Mac Geek Gab — Your Questions Answered, Tips Shared, Troubleshooting Assistance cover image

Mac Geek Gab — Your Questions Answered, Tips Shared, Troubleshooting Assistance

Latest episodes

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7 snips
Aug 19, 2024 • 1h 19min

Important Tidbits of Now Useless Information (and Some Useful Ones, Too!)

In this week’s Mac Geek Gab, you’re diving deep into the world of Mac tips and tricks with Dave Hamilton, Pilot Pete, and Adam Christianson. From the best screen capture tools to mastering macOS reinstallation, you’ll get insights on how to streamline your Mac experience. Learn how to keep screenshots organized, manage HDR on your iPhone, and discover handy utilities like Shottr and OnyX that can make your workflow smoother. Plus, if you’re worried about getting caught without a backup, Adam shares a close call that underscores the importance of always being prepared. Don’t get caught missing out on how to adjust photo timestamps on your Mac or record videos with your AirPods. Your three favorite geeks answers listener questions, providing practical solutions like using MetaImage for metadata edits and Filmic Pro for capturing top-quality audio with your iPhone. Whether you’re automating drive mounting or keeping your Synology Docker containers up-to-date, these tips ensure you’re always a step ahead in the tech game. 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1051 for Monday, August 19th, 2024 August 19th: National Aviation Day Quick Tips 00:00:01 Makay-QT-Remember that CONTROL sends Screenshots to the Clipboard 00:02:20 More Screen Capture Options Shottr CleanShot X OnyX for configuring screenshots’ saving location Important Tidbits of Now Useless Information 00:11:42 Raymond-QT-Reinstalling macOS the Apple Way How to download and install macOS 00:18:10 Grumpy-You can still buy an unlocked phone with Apple financing Follow-Ups 00:22:13 Scott-CSFR-1049–BLE Unlock solves the selective unlock problem 00:25:24 Ben-1049-Lock Your Mac with the right key combinations 00:27:01 Managing HDR on iPhone 00:30:41 Raph-1047-Adam encoded DVD collection MakeMKV (MakeMKV on BluRay) Mac DVD Ripper Pro 00:35:17 Peter-1049-Mount drives with automation and smart home! 00:39:14 Michael-CSF-1049-Jettison from St. Clair ejects disks automatically Sponsors 00:40:55 SPONSOR: 1Password Extended Access Management solves the problems traditional IAM and MDM can’t touch. It’s security for the way we work today. Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!  00:42:52 Joe-How do I adjust the timestamp of Photos on my Mac?  MetaImage – Edit Image Metadata from SetApp 00:47:08 Nicole-How do I record videos with audio from my AirPods on my iPhone? Filmic Pro 00:52:04 Adam Almost Got Caught…Backups Saved The Day! Plex Pass 01:00:58 Crazy Ninja Papa & rnDoug-Use Watchtower to Update Your Synology Docker Containers Marius Hosting’s IP Block Lists 01:10:34 Bob-Does Dynamic Wallpaper Slow Down my Mac? 01:17:08 MGG 1051 Outtro Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly Follow us on Mastodon Mac Geek Gab on Mastodon Adam Christianson on Mastodon Dave Hamilton on Mastodon Pilot Pete on Mastodon Mona for Mastodon (for Mac, iPhone, iPad) Adam Christianson on X/Twitter Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts) Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts MGG Merch is Available! Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK The Mac Geek Gab iPhone app Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network
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Aug 12, 2024 • 1h 26min

Beware The Lightning Bunnies

Celebrate IBM PC Day while exploring the rivalry between tech giants like Apple and IBM. Get practical tips on mastering Do Not Disturb and managing your iMessage like a pro. Learn how to clean out pesky lint from your device's charging port, tackle privacy settings in Safari, and navigate upcoming features in iOS 18. Discover the true value of high-speed internet for remote work and optimize your smart home setup with effective networking strategies. Maximize your iCloud usage for a seamless digital experience!
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Aug 5, 2024 • 1h 22min

As If It Were a Swarm Of Bees!

Join tech enthusiasts Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton as they share savvy Quick Tips to enhance your tech experience. Discover how to prioritize app downloads on your iPhone and master iOS multi-selection gestures. Dive into Terminal Geekery with essential commands like ‘pwd’ and ‘cd’. The trio tackles listener queries on mounting external drives and unlocking Macs with Apple Watch. They even explore upgrading home networks and share insights on avoiding subpar tech products. It's a tech treasure trove!
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Jul 29, 2024 • 1h 17min

Don’t Exposé Your Mac's Hidden Features

Discover handy Mac tips like command-clicking the Dock to find apps quicker. Explore the mysteries of disk space management and the surprising roles of APFS snapshots. Uncover some entertaining anecdotes about Siri and tech mishaps while brainstorming solutions for Apple’s trade-in concerns. Dive into the best portable Bluetooth speakers for your travels and get the lowdown on top Wi-Fi 6E mesh systems. Plus, learn cool app alternatives to spruce up your digital life while having a few laughs along the way!
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Jul 22, 2024 • 1h 19min

World Brain Day Special: Backup Tips and Freezer Hacks

Guest Adam Christianson joins Mac Geek Gab for World Brain Day special! Quick tips on using ChatGPT, backup drives for Time Machine, Apple Watch features, and Paste app. Learn about Bluetooth temp sensors, managing email overload with SaneBox, and tips on migrating to Synology DS423+. Don't miss Cool Stuff Found segment!
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Jul 15, 2024 • 1h 11min

Stump the Geeks: Live From Macstock 2024

Dive into the geeky goodness with Dave Hamilton, Pilot Pete, and Adam Christianson as they tackle your toughest tech queries live from Macstock 2024 in Mac Geek Gab 1046. Kicking off with Kelly’s iPhone password reset dilemma, the Geeks also unravel Lynda’s persistent iPad security errors and John F. Braun’s elusive iCloud sync issue. Adam shares his take on Generative AI, and the gang faces more stumping questions from the audience, including disappearing contacts and failing photo shares on iPads. Don’t get caught without your command key know-how for iPads as the Geeks offer solutions to every tech hiccup. The episode heats up with discussions on opening links in Safari, mystery bags on stage, and creating malware shortcuts. Plus, get the scoop on using apps like ImageOptim and Squash for Mac to streamline your workflow. The Geeks’ Quick Tip on adding apps to your Finder Toolbar to shrink images is a game-changer. From practical tips to tackling tech challenges, this episode of Mac Geek Gab ensures you stay ahead of the curve and, most importantly, don’t get caught off guard. Special thanks to Roger Harmon for engineering and mixing the audio live, and to Allison Sheridan for our fantastic cover image. 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1046 for Monday, July 15th, 2024 July 15th: National Be a Dork Day Flashbacks at Macstock Stump The Geeks…Live! Kelly – My iPhone keeps asking me to reset my password. Why? Lynda – I’m getting a security error regularly on my iPad. What is it? John F. Braun – Why won’t iCloud finish Syncing this one document…and which is it? Cirrus How does Adam Feel about Generative AI? Sponsors SPONSOR: Fastmail. Make email better for you with Fastmail. Try Fastmail free for 30 days and get 10% off your first year at Fastmail.com/MGG. SPONSOR: Coda, the one Doc to rule them all. Bring your text and tables together! Sign up at Coda.io/mgg for FREE. More Stumping! Gary- Contacts are Disappearing Photos on iPad Fails when Adding to a Share Opening Links in Safari “A problem repeatedly occurred” What else have you done recently? Why were there Mystery Bags on the stage and what are they? Pat – How do I use the command key with my iPad without a keyboard Creating Malware Shortcuts Quick Tip — Add an app to your Finder Toolbar to shrink images ImageOptim Squash for Mac MGG 1046 Outtro Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts) Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts MGG Merch is Available! Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK The Mac Geek Gab iPhone app Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network
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Jul 8, 2024 • 1h 22min

The Fast and the Curious: Turbocharge Your Storage and RAM

In this episode of Mac Geek Gab, you’ll dive deep into the need for speed with answers to Carsten’s question of NVMe Gen 5 versus Gen 4. You’ll learn the differences between NVMe, M.2, and SATA, and get the lowdown on essential peripherals like the Satechi Mac mini-shaped USB hub, OWC ThunderBlade, HyperDrive Next Snap-On USB-C SSD Enclosure, and HyperDrive Next USB4 SSD Enclosure. With this knowledge, you can ensure your Mac setup runs at peak performance. Terry’s question about whether 8GB of RAM is enough for a new Mac sparks a thorough discussion on the intricacies of swap versus real RAM, especially in the context of Apple’s Unified Memory architecture. Is more RAM always better, or does Apple’s innovative approach change the game? You’ll find out how to make the most of your Mac’s memory without overspending. Stay informed and Don’t Get Caught with insufficient RAM! Starting the episode, you’ll discover a range of handy Quick Tips to optimize your Apple experience. From Dustin’s tip on printing a website in Reader Mode to Dom Bettinelli’s reminder to re-enable iCloud Photos, these tips are packed with practical advice. Marty shares how to mirror your Apple Watch, while Mark M helps you identify Apple Silicon vs. Intel from just the keyboard. Gary warns about battery drain issues linked to the 1969 date, and there’s a crucial reminder to be aware of your VPN kill switch. Tony’s advice on enabling Apple Watch Water Lock to avoid errant taps and the emergency trigger function adds another layer of utility. These quick tips ensure you stay ahead of potential pitfalls and Don’t Get Caught off guard. Press play…and enjoy! 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1045 for Monday, July 8th, 2024 July 8th: National Video Game Day Quick Tips 00:00:01 Dustin-QT-Printing a Website in Reader Mode 00:02:04 Dom Bettinelli-QT-Don’t Forget to re-enable iCloud Photos 00:07:20 Marty-QT-Apple Watch Mirroring 00:11:09 Mark M-QT-Identify Apple Silicon vs. Intel just from keyboard 00:14:13 Gary-QT-Beware battery drain and the 1969 date issue 00:19:49 Be Aware of Your VPN Kill Switch 00:26:15 Tony-QT-Enable Apple Watch Water Lock to Keep Errant Taps from Disturbing your Workouts 00:28:51 Press and Hold Side Button on Apple Watch to Trigger an Emergency Sponsors 00:31:04 SPONSOR: BBEdit, the power tool for text from Bare Bones Software; now with integrated Notebooks and extended language support. Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!  00:32:41 Scott-Remote Mac Question Setup Apple Remote Desktop Apple’s TCP and UDP Ports Remote Access to Unmanned Mac Jump Desktop ($15) LogMeIn Screens and Screens Connect AnyDesk 00:44:56 David-Should I leave apps running all the time? Marco Arment’s Quitter 00:51:35 Carsten-The Need for Speed Difference between NVMe Gen 5 vs Gen 4 NVMe vs. M.2 vs. SATA Satechi Mac mini-shaped USB hub OWC ThunderBlade HyperDrive Next Snap-On USB-C SSD Enclosure HyperDrive Next USB4 SSD Enclosure 01:04:16 Terry-Is 8GB Enough for a new Mac? Swap vs. Real Ram…does it matter with Apple’s Unified Memory? Maybe not 01:18:02 MGG 1045 Outtro MacStock Coupon Code: MACGEEKGAB saves you $30! Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly Follow us on Mastodon Mac Geek Gab on Mastodon Adam Christianson on Mastodon Dave Hamilton on Mastodon Pilot Pete on Mastodon Mona for Mastodon (for Mac, iPhone, iPad) Adam Christianson on X/Twitter Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts) Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts MGG Merch is Available! Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK The Mac Geek Gab iPhone app Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network
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Jul 1, 2024 • 1h 17min

Practicing The Shrug Shoulders Salute

Join Dave, Pilot Pete, and Adam for quick tips on travel access to streaming services, Duck Duck Go Bangs, disabling Spotlight, ChatGPT, and avoiding junk data. Learn about Mac Photos, connecting ChatGPT to Siri, screen recording solutions, and SSD write speeds. Cool discoveries include using a 5K iMac as a monitor and iCloud Drive options. Stay ahead in tech with useful tips and insights!
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4 snips
Jun 24, 2024 • 1h 26min

Don’t Inception The Cloud

Dive into Mac Geek Gab 1043 with Dave Hamilton, Pilot Pete, and Adam Christianson as they unleash a treasure trove of Quick Tips and answers to your burning questions. Discover how long-pressing a key on macOS unveils accents and special characters, adding Shazam to your Control Center for instant music ID, and leveraging your iPhone for scanning documents. The trio also dives into the Setapp vs. Bundle models, explores using a 5K iMac as an external display, and offers insights on using software and hardware for enhanced screen extension. Tackle your backup concerns head-on with practical tips, such as using PowerPhotos for local photo backups and understanding Time Machine’s role in iCloud Photos Library backup. They discuss the safety of using Backblaze for iCloud Drive and how to recover data from a formatted SSD with tools like Disk Drill and Stellar for Mac. Get amped with Cool Stuff Found, featuring apps like CloudMounter and Cyberduck, and gadgets like the Tayasui Sketches app for Wacom users and high-end robovacs. Remember, “Don’t Get Caught” unprepared—stay savvy with Mac Geek Gab! 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1043 for Monday, June 24th, 2024 June 24: Midsummer The MGG Discord Server is Live! The MGG Merch Store is Live! Quick Tips 00:00:01 Dave-QT-On macOS, long-press a letter on your keyboard to see accents and special versions with numbers beneath! PopChar 00:05:40 Uncle Jamie-QT-Add Shazam to Control Center Gracenote Database of Songs 00:09:18 Adam-QT-Scanning on your iPhone instead of Taking a Photo forScore Documents by Readdle 00:16:35 CSF-CloudMounter Cyberduck Transmit Forkflight 00:22:40 The Setapp vs. Bundle Models Sponsors 00:26:00 SPONSOR: Fastmail. Make email better for you with Fastmail. Try Fastmail free for 30 days and get 10% off your first year at Fastmail.com/MGG. 00:27:37 SPONSOR: Zocdoc, the easiest way to find a great doctor and instantly book an appointment. Sign up for FREE at Zocdoc.com/MGG and download the app today. Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:29:28 Dan-Can I use my 5K iMac as an External Display? Luna Display 00:35:40 Prof Josh-QT-Use Jump Desktop as an External Monitor OWC Headless Dongle macOS Screen Extension Backup Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:46:27 Jeff-What’s the Simplest Way to Backup Local Photos? PowerPhotos 00:53:02 Sandro-Does Time Machine back up my iCloud Photos Library? 00:54:49 John-Is it safe to use Backblaze to backup my iCloud Drive? Don’t Put Your Dropbox Folder in your Desktop or Documents folder 00:58:31 Andrew-How to recover data from a formatted SSD? Disk Drill Stellar for Mac Data Rescue Show Business 01:04:25 MGG Premium Listener Contribution Appreciation Moment Cool Stuff Found 01:07:42 Flying Pete’s Plane to Macstock! Use MACGEEKGAB to get $30 off your registration for Macstock 01:09:43 Pete-CSF-Tayasui Sketches (for Mac or iPad or iOS) Great when used with Wacom Wacom One 13 Touch Pen Display 01:12:27 Dave-CSF-Robovacs that Dave uses: Anker’s Eufy S1 Pro ($1,499…but it’ll come down) and Roborock QRevo ($769…or $899) 01:20:07 Adam-CSF-Have a Small Wins Bell 01:22:42 MGG 1043 Outtro MacStock Coupon Code: MACGEEKGAB saves you $30! Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts) Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts MGG Merch is Available! MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network
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Jun 17, 2024 • 1h 28min

Hey, 19!

Celebrate Mac Geek Gab’s 19th anniversary with Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton as they dive into quick tips, listener questions, and cool stuff found. The episode kicks off with a shoutout to World Tessellation Day and, of course, a a look forward to Mac Geek Gab beginning its twentieth year! The Quick Tips segment is packed with gems like using the Google app to recognize a song you hum, dragging icons from Control Center to the Menubar, and a discussion about the new owners of Bartender. Learn about the importance of unplugging your office for some tech therapy, backing up cloud-stored files with CCC Backup, and setting up Apple Pay for developers on macOS 15. Keep the pace up by slowing down Mission Control with a terminal command and using your Apple Watch to identify circuits. Dive deeper into listener questions with tips on configuring Safari’s “Open Links with Profile” list using Velja and Open In, and managing Time Machine on an existing external disk. Discover solutions for email archiving with Mail Steward, Google Workspace, and Mail Archiver X, and stop Maps from offering unwanted directions. In the Cool Stuff Found segment, check out the iOS 18 Beta App Compatibility Chart, Howard Oakley’s Mints, and the Pass2U Wallet for custom Apple Wallet passes. Remember, with Mac Geek Gab’s 19 years of wisdom, “Don’t Get Caught” without the latest tech insights and tricks! 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1042 for Monday, June 17th, 2024 00:03:29 Hey, 19! June 17th: World Tesselation Day Mac Geek Gab’s 19th Birthday! First MGG First MacCast (and Adam’s first post announcing the new podcast) Quick Tips 00:00:01 Uncle Jamie-QT-Google App Can Recognize a Song you Hum 00:05:14 Mark M-QT-You can Drag Icons from Control Center to the Menubar 00:07:06 James-PSA-Bartender under new, mostly-silent, owners 00:13:18 Jedd-QT-I unplug everything in my office every six months…for therapy! 00:17:14 Grumpy-QT-CCC Backup has an option to back-up cloud-stored files like those on iCloud Drive 00:18:15 Chris-QT-Regarding the hassle of setting up ApplePay for developers …and related: macOS Sequoia will allow iCloud Sign-ins when Virtualized 00:22:18 Jim-QT-Use your Apple Watch to Identify Circuits 00:24:51 PorthosJon-QT-Slow down Mission Control/Spaces’ switching speed with Terminal Command defaults write com.apple.dock workspaces-edge-delay -float 2.0; killall Dock 00:30:22 JMM-PSA-iCloud Drive doesn’t back-up overwritten files Sponsors 00:33:14 SPONSOR: Ecamm Live is the all-in-one live streaming and video production studio for Mac Get one month free of Ecamm Live using promo code ‘macgeekgab’ at checkout. 00:34:50 SPONSOR: Coda, the one Doc to rule them all. Bring your text and tables together! Sign up at Coda.io/mgg for FREE. Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:36:25 Don-How do I configure Safari’s “Open Links with Profile” list? Velja Open In 00:43:56 Rick-Can I Use Time Machine on an Existing External Disk? 00:48:50 Deborah-What about Adam’s Email Archive? Mail Steward Google Workspace Mail Archiver X 00:59:21 Prof Josh-How do I stop Maps from offering me directions on where it thinks I want to go? Tideline Public House Cool Stuff Found 01:06:35 Adrian-CSF-iOS 18 Beta App Compatibility Chart 01:12:07 KiwiGraham-CSF-Mints from Howard Oakley 01:15:20 RandyWalker-CSF-Pass2U Wallet for putting your own passes/cards in Apple Wallet 01:20:19 MGG 1042 Outtro MacStock Coupon Code: MACGEEKGAB saves you $30! Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly Adam Christianson on X/Twitter Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts) Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts MGG Merch is Available! Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews feedback@macgeekgab.com 224-888-GEEK The Mac Geek Gab iPhone app Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List BackBeat Media Podcast Network

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