Read to the end for a post on how to get free food.

Tuesday has come around again and it's time to dive in.

I'm really set in my computer habits. I'm sure you are too. Like any other "thing" we do, we learn a certain way and it sticks. It is why people always told me it's important to learn the correct way to play an instrument or else I'd learn it "wrong"; then it would be difficult to unlearn it. The joke was on them; I never ended up learning to play anything. 😉

I've had a computer since the 80s. Over the years I've developed "my" workflow, especially doing my job. Thanks to the addition of multiple desktops on macOS many moons ago, I've always had one desktop for email & calendar, another for browser windows plus Slack, then another desktop for music, social apps, and everything else.

Last month something changed: I decided to give Stage Manager a try.

For non-Mac users a quick explainer: Stage Manager is a window management system in the latest version of macOS. Apple's entire explanation is "Stage Manager organizes apps and windows so that your desktop is clutter-free and you can stay focused." In practice, it simply takes your open and unused windows and flicks them to the side of the screen so your active window can have space to breathe.

The verdict on Stage Manager has been out since the feature debuted late last year (it came out for iPad too). Many hate it and think it's terrible while another contingent really likes it. Being a completely optional (and off by default) feature, a third group who doesn't use it and never did. I found myself in that group until a month ago. I was tired of swiping through desktops.

Now I'm converted to the Pro-Stage-Manager group. The feature is not 100% there yet but as a Version 1, I like the ability to see my open windows but they're out of the way. I didn't expect to like it, but I do. Go figure.

Will I use this forever? Who knows. It's only been a month but I don't miss my old multiple desktop setup at all. That must count for something.

May the rest of your week be fantastic.

-Aaron

PS: If you're enjoying my work here on TimeMachiner please forward this email to a friend who'd like it too. It helps me grow. Thank you. 😊

TODAY'S RANDOM FACTOID

There's a real music piece name 4′33″ that involves all the musicians just silently holding their instruments. Source