Back to Work

This week: Dan may or may not be sanguine, and Merlin is having another meetup; comics, movie and TV discussion (and recommendations) abound; Cash is impatient for a red DS; the magic of ubiquitous capture is extolled; Merlin has a problematic thumb and spends hours on the phone with AT&T; a book about anxiety is endorsed; handles for the emotional suitcase are offered; a new unicorn is born; and, Merlin has a summer project for you to try. Links for this episode:Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #23 — Merlin MannMERLIN MANN (Back to Work, Roderick on the Line, Reconcilable Differences, Do By Friday, You Look Nice Today, et al.) invites you to drop by Two Cats Comics on the evening of Thursday, July 26th to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.” It's free and it's fun. Merlin’s Playlists — Merlin MannSometimes I make playlists, especially for the particularly musical episodes of podcasts I do. I really like making these, so I'll probably do more. Stopping the Noise in Your Head : the New Way to Overcome Anxiety and Worry: Reid Wilson: 9780757319068: Amazon.com: BooksBatman’s WeddingCatwoman revealed as bisexual in new DC comic | Books | The GuardianHard science fiction - WikipediaThe Trip Michael Caine - YouTubeRandom impressions - YouTubeMusical fractals - YouTube‘Succession’ Finds Its Stride and the ‘GLOW’ Showrunners on Season 2 - The Ringer‘Succession’ and Updates on ‘Y: The Last Man’ and ‘Briarpatch’ - The RingerBrought to you by: Slack (Slack: Where work happens. Find out why at Slack.com). Squarespace (Start your free trial site today, at Squarespace.com and when you sign up make sure to use the offer code ITSYOURSHOW to get 10% off your first purchase).

Dan's ex-cold, some media recommendations, strobe light problems, Dan's new phone, bad eyeglasses, your fault versus your problem, plus listener feedback about estimating hours and costs. Links for this episode:#850: The Fake Review Hunter — Planet Money — OvercastFrequently Asked Questions - ReviewMeta BlogGame Night (film) - Wikipedia(2) Marques Brownlee - YouTubeBrought to you by: Mack Weldon (Visit MackWeldon.com and use the code B2W for 20% off your first purchase). Casper (For a limited time, visit Casper.com/savings and save up to $225 off your order. Limited time only!)

Discussed this week: head colds, Florida, vitamin shots, Pleiades, Pigeon Pose, a new kind of spam, some media recommendations, iOS 12, and a listener question about a job they just don’t wanna do. Links for this episode:Making Vitamin B12 Injections Accessible to Everyone in the Bay AreaGot Vitamin B12’s fun, pop-up style Happy Hours take place in 20 different locations around the Bay Area. Trained and licensed medical professionals are at every Happy Hour to provide personalized guidance for our B12 injection cocktail menu and serve up the shot of your choice. You don't need to make an appointment. Just come to Got Vitamin B12 for the healthiest cocktail out there! Learn the King of Hip Openers: Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana) - Yoga JournaliOS 12 Beta: Our Favorite Tidbits and Hidden Features (So Far) – MacStoriesiOS 12 public beta is out for all - Six ColorsIsle of Dogs on iTunesVisionary director Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs tells the story of Atari Kobayashi, 12-year-old ward to corrupt Mayor Kobayashi. When all the canine pets of Megasaki City are exiled to a vast Trash Island, Atari sets off in search of his bodyguard-dog, Spots. With the assistance of his newfound mongrel friends, he begins an epic journey that will decide the fate and future of the entire Prefecture. Amazon.com: The Ringer - The Original Stainless Steel Cast Iron Cleaner, Patented XL 8x6 inch Design: Home & KitchenAstroturfing - WikipediaFrequently Asked Questions about Vitamin B12 InjectionsBrought to you by: Molekule (Visit Molekule.com and use the code BACKTOWORK at checkout for $75 off your first purchase).

Follow-up on the Benjamin family phone plan, what it's like to use a phone that's not a phone anymore, excitement for Siri Shortcuts, an AR measurement app recommendation, Dan's new TV recommendations, some travel headphone recommendations, massive disruption in the fizzy water space, some pseudo-insider-ish follow-up on Siri, plus Dan's adventure back into the world of Android and how it went. Links for this episode:troglodyte modeMeasureKit - AR ruler app for iOS 11Whatever you want to measure, we have a tool for that WWDC 2018 - Videos - Apple DeveloperIntroduction to Siri Shortcuts - WWDC 2018 - Videos - Apple DeveloperSiri Shortcuts FAQ: Everything you need to know! | iMoreRise Up on the App StoreSafe (TV series) - WikipediaCharlize Theron Finally Speaks Out About Her Failed Romance With Sean Penn, Says She Didn't 'Ghost' Him | Entertainment TonightBad Boys (1983 film) - WikipediaAmazon.com: Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones WH1000XM2: Over Ear Wireless Bluetooth Headphones with Case - Black: ElectronicsAmazon.com: Plantronics Wireless Noise Cancelling Backbeat - Headphones (Black & Tan) (Pro 2): Cell Phones & AccessoriesAmazon.com: Jabra Move Wireless Stereo Headphones - Black: Cell Phones & Accessories5by5 | Back to Work #5: Chigger Bites on the Bus Driver5by5 | Back to Work #95: She's Five for a LivingBrought to you by: FreshBooks (To claim your month long unrestricted free trial, go to FreshBooks.com/backtowork and enter BACK TO WORK in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section). Squarespace (Start your free trial site today, at Squarespace.com and when you sign up make sure to use the offer code ITSYOURSHOW to get 10% off your first purchase). Slack (Slack: Where work happens. Find out why at Slack.com).

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about some of their favorite announcements at the big computer show. They also deep dive into how to handle the Benjamin family's need for a new phone. Links for this episode:Libby, by OverDrive - an app for library ebooks and audiobooksHow Instagram’s algorithm works | TechCrunchWorldCat.org: The World's Largest Library CatalogiOS 12 Preview - AppleiOS 12 FAQ: Everything you need to know! | iMoreiOS 12: The MacStories Overview – MacStoriesUnder the banner of helping users gain more understanding and control of how they use their devices, iOS 12 introduces improved features for Do Not Disturb and notifications, alongside a brand new area of analytics and monitoring controls called Screen Time. Apple iOS 12 update: the 17 biggest new features coming to the iPhone - The VergeAmazon.com: Tech21 Evo Mesh Protection Case for iPhone 7 Plus 5.5 Clear + Black: Cell Phones & AccessoriesApple iPhone product line comparison | Comparison tables - SocialCompareHobby HorseBrought to you by: Squarespace (Start your free trial site today, at Squarespace.com and when you sign up make sure to use the offer code ITSYOURSHOW to get 10% off your first purchase). RXBAR (For 25% off your first order, visit RXBAR.com/backtowork and enter the code BACKTOWORK at checkout).

Discussed this week: media dustups, the deleterious career effects of social media, a week or so of Instagram, love of dogs, a podcast appearance, two great services for spotting fake Amazon reviews, some Netflix recommendations, Inspector Gadget, remastering Star Trek, kids and black & white movies, serious mail, inventing The Sabbath, and some freestyle advice. Links for this episode:@hotdogsladies/Political Twitter on TwitterFree Agents #48: Lousy With the Stink of Freedom, with Merlin Mann - Relay FMPodcaster Merlin Mann joins us to discuss his long journey as an independent worker, during which he's pivoted from tech guy to productivity expert to a specializer in cult hits. Fakespot | Analyze and identify fake reviewsWant to analyze the reviews of a product? ReviewMeta.com - Amazon Review CheckerReviewMeta.com analyzes millions of reviewsand helps you decide which ones to trust How merchants use Facebook to flood Amazon with fake reviews - The Washington PostThere, an economy of paid reviews has flourished. Merchants pledge to drop reimbursements into a reviewer’s PayPal account within minutes of posting comments for items such as kitchen knives, rain ponchos or shower caddies, often sweetening the deal with a $5 commission or a $10 Amazon gift card. Facebook this month deleted more than a dozen of the groups where sellers and buyers matched after being contacted by The Post. Amazon kicked a five-star seller off its site after an inquiry from The Post. 'Roseanne' canceled after star's racist Twitter rantWhat It’s Like When Elon Musk’s Twitter Mob Comes After YouWhen female journalists like me dare to question the SpaceX and Tesla founder, there’s a predictable result: We get called bitches, idiots, and worse. How do I share a photo or video to my Instagram story? | Instagram Help Center5by5 | Back to Work #287: You Are Now Cleared for Salad5by5 | Back to Work #293: The Frame for Our Relationship5by5 | Back to Work #305: Quadruple DownMirror, Mirror (Star Trek: The Original Series) - WikipediaThe Tholian Web - WikipediaThe City on the Edge of Forever - WikipediaNetflix18 Things You Might Not Know About 'Inspector Gadget' | Mental FlossPocket-Run Pool is indie dev Zach Gage's version of 8-Ball | GamesBeatBrought to you by: eero (For free overnight shipping to the US or Canada, visit eero.com and at checkout select overnight shipping then enter BACKTOWORK to make it free).

Discussed: trust my method, beards, foo bar baz, casting Mysterio, villains of Peter Spiderman, an unpaid debt to Dan, medieval electric billing, endorsing Evil Genius and Belief, the power of Spotify podcasts via Alexa, more on Apple TV and voice commands, the pain of scrubbing, 4k HDR via Movies Anywhere, a question on soundbars, Hulu's awesome new "Live Guide" (finally!), a word on TV remote usability, eero's new "Labs," updates to Spark, a new light therapy lamp, and some suggestions on getting a FitBit. Links for this episode:Help article: How do I use the Fitbit app to capture GPS data?Introducing eero Labs: Building the future of home WiFi - The DownloadThe Live TV Guide Has Arrived – Hulu Press SiteNetflix - "Evil Genius"Amazon.com: Verilux HappyLight Liberty 10,000 LUX Light Therapy Energy Lamp: Health & Personal CareUse Siri on your Apple TV 4K or Apple TV (4th generation) - Apple Support"Fast-forward two minutes." A movie is missing from my Movies Anywhere library – Movies Anywhere HelpMovies Anywhere currently supports movies from the following participating studios, but not all movies from these participating studios are eligible for Movies Anywhere. Check back regularly as our movie catalog and list of participating studios changes: Disney Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. Universal Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Spark 2 Hands-On: Email for Teams with App Integrations – MacStoriesEero lets you test new Mesh WiFi features in its appband steering Jake Gyllenhaal 'joining the Spider-Man: Homecoming movie cast' | Daily Mail OnlineGame Night (2018) - IMDbNetflix - "Belief"'Exorcist' Director Makes A New Movie About Exorcism (It's A Documentary) : NPRFriedkin tracked down the late Rev. Gabriele Amorth, who was the chief exorcist of the Diocese of Rome, and asked if he could ever watch an exorcism. Passover Seder - WikipediaShould you buy the 32 GB or 64 GB new Apple TV? | iMoreFitbit Charge 2™ Heart Rate + Fitness WristbandHelp article: How do I track my sleep?The Apple Watch has found a surprisingly useful home with everyone that works on their feet — QuartzMetasyntactic variable - WikipediaVictor Wooten - Isn't She Lovely - YouTubeBrought to you by: Mack Weldon (Visit MackWeldon.com and use the code B2W for 20% off your first purchase).

Discussed: lame patents, Salvador Dalí, allergy season, backpack discrimination, friend cosplay, things Dan can't say, AT&T woes, Merlin saw a bear, a YouTube rabbit hole, and some excellent historical Disney content. Dan and Merlin answer a listen's questions about sleep tracking and leveraging Alexa at the office. Links for this episode:Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #22 — Merlin MannMERLIN MANN (Back to Work, Roderick on the Line, Reconcilable Differences, Do By Friday, You Look Nice Today, et al.) invites you to drop by Two Cats Comics on the evening of Thursday, May 17th to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.” It's free and it's fun. Vintage Disneyland Tickets: The Disney Look - 1977Custom Alexa responses can now be created right from the Alexa app | AFTVnewsAlexa Routines are a powerful feature that allow you to automate a series of customizable actions using a single voice command of your choice. So when you say “Alexa, I’m leaving,” for example, you can have multiple actions occur, such as turning off all of your smart lights and setting a specific temperature on your thermostat. Defunctland - YouTube - YouTubeDefunctland: The Failure of Euro Disneyland - YouTubeDefunctland: The History of Disney's Worst Attraction Ever, Superstar Limo - YouTubeSupreme Court declines to hear “podcasting patent” case, handing win to EFF | Ars TechnicaUS8112504B2 - System for disseminating media content representing episodes in a serialized sequence - Google PatentsCNN on Twitter: "Watch clouds of pollen rise from a shaken tree in Millville, New Jersey https://t.co/MeFOyzg7LW… "Bohemian Rhapsody | Teaser Trailer [HD] | 20th Century FOX - YouTubeHere's How to Set Up Amazon Alexa Routines on your Echo Device | Digital TrendsHow to Create an Alexa Smart Home RoutineSince You've Been Gone - YouTube - YouTubeBrought to you by: Squarespace (Start your free trial site today, at Squarespace.com and when you sign up make sure to use the offer code ITSYOURSHOW to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or a domain). FreshBooks (To claim your month long unrestricted free trial, go to FreshBooks.com/backtowork and enter BACK TO WORK in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section). Slack (Slack: Where work happens. Find out why at Slack.com).

Discussed: time flies, nesting dolls, cloud saves for Switch, oy vey the service subscriptions, wheat and chess boards, WiFi and health, abdomen cinchers, more Netflix recommendations, the hollow face illusion, Marked 2 update, and a couple more recommendations. Dan and Merlin answer a listener's question about balancing work momentum and "down time." Links for this episode:Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #22 — Merlin MannMERLIN MANN (Back to Work, Roderick on the Line, Reconcilable Differences, Do By Friday, You Look Nice Today, et al.) invites you to drop by Two Cats Comics on the evening of Thursday, May 17th to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.” It's free and it's fun. Marked 2 - Smarter tools for smarter writersMarked is a previewer for Markdown files. Use it with your favorite text editor and it updates every time you save. With robust features for previewing, reviewing and exporting beautiful documents, you can work in plain text while reveling in rich formatting. See what's new! Hollow-Face illusion - WikipediaThe Hollow-Face illusion (also known as Hollow-Mask illusion) is an optical illusion in which the perception of a concave mask of a face appears as a normal convex face. OK Go - The Writing's On the Wall - Official Video - YouTubeHome | Automation OrchardThe place to find resources to help you automate your life AFTVnews | Amazon Fire TV & Fire TV Stick News, Guides, and DealsThe Best of Pema Chödrön: Life, Quotes, and BooksOne of the most beloved of American Buddhist teachers, Pema Chödrön has devoted her life to inspiring people to awaken and has changed many lives in the process. She is the author of many influential books, such as When Things Fall Apart, Living Beautifully, and The Places that Scare You. Her writing, which explores Buddhist concepts and offers paths to conquering subjects such as suffering, fear, and difficult times, has inspired people worldwide. Lion’s Roar has published many powerful teachings authored by Pema. Read below for some of our favorites and to learn about her life and work. Words on Words: John Bremner: 9780231044936: Amazon.com: BooksAmazon.com: Adventure Time Wood Nesting Dolls - Set of 5: Toys & GamesNintendo Switch Online service will include cloud saves - PolygonThe Switch feature fans have been asking for is coming A Penny Doubled EverydayMerlin’s Playlists — Merlin MannSometimes I make playlists, especially for the particularly musical episodes of podcasts I do. I really like making these, so I'll probably do more. Is WiFi Safe? Simple Steps to Reduce The Negative Effects | Wellness MamaAmazon.com: BELLY ARMOR Anti-Radiation Maternity Embrace Belly Band (Nude, Medium) | EMF Protection for Pregnancy: Health & Personal CareGringo: The Dangerous Life of John McAfee - WikipediaNetflixNanette Burstein - WikipediaThe Cake Server | Joseph's Most Complex Machine Ever! - YouTubeOK Go - This Too Shall Pass - Rube Goldberg Machine - Official Video - YouTubeBrought to you by: Squarespace (Start your free trial site today, at Squarespace.com and when you sign up make sure to use the offer code ITSYOURSHOW to get 10% off your first purchase). RXBAR (For 25% off your first order, visit RXBAR.com/backtowork and enter the code BACKTOWORK at checkout). Stack Overflow for Teams (Try it today, with your first 14 days free. Go to s.tk/backtowork).

Discussed: places that are closed, dinosaur eyes that follow you, a TV show about makeup, some thoughts on Infinity War, the joy of content that really nails the medium, more on B2W shirts, Merlin hates everything, eminent domain, Dan has questions about Venom, Merlin recommends Uncanny X-Force (Remender & Opeña), and Rob Liefeld's pouch life. Your hosts also answer listener questions about finding a mentor and knowing if it's time to move on from a job. Links for this episode:You might want to stop taking your vitaminsUngainly X-Mann Meetup #22 — Merlin MannMERLIN MANN (Back to Work, Roderick on the Line, Reconcilable Differences, Do By Friday, You Look Nice Today, et al.) invites you to drop by Two Cats Comics on the evening of Thursday, May 17th to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.” It's free and it's fun. T Rex Optical Illusion - How The Trick Works! - YouTubeImgur: The magic of the InternetAmazing T-Rex Illusion - How to make ?! - YouTubeFace Off (TV series) - WikipediaRick Baker (@therickbaker) • Instagram photos and videos‘Avengers: Infinity War’ Mega-pod, Plus ‘Killing Eve’ - The RingerChris and Andy review this weekend’s big release and discuss ‘Killing Eve’ Killing Eve - WikipediaNebula Transformation Timelapse | Legacy Effects - YouTubeThe Masks | The Twilight Zone Wiki | FANDOM powered by WikiaUncanny X-Force - WikipediaAmazon.com: Uncanny X-Force, Vol. 1: The Apocalypse Solution (9780785148555): Rick Remender, Jerome Opena, Leonardo Manco: Books[fan-art] THE POUCH. Created by Rob Liefeld. Drawn by Donal Delay. Colored by OP. : comicbooksDonal DeLay (@DonalTDeLay) | TwitterThomas Robert Malthus - WikipediaRandom SerlingRandom Serling is a show where I am joined by a guest to discuss a randomly selected episode of either The Twilight Zone or Night Gallery, two shows created by the late Rod Serling, master of suspense. New episodes will follow each week until we run out of material. Brought to you by: Simple Contacts (Get $30 off your contacts at Simplecontacts.com/backtowork or enter code BACKTOWORK at checkout). Casper (Visit Casper.com/itsyourshow and use the code ITSYOURSHOW for $50 towards select mattresses).