This is a batch update about a bunch of new devices / retirements over the past 2 years or so. One thing I struggle with is the question of: when I get a new device, does it count as being part of my fleet of computers (and get a name and page on this site)? […]

For the last several years, when my laptop Aurora (and before her, Venus) is docked at my desk, I have been using an Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keyboard, and it has generally been my all-time favorite keyboard. The keys have a perfect feeling to them, with just the right amount of resistance but not too […]

Recently, I upgraded my home WiFi network to use mesh networking. My previous wireless router wasn’t bad, but I did find that speeds dropped dramatically the farther away you moved, and the network did not expand outside of the house. I really wanted a consistent speed no matter where you were in the house, and […]

Over the last few weeks, I’ve gotten a few new hard drives. First, I got a new 2TB Western Digital external hard drive to go along with my new laptop, Aurora. This hard drive is intended to be used solely as a Time Machine drive for that computer. I’ve been using Time Machine for several […]

When it comes to computer updates, nothing is quite as exciting as an entirely new computer! I’m excited to share I recently got a new primary laptop – Aurora. Aurora is a 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro. Aurora replaces Venus as my primary computer, although Venus is not being retired — she is transitioning to being […]

I’ve always liked trackpads on laptops, and that only became more true after getting a MacBook Pro. Apple is known for making great trackpads that are responsive, large, and support many intuitive gestures. The Magic Mouse is a pretty good improvement on traditional mice, but the more I’ve used the trackpad on my Mac, the […]

Over the years, I’ve developed a very elaborate — but pretty reliable — backup strategy. I keep all of my data on my file server. It backs up, offsite, automatically, to CrashPlan throughout the day. Once a month I make a backup to an external hard drive. I’ve never focused on backing up my laptop, […]

Back in 2015, when I transitioned to using a laptop as a primary computer, I also transitioned my previous desktop computer, Clementine to the role of being a file server. I felt it was a better approach to have a computer that was dedicated to being powered on all the time, with software oriented around […]

I’m a big fan of the Apple TV.  In terms of functionality, I feel like it is the superset of all streaming devices.  You can cast media to it from smartphones and tablets.  Out of the box, you can stream your own local content from a PC.  It ties into Apple’s iTunes ecosystem for movie/TV […]

Back in March 2012, I bought a third generation iPad to serve as a “family room” computer — for checking email, looking things up while watching TV, checking the weather, etc.  It served extremely well in that role — even better than I had expected!  In fact, I was so impressed by this concept of […]