Mike Doel

I spent today going through the Keyboard Maestro field guide. I’ve gone through several others as well. David’s teaching style helps me understand not just the mechanics but the practical uses as well. I really appreciate getting to learn from Sparky.

Jim Eagar

Before I worked through the Obsidian Field Guide, I had no interest in using Obsidian. If anything, I felt negative toward the app. I’d taken a few webinars and tried it, but dropped it as not useful to me. However, David’s excellent teaching about how the app works and how people use it completely changed my thinking. Now, I’m in the process of using Obsidian to create my own thinking tool, my own “jimOS” vault, where I write down how I think and feel about many life issues. Obsidian is not user-friendly and has a steep learning curve. MacSparky does a great job breaking it down into bite-sized pieces so readers can understand the pieces and build them into an understanding of how to use the app. He not only teaches about the app’s mechanics but also gives lots of helpful information about the practical uses of the app. The Field Guide is a great learning tool!

Peter Harmon - AKA PilotPete

The MacSparky Field Guide for Keyboard Maestro is an invaluable resource for both beginners and seasoned users. Keyboard Maestro, with its intricate and powerful automation capabilities, can be daunting for many. While some may find it intuitive, the majority will appreciate the clarity and simplicity that David Sparks brings to the table. He expertly demystifies the software, breaking down complex functions into easy-to-follow steps. This guide is essential for anyone looking to unlock the full potential of their computer through automation. Don't wait to transform your workflow; get the MacSparky Field Guide now and make the most out of Keyboard Maestro! In fact it's so easy following his guide, it's almost like child's play!

Richard Hayes

I have followed several MacSparky Field Guides: DEVONthink, OmniFocus, Hazel, and Obsidian. Although I had used all those apps before following the Field Guides for them, I learned in every one of them features I had not known about. In every case the Field Guides helped me use the apps more efficiently and more enjoyably. A bonus feature for me as a retired professor is watching masterful pedagogy in action. David has a gift for clarity and accessibility, all delivered with a pleasant personality. I have recommended the Field Guides to several friends and will continue doing so in the future.

After upgrading to the new macOS, I found the restrictions on some new features super frustrating. Listening to Automators and Mac Power Users, I learned that Keyboard Maestro could help. But I didn't have time to dig deep into it from ground zero. What I wanted was some quick instructions to give me foundational knowledge, and show me what's possible. I figured once I could see it in action, and where the edges are, I would be able to use it for my purposes. Fortunately there is a MacSparky Field Guide! Signing up was quick and easy, and I got through the material over the weekend. I appreciated that each video was specific to one aspect. The short-and-to-the-point nature of the videos made it easier for me to stay focused and engaged. And the combination of video and text helped me best understand what I wanted to do with the App, and how it best works with my brain and existing skills. I appreciate the downloads too — they gave me a leg up on my own macros, and I'll be able to refer to them long after I remember the exact details of this course. Thank you, David, for a premium learning experience. I highly recommend this field guide.

Favorite. Down to earth, great learning.

Tomás Howlin

Indispensable ⚙️ David's videos have been a blessing for me. I LOVE and need these wizardly-looking-productivity-tools but have little time to learn how to use them. The Filed Guides get me to what I need in no time. Recommended 🙌

Bob Cassidy

MacSparky Field Guides are amazing. As an IT professional with over 40 years of experience, I learn more from the Field Guides than any other source, hands down! The combination of text and video, along with the excellent organization of the content is not only excellent for tutorial use, but also as a useful reference. I highly recommend the Field Guides even if you just have a passing interest in whatever area the guide covers.

Nik Thierry

The Keyboard Maestro tutorials got me from feeling overwhelmed by a complex piece of software, to feeling professional with it. This great set of videos that have changed how I use my Mac.

Nick Wagner

The MacSparky Field Guides are indispensable tools for getting the most out of new apps and technologies. David Sparks is a master explainer. His field guides are clear and concise, and his skilled use of video makes them easy to follow. Each field guide is suitable for a wide range of viewer expertise, starting from the basics and going on to offer valuable guidance for more experienced users. I look forward to every new field guide that comes out.

David is the Bob Ross of technology; calming, enjoyable and instructive, I have learnt an unquantifiable amount from him and his Field Guides. The Field Guides are all excellent (I should know, I think I have purchased them all) and just keep getting better and better. The stand-outs for me are the DEVONthink and the Obsidian ones. The production values are just so good. Each step (from installation to advanced use) is explained in clear terms, with demonstrations. Both DEVONthink and Obsidian are huge programmes and complex pieces of software. David's structured approach to each of them meant that I was taken by my digital hand and led through the complexities of the software. By the end, I felt better to tackle using them both and felt more productive as a result. David's Field Guides aren't cheap, but they are some of the best value products I've ever purchased. My only criticism: I wish there were more of them and they covered every piece of software I used. Many thanks to David.

Ranny Welton

I have spent a lot of time and effort getting a handle on Obsidian, following excellent instructors. Although Nick and Mike's materials are excellent, MacSparky's Obsidian Field Guide really takes it to a different level of understanding. He really explains completely the various segments which helps the understanding of the overall use cases of others. Highly recommend!! As a matter of fact, I have taken several of the field guides and would have the same recommendation for all.

Jeff Freeze

MacSparky's Field Guides have taught me so much about Shortcuts, Drafts, Paperless workflows, and other topics. Shortcuts is my favorite course. I love that it gives a full spectrum of knowledge. The courses take the student from Beginner to Power User and you can certainly decide for yourself where you want to end your knowledge journey along that spectrum. The courses allow me to easily go back over subject matter I didn't grasp the first time through. Also, compared to other learning platforms, mainly YouTube for me, Sparky's Field Guides give structure to my learning. I am not hopping around various videos trying to piece together the information I am attempting to learn. If Sparky has a Field Guide on the subject it is a well organized and structured way to learn a lot about that topic. I highly recommend buying Sparky's Field Guides if there is subject matter that covers an area you would like to learn a lot more about. I bought the Obsidian Field Guide to support MacSparky even though I doubt Obsidian will ever fit into my personal workflow. I just wanted to support his efforts at creating great courses. That is how much I value MacSparky's Field Guides. I buy them even if it isn't a subject I am likely to use because I want him to keep making the great guides.

The Obsidian Field Guide is all that I had hoped for and then some. It lays out a clear, executable path to become an Obsidian power user regardless of where on the knowledge spectrum one starts. What makes the Obsidian Field Guide stand out in this space is its creator. David Sparks is above all a gifted teacher and communicator. He understands how to teach others and communicate clearly what he knows. He simplifies Obsidian, a complex and powerful program, providing a path to use it productively from the first day while also laying out a path to become a power user in a short period of time.

This is the third training program I’ve tried, and the only one making concepts stick. I am a professional educator, and MacSparky is among the master educators I’ve encountered in any subject domain.

Time is my most valuable asset - a MacSparky field guide allows me to become proficient with a tool in a comparably *very* short time - on top of that, I get strategy advice, wisdom on best practices for utilising the tool in the longer perspective - I highly recommend them (I have 3) - I highly recommend revisiting the field guide again some months later, when the deeper aspects of what David teaches can be absorbed

I knew Obsidian was powerful and tried repeatedly to learn it myself. Finally, after finishing this course, I get Obsidian.

Obsidian is the crown jewel of the Field Guides.

This guide will provide you with everything you could possibly ever need to go paperless with Apple tech. This is one of those rare courses that can pay for itself a hundred times over, provided you follow the advice inside. David knocked this one out of the park.

As a DEVONThink user for over 10 years and having built a personal database containing over 30,000 items, I would consider myself a reasonably sophisticated user of the app. However, buying David Sparks’ Field Guide was like being given an intricately detailed map and a high-beam flashlight to take with me on the journey into the wilderness that DEVONThink, with its overwhelming array of features, can sometimes be.

I am only about halfway through and I can’t believe with how much detail and care MacSparky has laid out and delivered this guide. There are numerous examples for all kinds of apps and situations. The guide is easy to follow and without this guide I would have never been able to fully discover and enjoy the capabilities of shortcuts.

Charlie Uniman

The Obsidian Field Guide (Plus edition) is, in one word, superb. Obsidian is a difficult app to teach because it’s an app that can do so many different things in so many different ways. So, I marvel at how well David Sparks architected the course to be both comprehensive and clear. I thought I knew Obsidian pretty well after a year or so of using it, but David taught me a lot I didn’t know (both big things — getting a better handle on the Dataview plugin— and small things — I didn’t know about the setting that listed all backlinks to a note at the bottom of that note). I can’t thank David enough for making my everyday use of Obsidian so much better.

Macsparky has done it again, taking what could be an overwhelming app for newcomers and breaking it down into easy to follow pieces. Even the Obsidian power user has something here they can take away too. Bravo Sir! You really can’t go wrong with a Macsparky Field Guide, if you want to understand an app from the nuts and bolts right up to making it sing and dance then this is for you.

If you are at all interested in figuring out how to get your notes to work well for you, Obsidian is a solid tool. And David Sparks’ Field Guide can take you from knowing nothing about Obsidian to being able to easily organize your notes and developing your ideas. As always, he presents things clearly where you could either learn one step at a time or surgically dive in to learn exactly the topics you want. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned veteran, David gives you a fresh take on using Obsidian well."

Mike Doel

I spent today going through the Keyboard Maestro field guide. I’ve gone through several others as well. David’s teaching style helps me understand not just the mechanics but the practical uses as well. I really appreciate getting to learn from Sparky.

Jim Eagar

Before I worked through the Obsidian Field Guide, I had no interest in using Obsidian. If anything, I felt negative toward the app. I’d taken a few webinars and tried it, but dropped it as not useful to me. However, David’s excellent teaching about how the app works and how people use it completely changed my thinking. Now, I’m in the process of using Obsidian to create my own thinking tool, my own “jimOS” vault, where I write down how I think and feel about many life issues. Obsidian is not user-friendly and has a steep learning curve. MacSparky does a great job breaking it down into bite-sized pieces so readers can understand the pieces and build them into an understanding of how to use the app. He not only teaches about the app’s mechanics but also gives lots of helpful information about the practical uses of the app. The Field Guide is a great learning tool!

Peter Harmon - AKA PilotPete

The MacSparky Field Guide for Keyboard Maestro is an invaluable resource for both beginners and seasoned users. Keyboard Maestro, with its intricate and powerful automation capabilities, can be daunting for many. While some may find it intuitive, the majority will appreciate the clarity and simplicity that David Sparks brings to the table. He expertly demystifies the software, breaking down complex functions into easy-to-follow steps. This guide is essential for anyone looking to unlock the full potential of their computer through automation. Don't wait to transform your workflow; get the MacSparky Field Guide now and make the most out of Keyboard Maestro! In fact it's so easy following his guide, it's almost like child's play!

Richard Hayes

I have followed several MacSparky Field Guides: DEVONthink, OmniFocus, Hazel, and Obsidian. Although I had used all those apps before following the Field Guides for them, I learned in every one of them features I had not known about. In every case the Field Guides helped me use the apps more efficiently and more enjoyably. A bonus feature for me as a retired professor is watching masterful pedagogy in action. David has a gift for clarity and accessibility, all delivered with a pleasant personality. I have recommended the Field Guides to several friends and will continue doing so in the future.

After upgrading to the new macOS, I found the restrictions on some new features super frustrating. Listening to Automators and Mac Power Users, I learned that Keyboard Maestro could help. But I didn't have time to dig deep into it from ground zero. What I wanted was some quick instructions to give me foundational knowledge, and show me what's possible. I figured once I could see it in action, and where the edges are, I would be able to use it for my purposes. Fortunately there is a MacSparky Field Guide! Signing up was quick and easy, and I got through the material over the weekend. I appreciated that each video was specific to one aspect. The short-and-to-the-point nature of the videos made it easier for me to stay focused and engaged. And the combination of video and text helped me best understand what I wanted to do with the App, and how it best works with my brain and existing skills. I appreciate the downloads too — they gave me a leg up on my own macros, and I'll be able to refer to them long after I remember the exact details of this course. Thank you, David, for a premium learning experience. I highly recommend this field guide.

Favorite. Down to earth, great learning.

Tomás Howlin

Indispensable ⚙️ David's videos have been a blessing for me. I LOVE and need these wizardly-looking-productivity-tools but have little time to learn how to use them. The Filed Guides get me to what I need in no time. Recommended 🙌

Bob Cassidy

MacSparky Field Guides are amazing. As an IT professional with over 40 years of experience, I learn more from the Field Guides than any other source, hands down! The combination of text and video, along with the excellent organization of the content is not only excellent for tutorial use, but also as a useful reference. I highly recommend the Field Guides even if you just have a passing interest in whatever area the guide covers.

Nik Thierry

The Keyboard Maestro tutorials got me from feeling overwhelmed by a complex piece of software, to feeling professional with it. This great set of videos that have changed how I use my Mac.

Nick Wagner

The MacSparky Field Guides are indispensable tools for getting the most out of new apps and technologies. David Sparks is a master explainer. His field guides are clear and concise, and his skilled use of video makes them easy to follow. Each field guide is suitable for a wide range of viewer expertise, starting from the basics and going on to offer valuable guidance for more experienced users. I look forward to every new field guide that comes out.

David is the Bob Ross of technology; calming, enjoyable and instructive, I have learnt an unquantifiable amount from him and his Field Guides. The Field Guides are all excellent (I should know, I think I have purchased them all) and just keep getting better and better. The stand-outs for me are the DEVONthink and the Obsidian ones. The production values are just so good. Each step (from installation to advanced use) is explained in clear terms, with demonstrations. Both DEVONthink and Obsidian are huge programmes and complex pieces of software. David's structured approach to each of them meant that I was taken by my digital hand and led through the complexities of the software. By the end, I felt better to tackle using them both and felt more productive as a result. David's Field Guides aren't cheap, but they are some of the best value products I've ever purchased. My only criticism: I wish there were more of them and they covered every piece of software I used. Many thanks to David.

Ranny Welton

I have spent a lot of time and effort getting a handle on Obsidian, following excellent instructors. Although Nick and Mike's materials are excellent, MacSparky's Obsidian Field Guide really takes it to a different level of understanding. He really explains completely the various segments which helps the understanding of the overall use cases of others. Highly recommend!! As a matter of fact, I have taken several of the field guides and would have the same recommendation for all.

Jeff Freeze

MacSparky's Field Guides have taught me so much about Shortcuts, Drafts, Paperless workflows, and other topics. Shortcuts is my favorite course. I love that it gives a full spectrum of knowledge. The courses take the student from Beginner to Power User and you can certainly decide for yourself where you want to end your knowledge journey along that spectrum. The courses allow me to easily go back over subject matter I didn't grasp the first time through. Also, compared to other learning platforms, mainly YouTube for me, Sparky's Field Guides give structure to my learning. I am not hopping around various videos trying to piece together the information I am attempting to learn. If Sparky has a Field Guide on the subject it is a well organized and structured way to learn a lot about that topic. I highly recommend buying Sparky's Field Guides if there is subject matter that covers an area you would like to learn a lot more about. I bought the Obsidian Field Guide to support MacSparky even though I doubt Obsidian will ever fit into my personal workflow. I just wanted to support his efforts at creating great courses. That is how much I value MacSparky's Field Guides. I buy them even if it isn't a subject I am likely to use because I want him to keep making the great guides.

The Obsidian Field Guide is all that I had hoped for and then some. It lays out a clear, executable path to become an Obsidian power user regardless of where on the knowledge spectrum one starts. What makes the Obsidian Field Guide stand out in this space is its creator. David Sparks is above all a gifted teacher and communicator. He understands how to teach others and communicate clearly what he knows. He simplifies Obsidian, a complex and powerful program, providing a path to use it productively from the first day while also laying out a path to become a power user in a short period of time.

This is the third training program I’ve tried, and the only one making concepts stick. I am a professional educator, and MacSparky is among the master educators I’ve encountered in any subject domain.

Time is my most valuable asset - a MacSparky field guide allows me to become proficient with a tool in a comparably *very* short time - on top of that, I get strategy advice, wisdom on best practices for utilising the tool in the longer perspective - I highly recommend them (I have 3) - I highly recommend revisiting the field guide again some months later, when the deeper aspects of what David teaches can be absorbed

I knew Obsidian was powerful and tried repeatedly to learn it myself. Finally, after finishing this course, I get Obsidian.

Obsidian is the crown jewel of the Field Guides.

This guide will provide you with everything you could possibly ever need to go paperless with Apple tech. This is one of those rare courses that can pay for itself a hundred times over, provided you follow the advice inside. David knocked this one out of the park.

As a DEVONThink user for over 10 years and having built a personal database containing over 30,000 items, I would consider myself a reasonably sophisticated user of the app. However, buying David Sparks’ Field Guide was like being given an intricately detailed map and a high-beam flashlight to take with me on the journey into the wilderness that DEVONThink, with its overwhelming array of features, can sometimes be.

I am only about halfway through and I can’t believe with how much detail and care MacSparky has laid out and delivered this guide. There are numerous examples for all kinds of apps and situations. The guide is easy to follow and without this guide I would have never been able to fully discover and enjoy the capabilities of shortcuts.

Charlie Uniman

The Obsidian Field Guide (Plus edition) is, in one word, superb. Obsidian is a difficult app to teach because it’s an app that can do so many different things in so many different ways. So, I marvel at how well David Sparks architected the course to be both comprehensive and clear. I thought I knew Obsidian pretty well after a year or so of using it, but David taught me a lot I didn’t know (both big things — getting a better handle on the Dataview plugin— and small things — I didn’t know about the setting that listed all backlinks to a note at the bottom of that note). I can’t thank David enough for making my everyday use of Obsidian so much better.

Macsparky has done it again, taking what could be an overwhelming app for newcomers and breaking it down into easy to follow pieces. Even the Obsidian power user has something here they can take away too. Bravo Sir! You really can’t go wrong with a Macsparky Field Guide, if you want to understand an app from the nuts and bolts right up to making it sing and dance then this is for you.

If you are at all interested in figuring out how to get your notes to work well for you, Obsidian is a solid tool. And David Sparks’ Field Guide can take you from knowing nothing about Obsidian to being able to easily organize your notes and developing your ideas. As always, he presents things clearly where you could either learn one step at a time or surgically dive in to learn exactly the topics you want. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned veteran, David gives you a fresh take on using Obsidian well."