Apple’s made it easier than ever to manage system updates by tying them to the Mac App Store, and the Mac App Store also makes it very easy to download updates to software you’ve bought there. But I use dozens of other applications and add-on software that wasn’t downloaded from the Mac App Store – apps purchased and downloaded directly from the developers’ web sites, for example.
Over the years I’ve amassed quite a collection, and keeping all those apps up to date would be a full-time job if it weren’t for a handy tool I’ve kept in my arsenal for years: MacUpdate Desktop.
MacUpdate Desktop is the local client app counterpart to the popular MacUpdate software download service. It scans your hard drive for software that’s out of date and tells you what needs to be updated, then links you to update files you can download directly through the client app.
It makes it really easy to make sure you’re running the latest versions of just about anything, and will warn you if an update that’s available is a paid upgrade, in case you need to wait until payday before you can go to the next version of an important tool.
MacUpdate Desktop is available as a 10-day free trial download; it costs $20 per year to use. That may sound like a luxury compared to the Mac App Store, which updates apps for free. But it’s totally worth it for me, because I depend heavily on third-party software I’ve bought outside the Mac App Store, and there’s nothing more frustrating than launching an app only to discover that an important new update has been released that fixes a problem I’ve had or adds a feature I’ve been waiting for.
CleanMyMac 2 is an ingeniously simple and powerful system maintenance solution to get extra space and keep your Mac clean and well-organized.
Besides cleaning your hard drive of outdated cache files, system logs, language files and other unneeded data, CleanMyMac 2 also reduces the size of iPhoto libraries, helps find and delete large files and folders which haven’t been used for an extended period of time, correctly uninstalls applications, and so much more — reclaiming your Mac’s valuable hard drive space and keeping it running at peak efficiency.
CleanMyMac 2 is the simplest, safest, and most effective way to clean your Mac. Try it today for free.
Instead of notes, scales and chords, we’re talking about fretting hand position, picking hand positions, strap-height, stance and how you hold your head, neck and shoulders. All of these things affect what you can do on the guitar.
Great video by Alex Vollmer about how we interact with our guitar. There is a preview video available — you can buy the full video for $5.
I use Google Calendar, Apple’s Calendar app, and Fantastical to manage my schedule. In general, my calendaring is in the best shape it’s ever been in: My colleagues can see my free and busy times, and schedule me for meetings, and we can even reserve our office’s conference rooms, all using the same system.
And yet it all feels a bit pedestrian, like I’m really just using a computerized, networked version of a paper calendar. What’s missing are features that could turn my calendar into something more like a personal assistant.
Jason Snell brings up a lot of solid points about how digital calendaring in its current form really comes up short in a lot of ways.
Ever wondered what happened to the mall in The Blues Brothers after Jake, Elwood, and all those cops drove right through it? They actually left it just the way it was, but that’s only the start of the Dixie Square Mall’s decline.
Lee approaches a heavy-set man standing outside the red awning of a Carl’s Jr. burger restaurant. The man wears glasses and a black pinstripe suit. He inspects the iPhone and offers $100. Lee takes the cash, hands over the phone and gives the signal. Four officers swoop in and place the man in handcuffs, notching another arrest in the intensifying cat-and-mouse game playing out here and in other major American cities between law enforcement and criminals looking to profit from the burgeoning trade in stolen mobile devices.
Interesting look at how people on the street are buying and selling stolen iPhones, and how the cops are trying to stop them.
Notness is a modern, fast and easy to use Multiple Sclerosis diary App for iPhone and iPod Touch. Noteness is tailored to the requirements of a MS-Diary and goes without unnecessary gimmicks.
The app was written by Martin Hartl, a 21-year-old from Germany, who suffers from MS.
With Google Reader closing down, it’s nice to see Reeder adding support for some new services. I have a Feedbin account and tried it out earlier today — it worked great.
I’d like to thank the fine folks at AskingPoint for sponsoring The Loop’s RSS feed this week.
AskingPoint includes “Rating Booster,” the smart rating widget that uses your analytics to ask only your best users to rate your Apps. Proven to increase sales dramatically!
I’m happy to announce that I’ve sold a majority stake in Instapaper to Betaworks. We’ve structured the deal with Instapaper’s health and longevity as the top priority, with incentives to keep it going well into the future. I will continue advising the project indefinitely, while Betaworks will take over its operations, expand its staff, and develop it further.
Daniel Jalkut offers some tips on how Apple can improve WWDC so it benefits all developers. While I don’t disagree with the premise, I still think holding the conference is important for developers and Apple.
AltWWDC is an alternative conference for Apple developers and designers, held alongside Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference in San Francisco, California. This free 5-day event takes place June 10-14, 2013 and includes talks, lunch, and co-working space, available first-come, first-serve every day. Confirmed speakers are Mike Lee, Victor Agreda, Jr., Brett Terpstra, Brent Simmons, Saul Mora, and Steve “Scotty” Scott.
You have to love developers and the things they do for the community.
I saw Bill Gurley say that you can only make money by being right about something that most people think is wrong. His logic was that you can’t make money by being wrong. And you can’t make money by being right about something everyone else knows. So you have to be right about something that most people think is wrong.
It’s been a few years since I recorded my last solo album, “Notes On a Dream”. The inspiration has been flowing ever since and I’m now ready to set forth in recording my orchestral piece, Explorations, as well as my solo piano album, Explores. You know that I am not one to sit back and drive on the traditional path so we are going to explore some cutting edge technology options.
I’ve known Jordan for a number of years and besides being a great guy, he is one of the most talented musicians I’ve come across. Jordan continues to push the boundaries of music, which is a great thing for us all. Check out his new project.
