Authors from the Take Control eBook series
In Part 3, Joe Kissel and the MailMaven developers discuss the creation of the Take Control book, how documentation and user feedback shape ongoing updates, and why their personal support model sets them apart. They outline the 15-day trial, annual maintenance plan, and free Take Control guide—all built to make MailMaven a powerful yet accessible email client.
In Part 2, the MailMaven team explores token-based search, a separate global search window, and smart mailboxes/rules with nested criteria. See how the conversation map tames complex threads, while a keyboard-first design speeds filing and actions. They detail a privacy-by-design approach—local data, encrypted metadata sync, and built-in PGP—and explain onboarding, documentation, and dynamic, scriptable signatures.
Developers of MailMaven join Joe Kissel to explore a new power-user email client born from the end of Apple Mail plugins. They discuss metadata, advanced rules, keyboard-driven workflows, thoughtful UI decisions, approachable onboarding, and practical spam control using SpamSieve with server-side filtering. Part 1 of a three-part conversation.
Joe Kissel questions app sprawl, praises meaningful options, and spotlights Tahoe’s upgrades: Shortcuts that auto-run on triggers and new passkey import/export for password managers. He shares book pricing, Premium discounts, and why his guides deliver high signal-to-noise compared to long videos.
Joe Kissel explores Tahoe’s hands-on upgrades: a customizable Control Center and menu bar, easier access to Reduce Transparency, the Phone app on Mac with call screening and hold assist, and live translation. He assesses Spotlight’s redesign—actions and clipboard history included—and highlights new system apps like Apps, Games, Journal, and Magnifier.
Authors from the Take Control eBook series
Joe Kissel joins Chuck to discuss Take Control of Tahoe and the newly updated Mac Basics. They explore Apple’s sweeping design overhaul with Liquid Glass, debate its real-world impact on usability, and explain how Apple’s expanding app ecosystem demands frequent book updates. Joe shares insight into balancing depth, clarity, and adaptation to ever-changing macOS updates.
Jeff Carlson returns to share insights from his updated digital storage guide, exploring NAS, SSDs, direct-connect solutions, and memory cards. He explains practical pros and cons, touches on backup strategies, and highlights security issues. Jeff also discusses his new role at CNET, where he covers mobile technology and photography, including testing the Pixel 10 Pro XL’s AI-powered zoom.
Jeff Carlson breaks down modern storage: SSD vs HDD and NVMe, when Thunderbolt 5 is worth it, APFS essentials, cable pitfalls, and smarter backup plans. Plus iOS/iPadOS support for external drives, NAS pros and cons, and why SD cards aren’t a universal fix. Practical tips to protect your data and your budget.
In the second part of our conversation with Joe Kissell about Take Control of DEVONthink 4, Joe focuses on its updated inspector system, subtle interface improvements, and a powerful suite of new AI features. He discusses how large language model integration—from ChatGPT to Claude—enhances document sorting, summarizing, and research. Joe also shares concerns about AI, how DevonThink addresses them, and how the app balances automation with control.
Our conversation with Joe Kissell about his new Take Control book Mac Basics continues with comments on what versions of macOS are addressed and how Joe approached the daunting task of covering all the system features. We also talk about the importance of a basics book and shares some valuable Mac tips that you may not know.
Joe Kissell is back with a new Take Control title that is just a little different. Mac Basics. Joe starts out by discussing why this book is needed, and some of the challenges of creating a basic book on such a mature and complex topic. Starting out with the physical characteristics, then going through what the user sees first, Joe discusses how he tries to touch on everything without the details becoming burdensome. (Part 1)
Our conversation with Kirk McElhearn, the author of the new Take Control of Apple Media Apps, continues with explorations of Apple’s Books and Music apps from an audiobook perspective. The advantage of using Audible’s app are covers, particularly if using the Apple Watch. Kirk also discusses the Apple Music Classical app, Siri’s limitations with music command, and more. (Part 2)
The latest Take Control Books release comes from Kirk McElhearn. Take Control of Apple Media Apps covers Apple Music and Podcasts as well as The Apple TV and Books apps. Kirk talks about the evolution of this book and how an understanding of their similarities and the near-complete feature parity can help you get more out of them. Usability, rather than continuous feature introduction, has resulted in mature (in a good way) apps that let you use their content intuitively. The Apple TV app gets special attention in the discussion. (Part 1)
Jeff Carlson, the author of Take Control of Apple Watch, 5th edition, continues the discussion of some of the new capabilities of the latest Apple Watch and watchOS 11. The innovative check-in tool in Messages for notifying loved ones of safe arrivals, the benefits of the ultra-wideband chip for finding misplaced phones and the new offline Translate app for seamless communication while traveling highlight a discussion of those features.
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