Adam Engst, the publisher of TidBITS and a Mac community veteran, dives into the unique quirks of his writing workflow and discusses the evolution of WWDC. He shares insights on using unusual input devices and effective productivity strategies like multi-monitor setups and text expansion tools. Engst reminisces about the early days of Macintosh software, exploring nostalgic apps and the whimsical tools that once delighted users. The conversation also highlights the impact of technology journalism and the changing landscape of Apple's developer community.
The TidBITS team uses Google Docs, Slack, and Trello for collaboration and organization.
They have evolved their writing process from Eudora to Pages to Nissus Writer Pro, and now use Google Docs for collaboration.
TidBITS has a well-defined workflow for article collaboration and editing using Google Docs, Slack, and Trello.
They use specialized tools like Apple Frames and RetroBatch to enhance screenshots before publishing.
Deep dives
Collaboration and Workflows
The tidbits team uses Google Docs for collaboration and editing articles. Editors make changes and the author approves or rejects those changes. The team also uses Slack for internal communication and organizes their articles and workflows using Trello. They switched from their custom tidbits publishing system to WordPress, which allows for more control over images and resizing. They use TextExpander for efficient typing and retro batch for adding borders to screenshots.
Email and Newsletters
The tidbits team uses Gmail for email and Adam uses the MIME Stream app, which provides a native Gmail experience on Mac. Adam is an "unread" person and likes to mark emails as such. They also rely on their newsletters and have a long-standing history of providing valuable information about the Mac world. They have evolved their writing process from Eudora to Pages to Nissus Writer Pro, and now use Google Docs for collaboration.
Graphics and Screenshots
Tidbits has evolved its graphics workflow over the years, starting from simple links to full graphics and images. They use bordering techniques with apps like Apple Frames, PICSU, and RetroBatch to enhance screenshots before publishing. The goal is to optimize the size and clarity of the screenshots in relation to the article. They also make use of tools like TextExpander and keyboard macros to automate repetitive tasks.
Summary Workflow
Tidbits has a well-defined workflow for article collaboration and editing. Editors make changes and the author approves or rejects those changes in Google Docs. They use Slack for internal communication and organization, and Trello for tracking and discussing articles. The team works in a semantic rich text format, and they have specific rules for tracking versions and edits. They also make use of specialized tools like Apple Frames and RetroBatch for enhancing screenshots.
Using Hazel for File Management
One of my favorite apps is Hazel, which I use for file management on my Mac. I have it set up to fix file name extensions for JPEG images, ensuring consistency. It also adds file name extensions to screenshots that are missing them. Hazel is a handy app that helps keep my files organized and consistent.
Carrot Weather for Accurate and Entertaining Weather Forecasts
Another app I enjoy is Carrot Weather. It provides accurate weather forecasts and has an amusing personality that adds a touch of humor to my daily weather updates. I appreciate the ability to customize the UI and select exactly what information I want to see. Carrot Weather stands out as a best-in-class weather app, offering both functionality and personality.
Paprika for Recipe Management
For recipe management, I highly recommend Paprika. It's a versatile app that syncs seamlessly between my iPhone, iPad, and Mac. I can easily share recipes with my son, and it does a fantastic job of importing recipes from various sources. Paprika has become my go-to digital cookbook, offering a practical and efficient way to organize and access my favorite recipes.
With over 30 years of history, TidBITs is the longest-running tech publication covering Apple in the world. This week, one of its founders, Adam Engst, drops by the show to talk about his writing workflow, unusual input devices and how WWDC has changed over the years.
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