When I saw “app” I got all excited, thinking this would be a mobile app (which is when you 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 need something like this, for example, when sitting in that hotel room). Alas, desktop only, and who lugs a laptop everywhere these days?

You can use the “Custom Q&A” template to change the default answers to questions. For example, I’ve changed the response to “Alexa, will it rain today?” to “Look out the window. What do you think?” Keeps getting laughs in my family. Just change the wording slightly (e.g., “Alexa, rain today?”) when you want a real…

At 65, I regret a life (mostly) spent chasing a “perfect romance”. Fortunately, for the last 19 years I’ve had one that is quite close enough, but it was a long, very stupid road getting here. My younger self wouldn’t like what I’d say to him if I had the chance, but he’d be far better off for it.

I have one dedicated to holding until the next trash pickup day all of the nuisance squirrels that I find in my yard and attic. For some reason my family objected to my storing those in the main freezer, and my neighbors objected to my storing them in outside trash bin.

“...the Number One Rule of the Outdoors, which is: don’t touch it.”

Virginia?! Damn... Yet another reason to move to Canada.

Apparently, you’ve never heard of the free utility XMenu.

To bad there’s no “make Finder useful again” option that will bring back Finder Labels.

After many years of toil, my wife and I have finally reached what we would call a “wealthy” stage. And we agree that hands-down the biggest benefit is being able to easily afford to fly business class. We rather often take long trips (she’s from China, and we live in Virginia), and those 18-hour flights were murder in…

Just email proposals to a bunch of people you like, and see who accepts. One at a time, of course, unless you have a very strong stomach for conflict or there are some that you know are just pure fantasy (I had a lot of those...). Worked for me, and I’ve now been married to one of them for 20 years. And, I think I…

What app doesn’t warn you that you have unsaved work when you try to quit?! As for web browsers, I have mine set to resume where I left off.

There is absolutely.no.way. that any house wiring has to be replaced!!! Wire is wire, and besides, LEDs draw a small fraction of the current used by incandescents. Dimmer, maybe/probably. Wiring, I (an electrical engineer, BTW) deeply and thoroughly scorn the idea. I don’t know where anyone came up with an estimate of…

I barely deign to “clean” my kitchen (my sanctuary, the love of my life) for invited guests, and I’m sure as hell not going to disrupt my “organization” for people who drop by.

Hawai‘i is seductive, but beware! After visiting a few times, I quit my good Mainland job and moved to O‘ahu (with the excuse being that I was going to grad school at UH Mānoa). I stayed for seven years, which was two or three years too long, before getting bored and moving back to the Mainland (sans that good…

I probably don’t have to say this to savvy Lifehacker readers, but no matter how much you enjoy your visit(s) to Hawai‘i, 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 under any circumstances whatsoever buy into a timeshare there!! Do not even go near a timeshare presentation no matter what “free” goodies you’re offered to “just listen” (and believe…

When the Kilauea volcano calms down again and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is fully reopened, go there! Drive around the Crater Rim Road, and stop at all of the sights along the way. Splurge on a good, long helicopter ride over the active areas (assuming that it’s ever permitted again). It has been spectacular…

Don’t go to Hawai‘i without going to Kauai, and don’t go to Kauai without taking a Nā Pali Coast Zodiak (boat) tour. It will suck up lots of time and money to do it, and it’s worth every single millisecond and penny. There are various companies that offer the tours—shop around. Be sure to take something that can shoot…

Maui: Drive to the top of Haleakalā. Don’t argue that it’s too far, just 𝗱𝗼 𝗶𝘁! But don’t get tricked into signing up for the sunrise bike ride down the mountain. It’s friggin’ cold up there in the best of times, and to do the bike ride you have to be encased in a space suit that will keep you from experiencing…

If you don’t believe me about how great that trail is, check this out: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/kalalau-trail-kauai_us_57294fade4b096e9f08fad37

Oʻahu: visit the Bishop Museum (“the Hawaiʻi State Museum of Natural and Cultural History”). And as someone else mentioned, check out Costco for high-quality local stuff at good prices. Foster Botanical Garden is pleasant.