#61: Exploring Shortcut Basics with Jeff Gamet, TextExpander Expert

Text Expander is a powerful tool allowing users to create and utilize shortcuts or snippets for commonly used text, phrases, and complex scripts. By assigning a simple keyword or abbreviation to these snippets, Text Expander enables you to expand them into full-length text, saving you valuable time and effort.

Jeff Gamet, a former TextExpander evangelist, technology blogger, podcaster, author, and public speaker, joins us today to discuss the benefits of using TextExpander and learning its basic shortcuts. Currently, he writes and hosts webinars for several companies. Previously, Jeff was The Mac Observer's Managing Editor and the TextExpander Evangelist for Smile. He has presented at Macworld Expo, Macstock, RSA Conference, several WordCamp events, and many other conferences. You can find him on several podcasts, such as The Mac Show, The Big Show, MacVoices, Mac OS Ken, In Touch with iOS, and more.

Join Jeff and me as we cover the following three questions and more!

1. What is Text Expander? What are the top three favorite text expander snippets?

2. What are the top three favorite unusual snippets that people might not expect a program like TextExpander to do?

3. What are the three top favorite Windows-based shortcuts?

In our conversation, we cover the following:

[01:15] Tech Setup: Jeff's Current Tech Setup

[06:01] Understanding DACs: Jeff outlines what a DAC is and how it improves the audio quality?

[11:51] Widescreen vs. Multiple Monitors: Utility Comparison

[17:16] TextEpander: Explaining about TextExpander, Jeff mentions his top three favorite text expander snippets.

[20:12] Snippets: All about Snippets! and a Bonus - A snippet that generates a script!

[29:21] Unexpected TextExpander Snippets: Jeff shares his top three favorite strange snippets that people might not expect TextExpander to perform.

[38:46] Windows Shortcuts: Jeff's three favorite Windows-based shortcuts.

[42:54] Connect with Jeff: Discover Jeff's Shows and Connect on Social Media.

Resources:

Connect with Jeff:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeffgamet/

Mastodon.social: mastodon.social/@jgamet

Instagram: instagram.com/jgamet/?hl=en

Jeff's Shows -

• Macro Voices Live: macrovoices.com/

• MacVoices Video with Chuck Joiner: podcasts.apple.com/tr/podcast/macvoices-video/id301371933

• In Touch with iOS (with Dave Ginsburg): intouchwithios.com/

• The Big Show (general technology show): britishtechnetwork.com/category/big

• The Mac Show (focused on the Apple ecosystem): britishtechnetwork.com/category/mac

• The Context Machine (with Grant Chaffin): contextmachine.io/

• Mac OS Ken: macosken.com/

Software & Hardware Mentioned in the episode:

TextExpander Website: textexpander.com/

TextExpander public snippets page: snippets.textexpander.com/

Equipment Mentioned in the Podcast

2023 M2 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro: apple.com/macbook-pro-14-and-16/

HP Z34c 34-inch curved display: hp.com/us-en/shop/pdp/hp-z34c-g3-wqhd-curved-display Rode Podcaster mic https://rode.com/en-us/microphones/usb/podcaster

Blue Compass boom arm: logitechg.com/en-us/products/streaming-gear/compass-boom- microphone-arm.989-000517.html

Logitech C920 camera (Sorry, this model was discontinued)

Audio Engine A5+ speakers https://audioengine.com/shop/wireIessspeakers/a5-plus-classic-speakers/ Schiit modi 3+ DAC (new model): schiit.com/products/modi-plus

Keychron C2 keyboard: keychron.com/products/keychron-c2-wired-mechanical-keyboard

Elgato Stream Deck:elgato.com/en/stream-deck-mk2

Dazzne LCD studio lights: amazon.com/gp/product/B07T593JR5

Kensington Orbit trackball: kensington.com/p/products/ergonomic-desk- accessories/ergonomic-input-devices/orbit-optical-trackball-3/