Rob Griffiths
@robservatory.bsky.social
I’ve been quiet here for quite a few months—what can I say, life happened, including an epic 7,200+ mile, 23 state, and two countries in three weeks road trip.
I’ll have more to say about the trip in the future, but first up, our photos from the places we visited:
robservatory.com/postimages/_...
I’ll have more to say about the trip in the future, but first up, our photos from the places we visited:
robservatory.com/postimages/_...
August 31, 2025 at 7:19 PM
I’ve been quiet here for quite a few months—what can I say, life happened, including an epic 7,200+ mile, 23 state, and two countries in three weeks road trip.
I’ll have more to say about the trip in the future, but first up, our photos from the places we visited:
robservatory.com/postimages/_...
I’ll have more to say about the trip in the future, but first up, our photos from the places we visited:
robservatory.com/postimages/_...
Moom 4.3 is out with some new features, bug fixes, and workarounds for a number of apps.
One new feature: Use the Move to Edge or Corner action to either move to an edge without centering (the old behavior) or move to an edge while centering.
manytricks.com/blog/?p=6589
One new feature: Use the Move to Edge or Corner action to either move to an edge without centering (the old behavior) or move to an edge while centering.
manytricks.com/blog/?p=6589
Moom 4.3 is out · Tales of a Running Bird
manytricks.com
August 29, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Moom 4.3 is out with some new features, bug fixes, and workarounds for a number of apps.
One new feature: Use the Move to Edge or Corner action to either move to an edge without centering (the old behavior) or move to an edge while centering.
manytricks.com/blog/?p=6589
One new feature: Use the Move to Edge or Corner action to either move to an edge without centering (the old behavior) or move to an edge while centering.
manytricks.com/blog/?p=6589
Moom 4.2 adds app launching to saved layouts. Combine that with macOS' ability to restore windows, and it's one click from a blank screen to organized windows in multiple apps.
There are some other nice changes, too…
manytricks.com/blog/?p=6574
There are some other nice changes, too…
manytricks.com/blog/?p=6574
May 13, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Moom 4.2 adds app launching to saved layouts. Combine that with macOS' ability to restore windows, and it's one click from a blank screen to organized windows in multiple apps.
There are some other nice changes, too…
manytricks.com/blog/?p=6574
There are some other nice changes, too…
manytricks.com/blog/?p=6574
Even with antialiasing disabled, Terminal smooths fonts aggressively (top image). To fix, run in Terminal and relaunch:
defaults write com.apple.Terminal AppleFontSmoothing -int 0
Much crisper, though there is still low-level anti-aliasing so it looks good (to my eye, at least).
defaults write com.apple.Terminal AppleFontSmoothing -int 0
Much crisper, though there is still low-level anti-aliasing so it looks good (to my eye, at least).
April 2, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Even with antialiasing disabled, Terminal smooths fonts aggressively (top image). To fix, run in Terminal and relaunch:
defaults write com.apple.Terminal AppleFontSmoothing -int 0
Much crisper, though there is still low-level anti-aliasing so it looks good (to my eye, at least).
defaults write com.apple.Terminal AppleFontSmoothing -int 0
Much crisper, though there is still low-level anti-aliasing so it looks good (to my eye, at least).
Without reading the linked blog post, who knows what built-in macOS app I used to create this launcher? I had no idea it existed until yesterday, and yet it's been in the OS since macOS 10.15 (Catalina).
It can do a lot more than launch apps, too.
robservatory.com/create-macos...
It can do a lot more than launch apps, too.
robservatory.com/create-macos...
February 15, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Without reading the linked blog post, who knows what built-in macOS app I used to create this launcher? I had no idea it existed until yesterday, and yet it's been in the OS since macOS 10.15 (Catalina).
It can do a lot more than launch apps, too.
robservatory.com/create-macos...
It can do a lot more than launch apps, too.
robservatory.com/create-macos...
We released updates to Desktop Curtain and Time Sink today–the first updates in many years. Not because they were abandoned, but because they just kept on working.
Biggest news is rewritten in-app help, now online as well.
manytricks.com/blog/?p=6545
Biggest news is rewritten in-app help, now online as well.
manytricks.com/blog/?p=6545
Desktop Curtain and Time Sink updated · Tales of a Running Bird
manytricks.com
February 12, 2025 at 8:53 PM
We released updates to Desktop Curtain and Time Sink today–the first updates in many years. Not because they were abandoned, but because they just kept on working.
Biggest news is rewritten in-app help, now online as well.
manytricks.com/blog/?p=6545
Biggest news is rewritten in-app help, now online as well.
manytricks.com/blog/?p=6545
I am not a Shortcuts user at all. (I use Keyboard Maestro for anything I want to automate on my Mac.) But I'm trying to help a user with a question, and I don't understand why this Shortcut doesn't do anything.
I think I've tried all possible inputs, but still, nothing. Help?
I think I've tried all possible inputs, but still, nothing. Help?
February 11, 2025 at 3:16 AM
I am not a Shortcuts user at all. (I use Keyboard Maestro for anything I want to automate on my Mac.) But I'm trying to help a user with a question, and I don't understand why this Shortcut doesn't do anything.
I think I've tried all possible inputs, but still, nothing. Help?
I think I've tried all possible inputs, but still, nothing. Help?
Hey @9to5mac.com: Thanks for the great article on Moom today! However, one note for @benlovejoy.bsky.social: The pricing bit at the end is somewhat wrong.
After a year, it's not a major new version, but the possibility of optional paid updates. Full details:
manytricks.com/blog/?p=5465
After a year, it's not a major new version, but the possibility of optional paid updates. Full details:
manytricks.com/blog/?p=5465
Switching to an evolutionary app update model · Tales of a Running Bird
manytricks.com
January 28, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Hey @9to5mac.com: Thanks for the great article on Moom today! However, one note for @benlovejoy.bsky.social: The pricing bit at the end is somewhat wrong.
After a year, it's not a major new version, but the possibility of optional paid updates. Full details:
manytricks.com/blog/?p=5465
After a year, it's not a major new version, but the possibility of optional paid updates. Full details:
manytricks.com/blog/?p=5465
I have an AirTag in my wallet, taped into a corner. It works well, but changing the battery is a pain. I searched Amazon for AirTag wallets…and they're all designed to display the AirTag as a design feature?
Why would you make it so obvious to a thief that there's an AirTag they need to remove?
Why would you make it so obvious to a thief that there's an AirTag they need to remove?
January 8, 2025 at 6:34 PM
I have an AirTag in my wallet, taped into a corner. It works well, but changing the battery is a pain. I searched Amazon for AirTag wallets…and they're all designed to display the AirTag as a design feature?
Why would you make it so obvious to a thief that there's an AirTag they need to remove?
Why would you make it so obvious to a thief that there's an AirTag they need to remove?
Surely there's some way to disable these asinine buttons in iOS' Mail app? I'll never use them, as they don't apply to my workflow at all. I turned off Apple Intelligence, yet the buttons persist.
Gads, they're hideous.
Gads, they're hideous.
December 23, 2024 at 7:17 PM
Surely there's some way to disable these asinine buttons in iOS' Mail app? I'll never use them, as they don't apply to my workflow at all. I turned off Apple Intelligence, yet the buttons persist.
Gads, they're hideous.
Gads, they're hideous.
A friend said I should check out @macstories story on the best Mac apps of the year. I do usually read it each year, but hadn't seen it yet for 2024.
Was not expecting to see Moom as the Best Mac App—we are humbled and surprised!
www.macstories.net/stories/macs...
Was not expecting to see Moom as the Best Mac App—we are humbled and surprised!
www.macstories.net/stories/macs...
December 9, 2024 at 5:04 PM
A friend said I should check out @macstories story on the best Mac apps of the year. I do usually read it each year, but hadn't seen it yet for 2024.
Was not expecting to see Moom as the Best Mac App—we are humbled and surprised!
www.macstories.net/stories/macs...
Was not expecting to see Moom as the Best Mac App—we are humbled and surprised!
www.macstories.net/stories/macs...
I was filling in a Nielsen Research survey on the web, from a URL they'd sent in the mail. It included the attached question.
A web form.
On the internet.
Asking me if I have access to the internet.
"I just don't understand it … 100% of our respondents have internet access. That's incredible!"
A web form.
On the internet.
Asking me if I have access to the internet.
"I just don't understand it … 100% of our respondents have internet access. That's incredible!"
November 27, 2024 at 5:13 PM
I was filling in a Nielsen Research survey on the web, from a URL they'd sent in the mail. It included the attached question.
A web form.
On the internet.
Asking me if I have access to the internet.
"I just don't understand it … 100% of our respondents have internet access. That's incredible!"
A web form.
On the internet.
Asking me if I have access to the internet.
"I just don't understand it … 100% of our respondents have internet access. That's incredible!"
Moom 4.1 is out, with two oft-requested new features: Your assigned keyboard shortcuts now show up in Settings’ sidebar, and drop zones can be activated by dragging a window while holding down a modifier key. We also squashed a few bugs.
manytricks.com/blog/?p=6448...
manytricks.com/blog/?p=6448...
August 28, 2024 at 2:34 PM
Moom 4.1 is out, with two oft-requested new features: Your assigned keyboard shortcuts now show up in Settings’ sidebar, and drop zones can be activated by dragging a window while holding down a modifier key. We also squashed a few bugs.
manytricks.com/blog/?p=6448...
manytricks.com/blog/?p=6448...
Today: Moom 4 is out!
In addition to what you've seen here the last few days, layouts can be applied to any open windows, you can navigate all custom actions via an onscreen menu, new help (which is online, too!), and oh so much more.
manytricks.com/blog/?p=6385
In addition to what you've seen here the last few days, layouts can be applied to any open windows, you can navigate all custom actions via an onscreen menu, new help (which is online, too!), and oh so much more.
manytricks.com/blog/?p=6385
Announcing Moom 4, the next-generation window manager · Tales of a Running Bird
manytricks.com
August 21, 2024 at 1:21 PM
Today: Moom 4 is out!
In addition to what you've seen here the last few days, layouts can be applied to any open windows, you can navigate all custom actions via an onscreen menu, new help (which is online, too!), and oh so much more.
manytricks.com/blog/?p=6385
In addition to what you've seen here the last few days, layouts can be applied to any open windows, you can navigate all custom actions via an onscreen menu, new help (which is online, too!), and oh so much more.
manytricks.com/blog/?p=6385
1 day…
If you like what you’ve seen these last few days, you’re going to love what you’ll be able to see for yourself tomorrow!
youtu.be/BIO9Pkm46KM
If you like what you’ve seen these last few days, you’re going to love what you’ll be able to see for yourself tomorrow!
youtu.be/BIO9Pkm46KM
Dropzone
YouTube video by Many Tricks
youtu.be
August 20, 2024 at 2:04 PM
1 day…
If you like what you’ve seen these last few days, you’re going to love what you’ll be able to see for yourself tomorrow!
youtu.be/BIO9Pkm46KM
If you like what you’ve seen these last few days, you’re going to love what you’ll be able to see for yourself tomorrow!
youtu.be/BIO9Pkm46KM
Four of my posts over the next few days are me wearing my work hat :). Such posts start very shortly…
August 17, 2024 at 2:15 PM
Four of my posts over the next few days are me wearing my work hat :). Such posts start very shortly…
Doesn't Apple tell developers not to do this very thing? Even if it's allowed, I think it's completely tasteless; what a waste of my time and screen real estate.
August 14, 2024 at 4:30 PM
Doesn't Apple tell developers not to do this very thing? Even if it's allowed, I think it's completely tasteless; what a waste of my time and screen real estate.
Last year, after using one flight stick on my Macs for 24 years, I was looking for a replacement. But there didn't seem to be much out there.
So I tried a TurtleBeach VelocityOne, though it wasn't marked as Mac compatible …ㅤit's been working great for 15 months!
robservatory.com/undocumented...
So I tried a TurtleBeach VelocityOne, though it wasn't marked as Mac compatible …ㅤit's been working great for 15 months!
robservatory.com/undocumented...
August 9, 2024 at 2:14 PM
Last year, after using one flight stick on my Macs for 24 years, I was looking for a replacement. But there didn't seem to be much out there.
So I tried a TurtleBeach VelocityOne, though it wasn't marked as Mac compatible …ㅤit's been working great for 15 months!
robservatory.com/undocumented...
So I tried a TurtleBeach VelocityOne, though it wasn't marked as Mac compatible …ㅤit's been working great for 15 months!
robservatory.com/undocumented...
I’ve updated my history of macOS updates blog post for macOS 14.6. After peaking at 33 releases for macOS 11, it’s clear that Apple has slowed the pace of updates—macOS 14 may not even reach 15 releases.
Fewer updates with more stuff in each, I guess?
robservatory.com/a-full-histo...
Fewer updates with more stuff in each, I guess?
robservatory.com/a-full-histo...
August 2, 2024 at 2:43 PM
I’ve updated my history of macOS updates blog post for macOS 14.6. After peaking at 33 releases for macOS 11, it’s clear that Apple has slowed the pace of updates—macOS 14 may not even reach 15 releases.
Fewer updates with more stuff in each, I guess?
robservatory.com/a-full-histo...
Fewer updates with more stuff in each, I guess?
robservatory.com/a-full-histo...
If you're a user of our Moom app, and are curious about what the near future has in store for you, you might want to wander past our Discord channel for a glimpse into the crystal ball…
discord.com/channels/831...
discord.com/channels/831...
August 2, 2024 at 1:09 PM
If you're a user of our Moom app, and are curious about what the near future has in store for you, you might want to wander past our Discord channel for a glimpse into the crystal ball…
discord.com/channels/831...
discord.com/channels/831...
Seems a local car dealer has hired an AI chatbot to write its marketing promotional messages.
Note that it's not my birthday, and yes, we went to the car show at the Convention Center…in maybe 2016 or 2017?
Bizarre!
Note that it's not my birthday, and yes, we went to the car show at the Convention Center…in maybe 2016 or 2017?
Bizarre!
July 17, 2024 at 9:49 PM
Seems a local car dealer has hired an AI chatbot to write its marketing promotional messages.
Note that it's not my birthday, and yes, we went to the car show at the Convention Center…in maybe 2016 or 2017?
Bizarre!
Note that it's not my birthday, and yes, we went to the car show at the Convention Center…in maybe 2016 or 2017?
Bizarre!