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Mac OS X

257 bytes added, 03:08, May 28, 2006
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Software
[[Category:How to trick out -To]] [[Category:Computers]]Mac OS X is a [[Unix]]-based operating system that competes with [[Windows]]. Here's a list of software and one-time procedures for Mac OS X that will make your Maccomputer work better or look purtier.
Here's a list of software and tricks for Mac OS X to make it work better or look purtier.==Software==
===Dashboard Widgets===
See [[Dashboard Widgets]]
===Synergy===
Synergy is a neat little program for controlling iTunes while another program is in the foreground. For example, you can configure it so that pressing Cmd-right goes to the next track. In addition, it displays a translucent pane with information about the tune that's starting to play. The full version of the program will set you back five euros.
More info: http://wincent.com/a/products/synergy-classic/
===LaunchBar===
LaunchBar is a way of life. Hit Cmd-space and start typing the name of a program, document, folder, URL you've visited, or a song, and it brings up a list of matches almost instantaneously (even faster than Spotlight). You can use it to find and play songs quickly and navigate folders. It even "learns" the keyboard combinations you use to launch particular program; for example, you can train it to launch Firefox whenever you press Cmd-space then "F" then return. LaunchBar is shareware.
More info: http://www.obdev.at/products/launchbar/
===Alternatives:Quicksilver===
[http://quicksilver.blacktree.com/ Quicksilver] is a more configurable and extensible application similar to Launchbar. It also has sweet visual effects and it is FREE.
 
===Namely===
[http://homepage.mac.com/asagoo/namely/ Namely] is exclusively an application launcher and is a lighter weight alternative to LaunchBar or Quicksilver. It is also FREE.
===GeekTool===[http://projects.tynsoe.org/en/geektool/ GeekTool] is also a way of life, in addition to being a nice Dashboard replacement. It provides a System Preferences Pane for displaying information on your desktop. It can run and display the output of anything (non-interactive) you can run on the command line. For instance, I have it displaying the output of cal, uptime, a script that grabs my IPs, and a todo file. You set a window size, location, and refresh time for shell scripts. You can also display a file or image... Unfortunately the current version doesn't support Tiger fully. There is an unofficial version which does, available here: [http://www.jaw.it/pages/en/x_misc.html JAW Software] See also: [http://www.macgeekery.com/tips/cli/geektool_and_bash_one-liners MacGeekery Post] on GeekTool
Unfortunately the current version doesn't support Tiger fully. There is an unofficial version which does, available here: [http://www.jaw.it/pages/en/x_misc.html]===Delicious Library===
See also: [http://www[Delicious Library]].macgeekery.com/tips/cli/geektool_and_bash_one-liners]
===DarwinPorts===
[http://darwinports.opendarwin.org/ DarwinPorts] is a package manager for automatically downloading and installing a lot of useful programs, mostly [[command line]] programs. If you're used to [[Linux]], you will find DarwinPorts absolutely essential. ===Apple Mail=== See [[Apple Mail]]. ==Tips== ===Full keyboard access===
If you're not a big fan of the mouse, consider flipping on "Full keyboard access." This means you can use the tab key to focus buttons and panes, not just text fields. In Tiger, go to System Preferences -> Keyboard & Mouse -> Keyboard Shortcuts and select "All controls" at the bottom; or press ^F7 (Control-F7) to toggle this setting.
===Kill the Dashboard===
If you never use the Dashboard in Mac OS 10.4 (Tiger), don't be afraid to kill it. Open a Terminal [[command line]] and type:
defaults write com.apple.dashboard mcx-disabled -boolean YES
Courtesy [http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20050723123302403&lsrc=osxh]
==Auto-complete Williams email addresses=Connect to a PC=== Auto-complete is a major time saver if you haven't memorized # Go to the middle initials of everyone at Williams. Here's how to set it up on Apple Mail running on any version of OS XFinder# Open Apple Mail# Select Go to Mail -> PreferencesConnect to Server...(or Command-K if you're a badass)# Click the If you want to connect to \\firecat, type "Composingsmb://firecat" tab.# Check Click the "Automatically complete addresses" box+ button if you want this address remembered.# Click "Configure LDAP..Connect."# Click the + signIt'll ask for a username and password.# Fill out Type GUEST for the fields as shown: [[Image:Apple_Mail_edit_LDAP_entry.jpg]] Finally, click "Save", "Done"user name, and close leave the preferences windowpassword blankNow when you compose a message and start to type a name, it will pop up with a list of a bunch of people you've never heard of who go to or work for Williams. ==More advanced procedures== * [[How to share your iTunes music with more than 5 computers a day]]
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