Mysteries are meant to be solved, and when it comes to the mystery that is your “System” disk usage as displayed by macOS, well, that mystery’s not even supposed to exist in the first place. Dave and John dig in to solve this plus a bunch of other questions sent in by you, dear listeners. Press play, listen, learn, and enjoy!
TMO Background Mode Interview with the CIO of CoSN Susan Bearden
Susan is the Chief Innovation Officer for the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) in Washington D.C. From 2016 to 2017 she was a Senior Education Pioneers Fellow for the U.S. Department of Education. She also participates in the EdTechChat Radio podcast for the BAM Radio Network.
After a discussion about Susan’s fascinating career progression from musician to IT specialist to Education Technology specialist, we launched into a discussion of “digital citizenship,” also the title of her book. It basically encompasses how to be a smart, informed, ethical user of the internet. The book is aimed a both teachers and parents. Things like cyberbullying and internet safety are covered. Later we got into a discussion of tools for education, including AI. We finish with Susan’s amazing perspective on whether robots will ever replace teachers in the classroom.
New Japanese Rules, Browser Wars – TMO Daily Observations 2019-01-21
Bryan Chaffin and Andrew Orr join host Kelly Guimont to discuss issues with Japan’s new communication rules and Bryan’s new favorite TV show.
Spotting Bad Science, Information Overload – TMO Daily Observations 2019-01-18
Andrew Orr and John Martellaro chat with host Kelly Guimont about how to spot bad science and ways to help verify that claim you read about.
Cricut, Rocket Book, and Setapp, with Bob LeVitus - ACM 497
In this episode, Bob LeVitus tells Bryan Chaffin all about the Cricut. This thing can cut 150 different substances, draw, write, and like I said, even sew. And you can control it from your Mac, iPhone, or iPad. They also discuss Rocket Book, which is part reusable paper (you can erase it!) and part app-based service that will scan what you write and draw and convert text with OCR. They cap the show with a look at Setapp and why they think this multi-app service for the Mac is great.
Collection 1, Tim Cook in Time Magazine – TMO Daily Observations 2019-01-17
Charlotte Henry and Andrew Orr join host Kelly Guimont to discuss the new collection of breached data and Tim Cook’s Time Magazine article.
IBM PC Unboxing, Interpreting Watch Data – TMO Daily Observations 2019-01-16
Kelly Guimont has Bryan Chaffin and Andrew Orr on to discuss the state of IBM PC packaging and how to interpret Apple Watch heart rate data.
Digital Anxiety, End-Of-Life Planning – TMO Daily Observations 2019-01-15
Host Kelly Guimont chats with John Martellaro and Andrew Orr about young people having digitally induced anxiety and end-of-life planning.
USB-C, Quick Tips, Cool Stuff, and a CES 2019 Wrap Up – Mac Geek Gab 744
Back from CES 2019, Dave Hamilton and John F. Braun have a few thoughts to share. Then it’s on to answering your questions, this time with a focus on things that used to work… and stopped. Press play, listen, and learn!
TMO Background Mode Interview with TMO Contributor Andrew Orr
Andrew is a Contributing Editor at The Mac Observer assigned to the morning news desk. He is also a science and nature lover, with a special interest in botany, as well as an amateur nature photographer.
I asked Andrew about growing up in Michigan and his early interest in writing. He also started using computers when he was young and recalled how had to eradicate a virus from an Windows XP PC at age 13. Later he studied computer security at Bay de Noc Community College, and he attributes his technical writing success to the combination of his writing skill, interest in science, and experience with computers. Andrew told me how he was discovered by The Mac Observer and the tools he uses to collect and report the news each morning.
Wi-Fi PSA; Apple and Amazon's frenemy-ship – TMO Daily Observations 2019-01-14
Charlotte Henry and Andrew Orr join host Kelly Guimont to discuss Wi-Fi’s effect on health and the state of the Apple/Amazon relationship.
CES Wrapup – TMO Daily Observations 2019-01-11
Dave Hamilton and John F Braun join host Kelly Guimont to wrap up coverage of CES 2019 including the show floor and new uses for AR/VR.
T2 Chip Security, New Apple Scams – TMO Daily Observations 2019-01-10
John Martellaro and Andrew Orr join host Kelly Guimont to discuss the security behind the T2 chip and the latest wave of Apple scams.
Apple's Lame Emphasis on Services, 8K TVs Are the Future, with John Martellaro - ACM 496
Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro hear Apple CEO Tim Cook talk up services and they explain why it makes them nervous. They also talk about the future of 8K TVs and how they will inevitably take over the industry.
Apple's Facebook Hire; Forgotten iOS Features – TMO Daily Observations 2019-01-09
Andrew Orr joins host Kelly Guimont to discuss Apple hiring a former Facebook employee and a few features of iOS you might have forgotten.
CES 2019 Preview – TMO Daily Observations 2019-01-08
Host Kelly Guimont welcomes Dave Hamilton and John F. Braun live from CES on what they’ve seen even before the show floor officially opens.
TMO Background Mode Interview with Journalist & TMO Contributor Charlotte Henry
Charlotte is a London-based technical journalist. She writes about Apple — and is now The Mac Observer’s newest regular contributor. She has also written for City A.M. (London’s daily business tabloid,) Computer Business Review, The Independent on Sunday and CapX. Her first book, Not Buying It, will be published in June.
I asked Charlotte how she got started in technical journalism. The first factor derived from the fact, that, as a youth, there were always new technical gadgets showing up in her home. The second was via her early interest in music creation on a Mac during her college years. We chatted about her first news blog and then meeting Jeff Gamet on the British Tech Network. Finally Charlotte shared some of her personal interests when she’s not writing: music, soccer and mystery novels.
AirPlay 2 on TVs, Project Erasmus Update – TMO Daily Observations 2019-01-07
Samsung announced AirPlay 2 coming to TVs, and there’s a Project Erasmus update. Kelly Guimont hosts Charlotte Henry and Andrew Orr.
The Cosmic Bit Flip - Mac Geek Gab 743
In the calm before the CES storm, John F. Braun and Dave Hamilton come to you from Las Vegas to share their thoughts and answer your questions. Plus, John mentions Cosmic Bit Flips and everything goes sideways. Listen, enjoy, and learn. Just press play!
Will Apple Focus on Innovating and What Would Mac Spinoff Look Like, with John Kheit - ACM 495
Bryan Chaffin and John Kheit chew on Apple’s rare guidance warning like the mangy junk yard dogs that they are. They also discuss innovation, scale, how a giant Apple should be structured, and what a Macintosh, Inc. spinoff might look like. It’s a rollicking episode, and you’re cordially invited to listen in!
Apple TV as Cable Box – TMO Daily Observations 2019-01-04
John Martellaro and Dave Hamilton join Kelly Guimont to chat about the new Charter Cable app for Apple TV and the current state of cable.
Apple Guidance, Mojave Upgrades – TMO Daily Observations 2019-01-03
Bryan Chaffin comes by to discuss Apple’s guidance adjustment and John Martellaro chats about his Mojave upgrade with host Kelly Guimont.
Project Erasmus, Keeping Resolutions – TMO Daily Observations 2019-01-02
Andrew Orr and Charlotte Henry join Kelly Guimont to chat about Project Erasmus and how iOS apps can help keep those 2019 resolutions.
TMO Background Mode Interview with Astrophysicist Dr. Jill Tarter
Jill is a Ph.D. astrophysicist known for her work in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. She’s the former director of the Center for SETI Research (2000-2012) and Adjunct Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy at USC until 2014. Currently, she’s Chair Emeritus for SETI Research at the SETI Institute.
I asked Jill about how she got started with computers as well as astrophysics, her Ph.D. work and how she became involved with SETI. Then we delved into some of the broader issues of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, including the Drake equation, searching for ET technosignatures, searching with the right technologies, and what the social perspectives might be of an advanced, spacefaring civilization that survived its aggressive phase. Jill is an expert on SETI, and you’ll enjoy her awesome insights.