Recently, I write in Basecamp. It helps me to focus on the single piece of document. Basecamp is project management tool that encourages context based communication for teams. I have been using Basecamp solo and enjoying the tools it provides. Recently, I’m using Basecamp to write. There are 2 states when writing a document in […]
Read Post / October 25, 2019
This is an experiment on using the Markdown Block in Working Copy with iA Writer. Working Copy supports Markdown Block as well While I can preview a single markdown file in Work Copy previously, the latest Working Copy updates include the support of Markdown content block. Although it is not like iA writer that supports […]
Read Post / May 28, 2019
This is the first post on my journal of using DocRaptor to generate PDF. I will keep posting how I use the PDF generator for my course materials. I write online courses on MakClass.com and would like to generate PDF book from my teaching materials. Previously, I had been using LeanPub to generate the PDFs. I also try generating […]
Read Post / May 18, 2019
Link: https://mailchi.mp/makzan/2019w17 The shortcuts app and Pythonista app allows us to create many different kinds of automation in mobile devices that fit our own needs. For example, a simple python script to download file into iCloud Drive. A simple PDF to image conversion. Or we can create more complicated shortcuts. Building this kind of automation requires the sense of programming. By making […]
Read Post / May 1, 2019
This is a simple shortcut that convert PDF into images. I often need to save PDF into image into other image-only application such as Day One journal. These PDFs may be a document scan, a screenshot of website via “Create PDF” from Safari. This is my go-to shortcut for these purposes. https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/b22e373ebd344c5e910512f5d7968c34
Read Post / April 29, 2019
from urllib.request import urlretrieve url = input(‘URL: ‘) filename = url.split(‘/’)[-1] urlretrieve(url, filename) print(“Downloaded file: {}”.format(filename))
Read Post / April 29, 2019
From the latest MacStories newsletter, I learnt a new app called PreText. It is as if the TextEdit app all from macOS migrated into iOS. It does only one thing, text editing with files provider, and that is all we need sometimes. Although this app is not a replacement to my current writing workflow, it […]
Read Post / April 20, 2019
I’m setting the header and footer content while using the DocRaptor and PrinceXML engine. Nothing appears on the header and footer until I give the page some margin. That is my lesson learnt. Originally I configure the @page margin to be 0 and use only page padding. This works until I need to place the […]
Read Post / April 20, 2019
I often need to have a quick QR code generation from URLs. Really quick. For example, when I am teaching mobile web class, I demonstrate the code and put the QR code up on screen for students to scan into their mobile phones for testing. That’s why I had written a tiny tool named inQRCode.com. […]
Read Post / April 5, 2019
I have been switching between iA writer, Ulysses, Bear, Scrivener, Ulysses, Bear, Drafts and so on. Switching between them back and forth to seek the best writing workflow that works for me. What setup I need to support my writing? First of all, I write books, slides, short class notes, blog posts. I write in […]
Read Post / April 2, 2019
People often compare Bear and Ulysses. I too. I keep trying which one shall I use to write my books and store my daily thoughts and ideas. I also compare them with Drafts to see if I can write long form writings in Drafts with its workspace feature. At the end, I use all of […]
Read Post / March 31, 2019
Hi there, It has been 3 weeks since my last newsletter. I had been teaching new courses and preparing the course material really take me so much time. Currently I’m teaching an iOS development and mobile first web design class, along with a PHP class. It is not an excuse, I know. so I’m keeping my writing […]
Read Post / March 17, 2019
Hi there, In last week, I finally moved into my new apartment and began our new life there with my wife and 2 sons. It also means I need to have better budget system to track all the household spending. That’s why I’m now reading the book You Need A Budget. It shows a different aspect […]
Read Post / February 26, 2019
Hi there, In last week, I was busy moving things into my new apartment. It was scheduled to move in living there lats week but we need some move construction work so it delays to next week. I setup a LG UltraFine 4K in a corner of my working room. It is a nice companion […]
Read Post / February 20, 2019
Hi there, I celebrated the Chinese New Year with family this week. Taking my leave time to pack things to move to my new apartment. And take the chance to make a stand for the collected pins when I was in previous WorldSkills competitions. I also switched to Notion to write my books. It allows […]
Read Post / February 16, 2019
Hi there, This week I’m exploring a dual tablets setup, with my Surface Go and iPad Pro. Why two tablets? Why two systems? Why not just iPad Pro or just Surface Go? It is like having a dual displays setup. It allows me to work and have a reference near-by. Two is better than one. […]
Read Post / February 15, 2019
Hi there, In week 4 of 2019 January, I went to Kazan for WorldSkills competition preparation. WorldSkills is an international competition that host every two years. Worldskills flag This is my seventh WorldSkills experience. I was competitor at 2003 St. Gallen and came back again since 2009 Calgary. We keep coming back to the WorldSkills […]
Read Post / January 30, 2019
Hi there, When you’re reading my email, I’m on the way heading to competition preparation week. I have been looking forward to seeing my friends there. More photos in Kazan on my Instagram (@makzan) next week. Links worth sharing Useful shortcut → Capture and share I build my productivity workflow for quickly capturing ideas and efficiently […]
Read Post / January 20, 2019
This week, I am deeply honored to receive the award of professional merit medal from Macao SAR government. Feeling Grateful This is an encouragement for my work and training in skills competitions. Let me take this chance to thank WorldSkills, thank Macao SAR and my employer, CPTTM, for offering me the opportunities. Thank my fellow experts from […]
Read Post / January 20, 2019
In this “Shortcut” category, I share useful shortcut that I found or created. In my daily workflow, I often need to quickly capture my thoughts and file them into my daily system. I have three shortcuts for this purpose. The first one is the “Dictate and Share” shortcut. The second one is Draw and Share […]
Read Post / January 10, 2019
This is a re-post from my email newsletter sent on 2019-01-06. This is the first email since 2018 June. What have I been working on in the last 6 months? My 2nd son was born on June. A new infant means I was suddenly running out all my time and can’t spare any time writing much. […]
Read Post / January 6, 2019