Setting printer defaults in macOS CUPS

I have experienced a couple of issues printing with the Ricoh printer drivers for macOS - at one location, I simply couldn’t print, and at another, I couldn’t get it to print “two-sided” (despite the correct duplex settings). In both cases, I reverted to the standard macOS driver, i.e. “Generic PostScript Printer” or “Generic PCL Laser Printer”. This post details the steps to set printer defaults like duplex via CUPS. ...

23 May 2017

Setup a virtual macOS with Parallels Desktop Lite

If you are a developer or someone who likes to try lots of software, head over to the App Store and get Parallels Desktop Lite. It’s free for macOS and Linux guests! (Windows support is an IAP) ...

24 Apr 2017

Using Google Maps in Workflow

By now you have realized that the latest version of the Workflow App no longer has deep integration to Google Maps. That’s not too big a deal, since you can make do with the Workflow Open URLs function. Here’s how… ...

10 Apr 2017

Workflow Action to add cheap IDD call prefix

Does your service provider differentiate between standard or “premium” IDD and “budget” IDD like mine does? Typically, the standard + international call prefix will default to the premium option, but to use the the cheaper option, usually via voice-over-IP (VoIP), one has to specific a different carrier-defined prefix, e.g. 12300 (I just made this up, check with your telco). I can’t find a built-in way to do this on iOS… enter the Workflow App! ...

9 Apr 2017

Numbers has a new STOCK trick

Remember the time I waxed lyrical about using Google Sheets to track my stock portfolio? Well, it’s going to be a “standard feature” of spreadsheets soon, with the introduction of the capability to retrieve stock data with today’s update of Numbers on iOS (3.1) and macOS (4.1). ...

28 Mar 2017

Retrieving an Exchange Rate with Workflow

Here’s how to retrieve and display the latest exchange rate for two currencies with the Workflow App (though one could just use Numbers on iOS or macOS too). ...

28 Mar 2017

Scanning a Contact via QR Code using Workflow

I’ve been playing with the Workflow.is App recently, and this one is pretty cool - using Workflow to scan and generate a QR Code with Contact information. ...

27 Mar 2017

iOS Dictionary Lookup via Workflow App

I love that iOS includes the Oxford Dictionary. I dislike that iOS has not provided a simple way for me to lookup a word, unlike on macOS, which has Dictionary. Here’s the fix with the Workflow.is app! ...

26 Mar 2017

Using Workflow App to Track Travel Expenses

Apple acquired Workflow today, and Workflow is now free in the App Store! Workflow (http://workflow.is)is a powerful yet simple rule-based automation tool. One pre-built workflow is to lookup your next calendar meeting, retrieve the location if there is one, and pop up directions in Maps - all this from a single button click. If you are new to Workflow, here is a short tutorial to use Workflow to track travel expenses. ...

23 Mar 2017

Creating a macOS Sandbox to run Kodi

Since 2012, all apps on the Mac App Store must run in an app sandbox, which restricts access to system resources unless explicitly required. The secure sandbox isolates the app and defines access controls, protecting users from malicious code with undesired behaviour. Here’s how to setup a sandbox for an app downloaded from outside the Mac App Store. ...

30 Jan 2017