Merlin Mann

The Monthly Pimp: January '09 Edition

Merlin — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 07:19:02 -0500

Although it's been way more than a month, per our little agreement, here's some recent Merlin-related stuff that may interest you. Really good stuff this time around.

Today/Friday: Macworld PULSE

Like Chairman Gruber, I'm frustrated that it's crazy-hard to link to our session. But, basically today is one (wow, long) day of TED-ish 20-minute presentations from...

Dan DiPaola, Co-Founder, HD-encoding.com

Adam Engst, TidBITS

John Gruber, Daring Fireball

Craig Hockenberry, The Iconfactory

Andy Ihnatko, The Chicago Sun Times

Vincent LaForet, Photographer

Merlin Mann, 43 Folders

Chris Pirillo, Lockergnome

Rick Smolan, Photographer

Ge Wang, Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA), Stanford University

Musical Group LIYANA

Great group, if -- yikes -- a total sausage fest. Come hear me make shit up about "Design Patterns" for creativity.

I'm pretty sure my session is at 11:20. Right after Gruber. So, if anyone asks, I'll be happy to do my impression of him. He loves that.

New Video Project: "Most Days"

Most Days

Most Days (2009-01-04) from Merlin Mann on Vimeo.

I'm trying my hand at a (close to) daily video. Basically, every morning, I turn on the camera and just start talking. With the barest of preparation, no script, no editing, and ideally no more than two takes. The primary goal is regularity over polish, and the ideal outcome is whatever the heck it turns into.

I'm only committing to doing it (daily) for a week. But, given what I'm hoping to do with video over the next year, I have a feeling it'll go longer. We'll see. It's an exercise in I'm-not-quite-sure-what, but I hope you'll enjoy it. Or at least tolerate it.

In keeping with that lack of certainty (and with a deliberate openness to whatever the project decides it wants to be), I've titled it, "Most Days."

I'm no Jean Shepherd, but, what the heck, it's a project.

CBC Spark "How to Blog" Series

Spark | CBC Radio | Full Merlin Mann Series: How To Blog

I do a regular bit on CBC's wonderful Spark radio program. If you enjoyed my "How to Blog" video, you'll like this 5-part series we did on the same topic. Man, I love working with Nora and Dan. They're just great people and total pros.

Here's a zip file of all the Spark segments in one place.

You Look Nice Today: "The Noises Rest"

"The Noises Rest" on Vimeo
The Noises Rest | You Look Nice Today

OK, I'll admit it: I'm really proud of this.

MoMA (yes: that MoMA) asked us "You Look Nice Today" guys to make a video response to some silent films that they screened the other night. So, Adam, Scott, and I got together in LA a few weekends ago, and made "The Noises Rest."

It's a short film about doing "Foley" for silent movies. We wrote and shot it ourselves, and Adam (as usual) did an amazing job with editing the final product. Supposedly Michel Gondry was at the screening. Which is terrifying.

Looks way better in gorgeous HD, but here's an embed for you:

"The Noises Rest" from lonelysandwich on Vimeo.

Don't tell anyone, but "You Look Nice Today" is my favorite thing I do. Love those magnificent bastards. And their car horns. Subscribe to YLNT on the iTunes.

Also

Exclusive Audio Interview: Leo Interviews Merlin Mann of 43 Folders - I really like this interview. Leo was nice. If you enjoy the "new" 43f direction toward creativity, rather than "productivity tips," you'll get some insight into how I arrived here. If that matters to you.
SF Sketchfest: Monsters of Podcasting w/ Jordan, Jesse, Go! and You Look Nice Today at Eureka Theatre (Sunday January 25, 2009) - Upcoming - Come see You Look Nice Today and Jordan, Jesse, Go! live on stage, at the insanely great SF SketchFest. Tickets here.
Integrated Media Association Conference - Pretty sure I'm confirmed as a speaker at this public radio conference in Atlanta next month. Hoping I can finally meet Jay Allison and give him his long-overdue opportunity to punch me in the mouth. While someone gently fingerpicks a guitar.
43 Folders Clips - Don't forget about the new 43f sub-blog of notable things that are getting my attention. [RSS it]

And, finally

You should totally hire me to speak to your company or group. I'm good at it, plus it's really fun and theoretically useful. Now booking Quarter 2 and beyond. Email Erica: speaking at merlin mann dot com.

As ever, thanks for your patience with the pimping. I appreciate your time and attention very much.

”The Monthly Pimp: January '09 Edition” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on January 09, 2009. Except as noted, it's ©2010 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"

The Monthly Pimp: August Edition

Merlin — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:11:54 -0400

Here's the latest stuff Merlin's been up to, here and abroad.

Huh? “Monthly Pimp?”

Meta: New experiment. Everybody hates endless self-promotion. I know I do. So, except where called for by amazingly useful exception, I’d like all “Yay Merlin” stuff that makes it to the content well of the 43f home page (including recent interviews and podcasts, new projects, as well as recent and upcoming appearances of possible interest) to be ganged into a single monthlyish post.

Nota Bene: I’d also like to encourage all my friends with blogs to try a similar experiment in personal curation. Our internet visitors are here to be delighted by useful stuff, not to watch a blogger smell his finger. Right? Exactly. Welcome. And thank you. No, thank you.

Merlin's Upcoming Stuff

Start. A Conference for Entrepreneurs. Tomorrow, my pals, Jeff and Bryan are putting on an amazing conference for people who are thinking of doing a startup. It's very close to sold out, but there's still time to see me, Mena, Ev, and many more folks talk about how to sensibly take your idea to the web. Register while you still can (it's cheap). Who knows? You might even get to see something special.
IzeaFest. In September, I'll be in Orlando, Florida to talk about how to build a smart blog for smart people without resorting to tricks and games. And, no: I will not be holding up AdSense checks for "Cash Proof."

For more information about inviting me to speak at your company or event, drop a line.

Merlin: Recently and Elsewhere

Guestblogging: Blogging at Maximum Fun. For the next couple weeks, me and the other You Look Nice Today "talent" will be guest-blogging over at Jesse's site; Jesse has apparently fooled a woman into marrying him. (Congrats, J&T)
Appearance: iPhone DevCamp. Participated in a fun panel with Dom, Mike, and Brian, talking about what we want from iPhone apps, what patterns to replicate, and which pitfalls to avoid. As ever, much love for Remote.
Interview: Real estate information overload | Inman News. Really enjoyed this interview with Glenn in advance of my talk at the Inman Connect conference a couple weeks back. How can you tell a good interviewer? You talk a lot about things you didn't realize you were thinking about.
Interview: "Technology in the Arts" podcast. Was interviewed by a very nice man called Brad about productivity, "branding," and why editing helps everything not to suck.

Player

Merlin's Ongoing Projects

Podcast: You Look Nice Today. We're off on walkabout until the end of the month or so, but it's a great time to catch up on recent episodes. Also the perfect time to go all the way back and start where it all began: Episode 2.
And, remember: You Look Nice Today is not safe for anything. Not even as a floor wax.
Blog: Kung Fu Grippe. My favorite recent posts on my personal blog were about MLM videos, the Flip Video camera, My Neighbor Totoro, a fertility monitor, Twyla Tharp's advice on creativity, and a test of Modomi, featuring The Long Winters.
Photos: Flickr. People recently enjoyed images of a business offer for YLNT, a banjo, the Dwight Schrute my daughter broke, and a delightful short film that my daughter directed.
Toots: Twitter. People seemed to like Toots about books, the internet, speakerphones, and my new catchphrase. Then there's my new nemesis, fakemerlinmann.

Thank you for bravely suffering my pimp. See you next month.

”The Monthly Pimp: August Edition” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on August 06, 2008. Except as noted, it's ©2010 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 ©2010 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"

InformationWeek story on Merlin's Macworld '08 presentation

Merlin — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:27:31 -0500

How To Take Back Your Time And Attention -- Merlin Mann -- InformationWeek

Wow. Mitch Wagner did an ass-kickingly thorough job of summarizing my talk at Macworld about wrangling your time and attention. Really nice work, Mitch -- thanks, man.

"When the value of your times is set too low, or not at all, it leads to waste and abuse," Mann said.

This is a particular problem for knowledge workers. (How do you identify knowledge workers? "Look for someone with girlie smooth hands who can go to lunch whenever they want," Mann explained.) Knowledge workers have huge amounts of freedom in how they work, they aren't micromanaged, they just have goals to achieve. That freedom is dangerous. "You can find yourself at two in the morning staring at Wikipedia covered in pizza crusts," Mann said.

Up top is a snap of the slides from my talk, which I'll try to get up on Slideshare when I get a chance to tidy them up.

[Pimp: here's information on my speaking gigs and how to bring me in to speak with your organization]

update 2008-01-21 12:39:42: Okay, she's up. As ever, I'm not sure these'll make much sense without me standing there, yammering, but here's a clickable version of my slides:

| View

”InformationWeek story on Merlin's Macworld '08 presentation” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on January 18, 2008. Except as noted, it's ©2010 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"

About 43 Folders

Merlin — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 14:18:19 -0400

Listen:

43 Folders is Merlin Mann’s website about finding the time and attention to do your best creative work.

And, Hello.

43 Folders was launched by Merlin Mann on Wednesday, September 1, 2004 with an introductory post whose improbable title suggested that productivity can be like sausage; no one likes seeing it discussed at length on the internet by middle-aged men.

The site continues to evolve, grow, contract, expand, recede, explode, go dark, go weird, go personal, and even occasionally reinvent itself -- all depending on where Merlin's interest, attention, and obsessions find him at a given time. But, in fairness, they are his obsessions, and he owns that.

What's Here

Right now, 43 Folders is focused on an arc about how to improve the quality of your career and life by managing your attention in a way that allows you to work your ass off on the creative projects that matter most to you.

No Tourists, Please

We hope very much that you find things here that will help you do and make the things that matter to you, but 43 Folders is no replacement for actual work. Please do not use 43 Folders as an excuse to procrastinate. That would be so ironically unwholesome as to stagger the mind.

Don't let us catch you dicking around here all day, okay? Okay, then.

But, Where to Start?

If you’re new here, there are a few dependable places to begin scratching around:

How to Use 43 Folders. A blindingly fast way to find what you need. So you can get back to making things. After all, this isn't your lodge hall.
The Home Page. Latest articles, news, and information on 43Folders.com
RSS Feed. Basically it's our Home Page -- but in a handy, to-go box.
Recently Popular. Recent articles that visitors have read the most times.
All-Time Popular. Articles that have been read the most times since 43Folders.com launched in September, 2004.

So, Now What?

If you're still here, you should probably get back to work.

But, if you're looking for things to click on, you can learn more about Merlin, his uneventful bio, his other stuff, the questions he answers a lot, or, most importantly, you can learn how to give him lots of American money to speak at your company. He's really good at it, and it will make your employees happy and less likely to chase you into a castle while brandishing torches and pitchforks.

You can also send Merlin email, but mostly he really wishes you wouldn't. Unless, of course, you're trying to give him lots of American money to speak at your company. In which case, you should totally email him right now.

”About 43 Folders” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on August 19, 2007. Except as noted, it's ©2010 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 ©2010 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"

Free MP3 of Inbox Zero talk

Merlin — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 08:45:46 -0400

43F Podcast: Inbox Zero - Google Tech Talk

A lot of folks with slower connections (or who just aren't crazy about internet video) have written to request an audio version of the Tech Talk on Inbox Zero I gave at Google last Monday. Google has very kindly permitted me to share that with you, so here you go. Thanks to everyone who wrote to request it.

Grab the MP3, learn more at Odeo.com, or just listen from here:

”Free MP3 of Inbox Zero talk” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on August 03, 2007. Except as noted, it's ©2010 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"

Merlin on TWiT 101: Moon over Google

Merlin — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 03:06:04 -0400

TWiT 101: Moon over Google

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Merlin Mann, Wil Harris, Steve Gibson, and Denise Howell

Google Street View and privacy, Michael Moore and piracy, hackers and Safari...

Leo has begun to use Facebook for only people he knows personally.
Facebook has recently allowed for applications which enticed Leo.
The People Aggregator will allow you to create a social network using your login from another social network.
Create your own social network with Ning.
Steve Jobs keynoted the WWDC conference announcing Safari for Windows, but no API.
Apple has plugged several security flaws that were discovered in the Windows version of Safari.
At WWDC, numerous new OSX Leopard features were unveiled.
Steve Gillmor had a post called iPhonomics regarding the possibility of Google Gears coming to the iPhone.
Linspire has made a deal with Microsoft to share numerous technologies.
Mark Shuttleworth, founder of Ubuntu, somewhat chastised Microsoft regarding software patents.
Microsoft has also partnered will LG for their Linux-based devices.
Owen Thomas, the Business 2.0 editor, has been to Valleywag.
Sicko, Michael Moore's new controversial documentary, has been leaked onto Bittorrent.
The Manchester Cathedral is complaining to Sony about their appearance in the game "Resistance: Fall of Man."
Google has launched a "Street View" service that are fairly recent. Leo's buddy Patrick Norton was actually caught on it crossing the street. Check out the top 15 sightings on Google Street View.
Keep track of Google Street View sightings at StreetViewr.
Audio is a Facebook application that allows people to upload audio - giving way for piracy to happen on the site.
eBay threated to take their ads off of Google.
It is the 50th anniversary of the Frisbee.

Download MP3 file

”Merlin on TWiT 101: Moon over Google” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on June 18, 2007. Except as noted, it's ©2010 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"

Hand-picked, artisanal, remaindered links, 2007-06-04

Merlin — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 12:34:14 -0400

These are lower threshold links to stuff I've recently enjoyed.

The Macalope On MacBreak Weekly - "Yes, it’s true. The Macalope will be on next week’s edition of MacBreak Weekly." The MBW crew seems to remain convinced that I am the Macalope. Tune in this week, and we shall see...
Daring Fireball: iPhone SDK, iPhone SDK! Wherefore Art Thou iPhone SDK? - Gruber's analysis seems spot-on to me: with a product this big, it pays to manage expectations and hold out the possibility of an unpromised lagniappe or two.
How to talk to the press | fortuitous - Mathowie talkes to the press a good bit more than I do, so I learned a lot from this. Love the tip about listening for frenetic typing.
Jonathan Coulton » Blog Archive » How I Did It - JoCo tells the story of how he got where he is with his music and the internet. Essential reading for those who want to go indie on the web today. Would love to see more of these from other folks as well.
Rosetta Stone for Unix - (PDF) - Ginormous table that lets you compare commands between different flavors of Unix. (via: adurity's bookmarks on del.icio.us)
MailTags 2.0 leaves beta, goes official - The sine qua non Mail.app plugin goes 2.0. Can't imagine using Mail without this guy plus Mail Act-On.
Twitter Blog: Are You Twittering @ Me? - "In other words, if somebody Twitters "@biz liking the new Replies tab!" it will get saved at Twitter.com/replies." I love this feature. I can't keep up with the (gulp) 2,300 folks who've been kind enough to "friend" me, but at least now I can see when they're saying something in my direction. Very cool.
Facebook | Merlin Mann - In related news. I succumbed. Largely because of this awesomeness. (links require Facebook membership)

Submit your ideas for links to del.icio.us, and be sure to include the tag "for:43folders."

”Hand-picked, artisanal, remaindered links, 2007-06-04” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on June 03, 2007. Except as noted, it's ©2010 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"

The Merlin Show: Interview with Jonathan Coulton

Merlin — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 08:16:58 -0500

002: Interview: Jonathan Coulton | The Merlin Show

Click To Play

My new video podcast launches today with an interview I recently did with Jonathan Coulton.

JoCo is an internet troubadour and former developer who may be best known for wonderful songs like "Code Monkey" and "Skullcrusher Mountain," although he also has gigs podcasting for Popular Science as well as playing guitar for his best friend (and sworn nemesis) John Hodgman.

We talk about life as an independent artist, including how Jonathan captures ideas and may or may not be similar to Michael Jackson.

We'll have a new episode of The Merlin Show every morning this week, then slide into an (approximately) once-a-week schedule for new episodes.

Please consider subscribing via iTunes or Democracy, or just point the "podcatacher" of your choice at http://feeds.themerlinshow.com/TheMerlinShow

”The Merlin Show: Interview with Jonathan Coulton” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on February 26, 2007. Except as noted, it's ©2010 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"