Latest writing

Backblaze silently stopped backing up cloud files, so after 14 years of trusted service I have moved to a local copies + Arq + Hetzner Storage Box-based solution.

osxphotos is a great command line utility that lets you download full high res backups of photos and videos from your iCloud library to any directory.

Lloyds Bank does not work directly with Garmin Pay. In this article, I explain how to use an extra-free service to make Lloyds Bank work with Garmin Pay.

Halifax bank does not work direcly with Garmin Pay. In this article I explain how you can use an extra free service to make Halifax work with Garmin Pay.

There are a number of organisations in Switzerland that grant members benefits that are disproportional to the membership cost. Here I share a few I have found!

Why buying a laser pointer and putting it in your work bag is a good idea.

In this blog post, I explain how I use Automator on my Mac to automate sending documents directly to my Kindle. I set up a particular folder where any files I add (like PDFs, ePub, or Mobi files) are automatically emailed to my Kindle through an Automator folder action.

If you are looking to use your HSBC bank account with Garmin Pay, this article explains how you can use an extra free service called Curve to link the two together.

If you want to link your Natwest bank account to Garmin Pay you can use Curve to enable this.

If you are looking to use your Monzo bank account with Garmin Pay, this article explains how you can use an extra free service called Curve to link the two together.

Circle's 2024 community benchmark report identifies common factors amongst successful online communities, drawing on a survey of 682 professional creators, entrepreneurs, and influencers using Circle.so.

Advice to a friend on getting a service business up and running digitally, including selecting a domain, setting up email, making a blog, and taking appointment bookings.

I was reading Sönke Ahrens' "How to Take Smart Notes" and it hit me how crucial active note-taking is for actual learning. It's more effective than just highlighting bits. It links to Charlie Mungers latticework of mental model. I highly recommend the book.

The Video Captions plugin for GPT4 can help you make rapid judgement calls on whether to spend ~ 20 minutes watching a video. But - what do you lose in the process?

The article showcases my four key Obsidian plugins: Readwise for syncing highlights, Tasks for tracking to-dos across notes, Omnisearch for enhanced search results, and Calendar for improved note navigation, enhancing my knowledge management workflow.

Chain waxing is an easy way to never get chain oil on your clothes again, save a few watts, make your chains and drivetrain last 3-5 times as long, get a quieter drivetrain, and - oh yeah, you'll never have to clean your chain again.

I made a Notion template to ensure I never make a mistake packing my Triathlon Transition Bags again!

How to stop your Sony ZV-1 overheating and auto shutting down when using it as a webcam.

Race debrief from my first Ironman 70.3 in Rapperswil Jona, Switzerland. Summary: it was hot, 35 degrees hot, and I finished it.

In short - Zürich city is split into district offices that handle your requests. You can quickly look up online which district your address belongs to, then engage with their online forms to request registration. Simple!

The compound impact of a few focused work sessions per week is massive, and will help you run rings around the version of yourself who is reliant on a reactive schedule to get things done.

When I sat down, I thought I had a fairly quiet year. When I started thinking, I realised that was a bit of an understatement.

Nailing cycling gear for cold weather is tough - start warm and you'll be sweating too much, start too cold and you might be miserable all ride.

Here's the super simple system I use to run my personal finances. 4 accounts and a couple of standing orders keep everything humming along.

SmartScaleSync.com is a great solution if you are looking to sync Wi-Fi scale weight between various health & training platforms. I use it to keep my weight data automatically synced across Garmin, Training Peaks, Zwift, and Strava.

Downloadable PDFs and an Excel UK-specific version of the 2022 Compact Calendar by David Seah.

You can use Curve to link any UK VISA or Mastercard debit / credit card to Garmin Pay, even if it's not supported directly by Garmin Pay.

I have always aspired to have an effectively unlimited book budget. If I see a book that I am remotely curious about or interested in, I pick it up. Let's talk about why I think you should do the same.

If you are even mildly curious about becoming more effective and happier you should buy this How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big by Scott Adams. This is one of those classic books where the ROI is clearly far greater than the cost of the book.

Chain wax is more efficient, easier to maintain, and less likely to leave oily marks on your clothes and calves when cycling than oil-based chain lubricants. I use Squirt chain lube.

How to use basic business analysis and business change tools at home for environmental, time, and cost savings.

Public Service Announcement: Do not use a USB C hub to power a Mac M1 laptop. It might brick your device and short circuit the logic board, turning your device into a paperweight!

How to use the Wahoo Kickr Core with Zwift and Trainer Road on one computer at the same time. We will connect the Kickr Core to Zwift via ANT+ and Trainer Road via Bluetooth.

Combining the K-Edge Combo Mount with the Bontrager ION 200 RT Front Light to make the perfect handlebar Garmin and light mount.

How to build a PC for less than £150 that is capable of playing Zwift on Ultra settings at about 45 to 50 frames per second.

The MacBook Air M1 with 8GB of RAM will run Zwift with a High graphics profile at about 45 frames per second at 1440p. The frame rate isn't great (60 or above is better) but the detail in the game makes it very immersive.

My review of the Keychron K3 Mechanical Keyboard - as excellent device which can connect to three devices via Bluetooth (e.g. Mac, iPad, and iPhone), and one device via wired USB. It has backlit mechanical keys.

Key notes from the massively popular Learning How to Learn MOOC on Coursera.

Ray Dalio's simple framework for thinking about the economy.

A quick primer on breaking down the external world into things you can control, can influence, and cannot control at all.

The sum of it is that no dealer, curator, buyer, or critic, or any existing combination of these, can be depended on to produce a reputation that is more than a momentary flurry.

Why it is important to optimise for getting a good nights sleep.

A look at a few apps I have used in 2017.

Various links of interest from July 2015.

There are a couple of minor things I wished someone had told me earlier in life. I’ve listed a few of them below. If you buy twenty pairs of identical socks, you’ll never have to pair socks again. For the rest of your life. Never. Again. It’s probably not a good idea to buy that ‘premium’ (loud) polo shirt. Or to pay through the roof for a little emblem on your chest. Nobody ever knocked well fitting clothes in solid colours. They minimise the chance of looking silly in photos a decade from no