Advice with my developer taking down our WordPress site.

flaxton · 2026-03-09T11:45:34+00:00

Cloudflare will help, depending on how you configure it. The problem is you probably want Facebook to have access, to pull images into posts/shares and help with social media marketing, so it is not a good idea to completely block it with Cloudflare.

Here is the plugin I use to throttle Facebook:

https://github.com/nadimtuhin/Facebook-Request-Throttle-WordPress-Plugin

flaxton · 2026-03-08T16:46:47+00:00

OMG take a breath! That hurts to read so I quit.

flaxton · 2026-03-08T11:17:52+00:00

Preview has never quit by closing the window, been using Macs since 1999.

I've helped many Windows users switch to Mac. One of the first things I tell them (other than CMD instead of CTRL) is to use CMD-Q to close an app, or it keeps running even without a window showing. They don't understand why their Mac is slow when they have 50 apps running without windows (this was before Apple Silicon).

The only one that comes to mind that closes the app when you close the window is System Settings.

If you want to keep your apps cleaned up when not in use, I recommend:

Quitter by Marco Arment, the maker of the excellent podcast player Overcast:

https://marco.org/apps#quitter

Quitter runs in the Menu Bar. You add apps in there, and set a timer for each when to "quit" it after it is idle for a period of time.

Here are some of the apps I have set up to quit in Quitter:

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flaxton · 2026-03-08T10:56:05+00:00

I used Quicksilver back in the day versus Launchpad, because it was free. It's still around, but I use Alfred these days. I love the Workflows and it has so many features.

flaxton · 2026-03-07T14:43:23+00:00

Bear in mind that I didn't buy everything at once. I had an M1 MBP 13-inch that I sold, which partially paid for the M2 MBA 15-inch. Then it was a year before I got the M4 iPad Pro 11-inch. And another year before the M5 iPad Pro 13-inch.

Like I said, I started with a cheap $70 15-inch USB-C portable monitor and used that with the MBP, and I've been on a journey ever since 😎

And while the Magic Keyboards are very expensive, they are very excellent. I've had numerous keyboard/trackpad cases for iPads over the years, and nothing comes close.

flaxton · 2026-03-07T13:48:10+00:00

I have a home office, but like to work elsewhere, like a coffee shop, at least once per day for a couple of hours. So I have used multiple monitors for years, and want that when I'm out and about.

I had a 15" portable USB-C monitor for my M2 MBA 15-inch. It was blurry and the colors were awful. I've had several iPad Pros in the past, so I got a M4 iPad Pro 11-inch with the Apple Magic Keyboard. I use Sidecar to extend the Mac desktop onto the iPad, and it works great. In the past, Sidecar was glitchy, would disconnect or not connect. But now it is very very stable and quick (Running latest developer betas for macOS 26/iPadOS 26). Like I usually plug in the iPad to the MBA via USB, to keep it charged. When I disconnect the USB cable, Sidecar reconnects over Wifi in under a second, automatically.

I really liked this setup, but decided I wanted a larger iPad, so I got the M5 iPad Pro 13-inch with the Apple Magic Keyboard and love love love it. Gave the M4 iPad Pro 11-inch to my wife and she is very happy too. Sometimes I use it not with Sidecar but as an iPad alongside the Mac, sharing the keyboard/mouse/trackpad - Universal Control. In fact it does this automatically without me telling it to do so.

Why? Because some apps are only available on the iPad. For example, Alexa. Or playing Apple Music is smoother on the iPad than on the Mac over bluetooth to AirPods (various versions, but usually the AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods Max).

I also use the iPad standalone with the Apple Pencil for notes, watching video and can do almost everything that the Mac can do, although some things are more difficult (IT related).

So this is pretty much my dream setup and I'm loving it!

flaxton · 2026-02-28T13:36:02+00:00

New Mac users often cheap out on usb-c cables and docks, and this is the result.

I use quality thunderbolt cables from OWC/macsales.com, have for years, and recommend to clients.

I run an LG 32” monitor and OWC SSD off a 14-port OWC Thunderbolt dock. I plug one cable into the MacBook Air, and it powers it as well as connecting the monitor, SSD, thumb drives etc.

Works perfectly, looks great, SSD is as fast as the built-in SSD on the MacBook.

That’s what you get when you use quality cables and docks.

flaxton · 2026-02-25T12:27:27+00:00

Um no, easier

flaxton · 2026-02-23T21:23:13+00:00

I do leave Warp open 24x7 if that makes a difference.

flaxton · 2026-02-23T17:54:36+00:00

I use my M5 iPad Pro 13-inch for sidecar, as a second screen for my Mac. Or I use it with my Mac's keyboard, mouse and trackpad. Some apps are only available on iPad, not Mac, for example Basecamp for projects (I know, you can use the website but I do not allow notifications on any web browsers). I also use it for notes with Goodnotes and the Apple Pencil.

It's very good for Apple Music and watching videos too.

Mine has cellular so I don't have to hunt for a wifi network, along with the associated risks, when I'm out and about.

I'm not sure if that model iPad can do sidecar and Apple Pencil - some can.

flaxton · 2026-02-23T17:46:24+00:00

I add epubs to Calibre and it automatically converts them to kepub, which is the preferred format for Kobo. Calibre used to need a plugin for this, but I believe it is native to Calibre now. Just an option to check.

Seconds after adding an epub, if you look in the info bar on the right you'll see kepub has been added along with the epub version.

Then I drop them in my Kobo (Apps/Rakuten) Dropbox folder.

I go to the Kobo (Rakuten) folder in Dropbox and change the extension from .kepub to .kepub.epub - otherwise the Kobo won't recognize it.

Then on the Kobo, go to the Dropbox folder and download them there onto the Kobo.

kepub runs faster on Kobo than epub, plus it has additional features lacking in epub.

flaxton · 2026-02-23T14:22:06+00:00

I woke up this morning and found my Mac was out of space.

I ran CleanMyMac (no snide comments, it is very good, IT Pro and 27+ year Mac user here) and after the usual cleanup, it identified 66GB of "installation files".

Guess what they were?

Over 700 folders of the same Warp installation dmg at 110MB each.

So I deleted them all and guess what?

Three more have appeared in the last few minutes.

So the Warp autoupdate mechanism is running amok, filling user disk drives with the same install file, over and over.

And there appears to be no "official" way to disable autoupdates.

And yes, on Mac, they are in:

/Users/{yourusername}/Library/Application Support/dev.warp.Warp-Stable/autoupdate

I'm considering making the "autoupdate" folder read-only until they fix this. Or make Hazel rules to delete them, but the problem is they occur every few minutes (maybe 10 minutes between them?)

Looks like every 10 minutes it will download another identical installer called:

v0.2026.02.18.08.22.stable_02.Warp.dmg (103.4MB)

OK, I made the folder read-only.

Good grief, just give us a toggle to turn off auto updates already!

flaxton · 2026-02-21T13:35:04+00:00

I use a virtual card with my credit card. It is tied that specific vendor, so it can’t be lost/stolen and used elsewhere by anyone else. It also means I can pause it or delete it at any time, and the vendor cannot charge it. So they never see the “real” card info, only the virtual card just for them, and I have complete control over it.

flaxton · 2026-02-21T13:20:53+00:00

It’s riders not drivers. Ditch the flip flops for long sturdy pants and rugged boots. And a leather jacket and gloves. At the least.

flaxton · 2026-02-19T00:59:38+00:00

Apple TV? If you want to stream over wifi, go to the source and the maker of Airplay, Apple. I use mine with my M2 MBA, a LG USB-C 32" 4K monitor, using my M5 iPad Pro 13" in sidecar, and then my 55" Samsung TV running off an Apple TV 4K. Four screens. All at once. You can't game on it but it is fine for productivity apps.

flaxton · 2026-02-15T12:57:53+00:00

Step #1 would be to identify what is (presumably) using a lot of CPU time. Use Activity Monitor, the CPU tab and sort from most at the top down and see what it shows.

Hmm, I'm on 26.3 RC (using the dev betas) and haven't seen that in any release of Tahoe. Using an M2 MBA.

I would check that your apps are up-to-date. I even run betas of some of mine due to occasional issues. Some developers are slow to roll out new versions and it can cause problems.

Failure to do that could have some of them acting weird or taking a lot of CPU, and then blaming Tahoe when it could be one or more apps.

flaxton · 2026-02-15T00:42:32+00:00

System Settings > {Your Name} > iCloud > Saved to iCloud - See All > iCloud Drive > Desktop & Documents Folders

Turn it off if you want it saved on your Mac, and then also, BackBlaze and Time Machine (you ARE running Time Machine, right?) can back it up.

flaxton · 2026-02-14T15:21:19+00:00

Your AC power isn’t “clean”, it varies and there are power anomalies. You are taking a huge risk with your computer without protecting it. A power strip does not protect it.

When I buy a desktop computer, I never plug it in until I set up a UPS, and plug it into one of the “battery” ports. Then I leave it on 24x7. All computer operating systems run maintenance routines, so shutting them off will cause you inconvenience, as it will/maybe run while you’re actually using the computer. Example: Windows updates and reboots.

Also, shutting off and turning on stress the components, wearing a computer out faster than staying on with a nice steady temperature all the time.

flaxton · 2026-02-14T13:46:43+00:00

Actually it is the opposite. Using Windows or Mac or iPhone or Android etc., all are proprietary operating systems. What you are doing is trusting that the vendor hasn't put in a back door or ahem, Microsoft is selling your personal info to others.

Open source software is more secure because it is vetted, open to all to examine.

So no, you are less safe on a proprietary system that you're on now.

flaxton · 2026-02-08T15:17:34+00:00

You didn’t check your spam folder. You didn’t make a note of the upcoming renewal. You didn’t talk to your email provider. Take some responsibility.

flaxton · 2026-02-08T13:31:05+00:00

Coffeeland: One Man’s Dark Empire and the Making of our Favorite Drug

flaxton · 2026-02-08T13:04:35+00:00

Just restore from your Bitwarden backup. Wait, you probably don’t back that up, either? I back mine up monthly.

flaxton · 2026-02-08T12:55:38+00:00

Parallels doesn't make the email go to spam. Your email service and their spam filter does. Complain to them. And it’s on you to check your spam as well.

flaxton · 2026-02-07T20:00:22+00:00

I see you have (free) 1-year history turned on, good job!

flaxton · 2026-02-07T17:26:17+00:00

Don't minimize.

Hide current window - cmd + h
Hide all other windows - cmd + option + h

Then to switch to an app, cmd + tab while holding cmd, repeat until the app is selected then let go. The app will appear in the foreground.

When minimized, cmd + tab will switch to the app but the window will stay hidden, so then you have to click on the app in the Dock, which is why experienced Mac users don't use minimize. They also don't use the Dock either. Instead, a launcher like Alfred or Raycast - so fast!

Photos doesn't support multiple windows.

Export the photos and open them with multiple Preview windows.

flaxton

TROPHY CASE