Back to Work

Latest Episodes:

Episode 273: Knives and Spoons May 24, 2016

Show notes

TOPIC: True or false dilemmas?

This week, things kick off with a discussion of how to be helpful. Especially at your kid's school, but really just in general. This leads to a rumination on "roots" and what makes us feel like we're part of a community.

The main topic is about the future of machine learning, voice control, and all things "smart." What do we want, what can we imagine, and how do our own biases and habits constrain our sense of possibility?

Links for this episode:

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Episode 272: Surprise Endoscopy May 17, 2016

Show notes

TOPIC: Such small hands.

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about Dan's acquisition of an iPhone SE and how much he's loving it. This leads to some ruminative discussion about how we pick devices based on how we prefer to use them.

Also, some love for Spider-Man in the Civil War movie.

Links for this episode:

Official Google Blog: Meet Gboard: Search, GIFs, emojis & more. Right from your keyboard.
Call Recorder for Skype - The Skype Audio/Video HD Call Recording Solution for Mac - Ecamm Network
The Giver Audiobook | Lois Lowry | Audible.com
Amazon.com: Tech21 Evo Mesh Case (Drop Protective) for iPhone 6/6S (4.7") - Clear/White: Cell Phones & Accessories
Roderick on the Line | Cotton Bureau: hand-picked tees, tanks, and hoodies for people of all ages. Submit yours today.
“Ding!” graphic designer t-shirt, pullover crewneck, and pullover hoodie by Roderick on the Line. | Cotton Bureau: hand-picked tees, tanks, and hoodies for people of all ages. Submit yours today.
Let the world know you really nailed it. Ding!
“#SUPERTRAIN” graphic designer t-shirt, pullover crewneck, and pullover hoodie by Roderick on the Line. | Cotton Bureau: hand-picked tees, tanks, and hoodies for people of all ages. Submit yours today.
Pack a small bag with a remix of the very first official Roderick on the Line shirt.
somewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyond | Academy of American Poets
nobody,not even the rain,has such small hands
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (text of 1834) - Poetry Foundation
The Giver - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Case Study: How to make a Captain America wimp | fxguide
Director Joe Johnston rejected notions of having a separate actor play the wimpy Steve Rogers, and Evans was keen to perform as directly as possible both sides of his character's persona, as we discovered when we spoke to Edson Williams, visual effects supervisor for Lola VFX.

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Episode 271: Gravy Dumpster May 10, 2016

Show notes

TOPIC: Grow what? Grow HOW?

This week, Dan and Merlin have a surprisingly passionate discussion about growth.

Companies gotta "grow," right? But…what the hell does that really even mean?

Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.

Also, an important update on Pek Pongpaet.

Links for this episode:

Sherbit
“Ding!” graphic designer t-shirt, pullover crewneck, and pullover hoodie by Roderick on the Line. | Cotton Bureau: hand-picked tees, tanks, and hoodies for people of all ages. Submit yours today.
Let the world know you really nailed it. Ding!
“#SUPERTRAIN” graphic designer t-shirt, pullover crewneck, and pullover hoodie by Roderick on the Line. | Cotton Bureau: hand-picked tees, tanks, and hoodies for people of all ages. Submit yours today.
Pack a small bag with a remix of the very first official Roderick on the Line shirt.
Apple’s actual role in podcasting: be careful what you wish for – Marco.org
A Current Affair (U.S. TV series) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Phil Rizzuto - The Money Store - YouTube
WNYW 1993 Fox 5 A Current Affair Commercial - YouTube
Critic's Notebook: Why the Return of HBO's Best Shows Actually Spells Doom - Hollywood Reporter
HBO Is Making Life A Lot Harder for 'Games of Thrones' Pirates
5by5 | Quit #4: The Answer Is "Do Both"
Podcasts Surge, but Producers Fear Apple Isn’t Listening - The New York Times
Longform Podcast #159: Ira Glass
TV Talk Machine | Come To Us, We Love You (Episode 80)
Back after a birthday weekend away from the podcast, Tim’s got the details on HBO’s huge debut weekend—and some serious trepidation about where the network goes next.
Avengers EMH: Earth's Mightiest Heroes Theme Song (Lyrics) - YouTube
Amazon.com: New Avengers, Vol. 1: Breakout (9780785114796): Brian Michael Bendis, David Finch, Danny Miki: Books
Ep. 200: "There's No Anything" - Roderick on the Line - Merlin Mann

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Episode 270: According to the Cabinet May 03, 2016

Show notes

TOPIC: Opinion at Scale.

This week kicks off with a confession that Dan and Merlin are increasingly less interested in coverage of Apple's finances and the related Kremlinology and blind guessing about the company. Merlin announces the unlikely product he'd love for Apple to create (and why it'll probably never happen).

Also, lots of followup on apps and services for fitness and personal tracking.

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Episode 269: 65 Cigarette Butts Apr 26, 2016

Show notes

TOPIC: Finding stories and insights hiding in your data.

This week, Dan and Merlin dive deep into the new world of personal tracking. Dan has a new FitBit, and Merlin has a surprisingly complicated system involving many devices and apps. Great stuff you can try for yourself.

Also discussed: Merlin's weird cat, Deadpool, Pek Pongpaet the Professional Podcast Pundit, Alexa on Fire TV, a defense of Reed Richards, and Dan's advice on how to setup your own VPN.

Links for this episode:

Architecture of Radio
The Architecture of Radio is a site-specific iPad application that visualizes this network of networks by reversing the ambient nature of the infosphere
Unjustly Maligned | "Reed Richards" with Andy Ihnatko (Episode 52)
He can stretch and change his body in “Fantastic” ways, but to many comic readers, he’s anything but a role model. Journalist Andy Ihnatko joins Antony to defend the honor of the Fantastic Four’s Reed Richards.
Amazon.com Help: Alexa on Fire TV
In addition to voice search, you can use your Fire TV voice remote or remote app to interact with Alexa.
Setup a VPN server with El Capitan server 10.11 | Macminicolo Blog - Tips, tutorials and reviews on running a Mac mini server
echo 'net.inet.ip.forwarding=1' | sudo tee -a /etc/sysctl.conf
Setup a VPN with Yosemite Server 10.10 | Macminicolo Blog - Tips, tutorials and reviews on running a Mac mini server
Hello
Sleep soundly knowing that Sense’s Smart Alarm will gently wake you up while you’re in the lightest part of your sleep cycle, but always by your set time. Wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day, every day.
Fitbit Charge HR™ Wireless Heart Rate + Activity Wristband
Fitbit Dashboard
Canary - A complete security system in a single device.
Meet Canary. The all-in-one home security system you control from your phone. It’s built to learn and sends intelligent alerts with HD video and audio directly to your phone.
Withings
Get high-accuracy weight and body fat measurements, as well as your Body Mass Index. Pick the right body type to optimize the fat mass measurement — if you exercise vigorously on a regular basis, switch to "Athlete mode".
Withings Smart Body Analyzer
Human - Activity & Calorie Tracker
30 minutes of daily activity are the best form of preventive medicine. Every minute you spend walking, running or biking throughout the day counts towards your goal on Human. It's never been this easy to stay motivated along the way, every day.
Addapp: Personal tips to get healthier.
Data from your health apps
Introducing Activity++ - David Smith
The iPhone component of Activity is geared around trying to create the most motivating interface I could imagine. My goal is to make screen that displays your activity data in a way that drives you to hit your goals.
How to wear your Apple Watch 24/7 - David Smith
The TL/DR is to charge your Apple Watch in the morning while you get ready for your day (take a shower, get dressed, etc) and then again in the evening while you get ready for bed (brush teeth, put on pajamas, etc). Then put your Apple Watch in Airplane Mode while you sleep.
Free Calorie Counter, Diet & Exercise Journal | MyFitnessPal.com
Angels' Eyes for Dogs and Cats - Tear Stain Remover - 1800PetMeds
Impekable: From Mortal Kombat to App Development with Pek Pongpaet
Have you been sending emails to bloggers with little success? Well today’s guest tells us how he made it really easy for publications such as Mashable, Forbes, Wired and many more to write about his app. Also, listen to how he applies lessons from his days as a Mortal Kombat motion artist to running his business.
Ad-free time! | Say goodbye to annoying ads and say hello to more content
Cloak VPN - Cloak - Super-simple VPN
Stay safe online with our super-simple VPN
Amazon.com: ASUS Dual-Band Wireless Router (RT-AC56U): Computers & Accessories
Amazon.com: Fitbit Charge HR Wireless Activity Wristband, Black, Large: Health & Personal Care
Sleep Cycle alarm clock on the App Store
FitLink - The Premier Online Fitness Community
The Naming Of Cats by T S Eliot - Famous poems, famous poets. - All Poetry
The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter,
The Recurse Center User's Manual - Recurse Center
The first rule means you shouldn't act surprised when people say they don't know something.
Startpage - Sleep Cycle alarm clock
The 'Unitasker' Kitchen Gadgets Alton Brown Loves To Loathe : The Salt : NPR
"I have railed against unitaskers for 20 years. I've come around to liking them as strategic gifts for people you don't like."
Episode #196 – Aloha The Flop House
DAN: "Aloha."
STUART: "Hello!"

ELLIOTT: "Goodbye."
Does Ted Cruz Really Wear Two Watches? - The Atlantic
Cg_7R1OU0AAtMAa.jpg:large (713×1205)
Dan likes the ones where Merlin prepares.
Twitter
Who Will Debunk The Debunkers? | FiveThirtyEight

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Episode 268: Tumblo Drylo Apr 19, 2016

Show notes

TOPIC: Putting an Overt Stake in the Ground.

This week, Dan and Merlin end up talking about the surprising stuff a Fitbit can do for you. Dan even buys one.

Also, some discussion of pope hats, NASCAR, (the amazing) Screens 4, and that failing restaurant by Dan's office that kinda looks like Terminus.

Links for this episode:

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Episode 267: Dear Iowa, I Have Enjoyed Your Corn Apr 12, 2016

Show notes

TOPIC: But, alas.

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about Smile's updated announcement about TextExpander and the ugly problem of blind internet rage.

Also, lots of talk about ponderous 80s movies and old TV shows, including Dan learning which program had that tiny tabletop robot.

Also, we are endeavoring, ma'am, to construct a mnemonic memory circuit using stone knives and bearskins.

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Episode 266: European Bachelor Apr 05, 2016

Show notes

TOPIC: Wow, times change.

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the challenges and opportunities of subscription-based payment models. When do they work (or not) and how quickly does autopay fatigue kick in?

Links for this episode:

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Episode 265: Especially Doris Mar 29, 2016

Show notes

TOPIC: Welcome to Costco. I love you.

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about breakfast sandwiches, the pain and suffering of dealing with Apple IDs, managing kids and their iOS devices, Merlin's weird week with Playstation Vue, and the science (or otherwise) behind iOS's Night Shift.

The main topic this week focuses on quality, values, and self-improvement. Are Dan and Merlin just cloud-yelling old men for wishing writers (and everyone for that matter) would try a little harder? Maybe. Maybe not.

Links for this episode:

confirmshaming
"when a site asks you to sign up for their thing and then the 'no thank you' link is some hot garbage."
5by5 | Home Work #197: Season 2: Episode 4 - Email with Merlin Mann
Dave and Aaron sit at the feet of Merlin Mann, the father of the Inbox Zero method of email management. How has email changed over the last decade or so? Find out in this episode!
Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #13 — Merlin Mann
MERLIN MANN (Back to Work, Roderick on the Line, Reconcilable Differences, You Look Nice Today, et al.) invites you to drop by Two Cats Comics on the evening of Thursday, April 7th to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.”
PlayStation™Vue | PlayStation™Network
Break free of annual contracts, surprise fees and TV that ties you down. With PlayStation™Vue get the TV you love - over 100 of your favorite channels, now including ESPN, Disney and more.
GitHub - mortenjust/cleartext-mac: A text editor that only allows the top 1000 most common words in English
A text editor that only allows the top 1000 most common words in English
Thing Explainer: Complicated Stuff in Simple Words: Randall Munroe: 9780544668256: Amazon.com: Books
Have you ever tried to learn more about some incredible thing, only to be frustrated by incomprehensible jargon? Randall Munroe is here to help. In Thing Explainer, he uses line drawings and only the thousand (or, rather, “ten hundred”) most common words to provide simple explanations for some of the most interesting stuff there is…
Dual Breakfast Sandwich Maker | Breakfast Sandwich Maker | Hamilton Beach
Just choose your bread and layer on the fixings: egg, cheese, precooked meat, or the ingredients of your choice. Cook two breakfast sandwiches to perfection and to your preferences, and know when it’s ready with the built-in digital timer.
iOS 9.3: The new Night Shift feature probably won’t help you sleep better | Macworld
There’s no solid evidence that mobile screens’ color temperature is the real culprit to keeping you up at night.
In Pod-Based Community Living, Rent Is Cheap, But Sex Is Banned | Motherboard
Rather than having 100 beds under one roof like a hostel, PodShare has 10 to 30 beds, which turn into desks by day.
Mapping San Francisco’s Rent Prices (March 2016)
San Francisco, the small city with the most expensive rental rates in the nation, saw a slight growth in rent prices last month. One bedroom units increased 2.6% to a median of $3,590, while two bedrooms saw a jump of 3.8% to a median of $4,870. Though up, prices remain below the peak seen at the end of summer 2015.
Simple English Wikipedia - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Articles in the Simple English Wikipedia use shorter sentences and simpler words and grammar than the English Wikipedia.The Simple English Wikipedia is also for people with different needs.
Simple English Wiktionary
Welcome to Wiktionary in Simple English, an online dictionary that uses simpler words so it is easier to understand. We currently have 24,446 entries. Use the search box provided to find words in Wiktionary, or get a random page.
1Blocker - Block ads, tracking scripts, anything
iCloud Music Library: Understanding differences between Apple Music and iTunes Match - Apple Support
Learn more about the differences between Apple Music and iTunes Match, and how iCloud Music Library handles your music when you subscribe to one or both services.
Set up Family Sharing - Apple Support
Use these steps to set up Family Sharing. You can start a new family group and invite people to join, or you can join someone else's family group.
Family Sharing and Apple ID for your child - Apple Support
With Family Sharing, you can create Apple IDs for children under 13. Apple IDs allow them to participate in Family Sharing and use other Apple services such as iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime, and Game Center.
Dr. Cleaner: Clean Disk and Memory, Uninstall Apps and Optimize System on the Mac App Store
Cocktail - A perfect mixture for Mac OS X
Cocktail is a general purpose utility for OS X that lets you clean, repair and optimize your Mac. It is a powerful digital toolset that helps hundreds of thousands of Mac users around the world get the most out of their computers every day.
Sunk costs - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
CleanMyDrive 2: Manage and Clean External Drives
Easily drag-and-drop files directly to any drive, check disk stats and automatically clean hidden junk from external drives. CleanMyDrive 2 opens from the menu bar and is always there when you need it.
ANNIE WU
Mot Juste | Definition of Mot juste by Merriam-Webster
Amazon.com: The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition (9780205309023): William Strunk Jr., E. B. White, Test Editor, Roger Angell: Books
Re/code | Tech News, Reviews & Analysis
Built to Spill - Three Years Ago Today - YouTube
Archie Comics
Idiocracy (2006) - IMDb
Larry David: A Pretty Good Tribute - YouTube
Beatles Wigs
Actual - Battlestar Wiki
"Actual" is the wireless callsign for the commanding officer, borrowed from the real-world communications term for the officer-in-charge (e.g. the commander of a military vessel, task force or unit).
The Hustler of Money - YouTube
Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens Movie Review
The New TextExpander | Smile

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Episode 264: This Made Me Think of You Mar 22, 2016

Show notes

TOPIC: Serving the super-motivated super-fan.

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about:

a modest request from Merlin
some interesting new options for viewing OTA broadcast television on Apple TV
the evolution (and often lost opportunities) of media delivery
highlights of yesterday's Apple event

Links for this episode:

Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #13 — Merlin Mann
PlayStation™Vue | PlayStation™Network
MrMC media center
Hilo Book 1: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth: Judd Winick: 9780385386173: Amazon.com: Books
Fear Agent - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tony Moore (artist) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shakira - Try Everything (Official Video) - YouTube
Bacon Method
Blink (comics) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ellen Page - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kitty Pryde - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Patrick Stewart on Extras - YouTube
Sir Ian McKellen, On Acting - YouTube
Extras David Bowie - YouTube
Amazon Echo: Always Ready, Connected, and Fast.
Amazon.com: Echo Dot
Under the Radar #19: Improving the App Store, Part 1 - Relay FM
In the first of a two-part series, we discuss whether the App Store needs improvement for our benefit, or whether it's working well enough for Apple and customers already.
ANNIE WU: Portfolio: Illustration.
Covers — TONY MOORE ILLUSTRATION
ABBA - Waterloo (Eurovision 1974) HQ - YouTube
Napster's Sean Parker wants to bring movie releases to your home; legally | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis
Screening Room
Thing Explainer: Complicated Stuff in Simple Words: Randall Munroe: 9780544668256: Amazon.com: Books

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