1,046 episodes

Answers to your tech questions for your Apple devices and beyond. Dave Hamilton, Adam Christianson, and Pilot Pete come together weekly to answer your questions and discuss things of interest to Apple and Mac geeks, presenting them in ways that are both entertaining and informative for the average listener.

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

    • Technology
    • 5.0 • 3 Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

Answers to your tech questions for your Apple devices and beyond. Dave Hamilton, Adam Christianson, and Pilot Pete come together weekly to answer your questions and discuss things of interest to Apple and Mac geeks, presenting them in ways that are both entertaining and informative for the average listener.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    Okay is a Four-Letter Word

    Okay is a Four-Letter Word

    🌎 Full shownotes with links at https://mgg.fm/1039

    In this week's Mac Geek Gab podcast, dive into a trove of quick tips and tech tricks to streamline your Apple experience. Jim kicks things off by showing you how to drag images or hyperlinks into a new browser tab for efficiency. Mark M. follows up with a tip on rotating images in Preview using the Option key, while Daoud demonstrates how to quickly switch iPhone apps with the Home Bar. Dave, Adam, and Pete discuss the intuitiveness of macOS and iOS, and share a light-hearted story about babies prank-calling Steve Wozniak.

    PCUnix reminds you to check the tip of your Apple Pencil if it stops working, and Grumpy shares how to properly enable Wi-Fi when connected via Ethernet to keep your Mac running smoothly with Continuity features. Bob's tip on normalizing tab switching with BetterTouchTool and James's advice on dragging items between Spaces round out this section with practical gestures and app recommendations like Yoink and Pastebot.

    The episode continues with your questions answered. Felix learns how to stop Spotlight from indexing too frequently with tools like OnyX and CleanMyMac X. Doug tackles interference issues during presentations using Keynote, while David gets advice on teaching his iPhone new spellings. For reliable screen sharing amongst two Mac users, your three favorite geeks recommend tools like Splashtop and Zoom. Finally, Mark Fowler discusses the best ways to receive texts and calls while traveling abroad, highlighting services like SkypeIn and Google Voice. Remember, Don't Get Caught without these handy tips and tricks to enhance your Apple ecosystem.

    00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1039 for Monday, May 27th, 2024
    =============================================
    May 27: Memorial Day (also National Sunscreen Day)
    The MGG Discord Server is Live!
    The MGG Merch Store is Live!

    Quick Tips
    =============================================
    00:00:01 Jim-QT-Drag an Image or Hyperlink to a New Browser Tab
    State Lines & Porpoises
    00:04:09 Mark M-QT-Option Click Preview's Rotation Button to Rotate to the Right
    Three Lefts DO Make a Right
    You Can Bluetooth a Keyboard to Your iPhone
    00:08:16 Daoud-QT-Quickly Switch iPhone Apps with Home Bar
    00:12:03 The intuitiveness of macOS and iOS
    00:14:34 Babies were prank calling Woz
    00:17:03 PCUnix-QT-If Your Apple Pencil Isn't Working...Check The Tip
    New Tips - Cheaper on Amazon
    00:19:17 Grumpy-QT-When Ethernet-connected, enable Wi-Fi but don't connect to any network
    00:22:43 Bob-QT-Normalize tab switching with BetterTouchTool (or something like it)
    Gesture Triggers from Keyboard Maestro
    00:28:08 James-QT-Drag items between Spaces
    Paste Clipboard Manager
    Yoink
    Pastebot
    00:35:21 QT-Add Tracks to Spotify Playlist By Simply Pasting In Links
    @giggab

    Sponsors
    =============================================
    00:40:59 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.

    00:42:26 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.

    Your Questions Answered!
    =============================================
    00:43:55 Felix-How to Stop Spotlight from Indexing so Frequently?
    OnyX
    CleanMyMac X
    https://www.unixsherpa.com/solution/clear-spotlight-index/
    tldr homebrew
    sudo mdutil -E / [to erase your Spotlight Index]
    Cake for Homebrew
    00:53:07 Doug-Is Interference Hanging My Presentation?
    OBS for Streaming
    00:59:43 David-How do I teach my iPhone a new Spelling?
    Okay is a Four-Letter Word
    01:03:57 Blocktek-How can I make Messages Screen Sharing more Reliable?
    Splashtop
    Screen Sharing Menulet
    Zoom
    Jump Desktop
    01:13:15 Mark Fowler-What's the best way to receive texts and calls while traveling abroad?
    SkypeIn
    Google Voice

    01:18:13 Show Business
    =============================================
    MGG Premium Listener Contribution Appreciation Moment

    01:19:38 Ou

    What Are We Watching?

    What Are We Watching?

    In this week’s Mac Geek Gab episode, dive into what Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton are watching for National Streaming Day. From the intriguing documentary “STEVE! A Steve Martin Documentary” to intense dramas like “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” the hosts cover a wide array of must-watch shows. They also recommend “Welcome to Wrexham,” “Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out,” and “Acapulco” for a diverse viewing experience. Each host shares their personal favorites, providing listeners with a well-rounded list of binge-worthy content.

    Maximize your tech efficiency with the latest Quick Tips, including how to swipe up in Apple Watch Workouts for real-time details and copying to the clipboard without formatting on iPhone. Learn essential Apple Watch battery-saving tricks and how to prepare your old Mac for resale. The hosts also answer pressing listener questions, like solving Apple Watch battery woes and re-indexing Spotlight.

    Enhance your online safety with a primer about how Tailscale works, and get the scoop on cool new finds like DNSHistory and BandMatch. Tune in and remember, “Don’t Get Caught” without these essential tech tips and show recommendations!



    00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1038 for Monday, May 20th, 2024

    00:02:38 May 20: National Streaming Day –– What are we each watching?



    Watch STEVE! A Steve Martin Documentary

    Space Shuttle Columbia: The Final Flight

    Tracker

    Welcome to Wrexham

    Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out

    Whiplash

    Breaking Bad & Better Call Saul

    Yellowstone & 1883 & 1923

    Roadkill

    Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (and Sports Night)

    Acapulco

    Made Up Adventures of Dick Turpin





    Quick Tips



    00:00:01 Joe-QT-Swipe Up in Apple Watch Workouts to see Real-Time Details

    00:20:30 Alex-QT-Copy To Clipboard WITHOUT Formatting on iPhone

    00:22:30 Enable “Start Workout Reminders” on Apple Watch

    00:23:12 Jim-QT-Disable Wake on Wrist Raise to Save Battery

    00:26:29 Jonathan-Solving Apple Watch Battery Woes



    Apple Watch iPhone App > General > Reset > Reset Sync Data





    00:29:29 QT-What to do when selling an Old Mac



    How to Download and Install macOS









    Sponsors



    00:31:17 SPONSOR: Zocdoc, the easiest way to find a great doctor and instantly book an appointment. Sign up for FREE at a href="https://zocdoc.

    • 1 hr 23 min
    Beware The Robocalypse

    Beware The Robocalypse

    This week on Mac Geek Gab 1037, Adam Christianson and Dave Hamilton have packed the episode with indispensable tips and updates, starting with one from listener Ben about using Option-Space in Finder for a full-screen Quick Look. Then it’s on to swiftly moving between tabs in Safari with Control-Tab, and optimizing your use of Airtags as innovative beacons and triggers.

    Don’t miss out on harnessing AI to create personalized wallpapers, and make sure your read receipts in Messages are working as intended. The latest Apple event brings exciting updates too, featuring new iPad Pros, iPad Airs, and major upgrades to Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro, and your two geeks discuss their reactions to all of it!

    In the question and answer segment, Dave & Adam tackle problems like correcting your Mac’s time settings with a simple terminal command and deciding whether to migrate your system or start fresh with a ‘nuke-and-pave’ approach.

    Learn how to approach DKIM records to ensure your emails aren’t bouncing back and explore tools like 1Focus for enhanced screen time management and New.Space for securely transmitting sensitive documents.

    Remember, in the ever-evolving tech landscape, always stay informed and “Don’t Get Caught” unprepared!



    00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1037 for Monday, May 13th, 2024



    May 13: Top Gun Day

    The MGG Discord Server is Live!

    The MGG Merch Store is Live!





    Quick Tips



    00:00:01 Ben-QT-Option-Space in Finder for Full-Screen Quick Look

    00:03:28 Troy-QT-In Safari, Control-Tab moves you from Tab to Tab

    00:07:31 Mike-QT-Set the distance on proximity reminders

    00:10:30 Using an Airtag as a beacon and trigger

    00:12:02 David in Missouri-QT-Use AI to generate custom wallpaper

    00:15:37 DLH-1034-Read Receipts for Messages follow-up

    00:20:02 Andrew-QT-1034-Remove Extraneous Text from Contacts’ Notes Field

    00:23:28 Dan-QT-Encryption can slow down the mounting of Time Machine drives





    Sponsors



    00:27:41 SPONSOR: Coda, the one Doc to rule them all. Bring your text and tables together! Sign up at Coda.io/mgg for FREE.

    00:29:17 SPONSOR: BBEdit, the power tool for text from Bare Bones Software; now with integrated Notebooks and extended language support.





    00:30:51 Apple Event – New iPad Pros, New iPad Airs, New Logic Pro, New Final Cut Pro

    00:37:28 Check in on Apple Vision Pro

    Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!



    00:46:31 Gil-Should I Migrate or Nuke-and-Pave?

    00:53:29 Jeremiah-My Mac’s Time is Wrong…How do I fix it?



    sudo sntp -sS time.apple.com

    Lingon





    00:57:48 Jedd-DKIM Records on my Custom Domain are Bouncing Mail



    DKIM Is A Four-Letter Word

    • 1 hr 26 min
    Brick Walls and Brain Waves

    Brick Walls and Brain Waves

    In this week’s episode of Mac Geek Gab, you’re in for a treat with Pilot Pete and Dave Hamilton as they delve deep into the nuances of everyday tech. Starting off, learn a clever Quick Tip from Uncle Jamie on how to use Preview for not just viewing but also adding, reordering, and merging PDFs—a true multitasker’s dream tool. But that’s not all, discover how disabling WPA3 could rejuvenate your stubborn IoT devices, ensuring they connect without a hitch. Struggling with your VPN? They’ve got you covered with solutions to avoid duplicate AirDrop destinations and unblock your mail sending woes.

    As the discussion heats up, Pete and Dave tackle some quirky tech challenges that might have you nodding in agreement or scratching your head. Did you know your 2.4GHz network penetrates brick walls more effectively than higher frequencies? And when it comes to sending sensitive documents securely, they suggest top tools like Tresorit Send and Dropbox Send to keep your private info under wraps. So, as you navigate these tech waters, remember: “Don’t Get Caught” unprepared. Tune into Mac Geek Gab for these insights and more, ensuring you stay one step ahead in the digital realm.



    00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1036 for Monday, May 6th, 2024



    May 6: National Beverage Day





    Quick Tips



    00:00:01 Blocktek-QT-Use Caps Lock as a Shutdown Notification Indicator

    00:03:41 Nescafe Milk Foamer



    Throat Coat Tea





    00:05:50 Uncle Jamie-QT-Add, reorder, merge PDFs and more with Preview



    PDFExpert (available with a student discount with a .edu)





    00:08:40 QT-Disable WPA3 on Your Network. Your IOT Devices Will Thank You



    Skylight Frame





    00:18:55 Missing Adam Today

    00:19:44 Phil-QT-VPNs can add duplicate AirDrop destinations

    00:21:37 StephrabNYC18-Turn off your VPN when using Ticketmaster

    00:24:59 PP- Sending Mail Getting Blocked… Receive OK – It was “TailScale” VPN



    Tailscale

    WhatIsMyIp.com

    Wireguard VPN





    00:32:15 Can I Use Two VPNs Simultaneously?





    Sponsors



    00:35:56 SPONSOR: LinkedIn Jobs. Go to LinkedIn.com/MGG and post your first job for free!

    00:37:34 SPONSOR: Backblaze. Get a fully-featured no risk free trial at Backblaze.com/mgg. Go there, play with it, and start protecting yourself from potential bad times. Start Today!

    00:39:03 SPONSOR: BetterHelp. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/GEEKGAB and get on your way to being your best self.

    00:40:22 Pete Outsmarted Himself!





    00:42:26 What the Heck Happened With Our Reset Apple ID Passwords?



    Making SWAGs Again

    Send Us Your SWAGs





    Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!



    00:54:49 JT Ray-Why Do I have Both Local and iCloud Desktop Folders?

    00:57:00 Why Do I have Two Mail Accounts Listed?

    01:02:23 JP-Duplicate File Finder?



    Gemini from MacPaw

    • 1 hr 21 min
    Don’t Get Caught With Your Tech Down

    Don’t Get Caught With Your Tech Down

    This week on Mac Geek Gab 1035, dive into a treasure trove of quick tips and cool finds with your favorite tech trio, Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton. Discover how to leverage Siri to unearth unread messages or take hands-free notes—even with paint on your hands! Learn how to utilize smart plugs for automating troublesome tech at home, like that stubborn old Sonos or garage door opener. Did you know that bright LED bulbs could be interfering with your Wi-Fi? Keep this in mind to avoid tech hiccups. And remember, don’t get caught with your tech down on Email Debt Forgiveness Day!

    In the Cool Stuff Found segment, explore the potential of iOS’s ChatGPT app’s voice interaction, and consider Pandoc for effortless format conversions. Curious about running your 2019 iMac from an external USB SSD? There’s a tip for that too. Syncing issues between Mac and iPhone? Get the fix here. And don’t miss the scoop on eero’s latest networking solutions. Make your digital life smoother and stay ahead—after all, “Don’t Get Caught” means being prepared with the right knowledge from Mac Geek Gab.



    00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1035 for Monday, April 29th, 2024



    April 29: Viral Video Day





    Quick Tips



    00:00:01 QT-Use Siri to find Unread Messages When “Unread Messages” won’t show you anything but Messages is still badged

    00:03:14 Paul-QT-Hey, Siri Take a Note… / Pause (with paint on hands and airbuds in!)



    feedback@macgeekgab.com





    00:06:00 Joe-QT-1034-Get Bookmarks Right From Safari’s Search Bar…and Have Siri Remind You At a Place

    00:11:04 QT-Use a Smart Plug and automation to restart pesky devices (older Sonos, MyQ Garage Door Opener, More)

    00:13:53 CSF-Meross HomeKit Compatible Garage Door Opener

    00:15:56 Allison-CSF-Tailwind iQ3 garage door remote



    Meross Smart Plug





    00:23:26 Uncle Jamie-CSF-ratGDO for controlling your garage door openers

    00:25:08 Tim-PSA-1033-Bright LED Garage Light Bulbs Can Create Wi-Fi Interference

    00:27:10 QT-Email Debt Forgiveness Day coming on April 30th



    ReplyAll Podcast









    Sponsors



    00:28:50 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.

    00:30:35 Don’t Get Caught With Your Tech Down





    Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 



    00:32:40 UpsideDownFoodPyramid-How can I sync Apple Photos with Google Photos?

    00:34:12 OurStanley-Can I run my 2019 iMac from External USB SSD?

    00:39:29 DanWieder-Messages Not Syncing Between Mac and iPhone

    00:48:07 MIke-Should we increase the number of things we learn each episode?

    00:53:27 Log the name of people in your photos





    Show Business

    • 1 hr 21 min
    Be(a)ware Opinionated Apps

    Be(a)ware Opinionated Apps

    In this week’s Mac Geek Gab, Adam Christianson and Dave Hamilton dive into a plethora of practical tips and deep dives, tailored just for you. Discover quick tips like pressing Command-back in Safari to open the previous page in a new tab or using Fn-Return to approximate the Enter key, enhancing your navigation skills seamlessly. They didn’t miss discussing event highlights such as KansasFest and MacStock VIII, bringing communities together in celebration of technology. For those looking to streamline their work with tools, they covered using Freeform with Zoom to save time and the multifunctional Dash Text Editor for your coding needs.

    The duo didn’t stop there; they shared insights on using focus modes to boost productivity and various shortcuts for creating PDFs across your devices. Ever thought about removing those pesky power lines from your photos effortlessly? They’ve got solutions!

    And if your digital life feels a bit cluttered, they provided solutions for syncing issues across devices with apps like BusyCal and CardHop. Remember, in the digital world, it’s crucial to stay efficient and prepared. So, don’t get caught unawares—tune in to Mac Geek Gab and elevate your tech game.



    00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1034 for Monday, April 22nd, 2024



    April 22: National I.T. Service Provider Day





    Quick Tips



    00:00:01 Dimitar-QT-Press Command-back in Safari to open previous page in a new tab

    00:03:11 Nige-QT-1030-Use Fn-Return to Approximate the Enter key

    00:04:45 KansasFest



    MacStock VIII





    00:08:07 Todd-QT-1032-Create a manual Birthdays Calendar

    00:10:36 Chicago Tom-QT-Use Freeform with Zoom to save yourself an extra session



    Mac Power Users

    feedback@macgeekgab.com





    00:13:30 Rob-QT-1030-Use Page up (and down!) in QuickLook, too

    00:14:43 Dave from Arlington-QT-Bookmark Tab Groups on both Mac and iPhone



    Dash Text Editor





    00:20:12 Using Focus Modes

    00:23:36 Bill-QT-1033-Shortcuts for Creating PDFs in Safari and System-Wide

    Todd-QT-1033-Siri can also help you Scan a Document





    Sponsors



    00:26:07 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!



    00:28:35 Barb-GC-How best to remove power lines from Photos?



    PhotoShop

    Pixelmator Pro

    Luminar AI will remove power lines! (at 01:22:26)





    00:34:23 Darrin-What’s the fastest way to get to Safari Favorites on iPhone?



    Long Press is The Universal Tip





    00:37:04 Bob-Why is it Spring and yet my Contacts are still Freezing?



    CardHop

    Fantastical





    00:47:01 Todd-Fixing Reminders Syncing between Mac and iPhone



    BusyCal

    • 1 hr 28 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
3 Ratings

3 Ratings

Bazman ,

The definative MacPodcast

If you want original content concerning you mac look no futher - John and Dave discuss relevant topics each week concerning Apple and Macs. This show is not merely a repeate of the past weeks news - although when relevant they will discuss news. The Podcast usually has a theme which will guide the show (such as networking), however John and Dave, through their occasional (regular) rants and off topics comentary keep the show fresh. In addition, discussions from past shows are updated on a weekly basis through listener comments. Finally, if you have a question about your Mac, send it to the geek gab!

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