December, 2023 - Minidev News

Dato: A Comprehensive Menu Bar Calendar and Clock for macOS

Dato is a versatile menu bar application designed to provide a comprehensive calendar, events, and world clocks display for macOS users. With macOS 13 or later compatibility, it enhances productivity through its highly customizable features and supports a multitude of locales and languages, though the menus and settings are in English.

Enhancements in Dato 5

Interactive Event Handling

Clicking on an event now opens its details, a change from hover-over displays.
Right-click for additional event actions, such as muting or hiding notifications.
Double-click to open an event in the default calendar application.

Contextual Awareness

Clicking “upcoming event in menu bar” opens the main Dato window, providing more context like subsequent events.

Customization and Accessibility

Hide main Dato menu bar item through settings.
Hide events directly from the menu bar.

Features Galore

Calendar views with week numbers and event indicators.
Upcoming events glance for the next week.
Support for reminders.
Customizable time zones display with custom names.
Integration with video call services, like Zoom and Google Meet.
Multi-time zone clocks in the menu bar.
Customizable date & time formats.
Searchable time zones database with offline access.
Integration with various calendar services (iCloud, Google, Outlook, etc).

Trial and Tips

Available for trial through Setapp.
Tips include double-clicking to open events and long-pressing days to open in the calendar app.

Keyboard Shortcuts and Gestures

Extensive keyboard shortcuts for navigation and functionality.
Gestures for calendar interaction and event management.

Troubleshooting and Customization

Solutions for common issues like space constraints in menu bars with notches.
Tips for video call services integration.
Customization of date and time displays adhering to system settings.
Fullscreen notifications with event joining functionality.

Integration with Other Services and Apps

Compatibility with Velja app for opening meeting links in preferred browsers.
Shows how to display time zones in the menu bar and address high CPU usage.

FAQs and User Support

FAQs cover feature requests, calendar services support, fullscreen notification settings, and more.
Contact information for feedback and support inquiries.

Advantages Over Other Apps

Dato is presented as a superior menu bar UI choice compared to Fantastical and iStat Menus, with emphasis on customization and aesthetics.
It offers different features from Itsycal, focusing on both calendar and time aspects.

Legacy and Open Source Policy

Previous versions are made available, although compatibility is limited to older macOS variations.
A decision against open-sourcing to prevent clones.

In Essence

Dato offers an enhanced interface for managing calendars, events, and time zones directly from the macOS menu bar, with a focus on customization and integrations for an improved user experience. The application is updated with interactive and user-friendly features, making it a valuable tool for users looking for streamlined event and time management.

Tags: #DatoApp, #MenuBarCalendar, #macOSProductivity, #TimeManagement

https://sindresorhus.com/dato

Quick Setup and Use of Scalar for Meeting Management

Easy Connection with Google Workspace

Scalar offers a swift setup process, typically taking under five minutes. This ease of setup starts with connecting Scalar to your Google Workspace. However, it's important to note that as of the current information, only Google Workspace Administrators have the capability to establish this connection.

Once connected, the platform can immediately begin retrieving all meeting data from the Workspace calendar. This feature enables organizations to keep track of meeting activities with minimal effort.

Customization and Management

After the initial connection to Google Workspace, Scalar users can personalize their experience by enabling or disabling predefined guidelines from the available library. This customization allows users to adhere to corporate standards or adapt to specific workflow needs easily.

Furthermore, users have the flexibility to create their own Guidelines. These guidelines can be tailored to meet the unique needs of their teams or the entire organization, ensuring that company policies are represented and enforced within the meetings.

Sign-Up Process

To start taking advantage of Scalar's features, users must first sign up. The process is designed to be straightforward and quick, facilitating a smooth transition to using the service.

Seamless Integration

Scalar emphasizes ease of adoption through the use of a Google Chrome extension. This extension adds an additional layer of information to the employee's Google Calendar. The integration is so seamless that employees don't need to switch to a new tool or adapt to a different workflow. This strategy is aimed at maximizing the adoption rate across the company.

The extension's layer of information serves as a constant communication tool, sending reminders and updates about the guidelines to be followed. With this automation, Scalar aims to ensure that employees always have the necessary information at their fingertips during their usual calendaring activities.

Get Started Without Hassles

Scalar encourages companies to get started with their service quickly, highlighting the 'no new workflows' approach that promotes easy adoption among employees and teams.

Data-Driven Insights on Meeting Guidelines

Scalar recognizes a common challenge in policy implementation: measuring the actual impact of guidelines. Traditionally, companies had to rely on discussions and surveys to gauge effectiveness. With Scalar, live and automated data collection and feedback is possible.

The platform provides actionable insights into the adoption and effectiveness of company guidelines. For instance, administrators can track how many meetings are scheduled on a 'No Meeting Day' or identify meetings lacking a set agenda. This data can be invaluable for improving company practices and ensuring that guidelines are having their intended effect.

To encourage companies to explore these capabilities, Scalar offers a 'try for free' option, providing potential users with the opportunity to see the platform's benefits without any initial investment.

Scalar appears to be a comprehensive tool for managing and optimizing meeting practices within organizations. Its easy connectivity, personalized guidelines, seamless integration, and data-driven insights are designed to enhance meeting efficiency and ensure adherence to company policies.

Tags: #MeetingManagement #GoogleWorkspaceIntegration #CompanyGuidelines #DataDrivenInsights

https://www.scalaros.com/meetings/guidelines

Introducing Drawww: The Future of AI-Driven Creativity on iPad

Experience the Power of Instant Artistic Creation

Welcome to a new chapter in digital artistry with Drawww, an innovative real-time AI drawing app exclusively designed for the iPad. It combines speed, privacy, and creative freedom, allowing anyone from hobbyists to professional artists to redefine their creative expression.

Fast Generations with Apple's Advanced Technology

Drawww harnesses the speed of Apple's most advanced silicon, promising lightning-fast AI results. Now, generating art is as quick as a flash of lightning with Drawww's top-notch performance.

Your Privacy, Our Priority

The app is meticulously crafted to ensure that your creative process always stays private. Furthermore, Drawww operates seamlessly without internet access, granting the freedom to create anytime, anywhere.

From a Spark to a Masterpiece

Every great piece of art starts with an idea. Drawww is the perfect canvas for artists to begin with a simple concept and enrich it with intricate details, all while the app intuitively understands and assists in the creative journey.

Unleash Your Creativity with Unlimited Layers

Say goodbye to constraints, as Drawww offers unlimited layers in your digital workspace. Each layer is an unexplored territory, ready to contribute to your evolving digital masterpiece.

Precision Meets Intuition with Best-in-class Tools

Artists can indulge in a suite of precision tools such as brushes, pencils, and erasers, each offering customizable sizes and transparency to perfectly cater to their unique art style.

Revolutionary Formats for Artistic Flexibility

Prepare to embrace next-generation formats that propel the future of AI-driven creativity. Drawww leads the charge, providing artists with a platform to become pros today, not tomorrow.

Realizing Every Artist's Dream

Drawww is not just for the elite; it's designed so that everyone can channel their inner artist. Simply envision your art, and let Drawww bring it to life in front of your eyes.

Instantaneous Access and Sharing Capabilities

Gone are the days of waiting ages for apps to load. Drawww boasts lightning-fast opening times and enables seamless sharing across devices, ensuring your art is always within reach.

Designed with AI at its Core

Drawww isn't just compatible with AI; it's specifically built with AI parameters at its core, continuing your work effortlessly from where you left off.

A Harmonious Blend of Vector and Pixel

By merging the worlds of bitmap and vector, as well as object and pixel, Drawww's drawings create a unique fusion that offers unprecedented flexibility and quality in digital art.

Pre-Order Drawww Now: Your Portal to Artistic Innovation

Take the step into the future with Drawww. By pre-ordering now, you secure your spot at the forefront of AI-assisted art creation. Fast, secure, and bursting with creativity—Drawww is your companion on the exciting journey of artistic discovery.

Become a part of a transformative movement in digital artistry. With Drawww, unleash your potential and watch as your drawings are instantly realized.

Tags: #AI_Drawing_App, #iPad_Art_Creation, #Creative_Technology, #Digital_Artistry

https://www.drawww.app/

Opinions on Merge Commits, Rebasing, and Squashing in Git Workflow

Summary

The discussion on merge commits versus rebasing versus squashing is a common one in software development circles. The gist of the argument presented here is the belief that no single strategy is the right answer for all situations. Instead, each method has its place and should be used contextually. The author outlines personal preferences and experiences, favoring a mixed approach tailored to the specifics of each case.

Merge Commits

The author prefers using merge commits for the majority of pull requests (PRs), to preserve the true history of development. Merge commits show the flow of work and are easy to revert if needed. They also support the effectiveness of git bisect, a debugging tool, which works best with a history of smaller, buildable commits rather than large squashed commits. The ability to pinpoint a bug in a smaller change set is highly prized, and merge commits maintain this granularity. Having a policy of keeping each commit buildable is emphasized, although the author acknowledges human error and also recognizes the need to fix up commits for others in open-source projects.

Squashing

Squashing is used by the author when a PR consists of many Work-In-Progress (WIP) commits that only contribute to a single, focused goal with a relatively small overall diff. In these cases, squashing is beneficial to avoid cluttering the history with redundant "WIP" entries. However, the author notes the importance of rewriting the commit message to ensure it is descriptive and not just a concatenation of the squashed commit messages, which is the default behavior of Git.

Rebasing

Interactive rebasing is the method of choice for the author when dealing with PRs that contain both a large diff and many "WIP" commits. Rebasing allows for selective squashing and reordering of commits, which can clean up the project history. This process is believed to be part of good commit hygiene, a practice that developers should be familiar with. In situations with large PRs, the author prefers using a Git GUI client, which provides a more user-friendly interface for handling many changes—this is the sole situation where a GUI is preferred over the command line interface (CLI).

Concluding Remarks

Ultimately, the decision between merging, squashing, and rebasing should depend on the context of the changes being integrated into a codebase. The author's preferences illustrate a pragmatic approach that values preserving history, maintaining buildable commits, and ensuring clarity in the commit log. Good commit hygiene is underscored as an essential skill for developers, whether in open-source or professional environments.

Evolution and Diversity in the API Landscape

The Dominance of REST

REST, or Representational State Transfer, is the most common architectural style for web APIs and enjoys a usage rate of 86% among developers. While the usage has diminished slightly from 92% over two years, it still maintains its position due to its simplicity, scalability, and seamless integration with web services.

REST Architecture and Its Traits

REST relies on the standard HTTP methods and provides simplicity, modularity, and platform-agnostic design. It comes with mature tools and broad community support. However, it faces issues like over-fetching/under-fetching of data, versioning challenges, and stateless operation that can introduce overhead.

Webhooks for Real-Time Communication

Webhooks enable real-time, event-driven communication without the need for constant polling. This method, used by 36% of developers, is efficient and flexible, but it is not without challenges such as error handling and potential overload due to its real-time nature.

GraphQL's Growing Popularity

GraphQL, adopted by 29% of developers, offers strongly-typed schemas and precise data retrieval, reducing over-fetching. Its real-time updates and applications in complex queries are significant benefits, but it comes with a learning curve and potential resource overuse.

The Reliability of SOAP

SOAP, with its strong typing, built-in security, and ACID transaction support, offers reliable messaging and neutrality across languages and platforms. However, it's seen as complex and verbose, which may contribute to its limited community support and perceived rigidity.

Real-Time Communication via WebSocket

WebSocket is a protocol that provides real-time, bidirectional communication, favored in chat applications and online games. It boasts efficiency with its persistent connection but can be complex to implement and may have network limitations.

High-Performance gRPC

gRPC, utilized for inter-service communication, is known for its performance and multi-language support. It works with custom methods and facilitates streaming, but it faces hurdles in browser compatibility and debugging.

The Other Contenders

In addition to the major players, the API world includes specialized protocols like MQTT, AMQP, SSE, EDI, and EDA, which serve niche areas such as IoT and B2B transactions.

Conclusion: A Diverse and Evolving API Ecosystem

The API ecosystem is diverse, and while REST remains a solid choice, developers are exploring alternatives to address specific needs. Real-time communication is highly valued, as evidenced by the rising use of webhooks and WebSocket. Developers benefit from a multi-protocol approach, selecting from REST, GraphQL, gRPC, and others to create robust, efficient APIs.

Tags:

#API #REST #GraphQL #WebSocket #TechnologyTrends

https://blog.postman.com/api-protocols-in-2023/

Ratatui TUI Library: An Overview

Introduction

Ratatui is a Text-based User Interface (TUI) library that provides the necessary components to build feature-rich, interactive command-line applications.

Installation

To install Ratatui, you can use cargo add ratatui crossterm which includes the ratatui library along with crossterm for handling cross-terminal capabilities.

Quickstart

For beginners, a Hello World tutorial is available which demonstrates the initialization of a terminal, handling input events, drawing UI, and restoring the terminal state after the application exits.

Widgets

Built-in

Ratatui comes with a set of built-in widgets, including:

BarChart
Block
Calendar
Canvas for drawing points, lines, shapes, and a world map
Chart
Clear
Gauge
List
Paragraph with Scrollbar
Sparkline
Table
Tabs

Third-party libraries, bootstrapping templates, and widgets

An ecosystem of third-party libraries has grown around Ratatui, providing additional templates and widgets for developers:

ansi-to-tui
color-to-tui
rust-tui-template
tui-builder
tui-clap
tui-log
tui-logger
tui-realm
tui-realm-treeview
tui-rs-tree-widgets
tui-windows
tui-textarea
tui-input
tui-term

Apps

The library has been widely adopted, as demonstrated by the awesome-ratatui repo which showcases various applications built with Ratatui.

Alternatives

Alternative TUI libraries such as Cursive are also available, offering different features and design philosophies.

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments to Pavel Fomchenkov who contributed an awesome logo for Ratatui.

License

Ratatui is available under the MIT license, allowing for broad use and modification.

Documentation and Community

For developers looking to engage with the community or to delve deeper into the library's functionality, there are several resources available:

The official Ratatui Website
API Documentation
Examples showcasing different features and usage scenarios
git-cliff for generating changelogs following Conventional Commits standard
Guidelines for contributing to the project
Discussions about breaking changes and future directions are held on GitHub, Discord server, and Matrix at #ratatui:matrix.org.

Status of this fork

The Ratatui fork, maintained by Florian Dehau, merges changes from the original tui-rs, and the continuous development is reflected in its active community engagement through several online platforms.

By following the Quickstart guide, and with the resources available through the official website and community channels, developers can quickly build and customize efficient TUI applications using the Ratatui library.

Important Note

This overview does not include every individual code example or output image due to the content size limitations. For full detailed code examples and outputs, please refer to the Ratatui documentation and resource links provided.

https://github.com/ratatui-org/ratatui

Rectangle is a powerful window management app for macOS

Rectangle is a powerful window management app for macOS, enabling users to efficiently manage their workspace with a variety of keyboard shortcuts and snap areas. It is designed to be a worthy successor to the popular Spectacle Mac app, offering an easy-to-use interface and an array of features to enhance productivity on a Mac.

Open Source and Free Trial

Rectangle is an open-source application, signaling a commitment to transparency and community collaboration. Users are encouraged to try the app for free for 10 days, after which they can upgrade to Rectangle Pro for ₩13,233.

Minimal Learning Curve with Plenty of Shortcuts

One of the key benefits of using Rectangle is the simplicity it brings to window management. Users need to memorize less as they can repeat shortcuts to cycle through multiple window sizes. This is especially useful for users who handle numerous applications simultaneously and need to organize their workspace quickly and efficiently.

Rectangle Pro: Enhanced Capabilities

The Pro version of Rectangle provides additional functionality such as picking your snap areas. Users can drag windows to the screen's edges and corners, and the app will snap them into place. This feature caters to a variety of layout preferences, including portrait display layouts, accommodating users with different screen orientations.

Tribute to Spectacle

Rectangle honors its predecessor, Spectacle, by being a nearly complete drop-in replacement. For users transitioning from Spectacle, Rectangle offers the option to select the Spectacle default shortcuts when the app is first launched, making the switch seamless and familiar.

Donate and Support

As an open-source project, Rectangle welcomes donations from its users. Such contributions support its continued development and maintenance. The app showcases its appreciation for its supporters by recognizing Github Silver Sponsors, which include contributors like @Vesther, @gutzbenj, @manavm1990, @anglepoised, @ed-flanagan, @Crow-EH, and @svelle.

Rectangle Mac App presents itself as a robust solution for macOS users seeking to streamline their window management. Whether for casual users who prefer the free version or power users who upgrade to the Pro edition, Rectangle offers flexibility and functionality that improve day-to-day workflows on a Mac.

Tags: #RectangleMacApp, #WindowManagement, #macOS, #ProductivityTools

https://rectangleapp.com/

Dropzone: A Game-Changer for Mac Productivity

Overview

Dropzone is a Mac application that uplifts the drag-and-drop experience, catalyzes file transfers, simplifies app launches, and connects smoothly with numerous services. It’s tailored to boost workflow efficiency and heighten productivity for Mac users.

Features and Compatibility

Compatible with macOS version 10.15 and later.
The basic Dropzone app is free, including a 14-day trial for Dropzone 4 Pro.
Dropzone 4 Pro Lifetime is available for a one-time purchase of $35.
The app can also be sourced through Setapp or the Mac App Store.

Enhancing Productivity

Dropzone enhances productivity by making common tasks quicker and easier:

Drag files to the screen top to trigger action grids.
Drop files onto desired actions for immediate execution.
Utilize keyboard shortcuts, like pressing F3, to open Dropzone and execute actions with a simple keystroke.

User Reviews

Users from all walks of life, including those who work extensive hours, students, and professionals, laud Dropzone for its capacity to streamline their Mac operations and keep their desktops uncluttered. They cite features such as temporary storage for easy pasting, rapid organization, and the ability to perform tasks within the app without opening multiple folders.

Additional Features

Dropzone can be extended with additional actions that are easy to install.
It offers the ability for users to develop their own Dropzone actions using Ruby or Python.
Users can modify existing actions and share theirs with the community.

How to Use Dropzone

Drag a file to the top of your Mac’s screen to open a grid of actions.
Drop the file onto the desired action to perform it instantly.
Use keyboard shortcuts, like F3, to open Dropzone and execute actions even quicker.

What Users Are Saying

The app has received a plethora of positive testimonials on the Mac App Store. Users describe Dropzone as “game-changing,” highly efficient, and a critical tool that has become fundamental to their day-to-day digital workflows. The common theme praises the app’s intuitive use and its positive impact on productivity.

Conclusion

Dropzone stands out as a revolutionary app that not only simplifies the drag-and-drop function on Mac computers but also provides a suite of features that streamline daily operations. With its ease of use, compatibility, and the strong community support for further customization, Dropzone represents a key utility for enhancing productivity for a diverse range of Mac users.

Tags: #DropzoneApp, #MacProductivity, #DragAndDrop, #FileManagement

https://aptonic.com/

Introducing SuperDuperDB: AI Integration for Databases

What is SuperDuperDB?

SuperDuperDB is an innovative open-source framework designed to empower your existing databases with AI capabilities. It facilitates direct integration of AI into your data infrastructure, enabling features like streaming inference, scalable model training, and vector search, all within a streamlined environment. The straightforward API simplifies the building and management of AI applications, reducing the complexity typically associated with traditional MLOps pipelines.

Simplified AI Application Development:

Generative AI & LLM-Chat
Vector Search
Standard Machine Learning (Classification, Segmentation, etc.)
Highly specialized custom AI use-cases

Getting Started with SuperDuperDB

To dive into SuperDuperDB, you can explore the documentation, check out the superduper-community-apps repository, and even run Jupyter notebooks directly in your browser. The platform encourages community support by asking users to star the project on GitHub.

Key Features of SuperDuperDB:

Integration With Existing Infrastructure: No need for specialized vector databases or complex data migration processes.
Streaming Inference and Scalable Training: Operational efficiency for continuous data handling and model improvement.
Model Chaining: Combine different AI models for complex operations.
Simple Yet Extendable Interface: Manage various data types and features with an uncomplicated API.

Advantages Over Traditional Methods:

Data Management & Security: Maintain data within the database, improve security, and avoid duplication.
Infrastructure: Unify AI application development and management for better scalability and efficiency.
Coding: Minimize coding efforts thanks to a user-friendly Python API.

Core Functionalities:

Transform your database into an AI powerhouse with just one command:

db = superduper('your-db-uri')

Install, deploy, predict, and train AI models directly with your data storage:

m = db.add('model', preprocess='your-function', postprocess='your-function', encoder='your-datatype')
m.predict(X='input_column', select='mongodb_query', listen=True, create_vector_index=True)
m.fit(X='input_column', y='target_column', select='ibis_query')

Furthermore, SuperDuperDB enables the integration of externally hosted models, like OpenAI and Cohere, to complement your data ecosystem.

Use-Cases and Installation:

Examples of What You Can Do:

Deploy machine learning models directly in your database.
Train models using database queries without extra data processing.
Conduct vector searches through database content.
Integrate third-party AI models and APIs for enhanced capabilities.

Setting Up SuperDuperDB:

Installation is a breeze with Python’s package manager, pip, and Docker. Instructions and requirement details are provided to get you up and running quickly.

Community Engagement:

SuperDuperDB extends an invitation to users to participate in the growth and enhancement of the project. Engagement can be in the form of bug reports, documentation tweaks, feature suggestions, and more. The community can be reached via Slack, GitHub, or email.

Concluding Remarks:

SuperDuperDB is a tool that seeks to democratize AI integration into databases, bolstered by a supportive community and a clear vision for accessible, streamlined AI application development.