Author

dit und dat

@en.ileif.de

I'm blogger, focused on tech topics like computers, software, and usability. It covers workflow efficiency, automation, scripting, Obsidian and practical solutions for Apple (macOS, iOS/iPadOS), Linux, and sometimes Windows users.

Posts

Publications

dit und datOct 12, 2026

Event-Driven Automation on macOS with Crank

Crank is a macOS program that runs in the background and automatically performs actions in response to system events (“triggers”), such as a notification, a keyboard shortcut, an AppleScript, or a script written in zsh, Python, Ruby, Perl, or Swift. Since I’m interested in automation on macOS and writing scripts, I found Crank’s approach intriguing and wanted to take a closer look at the program, so I wrote a short review. - Getting started with the program and its interface - The structure of a rule: Trigger – Condition – Action - How AI can help when writing actions - Creating custom triggers via script, using a rain alert as an example

AppleShortcutsmacOS

dit und datAug 30, 2026

Canvases: Finally Real Widgets for Apple Shortcuts

Apple Shortcuts capture states, but showing them as a widget? Not a chance. The beta app "Canvases" by @simonbs@mastodon.social now makes it possible with a few shortcuts actions.

AppleShortcutsAppTest

dit und datMay 22, 2026

Before Obsidian: A Short History of Networked Knowledge and Markup

Obsidian did not emerge from nowhere. This article traces the decades of ideas behind it, from Vannevar Bush’s Memex and Ted Nelson’s Xanadu to the web, wikis, knowledge management, and Markdown. It shows how Obsidian combines networked thinking, backlinks, transclusion, and plain-text durability into a practical personal knowledge system.

ObsidianPKM