Mini'app'les

Mini’app’les Topic Meeting, Tuesday February 21 at 6:00 p.m.

February 15, 2023 by Peter Bockenhauer

A grid of iOS app icons including Evernote, OneNote, Notion, Apple Notes, Craft and many more.

Note-taking Apps

*** Please note: This meeting will be online only. ***

Apple Notes, Evernote, OneNote, Craft, Obsidian, Notion, DEVONthink. There are many note-taking apps to choose from these days and each has their own special features and capabilities.

Several group members will share which note-taking app (or apps!) that they go to and explain why they chose that app and what kind of notes they are taking.

DATE

Tuesday, February 21

TIME

6:00 - 8:00 PM

ONLINE

Zoom conference room
Please email [email protected] to request the meeting link or RSVP on Meetup and it will become visible.

Category: Meeting Announcements

Mac mini M2: The Little Mac That Could

January 31, 2023 by Peter Tatikian

Comparing the front of the 2022 M2 Mac mini stacked on top of a Late 2014 Mac mini — 2023 M2 Mac mini on top and Late 2014 Mac mini on bottom

Comparing the back ports of the 2022 M2 Mac mini stacked on top of a Late 2014 Mac mini — 2023 M2 Mac mini on top and Late 2014 Mac mini on bottom

Mac users tend to forget about the Mac mini. It’s not a laptop, which limits its audience. It isn’t the new hotness like the Mac Studio, as elegant as the iMac, or as seriously pro-level as the Mac Pro.[1]

And for years, it looked like Apple had forgotten it too. Over the past decade the Mini was often the last to get speed bumps and hardware upgrades. Then with the release of the M1 processor, Apple remembered it still offered the little computer. Mini was first(?) out the door with Apple’s new processor, showing off how much of a leap forward the new custom processor was over the previous Intel chips.

Now it’s been upgraded to the new M2 chip with your choice of the base processor or the M2 Pro. The most basic model, offering 8GB of unified memory[2] and 256GB of SSD storage at $599, is the MacBook Air of desktops, while the M2 Pro model comes with 16GB of shared memory and 512GB of SSD storage. The secret of the Mac mini is its versatility; the base model is an excellent daily-use computer, while the maxed-out model competes with the M1 Max Mac Studio.[3] You can also bump up the memory and storage if you customize your order.

There are a few caveats. It’s still just a little pizza box[4] with no keyboard, mouse, monitor, webcam, or anything else. If you are upgrading from an earlier Mac mini, you’re good; if not, you’ll have to buy these items separately. You also can’t upgrade the memory or storage after purchase; this isn’t new but different from Intel Mac minis. There are still no ports on the front.

The M2 Mac mini is a solid upgrade if you’re using an Intel Mac mini; you will notice the speed difference.[5] It’s less compelling if you already have an M1 model. In almost every configuration, the M2 Mac mini is a good value; any new Apple computer that costs less than a new snow blower is a win in my book.

Category: MacTag: M2, Mac, Mac mini

Mini’app’les Social and Q&A Meeting, Tuesday February 7 at 7:00 p.m.

January 30, 2023 by Peter Bockenhauer

Come join us for a virtual social and Q&A meeting! There is no set topic and you can come and go as you want. You can also bring any questions or problems you have that you’ve been wrestling with.

DATE

Tuesday, February 7

TIME

7:00 - 8:00 PM

ONLINE

Zoom conference room
Please email [email protected] to request the meeting link or RSVP on Meetup and it will become visible.

Request Access Link

Category: Meeting Announcements

Mini’app’les Topic Meeting – January 17 – Notes & Links

January 21, 2023 by Peter Bockenhauer

A table full of every day carry items like a MacBook, headphones, iPhone, watch, tripod, mouse, iPad, and pens.

EDC (Everyday Carry) & Day Trip Carry Items

Peter T.

Otterbox Commuter Series Sleek & Tough Phone Cases
Black Diamon Equipment - Hiking Headlamp | Rechargeable Headlamps Equipment
OontZ Bluetooth Speakers
Clif Bar - Cool Mint Chocolate
Topo Designs Daypack | Recycled Laptop Backpack
- Was made in USA
- Lifetime warranty
- Recycled nylon
- Looks like a 1970’s old-school backpack (green with red trim looks a lot like some of the daypack on the original Land of the Lost television series, which is where I get all my fashion advice)
Field Notes | Memo Books, Notebooks, Journals & Planners
Ugmonk Analog Notecards
Yaktrax Walk Traction Device
Nalgnee Ultralite HPDE 16oz Narrow Mouth Bottle
Cub tub

Jeff

My EDC writing tools are the X-701 Retractable Ballpoint, a Koh-i-Noor Mechanical Hardtmuth Lead Holder and a Sherpa Classic Midnight Black Pen/Sharpie Marker Cover - Sherpa Pen in a Hide & Drink Leather Pocket Protector.
The knife I most often carry is the Maker Knife by Giaco Whatever/Placed Atoms. Unfortunately, the Maker Knife is in limited production and is hard to get. Readily available, budget-friendly alternatives include the Gerber EAB Lite and Milwaukee FASTBACK™ Compact Folding Utility Knife. I use Cool Hand Ceramic Utility Blades in all of my EDC utility knives. (I wrote about these knives and more in The Unsung Heroes of EDC | Reddit.)
My favorite knife for fooling around on Boats (or for working with cordage) is the David Boye Cobalt Folding Boat Knife. If you're in the market for something a bit less artisanal, the Camillus 6.5 Ti Folding Rigging Knife is affordable, very serviceable, and features a locking spike.
My current favorite large folding knife is The Seax by Emerson Knives, Inc. Made in the USA. Kershaw manufacturers smaller, less expensive (imported) versions of Emerson designs like the Kershaw 6014TBLK Emerson Designed CQC-3K Knife.
My favorite pocket pliers are the KNIPEX Cobra® XS Water Pump Pliers | Knipex The handles of mine are covered with a Single Strand French Hitch.
Though it isn't my favorite marlin spike, I often travel with the Knotters Tool II by Jig Pro Shop.
My multitool kit includes a Leatherman Charge + TTI, Bit Kit, and Bit Driver Extender. There's also a Ti Survival Titanium Marlin Spike and Fenix LD02 Flashlight in the Skinth Solutions L Shield belt case.
I neglected to mention that the band for my Apple Watch is also a multitool, the Leatherman Tread.
The headlamp I carry in my EDC kit is an earlier version of the e+LITE® - Ultra-compact-headlamps | Petzl USA.
The wallet I'm carrying is a knockoff of the bespoke Ridge Wallet. Mine accommodates an AirTag. The link is to a model nearly identical to mine — the closest that I could find. Search around for the best deal on similar products. (I really dig the versions that have a clear window on the back for your work ID-badge.)
My car key fob hangs from a Titanium Quick Draw Belt Clip. I often attach a Nitecore TINI2 flashlight to that clip too.
My go to rucksack is the GoRuck Echo, which is now renamed the GR0. Mine has been modified with a Quick Release Paracord Handle Wrap and a Soft Shackle (Stronger).
A Maxpedition Micro Pocket Organizer serves as my everyday tech pouch. My larger travel tech kit rides in the Peak Design Tech Pouch I use the Maxpedition Gear Tactical Travel Tray as a landing pad for my stuff in hotel rooms.

Tim

Peter B.

Joe

REI Co-op Flash 18 Pack | REI Co-op

Bob

Category: Meeting Notes & Links

Mini’app’les Topic Meeting, Tuesday January 17 at 6:00 p.m.

January 11, 2023 by Peter Bockenhauer

EDC (Everyday Carry) & Day Trip Carry Items

*** Please note: This meeting will be both in-person and online. ***

EDC or "Everyday Carry" is a collection of useful items that are consistently carried with you every day. This can be what you bring with you every day workday or every weekend or even on a vacation. It can consist of items you bring for yourself for your job like a USB stick, a camera, adapters, etc. Or for your family for a trip like extra charging cables or battery packs. Or as simple as going out to run some errands. What do you throw in your pockets or bag that you think you'll need?

Several members will share their everyday carry items and everyone is welcome to do the same.

DATE

Tuesday, January 17

TIME

6:00 - 8:00 PM

IN-PERSON

Southdale Library (2nd Floor Conference Room)
7001 York Ave S, Edina, MN 55435
Google Maps / Apple Maps

ONLINE

Zoom conference room
Please email [email protected] to request the meeting link or RSVP on Meetup and it will become visible.

Category: Meeting Announcements