Time Machine is easily one of the best features of OS X, and if you don't use it, you really really really should. Computers are replaceable; personal data is not. That said, this article isn't to convert the unconverted. Instead, this is for those already using Time Machine.

Time Machine doesn't support backing up to APFS formatted volume (yet) as this is due to change in 10.15 Catalina but Mojave improved the experience of missed backups.

Remember, The more space Time Machine has free, the longer it can keep back up records It may seem crazy to have a year's worth of backups until you're chasing down a PDF you may have deleted anywhere from yesterday to last May.

Tip #1 - Disabling backups of space-wasting folders

Clicking options will reveal a simple interface that allows excluding folders from being backed up.

By default Time Machine backs up EVERYTHING when there are a few folders that should be disabled by default. To disable a folder, locate it and drag it onto the “Exclude these items from backups” window. If you're like me, you may have many drives to exclude.

Backing up your downloads folder is a data waste. For most people, the downloads folder the equivalent to the wild west, and you're apt to constantly decompress zips, nab massive DMGs and delete files from it. Even a deleted file will occupy space on Time Machine until all the snapshots that contain the deleted file are removed from Time Machine itself.

It's best to exclude it.

I've created a quick and dirty list of recommended files to block Time Machine. You'll need access to your ~/Library. Pro tip: When you see ~/ (the tilda represents your user folder, this is common shorthand for your user folder)

By default Lion and Mountain Lion hide the user Library folder, in all previous versions of OS X, this was accessible by the user. Punch in the following terminal command to unhide it. Its also not a bad idea to leave it unhidden as you may need access to it in the future when cleaning out OS X.

chflags nohidden ~/Library/

Recommended folders to disable (for all users)

• ~/Library/Caches - (Cache files are prone to change)
• /Library/Caches
• ~/Library/Downloads
• ~/Music/iTunes/Mobile Applications - (These can be redownloaded from iTunes or your iPad/iPhone/iPod and are constantly updated)
• ~/Library/Application Support/Steam/SteamApp - (This will not back up games using the Steam Service. Games are subject to frequent updates, and any games can be redownloaded from the steam service. Many games use Steam cloud to back up game saves).
• ~/Documents/Parallels - VMs in the past have been notoriously bad for Time Machine, VMware includes Time Machine functionality. So does Parallels. Follow their instructions if you'd like Time Machine to back up them.
• ~/Applications (Parallels)~
• ~/Dropbox - Dropbox is already in the cloud, no reason to back it up
• ~/Public (Optional: Depends on your network usage habits)
• /Incompatible Software (This will be in the root of your computer after an OS upgrade).

Tip #2 - Deleting useless backups

If you find that you've been backing up for eternity your iTunes Movie collection or some media dump folder, you may want to delete the record.

Locate the folder in question in your finder, then click the time machine icon your dock. This will take you to the folder in Time Machine. In the time machine folder, right-click the folder and select Delete All backups. This may take some time depending on the size and frequency of the backups

Tip: This the nuclear option on Time Machine, when you Delete All Backups, you are erasing any previous record of the file. However, if you do not ignore the folder, the folder will still be backed up in its current state.

Tip #3 - Utilities

As you've probably noticed, Time Machine doesn't provide much in the way of options. Fortunately, there's a fair amount of good Time Machine utilities.

Here's a few I've highlighted. Please note, there are plenty of Time Machine related utilities besides these… MacUpdate.com is a fantastic place to find Mac utilities of all types.

Time Machine Editor - change the backup interval updates (instead of one hour) (free)

BackupLoupe - Allows you to see individual file records, including revisions, when a file was deleted from records and so forth. Only $5 and handy. A must for Time Machine junkies.

Tedium - Allows multi-time machine backups and management for old OSes (10.8+ has multiple drive support)

Back In Time - expensive but allows you to see more clearly how many iterations of a file was backed up, show deleted items and so on.

Tip #4 - Multiple HDs

10.8 added support for multiple Time Machines. Multiple HDs do not work in a manner that you may expect, backups alternate on the hour between drives. The data is neither split between drives nor do the drives backup only portions/locations (Time Machine #1 backs up the boot drive, Time Machine #2 backs up the secondary drive). You'll have two independent Time Machines, not double the space. Time Machine favors large drives.

For the average user needs, it's a little overkill. When selecting a backup drive, go big as your wallet can afford. While you can back up a larger drive with a smaller drive (assuming you're not using all your free space) a good rule is always bigger. As of writing this, a Seagate Backup Plus 4 TB USB 3.0 runs about $130 on Amazon. A drive doesn't need to be dedicated just to backups. You can partition (split) your Hard Drive into two separate volumes, a Time Machine, and Additional Storage.

Tip #5 - Using a networked drive (that isn't a time capsule)

Many routers come with USB ports that allow connection of external HDs. However, Time Machine is semi-restricted. You cannot back up to anything outside of an HFS+ disk, and it doesn't play nicely with non-Time Capsules. However, with a bit of terminal fun, you can use your own NAS storage device. You will want to start with stephenmorley's guide here based on levelofindirection.com. Read the first and check out the second.

You'll need first to enable non-(officially)supported drives and then follow up with creating the sparse bundle manually. After that it's smooth sailing.

Tip #6 - Show Time Capsule on Desktop/Finder Windows

By default, owners of the Time Capsules may notice they no longer see the Time Capsule when it's mounted. Go to your Finder Preferences and check your “Show Connected Servers” and “Show Connected Drives” and you'll see the Time Machine as before.

Tip #7 - Encrypt your backups

From Apple.com

1. Open Time Machine preferences.
2. Click Select Disk or Add or Remove Backup Disk (if you have multiple backup disks).
3. Select your backup disk, then click Remove Disk.
4. Now set up the disk again as an encrypted backup disk. For instructions, see:

Choose a backup disk and set encryption options

Tip #8 Time Machine fails restoring from backup

If a restore fails, fear not. Restores are faster but you will not lose your important files. Check outthe full album here.

Happy backups!

The biggest addition to Android 4.3 is the Multi-User Restricted Profiles feature, which lets you control the usage of apps and other content on a user level. Multiple user profiles were already available in 4.2.2, but the ability to create restrictions has long been requested, so it’s sure to be a big hit.

The people most obviously to benefit from the new profile controls are parents. We saw this in Google’s demo; being logged into a restricted user profile caused an app to behave differently. Specifically, a freemium game showed up without all of the in-app purchasing functionality, which is clearly going to be useful for parents with young children who use the device.

The ability to create restricted user profiles can be useful for businesses and families that share devices.

(Credit: Screenshot by Jaymar Cabebe/CNET)

As well, retail kiosks that use tablets for customer service or as POS systems will be able to make use of the feature. By enabling multiple user profiles, businesses will be able to take advantage of the versatility of tablets by using them in different contexts.

- CNET, Google Android 4.3 is here, and it tastes like Jelly Bean

I decided to purchase this app as well to see if it was also just repackaging a cracked older version of TouchDraw.  In this case, I found out it was a cracked and repackaged older version of OmniGraffle that had been modified in the way TouchDraw was in the other case (modified splash screens, icons and resources).  Again, like the other app, the supplied screenshots are so different from the actual app, I don’t see how it couldn’t have raised flags to an App reviewer. - Jon Lipsky, lipsky.me

Ouch

Google Reader is just the latest casualty of the war that Facebook started, seemingly accidentally: the battle to own everything. While Google did technically “own” Reader and could make some use of the huge amount of news and attention data flowing through it, it conflicted with their far more important Google+ strategy: they need everyone reading and sharing everything through Google+ so they can compete with Facebook for ad-targeting data, ad dollars, growth, and relevance.-  Marco Arment, Marco.org

 More than anything, I think Marco’s assessment of RSS and its relationship with RSS is spot on and suggest you read the article. Like most I switched to Feed.ly, and I’m not exactly enamored with it but they are doing their part with an API,

The walled garden isn’t completely finished, not by a long shot but we’re slowly easing away from the commons we once all shared.

Most Web page layouts rely on design patterns created for laptop and desktop computers equipped with a mouse and keyboard. As the variety of devices being used to access the Web has grown, these patterns haven’t been keeping up. Designing for today’s Web means considering single-handed thumb use on smartphones, two handed touch interactions on tablets, mouse and keyboard input on traditional PCs, hybrid devices, and more. Web layouts have to evolve to support this new reality. - Luke W., lukew.com

I love me some LukeW and while looking over stats, I found something interesting. From the limited sources I could find, users still prefer landscape.

Stolen From Appleinsider who probably stole this from somewhere.

Its too easy to assume mobile users will be surfing portrait and might be the majority. So next app, (especially iPad make it function both ways)

One of the things you’re supposed to work out some time in your adolescence is that though you’re the star of your own life, you’re not the star of anyone else’s.  Some companies never work this out.

A few years ago I worked on a project to make a video-on-demand service for a big UK supermarket chain. All of the supermarket execs kept saying things like ‘our customer’ or 'the Sainsco customer’. After a while, I worked out what bothered me about this. I do indeed go to one of their shops - or at least I think I do. I’m actually not 100% sure if it’s a Tesco or a Sainsbury. I buy food there every week, but I don’t consider myself their customer - at least not in the sense they meant it. Rather, it’s one of 10 shops I go to in a week, and one of 20 errands I might run. 

In other words, your customers’ relationships with you are the only relationships you have as a business and you think a lot about them. But you’re one of a thousand things your customer thinks about in a week, and one of dozens of businesses. And they probably have their own ideas about how they want to engage with you (though they wouldn’t put it in those words) - assuming they think about you at all.  -  Benedict Evans, “Glass, Home and solipsism”, ben-evans.com

Ben Evans dives into a critique of Google Glass and its island of self-isolation that it’s built on that equates to solipsism.  The part I found most relevant was the intro (the quote above). 

As many front end developers, I’ve had to function as a consultant to customers. I’m not sure where it begins, (Marketing?) but I’ve had far too many conversations about “our customers”.  I find myself agreeing with the above but with an exception.

The only companies that earn “our customers” are ones that people derive their self identity from and willingly promote the company proudly… (luxery automotives, fashion brands, sports teams and of course, Apple) but even that’s oversimplification. 

Anyone using dynamic load will want to check this out: Loading Effects for Grid Items using CSS

The results are in! We put together a number of charts that highlight the most interesting data we received, but there are a few things we wanted to call out that we found especially significant. First off, the average rate overall was $93, and the median rate was $97. Before the survey, I would have wagered on an average rate of around $100, so that is pretty close. - Bigswing.com

$100 seems about right for anyone flying solo but I’d like to think any teams out there, are charging a little more and anyone venturing into cross platform.

As we move toward more true web applications, our JavaScript APIs are doing their best to keep up.  One very simple but useful new JavaScript API is the Fullscreen API.  The Fullscreen API provides a programmatic way to request fullscreen display from the user, and cancel fullscreen when desired.  Here’s how to use this incredibly simple API! - David Walsh, davidwalsh.com

Simple is accurate. Also see demosthenes.com for more.

Here is a short overview of all templates:

• The Dreaded Price Email
• Questions About The Design Brief
• Sending The Final Plan To A New Client
• The Cost In The Final Plan Is Damned Far From Your Initial Estimate
• Scope Is Creeping But Can Be Accommodated
• You Won’t Be Able To Deliver The Design On Time
• Dealing With Late Payment
• Discussing Other Aspects Of The Website
• Justifying The Need For Extra Hours
• No Need For Extra Hours
• Declining A Project
• Stopping Work Because Of Delinquent Payment
• The Client Refuses To Sign A Contract
• Funds Needed For Materials
• Rates Are Going Up
• Request For Testimonial
• Request For Case Study
• Request For Referral

- Bea Kylene Jumarang, Smashing Magazine

A wonderful comprehensive list of common e-mails for freelancers and anyone who is required to handle client communications at their job.

Like “whitemenwearinggoogleglass” there’s now a  peoplewearingfakegoogleglass.tumblr.com.  Why anyone would mimic the “look” of the google glass is beyond me.

Dear Kintek, it has come to our attention that your new website is very similar to the Infinum website. And when I say “very similar”, I actually mean it’s basically a xeroxed version. - Tomislav Car, infinum.co

A design critique of one firm’s “reappropriated” from the creators. Amusing, funny and mature.

iOS App, Hours, showing iOS 6 vs OS 7 Source: tapity.com

How do we respond to iOS 7?

Answering this question may very well play a large role in the future success or failure of indies around the world over the next few years, so it’s important to talk about. Based on my conversations with folks at Apple and leaders in the app community, I’ll lay out a few thoughts.

- Jeremy, Tapity.com

The most amusing part of this post is when Tapity illustrates what the Tapity app would look like if designed strictly to Apple’s recommended guidelines. But, you’ll have to read the whole article for that ;)

Simply changing the palette and removing gradients will not improve your app. However, revisiting user interactions will.

Android game consoles are all the rage with the Ouya and Google’s announcement, but have you heard of the gamepop? No? I hadn’t either. So here’s a break down of the Android Consoles due to hit the market or on the market

GamePop

Developer: BlueStacks

Its by the BlueStacks creators, the (almost) nifty Android simulator that lets you run Android apps/games on your Mac or PC… sorta. My results have been mixed at best.

Specs: Info is thin, as its development.

Android 4.3

Tegra 4 (rumor)

Console Cost: $9.99 for Shipping

Pay Model: $6.99 monthly subscription (12 month contract, $25 cancel fee).

For $6.99 a month, you get subscription access to 500+ titles. The console itself costs only $9.99 (or $19.99 internationally), the cost of shipping. If you choose the cancel, it’ll cost you $25.

Take away: Right now the BlueStacks game console is vaporware until more materializes. The pay model is the most compelling aspect of the console. Without an upfront cost for the console or cost for software, its easily the most affordable console on this list.

GameStick

Developer: PlayJam

Specs:

Android 4.2

Amlogic 8726-MX

8 GB internal flash memory (SD Micro memory expansion slot)

1GB DDR3

Console Cost: $79

Pay Model: Developers can also determine their own business models, including free, paid and microtransactions-oriented.

Release Date: August 2013

Take away: Playjam is shooting for an ultra-portable market but it requires a TV with an HDMI port. Its a bit of an oddball, and probably won’t score much better than the Ouya.

M.O.J.O.

Developer: Madcatz

Specs:

Stock Android 4.1 (likely to change)

Tegra 4 (Likely)

Console Cost: ?

Pay Model: Uses Google Play

Release Date: August 2013

Take away: Madcatz probably has the most likelihood of delivering a console that people want of the consoles on this list (outside of the rumors). Years in the hardware market bodes well for Madcatz and using stock Android + Google Play is its biggest boon. Developers likely will need minimal overhead to support the Madcatz

Ouya

Developer: OUYA, Inc.

Famed kickstarter upstart by Julie Uhrman is the first of the Android consoles.

Specs:

Android 4.1

1.7 GHz Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A9 (nVidia Tegra 3)

1 GiB DDR3 SDRAM

8 GB internal flash memory (SD Card upgradable)

Console Cost: $99.99

Pay Model: Freemium

App devs have to offer a free version of the game with IAP.

Release Date: June 25, 2013 (Retail)

Take away: The Freemium model is interesting but hasn’t yielded a lot of quality results. The Ouya has been beat up in the press but its the first out the gate and boasts ultra hackability.

Google Console (Rumor)

Developer: Google

Specs: ?

Console Cost: ?

Pay Model: ? (Likely Google Play)

Release Date:  ?

Take away: Its a rumor right now, not even vaporware. That said, its hard to take any potential Android console too seriously with a Google console on the horizon… and it’s likely why the rumor was leaked. That said, Google has yet to produce a sustained hit piece of consumer hardware. M

Apple TV (Rumor)

Developer: Apple

Specs:? iOS

Console Cost: ?

Pay Model: ? (iTunes)

Release Date:  ?

Take away: The Apple TV has been a “hobby” but one hell of a hobby it is. Apple has had years of successful TV set top box. At the beginning of 2013, Apple customers buying 800k TV shows and 350k films every day. Those numbers make both Amazon and Google jealous. Times has all but declared Apple the winner before the war even starts. Apple has had and still has a massive edge on gaming simply due to the profits, with $10 billion already paid out to developers, $5 billion in the last 12 months.

Apple is already the most profitable gaming company without even embracing it. When Apple decides to go into console gaming, it won’t be battling Google. It’ll be gunning for Sony and Microsoft.

I was working on an article for Jim Dalrymple (@jdalrymple) and Loop Magazine (http://appstore.com/TheLoopMagazine). The topic? Getting started with Mac and iOS development.

I went looking for a reasonably recently updated list of dev resources to link to from the article. Couldn’t find one I was happy with, then remembered that we included a pretty solid list at the end of the book Beginning iOS 6 Development. Since that list needed to be updated for the iOS 7 rev of the book, I thought, why not pop the list into a blog post. And here we are.  - Dave Mark, davemark.com