Back To Work

TOPIC: Publix Hustle This week, Dan and Merlin talk about grocery store promotions, transactional help, the racket of school photos, Occam's Razor for public schools, Time Machine troubleshooting, the scourge of The Crackle, and BMO the salesman. The boys help a lot of people by responding to listener questions about the state of Siri, making friends after college, and the seeking of universal truth. Links for this episode:OmniFocus for iOS 11 Adds Extensive Drag and Drop and Siri Support – MacStoriesEpisode 791: Tips From Spies : Planet Money : NPRAmazon.com: A Spy's Guide to Thinking (Kindle Single) eBook: John Braddock: Kindle StoreDoing D-A-D-A | Inside VendoCognitive bias - WikipediaMichael Tsai - Blog - OmniFocus and Siri on iOS 11OmniFocus 2.21 for iOS User Manual - OmniFocus ExtendedShelves and Clippers for iOS 11iPad Shelf Apps: A Roundup of the Best – MacStoriesAlways BMO Closing | Adventure Time Wiki | FANDOM powered by WikiaHow to move multiple iPhone Home screen apps icons on iOS 11 using

After some Followup and Front Matter, your hosts dive into iOS 11. (Spoilers: it's really good.) Links for this episode:Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #18 — Merlin MannVideo: Those 'Shot on iPhone' ads are not what they seem: Digital Photography ReviewCheckmark 2 on the App StoreIs MSG Bad for Your Health? - Science FridayiOS 11: The MacStories Review – MacStoriesiOS 11 reviewiOS 11 review: Smarter, better, faster, bolder | iMoreHere Come the iOS 11 UpdatesSnapseed on the App StoreMerlin's go-to iOS image editor Home - LEGO® Worlds - LEGO.comAmazon.com: Tech Restarter Digital Outlet Timer - Keep Your Devices Running Like New With this Tech Digital Outlet Timer, 2 Outlets: Home Audio & TheaterCentury 7 Day Heavy Duty Digital Programmable Timer - Dual Outlet (Both Control) - - Amazon.comAT&T Fiji Commercial - YouTubeBrought to you by: Squarespace (Start your free trial site today, at Squarespace.com and when you sign up make sure to use the offer code ITSYOURSHOW to get 10% off your first purchase).

This week, Dan and Merlin convene to talk about today's big Apple event. Links for this episode:Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #18 — Merlin MannMERLIN MANN (Back to Work, Roderick on the Line, Reconcilable Differences, Do By Friday, You Look Nice Today, et al.) invites you to drop by Two Cats Comics on the evening of Thursday, September 21st to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.” It's free and it's fun. Just Press Record on the App StoreESPN launches rebranded Apple TV app w/ new design, live stream auto-play & on-demand content | 9to5MaciPhone 8 - AppleiPhone X - AppleApple Watch Series 3 - AppleApple TV 4K - AppleApple Events - Keynote September 2017 - AppleApple stock falls on disappointment about iPhone X release dateBrowseTheStacks, More Marvel(ous) Covers Of Bill SienkiewiczBrent Jones on Twitter: "@danbenjamin @hotdogsladies Dan is mistaken about the camera orientation. 8 & 7 are the same. It’s the X that’s vertical."Merlin Mann on Twitter: "Wait. You wrote a letter from a w

This week, Dan has useful updates on Windows backup options and answers questions about building a Hackintosh. Both of your hosts extoll the virtues of their new Apple TV remote case dinguses. The big topic this week is Nintendo Switch, and Dan has a lot of great stuff to share about his family's first weekend with their new console. (Spoiler: everybody likes it!) Your hosts respond to listener questions about iOS wishlist items and how to freshen up a moribund OmniFocus setup. Links for this episode:Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #18 — Merlin MannMERLIN MANN (Back to Work, Roderick on the Line, Reconcilable Differences, Do By Friday, You Look Nice Today, et al.) invites you to drop by Two Cats Comics on the evening of Thursday, September 21st to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.” It's free and it's fun. Nintendo Switch™ - Official site – Nintendo gaming systemHackintosh MethodStraight-forward recommendations and suggested parts lists by Dan Benjamin for building a Hackintosh capable of running macOS

TOPIC: Don't provoke Dan. This week, Dan and Merlin (once again) complain about what works and what just kiiiinda works with smart devices. Who's winning the voice control game, and who's struggling to play catchup? Ecosystems! Next up, the boys talk about some surprisingly handy and useful cases for that befuddling Apple TV remote. Also, Dan needs your help to back up Cash's Windows box. Merlin has an important request, too. Also provided are scientific updates on how much a scale weighs. Finally, Merlin offers a whole goddamned book's worth of awesome productivity advice via a cheap notebook and five (5) daily bullet points. Links for this episode:Amazon Echo devices now support multi-room audio playback | AFTVnewsAfter several leaks, Amazon has now added support for multi-room audio to the Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Show. The new feature allows you to group together multiple Echo devices and play music on all devices simultaneously. The feature is also being made available to 3rd-party speaker man

TOPIC: It's like elevator buttons. This week, Dan and Merlin talk a lot about komodo dragons. Also, homework sucks, seed codes rule, and @Movesapp drools. How do we get so scared about things? How cool did flying used to be? Your hosts respond to listener questions about the state of self-tracking, and the scourge of extraneous device notifications. Links for this episode:Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #18 — Merlin MannMERLIN MANN (Back to Work, Roderick on the Line, Reconcilable Differences, Do By Friday, You Look Nice Today, et al.) invites you to drop by Two Cats Comics on the evening of Thursday, September 21st to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.” It's free and it's fun. San Francisco Zoo on Twitter: "@hotdogsladies She is correct! He recently got the pins (used to help stabilize his back) taken out after 18 months to continue mobility improvement!"She is correct! He recently got the pins (used to help stabilize his back) taken out after 18 months to continue mobility improvement! Komo

TOPIC: How do you know when you're legitimately overwhelmed? This episode, your hosts catch up on Florida, schedule and sleep consistency, ladders vs. walls, travel mania, and the fraught landscape of personal device security. Your hosts respond to listener feedback and questions regarding feeling overwhelmed and dealing with dumb clocks. Links for this episode:As You Climb the Ladder of Success, Be Sure It’s Leaning Against the Right Building | Quote InvestigatoriOS 11's SOS Feature Allows You to Temporarily Disable Touch ID and Require Passcode - Mac RumorsAmazon.com: La Crosse Technology WT-3181PL Atomic Outdoor Clock with Temperature & Humidity-18 inch: Home & KitchenAtomic clock - WikipediaHorology - WikipediaAmazon.com: G-Shock GWM5610-1 Men's Solar Black Resin Sport Watch: Casio: WatchesBrought to you by: Formstack (Visit formstack.com/backtowork for a free trial and to receive a promo code for 25% off your first three months). SendPro from Pitney Bowes (Visit pb.com/backtowork to

TOPIC: Keep your hand away from the giant's mouth! This week, Dan and Merlin look back on summer and forward to the new school year. Also, some excellent ad hoc Business Analysis about the past and future of malls and other retail outposts. Your hosts respond to listener feedback and questions regarding domain name speculation and options for tracking multiple currencies Links for this episode:MailinatorUngainly X-Mann Meetup #18 — Merlin MannMagic Calculator on the Mac App StoreEpisode 653: The Anti-Store : Planet Money : NPR#653: The Anti-Store — Planet Money — OvercastTwo Cats Comic Book Store | Certified new reader friendly!Comic Shop Locator| Find Your Nearest Comic Book, Graphic Novel and Pop-Culture Store - There's A Lot to See and Do at Your Local Comic Shop!Disposable email address - WikipediaA list of alternate domains that point to @mailinator.com · GitHubSoulver | AcqualiaHome | BetterBrought to you by: Formstack (Visit formstack.com/backtowork for a free trial and to receive a promo code

TOPIC: Start treating yourself like a dummy today. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about iOS 11, the trade-offs of running betas, and waking up to how we're using devices differently. Merlin has thoughts on the usefulness of the will to live. Dan has a new approach to dealing with PR pitches, and the boys undertake an exciting new social experiment. Your hosts answer listener questions about the mechanics of calendar scheduling and best practices for building new habits. Links for this episode:Amazon AI Designed To Create Phone Cases Terribly Malfunctions, Fills Store With 31,000+ Hilarious Products | Bored PandaInspiroBotDefocused | Every Day is a Winding Refn (Episode 158)There’s squish and there’s also crunch. The return of Special Guest Merlin Mann! (Talking about "Drive") xkcd: Wifi vs CellularCloak VPN - Cloak - Super-simple VPNSurf anonymously online with VPN services from CactusVPNHome | BetterBetter on the Mac App StoreBetter World Club - Roadside Assistance, Insurance and TravelLiberal arts educat

TOPIC: Mapping Your Focus and Motivation This week, Dan talks about a cool new addition to his Fireside.fm service, and Merlin interviews him about how he likes to choose, plan, and evolve the features of an app. Two questions this week, both from Listener Jonathan. First, your hosts address the era of Peak TV, including how they choose their TV services and how they recommend narrowing in on finding the best stuff to watch (and when). Next, the evergreen topic of calendars and todos returns. How do you decide what goes where? And how do combine focus and motivation to derive a functional map of your time terrain? Dan considers acquiring a house mammal. Links for this episode:Hulu is getting every episode of Bob’s Burgers, Futurama, and more - The VergeDobis P.R.: What We Do and Who We Are - YouTubeTV Talk Machine - a podcast from The Incomparable[NSFW] Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! | Season 4 | Prices - YouTubeGilbert Huph | Pixar Wiki | FANDOM powered by WikiaBrought to you by: TextExpander fr

TOPIC: Help! My bosses are doing a really dumb thing! This week, Dan and Merlin help a listener and his youngster get started with Spider-Man. Also, hey, support your Local Comic Shop! Listener Molly asks how to help prevent a terrible, damaging change from happening inside her company. Dan talks about War for the Planet of the Apes, and Merlin knows when to exit on a good bit. Links for this episode:Instant PotSpider-Man: Homecoming's Lack of Spidey Sense Explained | ColliderHow Do I Deal With An Incompetent Boss? | FiveThirtyEightUltimate Spider-Man Ultimate Collection Book 1 (Trade Paperback) | Ultimate Marvel | Comic Books | Comics | Marvel.comZojirushiAmazon.com: Zojirushi NS-ZCC18 10-Cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker, 1.8-Liters, Premium White: Home & KitchenAmazon.com: Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 1: Power and Responsibility (9780785139409): Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Bagley: BooksComic Shop Locator| Find Your Nearest Comic Book, Graphic Novel and Pop-Culture Store - There's A Lot to See and Do

TOPIC: Making the spice flow. This week, Dan and Merlin dive into the thriving ecosystem of Florida's ad hoc roofing and lawn care professionals. Merlin gets The Boeing Contract, and Dan leaves a check under the mat. Your hosts admit they don't really understand the big kerfuffle over 1Password, but they admit to feeling the pain of being an indie developer today. Dan just wants the beef ribs he'd been promised. Around 1:19:30, the spoiler horn fires off for a squee-filled celebration of Spider-Man: Homecoming. (Seriously. Just go see this movie.) Links for this episode:What Happened When the CEO of Dropbox Was Late to an All-Hands Meeting (About Being on Time) | Inc.comFits + Starts: 18: Eventually it sucks less (with Merlin Mann)Merlin stops by to talk about finding a job that fits you, prototyping your future, and manufacturing care. Then we have a lot of rapid fire questions for him. Why Security Experts Are Pissed That ‘1Password’ Is Pushing Users to the Cloud - MotherboardKing Worm (episode) | Advent

TOPIC: Time Tetris in Difficult Mode This week, Dan and Merlin do a VERY deep dive on one listener's question about life with an excruciating shared Google Calendar. Merlin, unsurprisingly, has a lot to say about this. No. Like, really. A lot a lot. Other topics include Food Lion bleach meat, God's only sandwich, Adventure Time Mashup Pack (Finally!), Agape love, and, importantly, "What’s Happening To Sleep Train?" Links for this episode:Fits + Starts: 18: Eventually it sucks less (with Merlin Mann)Merlin stops by to talk about finding a job that fits you, prototyping your future, and manufacturing care. Then we have a lot of rapid fire questions for him. Adventure Time comes to Minecraft! | Minecraft[Update: Thanks to the mystery of time, "Soon" has tranformed into "Now"! It's out today - July 6th - on Pocket and Windows 10! Totally orthogonal!] SoundCloud » A note from Alex LjungWith more focus and a need to think about the long term, comes tough decisions. Today, after careful and painful consideration,

TOPIC: Drawing effective water. In this week's tight and bright episode, Dan and Merlin do dome followup on food bars and CBD oil, then discuss how to get better at letting people just enjoy what they like. In this week's main topic, your hosts address how to think more productively (and more realistically) about what you need from a task management app. Links for this episode:195: Existing as a Curiosity with Merlin MannMerlin Mann, podcaster, man about the internet, and devastatingly handsome provocateur, joins Brett to talk about the state of writing on the web, Merlin's podcasts, and maybe even some politics. Amazon.com: Vega Maca Chocolate Bar, 1.4oz, 24 Count: Health & Personal Care5by5 | Back to Work #29: I Download FLACCarrie Coon - WikipediaDamon Lindelof - Wikipedia'Watchmen' TV Series From Damon Lindelof in the Works at HBO | Hollywood ReporterUnjustly Maligned | "Watchmen" with Merlin Mann (Episode 15)Writer and podcaster Merlin Mann joins Antony to stand up (mostly) for

TOPIC: Thirty cable boxes. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about beloved late night talk shows, Planet of the Apes, and the future of TV. Dan introduces his new thought technology about "Protoforms." Your hosts also respond to listener questions about using Chromecasts and how to start the day. Links for this episode:Mindfulness Meditation: The Basics — 10% HappierMinecraft Adventure Time Mash-Up pack! - YouTubeItem 17233 - Oral Dispenser with Tip Cap, Comar®, 1mL - AmberDavid Letterman First Ever Appearance On The Tonight show With Johnny Carson - 1978 - YouTubeDon Giller - YouTubeAmazing old Letterman TV spots. The Tonight Show Band - WikipediaDoc Severinsen - WikipediaSlacker (film) - WikipediaVidAngel Launches Netflix and Amazon Content Filtering Service | VarietyMonty Python - Dirty Hungarian Phrasebook - YouTubeLetterman - GE Handshake - YouTubeBrought to you by: Blue Apron (Check out this week’s menu and get your first three meals FREE—with FREE SHIPPING—by going to BlueApron.com/backtowork. SendPro

TOPIC: Asterisks and Question Marks. This week, Dan and Merlin cover corgis (and other pets), asking for lettuce wraps, high-floor sandwiches, bread in a tube, John Wick (no spoilers), and the wonderful comic infographics of Kate Willaert. There is some ecosystem talk regarding ride sharing statistics and Apple's announced addition of podcast listening analytics. How many bits of identifying information are you sending? Your hosts answer Listener Tim's question about when to accept that you can't do everything and should just let go of old project ideas. Links for this episode:Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #17 — Merlin MannMERLIN MANN (Back to Work, Roderick on the Line, Reconcilable Differences, Do By Friday, You Look Nice Today, et al.) invites you to drop by Two Cats Comics on the evening of Thursday, June 15th to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.” It's free and it's fun. How to Sleep - The AtlanticShould you drink more coffee? Should you take melatonin? Can you train yourself to need less sleep?

TOPIC: She was only 15 years old! This week kicks off with some thoughts on yesterday's WWDC Keynote and some potentially promising signs for Apple's future. Dan declares YouTube videos from The Trip to be the greatest thing Merlin has ever shown him, and he is correct. Merlin is infatuated with Nebo. Then, the boys answer listener questions about calendars, GTD and Buddhism, and how to choose a browser. Links for this episode:Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #17 — Merlin MannMERLIN MANN (Back to Work, Roderick on the Line, Reconcilable Differences, Do By Friday, You Look Nice Today, et al.) invites you to drop by Two Cats Comics on the evening of Thursday, June 15th to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.” It's free and it's fun. Nebo, The best way to take notes | MyScriptNebo’s Handwriting Recognition Elevates Your Notes – MacStoriesJaron Lanier - Wikipedia5by5 | Pipeline Classic #1: Markus "Notch" PerssonMarkus "Notch" Persson, creator of the indie game Minecraft, talks with Dan Benjamin abou

TOPIC: "The results have been increbidle." This week, Dan and Merlin opine about various Apple feelings and wondering where the heck things are going. Merlin is sanguine. Merlin is mad at KFC, and Dan reminds us how great 1974 was for movies. Finally, your hosts respond to listener feedback. Links for this episode:A fascinating graphic novel about the origins of Dungeons & Dragons | Ars TechnicaCanvas #36: Wishes for iOS 11 - Relay FMThis week Fraser and Federico welcome special guest Merlin Mann to discuss opportunities for improvements that may - or may not - arrive in iOS 11. The best email app for iPhone iPad and Mac | SparkHow Power Nap works on your Mac - Apple SupportSnap-on - WikipediaBaja Blast | Mountain Dew Wiki | Fandom powered by WikiaThe Cat from Outer Space - WikipediaThe Cat From Outer Space (1978) - Trailer - YouTubeBeyond the Door (1974) - Trailer - YouTubeBeyond the Door (trailer) 1974 - YouTubeThe Legacy (1978) Trailer - YouTubeButterfield DIET - YouTubeConnected #144: The Barometer

TOPIC: Again with the motivation. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about what motivates the companies who make set-top boxes vs. the providers of the content for those dinguses. What attracts fans to a given platform, and why are we getting so resistant to straight-up buying movies and TV shows? ("I learned it by watching you!") In listener feedback, your hosts examine whether and how various apps and services can be deployed in the service of building better habits. Links for this episode:Quotidian Public Radio #3: Nation of Talkers - "Planet Comment""Social Media expert, Dr. Robert Chandler (onFocus University), joins Connor to discuss web-based community and user-generated content. He also takes a few calls from QPR listeners." Soundgarden - WikipediaGoliath (TV series) - WikipediaTodd Vaziri on Twitter: "More basement cleanup: all DVDs now in sleeves and binders. All jewel cases and inserts recycled. This is about 1/4 of the collection. https://t.co/u3ymdqywKt"2016–2017 TV Season in

TOPIC: Odds 'N Sods In this sprawling "odds 'n sods" episode, Dan and Merlin discuss: superheroes, scary movie trailers, (yes, more) egregious package delivery drama, customer service Buddhism, some excellent kids books, updates on the pretty good Hulu Live TV service, commercials for prescription drugs, politics and blood pressure, the joys of Nuzzel.com, auditing your online authorizations, why Meh.com are jackals, spray-on hair, delivery tracking services, and, yes, some deep updates on emails pitching visits from guests. Links for this episode:Amazon.com: Superman: Birthright (9781401202521): Mark Waid, Leinil Francis Yu, Leinil Francis Yu^Gerry Alanguilan, Dave McCaig: BooksSuperman: Birthright - WikipediaShazam! Intro - YouTubeKids-In-Mind: Movie ratings & parents' reviews that actually workReviews & Age Ratings - Best Movies, Books, Apps, Games for KidsMarco Arment on Twitter: "Called AT&T to have them fix *their* screwup, and about 15 of the 25 minutes were them selling me HARD