winter 2024/2025�12.

90

Works hops
for Mac and Windows

images with AI weather forecasts

create understand
LAN itself brainstorming
wiring in the team

Successful
short videos
produce Isometric
draw
home server
put on AI better
steer
From Windows
Work more efficiently
switch to Mac © Copyright by Heise Medien.
with Microsoft Copilot
© Copyright by Heise Medien.
 EDITORIAL
Dear reader,
Artificial intelligence has long been part of your, my, and all of our
everyday lives. In the case of the ChatGPT app, this is obvious. With
many other products and services, this is only revealed on closer
inspection - if at all. The voice assistant in the speaker and the smart
retouching of photo editing can be based on machine learning, as can
the answer to a support request, the advertising placement in the
social network or the diagnostic software in the hospital. So no one
can ignore the topic anymore. It's good if you know how to use it to
your advantage.

For this reason, we are presenting you with three workshops on AI in

this special issue of Mac & i. You can use Microsoft Copilot not only in
Word, Excel, Teams & Co., but also in the browser. The service
evaluates PDF documents and YouTube videos for you, for example,
and writes texts according to your requirements. In the workshop
starting on page 30, you will learn how to do this. But AI does more
than just sift through endless tables and dry texts. With the help of the
following article, you can create computer-generated images. Even if
you don't want to "snap" photographic works using AI yourself, it's
worth reading: Learn to understand the risks and opportunities of the
photorealistic images that you encounter in social networks, but also
in established media.

At first, using AI services seems simple. In many cases, you

need more in-depth knowledge to get the best out of them.
The article gives you strategies for prompting, for example to
eliminate errors in the results, starting on page 54. Here you
will also learn how to use artificial intelligence effectively in
your company - for example for social media work.

Even if you don't want to deal with AI, you will find plenty of
reading material in this issue to inform yourself and imitate. The
articles come from experts in their field. From AI consultants to
moderation trainers to professional photographers, experts share
their knowledge with you.

If your head is pounding after reading, a walk in the fresh air

will help. "Understanding Weather Apps" (page 18) explains
when and why you should take an umbrella with you, even if
the chance of rain is slim. Or stay home and relax with
isometric drawing (page 132). Enjoy reading!

Sebastian Trepesch

Mac & i extrawinter 2024/2025 Your opinion, additional material, web code: mac-and-i.de/wfes 3

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

 CONTENTS
Editorial 3
imprint 146

SUCCESSFULLY SHORT-
PRODUCING VIDEOS
From finding a topic to filming and
analyzing success: How to use short portrait
videos on Instagram, TikTok & Co.

WEATHER FORECASTS
UNDERSTAND
Why different weather apps often
provide different forecasts and how
you interpret the data.

18

BETTER CONTROLLING AI
Get optimal results from AI chatbots and image
generators with clever instructions – in the
company, but also privately.

54

BRAINSTORMING
IN THE TEAM
Find ideas together, plan and implement
projects with the online whiteboard Miro.

70

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

 WORK MORE EFFICIENTLY
WITH COPILOT
Save time writing, creating images,
and working with Microsoft 365
with Microsoft AI.

30

IMAGES WITH AI
CREATE
Understand the risks and opportunities
of AI photos and create your own works
with image generators.

42

FROM WINDOWS
SWITCH TO MAC
Step by step, move data and programs from
your PC to your Mac and avoid pitfalls.

88

LAN ITSELF
WIRING
For optimal network connection, lay and
test Ethernet cables in every room.

104

HOME SERVER
PUT ON
Combine with Unraid hard drives to
create an easy-to-maintain NAS.

118

ISOMETRIC
DRAW
Create spatial sketches on the iPad
with Affinity Designer.

132

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

© Copyright by Heise Medien.
 Success with
short videos
Telling the most important thing in a few seconds – that is the high

Art of short clips. How do you score with such vertical videos on
Instagram, TikTok & Co.? Tips on formats, topic selection, filming

and success analysis.

By Mika Baumeister

M
If you want to be successful on social tidiness and something is constantly happening.
media, your content has to captivate If it remains boring for a few seconds, viewers
the audience. This can be done very swipe to the next video. The competition is
well with short video clips, also called "shorts" much greater, and initial interest in your content
- if you know how. They ask exciting is limited. That's why the video introduction and
questions, show special insights or the first five seconds are so crucial to the
sometimes just ride the current social media success of your content.
trend wave in a funny way. Ask yourself the
following questions: What is not just Produce exclusively or as an accessory?
superficial marketing talk, but really
interesting for viewers? How can you present You can either produce short videos directly for
your company in front of the camera in a this purpose and, for example, give tips, answer
particularly attractive and entertaining way? questions or spread news. Or you can use
existing, longer company videos: By significantly
This is important for short-form videos shortening the overall length and keeping only
the most important moments (or even dividing
Short content for social networks differs the material into several videos), new shorts can
significantly from classic formats that we know quickly be created. Alternatively, short videos
from TV. Such shorts are usually recorded and can be used to give an excellent preview of the
published in portrait format rather than original videos. Comedy content also works
Image: StockPhotoPro, stock.adobe.com

landscape format. This is because the target particularly well.

group mostly watches the clips on their Below we present you with several format
smartphones and is used to swiping through the ideas. Find the ones that suit you, alternate
videos with a thumb movement. them on your channel and produce the ideas
Even the style of quickly edited YouTube with different departments, people or
videos differs from short-form content. The situations. We then go into the filming,
message is much more personal in shorts. follow-up and publication.
Each clip is trying to grab attention.

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

Workshop | Short Videos

Good examples of short videos

heise medien maintains several short Belinda, however, had complete freedom. The boss is not afraid of any video, current
video formats.c't 3003Jan-Keno Janssen Authentic "Gen-Z content" with challenges trends are picked up and implemented
and Lukas Rumpler publish YouTube and rather incidental product placement quickly. The result: numerous viral videos
videos with a length of 10 to 20 minutes. resulted in one of the most successful on TikTok.
On TikTok, the content is teased with German TikTok channels, which is now
Looking for a new cordless screwdriver?
one or two exciting aspects - but the full maintained by Belinda's successors.
The shopToolbrothersregularly
video is still only available on YouTube.
subjects tools or handyman tips to quick
The channeltips+tricksshows useful
TheDülmen leisure poolonly posted checks on YouTube, Instagram and
smartphone tips in short clips that
opening hours and special offers. When TikTok. You can also look over the
editor Anna Kalinowsky created
the employees explained hidden insights shoulder of the idiosyncratic technician
especially for social media.
into the height-adjustable floor or how the while he carries out repairs in his own
The YouTuberMarques Brownlee (MKBHD) underwater vacuum robot works, the workshop.
produces its own useful content for TikTok, number of followers and interactions on
Comedian delivers clever entertainment
which summarizes the main videos in less Instagram increased massively.
with simple meansFabi Rommel: In
than 60 seconds - many details of the entire
fan manufacturersZiehl-Abegghas no different outfits, he slips into different
video are missing here too.
private customer business, but still uses roles for bizarre monologues – and
Aevornormally produces backpacks, let social media channels to provide very masters the endless loops at the same
the then social media manager personal insights into the company. time.

platforms and target groups

Instagram: The German Standard LinkedIn: Here too

video is becoming increasingly important
with the content. A high number of
According to an online study by posts counts more than their quality. In
ARD and ZDF, Instagram is the With a slightly different approach addition, the more relaxed the approach
most used social media platform to targeting the target group, (and perhaps not necessarily in line with
in Germany. The age group of users is videos are also very popular on the company image), the more
more diverse than on any other LinkedIn and are slowly replacing photo successful the channel.
network. It is therefore no wonder that galleries as the format with the most
Instagram is the most relevant for many interactions. The platform is not yet
companies. Most users mix their particularly well optimized for videos, but Facebook and X:
professional and private lives there. If that does not stop users from consuming On the descending branch
you publish content on Instagram, you moving images here. Secondary use of
can mirror it on Facebook with one click content is less effective; you should rather Facebook is still the most
and thus use two platforms at once. produce content specifically for LinkedIn. popular social network in
Bear in mind that the target group here is the 50+ age group.
dealing with your company professionally. werk; People under 40 tend to hang out on
It is a lot about branding and acquiring Instagram. Hardly anyone under 30 uses
YouTube: Standard for long content future employees, but hardly about selling Facebook anymore. On paper, the Meta
products. subsidiary still has the most users
Any video over two minutes long still worldwide, but there is a huge proportion
belongs on YouTube. From this of dead accounts and inactive accounts.
length - sometimes even from one TikTok: Don't force it! There are also massive problems with sex,
minute - the retention rate (i.e. the customer finance and political bots that poison the
loyalty rate, see glossary on p. 17) on other TikTok is the most frequently used mood on the platform - the same applies
platforms drops massively. However, those social media platform among young to X, formerly Twitter. On both platforms,
who visit YouTube are more likely to watch people. One in four Germans uses it is becoming more and more difficult to
longer videos. YouTube Shorts is Google's at least once a month. The platform reach the right target group. If you have a
answer to TikTok. No influencer uses therefore appears exciting for any large following on Facebook, it is still
YouTube Shorts as their main platform - but company that wants to reach younger worth using it, but setting up a new
the platform is certainly suitable for the target groups. It is particularly important Facebook account is no longer worthwhile.
secondary use of existing short videos. The here: If the content does not seem As a video platform, Facebook mostly plays
algorithm rates the upload of shorts authentic and very promotional, you will funny rather than informative videos, so
positively for the performance of the overall not be successful. Play with current trends your brand messages are unlikely to go
channel. This means that your long videos (see tip 4). At best, a young person with particularly viral.
also benefit from the additional use. intrinsic motivation will sit down

8 Mac & i extrawinter 2024/2025

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

format ideas

1Designing a “Follow me around”

This format (“Follow me!”) promises The format traditionally follows a
insights into the company that outsiders protagonist who explains things in front of
don’t normally get. The “look behind the the camera and leads the viewer through the
scenes” takes you through the production various stations. This person is authentic,
of a manufacturing company, shows the funny and gets the viewer involved; if you just
processes in more detail and conveys how tell something in front of the camera or read

Image: Instagram / Make Magazine

complex and exciting your company is. the script, the spark won't fly - and potential
Important: If you only show empty customers will move on.
corridors and long offices, viewers will
quickly switch off. Eye-catchers are, for Editor Johannes Börnsen guides
example, fast machines, huge halls full of viewers through the crowded
technology or the large number of workshop in the video.
finished products. instead of Make magazine.

2Show product demos and use cases

Find an expert in the company. Who Special cases: How exactly can your
knows your services like no other? This solution help potential customers where
could be a leading software developer. the competition fails? How easy is it to
He shows the functions in detail and integrate functions into existing
convinces with authenticity and a wide workflows? Even if developers may be a
range of background knowledge. The little more shy than the sales or
person can also answer questions from marketing team, technical insights are
the community afterwards. Particularly more likely to convince than advertising
exciting are copy.

3Introduce teams or people

The introduction of individual people is in the video, shows the company's
intended to help with employee recruitment advantages and gives a friendly insight
and ideally arouses sympathy among the into the normal working day. By the
viewers. For example, if you are looking for a way: the fruit bowl is out and seems
trainee for the HR department, the team more "cringe" to potential applicants
than an added value. Convince them
with a nice team, exciting tasks (which
Interested in this job? With team or personal you are happy to present in a little more
introductions in a short video, job detail) and real advantages such as
advertisements seem even more interesting. vacation days, training, remote options.

4record trends and challenges

Trends are probably the most difficult The ability to address these issues humorously means Filter. One example is the song “I'm looking
category to plan. Similar to the Ice Bucket that this format offers the greatest virality factor. for a guy in finance”, which was covered by
Challenge (2014), they appear on Instagram, In addition to dances and challenges, Telekom, some savings banks and other
TikTok and Co. on a daily basis. Are you in trends also include viral songs or interactive financial service providers. Listen

Mac & i extrawinter 2024/2025 9

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

Workshop | Short Videos

somewhere "Normal potatoes on the 1", Person. However, you should be careful
this comes from a DFB video with national when trends use copyrighted material.
player Florian Wirtz. This video has also When the "Jerusalema" dance challenge
been reused dozens of times. circulated on the Internet, the record
Important: The lifespan of some trends company Warner Music subsequently
is very limited. Some challenges (Ice demanded licensing fees from some
Bucket Challenge, Hot Chip Challenge) last companies.
for months, others only attract attention

Image: Instagram / heise group

for a week and then disappear into digital
nirvana. Avoid lengthy discussions in
advance and endless approval loops after
filming. You have to publish such content Trends like “Of course we do…”
quickly and with trust towards the person keep popping up. You
carrying out the project. have to be quick here.

5Request user-generated content

These are videos produced by your Rather, it is a recommendation from lure them with the following appeal: "Show
customers and followers. This often someone who is so convinced of the us how you use the new BoMa++ model
does not happen automatically at the product that they share their positive and win one of five 20-euro vouchers!" The
beginning, you may have to convince opinion on social media. community then produces advertising
your community or fans. The advantage To trigger a wave of user-generated material that you can use for a relatively
is clear: the video does not come from content, you can, for example, promise small amount of money. However, you
your own company and is therefore not a small competition or discounts. A drill have little influence on the content, quality
seen by many people as manufacturer could or quantity of the videos.

6Influencers: Let others do it

With a marketing budget, you can also 10,000 followers. Despite the small target
approach (micro) influencers with specialist group, you can be sure that 95 percent of
interests. Smaller channels in particular are viewers are interested in the latest drills.
happy to receive official company inquiries This means that you can potentially reach
and do not demand unrealistic sums, while more new customers here than on a
gathering a top target group behind them. general influencer account with 100,000 or
Suppose you hire “Manni’s Drilling Machine more fans. Influencers must have paid
Blog”, which only collaborations

shooting schedule

7Determine the recording location

Choose a room or a fixed setup for the you may need to tweak the sound a bit
shoot that has enough light and is quiet. in post-production. Make sure the
If you are not using a room in the protagonist feels comfortable and avoid
company, choose a special location that pressure and stress.
Image: Mika Baumeister

fits the message of your video. The

place should also be as quiet as possible
to avoid disturbing noises. If this cannot You don’t have to set up a studio:
be avoided, A quiet, bright room is sufficient.

10

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

 Workshop | Short Videos

8Communicate authentically instead of lecturing

People want to exchange ideas with friends and Be friendly and address viewers using groups of the respective platforms. A
acquaintances on social media – companies "you" or "you", as appropriate for the young trainee may be better suited to
should therefore also present themselves in a platform. While Instagram and TikTok are this task than the head of department.
relaxed and friendly manner. Classic sales jargon more casual, a more formal approach is Trust the person responsible for finding
is out of place. Ideally, you should find an recommended for LinkedIn. topics and production. But avoid
approachable person who can communicate the The chosen person ideally brings a lengthy approval processes for small
content. This person acts basic understanding of the target details.

9For a smooth shoot: Create a script

A well thought-out script always length. You can find a template from If you can speak freely in front of the camera,
produces better videos. First, determine Camtasia developer Techsmith or in you don't have to spell out every detail; this
the topic, goal and target audience of Mac & i extra Winter 2023/24 from p. will seem much more authentic than a
your video. Outline the basic content 100. Plan precisely which scenes and sentence you've learned by heart. Once
and create a table that lists spoken text, settings you need and write out you've got into a routine after a few shoots, a
image content and the video important text passages.If the person more detailed schedule will suffice.

10Find creative, quick entry points

Short-form clips should never start with The audience knows what it is about in the first
a video intro: This is part of longer sentence.
YouTube videos, but it causes viewers to Risky but certainly successful are
abandon the video on social media. introductions with "clickbaiting", a
Instead, get to the point! The practice that is actually frowned upon in
audience's attention span is short, and online journalism. Here, users are lured
even shorter for shorts. Many viewers with supposed surprises that are
decide in the very first second whether mysteriously teased. Something like
the video is relevant at all. Here you this: "You'll never guess how we make
have to convince them with a so-called our drill!" or "Our boss's answer to
"hook". If you start the video with question 3 surprised us all!". The tactic
"Hello, I'm Mika and I'm taking you into works well for casual TikToks and the
production today. Come with me!" you retention rate increases. You should
have already lost a large part of the avoid this type of approach for serious
potential viewers - the name of the topics.
person presenting is of no interest in
the first few seconds and distracts from
Image: YouTube / c't 3003

the actual content. Arouse curiosity and

summarize the video content briefly:
"You want to know how we make this? “Is this laptop pretty but useless?” – if
I'll show you!" This way, viewers will find you get straight to the point,
out more about the video. quickly draws the viewer into the video.

11Record multiple clips at once

Not only does the recording of shorts take Planning to shoot around ten questions in You will also have gap fillers ready in
time, but also the setting up of the set with a row in the same setting. This will result in case of illness or vacation. Before
light and sound. For short-form content, it is ten short videos in post-production, which recording, think about what additional
perfectly legitimate to produce several videos saves time. With enough different formats, “content pieces” you could record in one
in one shoot: If you are recording an FAQ a content plan for the next few weeks can go using the same setting.
format, for example, you can use a little quickly be filled.

Mac & i extrawinter 2024/2025 11

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

Workshop | Short Videos

12equipment for filming

You also need the right equipment for A smartphone
shorts. For a camera, an iPhone or other is enough
top smartphone from the last four years short videos
is sufficient. But you shouldn't neglect good (prospect
lighting and sound. microphone so

LED lights (from around 100 euros) can be But you

Image: Røde
used to highlight objects or people, which now
creates a much better look. Clip-on
microphones (Rode WirelessGo or DJI Mic,
around 250 euros) are recommended for the If you often
speaker, as the iPhone microphones are no of scripts
longer sufficient beyond a few meters. reading, offers
You should also invest in a decent tripod small teleprompter,
with a smartphone holder. With a mobile into which you clamp an iPad with the Further detailed tips and tricks for video
phone gimbal (such as from Insta360 or DJI, script (for example the Desview T3, production can be found in Mac & i extra
from around 130 euros) you can achieve approx. 90 euros). However, a bit of Winter 2023/24 on p. 100 and in Mac & i issue
more varied moving shots. practice is required to read it. 3/2022 on p. 64.

recording, editing and preparation

13Recording: Free apps are enough

You can record using the camera app You should set the resolution in all This means you can still zoom in
pre-installed on your smartphone. It apps to 4K (3840 - 2160 pixels), the digitally or use slow motion during
automatically adjusts the video refresh rate ideally to 60 fps, even if the editing without any loss of quality. Keep
brightness, white balance and all other video is only published in Full HD an eye on the free storage space.
important presets for you.
You get more design options with the
Blackmagic Camera (iOS & Android) or
Apple's Final Cut Camera apps (both free).
These allow you to record in professional
formats such as ProRes and the low-
contrast LOG format. You also get visual
aids such as a level indicator (for the
microphone) or a pattern that you can use
to identify overexposure (zebra).

The Blackmagic Camera app supports

almost all the features that professionals
use on expensive film cameras.

If you use Final Cut for editing, the

Final Cut Camera is the right
choice. The workflow and video
codecs are coordinated here.

12 Mac & i extrawinter 2024/2025

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

14editing programs for post-production
Even if everything went smoothly during ten clearer. We recommend DaVinci
filming, you should still invest some time in Resolve as an editing program, or iMovie
editing. It doesn't make much difference or Final Cut Pro on a Mac; CapCut (iOS &
whether you edit the material on a computer Android) on your smartphone.
or a smartphone. The video editing apps offer
almost the same range of functions as some
established but more expensive computer
programs. However, operation on a large CapCut has established itself as a
screen is usually more convenient and, above free quasi-standard – and rightly so.
all, for larger projects. The range of functions is enormous.

15Clearing up traces in the rough cut

Regardless of the program you choose, Cover up mistakes well. In the drill
start with the raw files first. Import all example, the B-roll material could be a
videos in which people are speaking and close-up of the drill chuck while the
arrange them in the order you want. Cut person presenting talks about how easy
out pauses, clearing of the throat and it is to use. Edit the video as short and
ums. This will make the video shorter snappy as possible. Show the finished
and more interesting. Now enrich the clip to a colleague who is not involved
main track with cut images, also known and ask for feedback. This will help you
as B-roll. These can be videos from a find out what content can be removed -
different perspective, such as close-ups. or what is still missing for
In CapCut, you use the "overlay" understanding.
function for this. The additional clips
underline what is being said with optical
impulses. Side effect: The extra images In the rough cut, you sort the clips and
can be used to create cuts or small shorten as much as possible.

16search for background music

Music covers up the more boring parts
and conveys the general mood of the
video. Epic melodies, for example,
accompany the time-lapse of a festival
setup, electronic music conveys the
energetic mood of colleagues happily
crossing the finish line at the company
run. Free background music for
commercial use can be found at
freesound.org. Platforms such as
Instagram and TikTok offer some
copyright-free songs. However, you should
read the terms and conditions carefully.
Sometimes they prohibit postings with the
music provided on other platforms. Songs
with clearly clarified copyright can be
obtained for a subscription fee from
Epidemic Sounds, Artlist or Storyblocks.

With background music, a short

seems even more harmonious. Platforms like
freesound.org offers free material.

Mac & i extrawinter 2024/2025

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

Workshop | Short Videos

17voice level
Even if music is only playing quietly in the Turn up the volume a little and limit the
background, your video will immediately gain music volume to 10 to 20 percent. Tip:
in quality. To do this, you must adjust the Open a YouTube video to hear the basic
audio tracks of the music and the speaker's volume you need. Then, if possible, set
voice. In CapCut, for example, you can tap the your video to the same volume. If you
video or music track and use the "Volume" overdo it, unpleasant distortions may
function to adjust the sound. Normally, you occur.
must adjust the speaker's

Graphics: Ray Hollister

18Safe Zones: Make sure you leave some space!
If you want to work with additional effects You need at least 10 percent of space at
and graphics, be sure to pay attention to the top of the screen and at least 20
the so-called safe zones (see image). These percent at the bottom. Like and comment Safe Zones for TikTok: You should not include
are the areas in which the apps display buttons that need space are usually found any text or graphics in the entire gray area -
their own buttons and text. on the right-hand side. otherwise they will quickly be obscured.

19Use texts and subtitles

Statistics show that short videos work which increases the viewing time. However,
better when there is a text window at the you shouldn't overdo it. You don't have to
beginning of the video explaining the type in subtitles yourself; CapCut generates
content. For example, if you display the them automatically if you want. Without a
title "A day as an engineer" in the first five subscription (starting at 12 euros), however,
seconds, viewers will stay longer. only two AI subtitles per month are free.
Speaking of text: subtitles also have a YouTube also offers automatic subtitles in the
major impact on the popularity of content. YouTube Studio.
This is not just about accessibility, which is
also important. Many users like to watch
clips without sound when they are out in
public without headphones. Colorful or
animated subtitles are exciting for the Subtitles (also) ensure that users
viewer, watch your videos on the go.

20adjust subtitles
You should always proofread and
correct AI-generated subtitles before
adding them. For the finished texts,
adjust the font and color. If there are
corporate identity specifications for
colors, fonts or logos, you should stick
to them. Place the logo small

21belly bands and

Animated lower thirds and GIFs are more
likely to appeal to younger viewers. Older
viewers may not like too much blinking –
keep this in mind when editing for the

14

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

 Workshop | Short Videos

publication and evaluation

22designing a preview image

The video preview image (thumbnail) is a rhetorical question), the
intended to arouse the viewers' curiosity. background shows an exciting
Small adjustments to the graphics ensure scene from the video and makes
that significantly more people click on the you want to click on it. You upload
video. The thumbnails have the greatest the thumbnail to YouTube
influence on Instagram and YouTube. The separately from the video; for
other platforms recommend their video Instagram and TikTok, add the
directly as an autoplay post, so that the graphic as the very first image in
preview image does not appear at all. the sequence (capcut: "cover").
Make sure that the thumbnail design fits
in with the style of the rest of your profile on
Instagram and TikTok. A graphic template Thumbnail templates for
that can be adapted each time using the different aspect ratios
Canva app, for example, helps with this. In nisse can be found at
the middle is the content of the video (or among others on Canva.

23Add description and hashtags

Summarize the content of the clip in one Posts the best alternative tags that are
sentence in the description of your suitable for your posts.
videos. This will enable viewers to Hashtags play a bigger role on TikTok:
search for the video using the right The most successful are #fyp and
terms, and will also make it more # foryou. These ensure that the videos are
accessible. There is also room for shown more frequently on the so-called
questions to initiate interaction with the "ForYou Page". However, you should use a
audience. maximum of three hashtags. Remember
Different guidelines apply depending on that many young people use TikTok as a
the platform. However, unused hashtags are search engine and avoid Google ("social

Image: TikTok / heise online

generally not worth it. It is best to choose search"). Ideally, your description will
relevant, frequently used terms. Instagram attract as many people searching to you as
recommends using a maximum of five possible.
hashtags that categorize the video. This
indirectly helps the recommendation
algorithm to play the video to the right target
group. Facebook is almost indifferent to
hashtags, the added value of tagging is so
small that it cannot be measured. The Sistrix
Hashtag Generator offers inspiration. Enter A short description lets
your planned terms; the online tool then Make your video easier to find.
determines the best hashtags based on Each platform has its
millions of other own rules for hashtags.

24Publish at the right time

There are good and less than ideal posting That is why you should never post at, for Posting company posts countercyclically on
times on social media. Depending on the example, 4 a.m. The most effective the weekend does not bring any advantage.
platform, the first few minutes and posts are those posted in the morning Ultimately, however, the video content is
interactions determine how successful the from Tuesday to Thursday. These are always more important than the time of
post will be in the next few days. then consumed during the lunch break. publication.

Mac & i extrawinter 2024/2025 15

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

Workshop | Short Videos

25How often should you post content?

If you post videos regularly, you will be Submit video posts. Facebook and Plan to upload one video per day. The quality
remembered. This makes you appear LinkedIn recommend about one post per can be a little lower here. Use YouTube Shorts
particularly trustworthy and reliable. Depending day. Instagram also recommends at least as often as possible to upload the videos you
on the platform, different guidelines apply one story per day, and you can publish have produced for Instagram and the like. So
regarding the frequency of posting - regardless normal posts and reels less frequently. For plan ahead and produce in advance for the
of whether you post text, photos or TikTok, you should also post at least one holiday season too.

26community management
& monitoring
The project doesn't end with the want to share. These could be
publication of a video. How you deal with employees, but also professional
your fans after uploading it has a huge associations or interest groups. Every
impact on the reach. If the social media additional "share" contributes to the
platforms notice that you are interacting a perceived quality of the video.
lot with subscribers, the algorithm will If questions come from the
reward you and your reach will increase. community, these can of course be
Not only can you use built-in questions prepared later as excellent content: If
("What do you think of our new drill?"), but you have a professional from the
also simple interactions: If it's appropriate, company explain the questions with the
respond to as many of the comments as most likes, a new FAQ video will be
possible. Perhaps you know possible created in just a few minutes. So plan a Take a look at the comments later. The
multipliers who can share the Instagram little time in the week after publication algorithm rewards answers and new
Reel privately. to study the comments. topic ideas can be found quickly.

27Measuring Success
Each platform offers a number of
metrics that you can use to check the
success of your posts. YouTube shows
the most detailed information in the
studio: playback time and duration,
bounce rates, but also subscription
acquisition, statistics on origin and age
range, click rates, origin of viewers and
even search terms are listed in detail.
Instagram videos cannot be analyzed
as precisely. For business accounts,
however, you will find other "insights" in
the settings and activities, such as the
number of multiple views or the
"indirect" views that accrue from further
sharing in other people's stories. TikTok YouTube enables the studio to
offers similar statistics, but is a little second-by-second analysis of
more precise in the case of a viral hit Videos: When are viewers
and breaks down the viewer sources dropped out and why?
better.
From the numbers, some performance
indicators can be defined for internal
monitoring. These could be successful
conversions (clicks on the website), a
certain number of new followers per 1,000 TikTok also offers a lot of
views, or the interaction rate (views statistics – things get exciting
through likes and comments). when it comes to viral posts.

16 Mac & i extrawinter 2024/2025

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 Workshop | Short Videos

glossary

Bio:If you say "link in bio", you will be Hook:The hook and (usually) first sentence Organic reach:How many people saw
redirected to your own profile on the of the video. Generates attention and the post without any money being spent
respective social media platform. The entices you to watch the whole video. on advertising.
company's "biography" includes a short
explanation and a link to the website. Impressions/Engagement Rate:All Retention Rate:The “retention rate”.
interactions on the respective post, The longer a viewer watches the video,
CTA / Call to Action:Often used to summarized. This includes plays, likes, the better. The higher the percentage
encourage viewers to like the post: "Do comments, shares and bookmarks. The retention rate, the longer the watch
you like our content? Then leave a like engagement rate is a percentage that time (total viewing time) and the
now!" Can also refer to the website or divides the video views by any type of interest in your content.
the purchase of new products. interaction.
ROI / Return on Investment:Key figure
KPI / Key Performance Indicator:One or from accounting. If the production of a
FYP / For You Page:The homepage of Tik- more set values that measure the success TikTok costs 100 euros but generates 110
Tok, algorithmically controlled and largely of your strategy. For example: How many euros through leads, the ROI is ten
independent of which accounts are followers were gained? How many people percent, meaning it is profitable.
proactively followed. Often simply called watched the whole video? How many
FYP by younger people, without explicitly people visited the website as a result of user-generated content: Contributions that
mentioning TikTok. the video? do not come from your own company.

28spotting trends
Monitoring trending formats takes up a The Meta Group always has the right videos
lot of time. To make sure you don't miss at hand at any time. The "Inspiration Hub" is
out, there are some official resources. a function for its Facebook and Instagram
networks that displays similar content from
The TikTok Creative Center is the most other companies. You can find the hub in the
comprehensive. Trending songs, accounts Meta Business Suite, which also creates
and challenges are clearly presented here. advertisements for Facebook and Instagram.
Even if TikTok is not one of your
distribution platforms, you should take a Analyses limited to Germany can be
look. Because what goes viral on this found in the TikTok Charts by
platform ends up on Instagram, YouTube Medieninsider. The most successful videos
and the other networks two weeks later. If of the German community are The Creative Center shows you the
you stay up to date here regularly, you will summarized here in short form and offer most popular TikToks and thus also the
have the right inspiration for your own content. trends of the next few weeks.

29Learning from mistakes

The first ten videos are online and we are Using the precise statistics from YouTube and publish both versions. The more popular
slowly getting into a routine when filming: (see tip 27), you can identify parts of individual one will dictate how you express yourself
now is the perfect time to analyse and videos that cause viewers to drop out. If a online in the future. This works wonderfully
optimise even the smallest details. The particularly large number of viewers drop out at, with small details: Which video introduction
detailed statistics of the individual say, second 10, the last sentence probably works better? Should the viewers be actively
platforms help with this. encouraged them to click on the next sentence. addressed? Do graphics offer measurable
First, take a look at the people you Perhaps due to too much self-promotion or added value? (hze)
have reached. Does the target group boredom. With small A/B tests,
match the age group, origin and gender Tests allow you to
Mika Baumeisteris a freelance photographer
you have defined, or are there blatant define the better
and videographer with a focus on technology and
deviations? Then you are on the right passages over time.
smartphones. He produces image films, product
track! If a format works particularly well, kidneys: Replace
presentations and social media videos and gives
it is best to keep it. However, you should in a video simply a
workshops, for example on the topic of mobile
never commit to just one. statement
reporting.
by another one

Mac & i extrawinter 2024/2025 Your opinion, additional material, web code: mac-and-i.de/wnbj 17

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 Buld: Heng Heng Heng - AI Stock – stock.adobe.com

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weather apps
understand
The most frequently accessed information on the Internet
include weather forecasts. We explain why the
different weather apps often have such different forecasts
deliver what you can realistically expect from them and
how to find the best app for your project.

By Uwe Tippmann

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

Workshop | Weather forecasts

1Weather models serve as a basis

Before the actual weather forecast can be 8.4 petaflops (1 petaflop = 1 quadrillion All models deliver the results in a grid
made, the services providing it must carry floating point operations per second, as so-called GRIB data (Gridded Binary).
out several steps. First, meteorologists equivalent to the performance of 400 M1 Their quality depends on the spatial
record the current weather conditions Ultra chips). The GFS is the best known and distance between the points (grid width)
through measurements and observations. most frequently used model spanning the and the time interval between the
Second, they feed this data into a globe. However, there are also numerous individual calculations. For each grid point,
mathematical-physical model. It describes other and very different global models of a model only calculates one value in each
the changes in the atmosphere using a this kind. Their results are subject to category, such as temperature, air
complex system of differential equations. permanent verification based on the actual pressure or humidity. However, you will
There is no analytical solution for these weather. Good models are those with a know from your own experience that there
equations in the form of a formula, but it is small deviation between the forecast and can be considerable deviations in the
possible to process them numerically like the actual values. Some of these weather weather even over a few kilometers,
statistics. A weather model divides the models are freely available as open data, caused by differences in altitude (relief) or
atmosphere into small cubes. For each of others are subject to a fee. proximity to bodies of water. These details
these cubes, it calculates the probable Other important global weather models are usually not taken into account in such
development in small time steps. The are those of the European Centre for model forecasts. This is because they only
calculation of these weather models alone Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), capture the influence of mountains and
requires gigantic data centers. The the German Weather Service (DWD) ICON, valleys to a limited extent. Cloud formation
computer that generates the GFS model ICON EU, ICON D2 and the model of the in particular is therefore difficult to predict
(Global Forecast System of the US weather British weather service United Kingdom Met spatially and temporally.
service) currently performs around Office (UKMO). There are also models with a very precise
grid spacing of just 2.5 kilometers. However,
these local weather models do not look that
far into the future because they consume an
extremely large amount of computing power.
This is why they are not used in normal apps.

For your weather report on TV or radio,

meteorologists compare the statements of
the various and sometimes very different
models with each other, with the current
weather situation and with long-term
statistics. This means they can make more
accurate forecasts than a normal weather
app. A weather forecast is similar to the
prediction of a never-ending football
match for the next 15 to 45 minutes. Even
the best football expert will always be
surprised by the real outcome.

Weather models only deliver

their data for points in a grid. The
values are extrapolated for
locations in between.

2How simple weather apps work

Most pre-installed and free weather below. However, your current location does specific algorithm from the surrounding
apps generate their forecasts purely not usually coincide exactly with a grid point. grid values of the model or, roughly
automatically and only take into account So how is the forecast created that you speaking, the value is averaged. The result
one of the weather models - usually the receive for your exact destination? Using the often shows large deviations from the
GFS. The forecasts are calculated for location data of your smartphone, the weather that then occurs in reality.
points in a grid and the output of the weather app calculates the weather forecast This process is called Direct Model Output
forecast values looks like the image according to your specific (DMO), because the apps here use the pre-

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say the models do not change or
improve to any significant extent. In our
example in the picture on the right,
temperatures are shown. This is a
meteorological quantity that can be
predicted relatively well due to its Even the high-resolution GFS model cannot depict the temperature
physical properties and its distribution differences on the coast or in inner cities.
in space. For example, it is impossible
for nature to keep the air temperature The advantage for you as a user is that the but only with luck does it have anything
at one point at -30 °C and two applications are affordable and usually to do with reality. The rule is: from the
kilometers away at +30 °C over a longer easy to use. And for 90 percent of cases, seventh day onwards the error rate
period of time without air currents their information is completely sufficient, increases significantly. You can easily
causing it to shift. The same applies to for example for questions like: Should I check this yourself. Look at the app
wind conditions to a limited extent. But take an umbrella with me in the morning forecast for the 7th or 14th day in your
even summer showers or because it might rain in the afternoon? location. Over the next few days, take a
thunderstorms cause very different However, these apps cannot predict screenshot of it every day. You will be
amounts of rain in a small area, which in exactly when and where it will rain, they surprised at how much the weather
turn has a major impact on temperature can only indicate the probability. forecast for the day you are observing
and wind (more on this later). In addition, the further a forecast changes. And even if the weather on
The simple way of forecasting using goes into the future, the less likely it is that day happens to be exactly what the
DMO requires only a one-time to come true. A weather model does not app showed two weeks before, that
programming effort, which makes it care how far in advance it is supposed doesn't mean that the model was good.
very cheap to generate and very to calculate. In the end, it will always It's more like a stopped clock that shows
profitable to market. show a result that has the right time twice a day.

3What high-quality weather apps do better

Better weather apps go three steps Secondly, the better apps refine the a specific location. This results in a large
further. First, they use more models results of the weather models with a number of coefficients that describe the
than just the GFS. Windy, for example, statistical tool. This method is called Model relationship between the DMO and the
also uses three ICON models from the Output Statistics (MOS). They statistically real weather at this location
DWD with different grid widths and evaluate measurements, weather mathematically and statistically. These
high-resolution models such as the observations and model data with a are applied to the future, i.e. the model
AROME from Austria and the NEMS complex and complicated program and forecast.
from the Swiss company Meteoblue. thus improve the forecasts for a specific And thirdly, the MOS forecast is
Here, you as a user can compare the location extremely compared to the DMO. recalculated as soon as new observations and
direct output of several models (DMO) In doing so, they compare the DMO of the measurements are available. For comparison:
and make your choice. past with the real weather of the past. A DMO is only created every six hours,

The DWD calculates Model Output Statistics (MOS) for 450 However, there are only 112 automatic weather stations in Bavaria
Bavarian locations, combining different methods. that are available for validating and calculating the MOS mix.

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Workshop | Weather forecasts

because most models are not calculated more delivers current and real values. The Europe is becoming increasingly rare.
frequently. Current measured values, on the DWD has access to more than 400 such There are almost no professional weather
other hand, usually come hourly. When a machines in Germany, which is both a observers left. Much can now be
software update is made to the model, for lot and a little. It means that the compensated for by weather radar and
example the GFS (which is also constantly being distance between the measuring points weather satellites. But the precise details
developed further), the MOS coefficients are also is about 30 to 50 kilometers. This means of cloud types or precipitation phases are
recalculated. that showers and thunderstorms can no longer available. This means that
This method can also take into account local slip through the measurements meteorologists have fewer options for
characteristics of your location, such as city or unnoticed. checking whether the forecasts have come
surrounding area, mountains or coastal For the MOS, weather measurements and true. The bottom line is that apps with
proximity. The prerequisite for this is that there weather observations are essential, which MOS forecasts still achieve a significantly
is a measuring station at the destination that unfortunately are also not available in Germany and higher forecast accuracy.

4Interpreting Deceptive Weather Symbols

In apps and also in weather reports in give a quick overview, but unfortunately no more raindrops on the cloud and what
news broadcasts, various weather symbols there are no binding rules for the is the difference between rain and a
are used, for example for clouds, sun, design. At what cloud density does an shower? What characterizes hail, sleet and
raindrops, snowflakes or lightning. These uncovered sun shine, at what ice grains?
graphic elements are intended probability of rain do The symbols are intended to
summarize the weather impression for
a certain forecast period. Depending on
the app, this is one to three hours.
Weather changes that occur within this
period cannot be captured by weather
icons. With a detailed representation,
they simulate a temporal and spatial
accuracy for which there is no real basis
and therefore often mislead users.
On the other hand, weather symbols
do have their purpose in conjunction
with other information from the app.
But with a sun and a cloud, it makes a
big difference whether the sun will
shine for 10 or 50 minutes in a period of
one hour, or whether the probability of
a cloud with raindrops is 10 or 50
percent. The symbols alone are not
enough and you should always look at
the values themselves.
Image: WetterOnline

The symbols used by

WetterOnline and other apps are
rarely enough to tell you what
the weather will be like.

5What the air pressure says

Like temperature, air pressure is a It does not matter whether the air pressure is such as 1013 hPa has no meaning or
meteorological quantity that can be 950 hPa (hectopascals) or 1050 hPa. At best, consequence for you - unless you are a
predicted quite accurately. Under you will notice abrupt changes in air pressure pilot and need the air pressure at the
natural conditions, larger differences in your ears when you are riding in an landing site. But in that case you
tend to even out – wind is generated. elevator or when an airplane is taking off and certainly don't use a weather app.
Humans lack a reliable sensor in their landing. The specification of a specific value So why is air pressure mentioned so often
bodies for air pressure. They feel for the air pressure at a location in weather reports? On the one hand,

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 Workshop | Weather forecasts

High air pressure usually means few

clouds and therefore sunshine during
the day and colder nights. On the other
hand, low pressure conditions often
bring clouds and precipitation. The
change in air pressure is also important.
Spatial differences are crucial for wind
direction and wind strength. Changes
over time show how quickly pressure
areas shift, and this affects how quickly
the weather changes. In both cases,
however, you always need at least two
values at a spatial distance for
comparison. The isobar map is helpful
for recording this; points of the same air
pressure are shown as a line in steps of
usually 5 hPa. The closer the lines are to
one another, the greater the differences
in an area.

air pressure differences recorded

You can quickly do this using
isobars. These are lines
the same air pressure.

6What Probability of Rain Means

The probability of rain is always given in Different events such as mobile And that is all that this type of
percent in the apps. But what exactly construction sites, traffic accidents or prediction is about.
does it mean when there is a 30 percent state visits can cause the risk of traffic If you get stuck in a traffic jam with a 30
chance of rain between 10 a.m. and 12 jams to vary. However, with the percent chance of getting stuck in a traffic jam,
noon? Does that mean 30 percent of the appropriate knowledge and the right you were unlucky, and if you don't get stuck in a
time, i.e. for 36 minutes? Or does it only methods, it can be predicted at any time traffic jam with a 90 percent chance of getting
rain in 30 percent of the area? In fact, it with a certain degree of probability. stuck in a traffic jam, you were lucky. A
means neither. probability doesn't tell you whether an event will
happen. It only tells you how often the situation
For example, imagine that you drive could happen statistically, but not exactly when.
your car on a specific road every day In concrete terms, this means that if it
between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. The traffic rained when there was a 30 percent
department calculates that the probability chance of rain, or if it stayed dry, that
of getting stuck in a traffic jam at this time doesn't tell you anything about the quality
and on this specific route is 30 percent. of the app and the forecast. That may
This means that if you drive for 30 days, sound disappointing, but that's the law of
you could be stuck in a traffic jam on 9 statistics and that's exactly how the
days each. This would be a manageable information from your weather app should
restriction and you would plan it into your be understood. Most apps only give you an
daily schedule. But with this information, hourly forecast of how high the chance of
you will never know on which day the rain is during that time.
traffic jam will occur. At 30 percent, the
risk is probably low. But if the predicted
possibility of being stuck in a traffic jam for
an indefinite period of time is 90 percent, The iPhone weather app indicates
that would be 27 days in a month. In this the probability of precipitation in
case, you would consider driving at a one-hour increments.
different time or taking a different route. It is not possible to tell from this
whether it will actually rain.

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Workshop | Weather forecasts

7How (in)accurately rainfall amounts are forecast

The forecast rainfall is another important Normal rain showers sometimes have a say for an area of more than 500 square
indicator for the future weather. As with diameter of less than 3 kilometers. Normal kilometers, and that is almost twice the
the probability of precipitation, there are thunderstorm cells in Germany extend to 5 area of Munich.
many unpredictable factors here. Unlike to 50 kilometers in diameter. You have just In a light shower of just one liter per
temperature and air pressure (see tip 5), driven through a heavy shower, and a square meter, around 500 million liters
the spatial difference in the amount of kilometer further on the sun is shining on or 500,000 cubic meters fall on this area.
rainfall that will fall can be quite dry roads. Weather models calculate the This is how this value should be
significant. amount of water, understood. An average thunderstorm
which can occur at any with 20 liters per square meter,
grid point, with only one however, dumps this amount of rain on
number. Let us take as just 25 square kilometers. How the
an example a number water transported by the clouds is
which is quite common distributed is therefore very important.
in global models. Let's assume that your app predicts a
standard grid width of thunderstorm probability of 30 percent
23 kilometers. Then and a rainfall of 2 liters per square
represents this meter. The following can now occur for
a value that predicts your location: 1. No precipitation at all
reaches your location.
2. You experience a heavy thunderstorm
The DMO forecast with between 20 and 50 litres of rain
said for the town of per square metre.
Grimmen (district center) 3. At a distance of 10 kilometers from your
between 3 and 7 point, the exact opposite of your
liters of rain per weather variant occurs with the same
square meters in forecast.
six hours The bottom line is that the weather
ahead. In fact symbol, probability of rain and amount
brought the 30- of rain only make sense when viewed in
minute context. But only if you know the
thunderstorm cell deviations and always keep an eye on
130 liters/m2. the weather changes themselves.

8How to interpret the rain radar

Radar animations of precipitation are very But why does the latter sometimes not work? later displayed graphically. Strictly
informative and probably the most The radar sends out electromagnetic waves speaking, radar images - unlike satellite
popular weather tool on smartphones. from stations on Earth, which are reflected by images - do not show clouds. The radar
They help you identify rainy areas and water droplets and received at the same cannot measure precipitation directly,
estimate when they will arrive in your area. station and only the signals reflected by the
raindrops in the cloud. Since these
waves only penetrate a little into the
clouds but do not penetrate them, a
radar device only detects a portion of
the drops. Some apps only use the
reflected signal, i.e. the radar echo, for
the radar images.
To compensate for the effect of the lack
of depth analysis, the DWD operates a
network of 17 radar stations with a

Radar images use different colors to

reflect the intensity of precipitation.
The shift is made clear by images
taken every five minutes.

24 Mac & i extrawinter 2024/2025

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Image: DWD

The DWD operates 17 radar stations in Germany with

overlapping fields of view to detect clouds from different angles.

Range of 200 kilometers, whose field of forecast calculated in advance for the next
view overlaps. This means that no rainy 90 minutes.
area can hide in the shadow of another. However, the error rate for the
A radar image for the whole of Germany intensity of precipitation, the amount of
created from the results is called a rain and also the type of precipitation is
"composite image" because it is made between 50 and 100 percent. This is
up of 17 partial images. A new image is because the reflectivity of snow, rain
created every five minutes, which and hail varies greatly. But even with
means that the data has almost a live pure rain, the differences are very large:
character and is far superior to a normal many small drops produce a stronger
weather forecast. Over time, you can radar echo than one large drop with the
clearly see how rainy areas move; the same amount of water. Sometimes you
apps usually also provide a forecast suspect a rain area based on the radar
based on data from the past. and yet the rain actually falls.

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Workshop | Weather forecasts

no precipitation because it evaporates A radar is used that uses the Doppler

on the way to the ground or the effect to detect whether drops are
droplets are not large enough to fall out moving towards or away from it and
of the cloud. Or the opposite is true, also at what speed. Different colors are
when a seemingly harmless rain area used for the display. The image on the
brings a heavy shower. right shows a moderate tornado over
For more precise measurements, Maryland (USA) with a rotation speed of
meteorologists need special radar about 150 km/h, which leads to relative
methods such as Doppler, multi- speed differences of up to 300 km/h.
frequency or multi-polarization radar. Drops moving away from the radar are
However, this is extremely specialized red, those moving towards the radar are
information that only professional users green. The small brown spot between
or storm chasers use and interpret. It is turquoise and magenta is a tornado.
not available in normal weather apps. The radar device is located near the city A Doppler radar image shows whether and how
The normal reflectivity radar cannot, of Frederick, recognizable by the black quickly the drops are moving towards or away from
for example, make tornadoes visible. circle at the bottom right. the radar station. This makes it possible to detect
structures such as tornadoes.

9Understanding Dew Point and Humidity

A common way of measuring the water A more meaningful value is the dew point. at 100 percent and the air is saturated
content in the air is the relative humidity, It is the temperature at which the with water vapor. The value is usually
which can range from 0 to 100 percent. moisture contained in the air condenses, below the air temperature.
Especially at high temperatures, people i.e. gaseous water vapor turns into mist or As soon as the dew point exceeds 16
experience high humidity as sweat- dew in the form of droplets. The dew point °C, it is called sultriness. The energy in
inducing. A less common but much more is the relative humidity the

Image: Gregory Kaeser

At high temperatures, the air absorbs exponentially more water vapor and thus energy. This can lead to the formation of supercells with
tornadoes (as photographed here in Texas).

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 Workshop | Weather forecasts

Air. While you feel heat energy (or read of water vapor in the air can increase can then move over land as a supercell
it on a thermometer) and sense kinetic exponentially with high temperatures. with a tornado, as can be seen in the
energy as wind, you have no sensors for Tropical cyclones only form when the picture from Texas. In your app,
the energy that is hidden in the air as temperature of the water surface (which humidity is only taken into account for
water vapor. The latter is responsible for is identical to the dew point) in the area the probability of showers and
the intensity of tropical storms, for of origin is at least 27 °C. Such humid thunderstorms. The greater the amount
example, because the amount air masses of energy, the higher the intensity.

10Access to past weather data

Do you want to know how much rain fell special database queries. Meteorological men officially from the DWD, which
last month, how much snow there was or data from the recent or more distant past guarantees good quality. They are
how many hours of sunshine? There are and even statistical interpretations are prepared as a table, diagram or in map
currently hardly any apps that provide provided in a browser-based format by form. The site even has the option of
information about the weather in the past Michael Theusner's weather and climate displaying meteograms in time series.
(such as Carrot Weather for iOS, see Mac & website www.mtwetter.de. Here you will These are not representations for
i 3/2024, p. 48 and heise+). This is also find diagrams of important climate values laypeople, but interpreting them is not
because the user group is very small. from many weather stations in Germany. rocket science and with the previous
These queries are asked far too rarely and The website offers daily, monthly and tips you are already a little prepared.
therefore do not generate high click annual averages not only for rain, sun, air Alternatively, you can also set up your
numbers. Nevertheless, such data can be pressure and temperature, but also own weather station in the garden. You
accessed, although not always as easily as important data for farmers and gardeners can find a test of models with an app,
in an app. In some cases, this requires such as grassland temperatures and cold rain and wind sensor in Mac & i 1/2023,
and heat sums. The data comes from p. 114.

The website mtwetter.de offers freely available DWD data from the past in
graphical format.

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Workshop | Weather forecasts

11Finding the right app

You are planning an activity and want the Hours, because rain areas do not completely Mac & i 3/2024, p. 48, only iOS versions
best weather data for it. But which app is change direction within a short period of tested). Here you compare the forecasts
the right one for this? The first option time. However, you should be very careful on with the current weather in your
would be to look at the forecasts of a well- days with thunderstorms, because they do location. Find the model that has the
known weather app such as WetterOnline, not just move. They often form or merge best match. This is a pretty good
wetter.com, wetter.de or wetter.net. Then within a very short period of time, which is indicator of whether the forecasts will
look at the radar and satellite data. How difficult to predict. continue to be good for that day.
are the rain and clouds moving? Are the The second option: You look for an But there are also other criteria that
areas becoming more intense or weaker? app with a selection of several data help you find "your" app. It must be easy
From this you can usually get a rough idea providers, which in turn use different to understand and intuitive to use. You
for the next two weather models (see heise+ or should also reach your destination with as
few clicks as possible. Low data
consumption and freedom from
advertising are also important. Both
increase performance in the event that
your mobile network is weak.
Does your app contain different
models and can you easily compare
them with each other? Are local models
included, i.e. with a high resolution for
your region? Are data and forecasts
updated frequently? Four times a day is
the minimum, more is better. Is the
forecast adapted to the current weather
pattern, so does it match the view out
the window in your area? Do rain radar
and satellite images offer an animated
representation over time so that you
can get an idea of the shift? It is good if
this representation also extends one to
two hours into the future as a forecast.

Be sure to read the privacy policy. Some

free weather apps have proven to be real
data octopuses in the past, providing their
owners with various trackers and cookies
every time they open them. This involved
private, personal data, location and in
some cases even IMEI numbers and email
addresses. According to Stiftung
Warentest, this does not apply to
WetterOnline and the pre-installed
weather app on the iPhone. One thing is
A good weather app, for example, shows The privacy policies contain information clear here too: If you don't pay for a
the rain radar with a time course and about the large amount of private data service, then you are usually the product
lead time. that a weather app collects. and not the customer.

12Understanding local conditions

You have probably wondered why weather and sometimes also meteorologists on site. Temperatures of land and water or
forecasts from local people are often more Local sailors or mountain guides often depressions in the ground with a tendency to
reliable than those from apps or weather recognize changes in the weather pattern collect cold air.
services. These can be people who spend a from the slightest signs. They know exactly Weather changes at sea or in the
lot of time outdoors and are dependent on about the local conditions that have an high mountains can become a real
the weather, such as shepherds, extreme impact on the local weather. This is danger if you only rely on the app. Heat
fishermen, farmers especially true for coastlines with different storms form in summer in

28 Mac & i extrawinter 2024/2025

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

 On islands the weather is often different than on
the mainland, like here on Hiddensee.

less than an hour with gusts of wind, hail

and heavy rain. Small and narrow river
valleys also pose a danger, especially in
the mountains. Even distant
thunderstorms can lead to a sudden and
life-threatening rise in water levels. On the
other hand, it often happens that the sun
shines on islands in the North and Baltic
Seas because local winds break up the
Image: Johannes Schuster

cloud cover (coastal convergence). The

vast majority of apps had predicted
otherwise. The author can confirm this
from many years of experience as a
meteorologist for the NDR on Hiddensee.

13When forecasts have to be correct

Are you organizing a small barbecue or a In addition, reputable sources of
child's birthday party? With the information always exclude liability. All
information from the previous sections, weather app providers state this clearly
you will be able to interpret the in their terms and conditions.
information from your weather app and If you are organizing a large open-air
plan the activity accordingly. If event over several days and for thousands
thunderstorms are expected, you will be of people, there is a risk of damage to
prepared and if you keep a close eye on property or personal injury due to the
the weather, everything will be fine. weather. For events of a certain size or
What's more, you will have enough time at larger, the organizer must have a safety
home - 15 to 20 minutes - to get guests concept in place, which, among other
and garden furniture out of the rain. things, specifies the evacuation times. This
Things are different if you are planning determines the lead time with which those
a long sailing trip or an extensive responsible must make their decisions.
mountain hike. There is a risk that if the Even for smaller outdoor events,
weather changes, 20 minutes or even two competent support is recommended.
hours will not be enough to get out of the Some meteorologists (such as those from
danger zone. In this case, you should get the company Event Wetterberatung)
information about the weather from other specialize in now-casting. This includes a
sources in order to better assess the risks. forecast period of up to two hours.
For example, there is the DWD website Organizers who rely only on an app for
with the latest warnings or the severe cost reasons are acting with gross
weather center (see web code at the end negligence in the legal sense. (jes)
of the article). It is best to have a special
warning app installed to be on the safe
side. These would be the DWD apps
"WarnWetter", "Wetter Warnungen The app wetter.com can be configured
Europa" from Elecon or "Katwarn" from to only receive push notifications
the Fraunhofer Institute. The "wetter.com" receives when there are weather warnings.
app can also be configured so that you
receive severe weather warnings for your
location on your smartphone via push
notification.
Be sure to plan the time you need to
Uwe Tippmannis a media meteorologist with 35 years of
get out of the danger zone. You should
experience. He offers workshops and teaches. He also runs a
then plan the radius of your activities
company that visualizes meteorological data for professional
accordingly. The number of people
weather services and storm chasers.
involved and the amount of equipment
you need should also be considered.

Mac & i extrawinter 2024/2025 Your opinion, additional material, web code: mac-and-i.de/w2qr 29

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

 Image: AI generated with Midjourney by Madlen Grunert, Mac & i
More efficient
work with
Microsoft Copilot
AI seems very complex to many. But in fact there are offers and
Apps that provide easy access. With Copilot, Microsoft
a free chatbot that everyone can try and use
He designs and understands texts, creates images and much more.

We use useful use cases to show how

You can save a lot of time with the help of this AI.

By Robin Harbort

AI (artificial intelligence) mimics human Microsoft offers different paid versions. can be developed for different operational
intelligence to help create text and Copilot Pro extends the AI functions to purposes.
images, for example, and to reduce the private office applications, Microsoft 365 The first part of the workshop explains
time required for corresponding tasks. Copilot (M365 Copilot) to business office how to register with Microsoft Copilot as
Despite their capabilities, AI systems can applications with additional functions well as useful usage scenarios and
make mistakes. Therefore, humans must such as summarizing team meetings. functions of the free version. If you are a
remain in control - the AI takes on the Copilot Security is used for operational subscriber to Copilot Pro or M365 Copilot,
role of companion pilot. IT security, while Microsoft Copilot the tips in the second part will help you use
In addition to the free Copilot, which Studio allows for customized AI the bot in the Microsoft 365 suite and
supports texts, images and research, companion pilots optimize the way you work.

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

 short & sweet

• Copilot writes texts, creates images and evaluates PDF documents

or YouTube videos to help in everyday life.

• You can use the free version as an app or in the browser, in the
Microsoft Edge browser with additional functions.

• Copilot Pro and Microsoft 365 Copilot integrate AI into Office

applications such as Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams.

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

Workshop | Microsoft Copilot

Copilot Pro and Call in browser or installation

Microsoft 365 Copilot
The easiest way to get to know the free Best performance only achieved with texts.
Copilot Pro unlocks the AI functions private Copilot is to visit the official The Copilot app with GPT-4o has the potential
in your private Microsoft Office. AI Copilot website copilot.microsoft.com, to be a very good digital assistant. For
then finds its way into applications which you can interact with in any example, you will be able to record live videos
such as PowerPoint, Excel and browser. and speak into your phone in the Copilot app,
Outlook. If you want to use these AI Copilot offers more extensive options in and Copilot will understand your requests.
functions, you need a Copilot Pro Microsoft's Edge browser, which is available These features are expected to be available
subscription, which increases the not only for Windows, but also for Linux, from the end of 2024, as GPT-4o was already
cost of the Microsoft 365 subscription macOS, iOS and Android. In Edge, you don't demonstrated by OpenAI in spring 2024.
by 22 euros per month. have to first open the Copilot page to use the
AI; you can display it in the sidebar at any
M365 Copilot integrates artificial time. To do this, click on the blue Copilot logo
intelligence into everyday work and in the top right corner of your Edge browser.
significantly expands the capabilities of Copilot also offers additional functions
Microsoft Copilot. It differs from its public depending on the context, for example when
counterpart in the following ways: the browser is showing a PDF. More on that
later.
• full integration into the Microsoft 365 Alternatively, you can use Google
Suite Chrome. Other browsers may experience
• Copilot inWord, Excel, Outlook, Power performance degradation or problems.
Point, Teams, etc. For example, Microsoft throttles the
• improved data protection performance of the AI during peak times
• paid add-on license to the M365 for users outside of Edge and only offers
license interesting features such as chatting with
• IT must implement Copilot and PDF or YouTube videos in its own browser.
assign an M365 Copilot license to For mobile phones, there is a Copilot
users app in both the App Store and the Play
• Companies must meet the basic Store. The mobile apps will reach another
M365 system requirements, which milestone when GPT-4o, the latest AI
include Entra ID accounts and M model from OpenAI, is available in Copilot.
applications in the cloud “4o” is multimodal and can therefore With the purple switch in the middle
understand images and spoken language you can switch between the AI models
very well, not just text. Currently, Copilot ChatGPT-3.5 and the further developed
If you want to use the M365 Copilot, primarily uses GPT-4, which ChatGPT 4.0.
contact your company's IT department.
If you only want to use the software for
private purposes in your personal
M365, you can purchase the additional
license from Microsoft (all links can be
found in the web code).

365 Copilot is an add-on in the annual

subscription and requires a Microsoft 365
license, such as Microsoft 365 Business
Standard or Business or E3/E5. The annual
subscription costs 337.20 euros net. Copilot is
licensed per user. Initially, Microsoft required
a minimum purchase quantity. This has been
waived since January 2024.

Copilot for Security and Copilot

Studio are aimed exclusively at
companies. Their license costs start
at around 250 euros per month and
can quickly rise sharply. If you use
Copilot for Security extensively as a
corporation and also use chatbots
from Copilot Studio, the license costs The web application's interface is clearly structured. Enter your request in the "Ask
can quickly rise above 10,000 euros. me something..." text box. To make it easier to get started, Copilot suggests a few
questions.

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 Workshop | Microsoft Copilot

Suggested prompts
The examples are intended to "Protected"
inspire you to try them yourself. When you sign in with an Entra
ID, Microsoft does not use the data
for training its AI.

Select style
Linguistically, Copilot adapts

to your wishes. text box

Enter the prompt here.

Start new chat

Delete current chat and start new chat.
The old chat is not saved.

Chat with Copilot

You don't have to sign up to chat with “Keep it short” or “Use a personal
Copilot; however, without signing up, greeting” and Copilot will try to
Microsoft limits the number of implement your suggestions for
questions and the length of improvement. This follow-up is also
conversations with the chatbot. If you done via the text box, similar to support
sign up—you can find the sign up chatbots.
button at the top right of the Copilot You can select the “conversation
website—the email address you use will style” using a switch above the text box:
result in differences in data protection:
If you sign up with a private email • "Creative" is recommended when you are
address, Microsoft stores and analyzes brainstorming or don't know exactly where
the data and uses it for AI training. you want to go. Copilot will answer in depth
Similar to other free tools like YouTube to inspire you, incorporating creative
or Google, you pay with your data here. elements along the way.
You have to decide for yourself whether • Choose "balanced" if you need tips or
that is acceptable to you. If you use the a neutral opinion. Here, the chatbot
email address of a business Microsoft often describes the procedure or
account, Microsoft does not store your presents a situation in a value-free
data or use it for AI training. However, and emotion-free manner.
you should never enter personal • “Precise” requires that you can describe
information or confidential company what you expect in a targeted manner. The
data into a public AI tool. more precisely you formulate your
requirements, the more appropriate the
result will be.
In both the browser and the apps, If you want to delete a chat to start
you will find a text box at the bottom of fresh or to begin with a new topic, tap
the screen. There you can enter your the "New Topic" button to the left of the If you have a Copilot 365 business license,
question or request to start a text box. In the app, the position, you can switch between two tools in the
conversation or continue the dialogue: appearance and function of the button top right: “Work” stands for M365 Copilot
Whenever you are not satisfied with a are identical, but it is not named. and “Web” stands for the personal Copilot
result, you can say in Edge.

Mac & i extrawinter 2024/2025 33

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Workshop | Microsoft Copilot

have texts created

The most common use case for the go, the so-called prompting. The aim of
chatbot is probably writing texts. The AI- prompting is to formulate precise and Try it with the following
supported assistant can handle a wide effective requests that help the AI example or your own
variety of formats - from blog articles model to generate the desired output.
request:
and technical documentation to creative The result, the request to the chatbot, is
project ideas. Let Copilot write invitation called a prompt. With the prompt you Write a 500-word blog article in
texts or emails. Describe what you need, communicate your expectations of the German about the changes in the
briefly and vaguely or specifically, for result clearly and precisely. A good world of work brought about by AI.
example by specifying a thematic focus, prompt answers four questions: This blog should be published in a
the target group and the scope. Copilot • What do I want? (Goal) specialist magazine. Consider
will take your specifications into • Why do I need this? (Context) different points of view and use the
account. You enter this request in • Where should the AI get the information Internet. Write in a professional,
natural language in the text box and from? (Source) competent and humane manner.
start the chat. A conversation window • How should the output sound? (Style)
will open and you can chat with Copilot. This support not only saves you time,
but also allows you to improve the quality You don't have to make the request
The more precisely you describe what you of your content in terms of language and again, but can refer to the first result or,
need, the closer the result will be to your content and even overcome any writer's in the simplest case, say "Try again".
expectations. Therefore, there is a formal block you may have. If you don't like a
template for goal-oriented questions. draft of the companion pilot,

generate images
Copilot also creates images using the process of generating images more
same principle: you put your idea of accessible and efficient. Graphic designers,
your image into words and pass it on to marketing experts and content creators use The prompt for this picture was:
Copilot in a prompt. This ability to create it to design their concepts and sophisticated
visual content opens up new creative graphics for their projects. You can use both Create a realistic image of an office
possibilities and makes the process the normal Copilot chat that represents a more efficient and
enjoyable workday through the use of AI
technology. The scene shows an open
Workspace with different working spaces time-
that encourage teamwork and creativity. promote.

People in the office interact positively, smile with each other

and use advanced technologies. Interactive e technology

screens and future gadgets are subtly in the ristische

background and underline the advanced atzed,

technology. ethnology.

513/2 000
Image: Microsoft Copilot

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

 Workshop | Microsoft Copilot

The English prompt for

this picture read:
and Copilot Designer, which you can desired image, the more likely Copilot
find on the right side of the Copilot will surprise you with a very good result.
Create this picture: In a wide, panoramic
website. Copilot Designer is a version of
landscape bathed in the serene light of early
Copilot that is optimized for creating These prompts show how much detail
dawn, a group of adventurers stands at the edge of
images. There are other specialized you can go into. But even very simple
an ancient forest, gazing into its depths with a mix
versions of Copilot, such as Cooking prompts will generate an image. If the
of awe and apprehension. This forest, brimming
Assistant for help with cooking. image generation fails, simply send the
with towering, ancient trees whose canopies merge
When prompting, think about the four prompt again. Copilot will not generate
to form a verdant ceiling, teems with the mysteries
questions mentioned in the previous certain images, such as images of specific
of nature. The adventurers, a mix of scholars,
section. The more precisely you people, hate speech, or obscene content.
warriors, and mystics from different cultures, are
dressed in this attire
blends elements of medieval, renaissance, and
myst ical fantasy, highlighting their diverse
rounds
background and the unity of their purpose. They
are a are accompanied by mythical creatures – a nix
perched gracefully on a branch, and a wolf
loyal with fur as white as snow at their side.
The f oreground is animated with the vibrant, soft s
color of dawn, illuminating the group and the t
forests entrance, while the depths of the forest
hint a t darker, unexplored mysteries with ows and
fleeting movements of unseen ures. The
creat contrast between the tranquil, ful light of
dawn and the ancient, brooding ess of the
darkn forest sets the stage for an epic ey of
journ discovery, emphasizing the blend of ony and
tension between humankind and natural
the n world. This image, created in a wide at,
Microsoft Copilot

captures the pivotal moment of

rcation, rich with the potential for both
English htenment and peril.

1361/2000

Evaluate documents via chat

Copilot enables interactive communication Textbox. You can let the bot extract Especially with large texts, you spend a
on PDF documents. To do this, open a PDF specific information or instruct it to lot of time searching for specific
file in the Edge browser by right-clicking summarize the text. To do this, you must information. To chat about PowerPoint,
on a PDF file in Finder (Mac) or Windows "Allow Microsoft to access page content." Excel or Word documents, you need one
Explorer and selecting “Open with” and You can find the option in the Edge of the paid Copilot licenses Pro or for
“Microsoft Edge” from the secondary browser under "Settings > Sidebar > M365.
menu. The “Ask Copilot” button will then Copilot." Although the AI only searches Copilot is ideal for publicly accessible
appear in the menu bar, which you can through the text of the PDF - it cannot reports and documents, but you should
use to open the Copilot sidebar. Ask your evaluate the images or graphics contained not use AI with internal or private
questions as usual in the therein - you save a lot of time. documents or contracts.

Mac & i extrawinter 2024/2025 35

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Workshop | Microsoft Copilot

Extract information from YouTube videos

Similarly innovative – and also reserved Copilot can, for example, summarize the into text. This means that the visual
for the Edge browser – is the ability to video for you, extract specific content of the video remains hidden
chat with Copilot about YouTube videos. information, and analyze or translate from the accompanying pilot. However,
To do this, first open the desired video the spoken content. all spoken content is available to him.
in YouTube (in the Edge browser). Rocket science? Not really. As with On this basis, he can summarize the
Expand the Copilot sidebar by clicking PDFs, Copilot only knows the text, i.e. video for you and answer questions.
on the Copilot symbol in the top right the transcript, of videos. Microsoft gets This works particularly well with English-
and write your requests in the chat this from the YouTube function of language videos, but also with videos in
window as usual. displaying subtitles that German.

The summary (“Video summary”) on the right side of the image is the result of the prompt “summarize this
video”, which is still visible above the summary.

Copilot for Internet research with text

In 2023, Microsoft gave its chatbot access summary of the relevant information effectively, while Google dominated for
to the Internet: Copilot can access, from various sources on the Internet. a long time with "keyword search". The
evaluate and use all publicly available Copilot adds the source to each piece of latter searches the Internet for one or
content in real time. This distinguishes it information as a footnote. Since the more keywords. An example of
from many other chatbots that have a Internet does not only contain truths, semantic search would be the question
static knowledge base. For example, Copilot's answers and summaries may "How far is the earth from the sun?" and
ChatGPT-3.5 only has this knowledge base also contain untruths. So be sure to use for keyword search: "Earth sun
until September 2021. your HI, your human intelligence, to distance".
Instead of searching for information check Copilot's results. Copilot is now revolutionizing
yourself, you can ask Copilot to research semantic search and making it easier
for you. Enter your question or topic in “Semantic search” works with whole for users to extract the information
the text box and Copilot will present you sentences in natural language. In the last relevant to them from the sources
with a summary decade, it was considered to be of little use. found.

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 Workshop | Microsoft Copilot

Finding matching images

Do you like a photo that you want to use for the image gallery. Ask Copilot to find window is equivalent to Google's image
in a similar form for your project, such similar images. You can also instruct it search. Try both platforms to find out
as a flyer, a website or an article? to provide information about the image. which tool better meets your
Upload it by clicking the image icon in This is particularly useful for image expectations. However, you will have to
the text box on the Copilot website and identification or when you are looking clarify any rights issues yourself with
then the upload arrow button. In the for images that fit a particular theme or Copilot, as the results cannot be filtered
apps, first tap the camera icon and then style. The image research that Copilot according to criteria such as source,
the icon offers via prompting in the chat license or copyright.

Using Copilot in Office 365

M365 Copilot is designed to increase Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and You can find M365 Copilot in a variety
user productivity. The Pareto principle Teams. Microsoft is currently integrating of places in Microsoft's M365 office
can be applied here. This principle, also AI into every application, even if AI is not suite. You can tell whether you can use
known as the 80/20 rule, describes tasks yet mature enough to be useful it by the button with the Copilot logo in
where 80% of the result can be achieved everywhere. Using AI everywhere - even the Office app interface; it appears as
with 20% of the resources used. In the where it doesn't make sense - is not the soon as an opportunity arises. If you
context of Microsoft 365, this means right way. It is more effective to focus on click on it, a chat window opens. In
focusing on the five largest and most the 20% of use cases that actually offer Outlook, for example, you will then find
frequently used applications: significant benefits. Copilot in the left sidebar.

Writing emails semi-automatically

Copilot can help you write which Outlook saves as drafts. These
emails and generate allow you to respond quickly to
suggestions for quick replies, important communications.
Example prompt:
Write a detailed email thanking all
employees for their participation.
Use a friendly tone and mention how
happy we are to see our progress
to continue in the new year.

As a result, Copilot delivered the following text:

"I would like to thank all employees for

The more detailed the prompt, the more accurate the AI's response. You can participating. Your efforts and dedication
edit and save the result that Copilot delivers after clicking on "Generate". have moved our company forward this year.
We are all very excited to continue our
progress in the new year. Let's work together
to achieve our goals and continue to be
successful. Thank you again for everything
you have done!"

Here you have to If you try this prompt, don't be surprised if

"Design with Copilot" the result differs. Even with identical
click to prompts and the same AI tool, there is
prompt. variability in the AI's responses.

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Workshop | Microsoft Copilot

summarize emails Further suggestions

Let Copilot summarize Emails. You do not need to enter a for Outlook
newsletters, long emails or prompt for this, just click the "Summary
blog posts, and filter the by Copilot" button, which is located • "Reply in a professional tone
content of conversations and between the subject and the content of with a short email saying I'm
multiple forwarded the email. sorry about the problem with
the product and we will have a
response by 12pm this
Copilot grabs afternoon."
only the texts of • “I need more context for this
the emails email.”
men. Appendices • “Answer formally and briefly and say
are from the thank you.”
summary
excluded.

Teams: Use copilot as a minutes writer

Copilot can be integrated Topic. Afterwards, you have to open the Works council can be involved. Outside
into meetings as a virtual appointment in Teams as well as the of meetings, you will find Copilot in your
participant to automatically transcript stored in the meeting overview chat list. For example, ask the bot about
write minutes or to to start Copilot (also via the icon at the top specific data in the different teams and
to answer questions during the right). In both cases, only you can see the chats, and Copilot will provide relevant
meeting. He uses the transcript of the interactions with M365 Copilot. answers and resources.
spoken content created by Teams in real Microsoft promises to
time as the data basis. process all content that M365
The virtual assistant can be used Copilot uses in Teams securely.
during and after the meeting. In both In any case, you should
cases, a participant must start the communicate transparently to
transcript in the menu bar of the the participants that you are Example prompt:
meeting. The M365 Copilot user then creating a transcript, because it Summarize the meeting
has the option of opening the bot by can happen that participants
clicking on the icon in the menu bar and reject a transcript or a video Result from Copilot (anonymized):
asking questions, for example about a recording. In companies with a
topic discussed at the beginning. works council, the “Generated by Copilot.
Be sure to check the accuracy.
Important topics:
Further suggestions AI in the local environment: Person_H is interested

for teams: in AI solutions for his customers that ensure data

protection and security. Person_R and Person_T

• To communicate effectively live in give him some examples and tips,

the meeting: “What are some good how this is possible.

follow-up questions to learn more AI in the cloud: Person_R explains that there are

about this person’s skills and also public AI tools that can be useful for certain use

experience?” cases, such as blog quality assurance. However, he

• To prepare a summary for all warns of the risk of

participants after the meeting: disclosing company data.

“Summarize the meeting and list AI use cases: Person_T suggests creating some

all reporting requirements scenarios where AI can be used, for example in

mentioned.” insurance or learning systems. He says that you

• To understand a conversation in always have to clarify the requirements and the

a chat: "Summarize this thread benefits for the customer."

and identify the main problems

and proposed solutions, as well Please note the note “Here is your The summary in this example is based on a
as the people who made those copilot” – Copilot works on a real meeting on exactly these topics.
suggestions." personal basis, all results can only As in other scenarios, further, consecutive
queries are possible in the chat window.
be seen by the user concerned.

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 Workshop | Microsoft Copilot

Excel: Tasks by
automate text input
You no longer have to create Copilot makes the changes directly
time-consuming tasks such in the table. Enter the condition
as conditional formatting. If and the desired format, for
you example: "Format all cells red that
an Excel spreadsheet via the Copilot contain values over 1000." Copilot
menu bar, you can insert such enters the conditional formatting
formatting prompts in the chat window. as if by hand, so you can edit it at
any time. Note that Copilot in Excel
can only interact with official
More suggestions for Excel information in the Excel table and
not with references to data outside
• To reformat a table: "Sort the the table.
data by product features and
then filter out the priority 2
features."
• To make changes in a table:
"Add a column to list the
additional costs for Priority 1 After an update in
updates." autumn 2024, the
programming language Python
• To understand a table: Microsoft 365 Copilot
"Summarize all the insights." enables you to perform
advanced data analysis in Excel.

PowerPoint: Summarize
presentation content Example prompt:
Summarize the presentation.
Copilot can analyze a Copilot leads to poor results. The user
PowerPoint presentation, cannot currently change this. The new
Result from Copilot (this is a presentation
create speaker notes, or AI model GPT-4o offers hope. In mid- for a multi-day training course):
summarize the main points. September, Microsoft announced that
This is particularly useful for quickly M365 would integrate Copilot 4o. The “Here is a summary of the document:
checking key information before a release is planned for Q4 2024. Main ideas:
meeting or as an aid when studying Microsoft Copilot: Microsoft Copilot is an AI tool
longer presentations. To do this, the AI available in various applications and operating
once again only uses the text content of Further suggestions systems.
the presentation. It ignores images, for PowerPoint: M365 Copilot: M365 Copilot is an extension of
graphics, comments and notes. To do Microsoft Copilot, specifically designed for
this, open Copilot as usual in the sidebar • To get a draft Power Point integration into the Microsoft 365 environment.
and enter your requests in the chat presentation from a Word Data protection: M365 Copilot enables access to
window. You will also find the result in document: “Create a company data and greater integration into daily
the chat history as usual. This means presentation from [Word workflows.
that you then have to copy notes into document link to product Responsible AI: Responsible AI is an important aspect
the slide notes by hand. design guidelines].” when using AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot.
In the example on the right, the summary • To generate a new slide: “Add Implementation: The implementation of M365 Copilot
only reflects parts of the presentation, and a slide about possible HR requires careful planning and training of employees.
some statements are misleading without initiatives.”
context. This can happen when a • To summarize a presentation Ask me to help with something else, or look
presentation only presents relevant briefly: “Summarize the at the prompt guide below for more ideas.”
information graphically and not as text. If a presentation in 2 sentences.”
PowerPoint is not text-heavy, M365 tends to

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Workshop | Microsoft Copilot

Word: Write or Further suggestions

summarize texts for Word:

What Microsoft Copilot tions. Use the Copilot chat for this too. • To add a new text block in Word:
already offers you in normal However, Copilot may not be able to "Create an executive summary of
chat, namely the creation of read and understand everything; the the advertising strategy. Include
reports, essays, chapters and maximum document length is around sections on target market,
more, you can also do it directly in 20 pages. Beyond that, Copilot is pricing, tone, imagery, and
Word. To do this, proceed as follows: "blind". slogans."
Open a Word file, open the Copilot chat
using the Copilot button and enter your • To insert new paragraphs in
prompt in the chat. The bot creates a Word: "I need to summarize the
well-formulated text draft from a rough main points. Write three
idea or bullet points. paragraphs explaining why
these points are important to
As the text length increases, it is easy our company."
to lose track. Copilot helps you by • To get a summary: "Summarize
analyzing your texts and summarizing the compliance manual in about
them precisely. Write out the main four paragraphs for a manager
arguments and key information to and provide a list of key points."
identify structural weaknesses or In addition to the tedious writing work,
erroneous interpretations. Copilot can also read documents.

Copilot bullet points and unrelated

sentences are usually enough to
create a continuous text. If necessary,
you can upload a file as an example or
source.

AI has arrived in our lives – use it

AI is the imitation of human intelligence AI is not only revolutionizing our lives in the Find jobs and contribute more to the
by a computer system. The hype around private sphere, AI skills are also becoming competitiveness of their company.
AI began in 2022 when a technological more in demand in the professional Copilot offers a great opportunity to
breakthrough hit the market. Large environment. According to a LinkedIn study develop your own skills in dealing with
Language Models (LLMs) enabled a new (“The Most In-Demand Hard and Soft Skills”), AI in order to potentially advance your
generation of chatbots that sound knowledge of AI is one of the most sought- career. According to the World
human and appear omniscient. The first after skills on the job market. The report “The Economic Forum (“The Future of Jobs
product to do this was the well-known State of AI in 2022 – and a Half-Decade in Report 2020”), around 85 million jobs
ChatGPT, released in late 2022. The path Review” by McKinsey & Company attests that will be changed or replaced by AI by
that M365 Copilot is taking points to a companies that use AI technologies have an 2025, while 97 million new jobs will be
future in which AI-assisted tools will play average 20% higher productivity. This created. So it is worth getting to grips
an even greater role in our working suggests that specialists with AI knowledge with this exciting technology in several
lives. The goal is to outsource are better paid. ways. (ims)
redundant and non-value-adding
activities - to AI. At the same time,
humans remain in control, irreplaceable Robin Harborthas worked as Manager AI & Consultant at Rewion GmbH
and (hopefully) have even more fun at He works with Microsoft's copilots on a daily basis. He supports
work. companies in analyzing and implementing targeted AI solutions
Wow! So many new ways to save time that also inspire employees. He takes a holistic view of AI:
in your everyday life with AI. And often processes, people, technology.
free, easy and fast. But

40 Mac & i extrawinter 2024/2025

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© Copyright by Heise Medien.
Cover image created with Midjourney:

/imagine apple computer pc monitor

photographer camera, photographer
using midjourney, photographer using AI
image generator, at night

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

images with AI
generate
Computer-generated images flood the media
landscape. It is therefore important to assess risks and opportunities

of the technology. The workshop explains how AI images

work and gives tips on practical use and tools.

By Tilo Gockel

M
idjourney, the top dog among AI of the currently popular AIs is the
image machines, saw the light of database of the association LAION eV,
day in July 2022. A good two which at the time of going to print
years have passed since then, the contains around six billion images. LAION
software is now at version 6.1, and a lot (the abbreviation stands for Large-Scale
has changed in the work of image Artificial Intelligence Open Network) uses
designers. But critical voices are also web crawlers to search relevant image
growing, accusing AIs of image theft collections such as Pinterest, Shopify,
and warning that ethical standards Amazon and a few more, indexing both
must be observed when dealing with the images and the associated alternative
artificial images (the position paper of texts for the HTML construct, the so-called
the German Photo Council is worth alt texts. LAION only stores the links, not
reading on this, see web code at the end the images. This means that they feel safe
of the article). A picture of Pope Francis when it comes to proceedings for
in a pink apron washing dishes may be copyright infringement. The advertising
funny, but computer-generated, agencies' clients do not see it quite so
realistic-looking photos, for example of clearly and are currently still hesitant
war zones, have no place in the news. about orders for AI-generated campaigns.
The fact that the image generators
deliver such credible and often aesthetic It is a time of change that offers
results is only possible due to the number some risks but also many new
and quality of the source images. Many opportunities.

43

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

 A war scene that has been artificially generated and appears photorealistic. The tank could be a
Russian T90 tank, making the image the perfect basis for a fake news article.

Midjourney:/imagine photo press war soldiers rain russia dirt mud city destroyed buildings dirty modern tanks tank soldier

1Understanding Image Generators

AI image generators seem to be able to the number of high-quality images on the web World, because our visual perception
generate photorealistic and often has grown exponentially since the beginning. It works in a similar way. Draw a map of your
aesthetically pleasing images almost out is expected that almost two trillion photos will be neighborhood from memory - and lo and
of nothing. How is that possible? Do the uploaded in 2023 (see web code). A good portion behold, your product has little in common
programs simply use existing images of these are freely accessible to web crawlers with the Falk map, because you too have
and reassemble them like a and often (and this is important) in the HTML only remembered certain and sometimes
photomontage? No, that is not the case. environment are provided with an alternative quite abstract features.
There is no man at the PC like in the text to describe the image content, the Next comes the actual training of the
lead photo. There are also no busy elves aforementioned alt text. At the same time, CNN. This is done step by step by adding
around Pope Francis. We are dealing certain methods of artificial intelligence such as noise to the image, allowing the network
with a so-called generative AI that does artificial neural networks (ANN) and deep to learn the nature of the noise using
not build images from individual parts, learning have also been significantly developed. stable diffusion and then later eliminate it
but generates them from scratch (see Where previously calculations were based on on command. After a dozen steps, the
also the definitions in the table). An AI pixel data, today's ANNs "understand" much "image" (the image representation in the
image generator is software that uses more of the image content because they are feature space) has become pure noise.
artificial intelligence to generate designed to fold as so-called convolutional ANNs This seems pointless at first, but in parallel
images. The specification for the desired or CNNs for short. They can separate the pixel the AI has learned to calculate out the
image can be text (a series of data into the parts that are important to the noise. Now you can feed the AI with text
"prompts") or an original image. The image, such as edges and other features. We no prompts and noise, it can calculate
processes are called text-to-image or longer move in the pixel image, but in the backwards and use the immensely
image-to-image. feature space, in the so-called latent space. This extensive knowledge it has learned up to
The astonishingly rapid breakthrough is difficult or even impossible to visualize, but on that point to generate new images (further
of the new AI image machines was made the other hand it is not completely out of the technical details in the box on the terms).
possible by two parallel developments. question.

44 Mac & i extrawinter 2024/2025

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 Workshop | AI image generators

The Pope does the dishes in the

Vatican and all the nuns help.

Midjourney:/imagine photo realistic no

beard, Pope Franziskus doing the dish
washing with a pink apron lots of soap
bubbles; joy, sun; good feeling, good
vibes, lots of dishes; three nuns in pink
aprons near him are helping him;
backlight, splashes

2Using image generators correctly

The generators are operated by either You could also enter the prompts in a to software. For example, Midjourney
entering text (a prompt, a sequence of different order or simply in colloquial supports prompts like --arfor aspect
prompts) or an image. You can calculate language (hence the name Natural ratio, --tilefor attachable tiles, --v 6.0,to
directly on the image or calculate a Language Processing, NLP): force a specific version, and --style rawfor
description - a prompt - from the image. a particularly natural look. You can find
You can find examples of text prompts /imagine show me a cute little dog, at sunset, more special prompts on the
in the images in this article and quickly at the beach, eating gummy bears; the sun is Midjourney website.
see the possibilities. Other ideas are going down and the scene is backlit and sunny,
listed in the "Prompting" table. and there is plenty of bokeh in the background For many more examples and also for the
background information on prompting, we
This type of natural language input recommend taking a look at the relevant
works for all the programs presented. In prompt databases such as promptbase.com,
In fact, the table is only a suggestion fact, there are other control prompts lexica.art or learnprompting.org (all links in
for a possible sequence to that can be used by software the web code at the end of the article).

prompting

To be placed at the front of Midjourney type of image motif Light mood / mood / color mood height-to-width ratio
/imagine photo motorbike hard light sunny - - ar 2:3

/imagine drawing girl with a dog diffuse window light happy - - ar 3:4

/imagine illustration three horses neon light dark

/imagine photo hand with deck of poker cards room light muted colors

Results from Midjourney, fed with the

prompts from the “Prompts” table.

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Workshop | AI image generators

Recommended image generators

If you just want to get a taste of image In the example images you can see the When it comes to landscapes, however,
generation, you'll initially stick to the results of our four test candidates we liked Stable Diffusion XL (via
free programs with a web interface - Midjourney, Adobe Firefly Image 2, Playground AI) the best. When
Playground AI is a good choice here and Playground AI V2.5 and Stable Diffusion XL evaluating the other candidates and
can be switched from its own engine to (via Playground AI). The prompt text used images, the big question always
Stable Diffusion XL. If, on the other was always the same and is located next to remains whether you are ultimately
hand, you want to get straight into it, the images (with Midjourney you have to / looking for a particularly aesthetic result
Midjourney or Adobe Firefly are imagineprefix). or a more believable result. If you take a
currently the best options. look at the cute dog and the Greek
Midjourney convinced us in almost all salad, you might like the results from
We have compared a few programs for tasks. The engine delivers the cutest Midjourney best, but those from Stable
you and found that the market leader dog, the most beautiful horizon, the Diffusion XL would probably pass as real
Midjourney is often ahead, but not silkiest bokeh and the most believable photos in a blind comparison.
always. Mona Lisa.

All lines from left to right: Midjourney V5, Adobe Firefly Image 2, Playground AI V2.5, Stable Diffusion XL (via Playground AI)
Prompt text:cute little dog eating jellybeans on the beach at sunset

Prompt text:Greek salad moody food photo one piece of fresh shepard cheese on top blueish at sundown

46 Mac & i extrawinter 2024/2025

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 Workshop | AI image generators

Image Generators at a Glance

product Cost possible resolution commercial use of the images allowed notes
Midjourney from 10 US-$ / month 2048 × 2048 (internal upscaler) - best image results, integrated
upscaler to 2048 × 2048

Adobe Firefly Billing by credits (a basic amount is included 2048 × 2048 -here the use is most likely to be legally secure, since Adobe only good results
in the Adobe subscription) uses its own image database “Adobe Stock” (see web code)

Playground AI V2 free basic version 1024 × 1024, expandable with - good results
(Stable Diffusion etc.) Pro Plan to 1536 × 1536

DALL-E 3 from 20 US-$ / month 1024 × 1024 - good results

Leonardo-ai free beta, 1024 × 1024, expandable via - good results
(Stable Diffusion) Upgrade from 12€ the “Alchemy” option

ideogram for free 1024 × 1024 -with due care regarding the design of other fluctuating results
images and rights of other artists

Dream Studio initially free, then you can buy 1024 × 1024 - not tested
(Stable Diffusion) 5000 AI images for about 10 US$

Neuroflash 5 images for free 1024 × 1024, higher resolutions via upgrade -with restrictions (extensive explanatory text) fluctuating results
StockImgAI 1 project free, then Standard: 1080 × 1080, higher -not in the free model; in the paid model with “Legal fluctuating results
from 17€ /Month resolutions available Coverage” up to 10,000 US$ in the event of a dispute

LimeWire AI Studio free (20 images / day) 1024 × 1536 -but the payment model is a bit special, see website not tested

Prompt text:mona lisa popart comic-like cool stylish modern

Prompt text:Nordic landscape sea bay dreamy blue hour wide-angle shot

Mac & i extrawinter 2024/2025 47

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 Before and after example, calculated by Magnific.AI. The result is amazing,
but the software is expensive and the newly added details can distort the images.

3Increase the resolution of AI images

In the comparison table for the clearly when details are missing. AI-based a particularly good job. It is difficult to
generators, you can see that many processes work differently. They generate the choose a winner. However, it is also
programs only deliver images with 1024 new pixels not only on the basis of the important to note that Topaz Gigapixel is
× 1024 pixels by default. That may be original pixels, but on the basis of image comparatively expensive ($99).
just about enough for Instagram, but knowledge learned from extensive image Another new product is the upscaler
other applications are not interested in databases. The results are often astonishingly software Magnific.AI. The comparison
it. The solution is obvious: you have to photorealistic, but at least when it comes to images on the manufacturer's website
calculate or "upscale" the images as faces, the processes should be treated with are impressive, but there is no demo
described. Upscalers are useful for caution. If you have the portrait of a dear version. In addition to the lack of demo
making small-format images suitable friend extrapolated using AI, there is a high software, the high subscription price of
for printing. Classic interpolation risk that you will get a different person in the at least $39 / month could put many
methods or spline-based algorithms resulting image. users off. If you are looking for an AI-
such as S-Spline are used for this to In our comparison test you can see the based upscaler but are wary of the high
avoid the annoying stair-step formation results of Photoshop's internal routines licensing fees of Topaz and Magnific,
of simple pixel repetition. from Midjourney (from the internal then try out the free competitors such
Naturally, the images become softer upscaler) and Topaz Gigapixel. The last as Nightmare.AI, Krea AI, Upscayl and
and it is particularly two are AI-based and therefore make Pixelcut.

4Creating backplates, tiles, textures

Midjourney & Co can also support you if for websites or other applications. You can cut-out image in Adobe Photoshop.
you continue to take traditional photograph such backplates in the traditional
photographs – be it with your smartphone way, have them printed and then place them The Midjourney Option --tile
or a system camera. The simplest example behind the subject. Alternatively, you can Optionally, the image can also be
is aflat background, also backplatecalled, simply generate them digitally and then place seamlessly attachedtile, from which
as it is more commonly them behind the endless textures can easily emerge.

backplates, seamless
attachable tiles
and textures are for
the AI image engines
child's play.

Midjourney:/imagine
pebbles in a river
bank --tile

48 Mac & i extrawinter 2024/2025

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 Workshop | AI image generators

5Get mock-ups for an advertising photo

The next, more exciting application is Way to use a mock-up. Here we have However, if you want to give a different look,
mock-ups, in Germanmodelsordummies, manually drawn the logo print in you can automate this relatively easily, so
on which you can then place your own text Photoshop using Transform and then that you only have to insert the logo layer
and logos with just a few clicks of the placed it over the packaging using the and the transformation, blending method,
mouse. In the example with the coffee Darker Color fill method. If you want to opacity and even shadows are simply
packaging you can see the simplest use such a mock-up more often or also adjusted automatically.

Image: Macrovector / Freepik

Using AI, you can easily create

mock-ups. Here, the “Coffee”
illustration was appropriately
transformed in Photoshop and
then placed over the
packaging using the Darker
Color blending method.

Original image without logo:

Midjourney: /imagine photo
mockup, brown bag with coffee
beans in the middle of the rain
forest, shot from an angle,
telephoto lens --v 6.0

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

Workshop | AI image generators

6Create a simple photo montage

Now it gets even more interesting Our little apple wine advert was a little are outside the focus zone, but the can
because we finally involve the camera! trickier because we had to photograph the is sharp throughout. Merging the can
Let's say you get an order for a can andthe light, the shadows and also photo with the AI-generated apples is
advertising photo for apple wine, but the reflections had to fit the generated easy. All you have to do is cut out the
you only have 30 minutes. Is that even scene. The sharpness gradient did not can and its shadow in Photoshop using
possible? Yes, thanks to AI, a really great play a role yet, because the Midjourney- the pen, then place it over the AI scene
result can be achieved even in such a generated initial scene hardly shows any and finally reduce the opacity to around
short time. relevant gradients – some leaves 80 percent.

From left to right: Midjourney scene, self-

photographed beverage can, fusion of the
two images in Photoshop (transform
appropriately, then set the opacity of the
photographed can to 80%)

Starting scene with blank box:

Midjourney:/imagine product photography,
can of apple cider, in between green apples,
on clean background, hard sunlight, hard
shadows, water droplets, apple tree brunch,
speckled light, show the light source

7Implement a more complex photo montage

Let's assume again that the customer Photo and scene much more convincing. If you get it a little off, you can correct it
contacts us. This time he needs a For the picture with the elegant herb later in Photoshop. To do this, you build
promotional photo for his new fine herbs jar, we had a scene with fresh kitchen a perspective construction with a few
quickly, but this time not as a simple flatlay herbs calculated and an unlabeled black auxiliary lines for the vanishing lines
like with apple wine, but as a spatially box specified in the center. The and the horizon (here for a two-point
extended scene. That's no problem, assembly would also be possible perspective, see also web code). In the
because the mockup idea can be taken without this placeholder, but it helps images you can see the construction,
further and Insert three-dimensional enormously with the target-actual which clearly shows the slightly
objects with correct light, sharpness, comparison and, in the best case, also distorted perspective, as well as the
shadows and perspective into provides the shadow for the actual result after correction. The classic and
calculated scenesAI manufacturers have product. When photographing the jar, correct way to do the correction is to
already recognized the need for this and the iPad with the AI scene was within transform the box to be inserted, but
offer inpainting, such as Adobe, or a reach so that we could check the light, here the deviation was so small that
complete framework for montages, such reflections, shadows and sharpness. using the Liquify tool on the already
as Flair.AI (see web code for details). With such photos it is tricky to get the merged image was the quicker way.
However, the results of a manual fusion of right perspective right away.

50 Mac & i extrawinter 2024/2025

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From left to right: Midjourney scene with placeholder box, real can at the window (the iPad shows
the Midjourney scene to check the light and other parameters), finished photo of the can.

Herbal scene: Midjourney: /imagine

tiny black tin box with closed lid, salad
dishes and herbs at the side, soft moody
light, food photo --ar 2:3

Meanwhile, the real can has been isolated and inserted into the artificial
scene in Photoshop: on the left before the perspective correction,
right after correction, large the final result.

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

Workshop | AI image generators Final, self-photographed photo
for the food blog soulfoodie.de

8image ideas
generate
Tools like Midjourney can not only
provide us with images, but are also
helpful whengenerate and try out
ideas for your own photoswant.
You could simply have images
calculated for the food blog, but that
would mislead the visitor. However, it
should be acceptable to get ideas for
lighting, composition, props and styling.
Whereas in the past you would have to go
to Pinterest and Stockfood.de to find
ideas, today you can get help from AI and
generate lots of fresh ideas for your own
shoot quickly and easily. In the example
you can see how the image suggestions
from some Midjourney scenes on the food
topic of sourdough were incorporated into
the photographed image in terms of
lighting, props and composition.

Two Midjourney-generated images with

the motif sourdough to create your own
to develop image ideas

Midjourney:/imagine food photo,

sourdough starter in glass, frontal
shot, telephoto lens, soft light coming
from the right side, bread in the
background, dishtowel with stripes in
the back, moody, blueish, cool

9Mood boards with

create AI
Our last application is aextensive mood
boardas a basis for a shoot. Mood
boards are created for team work in
order to create the same image ideas in
the heads of everyone involved before
the shoot. It is about the color palette,
the mood, the light, the props, make-up,
clothing and location - possibly also
poses, gestures and emotions. Here,
too, the AI can be incredibly helpful. It
Image: Gayle@free-psd-templates.com

is best to start with short prompts so as

not to rule out too many image ideas
from the outset. You can then gradually
refine the ideas in dialogue with the AI,
and at the end you have a collection of
images that visually brings everyone
involved into line. As a test run,

52

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 Workshop | AI image generators

Through the jungle of terms

we designed a mood board for a shoot Expression Meaning

in the beauty/boudoir/sensual area. Convolutional Neural CNNs that primarily work with images as input data can also be designed as "convolutional" CNNs. Here,
That was a little tricky because Network, CNN the activity of the individual neurons is calculated using a discrete convolution. The convolution operation
is known from image processing, in particular for dealing with filter matrices for smoothing filters, edge
Midjourney refused to calculate such filters, etc. The CNNs reduce the image information to important features such as edges and others. Note:
supposedly erotic scenes - if you enter The configuration of the convolution matrices is not predetermined (Sobel, Gauss), but is learned or
optimized independently during the training of the CNN.
questionable prompts, you are
immediately blocked for a few minutes. Deep Learning, If an ANN is complex, i.e. made up of many intermediate layers (hidden layers), it is called a deep
DLDeep Neural Network neural network; when training the ANN, it is called deep learning. The necessary number of layers
But in the end it is actually quite easy to from which the terms are used is not clearly defined.
outsmart the decency filters. Generative Adversarial The term GAN is a concept from machine learning and describes a framework for
If the AI is bothered by a full body Networks, GAN, training networks in unsupervised learning. Two networks are trained here: The
shot, you can use the following "generative generic "generator" network generates data that is very similar to a given data set, the
networks" "discriminator" network tries to distinguish false from real data (new from given
alternatives: girl, shot from far away, data). After training, the generator is used to generate data that is very similar to the
telephoto lens, face, feet, arms. If the AI is original data. A GAN is used, for example, in stable diffusion.

reluctant to do sexy, erotic or sensual, Generative AI, GenAI If an AI-based image generator does not assemble images from individual parts but generates them

enter beautiful girl, tattoos, backlight, completely anew, this is called Generative AI, abbreviated to GenAI.

wide-open aperture, couch, lace. This will Inpainting, Outpainting Inpainting and outpainting mean the automatic editing of areas inside or outside a
given image using AI methods. This can be, for example, adding an object or
definitely make the result sensual. With harmoniously expanding the image beyond the original boundaries. In Photoshop,
these and similar prompts, Midjourney you can apply inpainting via Edit > Generative Fill.
suddenly generates the actually forbidden Artificial Intelligence, AI Artificial intelligence is a research area in computer science with the aim of equipping
machines with human-like intelligence. The term intelligence refers to the ability to perceive
nude photos, which shows that the AIs can Artificial Intelligence, AI
and react to sensory impressions or values, to absorb and process information, to store
hardly be completely understood and knowledge, to generate, translate and understand language and, in general, to solve
controlled by the manufacturers anymore. problems. In a broader definition, one also speaks of the ability to abstract, to be creative, to
think critically and to gain self-knowledge.
For the final mood board, we AI-
Artificial Neural ANNs are a simplified computer simulation of the human brain. Like our brains, they are made
generated the images of lighting, Network, KNN Artificial Neural up of neurons that are connected via nerves. ANNs are used as a universal solution for complex
clothing and props, then assembled Network, ANN problems that elude conventional analytical approaches. For this purpose, the ANNs are
them in Photoshop using a freely trained before use, which optimizes the weights of the connections and the threshold values
of the neurons. This process is called learning or deep learning.
available mock-up template and added
Latent Space Object recognition on 2D pixel images is difficult or even impossible. However, if you calculate the
the color and texture palette. important features of the image, you can create feature vectors from them and easily compare them with a
specification (in the simplest case using Euclidean distance). Features can be edges, relative edge positions,
surfaces, area moments, colors, bounding boxes and much more. If you no longer work on pixel data but
on other features, you calculate in the high-dimensional latent space.

Large Language Model, LLM An LLM is a special AI-based language model within NLP that can process natural language.
Our AI-generated mood board for a
dreamy, sensual boudoir shoot Natural Language NLP describes computer-aided techniques for the machine recognition and processing of natural
Processing, NLP language with the aim of enabling human-computer communication in natural language, facilitating
describes light, scene and mood, interpersonal communication through machine translation, and being able to analyze texts in natural
colors and textures as well as language by machine. The natural language, prompt-based image description in the AI image generators

clothing and props. using LLM shows the great benefit of NLP.

Stable Diffusion Stable Diffusion was developed by the LMU Munich and is based on a latent diffusion model - a subgroup of
multi-layered, complex neural networks. Here, noise is gradually added to the image data in the latent space.
Midjourney:/imagine beautiful girl in The KNN learns the nature of the noise and, after the training step, can calculate new images from noise
lace, on a chesterfield couch, backlight, data (in conjunction with text prompts that have been learned in parallel). A Generative Adversarial Network
(GAN) is used to evaluate the results internally.
sensual, shot with telephoto lens from
upscaler Currently available image generators often only deliver results in a limited resolution of, for example, 1024 × 1024
far away, reading a book, moody, soft pixels. In order to be able to use the image for printing applications, the resolution must be increased (upscaled). In
light, window light, --v 6.0 the simplest case, this is done through interpolation. More complex approaches again use AI methods. Product
selection: Magnific.ai, Nightmare.ai, Upscayl, Pixelcut AI, Topaz Gigapixel.

outlook
Developments in AI and image generators are at the time of recording and the to disclose the data and methods used,
progressing rapidly – and not just at integrity of the image data. The C2PA to educate users and to maintain a
Midjourney. Adobe's inpainting is also becoming format is used for coding and the stored certain skepticism towards the new
more and more powerful and Open AI Sora is information can then be read out later trends. Otherwise, we should remain
already generating moving images from the using special software. open to the new tools and possibilities.
prompts. You see, it is a race between the hare and the (lbe)
In return, the three major camera tortoise. Although the artificially created media are
manufacturers Canon, Nikon and Sony have becoming more and more credible
Tilo "Gallo" Gockelis a professional photographer
joined forces and are implementing the option and aesthetic. However, in some
and author of specialist books. On his blog
of digital signatures in their professional areas, such as photojournalism,
www.fotopraxis.net he provides information
cameras to guarantee the authenticity of the the authenticity of the image
on all aspects of photography and image
images. These watermarks are invisible to the material is becoming increasingly
processing, passes on his tips and also likes
human eye and contain information about the important. The decisive factor
to break old habits.
location where the image was taken, remains the

Mac & i extrawinter 2024/2025 Your opinion, additional material, web code: mac-and-i.de/w9fd 53

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AI better
steer
How you can use cleverly used
Prompt engineering and the right
Strategy the best results from AI chat
bots and image generators – in
Companies, but also privately. A guide with
the know-how of the specialist service heise KI PRO.

By Ben Danneberg

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

 short & sweet

• Prompt engineering is the art

of achieving optimal results
through clever instructions.
Image: AI image generated with Freepik by the Mac & i team

• Good prompts structure complex

tasks into individual steps.

• Prompt managers help

companies to efficiently integrate
AI into work processes.

• AI-generated content is raw

material that always requires
human editing.

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

 basics

What is Prompt Engineering?

A prompt is an instruction in natural specific task, such as a good summary words, wording and context information
language that ideally produces the of a text, an interesting social media in a request to the AI. The challenge is
desired result from a generative AI post, or an image in a desired style. to design prompts in such a way that
model for text, image, audio, video, they produce stable, reproducible
code or 3D. This instruction can consist The design of such prompts is called results, as well as to understand why
of a simple sentence, a longer prompt engineering or prompt design. certain prompts work and others do
paragraph or even a multi-page However, it has nothing to do with not.
document. classical engineering or programming. Prompts are a new way of “talking” to
A good prompt optimizes the performance of Rather, it is about finding the right key computers; prompt engineering is the
the AI system by focusing on a art of finding the right words.

Goal of Prompt Engineering

Prompt engineering takes place When you “chat” with bots like Agents, gives the model an overview
wherever generative AI models are ChatGPT, the system even uses two of the tools that can be used and
used. These generate an output from an prompts: defines rules of behavior.
input - in most cases text. GPT-4, for 1. The questions you ask yourself of the Prompt engineering is used to guide an
example, delivers text or code, DALL-E 3 Large Language Model (LLM). AI model into a predefined role. In
or Midjourney images. Other models 2. The system prompt in the background, addition to a chatbot, it can also be used
generate audio, video or 3D models. which is sent by OpenAI (the maker of to create a specialized system that
Prompts are the primary form of ChatGPT) to the corresponding model. summarizes meeting minutes or
interaction with generative AI models - This remains invisible to you, but is converts Excel files into diagrams. The
regardless of whether you want to essential for the functioning of aim is to reduce errors and define
generate content or build specialized ChatGPT. In it, OpenAI defines precise guardrails in order to obtain
chatbots with access to specific data. ChatGPT's role as a useful reliable results efficiently.

Actual Prompt

1. System prompt
Prompt of processing edition of AI systems always precede
user through AI model result user input with the system
prompt to control the result
2. User prompt
and avoid unwanted output.

Prompt management as a success factor

It makes sense for companies in particular Prompt management prevents all employees equally – or in the worst
to have employees who are skilled in potential from not being exploited. Even case, mistakes can even creep in.
“prompt management”. Together with the with isolated training, systematic and, Prompt management essentially
individual departments and employees, above all, productive use of generative AI comprises three tasks:
they integrate generative AI into work by all employees is not guaranteed. Some
processes and develop creative prompt feel overwhelmed by the possibilities or 1. Identify prompt workflows and
workflows for selected tasks. They are unfamiliar with the new technology.
develop prompts
therefore bring their own prompt know- There is also the risk that they will use the
how with them, but do not have to be technology incorrectly or carelessly and A prompt manager examines workflows
“engineers” in the sense of programmers the quality of work will drop. Companies for their potential for improvement or
or IT professionals. More important than then invest in expensive licenses, but partial automation through generative
simply writing a prompt is to first develop potential productivity gains do not AI, writes a suitable prompt for it and
the idea for a workflow and the associated materialize, do not come to fruition, and tests it intensively. The selection of the
prompts. do not benefit from the new technology. appropriate AI model is also part of the

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 Workshop | Prompt Engineering

Prompt Engineer: A new profession?

Some see prompt engineering as a rator DALL-E 3. This now happens Prompt engineering is likely to become
possible career field. Others think it is automatically in the background. less and less important as prompt
more of a temporary phenomenon. The According to OpenAI researcher Logan automation is implemented in more and
argument in favor of prompt engineering Kilpatrick, the “hard work” of more AI systems. However, it is likely
as a profession is that it is currently formulating a prompt in detail must be that good prompts will continue to
possible to get more performance out of done by AI systems. The benefit of improve results in the future.
AI models using special instructions and
tricks (more on this later) as well as
cleverly constructed prompts. This
requires a certain basic knowledge. A
prompt engineer can take on this task.

However, AI models are becoming

increasingly easier to use and good
prompting can usually be learned in just a
few hours. The medium-term goal of AI
development is that in the future we will
be able to interact with AI as easily as we
do with people. In cases of doubt, the
models obtain the information they need
to successfully complete a task by asking
specific questions.

Furthermore, there are already approaches to

letting the AI write prompts itself: ChatGPT from
OpenAI can, for example, generate detailed image
prompts for the image generator based on an input.

On job portals such as Stepstone

Companies are explicitly looking for
to Prompt Engineers.

Prompt development. Important factors here must be available to all those However, a certain degree of stability
are the size of the context window (how responsible for an editorial and and quality is required. Applied to the
much content needs to be processed at the marketing team. same task, a prompt should produce a
same time), the logic and writing capabilities, Companies should therefore have qualitatively similar result in nine out of
the cost, and whether different types of data central databases for prompts that allow ten cases.
need to be processed (multimodality). prompts to be categorized and shared Continuous testing and improvement
Companies waste money when they within the team. You should carefully is necessary to ensure that the quality of
have simple text tasks performed by AI evaluate the software solutions offered for the results is maintained. Not only to
models that are too powerful and this purpose so that the company's own further increase performance: Prompts
therefore expensive, or when poorly know-how is not stored in a fragmented must be continually adapted to new
optimized prompts have to be applied manner and thus difficult to use. work situations or AI models, especially
repeatedly to achieve an acceptable Prompt sharing is also a question of in times when the AI market is
result. In the latter case, there is also a company culture. Employees should not changing almost daily.
risk that the overall quality of the work keep their prompts to themselves for Another task of prompt management
will suffer. the wrong reasons, such as to gain is ethics and compliance: prompts must
personal advantages. take ethical aspects such as diversity
2. Sharing prompts (prompt sharing) into account, comply with regulatory
3. Optimize prompts requirements and comply with data
Since prompts represent work processes, protection regulations. This makes it all
they should not be lost in the chat window of Generative AI models are not machines the more important that prompt
individual people. A well-functioning prompt with precise rules. A good prompt can management is assigned to people who
for social media posts, for example, help them take this seriously.

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Workshop | Prompt Engineering

ideas for content workflows

Finding workflows for which generative (headline, text excerpt, source) to the AI. The social media posts can each be
AI can be a useful support is a crucial Its task can be to identify duplicates, written in a channel-specific manner.
part of good prompt management. recognize trends (such as multiple
Because generative AI does not make articles on a topic), group by topic and 7. Analyze data report and use as
sense in every process, or processes much more. The AI then generates a Prepare graphics:In the first step, the
have to be changed so that AI can short, concise briefing for the desired AI analyzes a data report and creates a
actually achieve an increase in efficiency tasks. summary of the most important points.
and quality. The results can then be visualized in a
Below you will find ten ideas for 4. Create FAQs and blog articles graph by ChatGPT-4, for example. A
workflows in connection with the prepare:In this scenario, the AI prompt such as "Show value X and value
processing of text and images. Other analyzes a specific source and Y in a pie chart" is sufficient. ChatGPT-4
workflows beyond text, such as generates a collection of questions and uses internal tools for this.
researching company data or carrying answers about that source. You edit and
out evaluations, are also possible - there add to this collection of information. 8. Reporting:After reading a
is a lot of scope for creativity here. You then pass the FAQ to another source article, the AI creates a detailed
1. Get ideas for a cover image:AI can prompt, which writes a draft article in report that highlights the key points of
Format content, but also comment on it the specified format. the article and enriches them with
or expand it. A prompt generates visual 5. From keyword analysis to outline additional contextual information or
ideas for the cover image of a submitted until the article draft:First, the AI analysis from other sources.
news article. You can then either analyzes a source for keywords. In the 9. Sentiment analysis and listing
implement these ideas with an AI image second step, based on these keywords, possible points of criticism:In this
generator or pass them on to a graphic the AI formulates an outline for a new workflow, the AI carries out a sentiment
designer in a briefing. piece of content. You can edit, expand analysis to determine the mood of a text,
and adopt the outline to refine the such as a blog article or a press release. In
2. Review the press release:A content yourself. Or you can pass the the second step, based on this analysis, it
Workflow example from corporate outline on to another specific prompt identifies possible points of criticism and
communications: The press release is that turns it into a draft article. makes suggestions for improvement.
written, but is it watertight? AI can take
on the role of the critical journalist and 6. Individual social media posts 10. Comments on social media including
rid the press release with critical create with image ideas:The AI Plan your response:The AI analyzes a
questions for you. system reads a report, creates a concise planned social media post and
3. Automatic briefings through AI summary, and then generates generates a critical comment from it. It
Feed:For an automatic morning briefing customized social media posts based on then develops a suitable response to the
by email, a program collects new the key points of the summary. It also comment. This allows you to pre-test
content from RSS feeds and delivers it in adds creative image ideas that illustrate public communication.
a structured form the content of the posts.

E ciency through prompts

Article on Subtopic I social media

Article on Subtopic II social media

Article on Subtopic III social media

individual

content source
social media
With the right
prompts and a
press release AI workflow tool,

I
that provides the
newsletter necessary basis, AI can
perform dozens of
high-quality
Design additional formats.

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© Copyright by Heise Medien.
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Thinking in tasks and processes

Mapping existing tasks via prompts

1. Identify an existing task in your for call-to-action suggestions because they 5. Test the prompts and the entire
workflow that is suitable for are particularly important? workflow thoroughly to ensure that
automation. 3. Translate each of these steps into a the task is performed reliably.
2. Break the task down into its individual prompt. It should be clear and
steps or components. Do you want precise. 6. Monitor the system and prompts
to generate an entire Instagram 4. Implement the created prompts in regularly to evaluate performance
post including a call-to-action – or your AI or prompt management and make timely adjustments if
write your own prompt just system. necessary.

Discover new workflows

1. Actively encourage your teams to 2. Use regular brainstorming sessions to 5. Implement the prompts into your AI
experiment with generative AI in find new tasks that AI can help with. system and test them thoroughly.
their daily work and within the 6. Integrate the new tasks into
company's own AI platform. This will 3. Select the best ideas and develop a employees' workflows and regularly
help your employees develop a basic concept for their implementation. test the AI system for performance
understanding of generative AI and and quality to ensure that it delivers
come up with ideas about what new 4. Have your prompt managers develop the desired benefits and meets the
tasks or processes might be the prompts for the new workflow. specific requirements.
possible.

Pro tip: Step by step prompt

Prompts that perform processing in While direct generation with an AI model can Here, a structured approach, for
intermediate steps rather than all at once be fast and efficient, there is a high risk that example with an intermediate step in
are often particularly effective. Let's take important details will be missing or that the the form of questions and answers
the creation of a PR article from a product depth and quality of the resulting article will (FAQ), can lead to a better result. First,
data sheet as an example. The di- not meet requirements. we let the AI model create a FAQ list on

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 Workshop | Prompt Engineering

based on the product data sheet. It should be noted that the FAQ contains the This process ensures that the final
most important aspects of the source. article is thoroughly researched, well-
This step serves to extract the most Finally, the AI creates a draft of the structured, and covers the key points of
important information and topics from technical article from the edited FAQ list, the source in a precise and detailed
the source, identify key points and which an author then edits. So instead manner. It also allows for a quicker yet
present them in a structured form. of generating the article directly, this deeper exploration of the topic, which
method allows for a deeper dive into can lead to a higher quality and more
The next step is to manually review the topic. The FAQ then serves as a informative article. This step-by-step
and edit the FAQ. This can correct guide and structure for the article, with principle can be applied to many tasks.
inaccuracies, add additional information each question and answer being
and ensure converted into its own section.

Expectation management: AI generates raw materials,

not finished products
When using AI in the content creation Generative AI is a powerful tool, but it Information is analyzed and interpreted
process, realistic expectations are is not a machine that relieves us of to identify previously unknown
especially important. AI models such as responsibility for our content or even connections and patterns.
OpenAI's GPT-4o or Anthropic's Claude completely automates its production.
3.5 are powerful and can generate a Approach 2: One-prompt approach
wealth of ideas and content on demand
for predefined text tasks
that can serve as a starting point. They Approach 1: Dialogical use (chat) for
can help you create a first draft or The single-prompt approach is
creative processes
version of a piece of content quickly and particularly effective for clearly defined
efficiently, saving time and effort and Here you use the AI model as an tasks based on source content. This
allowing you to have comprehensive interactive tool that reacts to ideas in could be formatting text or creating
content more quickly. real time and makes new suggestions content for specific channels, such as
However, you should be aware that during brainstorming or concept social media or newsletters.
AI-generated content is raw material development. AI can help you bring in
that needs further refinement and new perspectives, overcome blockages A specific prompt is created that is
editing. AI cannot replace human and generate solutions and new ideas. tailored exactly to the task in question
creativity, contextual awareness and the and contains clear guidelines for the AI.
judgment required to produce high- Another strength of the dialogic use This leads to an optimized and efficient
quality, accurate and engaging content. of AI is its flexibility and adaptability. AI way of working because the result is
However, it can assist us with routine can be integrated into different phases very reliable. Clear and precise
tasks and stimulate creativity with new of creative processes to support instructions help the AI to achieve the
ideas. However, it is always the human's different goals and tasks. It can also desired results with less interaction and
job to review, edit and approve the final serve as a catalyst by leveraging unused post-processing.
result. data and

Best Practices: Texts can be shaped as desired

From our own practical experience, Prompting", see Glossary on p. 63) dialect of the region in which a company
especially for the use of generative AI in allows you to control the tone and is located.
content creation, the single-prompt formatting of the generated result very This type of content extraction or
approach in combination with the multi- precisely. Multiple generations also give - Formatting by an AI tool has proven to be
stage creation of prompts has proven you several drafts in just a few seconds, consistently reliable in practice. Format
particularly effective. You describe each which can then be incorporated into and structure specifications are reliably
task - headline, teaser, summary, social new content. adopted and content is reproduced
media - as a separate prompt here. At the touch of a button, a news article can correctly. High-quality language models
As a “pocket calculator for words”, large be turned into a channel- and target group- such as GPT-4o or Claude 3.5 capture the
language models transform existing specific post for LinkedIn, Instagram and core statements of a content even when it
sources into many different formats in a Twitter / X or a Google-optimized FAQ in is greatly abbreviated and reformat them
matter of seconds. Prompts with positive simple language. In the intranet, for example, reliably. The text quality is good in English,
examples (so-called “few-shot texts could be written in the respective but not in German.

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Workshop | Prompt Engineering

decent. Future variants of the language pure reformatting of content by AI has almost The more detailed the process, the
models will achieve ever better quality. completely disappeared. more quality we can extract from the
The rule here is: the better the source, language models for the respective
Another plus point: Criticisms of the better the AI-generated results. In task.
language models such as hallucinations practice, it turns out that these small-scale But be careful: It's important to find the
(misinformation), generic formulations or tasks in particular can be partially right balance so that you don't end up
social prejudices that apply to the automated: A large part of the AI- spending more time with the AI than if
regeneration of texts are eliminated when generated content can be used directly. you had simply written it yourself.

Making your own data “chatable”

AI language models do not learn 2. Function Calling In principle, every language model can
automatically and do not know any be refined - depending on the application,
internal data. So you have to teach the AI Function calling connects large it may therefore make sense to use an
how to use it. There are three main ways language models to external tools or open source model such as Mixtral and
to do this. Depending on the application, it APIs to return structured data or refine it for your own purposes.
may be worth using one or more of these perform actions, allowing multiple Fine-tuning is always useful when a
techniques. However, you always have to functions to be combined into one model needs to be tailored once or at
weigh up the costs of fine-tuning, queries response. least rarely to a specific task or a narrow
and output, as well as other factors such The language models automatically subject area with a fixed data set. It can
as data protection. recognize when which function should also offer real advantages for
be executed and pass their output in companies that have their own data sets
1. Retrieval Augmented JSON format to a previously defined for AI training.
interface, for example for the current
Generation (RAG)
weather report or to enable database
RAG stands for Retrieval Augmented queries in natural language. RAG despite large context window?
Generation and provides a language OpenAI supports function calling in
model with additional information certain models from the GPT-4 and GPT-3.5- As the context window of AI models
beyond the training material. Turbo families. Anthropic also offers function increases in size, the need for RAG
For this purpose, large amounts of text calling for Claude 3, for example. seems to decrease: Why maintain
are usually indexed and stored in a vector Function calling is particularly external databases when all relevant
database using an embedding model and suitable for dynamic applications with information can simply be sent with the
retrieved when queries are made. existing external interfaces to retrieve prompt?
With the help of RAG, hallucinations, real-time information or perform One measure for evaluating large
i.e. factually incorrect statements, can specific actions based on user requests. language models is their ability to solve
be reduced because the language the "needle in a haystack" problem,
model can be forced through settings to which tests how well they can extract
rely exclusively on the knowledge of the 3. Fine-tuning fragments of information from a large
information stored in the vector amount of data. Even models with a
database. Fine-tuning involves retraining a model relatively small context window tend to
RAG also offers a good solution to with new data, such as few-shot ignore information from the middle of
quickly provide the language model examples for a specific task – thus the prompt, known as the "lost in
with current information without paving the way for shorter prompts and themiddle" phenomenon. Currently,
transferring it to the training material. greater reliability. language models with large context
This is because once training is This requires at least 10, preferably 100 windows such as Gemini 1.5 Pro are also
complete, a language model no longer or more pairs of a prompt with the slow and expensive compared to RAG.
learns new information. The date after corresponding desired answer. These Both are likely to change in the
which no new information is added is must be uploaded in a specific format - in future: Newer models or certain
called the "knowledge cutoff". For the case of OpenAI, for example, as a prompts already seem to reduce or
GPT-4-Turbo, this is currently December JSONL file - before the fine-tuning can almost eliminate the “lost in the middle”
2023. begin. Depending on the amount of data, problem and competition between
RAG is worthwhile if you maintain a this process can take several minutes to providers will lead to falling prices.
regularly changing data set separately hours or even days. But there will probably still be use cases
from model training. For example, a OpenAI also offers fine-tuning for for RAG in the future - especially where
news website can make its articles current models such as GPT-4o. For companies work with very large data sets
"chattable" (see heise chatbot for heise+ certain tasks, a fine-tuned GPT-4o mini that exceed the context window of even the
subscribers) or a law firm uses legal model can achieve the performance of largest models. RAG will also continue to be
texts for research using a chatbot and the larger GPT-4o model, saving you faster than searching in the context window
RAG database. costs. of generative AI for the time being.

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 Workshop | Prompt Engineering

Glossary: The most important prompt vocabulary

token

Instead of working with whole words, language

AIs usually work with “tokens”. These often
represent whole words, but also parts of words
and punctuation marks.

The aim of tokenization is to break down

the programmed vocabulary of a language
model into manageable units that the AI
model can understand and combine
flexibly. This means that the system also
understands unknown words and new
words (neologisms) and does not have to
know every possible word individually. This Tokens do not always contain whole words (here GPT-4o).
also reduces the memory requirement.

A prefix such as “un-” mapped as a separate In addition to the context window, the maximum Shot and Few-Shot the number of
token tells the language model that the length of the output (completion) varies from sample examples (none, one, some) that
meaning of the following word content model to model between 2,048 and 32,768 you give to the language model in the
should be reversed. tokens. prompt (see “Concrete Prompt
Examples” below).
As a rule of thumb, one token covers When conversing with a chatbot, all
approximately 0.75 words. You can find previous messages also end up in the Multiple examples give the model a
out how many tokens a text is divided context window. If the chat history better idea of what the final answer
into using the OpenAI tokenizer. exceeds the size of the context window, should look like. A prompt can also
Different language models use different previously exchanged information is no consist exclusively of such few-shot
tokenizers. longer taken into account. examples.

API costs are often calculated based on the The general recommendation is to start
context window number of tokens input and output, with with zero-shot, continue with few-shot
those in the context window being and, if in doubt, fine-tune (see below).
The context window is the set of tokens cheaper than those in the output, i.e. the
that a language model can consider in result.
prompt and output simultaneously.

The models with the largest context window Zero-Shot, One-Shot, Few-Shot Chain of Thought (CoT)
currently are OpenAI GPT-4o (up to 128,000
tokens), Anthropic Claude 3.5 (200,000) and In the context of prompt engineering, This technique encourages the
Google Gemini 1.5 Pro (1,000,000). the terms zero-shot, one- language model to explain its
“thoughts” step by step before giving a
final answer.

context window of known AI models The goal is to improve the model's

ability to solve complex problems by
Model context window output
breaking down the solution path into
Google Gemini 1.0 Ultra 8,192 2,048
smaller, comprehensible steps.
OpenAI GPT-4 8,192 8,192

OpenAI GPT-3.5-turbo-16k 16,385 16,385

A typical chain-of-thought prompt
Mistral Large 32,000 –
contains phrases like “Let’s think this
OpenAI GPT-4-32k 32,768 32,768
through step by step” or “First…,
Anthropic Claude 2 100,000 4,096
second…, third…”.
OpenAI GPT-4-turbo 128,000 4,096

OpenAI GPT-4o 128,000 16,384

Studies have shown that chain-of-thought
Mistral Large 2 128,000 –
prompting significantly improves the
4,096
Anthropic Claude 3 200,000
performance of language models in tasks
Anthropic Claude 3.5 Sonnet 200,000 8,192
such as mathematics, logical reasoning,
Google Gemini 1.5 Pro / Flash 1,000,000 8,192
and answering comprehension questions.
Sources: OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, Claude
can improve.

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Workshop | Prompt Engineering

The ABCs of Prompting

prompt strategies
All major providers have published their Example:You will be given a document Thought” in the Glossary on p. 63). Here,
own prompt guides or at least delimited by triple quotation marks and a the language model is asked to identify
recommendations. As an example, we will question. Your task is to answer the question the logical steps before presenting the
focus on six strategies that OpenAI using only the document provided and to cite solution.
recommends, but which generally apply to the passage(s) of the document used to Example:First, work out your own solution
communication with all language models: answer the question. If the document does to the problem. Then compare your solution
not contain the information needed to with the student's solution and judge
1. Give concrete instructions answer the question, simply write: whether the student's solution is correct or
"Insufficient information". If an answer is not. Do not decide whether the student's
The less the model has to guess what given to the question, it must be solution is correct until you have solved the
the output should look like, the closer it accompanied by a citation. Use the following problem yourself.
will be to your ideas. This can be done format to cite relevant passages
by describing the problem to be solved ({"Citation": ...}). 5. Use external tools
precisely, by taking on a role, or by
using precise formatting. Is a language model the right tool for
3. Divide complex tasks the job? If subtasks can be better
Bad:How can I add numbers in Excel? handled with other systems and tools -
Breaking down large tasks into smaller such as retrieving current data using
Better:How do I add up a range of dollar steps (“step-by-step”) can help a lot to RAG (see "Making your own data
amounts in Excel? I want to do this ensure that the language model can 'chattable'" above) - you should
automatically for an entire sheet of rows, handle them successfully (see “Best outsource this part and use the
with all the totals ending up in a column on Practices” above). This applies to language model only for the purposes it
the right labeled "Total." individual prompts as well as to complex is good at.
assistants. Instead of unleashing a huge
2. Specify reference text system prompt on all user input, it can 6. Changes
help to first classify the request and
systematic testing
If ChatGPT can only refer to its training then forward it to the right prompt for
material, the risk of hallucinations processing. Even if a particular change to a prompt
increases. Reference texts do not seems to work well in one specific case,
completely eliminate the risk, but they 4. Give the model time the output may deteriorate when
significantly reduce it. Strict prompt deployed on a larger scale. OpenAI
to “think”
commands can be used to force the recommends taking a step-by-step
language model to refer to the source Closely linked to this concept is the idea of approach and testing regularly in a
material. the chain of thought (see “Chain of standardized manner.

Formatting prompts correctly

Although prompts can be formulated in Example:Summarize the following text in the first all company names, then all personal names,
natural language in a variety of ways, form of a list of the most important points. then specific topics that fit the content, and finally
vendors recommend a specific general, overarching topics.
formatting of the prompt. For example, Text:
Anthropic recommends using XML tags """ Desired format:
to mark specific content, for example if {insert your own text here} Company names: [Name, Name, Name, …]
part of the input is to be used in an """ Personal names: [Name, Name, Name, …] Specific
email (<email> Text Even within a sample example, topics: [Topic, Topic, Topic, …] General topics:
</email>). placeholders should be used to show [Topic, Topic, Topic, …]
OpenAI, on the other hand, the language model where and how it
recommends separating text from the should insert or structure its Text:
actual command with strings such as ### information. """
(three hashes in a row) or """ (three Example:Extract the important entities mentioned {insert your own text here}
quotation marks) followed by a return. in the following text. Extract to """

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How Experts View Prompt Engineering

According to French AI researcher To specifically control the language model We even have special GPTs like Prompty
François Chollet from Google, prompt with natural language inputs so that the in the GPT store to further improve our
engineering can be understood as the best possible results – i.e. more precise inputs. So the term prompt engineering
search for the right "program" for a and relevant answers – are achieved. should be chosen carefully so as not to
task. By this he does not mean a classic discourage people who do not feel
computer program, but the way in Particularly impressive examples of qualified to use AI systems."
which a language model responds to a human-machine dialogues are when the AI
prompt. Each prompt activates a specific even responds to our human appeals with
type of processing, similar to how a understanding and empathy. AI researcher Felix Friedrich from TU
program performs a specific function. Darmstadt sees it similarly and also points to
"Sophisticated AI systems are DALL-E 3 as possible evidence for the thesis
This leads to two important findings: The increasingly able to respond to that prompting will become more automated
more powerful the models become, the incentives such as tip offers and the in the future.
more of these "programs" (i.e. processing emotional state of the user (urgency or
patterns) they can store. Therefore, it response from the system is important In this scenario, prompt engineers would be
becomes increasingly important to find for personal success). This system more likely to be project managers, process
the right prompt to activate the desired behavior is due to the impressive experts or AI consultants who can
"program" in the model and obtain the imitative ability of these models, which conceptually think through tasks, describe
best possible answer. reflect our interpersonal behavior very them and provide quality assurance.
well," says Weßels.
Unless generative AI changes fundamentally "It will become less important to find
in the future, prompt engineering will remain But prompt engineering is "a bug and the perfect formulation. But you have to
important. However, the process will likely not a feature," says OpenAI developer learn to use these systems and describe
become more automated, meaning end users Logan Kilpatrick. It is not a demanding well what is important for the desired
will likely no longer have to worry about it, engineering discipline. result," says Friedrich. He expects that
says Chollet. prompting skills will appear in CVs in the
"In my view, this is a transitional discipline future where "good office skills" are
Prof. Dr. Doris Weßels, Professor of Business that will become less important as AI currently listed.
Information Systems with a focus on project models become more powerful. We are
management and natural language already seeing this development in DALL- Prompting will by no means disappear
processing at Kiel University of Applied E3 when we generate an image in completely, and the ability to
Sciences, offers a similar interpretation. For ChatGPT. Our input in natural language is understand how to get an AI to produce
her, prompts are a kind of interpreting automatically converted into an optimized a reliable, reproducible result is likely to
function that we humans take on in order to prompt. be very useful for a long time to come.

Prompt example: Text

A simple but effective prompt format for Structure: [Example 1]
word problems divides the prompt into [Headline] {insert example text here}
different sections thatrole,Task,style [Teaser]
andexamplesIt may also be useful to [Text of the press release] [Example 2]
have astructureto pretend. {insert example text here}
Style:
In our example, we're prompting a Use language that is generally understandable and [Example 3]
marketing specialist who generates ensure that it flows well. Write short, clear {insert example text here}
press releases for the company. The sentences. Provide information precisely and
exact details can be customized for each objectively and avoid PR clichés. You want to Examples given to the AI are often
task, but the prompt structure is a solid convince your readers, not just advertise. crucial for the quality and style of the
foundation that has proven to work. output. Therefore, it makes sense to use
high-quality and, if possible, error-free
Take all relevant information from the source. texts that have been created by human
Role and Knowledge: experts according to the company's
You are a marketing specialist with many years of Don't leave out any relevant information. specifications.
experience as a journalist in the field of Remove all filler words. If atarget groupis known, it is also
digitalization. You have extensive knowledge of Remove repetitions in content. useful to define this in the prompt, as
digitalization, digital technologies and digital Avoid complex sentences. models such as GPT-4 are very good at
processes in business. Change passive sentences to active. addressing this target group specifically
Write briefly, precisely and to the point. and formulating appropriate texts. You
Task/Format: can include this in the "Task/Format"
Write a professional press release. Examples, Few Shot: area, for example.

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Workshop | Prompt Engineering

Midjourney v6.0,
Prompt example: Prompt:Photo,
designer chair,
Pictures clean, in a
living studio, standing
The structured approach can also be lamp in the background

useful when prompting images. The reason, warmth

Prompt "Photo, designer chair, clean, in a living Colors, artificial light,
studio, floor lamp in the background, warm colors, Inspired by
artificial light, inspired by the Eames Lounge Chair, Eames Lounge
catalog photo, shot by Sony α7 II"contains Chair, catalog photo,
a series of descriptions that name Shot by Sony α7 II
different properties and contents of the
image. medium Theme mood / emotion Location perspectives
Depending on the image model used, photo designer chair clean in a studio apartment floor lamp in the background

you can make further settings such as Colors lighting References / Style Genre / Composition Technical aspects
image size or format. As with text, it warm colors artificial light inspired by the Eames Lounge Chair catalog photo Shot by Sony⍺7 II
generally makes sense to write the
entire prompt or parts of it in English.
This increases the chance that the OpenAI uses a style called "Vivid". If sen, for example with a different lighting.
desired concepts will be implemented - DALL-E 3 is accessed via the API, the To do this, you only need to enter a
whether this is necessary is best model can also use a "Natural" style and command in ChatGPT such asThe lighting
checked by trying it out directly. thus generate more photorealistic should be 6000k.
Midjourney v6 implements the above images. There are numerous other image
prompt directly into a usable result – When using DALL-E 3 via ChatGPT, it models, such as Stable Diffusion, that can
the tool is known for its ability to is also important to remember that the be run locally. Which models are best
generate photorealistic images. model rewrites the prompt in the suited always depends on the desired
background before generation – which results and the area of application.
You can also change details such as prompt was used exactly can be Platforms such as Midjourney, DALL-E 3 via
the color temperature via Kelvin or the displayed in the enlarged image after ChatGPT or Ideogram have the advantage
camera. generation using the Info button. that they do not require their own special
The image generator Ideogram.ai also Rewriting the prompts can result in infrastructure in the company and obtain
creates a photorealistic image using the images that do not quite match high-quality results without much effort.
prompt. expectations. The advantage of DALL-E
DALL-E 3 in ChatGPT, on the other 3 in ChatGPT is that the style can be Locally executed models, on the other
hand, has a very specific style that makes it improved through dialogue and variants hand, are easier to adapt: There are certain
difficult to generate photorealistic images. can easily be created. methods (such as so-called “LoRa models”)

Midjourney v6.0, Prompt:Photo, designer chair, clean, in a Ideogram v1.0, Prompt:Photo, designer chair, clean, in a
home studio, floor lamp in the foreground, artificial light, home studio, floor lamp in the foreground, artificial light,
6000k, inspired by the Eames Lounge Chair, catalog photo, 6000k, inspired by the Eames Lounge Chair, catalog photo,
66 Polaroid Polaroid

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DALL-E 3 via ChatGPT, Prompt:A modern living studio setting DALL-E 3 via ChatGPT, Prompt:A modern living studio setting
showcasing a designer chair inspired by the Eames Lounge Chair. showcasing a designer chair inspired by the Eames Lounge Chair,
The room is illuminated with warm artificial lighting, creating a cozy under 6000k light, creating a crisp, white lighting environment that
atmosphere. In the foreground, a stylish floor lamp enhances the emphasizes the clean lines and modern design of the furniture. In
scene. The colors are warm and inviting, and the entire composition the foreground, a stylish floor lamp complements the scene. The
resembles a high quality catalog photo, emphasizing clean lines overall composition is warm yet illuminated by a bright, daylightlike
and modern design. This image is crafted to mimic the professional artificial light, resembling a high quality catalog photo shot with a
quality of a photo shot with a Sony α7 II camera, focusing on the Sony α7 II camera. The focus is on the details and aesthetics of the
details and aesthetics of the chair and its surroundings. chair and its surroundings, captured in a professional and appealing
manner.

delle”), which can be used to train small can be reproduced relatively reliably using In many cases, however, the image models
additions to the large image models prompt keywords. This can be useful, for do not replace professional photographers or
such as Stable Diffusion. These example, if generated images have a certain designers and should rather serve as a tool that
additions can contain certain styles, design language or are supposed to complements their work. Generative AI is
objects or people, which then represent a certain object consistently. therefore now also available in Photoshop.

Prompt example: Text in image

AI image generators can also insert text Nose ahead: The text is on average more You can often come up with error-free
into images, for example on signs. The correct, while DALL-E 3 often makes mistakes. texts, but this often requires several
Ideogram platform has currently Since version 6.1, Midjourney can also attempts.

DALL-E 3 via ChatGPT, Prompt:Photo, designer chair, clean, in a Ideogram v1.0, Prompt:Photo, designer chair, clean, in a
home studio, floor lamp in the foreground, artificial light, 6000k, home studio, floor lamp in the foreground, artificial light,
inspired by the Eames Lounge Chair, catalog photo, Polaroid, with a 6000k, inspired by the Eames Lounge Chair, catalog photo,
led sign in the back reading "This is a chair" Polaroid, with a led sign in the back reading "This is a chair" 67

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Workshop | Prompt Engineering

Prompt like a Pro! How to tame all LLMs

1. Guide the model step by 2. Add relevant

step to solutions: context:
Break complex tasks down into smaller, Provide background information for
manageable steps. more accurate results.
Example: Developing a PR strategy Example: Writing a marketing email
1stidentifying target groups • product information
2nddefining communication channels • target group details
3.develop specific messages for • desired call to action
each target group

3. Be explicit in your 4. Ask for many

instructions: options:
Provide specific instructions for better Have multiple suggestions
results. generated.
Example: Create a blog post Example: Ideas for social media posts

• topics to be covered • consider different approaches

• desired writing style • select suitable options for your
• SEO keywords brand

5. Assign characters: 6. Show examples,

Let the LLM take on different roles.
don’t just tell:
Provide references for clearer results.
Examples: Example: Writing a press release
• Customer: Give feedback on new product • Include three to ten examples of a
• Competitor: Conduct a SWOT analysis well-written press release in your area
in the prompt

7. Specify the preferred 8. Experiment:

response format: • try different approaches
Specify the desired format for the • adapt your instructions to the
output. LLM
• optimize performance
Example: Create a meeting summary
through iteration
• bullet points
• easy-to-understand language

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 Workshop | Prompt Engineering

Excursus: Helpful and curious prompt ingredients

Prompt engineering requires human The request to proceed step by step was There are possible explanations for at least
creativity. Both researchers and combined with the command to breathe some of the prompt additions as to why
hobbyists have developed various deeply. The following formulation has they have an effect. One is provided by the
strategies to produce more accurate or proven to be resistant to modifications: AI researcher Felix Friedrich from the TU
simply longer output. Even short terms like "Let’s work this out in a step by step Darmstadt: "Language models are
prompt additions can have a big impact way to be sure we have the right answer”or probability models. Such prompt additions
on the language model's response. "Break this down"enforced: shift the probability distribution from a
Example:Take a deep breath and work on this general to a specific one." This sharper
A reliable statement about the usefulness problem step by step. distribution increases the language
of rather absurd prompt additions cannot be model's confidence in its own output and
made because comprehensive, cross-model Tips:Language models can sometimes be can make results more specific. Chain-of-
evaluations are lacking. In our experience, motivated to spend more time if they are thought prompting, for example, creates
they do not work reliably. They are more promised a (hypothetical) tip. In conditional probability chains that change
intended to provide an incentive to experiments, the message length even the output.
experiment, to change the output in a certain increased with the amount of the bonus The addition of "step by step" to a
direction - whether this is also a better one and decreased when it was made clear prompt is considered to be the most
remains to be seen. from the outset that no tip was to be effective method to improve the quality
expected. of the output. One possible explanation
Plausible prompt strategies Example:I will tip $200 is that expressions such as "step by
step" appear in better structured and
chain of thought:If you can't find a Missing fingers:Language models are therefore higher quality texts in training
solution straight away, you approach it sometimes vulnerable to emotional material, or that these types of answers
step by step. This applies to people as blackmail. If you convincingly tell are rated higher in human feedback.
well as language models, as extensive ChatGPT that you have no fingers and
studies have shown. With the simple are suffering from trauma due to According to Friedrich, the fact that
command to proceed step by step, truncated text, the AI will sometimes rather strange prompt additions such as
language models were suddenly able to avoid leaving annoying placeholders in "Take a deep breath" or "I have no
correctly solve math problems within the output. This can be especially fingers, so give me a complete solution"
just one message. This following of the helpful if you need complete code. work could be related to the semantic
so-called "chain of thought" generally Example:I have no fingers and the truncate understanding of an LLM, which helps it
produces the best results. trauma. I need you to return the entire code to better understand the task. However,
Example:Let's think step by step. template. If you will encounter a character these issues have not been researched
limit make an ABRUPT stop, I will send a in detail, partly because the strongest
Role play:Assigning a specific role to "continue" command as a new message. models are closed and therefore
the language model is one of the most difficult to access for independent
important components of a prompt and Nerd references:In one study, research.
consistently ensures more correct researchers elicited mathematical In any case, reliable prompting
answers. The template can be modified excellence from a language model when benchmarks pose a challenge for
as desired and tailored to your own use the prompt was formulated in reference scientists. The authors of the paper "The
case. to the TV series "Star Trek." "This Unreasonable Effectiveness of Eccentric
Example:From now on, you are a contestant in revelation adds an unexpected Automatic Prompts" conclude after
the general knowledge quiz contest and always dimension to our understanding and comparing different strategies across
answer all kinds of commonsense questions introduces elements that we would not Mistral and LLaMA models: "Perhaps the
accurately. I am the moderator of the game and have considered or attempted trend is that there is no trend."
the final is about to start. independently," they concluded.
Example:Command, we need you to plot a It remains difficult to derive general
Unusual Prompt Ideas course through this turbulence and locate the results for all models and prompting
source of the anomaly. Use all available data and strategies, since every trend, no matter
Breathe deeply:DeepMind researchers your expertise to guide us through this how clear, has at least one notable
observed better performance when the challenging situation. exception. (wre)

Ben Dannebergis co-founder of the AI consultancy Deep Content and co-editor of the AI specialist magazine
The Decoder. He passes on his practical experience from media houses and agencies to companies in consulting
with a focus on AI and drives the AI strategy of the heise group. He is also editorial director of the AI specialist
service for companies, heise KI PRO.

Mac & i extrawinter 2024/2025 Your opinion, additional material, web code: mac-and-i.de/w9fj 69

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 With Miro virtually
brainstorming
The online whiteboard Miro helps to find ideas together, plan projects
and implement. If used correctly, you can achieve your goals faster and with little effort

to creative team results – without any tedious meetings.

By Michael Neubert
Image: freepik.com; Montage: Mac & i

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

 The human brain processes and explain ideas better using sketches.
significantly more visual stimuli The tool can also be used to track
than acoustic ones. Visual support project progress or present current
short & sweet
therefore helps to better understand
complex relationships and graphically
business developments using
embedded PowerPoint slides. • With its visual approach, Miro
can make team collaboration
presented information usually stays in Miro was first launched in 2011 as
more effective.

• The
the memory longer. In addition, the RealtimeBoard and is now considered the
written word and the drawn picture can market leader among whiteboarding tools. online whiteboard
still be viewed after the next loop of Many functions can be used for free with enables presentations in new
reasoning. apps or simply in the browser and thus ways, but also integrates
But the whiteboards, blackboards and across platforms. Its almost equal existing PowerPoint slides.
pinboards that were euphorically purchased
for spontaneous brainstorming sessions
competitor Mural is more expensive and
cannot, for example, save boards offline. • Since a Miro board does not have to be
created live, many time-consuming
often hang neglected on the walls of meeting Compared to Microsoft Whiteboard, Miro
meetings are no longer necessary.

• integrated
rooms, offices or in the kitchen at home. The scores with its more appealing appearance
reasons are usually of a succinct nature: and more intuitive user interface. Tasks can be managed in the
sometimes the pens have dried out, other Compared to Apple's free Freeform, Miro Kanban board – or
times the whiteboard is already full. offers significantly more powerful with linked tools such as Jira,
functions and access is not dependent on Trello and Confluence.
This can't happen with Miro's online the Apple ID and iCloud. Please also note
whiteboards. They fit in your pocket and the box "Miro and data protection" on
are always with you. Whenever you page 87.
want to talk to your boss or colleagues This workshop will introduce you to the most shown can also be implemented with
about something, everyone can see the important functions of Miro using the example other whiteboard solutions.
current version. Changes appear live on of a brainstorming session and will give you tips Miro's range of functions is extensive and
all devices. for moderation. Building on this, we will show constantly growing. Further information can
you how to take your presentations to a new be found in the learning center (question
Miro transfers many of the benefits of a level. In addition, you will find suggestions for mark symbol bottom right) and, for example,
traditional whiteboard to the digital world. numerous possible uses of the tool. Much of on the author's YouTube channel at
You can use it to conduct meetings visually. what is discussed here is youtube.com/@workshopmoderation.

71

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Workshop | Visual brainstorming

Use Miro for free or paid?

With the free version, you can create as with different customers on Moderator functions" on page 79).If you do
many boards as you like, but you can independent whiteboards. not use Miro all year round, a monthly
only edit the last three. To be able to subscription that you book on demand is the
change older documents, you have to To get rid of these and other cheaper option.
delete newer ones. If you share a single restrictions, switch to the paid version
board with others who are not part of (see the web code at the end of the The business version for $228/year or
your team, they only have read access. article for all links). Even with the starter $24/month is worth it if you want guests
If other people want to comment on or version for 115 US dollars/year or 12 US to edit and comment on a board
edit something, this is only possible for dollars/month (each including VAT), you without having to share it with a public
free if you add them to the team. can invite an unlimited number of link. There are also more shapes for
However, this gives members access to anonymous users (“visitors”) to your diagrams and you can integrate a
all of your boards. The free plan boards. It also gives you additional company's single sign-on provider.
therefore excludes collaboration moderator functions (see the box “Paid

For this workshop

the free account is
largely sufficient.
Functions that a
require a paid version
are mentioned in the
text.

Preparing Miro and Brainstorming

1Setting up Miro
Miro can be used in the browser as well as Settings. Go to “Feature Flags” and working or commenting. This works in
with free apps that are available for Mac, deactivate “GPU Process: Canvas the mobile app, but here too the small
iPad and iPhone as well as for PCs, Rendering”. display proves to be unwieldy.
Android devices and large interactive The user interface in the browser is For Miro, you need the most stable
displays. The corresponding downloads largely identical to the apps. However, internet connection possible. Editing a
can be found at miro.com/de/app. there are some differences in operation, board offline is currently not possible. If
The web app works best with Firefox particularly on tablets (and smartphones) the connection breaks down briefly
and Google Chrome. In Safari, the board (see the box “Miro app on the tablet – during a train journey, for example,
may freeze and no longer update. If this what’s different” on page 74). nothing is lost, but you can only view
affects you, open Safari's settings and In principle, you can also participate the board during this time - not edit it.
activate the option "Show features for in a board using your smartphone. The
web developers" in the "Advanced" tab. mobile browser is not recommended. In the article we list the keyboard shortcuts
This will make additional tabs appear in On the one hand, the view is tiny and on for Windows, Linux and Android, as well as the
the the other hand, the functions for version for Macs and iPads in brackets.

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 Workshop | Visual brainstorming

The interface of Miro

board bar main menu collaboration bar communication bar

context menu

using AI context-dependent toolbar (formatting options)

Create connecting lines

scaling

Object bar (creation toolbar)

Your guardian angels: The undo buttons in the object bar undo or redo

changes. The common keyboard shortcuts Ctrl + Z (Command + Z) and Ctrl

+ Shift + Z (Shift + Command + Z) also work in Miro.

board overview (open frame) zoom and navigation bar

2Create an account
To create your own Miro board, you It’s up to you whether you
need an account. However, you can want to invite members to
also work on an existing board join your team or prefer to
without registering, provided the work alone (“Skip this
creator uses the paid version. time”).

You can create a new account at

miro.com/de. If necessary, enter your Questions determine which
work email address here, as this will templates are suggested to
make it easier to invite colleagues you. In the next step, skip
who are registered with the same inviting team members by
domain. This also ensures that you selecting "Skip this time". For
are using any company license that the workshop, select "I want to
may be available. In this case, check start from the beginning" in the
with your administrator how you can last step and close the pop-up
gain access to the application. window that appears with the
Miro asks for your name on your template selection. This gives
first visit and suggests existing teams you an empty Miro board. You
to join based on your email domain. can also insert a template into
For this workshop, you will create the board later if necessary (see
your own team by clicking on “+ tip 7 "Save effort with
Create a new team”. The following templates").
seven

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Workshop | Visual brainstorming

3Change user interface to German

Depending on the computer and browser User guidance can be easily accessed Here you and your participants can also
settings, participants may initially see the under “Board bar > Main menu > Settings add or change the data requested during
English version. The language of the > Profile Settings > Language" the registration process.

4Create more Miro boards

If you want to create an additional board, create a "New Board" - completely You can also change the name of the
click on the word "Miro" in the board bar at empty or filled with one of the many board here. Click on the three dots on
the top left to leave the current document templates. You will also see a list of your the right and then on "Rename". You
and go to the so-called dashboard. This is existing documents and your projects if don't have to leave an open document
also where you will land when you log in you are using the paid version. They to do this, just click on the name in the
again. About the dashboard serve like folders to keep track of things. top board bar.

5operation suitable for the device

To zoom in or out, move your thumb You can set the “Mouse”
and index finger apart and together on or “Trackpad” setting
a trackpad or touchscreen. Alternatively, manually at any time. To
hold down Ctrl (Command) and swipe do this, open the menu
up or down with two fingers. Or use the with the three lines
zoom buttons "+" and "-" regardless of (Board Settings) and go
the device. Use two fingers to move the to “Settings > Mouse
section. or trackpad".

When using the mouse, zoom with

the scroll wheel. To move the
workspace, hold down the secondary Navigation on
mouse button and move the mouse in the Miro board is
the desired direction. device-dependent and
Miro usually automatically detects works similarly
which device type you are using. You can like Google Maps.

Miro app on the tablet – that’s different

The app works very smoothly on a tablet • Select/activate element: tap briefly. or Ctrl +D (Command +D) on the
and is particularly useful for drawing with keyboard.
a stylus such as the Apple Pencil. On-site • Move an object without activating it:
photos can also be integrated particularly Hold your finger on the element (one With the Smart Drawing tool (ideal with
easily using a tablet. However, there are second), then drag. a stylus):
some differences in operation compared • Multiple selection: Tap and hold your
to a desktop or laptop. finger outside the desired selection • An inaccurately drawn shape (circle,
frame (one second), then drag across square, etc.) is recognized by Miro as a
Fingers instead of mouse and keyboard: the elements. geometric shape and converted.
• In the context-dependent toolbar of • New Sticky Note: Draw a square with a
• Zoom and move (even with a single the elements on the tablet there is diagonal.
finger) like on the laptop trackpad. also the trash can and the duplicate • Delete unwanted elements: scribble
symbol, which is the backspace key diagonally back and forth over them.

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 Workshop | Visual brainstorming

Brainstorming rules reduce inhibitions

"I'm just not creative" is a frequently • No criticism! Make it clear to the participants that a
expressed but rarely true statement. • “Spider-managing” is welcome! reality check will only come later and that
Rather, people are often inhibited from • Quantity before quality! the focus is not initially on feasibility.
allowing their creativity, for example out of • “Stealing”, i.e. “spinning on” other
fear of public criticism. In order to ideas, is welcome! You can find more brainstorming tips on
counteract such fears, the following rules • Always visualize ideas for better the author's website (see web code at the
for participants have proven useful: understanding and easy further development. end of the article).

6The sticky note: the most important element of the Miro board
The English term “sticky note” for the colors for individual sticky notes. Drag a osed height at a constant distance. To
colorful sticky notes has long since green note to the right, position it delete a sticky note, select it by clicking
become common usage in German, roughly in the middle of the board and on it and then use the Delete or
especially in online workshops. let go. You can type in the first rule Backspace key. Ctrl + Z (Command + Z)
In our workshop, you will write the directly: "One idea per sticky note!" To undoes changes and Ctrl + Shift + Z
first sticky notes with the brainstorming insert another sticky note directly, press (Shift + Command + Z) redoes them.
rules (see the box of the same name at the Tab key at the end of the text. Now Remind participants that everyone can
the top of this page) that all participants type in the next rule: "Stealing and only undo their own actions, not those
should follow. spiders welcome!" You can leave the of others.
There are several ways to insert sticky input mode by clicking anywhere on the
notes. To start with, use the object bar board background or pressing Esc Create a duplicate of the second
on the left, which is also called the twice. sticky note. Double-click it to enter
creation toolbar in Miro Help. As in all writing mode and change the text to the
other bars, the symbols reveal their To duplicate, use the usual keyboard third rule: "No criticism!" Use the
name when you hover over them with shortcuts Ctrl + C (Command + C) for copy, context-dependent toolbar to change
the mouse pointer. Miro also lists the Ctrl + V (Command + V) for paste and Ctrl + the "Fill color" in the middle to orange.
corresponding keyboard shortcut there. D (Command + D) for duplicate. The latter Use "Change type" on the far left to
is particularly useful if you want to copy change the shape to "Oblong sticky
Click on the sticky note icon (N key) to more Sticky Notes to the same location note" to make the prohibition more
make a selection with standard without any additional effort. clearly visible.

Within a few
minutes you have
a brainstorming session
prepared that the
participants equal
on important rules
points out.

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Workshop | Visual brainstorming

7save effort
with templates
As an alternative to individual elements,
various ready-made templates are
available. You can insert these into your
board to save yourself the work of
duplicating, arranging and changing the
color. You can find the templates in the
left object bar below the selection
arrow. To quickly find a suitable pattern, colored stacks of sticky notes for six With the templates you can quickly get
enter the first few letters in the search participants. This emphasizes that quantity a set of different colored sticky notes.
field, such as "Brainstorm". This will give is more important than quality and makes
you a relevant pre-selection. If you the work easier for newcomers during the If you have fewer or more than six
touch a template with the mouse, Miro brainstorming session. Each participant participants, simply adjust the number
will display a short description. chooses their own color. This helps to of stacks: To do this, select all sticky
For the workshop, look for “Stickies quickly identify who wrote which notes in a package and delete or
Packs”. This template contains various contribution later on. duplicate them, then adjust the color.

8creating order
It may happen that the sticky notes Clutter is distracting: The
have different sizes or appear to be trouser button at the top right
randomly placed. You can solve the will bring calm to the layout.
visual problem in two steps: Drag a
selection frame over the inconsistent With multiple selection
sticky notes. In the context-dependent still active, slide the three
toolbar that now appears, change the sticky notes with the
"sticker size" to "S" using the button to By pulling on this button you can Rules about the stickies packs. If the
the left of the color field. expand or contract the - now uniform - view is too small for you, you can zoom
For uniform arrangement, use the distance. Miro also takes care of the in as described above or use the
secret star of Miro's tools without correct alignment and arrangement. keyboard shortcut Alt + 1 (Option+ 1) to
removing the selection: the small You will come to appreciate this tool as quickly adjust the size so that the entire
trouser button symbol in the upper a moderator during brainstorming. content optimally fills the screen. Alt +2
right corner of a multiple selection. (Option+2) zooms in on the selection.

9Insert brainstorming question

The most important starting point for a pointer becomes a horizontal double text-dependent toolbar. There you can
brainstorming session is a cleverly arrow) to the left until two lines of also enter an exact value such as “36”.
formulated question. In the box "PAKKO: similar length are created.
The art of the clever question" on page 77, Then use the handle in the top right In the contextual toolbar, change the
you will learn why the simple heading corner (the mouse pointer becomes a font to “Fredoka One” and set the text
"Product ideas" is not enough. To keep the diagonal double arrow) to drag the text alignment to centered.
question present throughout the idea to a size that is visually sufficient.
gathering phase, use the "T" in the left The process automatically
object bar to insert a text field above the changes the
sticky notes. For example, write: "What Font size in the con-
new product ideas can we use to increase
sales of our high-quality peppers?"
You can fix the unfavorable line break With the text tool
by dragging the right blue frame line of write to any
the selected text object (mouse Place on the board.

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 Workshop | Visual brainstorming

PAKKO: The Art of the Clever Question

The central brainstorming question is the • Personal:"“Sie”, “thou” and “we” instead of A formulation derived from the English-
heart of a moderation. The right wording “one”, “someone” or “it”. language question “How might we” has
is a key factor in determining what kind of • Activating:Action verbs instead of proven to be very effective: “How can we
contributions you get: from general to the long nouns: “increase” instead of provide our customers with crisp and
smallest detail, from well-known to outside “reduce the return rate”. healthy peppers?” instead of “Which
the box. With the question, you influence • Short and sweet:Avoid filler words, preservatives should perhaps be given
how committed participants are to the platitudes and clichés. If possible, ask special attention in order to reduce the
brainstorming and how broad or narrow only one question. return rate due to product
the solution framework is in which • Specifically:Specific here and now rather than perishability?” You can find more ideas
everyone can find their ideas together. general and all-encompassing. on how to formulate good questions for
Invest a corresponding amount of time in • Open:Do not unnecessarily limit the your brainstorming on the author’s
the question. The PAKKO rule of thumb answer options with closed questions. website (see web code at the end of the
helps with this: article).

10Matching images in no time

You can easily add images to the board Generate an image with AI:Click on You click on the Miro Assist symbol (white
using drag and drop from Explorer or the "Use AI" symbol with the colorful stars on a blue-violet background) in the
Finder. Alternatively, you can use the stars in the top left and switch to the context-dependent toolbar of the image -
upload symbol in the left object bar to third tab "Image" in the sidebar that this works with any inserted image, not
access your image sources in the cloud, appears. When you use it for the first just AI images. Now drag the AI image to
such as Dropbox, OneDrive or Adobe time, you must agree to the terms of the left of the heading.
CC. If you want to import illustrations the AI function and the privacy policy.
from other programs, use transparent Enter "pepperoni" directly into the input
PNG files, which then also look good on field and click on "Generate image".
colored backgrounds.
If you don't have suitable images of The generated image lands
your own, Miro offers practical tools: directly on the whiteboard. If you
Insert from Google Images:Click on don't like the result, delete the image
the lower plus symbol "More Apps" in and click the Generate button on the
the object bar. From the apps offered, left again. You often get better
select "Google Images". Enter results with more specific English
"pepperoni" in the search field. Drag the descriptions such as "single pepper
desired image to the right, next to the on white background". You can
heading. You can change the image size remove the background by
by selecting the image and dragging
one of the four corners. Double-clicking The AI image generator does
on the image takes you to crop mode not always deliver usable results.
and you can set the desired image but can always add more
section - even circular. Have suggestions made.

11Lock objects
To prevent participants from accidentally With the castle
moving or deleting the question, pictures fix objects
and rules, mark the elements with a on the board.
selection frame. Click on the lock button in
the context-dependent toolbar. The
objects can now neither be selected nor
changed. To unlock, hold the mouse
button down for about a second and then
release it. This selects the fixed objects and text-dependent toolbar from the color by selecting light green via “Board
releases them by holding down the mouse background. For the perfect overall bar > Main menu > Whiteboard >
button. impression, change the background Background color”.

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 beginners early
Introduce Miro

So that you actually use the valuable time

together for brainstorming and not to
explain Miro to newcomers:
• Send the invitation well in advance of the
brainstorming session, ideally one week
in advance.
• For example, provide a link to the
author's nine-minute introductory video:
https://youtu.be/77zQhQGZtlE. This way,
participants can familiarize themselves
with Miro at their own pace.
• Set a simple, small homework task on
the board that is fun and requires
using the basic functions. A short introductory video linked in the invitation helps newcomers get started.

12share board
To share the Miro board with others, to team members. They need an It is advisable to add an invitation text
you need to share it. In the free version, account to do this and will then be able with at least these two points:
there is only one option: you make the to see all your boards. More about the • Make it clear that it is not spam by
people who are participating other ways to share Miro boards referring to the specific context.
For information on sharing them
individually, see the box “Is Miro • Mention that in order to participate in
free or paid?” on page 72. the brainstorming session, you will need
To share, use the blue Share to create an account on Miro. Opening
button in the communication an account is quite easy and is of course
bar at the top right and enter not necessary for those who already
the email addresses of the have an account.
contributors in the pop-up You should also specify in advance
window. Since they receive an where new arrivals will land on the Miro
automatic invitation by email, it board. This can be done via “Board bar
is recommended > Main Menu > Whiteboard > Set Home
View".
Your team can have an unlimited
If you follow the invitation link number of members, but no more than
in the email, your name and 200 people should work together on the
desired password are enough brainstorming session at the same time to
to create a Miro account. ensure good performance.

brainstorming

13Moderation leads through brainstorming

In addition to thorough preparation, There is no clear goal for the meeting. It must be clear to the manager that it is
moderation ensures effective results The moderator leads the team through not about him or his technical expertise,
and satisfied participants – whether on the process without interfering with the but about getting the best out of the
the physical pinboard or in digital tools content. He makes sure that the time team. Ideally, he can stay in the
such as Miro. frame is adhered to, the group does not background because communication
Many meetings fail because they are drift off topic and everyone has the between team members works
not moderated or a clearly formulated same opportunity to contribute. smoothly.

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 You can take on the moderation yourself, to qualify and also to use them as Paid Mo-
delegate it to a team member or involve an
external moderator. A dual role (expert and
moderators across group and department
boundaries. They can concentrate more
derator functions
moderator) is also possible, but requires easily on the brainstorming process
more experience and self-discipline. In because they are not involved in the topic. • During the vote, Miro can take
practice, it has proven useful to specifically However, they understand the "language" over the counting and
appoint interested colleagues within the of the company. At the same time, you presentation of the results and
company for this purpose. save the costs of an external moderator. ensure anonymity.
• With the timer you can clearly
and visibly show the remaining
time for everyone - for
completing tasks or returning

14Camera on during video conferences from a break.

• In private mode, you ensure
that everyone only focuses on
Miro does offer a video chat function in The ability to speak up if there are any their own sticky notes during
the paid versions. However, if you difficulties is essential. Participants the writing phase and cannot
already use tools such as Zoom, Webex should communicate with each other via copy them. All sticky notes
or FaceTime, you should use them for the board as well as via image and created in this mode are only
brainstorming. Whatever you use, do sound. Don't forget to look into the visible to the respective author.
not show the whiteboard using "share camera when you address the team and
screen". This would reduce visual regularly check what the participants'
interaction to absurdity. It only starts facial expressions tell you about their
when all participants are on the Miro focus on the task. The same applies to the participants.
board and in the video conference. The iPad and, if necessary, a
In order to keep an eye on the Miro board smartphone, for example, serve well as
For a successful brainstorming session, and colleagues at the same time, it is advisable secondary devices for the video
the camera switched on and a possibility to work with two displays or a possible conference.

15It's starting …
Welcome the participants and explain the The many lively
goal and rules of the brainstorming Mouse pointers are
session. Once everyone knows who they characteristic of active
are dealing with today, you can begin. visual collaboration on the
Everyone activates their microphone Miro board.
and chooses a sticky note pack color. Then,
as the moderator, you present the
brainstorming question. Whoever comes hide the “collaborator
up with an idea first calls it out loud, writes cursors” in the
it on their sticky note and pulls it away communication bar.
from the prepared pile. Don't do the Inform participants that
writing work for them, just make sure that they can follow you and
the process runs smoothly. your view including zoom at
Only one person should speak at a time. If any time by clicking on your
in doubt, give the floor. To record ideas that avatar. Following will end as
you don't want to forget, you can simply write soon as they are
them down on a sticky note while someone
else is speaking. Important: All ideas should doing right now. Only then does the feeling of navigated through the board.
ultimately be read out loud by the author. As creating something new together arise. You can also bring other people to
a moderator, make sure that the The communication bar at the top right your view – for free just individual
brainstorming rules are followed and that no shows who is currently logged in. Other participants, or with a subscription all
discussions arise about the content. Those participants may be hidden behind a plus together. To do this, click on your avatar
who speak should keep their comments as with a number. Faded profile pictures and select “Bring to me”.
brief as possible. Questions about reveal who only has Miro running in the You should limit leading and following
clarification are always allowed. background and is not actively using it. If to key points in the brainstorming session,
The charm of such visual the many mouse pointers are annoying such as the beginning or end of a section
collaboration is that everyone can even after a period of getting used to and during presentations. This way, you
understand in real time what the others them, you (and every participant for keep the initiative as high as possible.

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Workshop | Visual brainstorming

16Endure the silence!

Depending on the question and the audience, They need time for this. Do not disturb more reserved participants directly share what
there will come a point at which the flow of these valuable thoughts. other ideas they have.
ideas will subside. In any case, endure this Encourage everyone to come up with At some point, even the most exciting
silence. You should hold back your own new ideas based on the other sticky brainstorming session will lose momentum.
suggestions right now. Judgments (whether notes. If a sticky pack is used up, you or The actual brainstorming session is only over
positive or negative), attempts at the participants can produce new sticky when at least one period of silence has been
interpretation or reformulation are also notes yourself. The goal is to collect as overcome, additional ideas have been asked
taboo. It is quite normal for people to search many ideas as possible without allowing for (see tip 17 on the lack of ideas) and you
deeper into their imagination and memory any limitations. Ask have not received an answer to the question
for further suggestions. about further suggestions.

17AI helps with

drought of ideas

After an initial period of silence and

deep reflection, it is helpful to give AI a
chance. The simplest way is to copy the
core question of the brainstorming
session ("What new product ideas can
we use to increase sales of our high-
quality peppers?") using Ctrl + C
(Command + C) and open the
corresponding sidebar at the top left
using the "Use AI" button. In the first
tab "Notes", paste the question using
Ctrl + V (Command + V) and click on
"Generate Notes".
After a short wait, almost a dozen
new ideas appear on the board as light
yellow sticky notes. If you like the
suggestions, drag them next to the should also assign a color that no other The AI not only provides additional ideas,
previous ideas. Then click on “Add tag” player uses. but can often also lead participants to new
in the context-dependent toolbar Important: Only bring in the AI after inspire ideas.
(luggage tag, second symbol to the right the human ideas have been harvested.
of the color field) and enter “AI- Otherwise, the participants could quickly
generated”. The marking helps to better lose their initiative. As a strict rule, speak nic the possibility of using the AI right at
distinguish AI contributions from openly about this beforehand. All the beginning of the brainstorming
human-made ones. registered users have technical session without you noticing.

18Using Miro for physical meetings

Both hybrid meetings and pure face-to- Monitor with Intel Core i7 OptiPlex 16 GB with the Miro board. Under no circumstances
face meetings can gain in efficiency and RAM or Vibe Board. should you do the writing for everyone. Proceed
effectiveness through the use of Miro. But even with a laptop and projector, such a in the same way as in an online brainstorming
Ideally, a large interactive display is meeting makes sense and saves you from session. Take turns to address the participants
available for which Miro offers its own having to get pinboards, flipcharts and other and their contributions on the projector screen.
apps. Miro recommends: Neat Board, materials. Despite the screen, everyone in the This will prevent the brainstorming session from
DTEN Onboard, Dell InteractiveTouch team continues to interact via their own device becoming monotonous.

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 Workshop | Visual brainstorming

evaluate results

19prepare for graduation

What happens after a brainstorming session appropriate ones have been selected to Trouser button at the top right of the
depends on the goal of the meeting. work on after the brainstorming selection frame to create an attractive
Depending on the level of difficulty, the level session. arrangement. Choose a common color,
of detail required for the solution and the A simple vote is often enough to such as dark green. Standardize the font
people involved, experienced moderators use identify the good ideas. First, copy all size by choosing the largest possible
suitable moderation methods. These include, the results to date. The easiest way to number (i.e. not grayed out) in the
for example, clustering (see tip 26), group do this is to select everything with Ctrl + context-dependent toolbar instead of
work, in-depth study or the development of A (Command + A) (locked objects are not "Auto". The resulting order and
exclusion and evaluation criteria. At the end, included) and then duplicate with Ctrl + uniformity helps to achieve a voting
the best ideas should be selected from the D (Command + D). Use the result that is as uninfluenced as
many, sometimes unrealistic, ideas. possible.

20conduct a vote
For a meaningful vote, it is important is now given a pepperoni (= one vote).
that everyone has the same
understanding of what they are This way you avoid a mix of smileys
supposed to decide on. Therefore, add a and thumbs up. A uniform symbol also
heading above the newly created block makes counting easier later. Now
of dark green sticky notes, such as: colleagues add their votes by simply
"Which product ideas have the greatest clicking on the peppers. Everyone can
market potential?" Also write the short also remove their votes by clicking on
instructions on how to vote to minimize them. Even the peppers that have been
later questions: "Mark your 5 favorites cast are shown in light grey.
with the pepper emoji."
Only the paid version contains a This approach relies on the honesty
special voting tool. In the free version, of the participants. The votes are not Participants use emojis to express
you can count the votes cast using anonymous - you can see the names transparent and countable their opinion
emojis. Use a gray example sticky note when you hover over them - but it or mood.
to show how the voting process works. would be pointless to check them
Label it "Example" and click on the afterwards. So remind participants not
smiley symbol ("Add Emoji") in the to exceed the set maximum of, for to read out most of the points aloud and
context-dependent toolbar. Enter "pep" example, five votes. to thank your participants for their
in the search field and select the The growing number of votes appears cooperation and the result. If the result
pepper. The example note directly on the sticky note for everyone to on the Miro board is visually sufficient
see. Take the time to share the ideas with for you, you can skip the next step.

21Visualize voting results

Especially if you have a large number of Finally, the button function arranges the With the circle still selected, enter a “5” for
sticky notes or participants, you should sticky notes neatly in a vertical row. This the example, change the font size to 18,
document the result more clearly. You method is more suitable for short lists. and change the style to “Bold.”
can use one or both of these methods: Resize the circle by dragging any of
Mark rank with symbol:First, create the four corners, holding down the Shift
Sort sticky notes by number of votes: a pattern object for the rank. To do this, key to maintain proportions, so the
Drag the idea with the highest pepper drag an “ellipse” from the shape tool (S circle remains a circle. Position this Rank
number to the left of the block, the second key) on the object bar. You will get a object on the gray sample note.
highest below it, and so on. You don't have circle. Color the edge red and the area
to be precise, because at the yellow. While

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Workshop | Visual brainstorming

Now small arrows should explain the Experienced moderators

meaning of the elements in the example. Children visualize a lot.
Select the rank object. You will see four This allows them to
small light blue dots above, next to and Clarity about every
below the circle. Drag the right point step and increase
diagonally to the top right. An arrow the willingness
appears. When you release the mouse, to participate.
select the "T" for text from the menu that
appears and write: "Rank". Set the
background color of the text object to
transparent ("No color") and align the text
to the left. Select the arrow, change the
arrow direction using the symbol with the
two arrows in the circle and change the
line type ("Type") to dotted. Insert another Now duplicate the circular rank hold up, you can encourage participants
text field "Votes" and drag an arrow in the object as often as required and place to distribute the rank markers or sort
direction of the vote pepperoni in the one with the appropriate label on each the sticky notes themselves.
example note. idea note. To enable the interaction

22After brainstorming: Documentation via PDF export

One of the many advantages of Miro is that
work is secured and accessible to everyone,
and there is no need to send files back and
forth. Each team member can continue
working on the board later, either alone or
together again.
To document the interim status or to
make the final result accessible to
people without Miro, simply create a
PDF document of the whiteboard. First,
decide what you want to see on each
page. For our pepperoni example, two
pages are enough for the two phases
"Brainstorming" and "Voting". Select the
frame tool in the object bar (F key) and
then click on A4. Rotate the frame to
landscape format using the context-
dependent toolbar. Hold down the Shift
key for proportional scaling and drag
the four corners of the frame so that the
first section is sensibly framed. Double-
click to change the label "Frame 1" to
"Brainstorming". the top board bar, click the Export icon With frames you can specify when exporting,
and then click “Save as PDF”. In the free what ends up on one page.
version, you only get a moderate
After you have set and named the resolution document. Paying customers very large Miro boards without Miro
second frame, click also export making small sticky notes unreadable.

23Transfer results to Kanban

In a Kanban, tasks or information tidbits To change a project, simply move it to First, select the five winning sticky notes
are placed on small cards that are the corresponding column. This way, from the vote in the previous “Brainstorming”
arranged in columns. Each column everyone involved can see the status of board by clicking on them individually while
represents a status such as “In progress” a project at a glance and, of course, holding down the Ctrl key (Command + C).
or “Done”. To see the status of a task update it. Ctrl + C (Command + C) copies

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 Workshop | Visual brainstorming

them to the clipboard. Leave The Sticky Notes

the board by clicking on the can be
Miro logo to go to the easy in maps
dashboard. Create a new for the Kanban
board and select the "Kanban Board convert
Framework" template. deln.
The pre-built Kanban is
divided into the three usual
columns “Backlog”, “In
Progress” and “Done” as well as
two rows (called swimlanes).
You use the latter to distribute
tasks to teams. Column-
and swimlanes can be added, deleted
and renamed at any time.
Click on the background above the
Kanban and paste the copied sticky
notes using Ctrl +V (Command +V).
Change the element type on the far left
in the contextual toolbar to "Card" (first
icon) and then move them all together
to the "Backlog" column of the Kanban
board.
Miro automatically adjusts the size
of the cards and the Kanban board. The
note color and the tag "AI-generated"
are retained, but the voice pepperoni is
not.
You or your team members can
change the attributes of a card, such as Use the search function via the The virtual Kanban board makes it easy for
color, status, due date and tags, magnifying glass in the board bar or Ctrl the team to work together asynchronously.
individually in the context-dependent + F (Command + F). For example, enter a to cooperate and stay informed.
toolbar. There is also an editor window name or a keyword to highlight
that shows all the fields of a card at a matching cards in the Kanban. If
glance. You open it by clicking on the necessary, narrow the search to "cards" Convert objects into Jira cards or place
two expand arrows on the left in the using the funnel symbol next to the Jira cards on the board. Changes are
toolbar. Alternatively, you can place the search field. updated in the other system. The
mouse pointer on a card and use the For companies that use Jira for task integration is reserved for paying
double arrow that appears. management, integration with Miro is a customers. It is also available for Trello,
In order to quickly find your way good option. It works in both directions: Confluence and other tools.
around a grown Kanban board, You can use Miro

Other use cases

24Embed PowerPoint slides

Almost everyone is familiar with “supervised online presentation, but insert the slides icon is available. After a short wait, the
reading” from presentations: one PowerPoint into Miro. This allows you to break away file appears as an item on your
slide follows the next, and in a small video from the linear flow and also actively whiteboard.
image next to it the person presenting stares involve the audience thanks to the Click the Extract Pages icon with the
at the same slides and reads them out loud. interaction function. three leaves in the element's contextual
Your energy level quickly drops to freezing Create a new, empty board and drag toolbar to make each page or slide into
point and you turn to other tasks in parallel and drop the PowerPoint or PDF file of a separate object. Critically examine the
open windows. your presentation from Explorer or Finder individual pages and delete
To avoid this atmosphere, do not use into the board. Alternatively, there is an unnecessary ballast. Remove pages that
PowerPoint for your next upload button in the left object bar.

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Workshop | Visual brainstorming

only show intermediate steps to a final

slide. You also generally do not need a
thematic overview of the entire
presentation because the Miro board
replaces this. You can arrange the
remaining slides using the trouser
button symbol at the top right of the
selection frame. Drag the edges (the
mouse pointer becomes a horizontal or
vertical double arrow) to adjust the
distance between the slides.
In the next step, you determine the
order of the views you want to present.
Use the secondary click to open the
context menu of the first slide to be
shown and select "Create frame".
Repeat this with all other pages. If you
want to present an overview with
several slides, use the frame tool on the
object bar (F key) and mark the desired
area - frames can overlap as desired.

Use the board overview icon (“Open order using drag & drop if necessary. A placed PowerPoint file appears
frame”) in the lower left corner of the Miro Here you can also rename the frames if initially as a single object from which
board to check and change the rows. necessary. but allow all slides to be extracted.

25Start guided presentation

Using previously defined frameworks, you • As a presenter, you zoom and
can conduct an online presentation that navigate inside or outside your slides
runs according to your wishes. To do this, to highlight particular aspects. Then
invite the viewers to both the video use the arrow keys to continue the
conference and your board and ask sequence.
everyone to open both in parallel (large • You and the audience can leave notes
screen or two separate screens). Start the next to or directly on the slide at any
presentation by opening the drop-down time. You should actively announce this
menu in the communication bar at the top and provide a color coding. For example,
right next to the "Present" button and choose green for approving or
selecting "Framework". supplementary comments, yellow for Miro is also ideal for presentations in
A pop-up window will appear for questions about understanding, red for which you can directly involve the audience
participants to join the presentation disagreement. want to include.
directly. Inform latecomers that they • Each participant can move freely, for
can join by clicking "Join" in the example to the previous slide or to the
communication bar. overview. In addition, everyone can • In the presentation bar you can see how
In the simplest case, you now scroll zoom in and out within the current slide many people are (still) following you and
through the slides using the arrow keys as desired. Don't be afraid to give up reacting accordingly (eye symbol with
on the screen or keyboard. The control here. It's better for the audience number under your own avatar).
audience sees the same slides at the to engage with the content than for To be confident in using the tools for
same time. Ideally, Miro gives your them to be bored and read emails or important presentations, you should
PowerPoint slides an interaction boost: surf the web at the same time. conduct a test run with a test audience
beforehand.

Viewers can navigate the board themselves at

any time during the presentation and then
return to the demonstration.

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Inspirations for Miro boards

Use the
graphic possibilities
abilities of Miro,
to your participants
the orientation to
facilitate and a
lasting impression
to leave behind.

Did you create the template with paper and

pen? No problem – the AI removes the
the background in no time.

Of course, graphic elements from other

programs such as Adobe Illustrator or the
painting program Procreate for the iPad
can also be used on a
Use Miro board.

The endless workspace allows an

entire strategy workshop
on a board.

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Workshop | Visual brainstorming

Tips and Tricks

26Clusters: Objects auto-

grouping
It is particularly easy to structure a Miro offers an automatic clustering Miro offers a variety of ways to
collection of ideas in digital form. You function when multiple sticky notes are create more clarity, for example by
can visualize the affiliations not only by selected, which sorts the sticky notes Coloring according to togetherness.
arranging them in so-called clusters. into groups based on colors or tags, for
Colors, frames, tags, emojis or the example. You can access the function in
shape of the object also help you to the context-dependent toolbar using a frame - usually to the right of the
quickly grasp related topics. the icon with the three squares in smiley. Here you select the property you
want to cluster by. Sticky notes that
have multiple tags, for example, are
duplicated.
Confusingly, the Cluster function is
called “Group Objects” in German and
can therefore easily be confused with
the “Group” function (Ctrl+G or
Command+G), which combines several
elements into a unit.

Miro can automatically group related

sticky notes into clusters based on tags.

next-level presentations
• Arrange slides hierarchically. Highlight the then, per section, five minutes and then click on “Handover” for the person
importance using size and position, for alternately for comments and questions concerned.
example. Additional arrows make it easier for and a further five minutes for answers. • Use the full size of the video image to
the audience to find their way around. • Allow questioners to direct all interact with facial expressions and
• Instead of slides, you can also participants to the appropriate place. body language. Present online while
incorporate any other Miro content into To do this, click on the standing. People will notice the
a presentation: images, brainstorming + 1 symbol ("Show all X participants") positive body tension.
sessions, polls, YouTube videos...
• You can also do without PowerPoint
altogether and design slides directly in Miro
with text, images, arrows, icons, block
diagrams, etc. In most cases, the existing
tools are completely sufficient.
• Completely redesign the presentation style:
Instead of planning a 40-minute presentation
with a few minutes of Q&A, hold a five-minute
teaser presentation and let

Ideas are not straight lines! Break

away from the linear presentation
process and create an interesting
mind map.

86

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 Workshop | Visual brainstorming

Miro and data protection

Miro is GDPR compliant and hosts stored – unless you request earlier Copy, save and process the data on the
customer data, i.e. the content of the Miro deletion. board. You should discuss introducing
boards, in the EU. Corporate customers the tool company-wide with your data
can also choose the USA if they wish. User A large part of the responsibility for protection officer.
data (for example, who was on which Miro handling the data lies with you: Depending
board and when) and other non-content on the content of the boards, you must If you prefer a solution with servers in
data (such as exchanges with the hotline) decide who has access to it and how. You Germany, Conceptboard is an
can also be stored outside the EU. If you also have the power to make agreements alternative. However, the tool cannot
cancel an account, the data will remain for with the participants about the use of the keep up with Miro in terms of
180 days, according to Miro. data. Technically, anyone with access functionality and ease of use.

27Create offline backups

With the paid version, you can The "Upload from backup" feature is not possible, not even with the apps on
download a backup of your boards at also available to non-paying users and desktop and tablet.
any time. To do this, you need the Miro in the browser. You can find the feature
app on the desktop. Open the context in the left sidebar of the dashboard.
menu of a board in the dashboard or
click on the three-dot menu next to the Offline editing of a Miro board or a
name. Select "Download board backup". backup is currently

28Undo changes
Continuous storage on the cloud server which you can restore deleted objects.
offers the advantage that you, as the This also works beyond the maximum of
owner of the board, have access to the 30 undo steps.
entire editing history. To do this, go to
“Main menu > Whiteboard > Editing
history” in the board bar. There, The editing history records every
depending on the process step, you will single change step – and can undo
see an undo arrow next to the time, with some of them.

29Avoid meetings,
work asynchronously!
Why do everyone need to be in the same Board using the Talktrack function with
(even virtual) place at the same time to video image, screen guidance and audio
discuss today's topic? If you have trouble track. The advantage over a recorded
answering that question, remove the screencast: The viewers see your notes
meeting from your calendar! directly on the board and not in a
Asynchronous work and asynchronous separate video. You start the Talktrack
communication are not new: the Kanban recording in the upper collaboration bar
board on the blackboard, emails and chat using the symbol with the dot in the With so-called talk tracks you can
tools on the intranet already existed dashed square. (wre) add an explanatory video to a board.
before. The special thing about
asynchronous work is that everyone can
contribute to the common work or see the
current status when it suits them best. A Michael Neubertis a moderation trainer and moderates work
Miro board overcomes many of the shops for creativity and innovation. The customers of his company
shortcomings that mean that blackboards “Workshopmoderation. Einfach.” include nature conservation
and chats don't really work on the intranet. organizations, DAX companies, self-employed people and universities.
To take full advantage of He gives tips on moderation on the YouTube channel of the same name.
asynchronous working, explain the

Mac & i extrawinter 2024/2025 Your opinion, additional material, web code: mac-and-i.de/wps7 87

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How to move from
Windows to macOS
Fed up with Windows? We'll show you step by step how to
switch to a Mac, what pitfalls there are and how to take
your data and programs with you.

By Daniel Schmidt

Apple computers and laptops have been enjoying growing

popularity since the introduction of the M1 processor in
2020. High performance, efficiency and long battery life
attract many users. Although Microsoft Windows remains the
undisputed leader among computer operating systems in
Germany and worldwide, there are still many good reasons to
switch to a MacBook, iMac or Mac Mini.

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

© Copyright by Heise Medien.
Workshop | From Windows to macOS

1Sign in with an Apple ID

When you turn on a new or reset Mac macOS asks you to log in with your Synchronizing settings. If you don't have
for the first time, the system guides you Apple ID. This serves the same purpose an Apple ID yet, you can create one in
through the setup process similar to as a Microsoft account and allows this step (which we recommend) or skip
Windows. First, you select the language access to the Apple Store and free cloud it and add an Apple ID later. For more
and connect the device to the Internet services. The latter are not only useful information and a guide to Apple ID, see
or your home network. Then for storing your own data, but also for the web code.
data exchange or

2Understanding macOS operation and differences to Windows

In some respects, macOS and Windows from the Finder. One object that you Simply drag and drop the widgets you
are not so dissimilar. The central cannot detach is the trash can on the want onto your desktop.
location of the action is the desktop. The right. To the left of it is the icon for the Notifications from all programs are
top edge is decorated with the menu Downloads folder. collected in the notification center,
bar of the app that is currently in the Behind the small magnifying glass in the which opens when you click on the time
foreground. If no other app is active, the menu bar lies a powerful tool: Spotlight. or date in the top right corner. Widgets
menu bar of the file management Finding files on the Mac is a core function, can also be found here, which you can
program "Finder" is shown there, which but Spotlight also searches through calendar freely select and position, similar to on
is the equivalent of Microsoft's Explorer. entries, emails, documents and suggests the desktop, if you scroll to the end of
On the left in the menu bar there is an websites that match the search. You can also the notification center and click on "Edit
Apple symbol, the equivalent of the start large and small tools such as timers widgets...".
Windows symbol in the taskbar. Here you directly from there or convert units of The system settings are the equivalent
can find restart, shutdown, change user, measurement and currencies. of the Windows control panel, only much
as well as quick access to system settings Widgets can also be placed on the more compact since Apple has adapted
and frequently used objects. desktop if desired. The easiest way to them to the iPhone. You can access them
The dock at the bottom of the screen access the menu is to right-click on the via the gear icon in the dock or by clicking
shows you apps, including the most desktop – on a MacBook, tap the on the apple symbol and "System
recently used and currently open ones. trackpad with two fingers – and then Settings...". There you can manage input
The dock can be moved to another edge select “Edit widgets…”. From the devices, connected displays and the dock,
and customized by dragging apps out or overview of available among other things.

app menu menu bar Spotlight

Apple menu

The notification center not only

contains notifications, but also
widgets that can be customized to
user preferences.

In the system settings

finder system settings dock positions can be
macOS fundamentally
configure and
set.

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What speaks for switching from Windows to macOS…
macOS benefits from running range, a buyer can be sure of getting a tet under Windows Alt + Q. With the same
exclusively on Apple hardware. This powerful package with a stable level of keystroke on the Mac keyboard, you can
closed system enables closer hardware- performance over several years, even if reach the key combination Command + Q
software integration, which benefits he decides to enter the Apple universe and close the running program - often the
both the use of system resources and with a Mac Mini at a relatively low cost. Mail app - which has the potential to be
system stability. Apple's operating This can make the purchase decision frustrating.
system is very user-friendly for much easier.
There are other reasons to think carefully
newcomers with streamlined menus, a
Apple also offers a strong software about switching: Anyone who likes to do their
simple design and an intuitive user
portfolio for creative professions. For own work on their computer to replace or
interface. Many people associate macOS
example, the Mac versions of Final Cut expand components will be disappointed that
with greater security. However, this
Pro (video editing) and Logic Pro (music this is only possible to a limited extent with
point needs to be viewed in a
production) are available for a Apple. Windows also has a clear advantage
differentiated manner, which the article
comparatively low price, without a when it comes to the selection of games.
will discuss in more detail.
subscription and with unlimited access Even current titles are rarely ported to
An important point is the uniform user to updates to date. macOS. The largest gaming platform, Steam,
experience between the different reflects this impressively: While it has over
products. The devices can optionally be … and what against it 177,000 titles for Windows, there are only a
linked via Apple's cloud storage and little more than 45,000 to choose from for
functions, which allows you to view and macOS.
Long-time Windows users will have to
edit photos and files across devices, for
prepare for a period of adjustment, as Last but not least, you should check
example.
certain key combinations are not only whether important programs are
Apple's hardware portfolio is clearly defined ineffective, but also perform completely available for macOS or whether there is
and the product variety is manageable different functions. A well-known at least a comparable alternative. If not,
compared to the many Windows PC models. example is the Windows key you will have to resort to a virtualization
Despite limited product combination for the @ sign. It runs solution under macOS (see tip 13).

3The keyboard layout and shortcuts

As with Windows, the function keys on the in many cases will be familiar. In addition, key, the latter depends on the
Apple keyboard are sometimes used twice. the Option key⌥ –the counterpart to the respective key combination. In most
In the default setting, they control certain Alt key - as well as the Control key (short: cases, the Ctrl and Ctrl keys can be
system functions that are shown as ctrl) are new for Windows users. The so- replaced one-to-one. In the system
symbols on the respective keys. For called Mission Control key is also new for settings, under "Keyboard > Keyboard
example, the F4 key can display the Windows users and is usually located in Shortcuts...", you can adjust the key
launchpad with the installed apps. the F3 position. assignment to suit your needs.
Pressing the fn key at the same time On keyboards designed for Windows Many people who switch initially miss
temporarily switches between app- PCs, use the Alt key instead of the the right click on the mouse. This is called
dependent and special functions. You can Option key and the Ctrl or Windows secondary click in macOS and is also
permanently choose between the normal logo key instead of the Command key. possible with Apple mice. You have to
function key or the system control in the
keyboard menu of the system settings.
Apple uses a modified keyboard
layout, which above all supports
significantly more shortcuts. The big
difference for Windows users is the
position and designation of the
Windows keys Ctrl, Alt, Alt gr, Del, Pos1
and End, as well as the not always
identical use of the respective
counterparts on the Mac.
The Ctrl key is often replaced by
Command⌘((cmd for short), also known
as the command key. The box lists some
keyboard shortcuts that you can

The function of the special keys

you can change.

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Workshop | From Windows to macOS

First activate it and navigate to the The Mac keyboard

"Mouse" and "Trackpad" items in the looks at first glance
system settings. Then make the desired different than the
setting in the "Secondary click" sub- from Windows,
item. For the Magic Mouse, you can but she is
assign the secondary click to the left or quite similar.
right side. Then you can use the right
click. On trackpads, pressing with two
fingers or in one of the two lower Fingers type while holding down the You can also use a conventional mouse
corners is sufficient. Alternatively, you Control key on the keyboard. If you do with a dedicated right mouse button on
can also use a not want to relearn this, your Mac.

4The Finder as a basis for files and programs

The macOS Finder is, like Windows filters the files. The Finder displays the Cutting and Cmd +V for pasting
Explorer, the central point of contact for all objects in the "Desktop" folder as a list, elsewhere - do not work as usual in the
types of files. It also manages backups and icons or gallery. On the desktop itself, Finder. However, Apple simply uses
synchronization with iCloud, more on that outside of the Finder, you can keep different keyboard shortcuts: Cmd + C
later. The left sidebar takes you to things organized by stacking files of the copies the file(s) to the clipboard.
important folders, such as "Downloads", same type: If you right-click to open the Command +V copies them to the target
with a click of a button. This is where not secondary menu and activate "Use directory, Cmd + Option +V moves them
only files that you download from the Stacks", macOS groups all images or there. Alternatively, if you drag and
Internet end up, but also those that you PDF data and other files of the same drop the file from the source to the
receive via Bluetooth or AirDrop. Unlike type into compact stacks. You can target folder using the mouse or
Windows, the Finder makes greater use of expand a stack by simply clicking on it. trackpad, the following applies: If the
libraries, tags and smart folders for target is on the same volume (see box),
organization. The latter collect files the object is moved, otherwise a copy is
according to criteria defined by the user. Windows users have to rethink created. Hold down the Option key to
These can be certain file types or a moving files, because the usual force a copy. A plus symbol then
keyword that the Finder uses to find files. keyboard shortcuts – Cmd + X to appears on the mouse arrow.

5screenshots
create
Screenshots are needed from time to
time and they have evolved even under
Windows. The classic Print key is now
missing from many Windows
keyboards. Instead, a screenshot key is
often offered and is often linked to the
Snipping Tool.
The Screenshot app in macOS works
in a similar way. You can open it either
via Spotlight search or with the
keyboard shortcut Shift + Command + 5.
It offers several buttons for different
needs. For example, you can take a
screenshot of the entire screen
(shortcut: Shift + Command + 3), limit
the capture to the selected window, or

Screenshots can be easily created

using the Screenshot app.

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(Shift + Command + 4 + Space) or define uses the full display resolution at 60 Important keyboard shortcuts
an area with the mouse (Shift + frames per second.
Command + 4). You can also use the macOS saves screenshots and recordings Many apps have their own keyboard
small tool to create a screen recording on the desktop. You can change the storage shortcuts, which is why the shortcuts
in the form of a video that location in the app's options. mentioned here do not have the same effect
everywhere. A tips & tricks page on heise.de
lists additional keyboard commands (all links

6Stage Manager, Spaces and Desks

can be found in the web code).

There are several ways to simplify

multitasking in macOS. Depending on keyboard shortcut macOS Windows

Selected object Ctrl+X

the screen size and how you prefer to Command+X
cut out (not at
work, different solutions are available. files)
If you use an iPad, you may have Selected object Command+C Ctrl+C
already come across the Stage in the interim
copy the file
Manager. It is available on both iPadOS
Object from the Command+V Ctrl+V
and macOS. The Stage Manager puts clipboard
the active app in focus, while the most insert
recently opened apps appear as Previous Action Command+Z Ctrl+Z

thumbnails to the left of it. If you click The green button allows you to undo
on one of them, it moves to the front. If Start full screen mode or apps Select All Command+A Ctrl+A

you run a program in full-screen mode arrange next to each other. Print document Command+P Ctrl+P

(by clicking on the green dot in the top Save document Command+S Ctrl+S

left corner of the window), you will see Open new tab Command+T Ctrl+T

the other apps as soon as you move the the menu bar. Alternatively, you can Open search window Command+F Ctrl+F

mouse to the left edge of the screen. turn it on in the system settings under Close the window Command+W

The easiest way to activate the Stage “Desktop & Dock” and make further @Sign Option+L Alt Gr+Q

Manager is via the icon with the three settings there. €Sign Option+E Alt Gr+E

vertical dots in macOS offers so-called Spaces to program/app Command+Q Alt+F4

finish
distribute and arrange application
Between Apps Command+Tab Alt+Tab
windows on several virtual desktops. If change
The Stage Manager displays previously you use the F3 key (possibly in Overview for Control+ Windows+Tab
used apps on the left edge of the screen. conjunction with the fn key) active windows arrow up

character/file/folder Command+ Enft

delete backspace key

Delete Forward Fn+ Del

backspace key

To the last Command+ End

line position arrow right
jump
To the first Command+ Pos 1
line position arrow left
jump
programs Option+ Ctrl+
terminate immediately/ Command+Esc Toggle+
Task Manager Esc
desk/desktop Command+ Windows+D
show Exposé (F3 or
fn+F3)

Selected Enter F2
element
rename
Active window Command+R F5
update
Finder/Explorer Command+N Windows+E
open
Open search Command+F Windows+S

Character overview/ Control+ Windows+.

EmojiPalette Command+ (Point)
show space bar

Spotlight search Command+

open Space or F4
Preview of a space bar
View file
(Finder only)

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Workshop | From Windows to macOS

Mission Control enables the

organization and switching
between the so-called spaces.

By calling up Mission Control, you can

organize spaces, create multiple
desktops, move application windows
between them, and delete desktops. If
you use this frequently, it is worth
setting up an active corner (see the box
“Using hot corners”) to quickly move right swipe), Magic Mouse (swipe with Command + Tab. Use Command + to
between up to 16 desktops, full-screen two fingers) or keyboard (Control arrow switch between multiple windows of the
and split-view apps. Alternatively, you key left or right). same program. You can change this and
can switch between them using a Switching between open apps is as other key combinations under
gesture on the trackpad (with three or easy as in Windows by using a “Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts >
four fingers swipe left or right). combination of keys Keyboard > Focus in Next Window”.

7Use hot corners

Hot Corners are a useful feature that is In the “Desktop & Dock > Active
not available in Windows. You can set Corners…” menu of the system
functions in all four corners of the settings, you can assign all four
screen that become active when you corners individually, for example with
move the mouse there. By default, the system functions or programs.
bottom right corner is connected to
Apple's Quick Note. If you move the
mouse cursor there, a pop-up appears, Hot Corners (active corners) offer a
and another click opens the Quick Note. quick access to frequently used
functions and programs.

8Migrate contacts and calendars to Apple or

continue to use existing services
The procedure for transferring data to Apple's iCloud if you want. However, if Contacts and appointments in the Google
from a Windows PC to a Mac depends you have previously managed them in a Cloud can be synchronized much better
on the type of data you want to copy. cloud, such as Microsoft or Google, you with Apple products than iCloud with other
Data that is only on your PC can be can leave them there and continue to use platforms. Apps for all common cloud
copied most easily using the Migration these services. This has advantages if, for providers can be found in the App Store,
Assistant (see tip 9). It also transfers example, you want to continue to access or you can download them in the system
emails, contacts and calendars. your contacts on an Android smartphone. settings under Internet

Additional cloud services can be For each service, you can choose
linked in the settings. which data macOS should sync and
94
which it should not.
© Copyright by Hei these media.
Volumes explained

Volumes are a special feature of Apple Storage with others in the same Linux or Windows. Also new for
File System (APFS) that generally makes container, making it more flexible. Since Windows users: There are no drive
partitioning disks unnecessary. While volumes only support APFS, you can letters. Therefore, these do not need to
created partitions have a fixed storage install a standalone macOS system to be assigned when creating a volume.
size, a volume shares the test a beta version, but neither The name is sufficient.

accounts. It is even possible to connect in Outlook for Mac. You can integrate Cloud providers that can be connected
different providers for contacts and One-Drive (Tip 11) into the system and to macOS. Information about this can
appointments, for example. access data stored there as usual. This be found from the provider. In many
Outlook users can export their data also applies to Google Drive, Dropbox cases it is also possible to transfer the
under Windows if necessary and and other data manually via file export (Tip 10).

9Copy data with the Migration Assistant

Apple's Migration Assistant copies data install it. Then start the
from a Windows computer to the Mac. Migration Assistant on the Mac,
The Mac either stores it locally or where you can find it via
transfers it to iCloud (Tip 14). The Spotlight search or in the Finder
assistant first searches the entire PC, under Utilities. Make sure that
even if there are multiple drives. any firewalls or VPNs are
deactivated and that both
The migration assistant is quite devices are on the same
thorough and transfers the emails and network.
associated account settings from Outlook After starting it on the Mac,
and Windows Mail. Contacts are filtered select "From a Windows PC" for
out from the People app, Outlook and the the type of data transfer. Enter
user folder, appointments from the the code you see in the next
Windows Calendar and Outlook. Even step into the Migration Assistant
importing tasks from Outlook is possible on Windows. When you click
with modern Macs (macOS Ventura or "Continue", the Windows PC
newer). In Safari, you can import all starts a connection with the
bookmarks from Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Mac, which may take a moment.
Internet Explorer and Safari for Windows. Before the transfer begins, you can
However, if you use multiple browsers, this Then continue on the Mac. There you exclude data from the migration to
can get confusing, especially since the select the data you want to copy from transfer it via another method.
bookmarks cannot be imported in a sorted the suggested data - contacts, calendar,
manner. browser bookmarks, pictures, videos
First, download the assistant (all links and much more. If you have decided to A new user must now be created for the
in the web code) from Apple’s support do so, for example for your contacts or imported data (importing into an
pages to your Windows PC and in- calendar existing profile would not be possible).
the previous services
(Tip 8), exclude these If the import and creation of the new
data types here to user were successful, the Mac will then
avoid duplication. restart and complete the migration
process. When you log in for the first time
Then click on “Continue” with the new user profile, macOS will
again. Depending on the guide you through the setup process
selected data volume again. If you have imported calendars,
and connection contact details and bookmarks, these will
performance can be the be automatically transferred to the
copying process some time appropriate Apple programs and, if
necessary, saved in iCloud.
You have now copied all data from
The Migration your Windows PC to your new Mac. This
Assistant is suitable excludes programs and associated data.
for different sources.

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Workshop | From Windows to macOS

10Manual data transfer

Do you want to start with a system that and start the export. On the Mac, you
is free of clutter or do you already store must use legacy Outlook or switch back
most of your data on a NAS or in a to it using the menu command "Outlook
cloud? Then you don't necessarily need > Legacy Outlook". Then you can import
the migration assistant, especially if you the Windows archive files under "File >
don't want to switch completely to the Import".
Apple cosmos (yet) and want to keep If you have not transferred To import archive files manually, you
contacts etc. in the Google cloud (tip 8). bookmarks to Apple's own Safari must first switch to the older legacy
browser using the migration assistant, Outlook.
Outlook users can export their data you can import them manually, either
under Windows if necessary and import via previously exported CSV or HTML
it back into Outlook for Mac. To export, bookmarks or directly from the other You can simply continue to use it under macOS.
click on File in the menu bar in Outlook browsers. For the latter, you must first This also applies to Microsoft Edge.
under Windows, select "Open and install the respective browser on the Using Microsoft Edge as an example,
Export > Import/Export", then "Export to Mac. If the browser does not we will show you how to export
a file > Next" and finally "Outlook Data synchronize the bookmarks with its bookmarks and saved passwords to
File (PST) > Next". Select the account to Windows counterpart, which is usually Safari: In the Edge browser, go to the
be exported, mark "Include subfolders" possible via the cloud, you can export settings using the three-dot menu at the
and click "Next" again. Finally, specify a them under Windows and import them top right. In the "Profiles" menu, click on
storage location and give the file a on the Mac. The procedure depends on "Passwords" in the "Wallet" area. In the
name. the browser you are using. Of course, overview that opens, select the three-
you can use your favorite browser dot menu next to "Settings" and "Export
passwords". Confirm and select the
storage location and file name.
For the bookmarks, click on the
favorites symbol, open the three-dot
menu again, select "Export favorites", a
storage location and the file name. You
can copy the two exported files to your
Mac via the cloud, your own network or
via USB.
Then go to Safari on the Mac. There,
select "File > Import from" and
"Bookmark HTML file..." for the favorites
or "CSV file with passwords..." for the
passwords. Navigate to the location of
the file you copied to the Mac, select it
and then click "Import". Safari places
imported favorites behind existing
bookmarks. Apple saves imported
passwords in the so-called keychain, a
central location for all saved passwords.

Passwords can also be exported in

the Microsoft Edge settings.

11Setting up OneDrive and MS Office on your Mac

A Microsoft account is linked to at least 5 GB to many times over. If you want to use it operating system creates a shortcut in the
of cloud storage (possibly more for accounts on macOS, install OneDrive from the Finder.
that have been in existence for a long time). App Store and log in with your account. Microsoft Office is also available in the App
With a Microsoft 365 subscription, the In addition to the app icon in the Dock Store. If you use Microsoft 365, you only need to
volume increases depending on the plan and Launchpad, the register briefly and purchase the license

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 Microsoft Office is directly in the
App Store available.

is active again. It becomes more

complicated if a conventional license was
used under Windows, because this is
usually tied to the respective operating
system and the version purchased. In this
case, you must purchase a new license for
the Mac or switch to the subscription
model. If, however, you no longer want to
invest in the Microsoft suite, Apple offers a Pages, the spreadsheet Numbers and the mate. There are also other free
free alternative with the iWork Suite. It presentation program Keynote. All three alternatives available such as
includes the word processing program can use Office formats to a limited extent. LibreOffice and WPS Office for macOS.

12Installing and deleting programs and apps

Installing programs differs slightly on The applications can be uninstalled by
the two operating systems. The easiest moving them to the trash can…
way to download programs is from the
Mac App Store. Not every app that is
available for the iPhone or iPad is also
available for macOS. You also won't find
programs like Netflix or Acrobat Reader
in the store. However, you can
download and install the latter in DMG
format (an abbreviation for disk image)
from Adobe.
A DMG or installation file that you download
from the Internet is then located in the
Downloads folder, which you can find in the
Finder or in the Dock to the left of the Trash can.
Clicking on the file opens a new window
in which you can drag the program icon to
the "Applications" folder. Close the window
after the confirmation tone. The program … and from the
can now be found in the Launchpad and is trash can too
ready for use. What looks quite simple is restore.
actually a mounting process, because the
DMG file is

Strictly speaking, it is an image. programs". You can find it under the

Therefore, you can delete it afterwards. favorites in the sidebar or under "Go to
If the image is still on the desktop after > Programs", where you will find it
installation, you can "Eject" it after a either as a subfolder or app. There is
secondary click. usually an uninstallation file in the
If you need a Windows program that program directories. If you only find the
is not available for macOS, there is the app icon for an application, you can
option of virtualizing Windows (see the drag it to the trash or right-click on it
box “Goodbye Boot Camp: These are the and select "Put in trash".
alternatives”).
To delete an app or program, open The app will only be permanently
the “Programs” folder in Finder. deleted when you empty the trash, but
program settings will usually remain
intact. As long as it is still in the trash,
Clicking on the download folder opens the you can restore it via "File > Put Back".
most recently downloaded files.

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Workshop | From Windows to macOS

13Starting Windows programs under macOS

Boot Camp was a way for Macs with Another option is called Crossover, which You can install an ARM version of
Intel processors to install additional is based on the open source project Wine. Windows, but also emulate an x86
Windows. Instructions are available Crossover allows you to install Windows environment. Even older versions of
online at heise.de. Hardware with Apple programs as if they were intended for the Windows can be run on macOS. However,
Silicon chips (M1, M2, etc.) can no longer Mac, because the developers implement the due to its complexity, the solution is aimed
use Boot Camp. Either a virtual machine required Windows components directly in the more at experienced users.
or a cloud solution can help here. programs. This usually works well with older Which solution is right for you
Microsoft recommends a cloud PC using programs and games, but often not well with depends largely on your own needs and
Windows 365 or Parallels Desktop. The newer ones due to their complexity. It is best budget. If you just want to make a few
well-known solution is reliable and to find out online beforehand how your older programs usable under macOS,
convenient in everyday use. However, it desired app performs. Crossover can be the ideal solution.
is limited to the ARM version of Windows 365 is certainly the most
Windows and there is currently no You can buy the UTM virtual machine sophisticated, but also quite expensive.
support for DirectX 12. In addition, both in the App Store. It is available for free In addition, the service requires a
Microsoft 365 and Parallels Desktop are as a DMG file on the developer's permanent internet connection, as it
associated with paid subscriptions. website. As with Parallels, takes place entirely in the cloud.

14Use iCloud
The iCloud service is not just a cloud Go to System Preferences, click on the Apple To see whether or which passwords
storage service, but also synchronizes ID in the top left and then on “iCloud”. In the have already been synchronized, click
settings and passwords, enables subsection “Apps that use iCloud” you will on “Details…” in the “View passwords”
collaborative work on documents across find “Passwords & Keychain” and can select column. You can also view them here
devices, and automates backups of the option “This Mac
devices with iOS and iPadOS if desired.
The iCloud is part of all Apple devices
and is linked to your own Apple ID.

In particular, saving passwords in the

cloud causes some users discomfort The synchronization
and can be deactivated in the settings. sensitive data can
To do this, switch They prevent it.

iCloud: Costs and Features

The Apple ID includes 5 GB of free “iCloud Private Relay” when browsing with Subscribers can create their own email
storage for iCloud Drive. If you need Safari, which hides the IP address and domain and store videos from security
more and opt for a paid subscription to browsing activity from third-party websites, cameras connected to Apple's HomeKit
iCloud+, you will receive additional as well as random email addresses for your in the cloud (HomeKit Secure Video).
features in addition to the larger mail traffic, so that you can “hide” your iCloud+ can be shared with up to five
storage volume. These include personal email address. You can also family members.

costs and functionality

iCloud Basis iCloud+ (50 GB) iCloud+ (200 GB) iCloud+ (2 TB) iCloud+ (6 TB) iCloud+ (12 TB)
memory 5 GB 50 GB 200 GB 2 TB 6 TB 12 TB
PrivatRelay Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Hide email address Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
own email domain Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HomeKit Secure Video 1 camera 5 cameras Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited

price per month For free 0.99€ 2.99€ 9.99€ 29.99€ 59.99€

98

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

To control which apps use iCloud, you need to The iCloud allows data exchange between
“show more apps”. all your Apple devices.

delete if you wish. You will also receive (see box “iCloud: Costs and features”) or Synchronization also applies to
security notices here, for example if one disable synchronization for photos or working with documents. While Apple
of your accounts has been exposed in a other apps under “System Preferences > manages photos in a library, you can
data leak. Apple ID > iCloud” in the subsection see the documents from apps that you
Synchronization of images from the “Apps that use iCloud”. enable for iCloud in the Finder in the
Photos app is already active at the factory. iCloud folder. The link to iCloud is
Photos are then automatically saved in You can see which apps you are using usually stored in the sidebar. If it is
iCloud and synchronized between all by selecting "Show more apps...". Apple missing, you can display it via the menu
devices on which iCloud is active for also synchronizes messages, calendars bar under "Finder > Preferences >
photos. In particular, if you lose an iPhone, and contacts via iCloud as standard. This Sidebar". The iCloud settings can be
the photos are automatically backed up in means that you can automatically access a found not only under the Apple ID, but
this way. However, if you have a large contact you add on your iPhone on your also under "System Preferences >
number of photos, the storage space in Mac, for example in Mail. The video Internet Accounts > iCloud". You can
iCloud Drive can quickly become limited. In conferencing solution FaceTime also uses read more information on how to make
this case, you can either pay to have it Apple's iCloud servers. the most of iCloud on Heise.

15Backups with macOS

There are two options for backing up Time Machine is ideal for a comprehensive storable memory of the Mac. If your Mac
data under macOS: iCloud and Time backup of your Mac. Apple recommends a has 2 TB of memory, you should calculate
Machine. When backing up in iCloud, separate volume that is at least twice as large at least 4 TB for a backup. The large
the Mac does not create a complete as the disk you want to back up. demand is explained by the fact that
image of the computer, but only saves
the data, settings and possibly photos Time
associated with the programs. iCloud is Machine is
therefore more of a synchronization optimal to
storage, which is limited to 5 GB in the the Mac
free version and can be expanded to up secure. The
to 12 TB for a fee (see box "iCloud: Costs first backup
and range of functions"). lasts in the
rule longer.

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Workshop | From Windows to macOS

Time Machine creates local snapshots An external hard drive or a network storage on the selected data carrier. The
and backups of the last 24 hours every device (NAS) can serve as the backup storage. selected data carrier may be formatted.
hour. It also creates daily backups of the As soon as you connect the Mac to an It is therefore advisable to back up any
last month and weekly backups of the unknown external storage device, macOS data on it beforehand. Allow some time
previous months. When the backup offers to create a Time Machine backup. If for the first backup; depending on the
storage is exhausted, Time Machine you do not refuse, the system will guide you size, it may take more than half an hour.
deletes the oldest backups first. step by step through the setup process. You can manually initiate the backup
Options include encrypting the backup, for under "System Preferences > General >
The more storage you provide for which you must enter a password, and Time Machine" and, to save the battery
Time Machine, the longer the history setting a limit on the maximum amount of on a MacBook, pause it under
you can access. As a back- storage that can be used. "Options...".

16Security under macOS

Apple's macOS operating system is Unix- If you want to protect your data from dium and select "GUID Partition Tables"
based and offers its own system tools third parties, you can encrypt both as the scheme. Only then can you select
designed to protect your data. This internal and external hard drives. This is one of the two encryption-capable file
includes a so-called app sandbox, which generally recommended, but especially formats in the "Format" menu. Since it is
limits applications to their own sphere of for MacBooks because of the higher risk APFS, the drive can then only be used in
influence and denies access to system of loss. On Macs with Apple's own the Apple universe.
components or other apps. This security chipsets or a dedicated T2 security chip,
feature is implemented in all apps from drives are automatically encrypted. For
the Apple Store and is permanently active. older devices or as additional protection
The user cannot influence it. for the boot volume, macOS offers the
Another important component is the FileVault tool, which you can find under
Gatekeeper. This only allows the "System Preferences > Privacy &
installation of apps that have been Security". In the event that you forget
verified by Apple and whose developers your self-selected FileVault password,
are considered trustworthy. Regardless you can choose between your iCloud
of how the data gets onto the Mac, the account or a recovery key for recovery.
system subjects it to a security check
and checks it for malware. This can lead You can encrypt additional drives or
to conflicts if you download tools from external data storage devices using the
the Internet. In general, caution is Disk Utility. First, select "View > Show all
advised in such a case. If you are sure devices". Back up data that is already on
that it is not malware, you can bypass the data storage device and that you
the security settings: After you have want to keep. In order to encrypt the
received the message that the app does drive, the system must first format it.
not come from a verified developer, you This will delete the data stored there.
can allow installation under "System Click on the volume to be encrypted and
Preferences > Privacy & Security". then on "Delete". Give the device the
drive the password you want to use. Apps from unverified developers
cannot be installed immediately.

If you forget the password

for the FileVault version
encryption, helps a
recovery.

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 Workshop | From Windows to macOS

In the Finder you can

you the access rights
to one file for each
user individually
establish.

In the Control Panel

you can prevent
installation
still allow.

If you use the Mac with multiple To external storage devices

users, it can be useful to organize them to encrypt,
in the system preferences under "Users the APFS format
& Groups" or to group them together. use.
In the Finder, you can control access to
files by right-clicking on a file to open its
information and changing the read and
write access under "Sharing and
Permissions".

It is often claimed that additional

security software such as a virus In addition, Mac users also run the risk of can ward off such dangers. Therefore, you
scanner is not necessary because the becoming victims of scamming or phishing should consider whether you really want
macOS operating system is so secure. (the workshop “On the hook” in Mac & i to forego the additional protection. If you
This is not entirely true. Because it is extra Winter 2023/2024, page 20, helps to already have a corresponding
much less widespread than Windows, recognize phishing methods). Modern subscription, you can check whether it also
there is less malware against macOS, security software, which offers much more includes the appropriate software for
but it is still present. than just a virus scanner, macOS.

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 The file system is
Minor matter – almost

The Mac's hard drives are now formatted

with APFS (Apple File System), which Apple
introduced in June 2016 as the successor
to HFS+ (Hierarchical File System) and has
been implemented since macOS 10.13
High Sierra. If you want to read an
Among the numerous utilities there is, among others, a
external storage device with this format
disk utility.
using a Windows device, this is usually not
possible without additional, possibly paid
software such as Paragon. A guide on Partitioning a hard drive is possible, but You don't have to worry either, because
heise.de explains how to overcome the not actually necessary. the Apple system can handle common
hurdle if you want to exchange data with network protocols such as SMB or NFS.
While classic Windows PCs are formatted
older versions (macOS 10.11 El Capitan or
with NTFS, external storage devices often
older).
use FAT32 (less commonly FAT16). More If you still want to partition the hard
The great advantage of APFS is its modern approaches rely on the exFAT file drive, change the partition size or
flexible handling of volumes as child system. The good news: macOS can easily format external storage devices, use the
instances of containers that can shrink read external storage devices in the system's own Disk Utility. You can find it
or grow as needed. APFS allows secure formats mentioned and, with the by searching in the Launchpad or by
encryption of the entire volume and exception of NTFS, also write to them. If opening it via the Finder via
supports snapshots for more efficient you have a network storage device (NAS: "Go>Utilities".
data backup. Network Attached Storage), you must

The Disk Utility allows easy management of all types of data storage devices.

17Gaming on Mac
Calling it a weak point is certainly an The largest platform, Steam, is also Cloud gaming is certainly a versatile
exaggeration, but if you want to play available for macOS, but no longer alternative. With Microsoft Xbox Cloud
games, Windows is the better platform. At supports 32-bit games on older Macs. Gaming, GeForce Now or Shadow PC
least if you value a wide selection and Some programs have to be started Gaming, to name just a few, there are
cutting-edge games, because many top repeatedly before they run. This is more numerous ways to stream high-end
titles are not available for macOS. If of a weakness of the software than of games in the best quality - the
gaming is more of an occasional pastime the Mac; however, the latter reaches its prerequisite for this is a strong internet
for you and HDR, 4K gaming and HFR are limits more quickly than a powerful connection. However, with most
of secondary importance, you can also be gaming PC and achieves significantly providers this is associated with a paid
happy playing on the Mac. lower frame rates. subscription. (ims)

102 Your opinion, additional material, web code: mac-and-i.de/wfbb Mac & i extrawinter 2024/2025

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© Copyright by Heise Medien.
 pulling strings
made easy
If you want to have optimal network
reception on every floor and in every
room, it is best to use LAN in addition to
WLAN. Laying Ethernet cables yourself is
not that difficult - if you know a few tips
and tricks.

By Christian Rentrop
Image: kirill_makarov, stock.adobe.com

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

© Copyright by Heise Medien.
Workshop | Laying Ethernet

Wi-Fi is getting faster and faster, but for example, the computer or the Smart have their pitfalls: On the one hand, there are
the transmission values given are TV. Using repeaters with an Ethernet input, obstacles such as walls, which can often only be
purely theoretical under optimal you can then set up a WiFi network for removed with special tools - such as a hammer drill
conditions: If, despite a fast internet tariff, devices such as the iPhone, iPad, Watch or – can be overcome. In addition, tenants are
Netflix series stutter, websites and MacBook. allowed to make fewer alterations to their
downloads take forever and loading bars However, pulling cables may also be apartments than owners.
are the order of the day, it is often the Wi- important in view of the upcoming fiber optic In any case, the cables should not be
Fi to blame. Its performance decreases technology: the house connections and left lying around unsightly. This means
massively with every obstacle. Walls and modems are often installed in the basement that some DIY work is unavoidable, such
ceilings made of wood or concrete in or in places that are far away from the router. as prying off skirting boards, opening
particular slow down the wireless network, A stable connection is required between the floor elements, installing sockets or
as do houseplants and any large object two - preferably via cable, because the subsequent plastering and painting.
made of metal or, above all, water. modem cannot simply be integrated into a Installing Ethernet in your own home
Repeaters are often no help, but rather WLAN, as it is technically located in front of is therefore certainly not a quick project
complicate the problem further: They also the router and is not part of the network. for a Sunday afternoon, but requires
use the wireless network to connect to the But even if classic DSL and cable time, analysis and planning as well as a
router (backbone), theoretically halving tariffs are used, Ethernet behind the little manual skill. In addition to cables
the bandwidth. You have to share the router is a good choice. However, laying and sockets, special tools are required.
frequencies with your neighbors, of which LAN cables can
there are often many in town houses. Wi-Fi
also has the disadvantage that it transmits
to the outside world - so it is not as secure network comparison
as Ethernet.
If you want to achieve optimal Wi-Fi Ethernet

transmission rates in every room in a data rates up to 4.8 gigabits/s up to 10 gigabits/s

reliable, undivided and tap-proof manner, Speed in Practice depending on distance and neighboring always optimal
WLANs
laying Ethernet cables is still the best
reliability depending on distance and obstacles very high
solution. These provide connections of 1
fault tolerance very high
Gigabit/s or more in every room because medium

they provide a direct connection between installation effort low high

the router and the end device, Security high very high

1analyze the situation

Before you drill the first holes, you
should first check the situation in your
house or apartment. Tap the walls to
see where you can easily lay cables
through drywall. With brickwork or even
reinforced concrete, the effort is
considerably higher. Look for easy ways
to run cables through, for example at
doors or windows. There may already
be empty pipes, for example for power
cables, through which you can also push
an Ethernet cable.
Take a floor plan of your apartment
or house or draw a quick sketch. For
houses with multiple floors, it is worth
making a cross-sectional drawing as
well. Enter the positions of the router,
the end devices or at least the rooms
Image: Christian Rentrop

that are to be connected by cable. Also

note where you would like to have
network sockets. Using the dimensions
in the floor plan, you can roughly
estimate the cable lengths for laying.
With a sketch of the apartment, you can efficiently plan where cables should run and where
you want to install Ethernet sockets.

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 Workshop | Laying Ethernet

2Planning a Network Topology

The next step is to consider how many Connect Fritz!Box in the mesh, which To convert LAN back into WLAN, a WLAN
sockets you actually need. However, you provides additional Ethernet ports. On repeater with an Ethernet socket is
don't have to lay a cable for each end the one hand, this saves you the work of sufficient.
device. It makes sense, for example, to having to lay several long cable runs to It is recommended to place the
connect each floor via Ethernet. In the point; on the other hand, all the Ethernet sockets near power outlets, as
apartments, it is often enough to lay a devices behind it share the gigabit the end devices – televisions,
single cable. supply line. However, this should not be computers, repeaters, switches, smart
You can connect a Gigabit switch or a a problem for most clients, as long as it home hubs and so on – usually require a
second Ethernet port to each Ethernet port. is not a NAS or a server power supply.

1st floor

Printer TV 1

Ethernet 2
+ Wi-Fi

PC 2 PC 2

ground floor

Hue PC 1
Ethernet 1
+ Wi-Fi

HiFi TV 1

cellar

router
NAS
+ Wi-Fi

With a vector graphics program or a 2D CAD A Fritz!Box like the 4060 is perfect as a floor router to extend an existing Fritz!Box
(here the somewhat outdated App Graphic) mesh by configuring it as a WLAN repeater (see Mac & i 4/2024, p. 70).
you can plan the network well.

3Be careful with rental properties

If you do not own your apartment or If the work is necessary, you need the - for example, through cable ducts or
house but have only rented it, you are permission of the landlord. In such cases, it is cable clamps. Drilling through walls or
subject to certain restrictions when advisable to call in a tradesman. If the work is prying off skirting boards is only
laying your Ethernet cable. First of all, all carried out professionally, the landlord may permitted if the original state can be
changes must be reversible in principle. have a greater interest, as the value of the restored when moving out. However,
If this is not possible because of drilling apartment increases. If he does not agree, filling in holes in the wall that are
through walls to the outside or other the following applies: Lay cables in such a around one centimeter in size is usually
major operations way that nothing is permanently damaged not a problem.

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Workshop | Laying Ethernet

Ethernet over Coax as an alternative?

Before you start laying Ethernet in your transmission rates and high susceptibility more, but has the disadvantage that it
house or apartment, however, you should to interference. Ethernet-over-Coax can be requires relatively expensive adapters,
check the alternatives. In addition to WiFi the solution here if there are cable TV which in turn increase the complexity of
repeaters with mesh technology, these are connections in the right places in your the overall network. In addition, using
mainly Powerline, i.e. Internet via power home. the coaxial network is not easy if you
cable (see Mac & i issue 3/2024, p. 90) and, get your Internet via cable.
Especially in view of the ancillary cost
as an unusual variant, Ethernet over Coax
privilege for cable connections, which has
(EoC).
been abolished since July 2024, it makes
While WLAN repeaters struggle with sense to give the high-quality television The Devolo Giga Bridge transmits
reinforced concrete and therefore reach cabling a new purpose and watch television network signals via existing television cables.
their limits in multi-story single-family via the Internet (see Mac & i issue 3/2024, p. The starter set is not cheap at a
homes or solid apartments, Powerline is 30). Ethernet-over-Coax reliably achieves price of 2220 euros, but it can
notorious for low transmission rates of one gigabit and alternative to laying Ethernet cables.

Image: Devolo

4The right thing copper cable for Ethernet

Choose cable Cat 6 Cat 6A Cat 7 Cat 7a Cat 8

bandwidth 1 Gigabit/10 Gigabit 10 Gigabit 10 Gigabit 10 Gigabit 40 gigabits

Not all network cables are the same: When less than 55 m cable length

laying cables, it is important to ensure that frequency 250 MHz 500 MHz 600 MHz 1000 MHz 2000 MHz

they are future-proof. Currently, one type UTP STP S/FTP S/FTP S/FTP

gigabit cables are standard; ten gigabits Plug RJ45 RJ45 RJ45 or GG45 RJ45 or GG45 RJ45 or GG45

are in sight and are likely to become application area home networking home networking home networking, home networking, data centers

significantly more relevant in the coming office environments office environments

years as video resolution and file sizes

increase. Network cables are divided into The larger the category, the more complex Cables and components are
categories (Cat). Laying cables below Cat 6 and stiffer the cables become, which can inexpensive, processing is simple and
are no longer up to date. Unfortunately, make installation more difficult. Cat 7 is the the shielding guarantees future-proof
the cable cross-sections are best choice for installation in the home: The data transfer rates for home use.

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© Copyright by Heise Medien.
Workshop | Laying Ethernet

5Understanding Shielding Types

How well a cable is electromagnetically electromagnetic sources. At the same time, S/FTP cable: It is sufficiently shielded against
shielded depends on its construction. however, the cables become thicker and more interference and not too expensive. Cables of
The types are identified by letter codes. expensive as the shielding increases. They are the Cat 7 and Cat 8 standards are
The nomenclature is XX/ YZZ, where XX also harder to bend. A good compromise for automatically shielded at least according to S/
stands for the type of overall shielding installation cables is therefore the FTP.
of the cable (F = foil or S = wire mesh). Y
stands for the shielding of the individual
wire pairs in the cable (U = unshielded, S Different shielding
= wire mesh), and ZZ for the type of
Designation UTP S/FTP F/UTP
twisting, i.e. twisted pair (TP) or, less
frequently, quad pair (QP). Spelling according to nomenclature - - /UTP - S/FTP - F/UTP

The better a cable is shielded, the less design Twisted Pair (TP) Twisted Pair (TP) Twisted Pair (TP)

Shielding cable pairs inside

susceptible it is to interference from power None (U) slide (F) None (U)

cables, WLAN routers and similar shielding of the entire cable No wire mesh (S) slide (F)

6Weighing up between surface-mounted and flush-mounted

The biggest disadvantage of Ethernet During this operation, Ethernet sockets Dust means that it needs to be re-
compared to WLAN is that uninterrupted can also be installed under the plaster – plastered and, if necessary, wallpapered
cables have to be pulled and placed like standard light switches or sockets. - a major job that may also incur
somewhere discreet. If you want it to be tradesman costs. It is easier to lay
really neat, you can use flush-mounted Unfortunately, this clean solution is Ethernet surface-mounted. Cable ducts
installation: empty pipes are laid in the not at all clean during installation. In or special skirting boards can be used
wall and the cables are fed through. addition to the occurrence of dirt and for this.

7Finding empty pipes later

Bild
: Ch
ris
tia
n Re

nt
Conduits are of course the gold

rO
Hard to find: the empty pipe that

p
standard for retrofitting Ethernet, even which connects the cable connections
if using them requires a little know-how or leads to the house connection.
and special tools. If you live in a
property that has several cable
connection sockets, it is quite possible Generously coat the shaft
that conduits have been laid throughout from the higher end with a
the apartment. Simply unscrew the cable lubricant or silicone
cover of one of the cable connection spray from a specialist
sockets and shine a flashlight inside. If retailer without pulling out
you see a corrugated plastic pipe, there the cable.
is most likely a conduit in the wall. To Then attach the pull wire to the end
find out where it goes, you have to take of the antenna cable. Make sure that
the box apart completely - but only if the components are really firmly
you know how or no longer need the connected to one another. Depending
connections. Then suck the air out of on the pull wire model, use certain
the pipe with the vacuum cleaner on a techniques or knots that you can find in
low setting and put your ear to the the instructions. Then pull it out of the
other sockets. If you hear a suction pipe at the other end. Then also attach
noise, the conduit may end there. the Ethernet cable to the pull wire and Tip: If the pull-in aid should break,
pull both cables together back into the pull out the cables protruding from the
Once you have found the exit, you empty pipe. empty pipe at least at one end: With a
can use the existing cable as a pull wire thin, sturdy cord
for another pull wire that you can buy If you no longer need the antenna Using a tool such as fishing line, a ball of
from a specialist retailer. First, remove cable, it is easier to use the existing paper and a vacuum cleaner, you can now
all the sockets from the antenna cable cable directly as a pull wire for the new create a pull-in aid for a new pull wire and
so that the ends are loose. Now grease Ethernet cable following the same suck it into the pipe from the other end.
pattern.

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 Workshop | Laying Ethernet

8use windows and staircases

When drilling into masonry, there is are hollow inside and the insulating end leads to two Ethernet sockets (RJ45).
always a risk that you might damage a function is impaired. In such a case, you Unfortunately, these are not ideal for
heating pipe or a power cable, for should check whether a flat cable can be data transmission, as the passages
example. Use a detector that uses pulled through an existing opening - through two windows add a total of four
induction measurements to detect the such as a roller shutter box. plug-socket transitions along the route.
magnetic field of power lines and metal Alternatively, there are special They should therefore only be used in
objects. If in doubt, leave this type of window feedthroughs that are available emergencies, as each transition
work to professionals or find another for little money in electronics stores: represents another potential source of
way. This is a very thin cable that is error.
It is often less effort to pull cables
through the stairwell. To overcome
floors, it can be useful to run the
network cables along the outside of the
facade. The easiest way to do this is to
drill through the window frames. This is
usually not a problem with older
wooden windows if the opening is then
sealed with silicone. However, you do
not want to drill into modern plastic
windows because the frames

The ultra-flat cables for the

window feedthrough end in two
Ethernet sockets, which for the
signal quality is not good.

tools and materials

Permanently mounted sockets – usually
surface-mounted for subsequent installation
(see step 13). These are also available as
double sockets for two cables.

• Cat 7 installation cable in the calculated

length plus 20 percent extra, available in
orange, white or grey

• For surface-mounted installation: Cable ducts

in the required length plus 20 percent waste
allowance

• Ethernet cable stripping tool

• For wall penetration: robust hammer
drill and long masonry drill (can be
borrowed)
• Installation or lay-on tool (also called
LSA) to press individual cables into the
sockets (also available with scissors)

• Two-part Ethernet measuring device

Image: Christian Rentrop

• Crimping pliers for RJ45 connectors, if you

With a stripper, crimping pliers and
want to make patch cables from cable scraps
measuring device you are already
well equipped. • Detector for power and water pipes in
masonry

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Workshop | Laying Ethernet

9Calculate cable lengths

You can use the plan you have created to Always remember: shortening cables is easy, out of place. You can later turn leftover
roughly estimate the length of cable you but extending them is more complicated. The cables into network cables using RJ45
need. You should also measure the price of Ethernet cables is not too high, so saving connectors and crimping pliers (see tip 16).
number of meters, for example with a money would be a good idea here. You can always use them.
folding rule. If cables are to be routed
from the skirting board around doors and
floor-to-ceiling windows, you will need
around four meters of cable per door and
window. Also take wall openings into
account: to be on the safe side, multiply at
least the wall diameter (measurable at the
door frame, for example) by two.
Then add about 20 percent as a
safety margin to compensate for
measurement errors and to keep
enough reserves for the wiring. Now
you have the minimum cable length you
need to buy.

Make note of all cable lengths

and add the distances. Then
add 20 percent to be on the
safe side.

10Through the Wall

drill
The first step should be to drill holes in
the desired places. It is important that
the drill is longer than the thickness of
the wall or ceiling so that you do not
have to work from two sides. Choose
places that are not in the field of vision,
for example at the top of a corner of the
room, under skirting boards or close to
the door frame. Check the place
beforehand with a cable detector if you
have one. Drill straight and vacuum up
the drilling dust as you go. Wear a mask
to avoid inhaling dust.
Image: Johannes Schuster

A hammer drill can also penetrate

concrete ceilings. The drill head
should be thicker than the cable
and the drill longer than the
wall diameter.

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 Workshop | Laying Ethernet

11Flat Ethernet
Cable as an alternative

native
A solution for Ethernet wiring that is as
simple as it is quick is the use of so-called
slim cables: These have the advantage that
they are only a few millimeters thick on the
narrow side. This means that they can be
laid very discreetly and sometimes fit into
the gaps between the skirting board and
the floor. They can also be laid under
carpets, under laminate/parquet or
through doors and, using double-sided
adhesive tape, can also be laid almost
invisibly around door frames. This makes
them ideal for quick, unobtrusive cabling
B

within a floor and for rented apartments.

There is space in the smallest corner – slim cables can be installed invisibly without much
However, such cables also have a major effort, but have poorer shielding than installation cables.
disadvantage: although often labelled with
Cat 7 or even Cat 8, the shielding is speed. Therefore, they should only be In addition, they should not be installed in
anything but optimal. They are relatively used where a normal Ethernet cable the immediate vicinity of power supplies,
susceptible to interference, which in the with full shielding cannot be routers or other potential sources of
case of many electromagnetic sources accommodated. interference.

12Trimming and installing cable ducts

If you don't want to go through the The more individual cables have to go Cable ducts with 10 - 20 millimeters can hold
hassle of flush-mounting, cable ducts through the channel, the larger the channel two Ethernet cables or one Ethernet and one
are the way to go. You can get them in must be. It is advisable to run the channels power cable. They are usually sufficient for
different sizes for little money at the on the skirting boards and door frames. laying Ethernet cables.
hardware store, typically as one or two- There are also skirting boards that contain To trim a cable duct, it is recommended
meter pieces. These can be mounted on cable channels, or channels that look like to use a saw with a miter guide or box,
the wall and opened up, which means skirting boards. The latter are ideal if you such as those used for skirting boards.
they can also be covered later. want or need to replace your skirting boards This allows you to cut ducts at clean 45-
Such channels are always a compromise anyway, for example after laying parquet or degree angles, which means that corners
between appearance and practicality: The carpet. Simple, unobtrusive turn out perfectly. Let the
Image: Christian Rentrop

Choose cable ducts that visually match your

home and therefore remain as unobtrusive
as possible.

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Workshop | Laying Ethernet

Place the cable duct cover on top when sawing,

then the angle will adjust automatically. To
ensure that the two do not slip against each
other when handling, temporarily attach them
with one or two adhesive strips.
The strips can be attached using
double-sided adhesive tape, assembly
adhesive or screws. The adhesive strips
applied at the factory are often not the
best in terms of adhesive performance:
Be sure to clean the contact surfaces on
the wall beforehand and also use
assembly adhesive in certain spots to
attach the strips securely. If you use
very short, thin screws, screw mounting
is possible on most surfaces (except
reinforced concrete) without drilling.
Nails are usually not an option because
you could cause damage with a
hammer. Once you have attached all the
cable ducts and drilled holes, pull the
installation cables through to the boxes
and leave about 20 centimeters
B

protruding. Cut off the rest with side

cutters, for example. A saw with miter guide helps with precise cutting of the cable ducts.

13Various network sockets

Network sockets are available in different to connect various devices. Simple Shielding is not quite perfect, but in
versions: large or small, single or double, models are available for as little as 5 practice this usually doesn't make much
surface-mounted or flush-mounted. What euros. However, sockets based on the of a difference. First, attach the empty
they all have in common is that the loose Cat-7 standard are still rare and box to the wall and run the Ethernet
cable ends of the installation cable expensive. However, you can also use cable from the outside to the inside.
become a female Ethernet plug - ideal for cheap Cat-6 or better Cat-6A sockets for Sometimes it helps to swap the order of
a stable and visually clean installation gigabit speeds, here only the the two steps.
Image: Johannes Schuster

Surface-mounted boxes have their own housing

for mounting on the wall and are otherwise no
different from flush-mounted boxes.

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14stripping the installation cable

Once all the cables have been laid and the are covered. There is an additional next tip). The color assignment scheme
sockets pre-assembled, it is time to connect shielding wire mesh around the outside, is printed on the cable. Use the insertion
the sockets. In order not to damage the which you first pull back and twist into a tool (also called LSA tool) to press the
complex shielding of Ethernet cables, it is strand. Place this under the strain relief cable into the contacts with sharp metal
advisable to use a stripping tool. With this, of the socket; it serves as grounding. edges, which automatically strips the
you only cut through the plastic sheath by Now screw the cable tight. cable. If there are any excess cable
turning it around the cable. With Cat-7 cables pieces, cut them off. Repeat the process
according to the S/FTP standard, there are Remove the foil around the individual with the other seven cables. Now insert
four cable strands in the cable, each with two strands as necessary and place them on the socket into the box on the wall.
cables, which in turn are covered with foil. top of the desired position (see

Image: Christian Rentrop

B

A stripping tool helps to cut through the PVC sheath. After cutting through the cable sheath, the shielding
can be clearly seen. It should remain intact.

Image: Johannes Schuster

Image: Christian Rentrop

A laying tool helps with the installation of the socket, If the laying tool has scissors,
whereby the cables are automatically stripped. the cables are cut off immediately when pushed in.

15cable assignment A or B
Strangely enough, there are only four wire pair partner is striped to improve interchanged. While T568A is more
white wires among the eight wires in an the overview. commonly used in Europe, T568B is
Ethernet cable. To avoid confusion, they There are two schemes for the assignment popular in the USA. However, the two
are always twisted with a colored cable. of Ethernet cables: T568A and T568B. The standards only describe the arrangement
Color schemes often show the actually difference lies in the position of the wire pairs of the cables. There is no difference in
white cables with the color of the 1 and 2, which are opposite in T568B. terms of performance or reliability.

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The T568A and T568B schemes differ by swapping the green and orange wire pairs.

T568A is recognized by end devices in are able to use mixed installations Direct networking of two computers
the same way as T568B, as long as the thanks to the automatic Medium that did not yet have Auto MDI-X was
same scheme is used at both ends of a Dependent Interface (Auto MDI-X). used. But you no longer need this today:
line. However, it is better to choose a This means that so-called crossover cables Every modern end device works with
standard for home cabling. But even if – those that are wired to T568A at one every network cable - as long as the
you mix the assignment on a cable: end and T568B at the other – obsolete: cables have not been swapped within
Modern network devices They were originally used in the the standards.

16Crimping RJ45 connectors Bil

d:
Ch
ri

st
If you still have leftover cable, you can because they do not conduct electricity.

ian
Re
make patch cables out of it. First, you With metal plugs, the shielding also

ntr
Op
should put the anti-kink sleeve on the serves as ground.
cable. Then expose the end of the cable as Once everything is ready, insert the
you did when wiring the sockets, but only wired plug into the crimping tool. Press
two to four centimeters, depending on the firmly until you hear a click - small metal
plug type. Either use plugs with an spikes will pierce the wires. There is no
insertion aid or leave the cables a little need to strip the insulation from the
longer to make them easier to insert, for wires.
example with tweezers. Use scheme T568A
or T568B, but do not mix the two. With Crimping the cable is quick and easy with a
plastic plugs, you can completely remove crimping tool. It is important that the
the metallic shielding. Cables are inserted correctly.

17Check cables and sockets with test device

Once everything is installed, you should
test the network sockets and cables to see
if they are working. The easiest way to do
this is to use a network cable tester: This
consists of two individual devices, one of
which sends a test signal and the other
receives it. On both, the LEDs for the eight
wires must light up in the correct order,
otherwise the cable has become twisted
somewhere. If an LED does not light up,
there is no contact at all. With metal
sockets or plugs, the LED should light up at
G for ground, which means that the
shielding is also wired. (jes)

A two-part cable tester offers a

simple and efficient way to
test the Ethernet installation.
B

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© Copyright by Heise Medien.
home server with
Setting up Unraid
Unraid transforms commercially available hardware into an easy-to-maintain

NAS. It can flexibly combine hard drives of different sizes,

to achieve more storage space or greater reliability.
We explain setup, power saving options, virtualization, Docker
containers and more.

By Thomas Joos

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© Copyright by Heise Medien.
Workshop | Home Server

1Why Unraid?
If you don't want to become a full-time
administrator to provide data and services
in the network, you'll probably think of
ready-made NAS systems like those from
Synology or QNAP. They make it easier to
handle multiple hard drives and the
operating system is tailored to the
purpose. That takes a lot of work off your
hands. However, you're tied to the
manufacturer and hardware. You're more
independent with the free TrueNAS.
However, the systems mentioned use RAID
to integrate multiple hard drives. You have
to take their size into account, because the
available storage is based on the smallest
medium - so you might waste space.
With Unraid, however, different data
storage devices, even those of different
sizes, can be easily combined into a Sharing data on the network does not The Unraid web interface is the hub for
network without having to set up a rigid provide any other services. Unraid all functions and apps in Unraid.
RAID. If you define a medium as a parity initially seems like a typical NAS system.
drive, the failure of individual disks is However, you can expand the range of
just as little of a problem as with a NAS functions enormously using apps, Unlike open source systems, Unraid
that uses RAID. Synology does offer a virtual machines, containers and plugins is a paid system (see box “This is what
similar process with Hybrid RAID, but at no additional cost. Other systems Unraid costs”). You can test the system
cannot keep up with Unraid in terms of also offer this to some extent, but not to free of charge for 30 days on an old
setting options and flexible assignment this extent and with the high flexibility Intel Mac or PC. Installing Unraid is
of the data storage devices. of Unraid. The all-in-one system can run done with just a few clicks (see tip 4).
The latter also offers advantages in almost any available server solution and Since you can connect any available
terms of power consumption, because the covers many use cases: game servers, hard drive, Unraid may still be more
system does not distribute the data of Nextcloud, AI functions, ad blockers, e- cost-effective than an off-the-shelf NAS
individual directories across all disks. They book management with Calibre, system. With the latter, you are not only
are only located on a single hard drive, document management with Paperless- dependent on the hardware, but you
which is why Unraid can shut them down ngx and much more. You only have to can usually only expand it yourself to a
when they are not needed. This is not install the respective application once limited extent. Unraid is also often
possible with a typical NAS with RAID and can then access it via the browser superior to other solutions when it
array, because every access to the file or connect to shares on Mac, Windows comes to the drivers it comes with. And
system prevents all data disks from going or Linux computers. because Unraid is based on Slackware
into sleep mode. This leads to higher In particular, the support for Docker Linux, with a little experience you can
power consumption compared to Unraid, containers is extremely helpful. The Unraid install any missing drivers yourself. In
especially when using multiple mechanical community ports almost every available addition to the good documentation
disks. On top of that, Unraid allows Docker application to Unraid. Unraid also and the community, there is
individual hard drives to be removed and scores points for virtual machines, in addition manufacturer support via email. If push
the data used elsewhere. to its particularly easy setup, for example comes to shove, you can book a
Unraid is essentially a hypervisor with options for assigning physical graphics personal support session with a
(simply put) and provides adapters to individual VMs. technician.

2Selecting the right hardware

For Unraid itself you need aUSB stickThe that you found by chance in a sofa You can also use an SD card instead of a
manufacturer recommends high-quality crevice while cleaning up. Avoid cheap USB stick.
memory, such as from Kingston, PNY, Lexar products that may fail quickly and run Since installation on an internal
or Samsung, and a size of 2 to a maximum of slowly. Restoring the NAS to a new USB storage device is not possible, your
32 GB. Since the system always boots from it stick is not complicated, but it still future home server must have at least
even after installation, you should not use the requires a lot of effort. Alternatively oneUSB portSome motherboards have
first stick you find. one directly on the board.

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 Workshop | Home Server

tine, so that you can store the stick safely With two adapters, the performance in recommended. Also consider the power
in the case. On the outside of the device, the network can be improved, but in consumption. Newer processors are
you have to be careful not to accidentally most cases one connection is sufficient. usually much more energy efficient. We
pull out or break off the stick. USB 2.0 is To access via WLAN, you must connect recommend chips from the last three
perfectly adequate for the slim Unraid the device to your router with a cable. years. In principle, however, Unraid
system, which has also proven to be more runs on almost any x86 CPU. Important:
reliable according to Unraid manufacturer Unraid itself is quite undemanding. 4 Fast processors require more power. A
Lime Technology. GB RAMare perfectly adequate for pure high-end CPU is hardly necessary for
Amonitoris helpful for the installation, NAS operation. However, if you want to many tasks. You only need more power
but not absolutely necessary, since you run applications and especially VMs, you for the permanent operation of VMs, for
already configure the network when should not skimp on the RAM. The example if you want to run Windows
setting up the USB stick. However, a manufacturer recommends at least 8 applications powerfully and efficiently in
screen, mouse and keyboard can be GB, but we recommend a minimum of a virtual Windows.
helpful for troubleshooting. Your system 16 GB. The motto is: the more, the In theHousingIdeally, there should
does not even need agraphics card better. Unraid also uses the RAM to be at least three slots for data storage
However, an existing GPU can be passed temporarily store frequently used files devices. Even if you don't need all of
through to a virtual machine, allowing you and thus significantly speed up access. them at first, you can always add more
to provide a virtual Windows PC with good If you have the budget, 64 GB is data storage devices. If you
graphics performance on the network (see definitely a good idea. A 32 GB memory miscalculate, you can also connect
tip 16). bar (DDR4) costs around 75 euros, external drives. However, it is better to
If you want to set up your home server sometimes less. Since Unraid is scalable, store all data storage devices in a
where you spend time regularly, we your server can also be upgraded with protected place in the case.
recommend a server with as littlequiet more RAM later if your needs grow. For reliable, continuous operation,
fansequipped hardware. You should also your hardware should be suitable. A
make sure that the computer you use is As a minimum requirement for theprocessor used server, which you can buy on eBay,
easy to upgrade, especially when it comes A 64-bit CPU from AMD or Intel with 1 GHz is is ideal. But be careful: servers often
to hard drives and RAM. It is also required for pure NAS operation. For containers have loud fans. If the NAS is in a
important to have aLAN connectionthat and virtual machines, at least a 4-core CPU with separate room, this is usually not a
supports at least 1 GBit/s 2.4 GHz is required. problem.

This is what Unraid costs

Unraid is sold in three editions. They are You can also request an extension of 15 tied to the USB stick used. If it is
technically identical, but differ in the duration days from the Unraid interface. An account defective, it can be transferred to a new
of support, the provision of updates and the is required for the license, and it is device free of charge.
number of volumes that can be managed
with the software. The "Starter License"
allows up to six data storage devices and
costs a one-time fee of 49 US dollars for one
year of support and updates. For 109 US
dollars, you can connect unlimited data
storage devices with the "Unleashed License".
The "Lifetime License" costs 249 US dollars.
Here, the license does not expire and also
includes major updates.

During the 30-day trial period, you can

decide which license you want to upgrade
to once you have received all the data.
After the trial period has expired, you can

Unraid can be licensed for

one year or perpetually.

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3Data storage devices: What you should pay attention to

It is best to operate your home server that are optimized for NAS systems. out, at least one other one still works.
with multiple storage media so that no Manufacturers offer special model series,
data is lost if one disk fails. You can for example IronWolf from Seagate or WD If you install additional data storage
easily use drives of different sizes with Red Plus from Western Digital. devices in the NAS, they are
Unraid. M.2/NVMe SSDs are ideal for The number of disks required does immediately available, as Unraid does
storing frequently used files and apps. not only depend on the amount of data not require the creation of a complex
The comparatively cheaper hard disks you want to store. It makes sense to RAID. However, make sure that the
(HDDs) are also suitable for archiving or have at least two disks, one of which speed of Unraid is initially based on the
rarely used data. Later in the Unraid serves as a parity disk. This must have slowest disk in the device. Unlike a RAID,
configuration, you can flexibly choose at the largest capacity in the system. It however, you can control for each
any time which data should be stored only stores the recovery information in individual share which storage medium
on which storage media (see tip 7). the event that a disk fails because the Unraid should save its data on. This
data is not mirrored redundantly on means that rarely used data and data
several disks as with RAID. Three or that is not speed-relevant can be stored
For serious continuous operation, use more disks are better for data storage. on slower drives without affecting the
sufficiently fast hard disks. If one disk fails entire system.

4Install Unraid on USB stick

To run Unraid on a PC, server or Intel Finally, by clicking on
Mac, you must first write it to a USB "Write" at point 3, the
stick. To do this, download the “USB operating system image is
Creator” for Windows or macOS from downloaded and written to
the website “unraid.net/download” and the stick. Confirm the
start it. warning that all data will
Under point 1, select the Unraid version be deleted, including
you want to load; the current "Stable" existing partitions.
version is a good idea. Also give your
Unraid server a name, unless you want it By the way, Unraid saves the license
to be called "Tower". Then specify the and the configuration on the stick. If it
server's IP address. You can also work with breaks, you can always create a new
DHCP for test purposes, whereby your one and restore your license from your
router automatically assigns the device a Unraid account. There is also an app
free IP address. However, a static IP called Unraid Connect that you can use
address is better so that Unraid can always to optionally back up the license and
be reached easily via the network. Enter Unraid configuration in the cloud. The
the IP address of your router as the configuration remains on the stick, but
gateway. Enter this as the DNS server as by backing it up in the cloud you can
well, or use alternative DNS servers such restore the settings and don't have to
as those from Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), Google set up Unraid again manually.
(8.8.8.8) or Quad9 (9.9.9.9).
In step 2, you select the USB stick on
which you want to install Unraid. If the
installation wizard indicates that the
medium is incompatible, it may be too Unraid can be installed quickly and
large (see tip 2). easily on a USB stick.

5setting up a home server

Plug the finished USB stick into your that it boots from USB first if other ser over the network.If you have a
Unraid computer and start it. When bootable media is connected. monitor and keyboard connected, you
changing the boot order in the BIOS or By default, Unraid boots in “Unraid OS” can select the “Unraid OS GUI Mode” for
UEFI of the computer, make sure that mode, which allows access via web browser. troubleshooting. In this

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 Workshop | Home Server

In this case, Unraid opens a browser on You can create additional

the server itself and you can manage it users and assign rights to
locally. However, this is only necessary if access the shares.
network access is not working. If you have After logging in, select
problems during operation, the "Unraid the license. Get started
OS Safe Mode" helps. In this mode, you with "Start Free 30 Day
can troubleshoot in the terminal and the Trial" or purchase a license
device will not start any plugins, VMs or immediately via "Purchase
containers. This mode is only intended for Key". As soon as you have
troubleshooting by an expert. The same logged in, you can adapt
mode is also available with GUI for local the environment to your
troubleshooting with a graphical interface. needs. The interface is in
Another option is "Memtest86+", which English by default, but is
you can use to test the RAM. easy to understand. Since
If you have a monitor connected, the most instructions on the
IP address of the server will appear in Internet use English terms,
text mode about two minutes after the we will also use the English
computer has started from the Unraid interface in this article.
USB stick, followed by "<server name> This will make further
login:" with a blinking cursor. If you research easier for you.
have configured Unraid via DHCP, make
a note of the IP address; if you have a If you want a German
static IP, you already know it. In interface, switch to the
principle, you do not need to observe “Apps” tab and
the boot process; just enter the IP Under “Language”, click on “German When you first access Unraid you must
address into the browser on your main language pack” and “Install”. Then click set the root password for
computer after about two minutes. on “Actions” below the name “German administration.
The login window then opens and language pack” and change the
you first set a password for the user language. Note that some parts have On the right, you can display help texts
"root". You will use this user and not been translated. with further explanations on many
password to log in in the future to Another tip: With the little question settings pages. This may save you
manage the NAS. You can later mark below the Unraid logo above having to look at the documentation.

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Workshop | Home Server

6Automatically on
Check for updates
You can find out whether there is an update
for Unraid by clicking on the Unraid symbol in
the top right and selecting “Check for
Update”. To be automatically informed in the
future, click on “Settings > Notification
Settings” and activate the four options
“Unraid OS update notification”, “Docker
update notification”, “Plugins update
notification” and “Language update
notification”. Here you can set Unraid to
automatically search for updates at certain
times and inform you about them in the web
interface. The update itself is done via “Tools
> Update OS”.

In the “Notification Settings” you can

Enable automatic update check.

7Setting up hard drives and storage

To use Unraid, you must first configure
the installed disks. To do this, click on
the "Main" tab. Unraid distinguishes
between arrays, pools and parity disks.
Under "Main" you can see in the lower
area under "Unassigned Devices" which
disks have not yet been assigned. Under
"Boot Device" you can see the
information about the USB stick that
you use to start Unraid. This cannot be
used to save data.
In the "Array Devices" area, you first
specify which disks you want to save
your data on in the rows with "Disk 1",
"Disk 2" and so on. The storage space
provided by the array is the sum of all
the data disks added. Note that the
slowest disk slows down the speed of
the array. As already mentioned: Unlike
a RAID, the disks are not written to in
parallel with the same data in order to
increase the speed.

In the rows with "Parity" you select

disks that serve as fail-safe. The disks Restore disks on a replacement disk. The array's storage grows with each
you assign here must be at least as Unlike with a RAID, without parity disks disk added.
large as the second largest disk in the you only lose the data on the defective
array. This ensures that you can really disk. If the parity disk fails, you can
protect all data from loss. To increase replace it. The system will then All data that needs to be available
availability, it can be useful to define automatically rebuild it. A parity disk is quickly, such as VMs and containers, can
two parity disks. Use the two largest always useful if you are using Unraid also be stored in the pool instead of the
disks available to you. If a disk in the productively. array (see tip 13). If you do not use the
array fails, Unraid can use the parity If you have fast SSDs installed in the data regularly, Unraid automatically
disks to protect the data. NAS, you can add them under “Pool moves it to the conventional hard disks
Devices” and use them as a fast cache of the array.

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With an SSD set up as a cache, you

can speed up access.

This frees up space in the cache while

ensuring that frequently used data is
available as quickly as possible. When
you access the data again, it is placed
back in the cache.

After you have assigned your data storage table Disks present" select the option After starting the array, Unraid uses
devices to the array, parity and cache, apply "Yes, I want to do this" and then click on green symbols to signal the availability
the settings by clicking on "Start" under "Format". The volumes will be formatted the associated data carriers.
"Array Operation". The volumes will then be in XFS format. This takes a few seconds
available after a short time. You will then also and as soon as the size of the disks is
see the distribution and configuration in the displayed in the "Size" column, they are are unreadable or contain errors. You
window. available in the array. can also restart the server here
If the disks cannot be mounted, Under “Array Options” you can stop the ("Reboot") or shut it down ("Shutdown").
Unraid displays “Unmountable” for the array using “Stop” to assign additional With "Move" you start the "Mover" in
respective drive. This is the case if no file disks to the array, parity or pool. With Unraid. This moves data from the SSD to
system has been set up on them yet, “Spin Down” you can put all disks into the disks of the array in order to quickly
which is usually the case with new disks. sleep mode at any time and with “Spin Up” make space in the cache. This usually
In the “Array Operation” section, you can start them again. With “Check” you happens automatically once a day.
activate “Unmountable” can check whether the disks

ZFS and Unraid – does it make sense?

By default, Unraid uses XFS as a file ZFS makes it less easy to expand Format the disks with ZFS (see box
system. Since version 6.12, Unraid has storage capacity in Unraid. It also "Format disks") and copy everything
optionally supported ZFS like many other requires more RAM and CPU power, back again. The convenient
NAS systems. This modern file system which can lead to a drop in performance "Unbalanced" plugin helps with this,
offers several advantages. For example, on slow systems. Also, with a ZFS array, which you can install in the "Apps" tab.
the integrated bit rot protection you can no longer power down
automatically protects the data against individual, unused disks to save power, Even if this sounds unproblematic, you
corruption at the file system level. This and the constant activity of all disks in a should back up your data beforehand
reduces the risk of data loss and ensures ZFS pool can increase energy (see tip 14). Switching to ZFS only makes
the longevity of the data on the server. consumption. sense if you are converting several or,
However, Unraid achieves comparably ideally, all of your data storage devices.
good protection with XFS thanks to the Converting from XFS to ZFS during
parity disks. So you don't gain much from operation is also quite time-consuming.
ZFS here. Switching from XFS to ZFS is It is easier to set up new ZFS disks and With the menu item “Scatter” of the
therefore not necessarily recommended. copy the data over. Or you can store all Unraid plugin “Unbalanced” you can
files, format free up individual disks on the NAS.
ZFS offers several other advantages: it is
more efficient with concurrent access,
data compression saves storage space,
and snapshots can be used to set
restore points to return to older
versions of data.

However, since ZFS also has disadvantages,

its use should be carefully considered.
Compared to other file systems,

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Workshop | Home Server

Formatting the disk

To format a disk in a format other than
XFS, first make sure that no user is
working with Unraid. To do this, click on
"Clear Stats" under "Main" and make
sure that no more accesses are visible
under "Reads" and "Writes". Then stop
the array with "Stop". Then click on the
disk in the "Device" column that you
want to format with ZFS, for example.
Under "File system type", select the
option "zfs" or "zfs - encrypted" and
optionally activate data compression
under "Compress", although this does
result in slight performance losses.

Click "Apply" to save the change, but

formatting will not take place yet. Click
"Done" to return to "Main" and start the
array again with "Start". Next to the
"Format" button, activate the option
"Yes, I want to do this" and then click
the button. Confirm the warning
message. The drive will then be
mounted and will be available as a ZFS
drive in Unraid. Unraid supports many file systems, including ZFS.

8Keep an eye on the system status

After you have assigned the volumes, If you are running Docker containers Start Array at any time via “Main” or the Play
you will find a summary of the system in (see tip 11) or VMs (see tip 16) on button at the top of the dashboard.
the dashboard. "Processor" provides Unraid, you can find more information
details about the CPU including the in the top right.
utilization of the cores. In the "Shares" In addition, the footer of the configuration About the Unraid dashboard
section, Unraid lists the existing shares shows the status of the array. If it does not keep all essential
and under "Users" the created users. say “Array started”, you can System parameters in view.

126

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9Unraid
configure
First, you should make some important
basic settings for the NAS under
"Settings". It is recommended that you
change the "Start page" option to
"Dashboard" under "Management Access".
This will give you an immediate overview
of the system status after logging into the
configuration. Otherwise, the "Main" view
opens by default. Also set the "Use SSL/
TLS" option to "Yes" to encrypt access to
the GUI with HTTPS. By default, Unraid
uses a self-signed certificate. If you want
to manage Unraid's Linux system over the In the “Settings” tab you will find all the
network without the GUI in the terminal, essential Unraid settings.
you can also enable SSH and specify the
port here. However, you should only
enable SSH if it is absolutely necessary. After setting up the UnraidServer
The changes take effect when you click you should first
"Apply". adjust the basic settings.
Go back to "Settings" and set the
German formats for "Date format" and
"Time format" in "Display Settings". This Tip: If you move the mouse over an
makes things easier to understand. If option, a question mark will often
you don't like the color scheme, you can appear. Click to get more information
select an alternative under "Dynamix about the individual settings. Use the
Color theme". Go through all the question mark in the top right under the
options and set them to your liking. Unraid logo to display all the help texts
at once.

10Setting up Docker
Those who use Unraid often want to use “Docker” various settings. First activate This will save all containers in separate
apps and services that run in a Docker “Advanced View” in the top right, set directories. If Docker crashes for any
container. Unraid's container structure “Enable Docker” to “No” and confirm this reason, the data of the individual
is one of the advantages of Unraid over with “Apply”. Only then can you make all containers will not be lost with this
other NAS solutions. Before you set up the settings. Activate the “directory” setting. Then set “Enable Docker” back
apps and Docker containers, you should option under “Docker data-root”. to “Yes” and click “Apply”.
first go to the "Settings" tab at

11Install apps
One of Unraid's strengths is the Rich apps for data backup, setting up on the little whale. Some apps are
numerous free apps from the VPN tunnels, cloud tools, game servers, available as plugins (puzzle icon), these
community that you can use to expand home automation, managing e-books, are optimized for Unraid and can, for
the functionality of your home server. improving system settings, document example, extend the web GUI with
You can find all available applications in management, network-wide ad blockers functions.
the "Apps" tab. When you first start the and much more. We will introduce some Under “Apps > Settings” you will find
app, you must click on "Install" to install of them later in the article. You can various settings to control the general
the plugin required to connect to the install the desired apps by clicking on operation of apps in Unraid. Here you can,
app store. "Install". for example, set the setting “Allow install
You can then browse the categories Many of the additional apps are provided of second instance” to “Yes”. This allows
of the directory or use the search by the developers as Docker containers (see certain applications and containers to be
function. Examples include numerous tip 10), which can be recognized installed multiple times.

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Workshop | Home Server

This makes it possible to operate several

separate web servers.

Please note that changes must

always be saved with "Apply". You can
see the installed apps under the menu
item "Installed Apps". The "Actions"
button for the individual apps gives
access to their respective settings. The
apps specially adapted for Unraid are
displayed under "Plugins". You open the
applications by clicking on the app icon.

Once you have installed

the CommunityApps plugin,
you have a huge amount
of apps available.

12Create file shares

You can find Unraid's file shares on the ded Disks" you can specify which disks For example, select “Array” here. Here, too,
"Shares" tab. By default, system shares Unraid should not save to under any you can include and exclude volumes.
are already set up; you can add your circumstances. These could be disks that After setting up the share with "Add
own using "Add Share". After you have are slower than others, for example. Share", the additional section "SMB
specified their name, under "Primary If you select “Cache” as data storage, Security Settings" appears. The "Export"
Storage" you can specify whether the Unraid will use the disks you specified option determines whether a share is
data should be saved on the array's as “Cache” under “Pool Devices” in available on the network. If it is to be used
media or whether you want to use the “Main”. This ensures that certain data is as a target for (encrypted!) Time Machine
fast cache (see tip 7). Under "Included available on the fastest possible backups of Macs, you must select "Yes/
Disks" you can specify which disks in the storage. If you do not need the data for Time Machine" instead of "Yes". Under
array the data can generally be saved a time, Unraid will still store it on the "Security" you determine who can access
on. Unraid will then not use any other disks you specify under “Secondary the share. With "Public" all users, including
disks. Conversely, under "Exclu- Storage”. Normally guests, have access. With "Secure" only the
users you specify can write to it, guests
always have read access. The list of users
only appears after "Apply". The "Private"
security option works in a similar way,
except that guests are denied access.

You can change these settings at any

time by clicking on the share again
under "Shares". The connection via
Windows, macOS and Linux is made in
exactly the same way as with other
network shares.
You manage Unraid users in the
“Users” tab. You should create a
separate account for each user who
works with Unraid.

When creating a file sharing

service, you can, for example,
specify that the data is always
stored in the fast cache.

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13Create backup
Even if you use a parity disk, this is not a
replacement for a backup. It only
protects your data against disk failure. It
cannot be used to restore accidentally
deleted data or older versions.

There are various backup solutions for

Unraid, such as luckyBackup or Easy
Backup. LuckyBackup offers a graphical
interface for the Linux backup tool Rsync.
Installation takes place via the "Apps" area
in Unraid (see tip 11). To do this, lucky-
Backup is run as a Docker container in
Unraid. You can accept the default setting
by clicking "Apply" during installation.
After that, the luckyBackup container A backup is rarely useful because you want For data backups, luckyBackup uses the
should have the status "started" in the top to save your data and not synchronize it. proven Rsync.
right of the dashboard. Clicking on the Under “Source” select the shares or
container icon opens the menu. Here you directories on the server that you want to then automatically one after the other.
can adapt the container to your needs at back up. This should at least be the file You start restore tasks in the
any time or call up the separate shares. You specify the backup destination luckyBackup WebUI via “Task > Create
luckyBackup WebUI. This allows you to under “Destination”. To navigate through Restore task”.
configure the backup. If Safari displays an the file system, select “Computer” on the If you want to back up to an external
error message, use Firefox or Chrome left and double-click on "/",to switch to the hard drive, you must install the
instead. root folder. You can find your shares “Unmounted Devices” plugin to be able
Use the "add" button on the right side of the under “/mnt/user". to mount unassigned hard drives under
window under "Task" to create a new backup Using the "Advanced" button in lucky- “Main”. To allow the lucky backup
job. Give it a name, such as "Home server Backup, you can adapt the backup to container to access it, you must edit it
backup". Use "Backup source inside Destination" your needs and specify which data with “Edit” and enter the path “/mnt/
under "Type" to specify that luckyBackup backs should be explicitly included or user/"to “/”. Then you can access the
up the data to the destination. You can also set excluded. After saving, the task is mounted disks under “/mnt/user/mnt/
up a synchronization at this point. However, this available. You can also define several. disks"and your shares under “/mnt/user/
is not possible with luckyBackup performs these mnt/user".

14Save energy with Unraid

Since a home server or NAS is usually in Additionally install the
constant operation, it is advisable to set “Dynamix System Autofan”
the energy saving settings as precisely application.
as possible. As already mentioned, a After that, the menu item “Fan
major advantage of Unraid is that it can Auto Control” is available under
automatically put individual, unused “User Utilities” in the “Settings”
disks into sleep mode, which means tab. If you open this area and the
they use little to no energy. You can find values in the individual fields are
the settings for this under "Settings > still empty, the drivers have not
Disk Settings". Under "Default spin yet been recognized. To do this,
down delay", select the idle time after open the integrated “Terminal”
which disks should be sent to standby using the small icon “>_” in the
mode (also note the box "ZFS and top right of the Unraid interface
Unraid - is it useful?"). and enter
However, there are numerous energy the command "sensors-detect"ge-
settings that do not affect the data storage followed by Return.
devices. To do this, you should install the driver At this point you have to repeat “yes"
packages “ITE IT87 Driver” and “Nuvoton or press Return until all drivers are
NCT6687 Driver” under “Apps”. Only then will the recognized. At the end, the question "do After installing the appropriate system
fan control and other areas for saving energy you drivers, Unraid has access to various
become available on many devices. want to generate /etc/sysconfig/lm_sensors”. sensors of the computer.

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Workshop | Home Server

Make home servers even more economical with CoreFreq

If you want to save even more energy There are numerous other options available CPUs are provided. You should not
and don't mind making longer trips to for saving energy. Press the W key to open make arbitrary settings, but rather
the terminal, install the app "CoreFreq". “Power & Thermal”. Under “Power Limit” you inform yourself about the effects of the
To start it, you have to open the page of can specify how many watts the setting beforehand.
the same name in the "Settings" and
then click on "Test" and then on "Start".
Open a terminal and enter the
command "corefreq-cli" The terminal now
displays information about the CPU
cores, their frequency and temperature.

Use the Esc key to open the tool menu.

Press S to go to "Settings". There you
can make further settings, such as
controlling the minimum and maximum
CPU clock speed or deactivating
individual cores. The available settings
depend on the BIOS/UEFI functions of
your Unraid server. It is operated using
the arrow keys and the return key. Press
Esc to return to the menu.

With CoreFreq you have

comprehensive access to
numerous aspects of the system.

Answer this question with “yes". If you "Power Saving CPU

then enter the command “sensors" , all ScalingGovernor". This
found sensors appear in the terminal. throttles the CPU a little when
full performance is not
After a successful scan, the necessary currently required. You can
drivers are integrated. When you call up make the settings at a time if
"Fan Auto Control", select the detected you do not need quick access
controller under "PWM Controller". The at night, for example. After
temperatures and fan speed are adjusting the settings, you
displayed in the status bar at the must restart the server.
bottom of the window. The “AutoTweak” app offers
Then install the “Tips and Tweaks” further simple energy saving
application in the “Apps” tab to be able settings. The most important
to make further energy saving settings. option here is “Power Profile”,
You will then find it in the “Settings” tab where you can enable “Power
in the “User Utilities” section. Save” or “Power Super Save”.
Other options can be found
Under the heading “Power Saving Settings” under “PCI ASPM Policy”, “PCI
you will find the options for saving power. If you Power Management Control”
select “No” for “Enable IntelTurbo/AMD and “SATA Link Power
Performance Boost” you will slow down the CPU Management”. You can set
but save a lot of power. Test in your environment the “Enable” option for all of
whether you notice the drop in performance at these settings. If you click on
all. With “Normal CPU Scaling Governor” you can the name of an option, you
save some energy by activating “Power Save”, will receive detailed The AutoTweak application increases the
this also applies to information about its effect. Energy saving potential of Unraid.

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 Workshop | Home Server

15Windows 11 as
running a VM
Unraid gives you the option of running a
powerful virtual Windows machine. This
allows you to use Windows programs
from anywhere in the network and also
from multiple PCs or Macs. Other areas
of application for virtual machines
include the provision of a home
automation server or other server
solutions that would otherwise require
their own hardware. Under "Settings >
VM Manager" you should first activate
the option "Enable VMS". It is also
advisable to download the current
driver CD for VirtIO as an ISO and make
it available in the system. This is
particularly important for virtual
Windows and Linux computers, as this is
the only way to make the necessary
drivers available. These are system
drivers that Windows needs to operate chine" select the latest version and under Selecting a template for installation
on Unraid's virtual hardware. "BIOS" select the option "OVMF TPM". Under a VM in Unraid.
You also need an ISO file of Windows "Graphics Card" select either the physical
11 for the installation, which you can graphics card of the Unraid server or the good performance over the network to the
download from the website option "Virtual" if the VM does not require virtual machine. On the Mac you need the
“www.microsoft.com/ high graphics performance. Under "VM “Microsoft Remote Desktop” client from
softwaredownload/windows11”. The Console Keyboard" select the option the App Store. (wre)
download is free, but of course you "German". Under "Network model" "virtio" is
need a Windows license to run it. Unraid the fastest option.
expects the file in the directory “/mnt/ With "Create" Unraid creates the VM
user/isos/".To copy it there on the and you can start it immediately. Then
Further application possibilities
network, you have to click on "isos" the actual Windows installation begins
under "Shares" and change the "Export" in the VM. You will see the screen in the capabilities of Unraid
setting to "Yes" under "SMB Security VNC console within the web browser.
Settings". Connect to the "isos" share During installation, Windows does not Unraid is extremely flexible and
and save the ISO on the Unraid server. automatically recognize the VirtIO can be used for a wide variety of
You create VMs via the tab of the driver. However, by adding the VirtIO tasks. The "Apps" tab contains
same name in the Unraid interface by ISO as a drive, the driver can be selected various applications that are
clicking on "Add VM". Here you will find via "Load Driver" on the corresponding usually ready for use in a very
numerous templates to choose from, page. The drivers are located in the " short time. You can also quickly
including "Windows 11". It is important amd64\w11".The installation will then uninstall apps using the "Actions"
that you select the ISO file under "OS continue. button and "Uninstall".
Install ISO" that Unraid should mount as
a drive in the VM to install the operating After installation, you must select the
For example, Nextcloud is popular
system. driver for the network adapter in the
for setting up a private cloud, for
Also make sure that the ISO file for Windows Device Manager. This is located
example with an address book and
the VirtIO drivers that you previously on the VirtIO ISO drive in the directory “
photo management. Or you can set
downloaded in the VM Manager is NetKVM\w11\amd64". Additional drivers are
up a document management system
selected under “VirtIO Drivers ISO”. located in the directory
with Paperless-ngx, with which you
Under “Logical CPUs” select the CPU "Balloon\w11\amd64".Then install the driver
can digitize your documents,
cores that you want to make available in package for running Windows on Unraid
establish text recognition, share
the VM. There should be at least two by double-clicking on “virtio-winguest-
documents with the family and
cores. If you need more power, four or tools.exe” in the root directory of the
much more.
more cores are better. In addition, VirtIO ISO file. After restarting the VM, the
under “Initial RAM” you specify the RAM installation is complete and Windows 11 is If you have any problems, the very
at startup and under “Max Memory” you available. You can also start “sysdm.cpl” via helpful community also has a
specify the maximum RAM that Unraid the Run window (Windows key + R) and German subforum if you have
can allocate to the VM. 4 to 8 GB RAM is activate RDP access. This is how you access difficulty with English.
usually sufficient here. Under “Ma- with

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 Isometric
draw on
the iPad
In spatial drawing, beginners as well as advanced
quickly start to sweat. The isometric representation makes it easier

entry and many even find the technology relaxing.

Our
Workshop of first pencil sketches
to illustration.

By Anke Goldbach

short & sweet

• Isometric
drawing.
grids support spatial

• iPad, Pencil and Affinity

Designer serve as a drawing
studio with practical tools.

• Isometric drawing can be used

professionally, but it is also fun and
relaxing.

132

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© Copyright by Heise Medien.
Workshop | Isometric Drawing

Isometric drawings are popular in depth, although objects further back do not macOS and Windows versions (75 euros)
both professional and private use. The become smaller and all lines run parallel. or other illustration apps.
clean lines and consistent perspective Drawing with vanishing points would be Affinity Designer offers practical tools
create an aesthetic that is both more realistic, but also much more complex. for creating isometric representations.
appealing and captivating. Such More on this in the box "Understanding the They define lines, shapes and proportions
graphics can be found in a wide variety three main axes" on page 135. precisely and implement them to scale.
of fields, including architecture, Similar to mandala and zentangle Elements can be easily moved, duplicated,
engineering, product design and video painting, many people find sketching in rotated and scaled. The vector-based
games. Isometric drawings can be an isometric grid relaxing and approach saves time and enables the
combined with other elements such as enjoyable, as it often requires repetitive design to be adapted quickly, and error
photos, textures or text to create and structured movements. It also correction is completely straightforward.
fascinating visual worlds. Compared to teaches you to concentrate on creative This would be much more time-consuming
3D modeling and complex renderings, designs and constructions. You can with a pixel graphics program.
isometric drawings are often more time- follow this workshop either in the classic Affinity Designer has various isometric
saving and therefore more cost- way with pen and paper, with a stylus grids, axis views and projection planes.
effective for business purposes: they on the tablet or with other digital Magnetic guidelines help to place design
offer an effective way of visualizing drawing tools. elements in a targeted manner. This
products, buildings or scenes. For this workshop we used the iPad with enables ideas to be implemented quickly.
For the isometric representation, use a Apple Pencil and the vector graphics software Not only advanced users benefit from
simple grid of triangles. The brain Affinity Designer (20 Euro, see web code at working with the application, beginners
interprets drawings aligned to this as the end of the article). Much can easily be can also use it to create high-quality
three-dimensional and recognizes spatial transferred to the also available isometric illustrations.

Create your own isometric grids

Ambitious people can create the desired height – in our example also to create isometric grids. Be sure to
isometric grid by hand in a 1:1:1 ratio. 5 mm – for the isometric shape. maintain the 30 degree angles for
This is a great exercise to get used to Place another point at this point. the diagonal lines to achieve the
the technique and to learn how to draw. isometric effect.
You will need at least a sheet of A4 5. Connect the points you made in steps 8. Look carefully at the grid and check
paper, a pencil, a ruler, a set square 2 and 4 to complete the shape. This the lines and angles. If necessary,
with a 30-degree angle and, optionally, will form the basis for the isometric use the fineliner to reinforce the
a fineliner for precise lines. grid. lines and make the grid look cleaner.
6. Repeat steps 2 through 5 to add more
Place the paper in front of you in either
points in width and height until you
portrait or landscape format. You decide
have the desired number of rows
how large the isometric grid should be.
and columns.
Determine the number of rows and
7. Connect the dots in each row and column Isometric worlds on paper require
columns of dots.
with straight lines to complete the particularly careful work.
1. Place the first point at the top left of
the paper, this is the origin point of
the grid.
2. Use the ruler to measure horizontally
to the right from the origin point
and set the desired width, for
example 5mm, for the isometric
shape. Place a point at this point.

3. Place the set square on the paper so

that the 30-degree mark is aligned
along the line you just drew. Use the
ruler to extend the line to place a
point on the opposite side of the
origin point. This point will be the
basis for the isometric width.

4. Use the ruler to measure vertically

downwards from the origin point
and mark the grid dimensions.

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Understanding the three main axes

Unlike one-point or two-point to the bottom right, it conveys the Angles drawn. By understanding and
perspective, where objects appear depth or width of an object. correctly using these three main axes,
smaller in the distance and larger up you will master isometric drawings.
The three dimensions – length, height and
close, isometric drawings show no
depth (width) – are represented equally.
distortion. The construction is so much
The ratio is 1:1:1. All lines that run parallel The isometric axes (x, y, z)
simpler and makes it easier to
to these three main axes are represented illustrate the dimensions length,
accurately estimate dimensions. In an
with the same 30-degree Height and width respectively depth.
isometric drawing, there are three main
axes that form the basis for the spatial
representation:
The horizontal axis (x-axis) runs from
bottom left to top right and represents
the length of the object. The vertical axis
(y-axis) extends vertically upwards and
represents the height. The depth axis (z-
axis) extends from top left

1Start with isometric sketches

To learn isometric sketching, it is to set the next point. By continuing At around 27° they approximately reach
recommended that you first practice by these diagonal lines you determine the the typical 30°.
hand on graph paper. Use the image at corner points of your isometric shape. If you - especially as a beginner -
the bottom of this page as a guide or print The first cube on exercise sheet 1 shows have difficulty with the checkered grid,
out exercise sheet 1 and worksheet 1. You an isometric top view, the second a use worksheet 2, 3 or 4 instead. These
can download all exercise and blank bottom view. already have the diagonal lines drawn in
worksheets as well as project files for In the next step, connect the dots the grid, which make spatial vision and
Affinity Designer using the web code at the with straight lines, making sure to drawing easier. Professionals go
end of the article. maintain the isometric perspective by straight to worksheet 5: It only shows
Place Worksheet 1 on the table in drawing the lines at a 30 degree angle. points that are arranged in the grid of
front of you and the matching Exercise This will create clean lines that the three axes. All variants make
Sheet 1 next to it. Use the checkered represent the cube in isometric view. isometric drawing easier and improve
lines as a guide for the correct distances Repeat these steps to trace the other accuracy.
to draw a three-dimensional cube. First, shapes on the practice sheet and get a The five practice sheets included with
choose a starting point and place it in feel for the technique. If you use the the blank worksheets show various
the upper left corner of a box. Then corners of two squares next to each isometric applications that you can trace
measure or count diagonally down and other on a checkered sheet, you will get on the corresponding worksheets or in
to the right to Affinity Designer.

Set auxiliary points and connect

them. This creates isometric
surfaces and shapes.

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Workshop | Isometric Drawing

• With exercise sheet 1 you will create your first Instead of the layer effects of a For example, place Practice Sheet 3 on a
basic isometric shapes. software, use hatching or frottages. textured surface and rub the paper with
• Worksheet 2 offers isometric shapes Hatching is a technique in which a soft B6 pencil to transfer the texture
with light and shadow to trace. surfaces and shapes are shaded by of the background to the isometric
drawing parallel lines or strokes. These shapes. Hold the tool at an angle to
• Worksheet 3 contains more difficult lines can be close together to create work across the entire width. This will fill
isometric shapes with rounded curved darker shades or further apart to create the areas with a frottage that will form
lines. light areas. The arrangement and the shadow side of the isometric shape.
• In exercise sheet 4 you will find density of the lines create different If you have rubbed beyond the shape in
isometric letters to form words. textures and depths (see also Mac & i some places, erase the excess areas.
• Worksheet 5 includes advanced extra Winter 2022/2023, p. 96). Use You can also scan or photograph
isometric applications, including an hatching to create volume, structure textures to place them in digital works
optical illusion and several isometric and shadows, which also gives isometric using Affinity Designer. This will create
pieces of furniture. drawings liveliness. special images with interesting effects.
If you work with pen and paper, use Artists use this to give their work more
classic materials such as pencils, colored Frottage involves rubbing a soft pen depth and expression.
pencils, fineliners, markers, chalks or such as a pencil or chalk across objects
watercolors for the colors. such as wood, wallpaper, fabric or stone.

2Getting started with Affinity Designer on the iPad

After opening Affinity Designer, you will This will remove it from the main view. When creating a new
see all the most recently created Warning: If you have not yet saved a document, beginners choose
documents (“Active”) in the main view – if copy, it will be effectively deleted. You a template (left column).
they already exist. Tap a preview image to can permanently save and rename it Advanced users can adapt
continue working on it. The X button closes using the button on the right (three the document if necessary
documents, they disappear. horizontal lines on top of each other). (right side).

The main view shows current works

as thumbnails.

136

© Copyright by Heise Medien.

 Workshop | Isometric Drawing

In the main view, tap New, then New Depending on the project, the dimensions settings unchanged. Tap OK to create
Document. Affinity Designer will then and document units as well as color the document.
provide templates for the document you formats and color profiles are predefined. If you are left-handed, it is best to
are creating, which you can select based For the workshop, please select the activate left-handed mode so that gestures
on your requirements. Is the drawing category “Print – A4”, preferably portrait. work properly. In the main view, tap
intended for printing ("Print")? Is it more Advanced users can optionally define "Settings" at the bottom left and then
for a web application ("Web")? Do you “Dimensions”, “dpi” and “Document Units” under "Interface > Left-handed mode". You can
need specific dimensions for photo “General” on the right (for more information, see move around in the document using
formats ("Photo")? Is the drawing the box “Document Unit and Color Profiles” on common touch gestures: move the view
intended for architectural purposes page 139). As a beginner, you can ignore this with two fingers, and use the pinch
("Architecture")? and leave the default settings. gesture to zoom in or out.

3Understanding the user interface and personas

In a newly opened document you will below are the function keys “Deselect” - These so-calledpersonasadapt the
see the central elements “Home” at the and "Delete" . - entire user interface for the respective
- -
top , "Persona" , "Document" and - On the right edge is the “Studio” . - workflow. To work with vector graphics,
-
"Edit" . The app also places the “context There you can open palettes or panels design the drawing in the "Designer"
-
bar” , which changes depending on the for color, contour, layers, brushes and persona, which is the default setting
tool and function. Top right you will find effects. At the bottom is the log, which when opening a new document. For
the important settings for zoom, you can use to undo or redo work steps. textures and color strokes with pixel
preview and magnetic alignment . With - Put your finger on the question mark brushes, switch to the "Pixel" persona.
the button in the upper right corner - -
icon at the very bottom to display the This way, you can combine vector and
Hide and show all controls as needed. names of tools and palettes. pixel editing without having to switch
between multiple apps. Finally, for
In the bar on the left side are all Affinity Designer offers three exporting and printing, use the "Export"
-
“tools” gathered. Directly different user interfaces. persona.

---- - -
-

- -

- -
- -

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Workshop | Isometric Drawing

The vector tools like the

pen in DesignerPersona are
particularly precise for creating
of isometric graphics.

Not only practical for beginners: If you place

your index finger on the question mark icon
at the bottom right, Affinity explains all the
tools, menus and the studio.

Use grids and magnetic alignments

Use the "Preview mode" (windshield and thus carry out transformations in Fields with values, then change them.
wiper icon) to activate or deactivate the front view (“Front Plane”), side view
grid and other elements such as (“Side Plane”) or top view (Top Plane),
guidelines. Grids are only a working aid; see also section “Draw isometrically To set the magnetic grid alignment, tap
they are neither printed nor exported. faster with projection planes”. theMagnetic Alignmentto the right of
Tap the narrow, dog-eared rectangle the preview mode. Under "Alignment
next to the windshield wiper icon and Options" you can activate "Snap to
then tapgridto make the app show or Advanced users can choose one of the Grid". This causes Affinity Designer to
hide it. Active options are marked with a grid modes "Three Axes", "Horizontal precisely align the curves and objects to
white dot. At the very bottom of the Three Axes" or "2:1 Three Axes" for free the isometric grid lines to ensure exact
drop-down menu, press "Grid options". isometric drawing. The practical alignment and isometry. When you
Now use the upper context bar to set projection planes are not available here. magnetically align isometric design
the grid mode. You must therefore draw all isometric elements, the application displays
elements yourself in the grid and elements for the three axes in different
construct the corresponding isometric colors.
Axis grids are "Isometric", "2:1 views.
Isometric", "Dimetric", "Oblique",
"Trimetric left", "Trimetric right". Optionally, you can set the spacing and All grids provided in Affinity Designer
Activate different grid modes and look color of the grid yourself. To do this, are parallel projections; the lines do not
at the axes and their effect. In such axis slide the context bar with your finger converge to a vanishing point, and the
grids you can freely switch between the from left to right to reveal the additional app does not support perspective
projection planes options. Do not drag over projections.

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 Workshop | Isometric Drawing

document unit and color profiles

The selection of document settings such The pixel or dpi (dots per inch) to achieve the same color effects. For
asDimensions,pixelordpiandcolor specification defines how many image printing, you should choose higher dpi values
profilesin digital drawing are closely points (pixels) are present in one inch (2.54 such as 300 dpi and a CMYK color profile.
linked and have a direct influence on the cm) of the printed image. A higher number
Color profiles define how colors are
end result. results in finer detail reproduction.
interpreted in the image. For example,
However, the dpi specification is less
The dimensions determine the width there are color profiles for printing
relevant for vector graphics and for
and height of the image in pixels, which "CMYK" - cyan, magenta, yellow and key
images that you use exclusively digitally.
in turn affects the size on the screen or (black) - and for digital applications
on a printed medium. The intended use For web graphics, 72, 96 or 144 dpi and "RGB" - red, green, blue. Choosing the
is crucial here, whether you want to use the RGB color profile are often sufficient right color profile should ensure
it for websites, social media or print. to ensure fast loading of the web pages consistent color reproduction on
and on all screen outputs different devices and media.

4Place exercise sheet as template

Download the exercise sheets (see web bottom and sides until the sketch roughly by holding with two fingers. Place three
code) and unzip the file on the iPad. lines up with the grid. Professionals enter fingers on the screen to zoom in/out an
Then place an exercise sheet either in exact values for width and height in the object from the center while
Affinity Designer (more on this in a "Transform" studio. maintaining the aspect ratio.
moment) or print it out and place it next The Move tool supports gestures that
to the iPad. The latter saves you having you perform with the finger of your Open the "Layers" panel on the right
to jump back and forth between a other hand. When moving an object, and tap the layer with the practice
preview of the exercise sheet and place a finger on the iPad desktop to sheet, then tap the button with the
Affinity Designer on the tablet, as the limit the movement to horizontal, three dots to display the layer options.
app does not support Split View. vertical, and diagonal dimensions. When Activate "Protect" so that you don't
Place exercise sheet 1 as a background you enlarge or reduce an object, the accidentally move the practice sheet.
layer: This works with the menu one-finger modifier protects the aspect Then reduce the "Opacity" of the layer
“Document > Place > Place from files”. Now ratio, so it remains fixed. You can scale from 100 to about 40 percent to see the
open the desired sheet. You will find it in an object from its center drawing better.
the selected storage location - for example
in the Downloads folder.
Use the tip of the Apple Pencil (or
your finger) to drag the practice sheet
from top left to bottom right. Use the
Layers panel to make sure that the layer
with your practice sheet is actively
selected. Then activate the Move tool to
align the isometric sketches with the
grid. Use the guidelines of the three
axes of the isometric grid to guide you
so that the edges and corners of the
sketch line up with the grid. Concentrate
on the sketch you want to trace.

To resize the sketch, drag the round

selection handles at the top,

You can easily place worksheets

that you have loaded onto the
iPad (or iCloud Drive).

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Workshop | Isometric Drawing

How lines, curves and shapes work

Affinity Designer describes a curve as an number of nodes and segments. The “smart node” (6) also generates a
open path that has a fixed start and end continuous curve, but at the same time
point - so-called nodes. If a path or optimizes the course of the curve.
The type of knot affects the path of the
curve has only two nodes, it is a
connected segments. There are three When drawing curves, you have the
"line" (1). Affinity Designer calls the path
main types of knots: The "point knot" (4) option to combine the different nodes
between the nodes a "segment"; it can
allows an abrupt change of direction as you wish. Each node is equipped with
be either "straight" (1) or "curved" (2).
between segments, resulting in a "sharp "control handles" (7) that appear as
Complex curves consist of several
corner". Point knots are often used soon as you select it with the node tool
nodes, all of which are connected to one
when drawing isometric shapes. (filled arrow). Use the length and
another via "segments" (3).
inclination angle of the handles to
influence the shape of the segment.
The "Bézier knot" (5), also known as the
smooth knot, connects the adjacent For beginners, the Pen tool (fountain
A “shape” (8) represents a closed path segments to form a continuous curve. pen symbol) in Polygon mode is a good
that has neither a clearly recognizable Advanced users use it to create shapes choice. You can select the mode in the
beginning nor an end point. These that form organic and rounded lines on context bar at the top after you have
objects are made up of a multitude of the isometric grid. selected the tool.

5Draw isometrically faster with projection planes

Using the “Duplicate” and “Projection Draw the shape with the pencil/finger. so that you can see everything
Layers” functions, you can create Place the tip of your other hand on the completely. You can also duplicate
frequently used isometric shapes such as display to create a perfect square. Mark objects directly with the move tool by
cubes particularly quickly. To do this, select the square with the move tool, open the placing two fingers on the screen while
“Grid Options” in the preview menu at the edit menu with the three dots at the top moving.
top (dog-ear on the windshield wiper icon) and select "Duplicate". Create a total of Now select the first square and tap
and then set the grid mode to “Isometric” three squares in this way, distribute “Front Plane” under “Projection Planes”
in the upper context bar. Now activate the them next to each other. in the Edit menu. Then open the “Edit”
Rectangle tool and drag menu again

The “Three Axis” grid mode is a choice for advanced

users. All elements must be displayed without the
Projection planes can be created yourself.

Using projection planes, you can quickly

create basic isometric shapes such as the
cube.

140

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 Workshop | Isometric Drawing

Anchor points and line (1), segments of a curve with control handles (7) and shape (8).

Polygon mode creates straight lines and allows Advanced and professional users who I feel most comfortable in “Pen” mode,
changes in direction. This makes it relatively easy already know how to handle the nodes, as the vector lines can be manipulated
to create even complex shapes. segments and gestures will feel at home. here.

and select the option "Fit to Plane" in without losing alignment with the grid. Shapes can be rotated by a specific
the "Isometric" section. This will tilt the So you keep the 30 degree alignment. angle, usually 45 degrees for an
square to match the isometric grid. For isometric representation. Tilting them
the second square, select "Side Plane" The projection planes are just as by 90 degrees is also often helpful. For
for the projection plane in the Edit useful for shapes such as the ellipse. such adjustments, also look in the
menu and then "Fit to Plane" again. For Use this helpful function of the "Transform" panel. If you want to retain
the third square, repeat the game, this projection planes to transfer non- the projection of an object, use the
time as "Top Plane", followed by "Edit > isometric, two-dimensional graphic commands in the Edit menu under
Fit to Plane". Now combine the three elements into the "Isometric" grid - such "Isometric".
fitted shapes with the "Move" tool to as photos and text. The latter remain If you want to paint shapes directly on a
create the perfect isometric cube. editable. projection plane, activate "Edit > Edit in
Isometrically fitted objects can be scaled Above, using the context bar for the plane". If you now draw a rectangle, for
as desired with the Move tool. Move tool, you can also flip shapes example, it will be distorted to match the
horizontally or vertically and rotate previously selected projection, and you will
them left or right. Some save yourself the "Fit in plane" option.

6Create an isometric cylinder

The cylinder is a challenging isometric To see shapes, lines and curves A circle (1) serves as the basic shape
object because you need to create both clearly and to create sketchy outlines, for the cylinder. Open the shapes
straight and round lines cleanly. If you're deactivate the fill color first. Open the palette on the left in the toolbar. By
still feeling unsure, practice other basic "Color" studio on the right (colored default, Affinity Designer shows a
shapes first (see "Starting isometric circle). In the panel at the top left under rectangle symbol there. Tap it to
sketches" on page 135). However, the word "Color" tap the colored circle activate the tool and then again to
beginners can sketch the cylinder directly (in front of the ring) to activate the fill display the menu with the other shapes.
over the gray sketch on the included color. Below in the "Quick Colors" Select the "Ellipse" from there. This
practice sheet - this makes it easier. It's section you will see a white box with a allows you to easily draw a perfect circle
also easy to correct drawing mistakes in light blue line diagonally crossing it. Tap using the Apple Pencil by placing a
Affinity Designer. Isometric illustrations on it to deactivate the fill color. The finger of your other hand on the screen
often consist of simple shapes - like the circle at the top now also shows the while drawing the shape.
cylinder. Think of them as individual light blue line. Select the ring that is
building blocks and work through them slightly hidden by the circle to set the If the circle has a line that is too thick or
step by step. Affinity Designer creates a outline color - for example black or gray. if it is not visible at all, check the stroke
separate layer for each shape, which you Then switch to the "Brush" studio. In the width on the right in the Stroke panel,
can sort and group later - more on this in brush menu at the top, select "Pencils" directly below the color picker. Use the
the section "Working with layers" on page and then something like "Classic HB slider to set the width to something like “2
144. Pencil". pt”.

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Workshop | Isometric Drawing

Use shapes, lines and curves to create complex isometric illustrations.

Now activate the "Move" tool to move where you started to make the circle Use the Pencil to set the first anchor
the circle to the desired location and larger or smaller – at the same time press point on top of the circle - exactly where
adjust its size. Tap on the circle object so a finger of the other hand on the screen. the top edge of the cylinder begins.
that the blue selection frame appears. Tap and drag the point at the top of Then set the second anchor point at the
Now move the circle by placing the the selection box to rotate the selected very top of the back circle. The two
pencil or fingertip in the middle of the shape anchor points form a line. Make sure
selection box and dragging it to the – This is pointless for a circle, of course, that the anchor points of the line are
desired position. Caution: If you but useful for other shapes. In the neatly aligned on the grid. Switch to the
accidentally touch one of the points or “Transform” panel, you can rotate (8) or "Move" tool if you want to move the line
the corners of the selection box, you will tilt (7) shapes in a controlled manner. To to a better location. Use "Edit
change the shape of the circle instead of do this, move your Apple Pencil in the
moving it to another location. You can darkened, circular slider for “Rotation” > Duplicate" you can create a copy of
easily undo incorrect entries at any time or “Tilt”. the selected upper line and move it
by briefly tapping the display with two Once the circle is neatly aligned with downwards. This forms the lower edge
fingers. This is the gesture for the usual the grid, duplicate it. To do this, tap the of the cylinder. If you want to fine-tune
undo function; you can also perform Edit menu with the three dots at the the anchor points, select the "Node"
this multiple times to undo several top. Select "Duplicate" from the menu. tool.
steps. You can find the complete history The copy is now exactly in the position You can convert geometric shapes, such
of your steps in the "Log" panel at the of the circle you just copied or as the circles constructed previously, into
bottom right. duplicated. Move the duplicated circle conventional curves at any time in order to
(2) so that it visually describes the rear take full advantage of the anchor points
Drag one of the points or one of the curve of the cylinder. and control handles for fine adjustment.
corners of the selection box to adjust Now draw two lines (3) between the To do this, select the shape and tap
the size of the circle. To maintain the circles. To do this, activate the “Pen” tool "Convert to Curves" in the "Commands"
perfect circle shape, place – after- in “Line” mode. Tip- section of the "Edit" menu.

7Create a cylinder with the pen

With a little practice, you can create a the lower part of the circle to set and precise shape. Careful work creates
cylinder (4) in the freer pen mode. To do another anchor point. This automatically an isometric shape with clear lines and a
this, activate the "Pen" tool and the creates the second half of the curve of consistent perspective.
"Pen" mode in the context bar. Use the the rear circle.
Pencil to create a first anchor point at Now click on the front circle where Once you have finished a shape such
the top of the front circle. Then set the the anchor point should describe the as the cylinder, select all the layers that
second anchor point at the top of the bottom edge of the cylinder. This belong to it. Group the layers (Edit menu
element that will ultimately become the creates a straight line. Now place the with the three dots) and name the
back circle. Tap the middle of the right last anchor point in the middle of the group, for example, "Cylinder 1". This
outer side of the (imagined) back circle front circle and drag again - without will help you keep track of the layer
to set the third anchor point there and, lifting the pen - to create the curve. structure. Trace all the isometric shapes
without lifting your finger, drag the tip Finally, click on the very first anchor to get a feel for the grid.
of the pen slightly downwards to the point at the top to close the shape.
right to create the first part of the Switch to the Node tool to improve or
circle's curve. As long as the Pencil is correct the anchor points or curves
touching the display, continue to along the grid lines of the grid. Make Ellipses can be aligned
manipulate the curve using the pen sure that the anchor points are placed isometrically correctly within
movements until you are satisfied with at regular intervals to ensure a uniform a square or rectangle by
the result. Then tap rotation and transformation.

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 The Alzado Plante and Perfil
views are helpful exercises to
develop your spatial
understanding.

Promote spatial thinking and vision

You can improve spatial understanding Plante activate and strengthen your Known as a floor plan, it provides a top-
with tried and tested methods: An imagination.Alzadoshows the front of down view of an object or area, as if you
important first step is to intensively an object or structure in frontal were looking at it from above. This view
observe and analyze three-dimensional perspective. This front view allows provides insight into the arrangement
objects and scenes in the environment. essential details and proportions of the and placement of elements on the
Think, for example, of building blocks or object to be viewed from the front and horizontal plane and helps you
interlocking bricks such as Lego. Pay offers a practical way to convey spatial understand the space.
attention to the interactions between concepts. Theprofile-View presents an
shapes, depths and perspectives. This object from the side and shows the The clever combination of these
trains spatial awareness and enables profile view and the height ratios. This concepts helps to understand spatial
you to better understand the display method is particularly useful relationships. Draw the three views on
dimensions of an object. when visualizing buildings or objects graph paper. The isometric
from the side. ThePlante, also known as implementation is done using Affinity
By sketching the three views known Designer or by hand on a worksheet of
from architecture: Alzado, Perfil and your choice.

Mac & i extrawinter 2024 / 2025 143

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 You can create light
and shadow using the
“Color” studio.
the basic principles
understood, can
You can break with these to
create exciting optical
to create illusions.

8Filling shapes with color

In the next step, you fill the sketchy In the "Color" panel, activate the circle Add a fill color if you haven't already
cylinder with color. The workshop (fill) in the top left and then tap on the done so. Then switch to the "Gradient"
comes with its own color palette (see lemon yellow from the imported color tool on the far left. Tap where you want
web code). To import such color palette. Affinity Designer will fill the the gradient to start. Then drag the pen/
palettes, open the "Color" panel on the circle in yellow, as shown on exercise finger in the desired direction; the
right, tap "Color fields" at the bottom sheets 1 and 2. Then repeat the steps gradient will gradually darken. You
and then tap the button with the three for the rest of the cylinder shape and don't have to get the gradient perfect
horizontal lines at the top. From the select the light green as the fill color. right away: you can always make
drop-down menu, select "Import palette improvements using the blue gradient
> As program palette..." and open the Consider the direction from which the line with the two round "handles" (and a
previously downloaded file light source is coming. A color gradient is center line). To do this, simply move the
"Isometric_Heise.afpalette". The colors usually suitable for this, which indicates gradient by moving the handles and/or
can then be found under "Color fields > light and shadow through a lighter and the center line. The latter manipulates
Isometric_Heise". darker color gradation (5). To do this, mark the ratio of the gradient. In the "Color"
Now select the front circle by tapping a shape or area with the "Move" tool. In panel, you can optionally change the
it with the “Move” tool (blue selection the "Color" studio, first assign the color to color tone using the color wheel.
frame appears). the area as described.

9Working with Layers

Every document consists of at least one Mix. Tap a layer to select it. Swipe a fingers together. Move your fingers
layer. You can imagine layers as pieces of layer from left to right to quickly add it apart to ungroup.
drawing paper or transparent film laid on to the selection - or remove it from the
top of each other. You manage these using selection. Layer effects can be found in the
the "Layers" panel. Selected layers are "Layer Effects" panel (fx symbol). You
marked in color so that you can To select multiple layers in one go, can use these to give graphics a 3D or
immediately see which layer you are tap the first one with one finger and relief effect, add drop shadows or make
currently working on. then the desired bottom or top layer them appear blurred. The selected
All layers can be moved, renamed, with two fingers – the app also selects effect is controlled using three sliders
grouped, hidden and shown. You can all layers in between. Multiple selected on the left of the toolbar. You can use
lock or unlock individual layers, delete layers can be grouped using the pinch the symbol below a slider to switch to
them or change the opacity and mode gesture; to do this, move your thumb other options that may be available.
for and index finger

144 Mac & i extrawinter 2024 / 2025

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First draw a simple shape. This You can copy and paste individual lines Vector graphics enable precise
embodies the basic proportions. Then as many times as you like to create fine representation without loss of quality.
work out your design accordingly. details or hatching. Play with the
shades of gray and the opacity.

The conscious use of color tones, Using techniques such as copying, For example, incorporate floral
noise, gradients, pixel textures and transforming, mirroring and rotating, you elements to create great isometric
layer effects gives the color design can merge elements seamlessly. patterns.
more depth and dimension.

10exercises for advanced students

An isometric alphabet is a good way to All surfaces in the "Layers" studio. ical objects. Use it to trace the
practice recognizing recurring shapes Group the layers and give them a layer impossible shape of an optical illusion.
and to implement them more quickly by name, for example "A". Recreate all Feel free to experiment with different
copying and pasting - as well as letters. Simplify the workflow by colors, layer effects and contours.
transforming and changing the color. copying and pasting recurring elements
Keep exercise sheet 4 to hand. Work and mirroring and rotating them We want to use the finished example
with the "Pen" tool in "Polygon" mode. horizontally or vertically using the file “Isometric_Room.afdesign” (see web
"Transform" studio or the Edit menu. code) to inspire you for your own projects.
Look closely at the letter A. How Browse through the file to understand the
many surfaces and shapes were used to The “Exercise Sheet 5” also offers layer structure or to study the color palette
draw the isometric letter? How high and suggestions for free practice of isometric in more detail. (lbe)
wide is each surface? You can count the
surfaces and shapes using the grid.
Which elements also appear in the
remaining letters of the alphabet? Anke Goldbachis a freelance author, illustrator and qualified
Follow the isometric grid and create all graphic designer. She works for publishers, agencies and
the surfaces to form the letter A. Once companies in the areas of editorial and corporate design.
the letter is finished, mark

Mac & i extrawinter 2024 / 2025 Your opinion, additional material, web code: mac-and-i.de/w1g1 145

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 IMPRINT

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