Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting

Password Hygiene, Custom GPT Hacks, and Your Best Travel Battery


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This week’s Mac Geek Gab is your fast lane to smarter tech moves, featuring Pilot Pete, Adam Christianson, and Dave Hamilton steering you through the latest Quick Tips and listener Q&A. You’ll learn how to turn your car’s Source button into a play/pause controller, why stuffing your user manuals into a custom GPT might be your next life hack, and how AI tools like Perplexity are leveling up fast. Plus, the gang workshopped their own MGG-GPT—because the more input you give, the better your tech life gets. Don’t Get Caught underestimating what AI can do for you!

From the wisdom of when to buy a Mac (hint: when you need one) to the best practices for Migration Assistant and password hygiene, this episode is packed with practical advice. Thinking about travel gear? The crew compares their go-to backup batteries—from Pete’s 20k mAh beast to Dave’s slick INIU Qi2 charger. And if you’re mourning Mint, the budgeting app, the guys explore strong replacements like Quicken and Banktivity. It’s a full ride of tips to keep your tech life optimized and your wallet sane.

  • 00:00:00 Mac Geek Gab 1085 for Monday, April 14th, 2025
    • April 14th: National Dolphin Day
    • Police Code 10-85 – Arrival delay due to [insert-cause-here]
    • MGG Monthly Giveaway – Win a CleanMyMac Membership!
    • Quick Tips
      • 00:00:01 QT-In new Subarus, play/pause is done by holding the Source button
      • 00:04:28 QT-Put all your user manuals into a custom GPT.
      • 00:05:39 Mark-QT-Use ChatGPT to write Photoshop scripts
      • 00:08:35 Shopify (and other companies) mandating the use of GPTs
      • 00:13:17 Workshopping the MGG-GPT
      • 00:15:21 Russ-CSF-More on Perplexity and other LLMs
      • 00:16:57 The more input you give AI, the better the output
      • 00:17:59 David-1083-Thanks for the motivation to back up my stuff!
      • 00:20:20 SPONSOR: Storyworth uses quick, weekly email prompts to create a unique keepsake hardcover book for you or your loved ones. Save $10 on your first purchase at StoryWorth.com/MACGEEKGAB.
      • Your Questions Answered and Tips Shared!
        • 00:21:47 Larry-With the potential for price-increases due to tariffs, should I buy a new Mac now?
          • MGG Advice: Buy a new machine when you need a new machine, and get the most Mac you can afford
          • 00:33:29 The price of computers over the years
          • 00:35:23 Barry-What’s the best source when using Migration Assistant?
          • 00:42:28 GW-Is it good practice to Regularly Change Passwords?
            • Changing Passwords for the Sake of Change
            • How big is your haystack?
            • 00:48:00 Changing passwords in a corporate environment
            • 00:54:06 SPONSOR: Coda, the one Doc to rule them all. Bring your text and tables together! Sign up at Coda.io/mgg for FREE.
            • MOAR Questions Answered
              • 00:55:34 DLH-What size battery do you travel with, and why?
                • Adam, the Anker Nano, 10,000mAh with USB-C and 30W
                • Pete, a 20,000mAh battery with USB-A and USB-C
                • Dave, now from MGG 1084: INIU 10k Qi2 15W/30W charger
                • 01:03:15 The FAA Did a Disservice to the Traveling Public with regards to Batteries
                • 01:09:36 GW-Good Budgeting Software after Mint?
                  • Mint / Credit Karma app
                  • Banktivity
                  • Quicken for Mac
                  • 01:14:40 MGG 1085 Outtro
                    • MGG Monthly Giveaway – CleanMyMac
                    • Bandwidth Provided by CacheFly
                    • Pilot Pete’s Aviation Podcast: So There I Was (for Aviation Enthusiasts)
                    • The Debut Film Podcast – Adam’s new podcast!
                    • Dave’s Business Brain (for Entrepreneurs) and Gig Gab (for Working Musicians) Podcasts
                    • MGG Merch is Available!
                    • Mac Geek Gab YouTube Page
                    • Mac Geek Gab Live Calendar
                    • This Week’s MGG Premium Contributors
                    • MGG Apple Podcasts Reviews
                    • 224-888-GEEK
                    • Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
                    • BackBeat Media Podcast Network
                    • ...more
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                      Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and TroubleshootingBy Dave Hamilton, Pilot Pete & Adam Christianson

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