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

Mac Geek Gab — Apple Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting

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
  • [e-mail]
  • 224-888-GEEK
  • Active MGG Sponsors and Coupon Codes List
  • BackBeat Media Podcast Network