50 Things Every Mac Geek Should Know

INSIDER RESOURCES

Special Sponsored Section

The video player requires Flash 8 Player or later. Please download the latest Flash Player.

FEATURE
100 Snow Leopard Tips, Tricks, and Features

FEATURE
OS X Browser Speed Wars: May the Fastest App Win

FEATURE
The Complete iTunes History -- SoundJam MP to iTunes 9

FEATURE
iTunes 9 Tips and Tricks - Solve the Mysteries of the New iTunes

TOP STORIES

Feature

50 Things Every Mac Geek Should Know

Posted 03/04/2009 at 6:01:09am | by Mac|Life Staff

timer
Set the iPhone’s timer for however long you think you’ll need to drift off to dreamland, then choose Sleep iPod as the timer action, instead of a ringtone.

Obviously, you won’t apply this tip if you’re driving. But if you’re taking a long plane, train, or car ride and want your iPod to play for a set time so you can take a snooze--without taxing the phone’s battery after you’re snoring away--you can use the phone’s timer so that your music plays until the timer is up. Tap the Clock icon on the Home screen, tap Timer, and then tap When Timer Ends to see your choices. The first item on the list is Sleep iPod. Tap Set. Also remember: The iPhone’s timer is truly handy...it can help you remember to switch your laundry, take a roast out of the oven, or anything else that you’d use a kitchen timer for.

home
Tell your iPhone where you want to go with a double-press of the Home button.

It’s a wonder our iPhones’ Home buttons haven’t worn out from so much pressing--and here’s another trick that will get that button even more use: To set up your iPhone to go directly to a certain function menu with a double-press, tap Settings > General > Home Button. If you haven’t changed this setting, the default for a double-press on Home is to go to the Home screen, but you can change it to go to your iPhone Favorites or the iPod instead. You can also turn iPod Controls on or off here--If you select On, double-pressing Home while the iPod is playing media displays the iPod controls.

If you can’t get your machine to start at all—not even in Safe Mode—and you don’t have your system disk handy, you can start up in single-user mode and use fsck to set things right. fsck is a command-line utility similar to Disk Utility.

Reboot your Mac while holding down Command-S.

At the command-line prompt type: /sbin/fsck –fy. After fsck does its Unix magic you will see one of the following messages: ** The volume (name_of_volume) appears to be OK. If you see that, you’re golden. Or you might see: ***** FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED *****. If you see that, you need to run fsck repeatedly until you see the first message.

When you’re finished, at the command-line prompt, type: reboot.

Your Mac will restart now.

Trouble starting up? If your Mac won’t start up, try using Safe Boot. Safe Boot loads your Mac into Safe Mode and runs a series of utilities during startup.

Start up in Safe Mode by holding down the Shift key when you start or restart. After you’ve started your machine successfully, restart the machine in normal mode. Safe Mode disables many OS X features and shouldn’t be used for anything other than troubleshooting.

Introduced in OS X Tiger, Automator is like a personal assistant for busy Mac users. The standalone app, found in the Applications folder, can light a fire under your productivity by, well, automating certain repetitive tasks in most Mac apps. One smart way to get started with Automator is to locate freeware and shareware Automator actions on the Internet and download them. Google automator actions or go to Apple’s site to download them at www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/automator/.

Now, if you want to start by creating a very simple Automator action, try this. It’s an action we use to resize multiple images for posting on the Web or emailing. This action uses a combination of tasks in Finder and Preview to open images you have selected in a Finder window, copy them to a folder called Scaled Images, leaving the originals untouched, scaling each image so it’s 480 pixels wide and saving each scaled image with “_scaled” added to the end of its filename. Here’s how to build this workflow in Automator.

auto
Sure, it’s only a four-step workflow, but our custom Scale Images action saves us hours every week.

1. Launch Automator. Select Files & Folders when asked to select a starting point to open a new workflow.

2. In the far left-hand (Actions) pane of the Automator window, under Library, select Files & Folders.

3. Select Get Selected Finder Items and drag it to the workflow area (where it says “Drag actions or files here to create your workflow”). This becomes Step 1 of your workflow.

4. Select Copy Finder Items from the right side of the Actions pane and drag it to the workflow area below step 1.

5. Since you want to copy the files as they are to a new folder on your Desktop called Scaled Images, under Copy Finder Items To, click the down arrow and select Other. Make sure Desktop is selected at the top of the Open dialog, click New Folder and create a folder called Scaled Images. Select that folder and click Open. Now step 2 in your workflow should say Copy Finder Items to Scaled Images.

6. Now is where the fun begins—can’t you feel it? On the left side of the Actions pane, select Photos, then look for the Preview icon on the right, followed by the words “Scale Images.” Select this and drag it to the workflow pane as step 3 of your workflow.

7. On the left side of the Actions pane, select Files & Folders again and then drag Rename Finder Items to the bottom of the workflow pane. A dialog pops up warning you that this action will change the names of the Finder items passed into it (duh), but you don’t want two copies of each file, so click Don’t Add. Rename Finder Items becomes step 4 of your workflow, but you’re not quite finished.

8. To add “_scaled” to the end of each scaled image’s file name, click the down arrow next to Add Date or Time and select Add Text. In the add field type _scaled and keep “after name” selected to the right. Finally, to test the workflow, open a Finder window with some images in it, select them, and in Automator, click Run. If the workflow runs smoothly, you can save it for future use. The easiest way to save a new Automator action is to save it as an application: File > Save As > Application, then name it. For fastest access, we plopped our Scale Images action into the Dock. Now whenever we have a group of images to scale for posting online, we just select them in a Finder window and drag them to that icon in the Dock. Alternatively, you can also save the Automator action as a Finder plug-in, so it can be accessed by right-clicking on a selection. To do this, choose File > Save As Plug-in.

True Mac geeks rely on a cadre of third-party apps for customizing OS X and working smarter and faster. Here are our essentials, no matter what kind of Mac geek you are. In our case, we use them all.

FOR PRODUCTIVITY GEEKS: Quicksilver (free beta)

FOR AUDIO GEEKS: Audio Hijack Pro ($32)

FOR MENU GEEKS: FruitMenu ($12)

FOR ICON GEEKS: CandyBar ($29)

FOR BACKUP GEEKS: Déjà Vu ($24.95)

FOR CLEAN-DESKTOP GEEKS: DragThing ($29)

There are some things you just can’t take back, like spilling a mug of hot tea on your Mac’s keyboard. But even these kinds of disasters usually have straightforward solutions—as long as you keep your wits about you. In the case of a Mac keyboard or an iPhone taking a soaking, for example, fast, calm reaction is what will save your bacon. For solutions to these and 17 major Mac and iPhone/iPod disasters, see www.maclife.com/article/feature/how_survive_17_worst_mac_disasters.

If you get bored by Terminal Tetris, you can play Snake instead.

Execute this Terminal command: emacs

Press Return, then press Escape-X.

At the prompt type: Snake.

Press Return.

Your goal is to eat the red rectangles while avoiding the walls.

COMMENTS: 45

TAGS: Safari, MacBook, QuickTime, Garageband, Terminal, iChat, iLife 09

COMMENTS

iChat can have Growl notifications!
Submitted by caw61 on Wed, 2009-03-04 08:29

It's true!

Through the use of Chax (Latest Version 2.2)

http://www.ksuther.com/chax/

Login or register to post comments

We danced in the streets
Submitted by Markweee on Thu, 2009-08-13 04:51

We danced in the streets when we heard the news. We figured a few
hundred apps would be released. We'd play a few games, send a few
tweets from the road, and make a few Facebook friends while waiting in
line at our favorite taqueria.

english degree AND online doctorate degree

Login or register to post comments

Always wanted to change
Submitted by Heribertos Ellers on Mon, 2009-10-05 15:01

Always wanted to change Safari so that new 'windows" open in a new tab
instead. Unfortunately "defaults write com.apple.Safari
TargetedClicksCreateTabs –bool TRUE" doesn't work. Returns "Unexpected
argument TRUE" Medifast and lipotrim diet plans

Login or register to post comments

Neato
Submitted by GamreMack on Thu, 2009-10-22 21:43

My only beef with macs is that they don't work on a lot of mmorpg games =[. I'm a big gamer so I need to have a windows pc nearby to play my MMOs. Free MMORPG

Login or register to post comments

Mousing Over Dock Icons
Submitted by soxboston on Wed, 2009-03-04 10:32

Shift-Command isn't the right shortcut for this function. Shift-Control will enlarge the dock icons.

Login or register to post comments

thanks for the heads up
Submitted by Roberto Baldwin on Wed, 2009-03-04 12:58

It's been fixed.
Login or register to post comments

Enlarge icons in Dock
Submitted by edwinblaw on Thu, 2009-03-12 14:11

Must not have the right touch. Couldn't get to work. Dock preferences is only thing I've found to change magnification. ????Ed The only love you can buy is that of a dog.

Login or register to post comments

Calculator
Submitted by Jamie on Wed, 2009-03-04 11:56

Actually, Spotlight does your calculations for you right in the Spotlight bar. Pressing return exits Spotlight and launches Calculator, sans the math you were just doing

Login or register to post comments

Saving PDF's
Submitted by thebendds on Wed, 2009-03-04 13:36

That screenshot for saving PDF's is misleading. It looks like that computer already has Acrobat on it, in which case, yes you could save a PDF like that.

If you don't have Acrobat, go to File > Print, select the PDF button (near the bottom left of the dialog) and click "Save as PDF."

Login or register to post comments

Safari has a master password, sort of.
Submitted by execute on Wed, 2009-03-04 16:23

In Keychain Access, edit Safari Forms AutoFill's access control to: 'Confirm before allowing access' and check 'Ask for Keychain password'.

Login or register to post comments

Snake & Tetris in Terminal
Submitted by Tree.Boar on Thu, 2009-03-05 06:36

I am following the instructions to the letter, yet Snake and Tetris don't seem to be working.(Running OSX v10.4.11)

Login or register to post comments

I was thinking about buying an airport extreme...
Submitted by thefox on Sat, 2009-03-07 15:20

...so I could use wifi with my 1st Gen. iPhone at home, but thanks to tip #29 my iMac is now a wifi hub, for FREE!!! WOW!!! I'm a macaddict for life thanks mac life.

Login or register to post comments

I can't find my subscription ID
Submitted by eegoldbar1@mac.com on Sat, 2009-03-07 18:43

I would like to know what tip#29 is-I'm just starting. Thanks!

Login or register to post comments

Tip no 4: terminal
Submitted by paulori on Sun, 2009-03-08 12:27

Always wanted to change Safari so that new 'windows" open in a new tab instead. Unfortunately "defaults write com.apple.Safari TargetedClicksCreateTabs –bool TRUE" doesn't work. Returns "Unexpected argument TRUE"

Login or register to post comments

Safari tabs
Submitted by edwinblaw on Thu, 2009-03-12 14:21

Just select Safari Preferences>tabs>check box, cmd click opens a link in a new tab. Or did you already know that :-? Ed The only love you can buy is that of a dog.

Login or register to post comments

I don't think you need to
Submitted by LeftClicker on Tue, 2009-03-17 16:11

I don't think you need to restart, but I'm using Mac OS X 10.5.6. Remember: QUIT any application before you mess around with its defaults in the Terminal!!!

Login or register to post comments

defaults write com.apple.screencapture type JPG NOT WORKING
Submitted by Vstoklosa on Wed, 2009-03-11 22:18

Am I supposed to restart after typing defaults write com.apple.screencapture type JPG into Terminal? This isn't working after several tries.

os x 5.6

RSVP, thanks.

Login or register to post comments

JPG
Submitted by david67nyc on Tue, 2009-10-27 19:13

YOu'll need to log out and back in to see the cahnges take effect. :)

Login or register to post comments

defaults write com.apple.screencapture type JPG NOT WORKING
Submitted by Vstoklosa on Wed, 2009-03-11 22:20

Are we supposed to be in Root when we apply those Terminal commands? Just wondered cause I think I saw another one not working for someone. Thanks.

Login or register to post comments

Ah Contraré the Apple ][+ VisiCalc Applesoft Tutorial RULED 1980
Submitted by pegasus5327 on Sun, 2009-03-15 01:14

Then Apple //e rev (a), Applied Engineerings 1MB Ramworks, Beagle Brothers Super Macro Works, and Appleworks ruled in 1982. Then in 1983 came the ||GS.
Don't feel offended the Wikipedia site is damn spitefully misleading.

Login or register to post comments

#28 Privatunes ???
Submitted by romain.tweedy@v... on Wed, 2009-03-18 08:43

Has anyone actually looked for this tool, Privatunes? The page was last updated in 2007 and the link to the tool takes you to a dead end.

Login or register to post comments

My home name
Submitted by ideb61 on Thu, 2009-03-26 12:50

I bought my lil powerbook from a place called Second Rotation on eBay.
It has their damn name on my home icon for my docs (the one with the house on it) and I can't figure out for the life of me how to get it to mine. I changed me as the only user on the computer.. I don't understand why it didn't revert to my name dchamberlain61 like my user name?
Help

Login or register to post comments

short name can't be changed.
Submitted by maclifesubscrib... on Sat, 2009-03-28 00:15

short name can't be changed. use the system disks you got with the machine and do a clean re-install of the OS so it's really yours. Also, even if you're the only user, make an admin account used only for admin stuff, and surf/work/live in a standard user acct.

Login or register to post comments

#13:=404
Submitted by maclifesubscrib... on Sat, 2009-03-28 00:24

In bash, there is no command dscacheutil.
this would have been great (the kids know about private browsing, but never touch the terminal)
but IT DOES NOT WORK!

Login or register to post comments

Declutter Desktop
Submitted by mountaineerman87 on Sun, 2009-03-29 17:12

i executed this in the terminal and now i want to turn it off because it is really annoying!!!!!!! if anyone knows how to do so please tell me!!!!

Login or register to post comments

Reverse Declutter Desktop
Submitted by gadgetman007 on Sat, 2009-04-25 08:32

"defaults delete com.apple.dock single-app" then "killall Dock"

Login or register to post comments

Safari Private Browsing
Submitted by MaxMarco on Thu, 2009-04-16 09:45

I type this in the terminal:
$ dscacheutil -cachedump -entries Host

My terminal sends me the following:
-bash: dscacheutil: command not found

When I send: man dscacheutil
It sez: No manual entry for dscacheutil

What's up with that? What am I doing wrong on my Powerbook G4 w/
OS X Version 10.4.11?

"There are two things, science and opinion. The former begets knowledge, the latter ignorance."Hippocrates 460-377 BCE

Login or register to post comments

missing top 10 item-write to ntfs
Submitted by F3R on Sun, 2009-05-03 04:21

Read and write to any ntfs drive by installing macFUSE and NTFS-3G. This one is HUGE compared to most of the items that made your list.

Login or register to post comments

FYI: I quickly benchmarked browsers on my 10.4 Mac Mini.
Submitted by roystonlodge on Tue, 2009-05-05 05:35

With so many browser choices out there, I did a quick-n-dirty benchmarking exercise using http://www.futuremark.com/peacekeeper.

Firefox didn't come out looking so hot, falling well behind Safari. But the standard version of Safari didn't come out on top either. The browser that performed the best was the development version of Safari, otherwise known as WebKit. Of course, you have to put up with the bugs inherent with using a development version of a piece of software.

iCab, Shiira, and Omniweb all performed moderately better than standard Safari. Opera, Flock and Firefox were virtually identical. Camino and Seamonkey sucked ass.

The results are on my personal blog as a nice, eye-pleasing graph: http://web.ncf.ca/ao668/2009/04/benchmarking-os-x-browsers.html

(My computer's a 1.25mhz Mac Mini with 512MB of RAM running OSX 10.4.11)

Login or register to post comments

*shakes head* I love all my
Submitted by Nekollx on Fri, 2009-05-29 12:37

*shakes head*
I love all my PCs, Mac, Linux, Windows, PSP, but if you going to make a "50 tips" can you leave out the fluff.

I mean to optimize my Pro Tower do i REALLY need to know Steve Jobs Birth Day? And then spreading the lie that its more secure just because no one bothers to hack it is disingenuous at best and a outright lie at worse.

the rest of the tips...pretty nice

Login or register to post comments

Funny how there are more
Submitted by mickhhp on Fri, 2009-10-09 14:28

Funny how there are more people who will never use or buy a Mac commenting here than anyone else. If you guys hate Macs so much, just block the category. Other than that, you're just making lots of noise, and not convincing anyone of anything. rent a car | bijuterii

Login or register to post comments

Great list...
Submitted by Adult-Toys on Mon, 2009-09-14 22:14

Though, a top 25 would probably have been just as beneficial.

Adult Toys

Login or register to post comments

that's what i'm talking
Submitted by Nekollx on Wed, 2009-09-23 14:21

that's what i'm talking about. It like doing a report on "50 tips aboout your isp you should know" then including "land speed of the north african swollow" Just the (useful) facts man

Login or register to post comments

level of geekitude
Submitted by virgilm on Sat, 2009-09-19 00:39

Your level of geekitude depends on how deeply you strive to connect with your Mac and OS X

VirgilM part of Add Links team.

Login or register to post comments

Sorry mate but...
Submitted by artnok on Sun, 2009-09-20 15:05

Open Spotlight is CTRL + Spacebar.
CMD + Spacebar is nuttin'.
And that's one of the things YOU SHOULD KNOW.

Login or register to post comments

awww
Submitted by BabyCots on Thu, 2009-09-24 09:40

Nice list, but according to the list im no mac geek :( Baby Cots

Login or register to post comments

Thanks for sharing this
Submitted by sparesr4sissies on Fri, 2009-09-25 05:29

Thanks for sharing this information. I love the history stuff.
Painted Pine Furniture

Login or register to post comments

Great list indeed.. thanks
Submitted by lora.a on Wed, 2009-10-14 20:27

Great list indeed.. thanks for the classic pictures...

Login or register to post comments

This is an awesome post,
Submitted by JJFlemming on Sun, 2009-11-08 13:15

This is an awesome post, completely agree with the points made about the iPod!

Login or register to post comments

thank you ar..is
Submitted by ammarvvip (not verified) on Wed, 2009-11-11 08:35

thank you ar..is nice4657
شات صوتي, دردشه صوتيه, شات مصريه, شات دردشة دردشه دردشة موبايل شات دردشه

Login or register to post comments

thanks you ar..is
Submitted by ammarvvip (not verified) on Wed, 2009-11-11 08:36

thanks you ar..is nicegge4
شات صوتي, دردشه صوتيه, شات مصريه, شات دردشة دردشه دردشة موبايل شات دردشه

Login or register to post comments

thanksss ar..is nice شات
Submitted by ammarvvip (not verified) on Wed, 2009-11-11 08:37

thanksss ar..is nice
شات صوتي, دردشه صوتيه, شات مصريه, شات دردشة دردشه دردشة موبايل شات دردشه

Login or register to post comments

thank you
Submitted by ammarvvip (not verified) on Wed, 2009-11-11 08:39

thank you fffffffffffff
شات صوتي, دردشه صوتيه, شات مصريه, شات دردشة دردشه دردشة موبايل شات دردشه

Login or register to post comments

THanks
Submitted by christmassms on Sat, 2009-11-14 05:00

Thanks for sharing the 50 things, I think every one can get benefit by using this service. Thanks web hosting reviews

Login or register to post comments