management

Universal Management on Mac: How to enable and use

07/02/2022 by

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Universal Control is the feature that has been talked about a lot and has been a long time coming. Although Apple promised to release it back in the fall of 2021, this did not happen – it needed some work. Finally, the feature is in working order in beta versions of macOS 12.3 as well as iPadOS 15.4. The first impressions of users are extremely positive. Universal control looks like it will once again reward Apple users with the “wow!” effect that other manufacturers are trying so hard to create.

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What is Universal Management?

Of course, the very name of this function sounds too vague to accurately understand its meaning. With Universal Management, Apple is trying to increase synergy between all of its devices. That is, keyboards, mice and touchpads will be able to work in conjunction with all representatives of the ecosystem, as is the case with AirPods. You don’t have to press anything to switch.

Using Accessibility, a keyboard, trackpad, or mouse connected to your Mac can be used with other nearby iPads or Macs.

You can simply move the cursor to the screen of a neighboring device with the mouse and continue working with it. No reconnections, menus or wires are needed, as well as unnecessary movements or rearrangements of equipment.

Apple already had a Handoff feature to transfer an open application from one device to another. But the possibilities of Universal Control are much wider! For example, you can automatically unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch, scan documents with your iPhone camera directly into a Mac app, and your iPad can act as an additional display for your Mac.

You can transfer any files, parts of text and just data between devices – you just need to hook them with the cursor and move them to the screen of another computer. The usual keyboard shortcuts, for example, ⌘Command + C, also work.

Even more surprising is that not only Apple branded accessories are supported, but also any other mice, keyboards and accessories, both wired and external. This applies to touchpads, the Magic Keyboard docking case, and even gamepads. Everything works simply and without any delays in both directions, it really looks like some kind of magic.

Brief presentation of Apple’s Universal Control:

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Which devices support Universal Management?

Apple has unveiled a list of its computers that will work with Universal Control:

MacBook Pro (2016 and newer)
MacBook (2016 and up)
MacBook Air (2018 and up)
iMac (2017 and up)
iMac (5K Retina 27″ Late 2015)
iMac Pro, Mac mini (2018 and up)
Mac Pro (2019)

And here are which iPads support this feature:

Any iPad Pro
iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
iPad (6th generation and later)
iPad mini (5th generation and later)

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Why is Universal Management necessary?

Any user who has more than one Mac, but several, or an iPad in addition to a Mac, has thought about the possibility of seamless work between devices. This is exactly what Universal Control provides. For example, if you have several Macbooks, you can arrange them next to each other and not stretch from one to another. It will be useful to pair the iMac with its huge monitor and iPad. On one tablet, you can place a window with a movie or a video god, on the other – mail or instant messenger, while working on a computer, while interacting with additional screens without taking your hands off the main accessories. You can simply move the cursor to the desired location.

Universal management can increase the mobility of multi-monitor workstations. After all, now you can use your iPad with keyboard case and MacBook and deploy a multi-screen desktop anywhere without additional devices and cables. It is to be expected that in the near future, professionals in various fields will find new scenarios for this amazingly useful Apple feature.

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How to use Universal Control on Mac?

As we said, Universal Management will be automatically enabled on your devices with macOS 12.3, as well as iPadOS 15.4 and newer software versions. Both devices must also be signed in to the same Apple ID with two-factor authentication enabled. Each device must have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Handoff turned on, and be within 10 meters of each other. If you want to use the wired version of Universal Control, you can connect the devices to each other via USB, but you need to enable trust your Mac on your iPad.

Once you meet all these conditions, just place two devices side by side, open the application on your Mac System settings and go to section Monitors.

Click the Add Monitor dropdown and select the device you want to “talk” to your Mac using Universal Control.

After that, a visual representation of the workspace will appear on the Mac screen. Drag the secondary screen to the side where it is physically located.

When you press a button Monitor settings… You can change various settings for each display.

Now simply “push” the mouse over the edge of the screen towards the secondary device.

A gray bar will appear on the side of the computer screen, corresponding to the screen size of your second device. The same will happen on his screen. As the mouse cursor moves beyond the screen of the first device, the same gray stripe will appear on the common edge of both devices. On the secondary device, on the side, there will also be an icon corresponding to the main device.

Whenever the devices are again close to each other, Universal Control will be active, of course, if the corresponding item is activated in the Mac settings along the way: System settings → Monitors and press “Additionally” to open Universal Control settings. If the device is already connected, you need to go to Monitors → Monitor settings… → Advanced .

The first setting is responsible for turning universal control on or off. The second option allows you to pass through the border between screens to initialize the Universal Control. The third option is responsible for automatic reconnection.

On the iPad, you can open the menu Main → AirPlay and Handoff.

By sharing the cursor or keyboard, all functions become shared. You can use multi-touch gestures, type freely, and more. You can also drag and drop files between devices. But if you’re dragging a file onto an iPad, the corresponding app should already be open there.

For example, when dragging an image, you must have a text document or “Photo” open. You can’t just drag and drop a photo onto the iPad home screen.

The ease of setup and use of Universal Control is impressive. There are no complicated settings to be aware of. Just bring the devices close to each other and your keyboard and trackpad will automatically become shared. The accessories are as responsive as if they were connected directly.

Online project (task) management software for Mac (macOS)

31/07/2021 by ALOK DAS

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Projects can take on a wide variety of shapes and sizes, as can the management tools used by project managers. You can search for the optimal software for the purpose of purchasing it later, but this software is often very expensive. Moreover, it is difficult to know before buying whether this project management tool is right for you and whether you will like it.

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If you are a Mac user looking for a suitable project management software, then our list will help you with that. These apps are easy to use, have basic essential features, are free or give you the opportunity to try a test version for free. This will make it possible not to buy a “pig in a poke”, but to understand the capabilities of the product.

Trello

One of the main features of using Trello is its availability across multiple platforms, including the web version. This makes it possible to access your projects from anywhere and anytime. A list of versions can be seen on the Trello download page.

Trello allows you to create multiple projects, use different lists, and add tasks either separately or as part of your project. You can select backgrounds and colors to customize the app, sync your calendar to keep things up to date, and view all activities with a click of your mouse.

Distinctive features of Trello:

Use useful add-ons (Enhancements, Power-Ups) to connect services like Slack, Google Drive, Miro, GitHub and more.
Include team members, due dates, shortcuts, documents, checklists, and photos on your lists.
Use the Trello email address you receive for each project to turn emails into assignments for your projects.

With Trello, you can easily collaborate by creating teams to review projects and assigning tasks to members. Receive notifications, group projects by category, and change settings for ungrouped projects for team and member visibility.

You can is free use Trello with disabilities (which is enough for a small team) or use a paid subscription. It unlocks features such as unlimited group projects, advanced admin rights, easy data export, and more.

Download Trello for Mac

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MeisterTask

As with Trello, you will find several supported platforms on the MeisterTask download page, including the web version. Create your project, add sections (lists) and use cards for tasks that you can assign to others.

You can quickly preview the activities for your projects by clicking the sidebar button. In addition, an icon indicating the number of notifications will be useful. The app makes it easy to search for keywords and customize tags to store similar items.

Distinctive features of MeisterTask:

Useful add-ons (Integrations, Power-Ups) for Zapier, GitHub, Slack, Office 365 and others.
Send invitations to your team members, you can easily see the number of tasks assigned to the participants in the sidebar
Assign due dates, tags, files, lists and notes to cards in your lists.

The MeisterTask Mac app is very similar to Trello, but with a few extra features and bonuses that you might like. And since the system is accessible from virtually anywhere, you can view and manage your projects on your computer or on the go.

The MeisterTask app is completely free to download and use (great for a small project or team), or check out MeisterTask subscriptions for additional features like unlimited integrations, automation, repetitive tasks, multiple team members, and more.

Download MeisterTask for Mac

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Ora

Ora is another project management application for Mac that has several types of whiteboard templates in reserve. Starting a project with a whiteboard template makes setup a bit easier, but you can create one from scratch if you want.

The app has four main sections in its Mac version: “Projects “, “Agenda“,”Timeline” and “Reports»With simple navigation on the panel on the left side of the window.

For each added project, you can configure the settings for visibility, permissions, settings, export and the so-called “Dangerous area“. The danger zone allows you to move, archive and delete projects.

Key Features Ora:

Availability of add-ons for simple or consistent workflows, time tracking, team chat, billing, and more.
Connect Ora to services like Slack, GitHub, Bitbucket, GitLab, Trello, Zendesk, and Google Calendar to keep track of your projects.
The ability to include dates, labels, documents, lists and photos on cards in your lists.

With Ora, you can add team members to collaborate, get notifications to stay on top of things, import projects from other apps, and create your own whiteboard templates to easily manage multiple projects.

The Ora app is available for free on the Mac App Store but has limited features. You can check out Ora’s pricing plans for additional users, action lists, unlimited members, file encryption, and more. The free tariff plan assumes the use of the service for one person.

Visit the Ora app page to choose a platform to download.

Download Ora for Mac

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Merlin project express

If you’re looking for a critical path project management app that offers a Gantt chart and work breakdown structure, then turn to Merlin Project Express. Its powerful full-size format makes it easy to manage complex or lengthy projects.

Add your tasks and subtasks, start and finish dates. You can expand and collapse tasks and subtasks, and sort the columns in various ways, making it easier to view.

You can quickly move tasks or their dependencies across the timeline with a simple drag and drop action. By expanding the inspector on the right, you can easily navigate to other sections of the project, such as notes, calendar, or lists. There is also a handy attachment viewer that you can open at the bottom.

Distinctive features of Merlin Project Express:

Creation of numerous new projects with built-in templates for a quality start.
Add resource information including type, contact information, cost, and rates.
Toggle the visibility of the critical path with one click.

Merlin Project Express is designed for home and semi-professional project management. If you need a little more power, you can try Merlin Project: Gantt & Kanban for true project management professionals.

Try a free 14-day trial. If the service is right for you, check out the Merlin Project subscription plans.

Download Merlin Project Express for Mac

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OmniPlan

OmniPlan is a powerful project management application for Mac that lets you work with a Gantt chart, work breakdown structure, network view, resource section, reports, analysis tools, and more. This app was created by the Omni Group, the same company that offers the acclaimed products OmniFocus, OmniGraffle, and OmniOutliner.

In the complete package, you can manage your projects from the planning phase to closing with an intuitive interface and valuable features unique to similar applications.

Distinctive features of OmniPlan:

The ability to manage working hours and days off.
Setting target completion dates for tasks, as well as the possibility of partial completion.
View reports on generated value, resources, resource timeline and overview.

For professional Mac project managers, OmniPlan is the right project management tool. It contains many additional features that will surely be appreciated.

Of all the project management apps on this list, OmniPlan is the biggest investment. However, you can grab a free two-week trial before purchasing, which comes in handy for exploring a powerful app like OmniPlan.

Download OmniPlan for Mac

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Mac applications for project management for any purpose

Each of these project management apps for Mac is slightly different from the rest. Whether you are making a choice based on project size, management style, or even cost, this list is where you will find the one that suits you.

How to do everything: 20 time management tips that will be useful to everyone

05/05/2020 by ALOK DAS

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Are you a punctual person? Do you do your business on time? Do you manage to cope even before the deadline? If the answer to these questions sounds “no” – you are not managing your time well enough. Here are some simple tips on how to fix this.

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Write a plan for the day

Plan ahead — early in the morning or, even better, at night before bedtime. The plan will give you a clear understanding of what needs to be done on a particular day. All you have to do is stick to the plan as accurately as possible.

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Set a deadline for each task.

More specifics! Do task A before 10 a.m., task B before lunch, task C by the end of the working day. The arrangement of deadlines will help you do everything on time and not “eat up” time for other tasks.

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Use the calendar

A calendar is a fundamental step towards managing your time. If you use Microsoft Outlook or Lotus Notes, the calendar will be part of your mail. Alternatively, take Google Calendar and synchronize it with your mobile gadgets (smartphone, tablet, etc.) – so you can refine your tasks anywhere and anytime.

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Use organizer

He will help you see everything that happens in your life. The organizer helps to understand incoming information, task lists, projects and the like.

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Know your deadlines

When do you need to do this thing? Select your deadlines in the calendar and organizer – and you will always be in the know when to submit another project.

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Learn to say no

Do not take on more than you can do. If you are trying to “hang” something else when you are already engaged in tasks already completed, firmly say “no” or, if it is not possible to say so, at least postpone the new task to a later date.

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Try to do everything before

If you need to submit the project by a certain deadline, you will either “surrender” on time or not have time. But if you decide that you want to deal with the project either earlier or on time, then solve this problem either earlier (which is generally excellent) or on time (which is also quite wonderful for yourself). So come to meetings early, and transfer deadlines to an earlier date.

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Learn to complete tasks in the allotted time

For example, write a report in 2 hours, spend 1 hour on purchases, etc.

Put a watch next to you

Sometimes we are so carried away by work or what we love, that we forget about time. The solution to this problem is a decent sized watch near the workplace.

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Set reminders 15 minutes before the event

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Do one thing

People often try to do everything at once – and in the end do not have time. Choose one, the most important task, and do just that. Close all browser tabs and programs that are irrelevant.

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Understand what distracts you from work

Typically, these are phone calls, messages from instant messengers and notifications from your favorite sites. You know what to do – turn it off (yes, both a smartphone and the Internet) and do only your work. Nothing terrible will happen – mobile operators send notifications about the missed call and offer the function of an answering machine, and news from the jellyfish and messages of your friends will wait until the evening.

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Set a timer

Download the application – for example, Egg Timer or any Pomodoro client (I use Pomodoro Timer), set the time you want to work (for example, 50 minutes) and start the countdown. When the time comes, the timer will beep. Rest 10-15 minutes and then continue.

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Do not go in cycles in trifles

You still can’t do it all-all-all exactly the way you want. To bring the document to perfect condition when this is not required is a waste of time. Which of us all, if you think about it, is not so much.

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Prioritize

It is impossible to do everything, so make a choice – what you will do now and what later or never at all. Make the Pareto rule your motto for your life (“20% of the effort gives 80% of the result, and the remaining 80% of the effort gives only 20% of the result”).

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Delegate

If there are things that someone will do better than you – feel free to give work to this person, and focus on what you know how to do better than anyone else.

Combine Tasks

For example, if you need to make a call, set aside time on your work calendar only for calls — and immediately ring up everyone you want to be with that day so you don’t get distracted later.

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Deal with Time Absorbers

What sites daily “devour” your precious time? Identify the source of the problem – for example, VKontakte, Facebook, Twitter, etc. – and refuse them during working hours (or at least less often go to them).

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Cut when needed

The reason No. 1, why we are late to do something – we cannot refuse something that we promised earlier, although now we have other priorities. Cancel or shorten meetings – otherwise your business will have no end, no edge.

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Take a break between tasks

At least 5-10 minutes – after all, you are not a robot, and you need to rest and “switch” from one thing to another.