TextBundle

The TextBundle file format aims to provide a more seamless user experience when exchanging plain text files, like Markdown or Fountain, between sandboxed applications.

Sandboxing is required for all apps available on the Mac and iOS app store, in order to grant users a high level of data security. Sandboxed apps are only permitted access to files explicitly provided by the user - for example Markdown text files. When working with different Markdown applications, sandboxing can cause inconveniences for the user.

An example: Markdown files may contain references to external images. When sending such a file from a Markdown editor to a previewer, users will have to explicitly permit access to every single image file.

This is where TextBundle comes in. TextBundle brings convenience back - by bundling the Markdown text and all referenced images into a single file. Supporting applications can just exchange TextBundles without asking for additional permissions. Beyond being a simple container, TextBundle includes a standard to transfer additional information - to open up new possibilites for future integration.

Hmmmm

"It’s amazing how great computer products can be when they don’t need to deal with corporate bullshit, don’t have to promote a brand or to sell its users."

Maybe look into this. And hey yeah, there is an Android app.

Long detailed fascinating ideas for the evolution of iOS and OS X

A lot of these are, cough, relevant to my current job as well.

It's hard for me to imagine developers building serious apps without root access to their development environment. On the other hand, who's to say that should drive platform evolution. Either way, the idea of OS X and iOS "growing together" is seductive, if only because it suggests a plausible future in which OS X still exists. Not sure how it squares with the constraints that make the iOS experience so unique - part of what makes iOS apps so great is the limited target area.

The scariest thing about eliminating OS X, which the author is aware of, is Apple's restrictive policies towards apps in the App Store.

Custom View Controller Extension Providers

I mean, maybe OLE's time has come again.

Currently using Simplenote+Notational Velocity+Dropbox, thinking about switching to PlainText+Notational Velocity+Dropbox.

AtomicParsley (command-line metadata editing for mpegs) makes it easier to move podcast tracks into the normal iTunes library.

Going to adapt this for my own purposes. iTunes not so great at managing huge libraries.

It's rare to find that one page that answers your question once and for all:
> Known bug in Tiger, and fixed in Leopard.
> For most practical purposes, LaunchAgents don't function as
> advertised in Tiger.
> You can use them as long as you never logout.
- Apple's launchd dev

More annoying than you'd think. Involves the word "compile". You can just right-click and select "Do Not Auto-Delete" if you don't mind the track appearing in your list of podcasts until the end of time.

So: "ls -ld | pbcopy" (via)

Read the whole thing though.

If you're sharing your Mac's drive over the network, you don't need this. But if you want to access files from a Mac drive when the Mac isn't running (you're using Boot Camp, or you have an external drive you want to plug into a Windows box) this is for you.

This has bothered me for a while. Thanks Joel. Of course, in our bright new high-DPI future this won't matter. Right?

Update from the far future of 2014: well, it took longer than expected, but yes, text finally looks really nice in OS X browsers.

Change the short name (login) of an OS X user.

I don't think BlogFS actually works right now, but used with MacFUSE the possibilities are sort of amazing. Start with finding stuff from your blog posts (even private posts) via Spotlight.

e.g...what if BlogFS was really smart about OS X integration?

• What if copying a file to a BlogFS-mounted folder uploaded the file?
• What if creating a shortcut to a file in a BlogFS folder (depending on where you're accessing the blog from) ...
  • gave you the local file
  • ftp'd the file from its source

Update: Detailed look at MacFUSE + sshfs

I'll need this someday...

It's a pdf. Why is it a pdf. Mooooan.

Sync from iPod to iTunes (or th' other way 'round.) Perfect. Looks better than Ephpod.

ThisService (I wonder where the output shows up?) (Probably right at the cursor.) (I am _so_ living off a MacBook Pro ASAP. Imagine the "productivity".)

Daniel says I should watch this.

Wow, I actually like his writing better than his cartoons.

My G5 iMac is freezing when accessing the external hard drive.

• "ah yes, the infamous external drive giving problems"
• or maybe iTunes is at fault
• Meanwhile TUAW says everything is just hunky-dory, thanks. Also, a folder alias trick useful if you don't always have the external drive connected

How did I miss this? Badass way to access the command line in OS X, from the people that brought you Quicksilver.

• deKstasy
• dj1800
• traktor
• Tactile (see also link to Djay)