Step 2: Unlock It

The Finder and all of its packaged files are crucial to the system, so they're locked down tighter than the Apple HQ. To unlock the plist file for editing, you first need to give yourself permission. Click the file to highlight it, and choose File > Get Info (Command-I); at the bottom of the Info window, click the disclosure triangle labeled Ownership & Permissions. Click the lock icon, and change the name in the Owner pull-down menu from System to your user name, and enter an administrator password at the prompt. The Access pull-down menu should automatically change to Read & Write - if it doesn't, change it manually.

Permission is half the law ... right?