Make your Mac work better for you.
Practical articles on Mac workflows, audio and creator gear by software engineer Jakub Jirák.
Start with these guides
Three useful starting points for a more reliable Mac and a clearer creative workflow.
How to Back Up a Mac the Right Way: Time Machine, Clones, and the 3-2-1 Rule
Separate sync from backup, plan an off-site copy and understand what a restore should prove.
Read the guide →Audio Hijack on Apple Silicon: the Mac audio tool I would trust with the awkward jobs
Follow a Mac audio session from its source through processing to the final recording.
Read the guide →CleanShot X: the screenshot tool I would choose for work, not decoration
Make screenshots easier to capture, explain and share without exposing private information.
Read the guide →Latest articles
-
Insta360 X3 review: choosing the view later is the real attraction
My buying view of the standard Insta360 X3, with 360 reframing, ordinary single-lens recording, lens care and the editing work considered before buying.
-
Vantrue N4 review: three views matter more than a single 4K headline
My buying view of the original Vantrue N4, with front, cabin and rear coverage, mode-dependent recording, optional GPS and a practical file-access plan.
-
KYY K3 portable monitor review: useful extra space depends on the complete connection
How I would use the selected grey 15.6-inch K3 as a second screen, with realistic Full HD expectations, USB-C video checks, power and cover support.
-
Philips Fidelio X2HR review: open-back listening deserves its own space
My buying view of the wired Fidelio X2HR/00, with open-back use, suspension fit, velour pads and a sensible source connection considered together.
-
Reolink E1 Pro review: choose the camera version before choosing the recording plan
My assessment of the selected white 5MP E1 Pro, with local recording, version-specific protocols, viewing access and a practical room setup.
-
Holy Stone HS900 review: a small camera drone needs a complete flight plan
My buying view of the original HS900, with its three-axis gimbal, exact current offer, phone setup, battery expectations and filming workflow kept clear.
-
Lexar 1667x 128GB review: UHS-II is useful when the workflow can use it
My buying view of the Lexar Professional 1667x 128GB UHS-II V60 card, with recording requirements, reader compatibility and copying habits considered together.
-
Elgato Cam Link 4K review: the camera is only one part of a better call
My buying judgement on the original Cam Link 4K, including clean HDMI, the 4K30 generation limit, camera power, framing and a complete call setup.
-
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 review: open-ear listening with a clearer charging plan
My buying view of the black Shokz S820, with its bone-and-air-conduction design, USB-C charging, sizing and open-ear trade-offs kept clear.
-
IntelliJ IDEA review: the value is in changing code
IntelliJ IDEA earns its place through Java and Kotlin navigation, careful refactoring, and a short path from a failing test to the code behind it.
-
Bear Pro: a Markdown notes app for snippets, outlines and daily notes on Mac, iPad and iPhone
A first-look review of Bear with Bear Pro by Shiny Frog covering the Markdown editor, code blocks and syntax highlighting, outlines with folding, nested tags, wiki links and backlinks, iCloud sync, export formats, note encryption, the SQLite database, Bear Web, price and who should use it.
One email a week with practical Mac workflows, useful comparisons and honest tech recommendations.