The earliest photo I have of me at a computer. Circa 1997!

The earliest photo I have of me at a computer. Circa 1997!
The newer Apple laptops have the Function key pulling double duty as a “π Globe key”. This must be mapped to the emoji picker by default, because it would randomly appear on my screen whenever I accidently hit the key by itself. I wanted a way to be able to re-map this key to anything I wanted. Here are the two simple steps to get this done. Note that this requires Keyboard Maestro.
Create a macro and set the Trigger to Hot Key Trigger. Press the π icon. The UI inserts a question mark, but it does actually work.
I am using Raycast as my Spotlight replacement these days. I couldn’t map π directly in Raycast, so I left it as β+Space and then the KM macro types β+Space when triggered.
That’s it! You now have a single keystroke that still works as a Fn key when held.
I had to share my Wordle solve today. It’s perfectly U-shaped!
Wordle 383 4/6*
π©β¬β¬β¬π©
π©β¬β¬β¬π©
π©β¬β¬β¬π©
π©π©π©π©π©
I got my first Solo Loop Apple Watch band today. It feels so different than the Sport Band I’ve had since I got my watch. It doesn’t even feel like I’m wearing a watch anymore, I love it!
I am having fun building a small electronics workbench in my basement. Here I used some left-over 3D printed clips for PVC pipe to build a wire spool holder.
I got my first electric toothbrush and was blown away at how forceful it is. Not in a bad way, and I don’t know what I was expecting, but it definitely surprised me! πͺ₯
Making some popcorn at the local movie theatre tonight. I love this old Manley machine! π¦π¦
I avoided all of the WWDC rumors that I could over the last couple of weeks; I wanted to try to enter the keynote with no expectations. Not entirely sure how I feel about everything that was (or wasn’t) discussed yet, though. Still soaking it all in. Macbook Air looks great!
I just filled my coffee pot up for the morning. And then hit the “On” button instead of the “Schedule” button. They are right next to each other, it was bound to happen eventually! β
Last month Apple announced the end of the iPod. I thought it might be fun to document my history with the product.
–
I got my first iPod in March 2005. I believe I bought mine at Best Buy on a weekend trip 350 miles away from home.
I was listening to a lot of podcasts in those early days and had to use “podcatcher” software because iTunes didn’t support podcasts yet. That changed later that year when iTunes 4.9 added podcasts and the rest is history.
I visited that same Best Buy a couple years later when the iPod Touch was released. I remember checking their website and they said they had them in stock, but when I got to the store I couldn’t find them. I finally asked and they were still in the back, they went and got one for me.
The iPod Touch was so much fun back then. The iPhone wasn’t “in” Montana back then (no joke) and so the Touch was as close as I could get. I remember jailbreaking the thing, and even hanging out in IRC chatrooms trying to troubleshoot my jailbreak attempts. :-D
This past winter I spent ~$100 on new parts to revive my old 4th gen iPod. It now has new life with a fresh battery and an SD card in place of the 20GB spinning hard drive. It’s hard to believe a piece of consumer technology from 17 years ago is still alive and well.
I love iPod. It was one of my first adventures into a lifetime of technology.
Day31: endurance
I bought an exercise bike last month to try to build some endurance. It made me realize how out of shape I am! #mbmay
Day 30: fish
Only fish I could find today. From our βartβ door to our pantry. #mbmay
Day 29: stripes
One room in our basement is wood paneling. Maybe if we wait long enough it will come back into style? π #mbmay
Day 28: fair
This horse carousel reminds me of a county fair. #mbmay
Day 27: written
One of my favorite albums, Happy Endings from Old Dominion. #mbmay
Day 26: schedule
Some Schedule 40 pipe from my garage. I just realized I have no idea why they use the word βscheduleβ. #mbmay
Day 25: mountain
As a teenager I was addicted to Mountain Dew. Collected so many boxes I built an igloo! π€¦π»ββοΈ #mbmay
Day 24: intricate
I have a Rowe jukebox that came with the original manual. I love how intricate the diagrams are! #mbmay
Day 23: plain
Taken a few years ago. I love the plains. #mbmay
Day 22: textile
Cool blanket in the sun I found today. #mbmay
Day 21: symmetry
T for Trevor. #mbmay
Day 20: beverage
Coffee is my worst addiction. #mbmay
Day 19: indulgence
I canβt open a sleeve of saltine crackers with eating them all. #mbmay
Day 18: random
A little Random-Access Memory for todayβs photo. #mbmay
Day 17: hold
My bike riding has been on hold this Spring. Just got the new tubes I ordered today. Canβt wait! #mbmay