MacSparky Shortcuts Field Guide, iOS13 Edition

September 21, 2019 Jeffrey Taekman

Over the years, I tried several times to learn Workflow app. I didn’t have the patience. I’d start experimenting, but invariably, the app would hang, I would get frustrated not knowing what I was doing wrong, and I’d quit. After Apple purchased Workflow and reintroduced it as [Shortcuts](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/shortcuts/id915249334), I knew I was missing out. I tried building a few simple automations but failed.

I have been working on a new website ([HealthHippieMD](http://healthhippiemd.com/)) and have a growing need for automating the technology in my life. I knew I had to learn Shortcuts, but given my past experience, I was dreading the process—both the frustration and the time I knew it was going to take.

Spark by Readdle - my new email app

June 4, 2016 jeffrey.taekman

eMail is the bane of everyone's existence. Although I’ve been pretty diligent about reading email on the go, a problem I frequently faced was the issue of “skimmed emails”-those emails I read on the go but failed to immediately process. Later, when I returned to my Mac, I often missed the skimmed email because each appeared "read." Unfortunately, until recently, I had not found a suitable solution to this recurrent problem.I am a big fan of Macsparky. One of my favorite features on David Spark’s Web Site is the sharing of user’s home screens. In a recent post, I saw Brett Kelly (Website)(Twitter) mention Spark by Readdle and decided to give it a try. I have to say I’ve been incredibly impressed. Spark has completely replaced Mail.app on my phone and iPad. I can’t imagine going back.Spark is one of those apps that is a delight to use. The developers paid a great deal of attention to user-interface design. Even now, several weeks into my exploration, I continue to find subtle features that really do live up to Readdle's promise to have me “Like Your email Again."Spark has almost completely eliminated the Skimming problem on my phone. I now process 98% of my emails as I read them on the go. My Inbox has remained essentially empty since I started using the App.A few minor suggestions that could make the program even better: 1. the ability to add actions to swipes (ala Drafts) and 2. the addition of other gestures (taps?) that would further enhance the number of customizable processing options.Spark is now my iOS email client of choice. I hope you give it a try too.

Automated Dictation and Task Delegation using Evernote and Workflow App

April 2, 2015 jeffrey.taekman

As usual, David Sparks (Macsparky) inspired me. After finishing the MacSparky Workflow Video Field Guide, I decided to try my chops at buidling something new. As I was exploring the Gallery (the pre-baked workflows that come with the app), one of the examples caught my eye; "Recording to Evernote."I have a twenty minute commute between my home and work. When not listening to audio books, I attempt to be productive. While driving, I'm frustrated by my inability to delegate tasks to my administrative assistant. Before Workflow, in order to send a request (or dictation), I'd have to ask Siri to transcribe an email and then hope for the best. As I'm sure you're aware, Siri makes many mistakes. It's both difficult and unsafe to proof while driving. Siri was not a viable option.That's where Workflow comes in. I built a Workflow that records my voice then, at the same time, sends a link to both my admin and to Omnifocus. Here's how I did it.

Add the "Recording to Evernote" from the Gallery

First, download Workflow. Once you've installed the app, click on the "Recording to Evernote" workflow in the Gallery. Select "Get Workflow." Your workflow will be added to your "My Workflows" Area. Now it’s time to edit.

Programming the workflow

I didn't change any of the programming at the beginning of the script, but you can.

Programming the workflow - screen 2

Here is where I altering and appended the built in script:

(1) I customized the name of the note and included the current date variable
(2) After the audio note is recorded, the file is saved to Evernote. "Get Note Link" retrieves the unique URL for this brand new note.
(3) "Copy to Clipboard" passes the URL of the audio to the clipboard.
(4) "Send email" command takes the clipboard and pastes it into my email
(5) I put my admin's email address is in the "To:" field
(6) I included my OmniFocus MailDrop email address in the "Bcc" field (so I can track what I've delegated in Omnifocus).
(7) I customized the Subject Field (and appended the current date)

Add to my Home Screen

Finally, when I was finished programming (and after I customized the color and icon of the button), I added the button to my HomeScreen. Now, when I touch the button a screen comes up that reminds me to "tap to record." I tap, record my message, and then tap again. Workflow automatically saves the recording to Evernote then sends two emails: one to my admin (with a link to the audio recording) and one to my Omnifocus Inbox (where I can keep track of the delegated task).As you can see, Workflow makes automation ridiculously easy. I hope you find this simple application useful.