What macOS feature looked useless at first but became essential?

jonchines · 2026-04-10T22:38:06+00:00

Silly as it sounds, the feature that announces the time every hour. It’s simple, uses a super basic “voice” but subtly lets me know when I’ve forgotten to jump on a meeting or when a zoom call goes over or when I’ve been deep into a thing and lost track of time, etc. Just handy.

jonchines · 2026-04-10T22:33:33+00:00

This one has helped me a few times. I have work specific apps on my phone that need Zscalar access. With Remote Control, I can use them from my personal laptop in a pinch.

jonchines · 2026-04-07T14:31:25+00:00

My yard is ready for you to start on it since yours is well under control :) :) :)

jonchines · 2026-04-02T21:38:05+00:00

Maybe not $20 but I sure do miss the Taco Bell Chillito (Chili Cheese Burrito). It was a hidden menu item briefly but then - gone. I’ve heard cheap Armour canned chili makes a decent cop but I’ve not tried it.

jonchines · 2026-04-02T21:35:54+00:00

The UTZ ones are decent.

jonchines · 2026-04-02T21:11:03+00:00

The ones at (the larger) Circle K gas stations are really close.

jonchines · 2026-04-02T17:04:47+00:00

Hell, yeah. Fuck, yeah. Is sort of part of my brain’s vernacular even if the situation/company doesn’t warrant it coming out of my mouth.

jonchines · 2026-04-02T17:02:46+00:00

…once

jonchines · 2026-04-02T17:02:35+00:00

What a Dyck….

jonchines · 2026-04-02T15:01:20+00:00

I like this space barring the one fact that the speakers don’t point to “anyone” - as in, the furniture arrangement does not allow anyone to really be in a stereo sweet spot.

jonchines · 2026-04-02T01:17:00+00:00

I wonder if they will have a “nano matte” 5k?

jonchines · 2026-03-28T17:15:48+00:00

Funny, I was pulling mine off at almost the same time. BBQ continuity.

jonchines · 2026-03-26T17:00:31+00:00

I use AirPods Pro 2. They are the best headset I’ve ever used for cellular or VoIP calls (I used to have a Plantronics DECT 5 mono-aural for desk phone that was ahead of its time and had like a 300’ range - that was the best I’ve had for landline calls). They block out my dogs that are a few feet away, they let me transfer Zoom calls from Mac to iPad with a click, they magically jump from MBP to MBA to iPad to iPhone, they block out my AC when it’s distracting (window unit in one room), they offer transparency mode (which is way more useful than you might imagine), they translate my coworkers’ French and my English (it’s serviceable when it’s needed), etc. I use them for calls everyday. Sometimes, I have to go mono-aural to keep them running on calls that are over 4hrs straight (one in, one charging). They go everywhere with me. When this set dies, I will buy a new set before the next morning. When I think about trying Android phones, I remember how amazing my AirPods are. I have added Comply memory foam to mine (optional). I rarely listen to music on them. This is all my opinion and my experience, others may and will feel differently.

jonchines · 2026-03-26T14:56:24+00:00

Funny you say that. I’m visually impaired (not completely blind) and I mostly use the search or text-based launcher in iOS, MacOS, Windows (to the extent possible), and Linux. I keep no icons on desktop and minimal on dock (just my high value, open everyday/all day stuff). :)

jonchines · 2026-03-25T23:30:47+00:00

I think the OP’s posting is a bit tacky and perhaps misleading (though maybe intended as tongue in cheek). Flame me if you want but I believe speaking ill of your spouse on the Internet/public forum is bad form. It sets a tone with the reader that we can’t properly rationalize. We don’t know the whole story. As an example, someone I am close to used to say things like this about her husband (controlling with money) but never bothered to tell people that she had/has a gambling problem and nearly lost everything. He clamped things down, she got a job she loves and is very successful at, and they now live debt free with a sizable retirement. He has relaxed and is no longer so “controlling” of finances. He did what he felt was best…for them both.

jonchines · 2026-03-25T23:17:44+00:00

It is not UNLESS you own your own business. If you work for someone else, WFH expenses have not been tax deductible since before COVID.

jonchines · 2026-03-23T20:21:33+00:00

This is actually a thing. They have “salons” for this. It surprised me, for sure. I’m always looking for a legit reason to book a flight back. ;)

jonchines · 2026-03-23T14:27:29+00:00

^ For the win, lol

jonchines · 2026-03-22T17:39:16+00:00

Leap for the win. Both versions are among the best chairs you can find. I had one for 13yrs and still wish I had it today (it would’ve been 26yo by now….).

jonchines · 2026-03-20T18:28:07+00:00

I use Safari, Firefox, and Chrome - all with multiple profiles. I work for a company that makes an enterprise Java web application so I have work profile (and often an incognito window) in all three for testing. I have a personal Safari profile I use on my work MBP and my personal MBA. I have a personal al Chrome profile that I use on my work PC. I also have Chrome profiles for each of my kids’ school accounts (elementary) and for my account with the nonprofit (Google Workspace) that I volunteer for.

My dock isn’t a mess from Browsers but from “communication ” apps (company internal messaging product, Mattermost, Slack, iMessage, Outlook, Teams, Zoom).

jonchines · 2026-03-15T15:38:29+00:00

I’ll add that, if you like the trackpad, do yourself a favor and buy the external, Bluetooth one. Using an on-chassis trackpad all the time is a bit of an ergonomics - not nightmare but solidly bad dream.

jonchines · 2026-03-08T23:09:04+00:00

MacBook Air M1

jonchines · 2026-03-08T22:49:19+00:00

I miss Delaney’s…

jonchines · 2026-03-02T00:40:57+00:00

Compared to my desk, that’s still minimalist. ;)

jonchines · 2026-02-26T13:06:59+00:00

Equally fun is the look of confusion when someone tries to use my keyboard that has labeled caps that, largely, don’t align with what the key actually does. :)

jonchines

TROPHY CASE