Macbreak

MBW 81: Throbbers, excess moisture, Johnson Rods, and Male Answer Syndrome

Merlin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:10:06 -0400

MacBreak Weekly 81: Click the Throbber

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Merlin Mann, Andy Ihnatko, and Alex Lindsay Safari 3.1, security update, Apple mulls music subscription plan, this week’s picks and more.

Here’s a direct MP3 download of MBW 81.

Very fun episode this week if I do say so. Andy and I nerded out a lot, there was much jollity, we worked blue a few times, and my (repeat) pick o’ the week is SafariStand – speciﬁcally for the amazing “Copy Link as Markdown” and “Copy Link HTML Tag” functionality. Dammit: go pimp your Safari!

Update, 2008-03-20 16:29:45

Next Week: Patrick Wilson from Weezer

Oh, man. How did I forget this? Next week, MacBreak Weekly’s special guest will be Pat Wilson, the drummer from Weezer and The Rentals and the multi-instrumental leader of That Special Goodness. Yeah, I know; I can’t believe it, either, but he actually asked Leo if he could be on the show. Weird. I wonder if he sent email to the wrong place and actually thinks we’re Grammar Girl or something.

Anyhow, it’s on, and I’m thrilled, because I go way back with Weezer. After the jump’s a live video of an old Weezer favorite (which, according to WikiPee, Pat co-wrote), “My Name is Jonas.”

Weezer - “My Name is Jonas”

”MBW 81: Throbbers, excess moisture, Johnson Rods, and Male Answer Syndrome” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on March 20, 2008. Except as noted, it's ©2009 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"

Merlin on MacBreak Weekly 75

Merlin — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 08:47:32 -0500

MacBreak Weekly 75: MacHeist Replies

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Merlin Mann, Andy Ihnatko, Scott Bourne, and Alex Lindsay

Guests: Philip Ryu of MacHeist, Andrew Welch of Ambrosia.

> >

Apple reports record earnings… then stock tanks, Philip Ryu of MacHeist and Andrew Welch of Ambrosia give counterpoints to MacHeist discussion, and more.

Here’s a direct MP3 download of our marathon 107 minute, nearly-ruined-by-Skype-farts MBW 75.

And, hey, whaddaya know? MBW is having its Diamond Anniversary. I should pick up a necklace or an industrial drill for Leo.

This week, Leo invited Philip and Andrew on to talk about MacHeist. I hope they feel like they got a fair hearing and were able to say their piece. For myself, I’m still not sure how I feel about MacHeist, but I’m persuaded that the process is improved over the ﬁrst time it was offered. On a personal level, it was cool to be given a chance to talk to Andrew, whose Ambrosia Software has been with me like a secret friend for almost as long as I’ve used a Mac.

This time around my pick of the week is Airfoil by Rogue Amoeba (although I also profess my affection for lots of other stuff Paul makes). Good interview from last year with Paul over on Ars Technica.

”Merlin on MacBreak Weekly 75” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on January 30, 2008. Except as noted, it's ©2009 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"

MacBreak 74: Hot Lips and Hawkeye

Merlin — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:31:17 -0500

MacBreak Weekly 74: Hot Lips and Hawkeye

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Merlin Mann, Andy Ihnatko, and Rich Siegel

A look back at Macworld, Ofﬁce spreads out, MacHeist, .Mac future bright and cloudy, certain gestures and more.

Here’s a direct MP3 download of MBW 74.

I think this might be one of my favorite episodes of MacBreak Weekly. Say what you will about the podcast medium, it’s amazing to be able to pull an articulate person like Rich Siegel into your conversation midway – (~00:38:15) – just via IM and a phone number. Very cool.

So. That said. I really want the promoters and developer-fans of MacHeist to have their opportunity to respond to what Rich (and we) had to say. Clearly we all think a lot of the Mac indie community, so it’d be valuable to continue the conversation in a way that’s fair and civil for everybody.

Directions on how to get your voice heard appear around (~00:57:11) of this episode.

update 2008-01-25 08:21:01

”MacBreak 74: Hot Lips and Hawkeye” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on January 23, 2008. Except as noted, it's ©2009 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"

Macworld Expo '08: Merlin talks with the makers of 1Password

Merlin — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:28:57 -0500

Aha! Embeddable video for a third MacBreak interview at Macworld ‘08 has turned up – this one’s with Dave Teare at Agile Web Solutions, makers of 1Password.

As we discuss in the video, I’m really looking forward to seeing 1Password’s secure password bookmarklet for iPhone.

MacBreak: Macworld 2008/Agile Web Solutions

And, as a bonus – just so Dave can catch up with his some of his countrymen’s peerless pop music – here’s videos of three of my favorite Canadian bands.

Flashing Lights / “Highschool”

Sloan / “The Good in Everyone”

Broken Social Scene - 7/4 (Shoreline)

”Macworld Expo '08: Merlin talks with the makers of 1Password” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on January 22, 2008. Except as noted, it's ©2009 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"

Macworld Expo '08: Merlin visits with Panic, Agile Web Solutions, and James from New Jersey

Merlin — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 12:52:25 -0500

Macworld Expo wouldn’t be the same for me if I didn’t have the chance to hit the ﬂoor and talk to the kids for MacBreak.

This year, I returned to Tiny Town to talk to my new internet boyfriends, Cabel and Steven, at Panic, Dave Teare from my beloved 1Password, as well as the charming James from New Jersey who says he doesn’t want to punch Steve Jobs, no matter what.

MacBreak 121: Macworld 2008/Panic Software

Merlin Mann chats with Cabel and Steven from Panic Software.

MacBreak 123: Macworld 2008/Jersey guy

Merlin Mann chats with James from Jersey about ﬂying, beverages, and theoretically punching Steve Jobs.

(I couldn’t ﬁnd embeddable video of my interview with Dave from 1Password, but you can download ‘er directly)

”Macworld Expo '08: Merlin visits with Panic, Agile Web Solutions, and James from New Jersey” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on January 20, 2008. Except as noted, it's ©2009 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"

Back to MacBreak Weekly with Episode 70

Merlin — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 12:40:51 -0500

MacBreak Weekly 70: Happy Life Day!

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Alex Lindsay, Andy Ihnatko, Chris Breen, Merlin Mann, and Scott Bourne

It’s the Macbreak Weekly Year Ender!

Here’s a direct MP3 download of MBW 70.

And here’s linkage to a few of the things I mentioned (adapted from this episode’s show notes):

MenuCalendarClock from Objectpark Software is a a handy and functional way to get at your iCal task list from the menu bar. ($19.95)
Remote Buddy at IOspirit.com looks like a very cool way to run your Mac from your iPhone. I was chickenshit to ﬁnish the install after seeing something about “Kernel insertion”. Anybody tried it? (19.99 EUROS)
FlexTime from Red Sweater Software is a swell multi-timer that’s an awesome tool for procrastinators (from 7/2006: “2 OS X timers to watch: Flextime & Meridian”). ($18.95)

And, of course, here’s the full, 2-hour version of the truly unbelievable Star Wars Holiday Special.

Happy Life Day, indeed.

”Back to MacBreak Weekly with Episode 70” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on December 26, 2007. Except as noted, it's ©2009 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"

MBW 58; Pick of the week is Acorn

Merlin — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 17:25:58 -0400

MacBreak Weekly 58: Repeal the Nerd Tax

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Merlin Mann, Alex Lindsay, and Chris Breen

Chris reviews the new iPods, screen issues with the Touch, and the trouble with ringtones…

Here’s a direct MP3 download of MBW 58.

Oh, brother, I was totally high on cold medicine when we did this episode. But, not so high that I couldn’t recommend Flying Meat’s amazing new Acorn, a stripped-down, and very inexpensive graphics app. It’s one my favorite Mac programs of the year.

Like I said on the show, there’s so many little things you want to do with screen shots or photos – just weird little tweaks like Dooce’s “Lovely Glow Effect” – and high-end graphics apps like Photoshop can seem really heavy for the job. Acorn is in the sweet spot for most of what I want to do, and so far it’s stood up to every task I’ve needed. And, the price is sure right at an intro rate of $39.95 (0.057 of an “Alex”).

And, for the next show, I’ll try to be less medicated. I promise. Unless it’s something people like. In which case I’ll consider getting wasted. Up to you.

”MBW 58; Pick of the week is Acorn” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on September 24, 2007. Except as noted, it's ©2009 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"

MBW: New iMacs; iLife & iWork '08; .Mac; Anti-picks; and Merlin's dirty little secret

Merlin — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 06:38:03 -0400

MacBreak Weekly 52: Ten Cents A Dance

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Merlin Mann, Scott Bourne, Andy Ihnatko, and Alex Lindsay

We take a look at Apple’s new iMacs, and iLife and iWork 08…

Here’s a direct MP3 download of MBW 52.

Of course, when I chose iCal as my anti-pick, I said it with love. Much love.

iCal and me are like family. Except in this case, I’m the Dad and iCal is the at-risk kid whose grades keep dropping and who always forgets to take the trash to the curb. Damned kid.

Tough love? You bet. But, still: love.

Also, in unrelated news, I quietly outed myself as a new iPhone owner. So there you go. My dirty little secret, revealed.

”MBW: New iMacs; iLife & iWork '08; .Mac; Anti-picks; and Merlin's dirty little secret” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on August 10, 2007. Except as noted, it's ©2009 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"

Saft for Safari on MacBreak Minute

Merlin — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 07:38:20 -0400

h a o l i [Saft]

In the latest episode of MacBreak Minute (subscribe), I talked about a Safari plug-in I like a lot called Saft.

Although my short demo only covers bookmarking a set of tabs, Saft does way more. To quote the lovely and talented Jon Hicks:

Saft is quite simply the vital extension for Safari. Its started life as a way of getting full screen/kiosk mode, but has grown to include many other features as well. Hao Li, the developer, is regularly adding new features, and updates are always available soon after a main Safari update.

Saft for Tiger is $12.00 and can be ordered online.

”Saft for Safari on MacBreak Minute” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on August 02, 2007. Except as noted, it's ©2009 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"

MacBreak Minute: LiteSwitch X

Merlin — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 07:56:26 -0400

Proteron - LiteSwitch X

In the latest episode of MacBreak Minutes (subscribe), I talked about a favorite PreferencePane of mine called LiteSwitch.

LiteSwitch takes the basic app-switching functionality of OS X and adds some handy features, such as the ability to quit (or force-quit), relaunch, hide, reveal, Get Info, and more. Once you get used to this new power under your ﬁngers, you’ll never go back.

”MacBreak Minute: LiteSwitch X” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on July 16, 2007. Except as noted, it's ©2009 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"