Back to Work

Latest Episodes:

Episode 343: Lo Sierra Mucho Sep 26, 2017

Show notes

TOPIC: Publix Hustle

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about grocery store promotions, transactional help, the racket of school photos, Occam's Razor for public schools, Time Machine troubleshooting, the scourge of The Crackle, and BMO the salesman.

The boys help a lot of people by responding to listener questions about the state of Siri, making friends after college, and the seeking of universal truth.

Links for this episode:

OmniFocus for iOS 11 Adds Extensive Drag and Drop and Siri Support – MacStories
Episode 791: Tips From Spies : Planet Money : NPR
Amazon.com: A Spy's Guide to Thinking (Kindle Single) eBook: John Braddock: Kindle Store
Doing D-A-D-A | Inside Vendo
Cognitive bias - Wikipedia
Michael Tsai - Blog - OmniFocus and Siri on iOS 11
OmniFocus 2.21 for iOS User Manual - OmniFocus Extended
Shelves and Clippers for iOS 11
iPad Shelf Apps: A Roundup of the Best – MacStories
Always BMO Closing | Adventure Time Wiki | FANDOM powered by Wikia
How to move multiple iPhone Home screen apps icons on iOS 11 using drag and drop [Video] | 9to5Mac
#105 At World's End - Reply All by Gimlet Media
#102 Long Distance - Reply All by Gimlet Media
Scientific wild-ass guess - Wikipedia
Scientific wild-ass guess (SWAG) is American slang meaning a rough estimate made by an expert in the field, based on experience and intuition. It is similar to the slang word guesstimate, a portmanteau of guess and estimate.[1]
Apple Watch Series 3's "LTE problems" are actually an existing Wi-Fi bug | iMore

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Episode 342: Ultraman Scenario Sep 19, 2017

Show notes

After some Followup and Front Matter, your hosts dive into iOS 11. (Spoilers: it's really good.)

Links for this episode:

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Episode 341: Rich Boy Phone Sep 12, 2017

Show notes

This week, Dan and Merlin convene to talk about today's big Apple event.

Links for this episode:

Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #18 — Merlin Mann
MERLIN 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, September 21st to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.” It's free and it's fun.
Just Press Record on the App Store
ESPN launches rebranded Apple TV app w/ new design, live stream auto-play & on-demand content | 9to5Mac
iPhone 8 - Apple
iPhone X - Apple
Apple Watch Series 3 - Apple
Apple TV 4K - Apple
Apple Events - Keynote September 2017 - Apple
Apple stock falls on disappointment about iPhone X release date
BrowseTheStacks, More Marvel(ous) Covers Of Bill Sienkiewicz
Brent Jones on Twitter: "@danbenjamin @hotdogsladies Dan is mistaken about the camera orientation. 8 & 7 are the same. It’s the X that’s vertical."
Merlin Mann on Twitter: "Wait. You wrote a letter from a wrecked car?"

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Episode 340: It's-a Me, Dan! Sep 05, 2017

Show notes

This week, Dan has useful updates on Windows backup options and answers questions about building a Hackintosh. Both of your hosts extoll the virtues of their new Apple TV remote case dinguses.

The big topic this week is Nintendo Switch, and Dan has a lot of great stuff to share about his family's first weekend with their new console. (Spoiler: everybody likes it!)

Your hosts respond to listener questions about iOS wishlist items and how to freshen up a moribund OmniFocus setup.

Links for this episode:

Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #18 — Merlin Mann
MERLIN 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, September 21st to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.” It's free and it's fun.
Nintendo Switch™ - Official site – Nintendo gaming system
Hackintosh Method
Straight-forward recommendations and suggested parts lists by Dan Benjamin for building a Hackintosh capable of running macOS Sierra 10.12 (and Windows 10, Linux, etc.).
Canvas #36: Wishes for iOS 11 - Relay FM
This week Fraser and Federico welcome special guest Merlin Mann to discuss opportunities for improvements that may - or may not - arrive in iOS 11.
Amazon.com: Remote Case for Apple Tv 4th Generation, Akwox Light Weight [Anti Slip] Shock Proof Silicone Remote Cover Case for New Apple Tv 4th Gen Siri Remote Controller with Lanyard (Black): Electronics
Macrium Software | Your Image is Everything
Protect your personal documents, photos, music and e-mails. Upgrade your hard disk or try new operating systems in the safe knowledge that everything is securely saved in an easily recovered backup file. Macrium Reflect supports backup to local, network and USB drives as well as burning to all DVD formats. This version is for non-commercial home use.
The Best Computer Backup Software - Acronis True Image 2018
How To Run A Portable Version Of Windows From A USB Drive | Lifehacker Australia
Junecloud
Deliveries will help you track your packages from UPS, FedEx, DHL, TNT, and many other shipping companies. You can also track orders from services like Amazon and Apple before they ship. Your full tracking details are just a tap away, and you can also see your package’s location on a map. If you like you can view the shipping company’s web page, or easily share your shipment over email, text message, or AirDrop. Deliveries can even add estimated delivery dates to your calendar.
Nintendo Switch Console in Stock Checker, Tracker and Locator
Amazon.com: Piggy / The Original Piggy Cell Phone Stand 6-pack / iPhone 6 / Samsung Galaxy S5 / Traveling Cell Phone Stand / Cell Phone Holder / Cell Phone Accessory / Piggy Back /: Cell Phones & Accessories
Amazon.com: Nintendo Switch with Gray Joy-Con: Video Games
Mack Weldon | Men's Pima Long Sleeve - 100% Peruvian Pima Cotton
Amazon.com: amFilm Tempered Glass Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2017 (2-Pack): Video Games
Amazon.com: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Nintendo Switch: Video Games
Amazon.com: Splatoon 2 - Nintendo Switch: Video Games
Amazon.com: Mario Kingdom Battle - Nintendo Switch Standard Edition: Video Games
Amazon.com: Nintendo Switch - Joy-Con (L/R)-Neon Red/Neon Blue: Video Games
Amazon.com: Nintendo Switch - Joy-Con Charging Grip: Video Games
Amazon.com: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Nintendo Switch: Video Games
Amazon.com: Nintendo Switch Game Traveler Deluxe Travel Case: Video Games

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Episode 339: True Love Weighs Aug 29, 2017

Show notes

TOPIC: Don't provoke Dan.

This week, Dan and Merlin (once again) complain about what works and what just kiiiinda works with smart devices. Who's winning the voice control game, and who's struggling to play catchup? Ecosystems!

Next up, the boys talk about some surprisingly handy and useful cases for that befuddling Apple TV remote. Also, Dan needs your help to back up Cash's Windows box. Merlin has an important request, too.

Also provided are scientific updates on how much a scale weighs.

Finally, Merlin offers a whole goddamned book's worth of awesome productivity advice via a cheap notebook and five (5) daily bullet points.

Links for this episode:

Amazon Echo devices now support multi-room audio playback | AFTVnews
After several leaks, Amazon has now added support for multi-room audio to the Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Show. The new feature allows you to group together multiple Echo devices and play music on all devices simultaneously. The feature is also being made available to 3rd-party speaker manufacturers so non-Echo devices can also sync music with Amazon’s own speakers.
5by5 | Back to Work #262: Large Platinum Spoon
TOPIC: Staying out of Technology Detention
Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #18 — Merlin Mann
MERLIN 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, September 21st to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.” It's free and it's fun.
Upgrade #156: The Silly Season - Relay FM
Special guest Merlin Mann joins Jason to talk about Apple event rumors, why we care about Apple kremlinology, our approaches to keeping and deleting files in our digital libraries, and Jason's recent 11-day road trip to the total eclipse.
Remote Case for Apple Tv 4th Generation, Akwox Light Weight [Anti Slip] Shock Proof Silicone Remote Cover Case for New Apple Tv 4th Gen Siri Remote Controller with Lanyard (Black)
Amazon.com: elago R1 Intelli Case [RED]-[HEAVY SHOCK ABSORPTION][MAGNET TECHNOLOGY][LANYARD INCLUDED] for apple TV Remote: Cell Phones & Accessories
Deep Learning for Siri’s Voice: On-device Deep Mixture Density Networks for Hybrid Unit Selection Synthesis - Apple
Mack Weldon | Men's Pima Long Sleeve - 100% Peruvian Pima Cotton
More Pima, more comfort. Designed with a slim fit and an enzyme wash for a smooth finish, this crew neck long sleeve T offers premium softness on colder days, indoors or out. Imported.
SuperDuper!
Macrium Software | Your Image is Everything
5by5 | Back to Work #337: Cognitive Bottleneck
Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity: David Allen: 9780142000281: Amazon.com: Books
"True Love Ways" Buddy Holly - YouTube
Ring Video Doorbell for Your Smartphone | Ring
Merlin Mann on Twitter: "OMG. Just tried this and it totally works. Synced and everything. Holy crap. (h/t @joesteel) https://t.co/6sGGhElISf"
Sonos to announce new smart speaker on October 4th - The Verge

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Episode 338: Ambush Site Aug 22, 2017

Show notes

TOPIC: It's like elevator buttons.

This week, Dan and Merlin talk a lot about komodo dragons. Also, homework sucks, seed codes rule, and @Movesapp drools.

How do we get so scared about things? How cool did flying used to be?

Your hosts respond to listener questions about the state of self-tracking, and the scourge of extraneous device notifications.

Links for this episode:

Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #18 — Merlin Mann
MERLIN 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, September 21st to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.” It's free and it's fun.
San Francisco Zoo on Twitter: "@hotdogsladies She is correct! He recently got the pins (used to help stabilize his back) taken out after 18 months to continue mobility improvement!"
She is correct! He recently got the pins (used to help stabilize his back) taken out after 18 months to continue mobility improvement!
Komodo Dragon!
We are so excited to announce that our new Komodo dragon has arrived from the Memphis Zoo. This is the first time in the history of the San Francisco Zoo that we have had a Komodo dragon. This 2-year old male is 47 inches long and weighs just under 5 pounds. He is adjusting nicely to his new home and has been very active! The former Binowee Landing entrance is being transformed into a new “Komodo Alley” exhibit to accommodate the special needs of this fascinating species, which include creating temperature gradients above 85 degrees with isolated hot spots in the 110-120 degree range. Komodos can reach a length of over nine feet, weigh close to 150 pounds and live up to 25 years. Come meet him in person!
The Freshman Komodo Dragon - YouTube
Carmine Said One Boy - YouTube
#22 | Fight or Flight — Twenty Thousand Hertz — Overcast
Conservation status - Wikipedia
Blue jay - Wikipedia
Exist.io
Komodo dragon - Wikipedia
Gyroscope · The new OS for the human body
"True Love Ways" Buddy Holly - YouTube

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Episode 337: Cognitive Bottleneck Aug 18, 2017

Show notes

TOPIC: How do you know when you're legitimately overwhelmed?

This episode, your hosts catch up on Florida, schedule and sleep consistency, ladders vs. walls, travel mania, and the fraught landscape of personal device security.

Your hosts respond to listener feedback and questions regarding feeling overwhelmed and dealing with dumb clocks.

Links for this episode:

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Formstack (Visit formstack.com/backtowork for a free trial and to receive a promo code for 25% off your first three months).
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Episode 336: Town Centre Plaza Spot Aug 18, 2017

Show notes

TOPIC: Keep your hand away from the giant's mouth!

This week, Dan and Merlin look back on summer and forward to the new school year. Also, some excellent ad hoc Business Analysis about the past and future of malls and other retail outposts.

Your hosts respond to listener feedback and questions regarding domain name speculation and options for tracking multiple currencies

Links for this episode:

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Episode 335: Personal Assistant to Darius Aug 01, 2017

Show notes

TOPIC: Start treating yourself like a dummy today.

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about iOS 11, the trade-offs of running betas, and waking up to how we're using devices differently. Merlin has thoughts on the usefulness of the will to live.

Dan has a new approach to dealing with PR pitches, and the boys undertake an exciting new social experiment.

Your hosts answer listener questions about the mechanics of calendar scheduling and best practices for building new habits.

Links for this episode:

Amazon AI Designed To Create Phone Cases Terribly Malfunctions, Fills Store With 31,000+ Hilarious Products | Bored Panda
InspiroBot
Defocused | Every Day is a Winding Refn (Episode 158)
There’s squish and there’s also crunch.
The return of Special Guest Merlin Mann!

(Talking about "Drive")
xkcd: Wifi vs Cellular
Cloak VPN - Cloak - Super-simple VPN
Surf anonymously online with VPN services from CactusVPN
Home | Better
Better on the Mac App Store
Better World Club - Roadside Assistance, Insurance and Travel
Liberal arts education - Wikipedia
Life Below Zero - National Geographic Channel
Life Below Zero - Wikipedia
Netflix
Mack Weldon | Men's Pima Long Sleeve T-Shirt - 100% Peruvian Pima Cotton
More Pima, more comfort. Designed with a slim fit and an enzyme wash for a smooth finish, this crew neck long sleeve T offers premium softness on colder days, indoors or out. Imported.
The Imitation Game (2014) - IMDb
The Imitation Game - Wikipedia
Jeffrey Dean Morgan - Wikipedia
Marco Arment on Twitter: "Beta 4 is much buggier than 3 was for me. No showstoppers, just lots of rough edges. iOS 11 has been the buggiest beta series since iOS 7."
STREAKS. The to-do list that helps you form good habits. For iPhone.
The to-do list that helps you form good habits.
Merlin Mann on Twitter: ""Every day, somebody's born who's never seen The Flintstones." —WXIX Station Manager, ca. 1973"
Merlin Mann on Twitter: "Here's the origin of my oft-quoted line about The Flintstones and why I think it's important. https://t.co/2Lis7nciE7"
Tydlig - Calculator Reimagined on the App Store

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Episode 334: The Little White One Jul 25, 2017

Show notes

TOPIC: Mapping Your Focus and Motivation

This week, Dan talks about a cool new addition to his Fireside.fm service, and Merlin interviews him about how he likes to choose, plan, and evolve the features of an app.

Two questions this week, both from Listener Jonathan.

First, your hosts address the era of Peak TV, including how they choose their TV services and how they recommend narrowing in on finding the best stuff to watch (and when).

Next, the evergreen topic of calendars and todos returns. How do you decide what goes where? And how do combine focus and motivation to derive a functional map of your time terrain?

Dan considers acquiring a house mammal.

Links for this episode:

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