Blog : Joshua Lowcock

Joshua Lowcock sometimes blogs on non-work-related topics, most of which are posted below. If you are work related thought leadership pieces by Joshua, you can find them here. If you’re after the Audience Attention Dilemma, it can be found here.

If we meet in person and I recommend software or a specific website, you can find Joshua’s tips link here.

The blog posts are organized into the following categories:

There’s a miscellaneous category for things that don’t really have a home. I also have a long blog post full of useful websites, simply called tips. If we meet in person or virtually, odds are I will mention a website listed in tips.

The more popular technically skewed posts, you can find a list of those here. For tips specific to macOS, you can find macOS tips here. If you’re an owner of a Remarkable eInk tablet and what hacks, guides, and utilities start here.

From 2016-2021, Joshua published a weekly email, called Last Week in Digital Media. The newsletter summarizes the latest news in digital media, marketing, and technology of the week. The email newsletter was published for several years and was available as both a (limited) free or paid subscription. The archive is still available.

Need some fun and something less serious? Go here for some fun!

Recent Blog Posts

Guide: V Pen for the Remarkable 2, Real User Review (2025)

I've reviewed every Remarkable 2 pen alternative that I can get my hands on, you can read my Remarkable 2 alternative pen guide here. So I was excited to get my hands on the V-Pen and was fortunate enough to be gifted one. This is an unbiased review of the Remarkable V-Pen. The Remarkable V-Pen is a from a company called Group Vertical based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. That said, the pens themselves are made in China - a bit like Apple "Design in USA. Made in China". ha! The V-Pen retails for ~$70 on Amazon, but it has ...

Notepad++ for macOS Best Free Alternative to Notepad++

First, Notepad++ is NOT available for macOS. Sorry, not my fault - it is what it is. The best free alternative to Notepad++ is Visual Studio Code. Yes, that's right! It may be from Microsoft, but it's free, cross-platform (Windows, macOS and Linux) and integrates easily with Git. Download Visual Studio Code free here. Why do I recommend Visual Studio Code. I am tri-literate when it comes to computers, so work across Windows, macOS and Linux simultaneously. Using the same tool across all platforms just is easier, cleaner, and you can also sync settings to your Microsoft account. There's no ...

Guide: How to Fix Apple HomeKit Always Restarting Setup / Operation Error (Works!)

I had this weird Apple HomeKit issue where every time I started HomeKit it went through the entire setup process again, then HomeKit gave an error message "Could not complete operation" on the Intercom feature. What was really frustrating is I had a fully working HomeKit - all of my smart devices were visible, they responded, etc. but I was forced into the HomeKit setup before I could access devices. Read on for the solution! I was so frustrated by the error, out of desperation, I called Apple who suggested I try deleting all devices and setting it all up ...

List of Popular Windows Game Launchers / Game Stores

I just built a new gaming PC and couldn't find a list of all popular Windows Game Store/PC Game Launchers or a Ninite equivalent for Game Launchers. In the absence of anyone else doing it, figured I'd put together a list for others - you're welcome! If you're building a gaming PC, giving a gaming PC as a gift, and want to make sure it's ready to use out-of-the-box, here's all the popular game launchers / game stores you should install on your Windows PC. These game launchers / game stores are essential. I have listed them in alphabetical order, ...

Review: Real User Review Lucyd Smart Glasses (2025)

I have owned a lot of smart glasses, the Rayban Stories v1 and v2; Amazon Frames; Snap Spectacles v1 and v2; and a very early version of the Lucyd Smartglasses. Just before the new year, I was gifted a pair of the Lucyd Lyte Eclipse 2025 edition with prescription lenses. These are my first smart glasses with a prescription lens, making them my first every day smart glasses. This is my personal, unbiased review. In 2024 my glasses prescription updated, and I've always wanted to have every day smart glasses, but most manufacturers make it hard. If you buy Meta ...

Guide: Skype Number Alternatives, Keep your Skype Number (2025)

Update 2025: Microsoft is now retiring Skype - permanently. As of May 2025! Full announcement from Microsoft here, but for those of you who rely on Skype numbers. You'll need to port out your number(s). In late 2024, Skype phased out Skype Phone Numbers. As a Skype Number user for several years, and on occasional user of numbers for business purposes, this news was a major bummer. And this next sentence foretold the future... For now, if you have a Skype number it seems you're OK and you will not lose your existing number. But how long can we trust ...

How to Fix WordPress Pagination Page 2 Not Working 404 Error (Works!)

Is WordPress giving you a 404 error on category pages and paginations, especially when you go to Page 2, etc? This is a bug in WordPress that only seems to only occur if you use the permalink structure of /%category%/%postname% This bug was driving me crazy, as I tested enabling/disabling plugins, clearing page caches, resetting permalinks, rolling back my WordPress version, without success. The fix is easy, but make sure you backup your WordPress site before installing, That all said, I take no responsibility if it breaks things for you, all I can promise is it worked for me. Tested! ...

Real User Review: Saily Travel eSIM – best global travel eSIM

If you're in a hurry and just want a Saily eSIM discount code, use JOSHUA5 for 5% off, this is the best discount code for Saily eSIMs. That said, I encourage you to read the review - you'll find some helpful information and advice. Background This is a real actual end-user review of the Saily eSIM. I have used and tested Saily in both the US and Australia. Saily did provide me a 7 day/1Gb Australia trial for the purposes of my fair and honest review. This review is unbiased and based on my personal experience with Saily. I do ...