Here is another beta release of Simon, my website and server monitoring app for macOS.
Simon version 5 is a massive update, introducing a much-requested feature: syncing the Simon data between multiple Macs, plus a Simon Status service, a Link Checker filter, an iMessage notifier, and much more.
It's getting nearer to general release, with no further features being added now, so I welcome more testing at this time.
If you are using the direct edition, you can change your Updates preferences to include beta releases, then use the Check for Updates feature in the app to update.
Otherwise, download the beta now!
Here is another beta release of Simon, my website and server monitoring app for macOS.
Simon version 5 is a massive update, introducing a much-requested feature: syncing the Simon data between multiple Macs, plus a Simon Status service, a Link Checker filter, an iMessage notifier, and much more.
It's getting nearer to general release, so I welcome more testing at this time.
If you are using the direct edition, you can change your Updates preferences to include beta releases, then use the Check for Updates feature in the app to update.
Otherwise, download the beta now!
Here is another beta release of Simon, my website and server monitoring app for macOS.
Simon version 5 is a massive update, introducing a much-requested feature: syncing the Simon data between multiple Macs, plus a Simon Status service, a Link Checker filter, an iMessage notifier, and much more.
$1
etc can be included."title":"(.+?)",".+?"department":"(.+?)"
, and output a custom formatted value that includes them, e.g. $1 ($2)
.Please read the warnings and release notes above before jumping in. This is a beta release, not ready for primetime quite yet.
If you are using the direct edition, you can change your Updates preferences to include beta releases, then use the Check for Updates feature in the app to update.
Otherwise, download the beta now!
Here is another beta release of Simon, my website and server monitoring app for macOS.
Simon version 5 is a massive update, introducing a much-requested feature: syncing the Simon data between multiple Macs, plus a Simon Status service, a Link Checker filter, an iMessage notifier, and much more.
defaults write
Terminal commands.Please read the warnings and release notes above before jumping in. This is a beta release, not ready for primetime quite yet.
If you are using the direct edition, you can change your Updates preferences to include beta releases, then use the Check for Updates feature in the app to update.
Otherwise, download the beta now!
DejalNews 2021-01, issue #81
Happy New Year! 2020 was a trying year for many, but hopefully 2021 will be better for all.
This is DejalNews, an occasional newsletter from Dejal.
I don't believe in New Year resolutions, but am trying a Yearly Theme this year. My theme is the Year of Consistency, so as part of that, I'm going to try to be more consistent in publishing these newsletters.
If you want to receive these newsletters in your email inbox, head over to the DejalNews subscribe page to sign up.
Since the previous newsletter, Time Out version 2.7.1 has been released.
This update includes a new app icon, plus a number of changes for compatibility with Big Sur, including being built for Apple's new M1-based Macs, in addition to Intel ones. It also includes a much-requested new feature to ask to start a break, improvements to the break preview feature, adds several new break themes, and much more.
Read the blog post for more information on Time Out 2.7.
There have also been a couple more beta releases of a major upgrade to Simon, my website and server monitoring tool. Version 5 includes a much-requested feature: syncing the Simon data between multiple Macs! Tests and other data can be viewed and edited on any of your Macs, and checked on a specific Mac, plus notifiers can be performed on any of the Macs, even a different one than did the check. For example, have a Mac in a data center do a check, and play a sound or speak some text on the Mac on your desk if it fails or changes.
Version 5 has lots of other improvements, including the ability to check if other synced copies of Simon are still working, a new Link Checker filter, to validate all links on a web page, a Server Result filter, to easily check result codes, an iMessage notifier, to send a message, and much more.
The subsequent betas added a new Speak Error notifier, a completely new app icon, and more improvements. There are some issues still to address, so there will be more betas before this is in general release, but it's making progress.
Note that Simon 5 will be a paid upgrade after the beta period. Pricing and release date to be determined. But anyone who buys now or since September 1, 2020 will be eligible for a free upgrade.
Read the Simon 5.0b3 blog post to see the new icon, and the 5.0b1 post for screenshots and more information.
One of my consulting projects is SheetPlanner, a powerful macOS app featuring an outliner with custom columns, notes, links, timeline, calendar, and more. Version 2.0 was just released, the culmination of a year of work, which makes the outliner features available for free, so everyone can have an excellent outlining tool. It also adds several great new features, including multiple sheets in a document, my nemesis the print preview, and much more.
Speaking of which, for those of you have used Caboodle in the past, or are still using either version 1 from Dejal or version 2 from Before Dawn Solutions (who acquired it a number of years ago), you may like to know that while Caboodle is no longer available, it has a path forward: the aforementioned SheetPlanner. I wrote an importer for both version 1 and 2 Caboodle data in SheetPlanner, so you can import your data without having to export first, and without losing anything. It even supports decrypting encrypted entries.
If you use Caboodle, migrate over to SheetPlanner.
Every year around the New Year, I write a series of blog posts. The first highlights blog posts on interesting topics written the previous year, other than app release posts and DejalNews posts.
In 2020, those posts included the introduction of the r/Dejal community on Reddit, celebrating 25 years of consulting work, a bunch of tips on Time Out and Simon, and more.
Check out the summary of posts from 2020.
Another traditional New Year post is to recap the state of the Dejal and consulting apps; what updates they got during the year. Plus reviewing how my plans for the year panned out.
Take a look at the app updates in 2020.
The last in the New Year series is forward-looking: giving some vague indications of what's in store for Time Out, Simon, and potential new apps. Plus consulting and more.
Read my thoughts on 2021 projects.
If you haven't already taken advantage of a free gift of Time Out, my break reminder tool, it's not too late.
Become a supporter at no cost. This permanently unlocks all of the current features.
Please share this link with your Mac-using family, friends, and colleagues, so they can enjoy the benefits of regular breaks too.
Stay safe everyone! Please enjoy the Time Out gifts, stay home, use masks, keep a safe distance from others, and hang in there. We'll get through this.
- David
Here is a third beta release of Simon, my website and server monitoring app for macOS.
Simon version 5 is a massive update, introducing a much-requested feature: syncing the Simon data between multiple Macs, plus a Simon Status service, a Link Checker filter, an iMessage notifier, and much more.
Version 5.0b3 includes a redesigned app icon in the Big Sur style. Yes, I just got the icon updated for the squircle style, but I didn't like the old icon in a squircle, so decided to try again, with a completely new icon. It is inspired by the previous one, modeled after an antique TV, but now slightly more modern:
Please read the warnings and release notes above before jumping in. This is a beta release, not ready for primetime quite yet.
If you are using the direct edition, you can change your Updates preferences to include beta releases, then use the Check for Updates feature in the app to update.
Otherwise, download the beta now!
Here is a second beta release of Simon, my website and server monitoring app for macOS.
Simon version 5 is a massive update, introducing a much-requested feature: syncing the Simon data between multiple Macs, plus a Simon Status service, a Link Checker filter, an iMessage notifier, and much more.
Version 5.0b2 includes an updated app icon in the Big Sur style:
Plus other changes for improved Big Sur compatibility, a new Speak Error notifier, and sync improvements.
Read on for the full release notes:
Please read the warnings and release notes above before jumping in. This is a beta release, not ready for primetime quite yet.
If you are using the direct edition, you can change your Updates preferences to include beta releases, then use the Check for Updates feature in the app to update.
Otherwise, download the beta now!
DejalNews 2020-10, issue #80
This is DejalNews, an occasional newsletter from Dejal.
Very occasional, sometimes — the last one was back in April. That seems like an eternity ago now, doesn't it?
If you want to receive these newsletters in your email inbox, head over to the DejalNews subscribe page to sign up.
The big news from Dejal is that I have introduced the first beta release of a major upgrade to Simon, my website and server monitoring tool. Version 5.0b1 includes a much-requested feature: syncing the Simon data between multiple Macs! Tests and other data can be viewed and edited on any of your Macs, and checked on a specific Mac, plus notifiers can be performed on any of the Macs, even a different one than did the check. For example, have a Mac in a data center do a check, and play a sound or speak some text on the Mac on your desk if it fails or changes.
Version 5 has lots of other improvements, including the ability to check if other synced copies of Simon are still working, a new Link Checker filter, to validate all links on a web page, a Server Result filter, to easily check result codes, an iMessage notifier, to send a message, and much more.
Note that Simon 5 will be a paid upgrade after the beta period. Pricing and release date to be determined. But anyone who buys now or since September 1, 2020 will be eligible for a free upgrade.
Read the blog post for screenshots and more information.
If you haven't already taken advantage of a free gift of Time Out, my break reminder tool, it's not too late.
Become a supporter at no cost. This permanently unlocks all of the current features.
Please share this link with your Mac-using family, friends, and colleagues, so they can enjoy the benefits of regular breaks too.
A while ago I published a blog post with three new break themes, kindly contributed by a Time Out customer.
One shows a scenic picture for each break, another shows an inspirational quote, and the third has placeholder for your own photos or custom images.
I also published a couple of tips for Time Out since the previous newsletter.
The first was particularly relevant in these Zoom-y times: how to automatically skip breaks when on a Zoom call.
The second was how to avoid a break starting while doing a screen recording.
If you use Reddit, you may like to join the r/Dejal subreddit, as a community for Dejal customers, and another support channel. Learn more.
If you're in the US, and haven't already voted, please make a plan to do so. It's important.
Stay safe everyone! Please enjoy the Time Out gifts, stay home, use masks, keep a safe distance from others, and hang in there. We'll get through this.
- David
I'm pleased to introduce the first beta release of a major upgrade of Simon, my website and server monitoring app for macOS.
Simon version 5 is a massive update, introducing a much-requested feature: syncing the Simon data between multiple Macs!
Tests and other data can be viewed and edited on any of your Macs, and checked on a specific Mac:
What's more, notifiers can be performed on any of the Macs, even a different one than did the check. For example, have a Mac in a data center do a check, and play a sound or speak some text on the Mac on your desk if it fails or changes:
Something else many people have wanted, it also includes the ability to check if other copies of Simon are still working:
Other enhancements include a new Link Checker filter, to validate all links on a web page, a Server Result filter, to easily check result codes, an iMessage notifier, to send a message, a new more efficient data format, and numerous other changes.
Read on for the full release notes:
<html>
tags are now included.Please read the warnings and release notes above before jumping in. This is a beta release, not ready for primetime quite yet.
If you are using the direct edition, you can change your Updates preferences to include beta releases, then use the Check for Updates feature in the app to update.
Otherwise, download the beta now!
DejalNews 2020-04, issue #79
This is DejalNews, an occasional newsletter from Dejal.
If you want to receive these newsletters in your email inbox, head over to the DejalNews subscribe page to sign up.
The past couple of months have been quite the decade, haven't they? It certainly seems that way. With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the world at present, many people are working from home for the first time. To help out in some small way, I decided to give away my popular Time Out app.
While Time Out is always free to download and use, the best features are only available as rewards for supporters. But in these trying times, everyone deserves a reward. So I have created a page where you can become a supporter at no cost. This permanently unlocks all of the current features.
This is available even if you previously purchased Time Out — the gift will extend your support.
And for those who do buy, I am now including a link enabling you to give Time Out supporter status to others. Please share Time Out far and wide, and give this gift with my compliments.
I've published a couple of tips since the previous newsletter.
One was a tip for Time Out, on how to add breaks to the Calendar — a couple of break action scripts to add an event for each break, with the start and end times matching the time of the break.
Another was for Simon, my website monitoring tool, on how to use Simon to check for an expired website SSL certificate.
I had a fun iMessage sticker pack featuring GIFs of my chickens. As part of Apple's routine cleanup of old content, they removed it from the store. Which is disappointing, since it still worked fine, but I understand their policy.
So now you'll have to visit my homestead blog if you want a dose of funny chickens (and ducks, feral cats, bees, and more).
A couple of months ago I celebrated a milestone: a quarter century of helping others create Mac (and later also iOS) apps. Read that post for an ancient screenshot of my first project, and more info.
Since I'm slowly phasing out the Dejal forums due to lack of use and spam attacks, I thought I'd try another kind of forum: the popular Reddit site. So I created r/Dejal, a subreddit on that site. It hasn't seen much adoption yet, but you're welcome to join and post feature requests and such there. Learn more.
Every year I do a series of posts, including featured blog posts of 2019, and a review of how the previous year went, though this time I did a decade in review, 2010 to 2019. I also published a rather optimistic 2020 vision post, looking ahead to this year, though the pandemic has scratched any hope of attending conferences, and delayed my trip to New Zealand.
Stay safe everyone! It's a difficult time at present, affecting the whole world in dramatic fashion. Please enjoy the Time Out gifts, stay home, use masks, keep a safe distance from others, and hang in there. We'll get through this.
- David
Today I received a customer query asking how to use Simon to check for an expired website SSL certificate.
Of course, Simon is very flexible, so even if there isn't a built-in service for this specific case, if you can do it in the Terminal, you can probably create a custom script-based service in Simon to do it, too.
There are a number of ways to get certificate information, but this is one simple approach (if you know of a better way, let me know!).
I created a new script-based service, using the basic C shell, a one-line command, and a custom variable for the host name:
I then created a new test using this service. When accessing a server with an expired certificate, the output includes a "verify return code" message of "certificate has expired", so I used a Block filter to look at just that text (I pasted "Verify return code: " in the Start text, and an Option-Return in the End text), then a Find Required filter to make the test result in a failure if it doesn't find "ok", and finally an Override Custom filter if a failure, to output the error message:
For the success case, the last filter doesn't apply, so it just outputs the "ok":
Want to use this service? You can easily add it yourself, or import it by downloading from the Simon Extras page.
I hope you found the techniques in this post helpful.
Simon version 4.3.1 is now available. This bug-fix update just has a couple of tweaks:
Remember, Simon's price has been temporarily reduced (for the full license and upgrade license), to celebrate version 4.3 (and 4.3.1). Get it while it lasts!
Changes in 4.3 included:
If you are using the direct edition, you can use the Check for Updates feature in the app to update.
If you are using the Setapp edition, the app will automatically update shortly.
Otherwise, download Simon 4.3.1 now.
I'm pleased to announce that Simon version 4.3 is now available. An important update to my pro utility app to monitor websites and servers for changes or failures.
If you will be installing Mojave (macOS 10.14) on Monday, or any time soon, this update is essential, to address some compatibility issues. But it is still compatible back to Yosemite (10.10), and has some nice improvements even if you won't be updating yet.
I've also temporarily reduced the price (for the full license and upgrade license), to celebrate this update. Get it while it lasts!
Changes in this release include:
<meta http-equiv="refresh" content="0; url=https://www.dejal.com/">
. Meta refreshes to reload the same page are ignored.curl
.ftp
command-line tool.If you are using the direct edition, you can use the Check for Updates feature in the app to update.
If you are using the Setapp edition, the app will automatically update shortly.
Otherwise, download Simon 4.3 now.
It's been a while, but I'm pleased to announce the first beta of an update to Simon, my pro utility app to monitor websites and servers for changes or failures.
Version 4.3 is still a work-in-progress, but I wanted to get out a beta especially for anyone using it on Mojave (macOS 10.14), and also to address some issues that have been reported.
I've also temporarily reduced the price (for the full license and upgrade license), to celebrate this update. Get it while it lasts!
Changes in this first beta include:
curl
.<meta http-equiv="refresh" content="0; url=https://www.dejal.com/">
. Meta refreshes to reload the same page are ignored. This option is on by default. It replaces a hidden preference, and makes it test-specific.ftp
command-line tool.If you are using the direct edition, you can change your Updates preferences to include beta releases, then use the Check for Updates feature in the app to update.
Otherwise, download 4.3b1 now!
DejalNews 2017-12, issue #73
This is DejalNews, an occasional newsletter from Dejal.
If you want to receive these newsletters in your email inbox, head over to the DejalNews subscribe page to sign up.
'Tis the season for celebrations and reflection... and discounts! As I often do, I am marking the occasion with a discount on my Mac apps, Dejal Simon and Time Out.
From now until the end of the year, you can get Simon, my handy website & server monitoring tool, for just $49.50 — half the regular price. (The upgrade from version 3 is also half price.)
You can also become a supporter of Time Out, my popular break reminder tool, for half the normal amount; just $1.49, $2.49, or $4.99, depending on the supporter duration. (Remember, any level will permanently unlock all of the current supporter rewards.)
The Mac App Store edition of Time Out is also discounted, though with slightly different prices.
This discount is automatically applied if you buy via the online store, or in the Mac App Store edition. Or you can enter the code "JOYTOALL" in the coupon field when purchasing in the direct edition. Don't delay!
Already have Simon and Time Out? Tell your friends and colleagues about it! I really appreciate any help spreading the word.
Last week I sponsored an episode of AppStories, a podcast discussing apps on macOS and iOS, brought to you by the fine folks at MacStories.
It was great to hear John talking about Dejal Time Out on the show.
I'd like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday season, and a very happy New Year.
- David
DejalNews 2017-10, issue #72
This is DejalNews, an occasional newsletter from Dejal.
If you want to receive these newsletters in your email inbox, head over to the DejalNews subscribe page to sign up.
I mentioned in the previous newsletter that I was about to start work on Time Out version 2.3. As you may know by now, that did in fact eventuate, and it was recently released.
Version 2.3 focuses on enhancements to the postpone and skip options, including the ability to show the number of times each break has been postponed, skipped, and/or done (finished) today... and a much-requested feature, the ability to set daily limits on postponing and skipping. There's also a fun mini-pie-chart option.
Importantly, this update also includes a number of fixes for High Sierra compatibility, including a significant issue where the label and break background colors can unexpectedly become white.
I recommend updating to this version if you'll be installing High Sierra.
Read the blog post for details of the improvements.
I don't do much advertising, but I occasionally like to do something to support people and sites that I like. One such is 512 Pixels, written by Stephen Hackett, who you may also know as one of the founders of the Relay FM podcast network.
This week I am sponsoring the 512 Pixels site, as a way to help support Stephen, and promote the new release of Dejal Time Out.
Read the sponsorship post on 512 Pixels.
It seems I'm often writing about Setapp in these newsletters... but it's such a great service, making it easy for people to find lots of high-quality and useful apps, including Dejal Simon.
Setapp has just announced that they have reached 100 apps on the service; an exciting milestone. There's something for everyone!
- David
DejalNews 2017-07, issue #71
This is DejalNews, an occasional newsletter from Dejal.
If you want to receive these newsletters in your email inbox, head over to the DejalNews subscribe page to sign up.
Much of the US will experience a total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017. To celebrate this historic event, I thought I'd eclipse the price of Simon till the end of August. (Okay, a flimsy excuse for a discount, but why not — it's been quite a long time since the last one, even if not as long as since the last eclipse over the US, in 1918.)
This discount is automatically applied if you buy via the online store. Don't delay! Like the eclipse, this special only lasts a short time.
Already have Simon? Tell your friends and colleagues about it! I really appreciate any help spreading the word.
Recently TidBITS featured an article about Setapp, marking the five month period of Setapp's existence. I was quoted a number of times in this article, discussing my impressions of Simon in Setapp. Spoiler: I'm quite pleased with it so far. If you want lots of great apps (including Simon) for one low price, check out Setapp.
I've been busy with consulting work of late, so work on Dejal apps has been rather slow. But I'll soon be getting back to it, as time allows, with several app updates and even new apps planned for the rest of the year.
The future plans are always subject to change, of course, but my current thought is to first work on an update to Time Out, to version 2.3. I have several planned enhancements, and some issues to fix... but if you have any requests, now would be a great time to let me know. Maybe your feature idea could make it into the next update!
- David
Much of the US will experience a total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017. To celebrate this historic event, I thought I'd eclipse the price of Simon till the end of August. (Okay, a flimsy excuse for a discount, but why not — it's been quite a long time since the last one, even if not as long as since the last eclipse over the US, in 1918.)
This discount is automatically applied if you buy via the online store. Don't delay! Like the eclipse, this special only lasts a short time.
I know I've mentioned this before, but I wanted to remind everyone of BundleHunt, a "choose your own bundle" collection of great apps, which includes Simon, my pro tool to monitor websites and servers for changes or failures.
This bundle is coming to an end soon, so it's your last chance to get Simon and 6 other apps for just $19.99. Choose from 49 premium apps, including Typinator, MacJournal, WinZip, and more. You can get 7 apps for less than quarter the regular price of just Simon!
If you already have Simon, this is a great opportunity to get your friends or colleagues hooked on its benefits for a very low cost. I'd appreciate any help in spreading the word, and if you use this link they'll know you came from here.
DejalNews 2017-03, issue #69
This is DejalNews, an occasional newsletter from Dejal.
If you want to receive these newsletters in your email inbox, head over to the DejalNews subscribe page to sign up.
This month I released an update to Time Out, my popular break reminder tool for macOS.
Version 2.2 adds a major new feature: a new Activity page, where you can see what breaks you've taken (and for how long), and what apps you've used, if you wish.
It also adds some great user-contributed themes, and some other improvements.
A quick update to version 2.2.1 fixed a couple of scheduling issues.
Learn more about the changes in Time Out 2.2, and how to get it.
This month marked the one year anniversary of Time Out 2! To celebrate, I wrote a blog post, complete with pie charts, providing information on how the downloads and supporter model have gone over the past year.
Another recent update was Simon 4.2.2. This update included updated Setapp support, in-app purchase options, and a number of other improvements.
Learn more about the changes in Simon 4.2.2.
Note that it is still available as part of BundleHunt too, for a limited time. Tell your friends!
In addition to Dejal apps and Dejal consulting, my wife and I also have a hobby business called Yellow Cottage Homestead, LLC, where we raise chickens for eggs (as seen in my Chicken GIFs sticker pack!), make apple cider, grow lavender for various products, and soon will keep bees for honey, on our five acres.
About a month ago I started a blog for the homestead, where I'm posting every day or two about projects around the place. I recently had some posts about designing and building wooden potato planters, and there have been posts about snow and about chickens, but most of the posts have been about building a second chicken coop, which I've just started.
If that interests you, check out the Yellow Cottage Homestead blog.
Over the coming weeks you can expect many more posts about building progress, plus in May we'll be getting a dozen baby chicks (hopefully I'll have the coop ready by then!), plus will be setting up a couple of bee hives, and many other projects. Stay tuned!
Of course, there is a RSS feed, plus you can follow @YellowHomestead on Twitter, or the Facebook page.
- David