Blog

Hello everyone! As a lifelong web developer, I’ve always had the desire to create a native app utilizing a web stack. This ambition led me to develop the PasteBar app. My motivation came from the frustration of not finding a suitable clipboard manager that offered all the features I wanted.

So, I decided to create my own tool. PasteBar features custom clips and menus designed for quick copying and instant pasting. I’m pleased to share that it is free and open-source, giving everyone the opportunity to benefit from it. I would appreciate it if you could take a moment to check it out on the Mac App Store or on GitHub.

Your feedback would mean a lot to me, as I’m always looking to improve the app. Thank you for your support! Here’s a list of the features included in the PasteBar App:

– Unlimited clipboard history
– Searchable copy history
– Custom saved clips
– Quick-access paste menus
– Collections, tabs, and boards for enhanced organization
– Local storage emphasizing privacy and security
– Lock screen and passcode protection
– Compatibility with text, images, files, links, and code snippets
– Automatic programming language detection along with syntax highlighting
– Markdown support in notes
– Instant pasting from the system menu
– Dark theme for ease of use
– Global search functionality
– Customizable clips and menus
– Support for forms and templates
– Capabilities for web scraping and API data extraction
– Compatibility with macOS and Windows, including support for Apple Silicon M1, Intel, AMD, and ARM processors

Once again, I invite you to explore PasteBar and welcome any suggestions you may have!

I’ve had a love-hate relationship with TimeMachine. While I appreciate its functionality, numerous reports of issues from other users have led me to question its reliability. I’ve experienced problems with it on a few occasions, and today it let me down again during a full system restore.

Fortunately, I utilize Carbon Copy Cloner (CCC) as a backup, so I was able to recover my system using that instead. My TimeMachine setup was configured to back up to a NAS (AsusStor), and I suspect this may have contributed to some of the reliability issues. Many users have noted that TimeMachine can be inconsistent when working with NAS devices.

As a result, I’ve decided to move on from TimeMachine entirely. CCC works well for full system restores, especially with the Setup/Migration Assistant, and I am now reintroducing Arq for additional locations. Currently, my backup setup includes CCC with a USB hard drive, TimeMachine to a NAS, and CLI Restic for backups to both Storj and iDrive.

However, I’m planning to make some changes. I will replace both TimeMachine and Restic with Arq for backing up to NAS, Storj, and iDrive. While Restic is generally faster than Arq, the latter simplifies the restoration process significantly, which is a major consideration for me.

I’m curious to know about your current backup strategy. What tools and storage solutions do you utilize to safeguard your data?

Hello,

Recently, I’ve encountered a problem with YouTube. When I begin watching a video, it often rewinds by a few seconds and replays the same part.

It seems like a frustrating glitch, and I’m curious if anyone else is experiencing similar issues. I’ve been using the add-ons Adguard and SponsorBlock, which might be contributing to the problem.

If you have faced this issue as well, I’d appreciate any tips or solutions you might have. Thank you!

Hello everyone,

I’m looking for advice on managing screenshots on my Mac. Specifically, I want to create a folder in Finder called “Screenshots,” where all screenshots saved or taken on my computer will automatically be placed.

I’m trying to determine the best method to achieve this. One option is to change the destination folder for screenshots directly in the Screenshot tool settings.

This involves going into the Screenshot tool and modifying the default location to point to the new “Screenshots” folder. This method ensures that all future screenshots will be saved there without any additional steps required.

Alternatively, I could create a Smart Folder in Finder with specific rules to collect all the screenshots from wherever they might initially be saved. A Smart Folder can automatically display files that meet certain criteria, such as file type or tags.

However, it doesn’t actually move the files; it merely presents a view of them in one location. Now, I’m curious about the differences between these two approaches.

Changing the destination folder is a straightforward solution that ensures all screenshots are saved in one specific place from the outset. On the other hand, a Smart Folder could help organize screenshots taken over time that might be scattered in different locations, but it might require more work to set up.

What do you think is the more useful method? Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance.

Hello,

A few weeks ago, my 2014 iMac experienced a complete failure and would not reboot. After taking it to Apple, I learned that the hard drive was no longer functional. They reformatted the system and installed macOS on the solid-state drive (SSD) portion of the iMac.

While everything seemed to work fine in the store, I have encountered issues at home. The computer frequently shuts down and reboots approximately every 15 minutes. When I turn it back on, I receive an error message stating that the attached disk cannot be read, although the computer seems to be running otherwise.

In theory, shouldn’t the iMac be capable of operating solely from the SSD? Did we overlook something during the installation process, or is the issue more complex than that? I am curious about what my options might be moving forward.

Although the iMac is not my primary computer, it would be beneficial to have for occasional tasks. Thank you for any assistance you can provide. Best,
grani13

I have a 2017 iMac equipped with a 3.5 i5 processor, 24 GB of RAM, and a 250 GB SSD, which is still in good health. For my storage needs, I primarily use an external Thunderbolt drive. Recently, I’ve noticed that while the iMac is usually quite noisy, it has been unusually quiet for over two hours now.

This has left me contemplating my options. I am faced with a dilemma: should I take my iMac to a repair service that I’ve used before instead of the Apple Store, or should I consider selling it as it is? If I decide to sell, I need to think about how to describe the condition.

Would saying something like “the iMac is working but there is a noise issue” be appropriate? Regarding the repair costs, I estimate it might be around £200 just to diagnose the problem. However, I’m unsure how much I should ask for the iMac considering its noise issue.

It’s possible that someone knowledgeable about Mac systems might find the solution to be straightforward. Given that the iMac is already eight years old and the only issue is the noise, I sometimes think it may be more beneficial to invest that £200 into a newer Mac Mini instead. This current model has served me well, but the situation has made me reflect on my options moving forward.

Ultimately, I want to make the best decision regarding the iMac, whether that means repairing it or transitioning to a newer system.

My trusty 23″ Apple Cinema HD Display has finally stopped working. For years, I was known as “the Mac Guy,” always ready to assist with any Mac-related inquiries.

Now, at 69 years old, I’m feeling a bit lost when it comes to choosing a replacement monitor. I’m not interested in investing in a new Apple monitor, so I’m seeking alternatives that can still offer a great viewing experience.

My requirements are quite simple; I do not need more than a 4K resolution. If anyone has recommendations for reliable monitors that work well with Macs, I would greatly appreciate it.

I’m looking for options that deliver quality performance without breaking the bank. Thank you in advance for any suggestions!

In my experience with the unusual external display setup using the M4 chip, there are several drawbacks compared to the M1 Pro, despite some advantages. The 32:9 ultrawide display (G95SC) is correctly recognized, and it can support VRR at 240Hz, a feat not possible with the M1 Pro, which maxed out at 120Hz. However, this setup introduces new complications.

One major issue is the slow and occasionally failed wakeup function. Each time I toggle HDR or VRR, the display disconnects and disappears from the settings menu, forcing the MacBook Air to struggle before reconnecting. This issue is problematic for clamshell mode; since I am using a Thunderbolt dock with DisplayPort, the monitor sometimes takes an excessively long time to wake.

In some instances, it fails to wake up altogether and reverts to sleep mode. This issue did not occur with other monitors, leading me to question whether it’s a problem with the G95SC or macOS. The M1 Pro had no such issues running in 120Hz mode.

Additionally, when attempting to use dual monitors, the Thunderbolt dock could drive two displays (5120×1440@120Hz and 3840×2160@144Hz) simultaneously with the M1 Pro. However, the M4 struggles when connected to the 32:9 monitor at 240Hz and fails to support another display, even if I reduce the refresh rate to 120Hz or connect a second monitor to a different Thunderbolt port. It’s worth noting that the setup still works fine with two standard 16:9 144Hz monitors.

As for alternatives, the DP1.4 to HDMI2.1 adapter, which didn’t work with my M1 Pro setup, performs almost flawlessly with the M4 at 5120×1440@240Hz without any lag. Unfortunately, the colors appear oversaturated, regardless of the color profile used.