Updated August 30, 2024. I’m back in Endor Studios and have mostly recovered from my cold. My voice sounds much better, which means I can hop back on the production train.

Productivity Summer Camp Progress

The Productivity Summer Camp has gone really well. We’re having our fourth call next week, and as some students head off to school, we’ll figure out what that means for the group’s future. This was an experiment for me, and it went better than I could have expected.

Projects

There are always more. Please don’t ask me for release dates or details. I’m still figuring all that out myself.

• The new edition of the Shortcuts for iPhone/iPad Field Guide is in production. All new. Shot from scratch. So much new to share on that one. With my voice recovered and the other bits in place. This is a focus for me now.
• I’m also working on a new edition of the Productivity Field Guide. I’ve learned so much in the last year, and I’m pouring all that back into the update.
• The Podcasts (Mac Power Users, Automators, and Focused) are all humming along. Moving production into Notion worked out way better than I expected it would.
• I’m putting out lots of great content for MacSparky Labs. Now I’m thinking of adding a book club.
• In the woodshop, I’m working on a Japanese-inspired bookcase made of interlocking Walnut boards. They’re milled flat and square. The big pieces are marked. I’ll be taking saws and chisels to them in September when all my travel is over and things settle down.
• I’m continuing to experiment with AI and LLMs. I want to find where this stuff is useful for my audience. I’m particularly interested in Apple’s approach (of course) since they seem to be coming at the whole thing from a different direction.
• I want to make more content for YouTube. I’ve released hundreds of private videos to the MacSparky Labs members. It’s time I put some of that experience to work on public videos.

The Last Media That Brought Me Joy

Perfect Days. The story of a man who mindfully cleans toilets in a sometimes confusing world. Exactly my cup of tea. I’m trying to figure out if this is the great movie I think it is, or I’m just a weirdo.

Latest Lesson Learned

Marketing doesn’t have to be terrible. I’ve always shied away from the marketing bit of what I do here. Billy Broas’s book, Simple Marketing for Smart People has me thinking differently about it. I’m not sure what that means … yet.

Current Obsession

Still Plotter stationery. I continue to experiment with this lovely Japanese ring-based binder. Orders have been placed. Products have been purchased. The 2mm grid paper is my favorite … I think.

Current Kryptonite

Star Wars Outlaws. An open-world Star Wars game could be trouble for me. I’m keeping my distance.

Hat tip to Derek Sivers for the idea of this “Now” page. I’m terrible at social media, but this page gives me a place to check in with the world and update you, as Derek recommends, like I would when catching up with an old friend.