Xavi Smith

Experienced Professional | Transitioning from Tech to Education

Category: Geekery

  • Speeding Up My New Mac Setup

    Past-Me has been a jerk many times. Past-Tim doesn’t think about Future-Tim, saving him time, money, and sometimes even heartache. Setting up a new Mac can be a huge pain, and thankfully Past-Me finally did something nice for Future-Me.

    I left great documentation and resources that helped me get this new machine setup in about thirty minutes. That’s unheard of. But as with everything, there are still some holes that need patching, so I thought I’d write something up, to document the process even better for next time. After all, Past-Tim is now me.

    Important Caveat: I don’t setup new Macs from a backup; I like to start fresh. If you like starting your new Mac from a Time Machine backup, you don’t need most — if not all — of this.

    Step one: clone dotfiles repo

    # First we clone the repo
$ git clone git@github.com:smithtimmytim/dotfiles.git ~/.dotfiles

# Then we run the install script
$ cd .dotfiles
$ script/bootstrap

    Having dotfiles version controlled is awesome, and this is the first machine I setup with them. The repo comes with a list of packages and apps to be installed. When I run the install script that comes with dotfiles, it installs Homebrew, sets up sensible macOS defaults, and much more. My vital apps like 1Password, Dropbox, Alfred, Hyper, etc, are all installed. Also, because I use mas — which you can install via Homebrew — all of my favorite Mac App Store apps are installed too.

    You may be asking yourself, how is this possible? In part to dotfiles, but the Brewfile is where the magic happens. If you’re familiar with a Gemfile — a Brewfile is that, but for Homebrew. It contains a list of the packages and apps I want installed. You can look at my Brewfile here, and you can read more about the whole concept on GitHub.

    Also, once you clone dotfiles you might notice that you can’t see it. That’s because files that begin with a period are hidden by default. Make those files visible by entering the following command into the terminal:

    $ defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES

    Step two: install ruby versions and gems

    $ rbenv install 2.3.0
$ rbenv install 2.3.1

    I use rbenv to manage my Ruby versions. I don’t have to manually set this up, because it’s already been done for me with dotfiles. At the time of this writing, I’m using Ruby 2.3.0 and 2.3.1.

    Now, let’s install the gems I need in each Ruby version:

    $ gem install bundler jekyll rails

    Step three: clone atom-config repo

    # First, quit Atom.
# Then remove the current Atom config
$ rm -rf ~/.atom

# Now clone the Atom config from GitHub
$ git clone git@github.com:smithtimmytim/atom-config.git ~/.atom

    My text editor of choice is Atom. Which still kind of surprises me since I stuck to Sublime Text for so long. Atom is regularly updated, and has a very vibrant community. People continuously make all sorts of plugins for it.

    I’ve seen a lot of people have their Atom config inside their dotfiles repo, but I felt like having it as its separate thing and that’s worked for me. atom-config comes with all the obvious things you’d think would come with a config. I also use package-sync to get all of my different packages downloaded and installed in no time.

    To me, the ease in which I can version control my preferences is a big reason to use Atom. I did check in my Sublime config, but it wasn’t as easy to maintain, and it felt dumb to check in all the packages I was using instead of having a simple list of them. It’s a nit pick, but it’s the type of thing that makes or breaks a developer workflow.

    Step Four: Create new SSH and GPG Keys

    You’ll need an SSH and GPG key for lots of things, but I primarily use mine for GitHub. Creating a new SSH key is pretty easy. Here’s some documentation on how to do that.

    Now, for the GPG key. This isn’t as simple, and honestly I don’t know how this works. I did some research on whether you’re supposed to create a new GPG key when you move machines or whether you’re supposed to migrate them, and was still confused. If you know more information about this, I’d love to hear from you on Twitter.

    Anyway, first you need to download the GPG command line tools to create new keys. I download GnuPG for OS X. Once you’ve done that, you can follow the steps from the GitHub documentation to create your new key and add it to GitHub.

    You might be wondering, what the hell is GPG? Well, that’s quite the hefty answer. I found this page to be very informative.

    Step Five: Login to 1Password App

    I’m shocked at how amazing the setup for this has become. Kelly and I are using 1Password Families, so setting up the app on a new machine is now as easy as scanning a QR code, inputting my master password, and… that’s it. I’m still baffled at how easy it was.

    At this point, 1Password is the gate to everything else. Once I have 1Password installed and setup, I now have access to all of my software license codes, website logins, and a whole lot more.

    Step Six: Login to Dropbox App

    I run most of my system through Dropbox. I pay for the Pro plan which get’s me a terabyte of space. I think the only things I don’t have on Dropbox are the sites and projects I work on, because all of that is on GitHub. Doing things this way is pretty convenient, and helps me take all my important files to the new computer.

    However, the initial setup of this is not fun. Because Dropbox on the Mac currently downloads all of your files locally, when you first do this, it can take days to sync. This isn’t ideal because some files are more important than others at the beginning. I want to have my Alfred preferences, or my Keyboard Maestro macros first. But to do that, I have to go through the nightmare of setting up selective sync and then redoing it once the right files have downloaded. Eventually — who the hell knows when — Dropbox will launch Project Infinite for everyone. That’ll solve this problem and more.

    All this being said, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a backup! I use Time Machine to keep backups just in case things get wonky. Dropbox has lost files of mine before, so I like to have a plan b. The Sweet Setup’s advice on this topic is wise.

    Conclusion

    In summary, this setup process is pretty awesome. Automating things like this saves so much time, and gets me coding quicker. I’m loving my new Mac, and a large part of it, is that setting it up was headache free. If you decide to use this, I’d love to hear about it! If you need help, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

    Enjoy your new Mac!

  • The Cost of a Centralized Web

    DHH on Signal v. Noise:

    Writing for us is not a business, in any direct sense of the word. We write because we have something to say, not to make money off page views, advertisements, or subscriptions. If some readers end up signing up for Basecamp, that’s great. But if they just like to read and not buy, that’s also great.

    Beyond that, though, we’ve grown ever more aware of the problems with centralizing the internet. Traditional blogs might have swung out of favor, as we all discovered the benefits of social media and aggregating platforms, but we think they’re about to swing back in style, as we all discover the real costs and problems brought by such centralization. […]

    With the new take, we’re also trying to bring more of a classic SvN style back to the site. Not just big, marque pieces, but lots of smaller observations, quotes, links, and other posts as well. In fact, the intention is to lessen our dependency on Twitter too, and simply turn Signal v Noise into the independent home for all our thoughts and ideas – big or small.

    I never understood the move to Medium. Even though at the time they supported using a custom domain, their URL structure and lack of design flexibility were deal breakers for me from the get-go.

    But I think David touches on something significant here. These platforms that have taken over the web (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, even YouTube) have proven to be far from benign. I don’t think I ever stopped to consider what the price of free was, but a quick look at the dumpster fire that social media has become quickly shows the cost. Not only has our privacy been invaded, and our data sold to the highest bidder—these “platforms” have become the breeding ground for racism, misogyny, harassment, and every other vile thing in our society.

    And okay, I’m sure reasonable people work at these companies. But for the most part, the people who are leading strategic decisions are people in moral bankruptcy who care more about pleasing venture capitalists and raking in their excessive bonuses, than about the real-life consequences of their technology decisions.

    It’s crazy that all of this is the result of a centralized web, but it’s therefore critical to be part of the movement to decentralize it. And that all starts by writing on your own damn site.

  • Jabra Move Wireless Headphones

    Audio is important to me. If I’m going somewhere, working, cleaning, taking a shower, or just needing to relax, you’ll likely find me listening to something. Sometimes it’s music with a great beat, and other times it’s a riveting podcast.

    A while back, I was commuting on the train to a co-working space, and needed a good pair of wireless headphones. They needed to take some sweat from the walk, have great battery life, and handle being thrown into my backpack.

    I decided to purchase the Jabra Move Wireless headphones. If you’re in the market for a great pair of wireless headphones, these may be the ones for you.

    Criteria

    • Quality — You definitely want something well built, but when considering wireless headphones, the first question for many is how they sound.
    • Fit — Headphones need to fit comfortably, especially if you plan to wear them for extended periods of time.
    • Setup — The setup of wireless headphones has improved over the past few years, but it’s still an important consideration. Getting them from out of the box to playing audio shouldn’t take forever.
    • Price — Cost comes hand-in-hand with quality. You want high-quality headphones that don’t break the bank. (Well, maybe. Sometimes you do want to break the bank with cool tech stuff!)

    Quality

    Build Quality

    The headphones are very well-built. The band combines a stainless steel frame with a soft material that cushions the top. The ear cups are plastic on the outside and soft pleather on the inside.

    The stainless steel frame and the soft fabric of the headband, make for an aesthetically-pleasing look in addition to a quality build you can feel.

    The Jabra Move Wireless headphones feel light but not cheap or easily breakable. They could definitely handle being thrown into your backpack or bag, and they can equally handle being dropped with minor (if any) evidence.

    I haven’t tried showering while wearing the headphones, but they’ve withstood plenty of my sweat, and everything still works great. They’re easy to clean, but don’t look gross if you put it off for a while. The headphones have “move” in the name, so they’re designed for you to do just that.

    Sound Quality

    Bluetooth audio sucks. It just does. There is no comparison to wired audio. Bluetooth audio performed noticeably worse than wired audio when tested side-by-side. Which I should note is of no surprise. However, in many cases it’s not the headphone-makers fault. Wireless audio technology is not where it should be.

    Still, Bluetooth audio is not created equal. Some headphones I’ve tested don’t sound good at all, even when not compared to a wired connection. Not the case with the Jabra Move Wireless headphones. The audio they produce is full and rich, and they handle a variety of musical styles excellently. Additionally, the headphones manage podcasts and talk radio very well.

    Labeled ear cups help you make sure you have the headphones on right.

    I never felt like I was missing sounds I could’ve heard on other headphones. For me, it comes down to the fact that all Bluetooth audio is compressed — some headphones do a better job of hiding that fact.

    Fit

    I was nervous buying over-ear headphones. In the past I had bought a pair of Beats Solo headphones and was unhappy. Leaving the poor sound to the side for a moment, the fit was uncomfortable and my ears hurt after using them for short periods of time. I have big ears, so I’d sworn to never purchase a pair of over-ear headphones again.

    These headphones changed my mind. Yes, they are over-ear headphones, but they’re comfortable. The ear cups are comfy and soft, and the headband is flexible enough to accommodate my large head. When I first got them, I tested the headphones for two hours straight and didn’t feel any ear pain or discomfort on the top of my head.

    Jabra’s minimal branding helps these look great wherever you have them.

    That being said, I do wish Jabra offered an around-ear option. Headphones like the Bose QC35 or the Sony MDR-1000X still beat these headphones in the comfort department because they don’t apply any pressure to the ears.

    Setup

    Here’s yet another area where Bluetooth fails. Pairing them with a device isn’t simple, and if you want to switch between devices, forget it! However, this isn’t a flaw of the headphones, it’s a flaw of the wireless technology being used.

    Apple made a huge leap in this area when they came out with the W1 chip. This chip can be found in Apple-made headphones like the AirPods or Beats. If you own a pair of these, you’ll know how magical this chip makes the whole wireless experience. Pairing is a breeze, and switching between devices on your iCloud account is incredibly easy. Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t license this chip, and while I love my pair of AirPods, there’s no way I’m forking money over for the overrated and overpriced Beats.

    The Jabra Move Wireless headphones unfortunately have the standard Bluetooth setup process. Nothing too terrible, yet nothing delightful either. If you, or the person you’re buying these for, is not somewhat tech savvy, you’ll need to follow the quick-start guide.

    Final Thoughts

    As of this writing, the Jabra Move Wireless headphones are $69.99 on Amazon. You could spend more money, and get a lesser quality product. Essentially, this is a great price.

    I’m very happy with my purchase. As I described, I do have some complaints here and there, but overall they’re a great product at a great price. If you’re in the market for a low-cost pair of wireless headphones, don’t overlook these.

  • Things 3 for Mac and iOS

    I’ve never been a fan of to-do apps. I don’t use them. People everywhere seem to swear by these things. There’s much talk about the whole GTD mentality, and what app is the best for getting things done.

    The methodology didn’t make sense to me, and I condescendingly felt that the key to getting things done was just action. Then I grew up, and realized that when you’re juggling a plethora of responsibilities, it’s incredibly easy for tasks to fall through the cracks. Writing down what needs to get done is not just smart, it’s necessary.

    I came across Things years ago. I owned the first version of the app, but didn’t end up using it. Someone I know recently started using Things 3 and I was intrigued. I’d been using Trello to keep track of my ideas for articles on this site, video ideas, and jobs that I’d applied to. I have a love/hate relationship with Trello. I feel that parts of the app are very well designed, and others not so much.

    After watching and reading some positive reviews, I decided to give Things 3 a try. Cultured Code offers a generous fifteen-day trial of the Mac app.

    I was in love. Things 3 is the first to-do app that I actually use. The design is beautiful and easy to use, has many of the features I want, and led to a more organized life.

    First Impressions

    • I’m delighted by the big facelift given to the UI.
    • Areas and Projects are exactly what I want from a to-do app.
    • There is a wonderful satisfaction in looking at the Logbook and seeing all the things you’ve accomplished.

    Design

    Cultured Code has hit it out of the park. The design of the Mac app, the iPad app, and the iPhone app are nothing less than superb. The Apple Watch app is excellent too, which I’ll touch on a little bit later.

    Gone are the days of the pale colors, and a design reminiscent of skeuomorphism. The new interface sports brightly-colored icons, revamped typography, and beautiful use of white space. While the aesthetic and experience is consistent across platforms, Cultured Code has done a wonderful job of tailoring each interface to get the most out of each operating system.

    Cultured Code has achieved an incredible feat here. These are four different apps they’ve made you believe are one. And in contrast to some apps where the functionality is drastically reduced on iOS, I could never touch my Mac again and still have all the same control of my to-dos.

    Organizing Tasks

    Where most to-do apps only allow you to create lists, Things 3 recognizes two types of lists: Projects and Areas. You can create tasks in both, but this type of organization has helped my workflow.

    An area can be used to group projects and to-dos based on general responsibilities. For example, I have areas for work, side projects, personal, and family. Inside those areas I have projects for this site, my job search, etc.

    Furthermore, you can organize tasks inside a project with headings. I often use headings to organize the type of tasks that need to be done. When Kelly and I went on a cruise recently, I used Things to organize my packing list.I had headings for my computer stuff, the clothes I needed, and my camera gear. This is one of the first trips I’ve ever taken without that horrible sensation of forgetting something.

    Each person will have their own way of using tags, I tend to use mine for quick bits of information that I can see at a glance.

    For example, I tag jobs that I apply for as either “remote” or “onsite”. This helps me keep track of what types of jobs I’m applying for. I tag YouTube video ideas with the category the video fits into. It helps me plan videos so I don’t do too much of the same.

    Overall, I like the implementation of tags. I wish I could make certain tags limited to a particular project or area, but I understand that most people aren’t using tags like I do.

    Things Cloud

    Any modern to-do app needs some way to sync. Things does this via Things Cloud and doesn’t offer any alternate way of syncing. Thankfully, Cultured Code has a whole page explaining what this service is and how they’ve ensured its security.

    Syncing works flawlessly. The best type of syncing is the syncing you don’t think about, and Things Cloud achieves this. I input tasks on iOS either via the app or share sheet, then organize those tasks on the Mac. Not once have I arrived at my Mac with tasks missing.

    The vital missing ingredient to the almost-perfect dish that is Things 3 is shared lists. As of this writing, Things 3 doesn’t allow you to share any type of list or task with someone else. Well, technically that’s not true, you can share them as plain text, but why the hell would you want to do that?

    From what I’ve read, it’s a future possibility. I hope Cultured Code decides to include this key feature in a later update.

    Other Features You Should Know About

    • Quick Entry — Things 3 has a well-designed Quick Entry window, but I don’t use it often since my tasks get input on iOS. You can customize the keyboard shortcut for Quick Entry to be whatever you’d. I have mine set to the longest keyboard shortcut ever, ⌃⌥⌘ + space, which might add to the reasons I don’t use it. Quick Entry is incredibly powerful, allowing you to enter almost all the same information you can input in the app, without moving your mouse.
    • Apple Watch App — Cultured Code was very smart when designing the Apple Watch app. All you can do is dictate a new task and decided whether to put it in your Inbox or Today. That’s it. After seeing many Watch apps try to do more and fail, this is exactly what I want and need.
    • Checklists — If you need to go further down the to-do-ception, Things 3 offers checklists inside of tasks. After you begin a checklist, you can hit enter to continue adding items. I appreciate Cultured Code for adding this type of deep granularity without it feeling cumbersome.

    Final Thoughts

    I’m convinced that Things 3 is the best to-do app. No matter what Apple-made operating system you’re using, Things 3 is delightful to use. If you, like me, are unsure of to-do apps, I encourage you to give Things 3 a try. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

    Kindly edited by TJ Draper

  • Join Me on Discord!

    Something I’ve struggled with a lot since leaving the cult, is finding new friends. I didn’t know that my friends and community were conditional, but such is life. No one seems to talk about how difficult it can be to find friends as an adult. Especially as a cult survivor where my friends and community were forced upon me.

    With that in mind, I decided to create a discord server to help me build my own community of sex-positive and inclusive people. I’m not sure what this community will turn out to be. But if there’s one thing I know about myself, it’s my ability to bring people together. If you’re a geek, stoner, or queer like me, let’s be friends!

  • I Might Have a Bit of a Keyboard Problem

    Kelly says I have a bit of a keyboard problem. You see, I have four keyboards in this office, counting the one I’m currently typing on.

    But the point of this post isn’t to talk about how I’m going to get this addiction under control, it’s more about showing you the new toy. I bought the Keychron K2, which is my first tenkeyless keyboard. I’ve been clinging to that number pad for some reason, but no longer!

    The Keychron K2 comes with a USB‑A to USB‑C cable, a keycap puller, and alternate keycaps.

    I’ve been using the keyboard for about a day and I’m pretty pleased so far. I bought the version with brown switches, which is also a first for me since blue switches are what I usually pick. The brown switches are nice, but the blue ones are my favorite. If you work close to people, brown switches are much softer and quieter, but I work at home all by myself, so noise isn’t really an issue for me.

    The Keychron K2 comes with a USB‑A to USB‑C cable, a keycap puller, and alternate keycaps.

    They moved the button to control the RGB backlights, which is a welcome change. I own the Keychron K1 and constantly hit that button accidentally.

    The Keychron K2 comes with a USB‑A to USB‑C cable, a keycap puller, and alternate keycaps.

    The only issue I have with this keyboard (after a day of use, so take it with a grain of salt) is the missing ⌥ option key on the right side. While their custom screenshot button is pretty cool, I’d rather have the ⌥ option key, and move the fn key to the top.

    You can buy your own starting at $69 USD.