Discount Code
The publisher has a 25% discount for MacSparky readers. If you are interested buy it here and enter the discount code “MACSPARKYDFT”.
Bento Project Management
Bento is now in the project management game. The new template does not match the features of a dedicated project manager but if your needs aren’t too complex, it may scratch the itch.
MiloFest – For Mac Lawyers
The Macs in Law Office Google Group is running its second MILOfest in November. I can’t attend but if you are a Mac Lawyer, check it out.
ObiShawn
This is not the car we’re looking for.
TeuxDeux
TeuxDeux is a gorgeous Web/iOS based simple task list. If it weren’t for the fact that my own task list is insane (requiring OmniFocus’ Death Star-like ability to obliterate tasks), I’d be so on this.