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

Dave Hamilton, Pilot Pete & Adam Christianson
Mac Geek Gab — Your Questions Answered, Tips Shared, Troubleshooting Assistance
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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.

  1. Tea Time with Your Favorite Geeks

    3 DAYS AGO

    Tea Time with Your Favorite Geeks

    Struggling with aliased folders not updating their modified dates? We’ve got a solution for you! This episode kicks off with a Quick Tip on how to use Terminal to keep your aliased folders up-to-date. It’s a simple trick that can save you a lot of hassle. As usual, Adam, Dave, and Pete dive into a variety of topics, ensuring you learn at least five new things. From the intricacies of using QuickLook in open/save dialog boxes to managing your home screen apps with ease, there’s something for every Mac enthusiast. Plus, discover how to make the most of your Apple Watch’s new features and the hidden potential of your iPhone’s action button. Don’t miss the “Don’t Get Caught” segment, where listeners share their experiences to help you avoid common tech pitfalls. This week, learn about the quirks of Face ID and Spotlight search, and why you should be cautious with email bounce messages. Ready to level up your tech game? Click and listen to Mac Geek Gab Episode 1063 now, and remember, “Don’t Get Caught!” 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1063 for Monday, November 11th, 2024 November 11th: Veterans Days (ok, and also Metal Day… because this one goes to eleven!) Police Code 10-63 – Subject positive / Prepare to copy 00:03:48 MGG Monthly Giveaway – OWC Express 1M2 SSD Enclosure for November, 2024 Quick Tips 00:00:01 Tony-QT-Change the ‘Modified’ date of a Folder in Finder 00:05:12 Dangerous Aliases  00:09:30 Patrick-QT-Re-Establish AirPods as Primary Device with one touch 00:12:42 Patrick-QT-Use QuickLook in Open & Save Dialogs Default Folder X (in Setapp) 00:17:28 Henry-QT-Add duplicate App icons to your home screens 00:20:21 Hiding apps in iOS 18 00:24:42 Paul-QT-Drag Finder Folders into Open and Save Dialogs for location 00:26:34 Todd-QT-Swipe Up or Scroll Down with the Crown to open Apple Watch Smart Stack 00:30:58 Steve-QT-Select the Calendar with Click-and-hold 00:31:43 DocRock-Screenshot Instagram (or YouTube) to get a clickable link 00:33:22 iOS 18.2 (currently beta) press-and-hold on camera button for Image Intelligence 00:39:30 Control Center now has 4 screens – custom (or your favs), Currently Playing, Home, Network (Swipe to select) Our Sponsors! 00:40:50 SPONSOR: Glean’s powerful AI connects and understands all your company data across the apps you use every day, helping you find answers, generate content, and automate work. 00:42:16 SPONSOR: BBEdit, the power tool for text from Bare Bones Software; now with integrated Notebooks and extended language support. Don’t Get Caught 00:43:36 Jeff-DGC-Unlock an App for Spotlight to Index – Then re-lock it! 00:46:23 Kent-DGC-Be cautious when classifying bounce messages as spam Show Business 00:50:52 MGG Reviews 2024-Nov-7 00:53:31 The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new show! Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:55:46 Bruce-Q-How to make a window full height. Magnet for macOS a href="https://manytricks.

    1h 14m
  2. Where Has All My Free Space Gone?

    4 NOV

    Where Has All My Free Space Gone?

    Struggling with your iPhone’s keypad? Discover a hidden trick to paste phone numbers directly into the dial pad. This Quick Tip is just the beginning of what you’ll learn in this episode! Join Dave and Adam as they dive into listener tips, questions, and the occasional tech rabbit hole. From the nuances of using ellipses on your Mac to the mysteries of disappearing free space, they cover it all. Plus, get insights into the latest Apple announcements, including the new M4 Mac Mini and iMac. In this episode’s Cool Stuff Found, explore a 3-in-1 portable charging station and a revolutionary ear-cleaning tool. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or just looking for practical advice, there’s something here for everyone. Don’t miss out on these valuable insights and tech tips. Click play and make sure you Don’t Get Caught without the latest knowledge from Mac Geek Gab! 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1062 for Monday, November 4th, 2024 00:02:00 November 4th: Use Your Common Sense Day 00:03:15 Police Code 10-62 = Subject possibly wanted 00:04:25 MGG Monthly Giveaway – OWC Express 1M2 SSD Enclosure for November, 2024 Quick Tips 00:00:01 Joe-QT-You can always paste a phone number in on the iPhone…but it’s hidden 00:05:22 Todd-1060-Ellipses (sometimes) happen automatically (bonus: Option-Semicolon) 00:08:20 Lawyer Jeff-QT-Reset Launch Services to clear-up Mac App Store updates list /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/LaunchServices.framework/Support/lsregister -kill -r -domain user 00:10:12 Web apps and links in macOS 15 00:17:35 Alex-QT-354-Don’t forget about Pages and Numbers Versioning 00:21:40 Jose-QT-Drag and Drop Text into Reminders or Notes on iPhone Yoink (also in Setapp) 00:27:00 Fixed vs. Rotating Private Wi-Fi Addresses in iOS 18, macOS 15 Sequoia, etc 00:31:00 John-QT-Set camera button to activate on double-press to avoid accidents Settings > Camera > Camera Control Halide Camera Sponsor 00:33:33 SPONSOR: Coda, the one Doc to rule them all. Bring your text and tables together! Sign up at Coda.io/mgg for FREE. Show Business 00:42:37 MGG Premium Listener Contribution Appreciation Moment Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:35:19 Adam’s Ember Mug, Apple Login 00:45:17 Apple’s Week of Releases 00:46:49 Joe-New Mac mini M4 coming…start fresh or Migration Assistant? How about pre-migration cleanup? CleanMyMac’s Uninstaller and Space Lens ChronoSync BackBlaze Time Machine

    1h 26m
  3. Naked (iPhone) and Not Afraid

    28 OCT

    Naked (iPhone) and Not Afraid

    Are you overwhelmed by endless notifications? Discover a game-changing Quick Tip from listener Dennis that will save you time and sanity. Plus, learn how to streamline your calendar management with a simple trick that could revolutionize your daily routine. In this episode, join Adam Christianson and Dave Hamilton to explore practical solutions for managing your digital life. From optimizing your CarPlay experience with clever calendar hacks to mastering file sorting in Finder, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re a tech novice or a seasoned pro, these insights will enhance your productivity. But that’s not all! You’ll find Cool Stuff Found, like Drive DX for monitoring your SSD’s health, and get the latest scoop on WiFi 7 routers. Plus, check out a leather iPhone case that might just change your mind about going caseless. Don’t Get Caught missing out on these invaluable tips and tricks. Click play and transform your tech experience with Mac Geek Gab! 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1061 for Monday, October 28th, 2024 October 28th: International Animation Day Police Code 10-61 = Personnel in vicinity / Not wanted MGG Monthly Giveaway – Eternal Storms with Yoink AND Screenfloat for October, 2024 Quick Tips 00:00:01 Dennis-QT-Press-and-hold OK to accept all calendar notifications 00:03:23 Doug-QT-Add events to the calendar so they’re usable with CarPlay 00:06:53 Jim-QT-Re-sorting items in the Finder How to add a column to a Finder window Sponsors 00:15:24 SPONSOR: OWC Express 1M2 – The fastest single portable drive — up to 3,151 MB/s — purposefully built to maximize the performance capabilities of today’s and tomorrow’s USB4-equipped Mac models. 00:17:12 Podcast: Grumpy Old Geeks. Hosts Jason DeFillippo & Brian Schulmeister Brian have over 50 years of experience as Internet industry pros. Tune in every Saturday for a heaping helping of the real deal on our technological future at GOG.show. Followups on Notes and Focus 00:18:42 Supersuckers’ Creepy Jackalope Eye Video 00:19:15 Steve-1060-Cable type matters when connecting a new iPhone to an old Mac Use OWC’s USB-C Cables Quality inexpensive cables from Monoprice Anker USB-C cables 00:30:24 iOS 18.2 Beta allows ChatGPT integration and will allow you to login to a paid account if you use one. Cheap…and worth it! 00:32:35 Seth-1060-You can shut off the display with a Focus Filter 00:33:20 James-CSF-1060–Notebooks stores your notes as flat files Ulysses Marked 00:40:53 n-Scott-1060-Backup the Notes data folder to backup all Notes

    1h 25m
  4. Can You Spatchcock a Jackalope?

    21 OCT

    Can You Spatchcock a Jackalope?

    Ever wondered how to make your reminders more organized? This episode kicks off with a Quick Tip from listener Joe, revealing a nifty trick to indent items in your iOS notes. Just slide an entry to the right, tap the indent area, and voilà—your list is now neatly structured! In this episode, Adam, Pete, and Dave dive into a variety of tech tips and discussions. From troubleshooting AirPlay 2 issues by reserving IP addresses to exploring the nuances of iPad upgrades, there’s something for every Apple enthusiast. They also tackle the intricacies of managing DHCP reservations and share insights on optimizing your home network for seamless connectivity. But that’s not all! The team delves into the world of photo organization in the Photos app, shares a Don’t Get Caught story about the pitfalls of syncing music libraries, and offers a solution for those pesky calendar reminders that clutter your schedule. Don’t miss out on these valuable insights and tech tips. Click play and join the conversation—just remember, whatever you do, “Don’t Get Caught” without your tech in check! 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1060 for Monday, October 21st, 2024 October 21st: National Apple Day Police Code 10-60 = Squad In Vicinity MGG Monthly Giveaway – Eternal Storms with Yoink AND Screenfloat for October, 2024 00:02:46 Upgrading an iPad New iPad mini with A17 Quick Tips 00:00:01 Joe-QT-Slide to indent Reminders 00:07:11 Bruce-QT-Access Unencrypted Login – NeverSSL.com Or captive.apple.com 00:10:01 Todd-QT-Managing the Always-On Display During Sleep Time 00:13:45 Adam-QT-123 Swipe to Punctuate Linus Tech Tips 00:18:02 Andrew-QT-Setup DHCP Reservations for your AirPlay Speakers Netgear Orbi Mesh 00:26:47 Alex-QT-You can re-order Photos in an album 00:28:16 Todd-QT-You can keep Scheduled Reminders from Appearing on your calendar 00:30:41 Kurt-QT-1058-Use Terminal to retrieve data off of failing drives rsync cp brew install ddrescue Sponsors 00:34:01 SPONSOR: 1Password Extended Access Management solves the problems traditional IAM and MDM can’t touch. It’s security for the way we work today. Don’t Get Caught 00:35:27 Jürgen-DGC-A Tale of Woe! Don’t Get Caught Without a Backup 00:41:29 Todd-DGC-There’s No Easy Way to Backup (and Restore) Notes 00:46:15 Andrew-DGC-Velcro Backup Drives to your monitor. 00:52:08 Joe-?/DGC-iPhone 16ProMax and Ventura Compatibility issues? Reset iPhone/Mac “Trust” Settings: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Location & Privacy Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared! 00:59:56 Andy-What is the Apple Vision Pro for? And whom? Have we hit the Four-Way-Stop moment with Smartphones yet? 01:17:42 Zoe-How do I tell my Mac to mirror the correct iPhone?

    1h 22m
  5. Malicious Mischief...and Cool Stuff Found

    14 OCT

    Malicious Mischief...and Cool Stuff Found

    Get ready for an episode packed with tech treasures and troubleshooting tips! Join hosts Dave Hamilton, Adam Christianson, and Pilot Pete as they dive into the latest “Cool Stuff Found”—from the handy Itsycal calendar app for your Mac menu bar to the innovative Zen Browser, a new Firefox-based browser. Discover Spot Hero for finding parking spots, the Jackery solar generator for your power needs, and Flight Board for up-to-the-minute flight information. Plus, learn how the “Stop the Madness” browser extension can re-enable those pesky disabled features on websites! In this episode, the hosts tackle common tech challenges with their “Don’t Get Caught” segment. Learn how to check Little Snitch rules for blocked traffic and unhide hidden desktop files using Terminal commands. Struggling with Apple Watch battery issues? They’ve got you covered with tips on resetting sync data and identifying misbehaving apps. And for iPhone users, explore the new iOS feature that optimizes battery health by limiting charging to 80-85%. But that’s not all—tune in for general tech tips on battery storage, experimenting with technology, and solving self-inflicted tech problems. Plus, hear about exciting giveaways and other podcast projects. Whether you’re a tech novice or a seasoned geek, this episode is your go-to guide for staying informed and entertained! 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1059 for Monday, October 14th, 2024 October 14th: National Online Bank Day 00:06:30 Police Code 10-59 = Convoy Escort / Security Check (or Malicious Mischief!) 00:07:12 MGG Monthly Giveaway – Eternal Storms with Yoink AND Screenfloat for October, 2024 00:02:07 Of Hurricanes (and Northern Lights) …but don’t turn all the lights off in the cockpit 00:07:48 September MGG Giveaway Winners: Gary Apter Rob van Koningsbruggen Jeff Murphy Roger Harmon Alexander Podosenov Cool Stuff Found 00:00:01 Ben-CSF-Amnesia eliminates macOS 15’s Monthly Reminders (and Allison!) 00:08:22 Andrew-CSF-ItsyCal puts a calendar in your menubar 00:10:04 Judy-CSF-NeoFinder to catalog my drives, PDFelement to OCR EjectBar 00:11:25 Sccrhallways-CSF-Zen Browser is Arc-like, but based upon Firefox 00:13:47 Spot Hero-CSF-Great way to find economical parking close to your city destination 00:15:59 Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (6kWh) 00:23:51 Flight Board-CSF-(iOS) See all gates (Arr & Dep) for flights to / from any airport. Track Flights & More (free & Pay options) FlightAware Flighty 00:27:59 Christian-More about SSD Lifespan 00:31:53 CSF-Halloween Movie – Beetlejuice Beetlejuice a href="https://www.reverbnation.

    1h 22m
  6. Flashlight Tweaks, iPad Tips, Drive Fixes, and More

    7 OCT

    Flashlight Tweaks, iPad Tips, Drive Fixes, and More

    Are you the go-to tech support for your family? Tired of dealing with 100+ open Safari tabs on your relatives’ iPhones? We’ve got a Quick Tip that will save you time and sanity. Learn how to close all those tabs in one swift move and keep your family’s devices running smoothly. In this episode, Adam Christianson, Dave Hamilton, and Pilot Pete dive into practical tips for managing your Apple devices, like using the new flashlight features in iOS 18 and setting up a multi-user iPad for smart home control. Plus, discover how to disable those pesky monthly security reminders in macOS 15 Sequoia with a nerdy terminal trick. Your three favorite geeks also explore listener solutions for syncing files across multiple Macs and discuss the best ways to record calls on Facebook Messenger. And don’t miss the segment where they share a lifesaving tip about loading your driver’s license into your iPhone wallet. Don’t get caught missing out on these essential tech tips and tricks. Click play and learn at least five new things with us today! 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1058 for Monday, October 7th, 2024 October 7th: International Podcast Day Police Code 10-58 = Direct Traffic MGG Monthly Giveaway – Eternal Storms with Yoink AND Screenflow for October, 2024 Quick Tips 00:00:01 Mac+1984-QT-Closing all iOS Safari Tabs 00:04:12 Marty-QT-iOS 18’s Flashlight lets you control beam width and brightness 00:06:31 Michael-QT-Disable macOS 15 monthly security reminders by manually setting the reminder date in Terminal 00:08:27 Andrew-1057-Setting up an iPad for the House 00:09:59 Jeff-1057-Use iOS 18’s per-app FaceID requirement to manage the multi-use Kitchen iPad 00:13:28 Ken-1057-Control Center’s power button also disables FaceID until passcode is typed 00:15:15 You, too, can review MGG! Don’t Get Caught 00:19:21 Todd-DGC-Digital Driver’s License worked through TSA! 00:24:34 Disney Strategies for Geeks Use Disney’s Lightning Lane Sponsors 00:37:38 SPONSOR: Coda, the one Doc to rule them all. Bring your text and tables together! Sign up at Coda.io/mgg for FREE. 00:39:08 SPONSOR: Glean, The Work AI platform connected to all your data. Find, create, and automate anything with the platform that understands the data, people, processes, and context specific to your work. Get 15% off your first year at Glean.com/mgg. Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!  00:40:42 zBob-How to resize Thumbnails in photos on iOS 18? 00:44:57 What good is Apple Intelligence TODAY? Conversational Siri Notification Summaries Email Summaries Cleaning up Photos 00:49:28 Phil-My 4TB Seagate drive is clicking…what to do? Oh no…The Click of Death Spinrite might help Cook a hard drive in the oven

    1h 15m
  7. It's Not a Problem...Until It Is

    30 SEPT

    It's Not a Problem...Until It Is

    In the ever-evolving world of technology, staying updated with the latest features can be both exciting and overwhelming. Apple’s latest operating systems—iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS, and watchOS—are packed with hidden gems that can enhance your user experience. In this episode of Mac Geek Gab, hosts Dave Hamilton, Adam Christianson, and Pilot Pete dive into some of these lesser-known features, offering practical tips and insights to help you make the most of your Apple devices. Quick Tip: Math Calculations in Text Messages Listener Tim kicks off the episode with a quick tip that might just change the way you handle math on your Apple devices. With the latest OS updates, you can now perform math calculations directly within text messages. Simply type your equation, and when you hit the equal sign, you’ll have the option to either display the result or keep the equation as is. This feature is available across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, making it a handy tool for quick calculations on the go. Discovering Hidden Features in iOS 18 The hosts delve into some of the hidden features in iOS 18 that you might have missed. For instance, Martin shares a tip about a new power button in the Control Center, allowing you to turn off your iPhone without the usual button gymnastics. This software button is a welcome addition, simplifying the process of powering down your device. Another noteworthy feature is iPhone mirroring, which Doug highlights as a game-changer for multitasking. This feature allows you to interact with your iPhone via your laptop, using your keyboard and mouse for apps that don’t have Mac or web equivalents. It’s a convenient solution for those moments when your phone is charging across the room. Embracing the Future with Spatial Photos and Videos Taryn brings attention to the spatial or 3D camera feature in the new iPhone 16 models. This feature allows you to capture spatial videos and photos, creating immersive memories that can be experienced in 3D. While the Apple Vision Pro might not be on everyone’s immediate purchase list, the ability to capture 3D images of loved ones is a compelling reason to consider upgrading your device. Fitness and Fun with Vision Pro Adam shares his experience with a new app for the Vision Pro called Beat, Punch, Fun and Fitness. This app combines rhythm-based boxing with fitness tracking, offering a fun and immersive way to exercise. With features like integration with your Apple Music library, it’s a versatile app that adds a new dimension to your workout routine. Navigating the Challenges of Upgrading The episode also touches on the challenges of upgrading to new OS versions. Listener Steve shares his experience of running into storage issues while updating his iPhone SE 2 to iOS 18. His story serves as a reminder to always check your backups and ensure they are current before attempting major updates. Security Tips: Don’t Get Caught In a new segment called “Don’t Get Caught,” the hosts discuss potential pitfalls and how to avoid them. From managing Mac addresses after OS upgrades to understanding the implications of Apple’s stolen device protection, these tips are designed to help you navigate the complexities of modern technology without getting caught off guard. Setting Up a Home Automation Hub Listener Deke poses an interesting question about setting up a dedicated iPad for home automation. The hosts explore various solutions, including using screen time settings to restrict access to personal data while allowing control of home automation apps. This discussion highlights the flexibility of Apple’s ecosystem in creating customized solutions for smart home management. The Lifespan of SSDs: What You Need to Know Larry’s question about the lifespan of SSDs sparks a discussion on the durability and longevity of soli...

    1h 18m
  8. Beware Alert Blindness

    23 SEPT

    Beware Alert Blindness

    In this week’s Mac Geek Gab, Dave, Pilot Pete, and Adam Christianson drop some seriously useful Quick Tips to enhance your Apple experience. From safeguarding your Venmo transactions to mastering Mac keyboard symbols via the Emoji keyboard, you’ll find yourself armed with powerful tricks. Perry’s tip on using Shazam to get music info from Apple Music or Spotify is a game-changer, and JMM’s hack to automate your Bluetooth Mac lock with BetterTouchTool is pure genius. Plus, get a sneak peek into the world of macOS 15’s alert fatigue and discover how Math Notes helps you adjust handwritten numbers effortlessly. Diving into AppleOS 2024, the hosts explore upgrades across iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS 15, and visionOS 2.0. With highlights like the bilingual keyboard on iOS, a smarter Control Center, and RCS support coming soon to Mint Mobile, you’ll stay ahead of the curve. Plus, visionOS 2.0’s new feature to convert any photo into spatial photos is one you don’t want to miss. The team wraps up with some Cool Stuff Found, including Zed for quick text file edits and NoMachine as a slick VNC alternative. Don’t get caught without these awesome tricks up your sleeve! 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1056 for Monday, September 23rd, 2024 September 23rd: Education Technology Day Police Code 10-56 = Intoxicated Pedestrian Quick Tips 00:00:01 n-Joe-QT-Beware your public Venmo transactions 00:04:46 n-PorthosJon-QT-Trick for finding Mac Keyboard symbols in Emoji keyboard 00:11:30 Perry-QT-Get Music Info – Apple Music & Spotify with Shazam 00:14:02 JMM-QT-Use Better Touch Tool to control your Bluetooth Mac Lock Automation 00:15:18 Todd-QT-Finding an Apple ID for Screen Sharing 00:17:00 macOS 15 May Begin to Cause More Alert Fatigue 00:21:27 GregDulwich-QT-Math Notes lets you slide to adjust numbers you’ve handwritten 00:23:12 Use ChatGPT iOS App’s Voice Mode on Your iPhone 00:26:34 Have ChatGPT analyze a PDF for you 00:29:14 Rick-QT-1052-Play Podcasts from Oldest to Newest Overcast Downcast Sponsors 00:37:43 SPONSOR: 1Password Extended Access Management solves the problems traditional IAM and MDM can’t touch. It’s security for the way we work today. AppleOS 2024 (iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS 15, visionOS 2.0) 00:39:33 Have you upgraded to AppleOS 2024 yet? If so, which devices did you NOT upgrade? 00:42:18 macOS 15 Run `brew doctor` Safari 18 & WordPress 00:48:56 iOS 18 RCS on iOS on Mint Mobile Coming in “a few months” 00:52:28 iOS 18 Photos Changes 00:54:36 JG-QT-iOS 18 Allows adding any App to Control Center 00:55:10 iOS 18 lets you choose a preferred HomeKit hub 00:58:03 Wilko-CSF-iOS 18 Allows Bilingual Keyboard Option 00:59:48 visionOS 2.0 Converting any photo to spatial photos 01:01:19 PP-Changes to Apple’s ToS Cool Stuff Found 01:05:14 PorthosJon-CSF-Zed for quick editing text-files 01:06:02 Alex-CSF-NoMachine instead of running VNC 01:12:52 a href="https://mgg.

    1h 15m

About

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.

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