This latest beta sounds pretty great. Content Search You can now use Mac Finder to quickly search the content of indexed files within mounted folders on your Synology NAS. Even the little bits are huge improvements. Like this little note about synchronizing with Google Drive: You can now convert Google Docs to Microsoft Office or jpeg formats in download-only tasks to keep an offline backup copy. I love this little computer more every year.

These were conincidentally back to back in my pinboard reading list. Imposter Syndrome or Not by John Scalzi Also also, with respect to novels and fiction, I had been a professional writer for fifteen years before my first novel was published, so I had a decade and a half (not to mention several non-fiction books published prior to Old Man’s War) to get used to the idea that writing was a thing I could do.

Vulture has been creating some interesting reading material lately. The 100 Jokes That Shaped Modern Comedy is delightful not for some laughs but becuase it’s interesting to see how culture and sense of humor changes over time. What a great compilation.

The latest TaskPaper beta is coming along nicely. The new date formatting for filters is a welcome addition. It’s a nice combination of natural language and modifiers. To filter on tasks starting in the next 7 days @done <=[d] next week +7d does the trick. You can read more about it in the draft support documentation There’s also a new scripting guide available. Unfortunately, saved searches are broken in this beta.

Every Lego lego is my favorite movie spoof. They have clever writers that feel like true super fans. The upcoming Force Awakens Lego game looks like it will be another chuckle-filled blast. Just watch the preview below which is basically a shot for shot of the movie trailer.

HazeOver is a Mac app that dynamically dims all background windows. It feels a bit odd at first, but for most work it’s a pleasant alternative to fullscreen apps. With just a bit of dimming I can still see my browser in the background or other Finder windows, but it’s easy on the eyes. HazeHover is simple but not without control. Hot keys and opacity sliders are nice options. I can turn off the effect with a hotkey or visit to my meny bar.

My cohost is cruising for a new task manager so we discuss 2Do for Mac and iOS on the latest Nerds on Draft episode. We share a bunch of tips for using the app but also discuss general principles of managing information. We also drink a terrific Agave and Grapefruit IPA.

OmniGraffle is one of the most generally useful apps on my Mac and iOS devices. The Omni Group is dramatically improving the app through third party stencils available through their “Stenciltown.” Version 2.0 adds options to upload and bookmark stencils. Check out the embedded video below:

Doesn’t look good for anyone that depends on Fusion. They laid off their development team. I have to wonder if this means anything about the PC market. I’m no analyst but I do remember when everyone had to have VMWare or Parallels as a Mac owner. By way of Twitter

This is a pretty great list. From one of my favorite beers to a sausage club there’s something for every oddball in your life. For more Dr. Bunsen classics, see such titles as Whisky Analysis or Coffee Experiments.