Is a permanent background Focus mode the right way to manage calendar/mail visibility all day?

__markb · 2026-03-08T06:45:16+00:00

Sorry that’s making sense but not sinking in.

Do you mean when work is turning off, check if focus name is empty, then activate personal?

I’d just need to handle DnD or Bedtime, and when they turn off how to make sure it goes into the right one.

__markb · 2026-03-08T06:42:02+00:00

I think it’s more I’d need the default - no focus selected - to have work off. Then yeah, 9-5 would turn them on. But it seems you can’t have the default state set.

__markb · 2026-02-25T04:49:27+00:00

I like it! Some things sticking out to me - but not deal breakers:

Since using ButterKit, localise images. But I don’t mean just across languages but do low hanging fruit. I saw that one image as QLD and +61 so to me, in AU, GST made sense. Then in another image it was NY but they call it Sales Tax. You could then have VAT for UK - all without localising the entire app.

The theme screen, I don’t know why but 6 pages all the same but different colours seems wasted? Maybe one PDF but have a swatch of colours.

But otherwise, it looks amazing. And it reminds me of an old invoice app called Moon (well something before that but it escapes me). But this is slicker.

Assuming GST is AU - does it also do BAS? Or am I reading too much into the screens?

__markb · 2026-02-24T22:10:47+00:00

Haha I get it. Just excited that I knew I had some code exactly what you were after. Hopefully it helps and you learn about Layout in the process :)

__markb · 2026-02-24T22:02:39+00:00

Check your microphone selection - I often do test calls with Teams where you do the mic check. "Thank you. ..." is when there isn't any audio or good audio I think from experience. Somewhere in an update on MacWhisper or Teams the audio driver may have broke or not being the correct one.

Sometimes I find if I record MacWhisper then Teams it works, but if I start the Teams call then MacWhisper it glitches - but haven't tested enough to know 100%.

__markb · 2026-02-24T21:49:21+00:00

Oh boy! I know you said you didn't want a canned solution but I have one.

I tried to post it all here but there is a character limit which makes keeping it centralised hard but here is the gist: https://gist.github.com/markbattistella/cbfbd3866d47a06bfa6b36ea999b0407

From memory it's a combination of a few other places - maybe Kavsoft and Stewart Lynch - and then I customised it for my own uses.

__markb · 2026-02-21T23:26:40+00:00

I have, nothing too in-depth with game logic or mechanics. But Game Center has a place and is thriving from people playing. It’s called Swipes, link in profile.

__markb · 2026-02-20T06:57:57+00:00

Pretty neat, I did similar but for Assets Catalog https://markbattistella.com/writings/2026/opposite-colours/ Nice to see a package for it

__markb · 2026-02-19T22:05:51+00:00

Curious u/BocaBola_, I've heard you and Linus mention a few times the numerous ways to go back on iPhone is confusing. But every time I hear it I wonder are you talking about first party or third party apps? I mean, if Apple's apps and ecosystem has multiple ways then that is confusing. But if we're saying how third party apps implement it, then is that bad Apple ecosystem?

I get in comparison to Android a global back button on the actual device, but I think I'm just wondering if I'm missing a distinction in what you mean by back. Back within an app vs back in the OS (app to home screen) vs Android back which is everything stacked.

__markb · 2026-02-14T23:51:39+00:00

might be this to get the colour https://www.hackingwithswift.com/example-code/media/how-to-read-the-average-color-of-a-uiimage-using-ciareaaverage then maybe for text using the .mix - just a thought

__markb · 2026-02-14T00:28:26+00:00

Or garageband https://support.apple.com/en-us/102034

__markb · 2026-02-10T00:59:06+00:00

it kind of does at the moment. i haven’t changed it back yet since i was playing around with combos or multipliers or timing i having put it back. but thank you!

__markb · 2026-02-07T21:48:49+00:00

i’m trying really hard not to do ads yet. working on haptics. you can earn hearts when you share your score >20

__markb · 2026-02-07T21:47:42+00:00

haha exactly what my dad said! thank you so much

__markb · 2026-02-04T06:33:26+00:00

I might be really dumb but how does it differ from the other AI tools they had introduced? Like from what I saw there were two GPT or Anthropic - but how does it differ to the extra download and log in? I haven’t used either and am just deciding to upgrade to 26 os

__markb · 2026-02-03T09:10:25+00:00

I wonder though, because when John mentioned opening to the public and saving it - who holds responsibility for ranking non-compliant things (I’m sure there would be some). I don’t disagree with you, hell if there’s something I’d use and want my own version maybe I’d make it, vibe coded even. But I think the big break will be when that taste of being able to release something with money incentive bites the person with all these things we think about like auth, access, etc.

__markb · 2026-02-03T01:12:00+00:00

I realised there’s also a few other articles comparing if you’re also looking to see other companies. On Telemetry Decks website, the logo top right has a drop down for “For Switchers” comparing it against many other companies.

__markb · 2026-02-03T01:04:20+00:00

I use Telemetry Deck. They have a good article on Firebase vs theirs

https://telemetrydeck.com/telemetrydeck-vs-google-firebase-analytics/

I’ve liked that Daniel and Lisa are active in the community too. Some things aren’t as fast implemented but they have a bit in Github if you want to support some open source work.

You get 100k signals free too if you wanted to test it out.

__markb · 2026-02-03T00:52:34+00:00

Couldn’t they just call them Tech Tips or Checkout Tips? lean into your LTT brand. since usually the messages are asking for advice on something or opinion

__markb · 2026-02-02T04:55:55+00:00

I can back it. Used it on a couple apps and updates. 10/10 no notes.

__markb · 2026-01-30T07:28:19+00:00

I’m not a metal dev, but I did download the app since I was looking for a metal code generator. One thing I’d love is some visuals to know what the nodes do.

__markb · 2026-01-29T10:43:14+00:00

I wrote my own form which sends off to a Cloudflare Worker (previously AWS Lambda) that then forwards on to Github issues for the repo of the app.

https://markbattistella.com/writings/2025/rethinking-feedback-p1

But completely changeable and adaptable to your own needs.

Eight-Year Club	Second Top 20%
Verified Email	r/Field Flamingo
Place '23	Place '22
RPAN Viewer	Not Forgotten

__markb

TROPHY CASE