2024-10 Hardware and Software Setup

Here is an update to my current setup (some have respective links to Amazon that help defray some of the hosting costs and get me more funding to purchase cool, new gear) for October. If you all have any questions about the items below, please feel free to reach out and I can provide my feedback and also create some content to share.

The changes plus the detailed hardware list are below:

Added:

Removed:

macOS Applications

iOS/iPadOS Applications

  • Podcast App - Castro
  • Camera App - Halide
  • Video Recording App - Kino - From the same folks who released Halide, Kino gives you fine-tuned controls over video.
  • Object Scanning App - Scan Thing
  • Document Scanning App - Simple Scan

iOS/iPadOS/macOS Applications

Hardware

Audio Hardware

Gaming

Storage/Bags

Stationary

Kitchen/Cooking

MISC

  • Car Error Code Scan Tool - BlueDrive OBDII Scan Tool
  • Hosting Service - Hetzner
  • Universal Remote - Sofabaton Remote
  • Cell Service - US Mobile and T-Mobile - US Mobile is now just being used for my iPads. The family and I have moved back to T-Mobile as the seamless integration of international roaming and pricing was too good to give up.

2024 September Setup

Here is an update to my current setup (some have respective links to Amazon that help defray some of the hosting costs and get me more funding to purchase cool, new gear) for September. Hopefully, by the end of the month, my Fellow Aiden will have arrived!

The changes plus the detailed hardware list are below:

Added:

Removed:

macOS Applications

iOS/iPadOS Applications

iOS/iPadOS/macOS Applications

Hardware

Audio Hardware

Gaming

Storage/Bags

Stationary

Kitchen/Cooking

MISC

2024 August Setup

Here is an update to my current setup (some have respective links to Amazon that help defray some of the hosting costs and get me more funding to purchase cool, new gear) for August.

The changes plus the detailed hardware list are below:

Added:

Removed:

macOS Applications

iOS/iPadOS Applications

  • Podcast App - Castro
  • Camera App - Halide
  • Video Recording App - Kino - From the same folks who released Halide, Kino gives you fine-tuned controls over video.
  • Object Scanning App - Scan Thing
  • Document Scanning App - Simple Scan

iOS/iPadOS/macOS Applications

Hardware

Audio Hardware

Gaming

Storage/Bags

Stationary

Kitchen/Cooking

MISC

  • Car Error Code Scan Tool - BlueDrive OBDII Scan Tool
  • Hosting Service - Hetzner
  • Universal Remote - Sofabaton Remote
  • Cell Service - US Mobile - Being able to move between ATT, T-Mobile, and Verizon is very helpful when I travel for work and a specific carrier is stronger than the other.

Reclaim Your Focus: A Simple Trick to Stop Disruptive App Review Requests

Are you tired of those pesky review prompts popping up every time you update an app? I get it - they can be incredibly disruptive when you're trying to use your device. While app reviews are valuable for developers and users alike, constantly being asked to rate apps can quickly become annoying. Fortunately, there's a simple way to put an end to these interruptions once and for all.

[youtube.com/live/ki4k...](https://youtube.com/live/ki4kQ0TEDdg)

Let's walk through the process of disabling those bothersome review requests on your iOS device:

Accessing Your Settings

First things first, you'll need to open up your device's Settings app. There are a couple of ways to do this:

  • Locate the Settings icon on your home screen and tap it.
  • Use the Spotlight search feature by swiping down on your home screen and typing "Settings" in the search bar.

Navigating to the App Store Settings

Once you're in the Settings app, follow these steps:

  • Scroll down until you find "App Store" in the list of options.
  • Tap on "App Store" to access its specific settings.

Turning Off In-App Ratings and Reviews

Now, here's where the magic happens:

  • Look for the option labeled "In-App Ratings & Reviews."
  • You'll see a toggle switch next to this option.
  • If the switch is green (on), tap it to turn it off.

And just like that, you've successfully disabled those pesky review prompts! From now on, you won't be interrupted by requests to rate or review apps after updates or during regular use.

Why This Matters

By turning off these prompts, you're reclaiming valuable time and attention. We all know how precious our focus can be, especially when using our devices for important tasks or simply trying to enjoy our favorite apps without interruption.

A Gentle Reminder

While it's great to eliminate unwanted distractions, it's worth remembering the value of app reviews. If you genuinely enjoy an app and find it useful, consider taking a moment to leave a review on your own terms. Your feedback can help other users discover great apps and provide valuable insights to developers.

The Power of Choice

What's fantastic about this feature is that it puts you in control. You decide when and if you want to leave reviews, rather than having prompts dictate those moments for you. It's all about creating a more seamless and enjoyable user experience on your iOS device.

By following these simple steps, you've taken a small but significant step towards a more personalized and interruption-free mobile experience. Now you can focus on what really matters - using and enjoying your apps without those pesky review prompts getting in the way.

Remember, technology should work for us, not the other way around. Taking control of these small details can make a big difference in how we interact with our devices daily. So go ahead, disable those prompts, and enjoy your newfound peace of mind!

2024 July Setup

Here is an update to my current setup (some have respective links to Amazon that help defray some of the hosting costs and get me more funding to purchase cool, new gear to review) for July.

The changes plus the detailed hardware list are below:

Added:

Removed:

macOS Applications

iOS/iPadOS Applications

  • Podcast App - Castro
  • Camera App - Halide
  • Video Recording App - Kino - From the same folks who released Halide, Kino gives you fine-tuned controls over video capture.
  • Object Scanning App - Scan Thing
  • Document Scanning App - Simple Scan

iOS/iPadOS/macOS Applications

Hardware

Audio Hardware

Gaming

Storage/Bags

Stationary

Kitchen/Cooking

MISC

2024 June Setup

Here is an update of my current setup (some have respective links to Amazon that help defray some of the hosting costs and get me more funding to purchase cool, new gear) for June. I also utilized an AI generated featured image as a lot of changes for the next month will be tied to things like Perplexity and ChatGPT (we can also not forget the Apple WWDC lion in the room with the keynote happening on the 10th of June):

The changes plus the detailed hardware list are below:

Added:

Removed:

  • HP Color LaserJet Pro M254dw - This device has finally been retired as the Epson Inkjet printer was more reliable in my family's daily use. It has had a long life and was a great purchase in 2020.

macOS Applications

iOS/iPadOS Applications

  • Podcast App - Castro - I am testing Pocket Casts, too, as it seems stable and I can configure it to function similarly to Castro.
  • Camera App - Halide
  • Object Scanning App - Scan Thing
  • Document Scanning App - Simple Scan

iOS/iPadOS/macOS Applications

  • Password Manager - 1Password
  • Package Tracking App - Parcel
  • Calendar App - Calendar.app
  • Recipe Manager - Mela
  • RSS Reader - Reeder connected to FreshRSS.
  • Read Later Application - Goodlink
  • Email Application - Mail.app
  • Note-Taking App - Drafts - If a more complex workflow is needed for the note I took, it resides in drafts.
  • Mastodon Application - Ivory
  • Social Media - Threads

Hardware

Gaming

Storage/Bags

Stationary

Kitchen/Cooking

MISC

2024 May Setup

Here is an update of my current setup (some have respective links to Amazon, that help defray some of the hosting costs and get me more play money to purchase cool, new gear) for May.

The change list is below:

  • Removed
    • Fujifilm X-H2s
  • Added
    • Hetzner Hosting
    • Elgato Key Light Neo
    • Elgato Wave Neo
    • Elgato Stream Deck Neo

macOS Applications

iOS/iPadOS Applications

  • Podcast App - Castro - Testing Pocket Casts to see if it is a possible alternative (I still am a lifetime member from way back when it was a one-time purchase application).
  • Camera App - Halide
  • Scanning App - Scan Thing
  • Document Scanning App - Simple Scan

iOS/iPadOS/macOS Applications

  • Password Manager - 1Password
  • Package Tracking App - Parcel
  • Calendar App - Calendar.app
  • Recipe Manager - Mela
  • RSS Reader - Reeder connected to FreshRSS.
  • Read Later Application - Goodlink
  • Email Application - Mail.app
  • Note-Taking App - Drafts - If a more complex workflow is needed for the note I took, it resides in drafts.
  • Mastodon Application - Ivory
  • Social Media - Threads

Hardware

Gaming

Stationary

MISC

2024 April Setup

Here is an update of my current setup (some have respective links to Amazon, that help defray some of the hosting costs and get me more play money to purchase cool, new gear) for April. The change list is below:

  • Changed layout of list
  • Added UGREEN Steam Deck Dock
  • Added Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station
  • Added Steam Deck
  • Added Vehicle Diagnostic Tool (Lemur Vehicle Monitor)
  • Added Analogue Pocket

macOS Applications

iOS/iPadOS Applications

iOS/iPadOS/macOS Applications

  • Password Manager - 1Password
  • Package Tracking App - Parcel
  • Calendar App - Calendar.app
  • Recipe Manager - Mela
  • RSS Reader - Reeder connected to FreshRSS.
  • Read Later Application - Goodlink
  • Email Application - Mail.app
  • Note-Taking App - Drafts - If a more complex workflow is needed for the note I took, it resides in drafts.
  • Mastodon Application - Ivory - After moving most of my social media presence to Mastodon and Facebook, Ivory has become my go-to application on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.
  • Social Media - Threads

Hardware

Gaming

Stationary

MISC

2024 March Setup

Here is an update of my current load-out (some have respective links to Amazon, that help defray some of the hosting costs and get me more play money to purchase cool, new gear) for March. The change list is below:

  • Prompt 3 added as my terminal application (removed Terminal.app)
  • Simple Scan added as my document scanning application (removed Notes.app)

macOS

iOS / iPadOS

  • Podcast App - With Castro now under new ownership, this is tentatively my primary podcast listening application. We will see what the future holds...
  • Camera App - Halide
  • Scanning App - Scan Thing
  • Document Scanning App - Simple Scan

iOS and macOS

  • Password Manager - 1Password
  • Package Tracking App - Parcel - Great application that has been very useful when I was tracking shipments I have been sending out for a few projects I have been working on.
  • Calendar App - Calendar.app
  • Recipe Manager - Mela
  • RSS Reader - Reeder connected to FreshRSS.
  • Read Later Application - Goodlink
  • Email Application - Mail.app
  • Note-Taking App - Drafts - If a more complex workflow is needed for the note I took, it resides in drafts.
  • Mastodon Application - Ivory - After moving most of my social media presence to Mastodon and Facebook, Ivory has become my go-to application on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.
  • Social Media - Threads

Hardware

MISC