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

🌎 Full Chapters with Links at https://mgg.fm/1040

In this week's Mac Geek Gab, dive into the latest Quick Tips and Cool Stuff Found that will keep your Mac life smooth and efficient. Time Machine gets a tweak with hourly, daily, and weekly options, while Zoom for Apple TV lets you disable Center Stage and manually control zoom and center. Learn about T-Mobile for international calls, using Google Voice, and the handy Digital Color Meter Mac app. Plus, find out how iCloud keeps backups of your contacts and fix that pesky Apple Pay double-click issue. The catchphrase "Don't Get Caught" is your reminder to stay ahead of the curve with these essential tips.

Listeners’ questions bring even more insights. Ralph wants to know why file copies slow down, and John seeks tips for narrowing search results on the Mac. We discuss moving OneDrive or iCloud Drive to an external drive, explore smart plug replacements for Wemo, and setting light or speaker volumes to specific percentages. Discover the budget-friendly Onn TV Box for streaming and AirReceiver for Android or Chromecast. Don't miss out on reviews of microphones and grill thermometers, too! As always, Mac Geek Gab is your go-to source for the best Mac tips and tricks – don't get caught without us!

00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1040 for Monday, June 3rd, 2024
=============================================
June 3rd: Repeat Day (RePete day?)
The MGG Merch Store is Live!

Quick Tips
=============================================
00:00:01 Joe-QT-Time Machine now has options for Hourly, Daily, and Weekly
00:03:19 TimeMachineEditor
00:05:48 QT-Zoom for Apple TV lets you disable Center Stage *and* then control zoom and center manually
Reincubate Camo
00:09:23 Lew-QT-CSF- T-Mobile for International Calls - AnonymSMS for Texts
Google Voice
Yoink
00:12:20 Todd-QT-Digital Color Meter Mac App
SIP (also part of Setapp)
00:16:15 QT-Use the eyedropper in Pages (an other apps) to set the color of your image/font
00:17:23 Mark-QT-iCloud Keeps Backups of your Contacts
00:19:55 Jeff-QT-Fixing Apple Pay Double Click -v- Touch issue.
Apple’s Apple Pay Test Site
00:23:18 HuskerDiver-QT-Apple TV Aerial Screensaver Will Show You Location Descriptions
You can also swipe on the remote to change Aerial locations
NVIDIA SHIELD

Sponsors
=============================================
00:28:48 SPONSOR: LinkedIn Jobs. Go to LinkedIn.com/MGG and post your first job for free!

Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
=============================================
00:30:18 Ralph-Why do my file copies slow down to a crawl after a while?
00:41:25 John-QT and ?-Searches in Messages and Mail
FindAnyFile
Narrow Search Results on the Mac
00:51:08 Pete-Move OneDrive or iCloud Drive to an external drive in spite of macOS Limitations?
Will iCloud Drive Cross SymLinks? (answer: probably not)
TwelveSouth iMac Stands
01:01:57 Kim-Replacement for Wemo Switch?
iDevices Switches and Smart Plugs
LifX Bulbs
Meross HomeKit
Wyze
01:07:11 Set Lights (or speaker volume) to percentages

Cool Stuff Found
=============================================
01:07:58 Joe-CSF-1024-The Onn TV Box is a $20 4K Android TV Streaming Box
01:08:57 Andrew Woodward-CSF-AirReceiver for Android or Chromecast lets you AirPlay to non-Apple devices ($2.99)
01:10:00 Bart-CSF-Reminders MenuBar
01:11:06 JT-CSF-512 Audio Tempest for only $35
Earthworks ETHOS
Dynamics vs. Condensers
01:18:31 CSF-MeatIt Plus Grill Thermometer

01:24:50 MGG 1040 Outtro
=============================================
Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly
Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: @sothereiwas
Dave's @giggab & @businessbrainshow
MGG Merch is Available at https://macgeekgab.com/merch
feedback@macgeekgab.com
224-888-GEEK
BackBeat Media Podcast Network

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



Gig Gab Podcast









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.

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.

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

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

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