MacModifier

MacModifier #31: Quick iCal Edits

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:44:30 -0700

MacModifier #30 - Instant Alpha In Preview

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:25:19 -0700

This screencast will show you haw to use the Instant Alpha tool in Preview. This tool is easily found in any of the iWork apps, but this gives you a faster alternative. There is also a small little trick I show you how to do. The only code you need to know is "killall Dock", which restarts the Dock. Enjoy!

MacModifier #29 - Make Apps Auto-Hide

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:05:56 -0800

This is a short screencast showing how you can make applications automatically hide when you change the active app, making only one visible at a time. Into Terminal, type everything within the quotations: "defaults write com.apple.dock single-app -bool TRUE" then hit Return. Then type: "killall Dock". To reverse this, change "TRUE" to "FALSE" and retype "killall Dock". Make sure you have your speakers on! Check out my site at http://www.macscreencastnetwork.com or search 'MacModifier' on YouTube.

MacModifier #28 - Automatic iDisk Login

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 07:09:06 -0800

This is a short screencast showing how you can make your MobileMe iDisk appear on your desktop automatically whenever you login. You do not need any special software but you do need a MobileMe account, http://www.me.com/ (roughly $99.99 a year). Make sure you have your speakers on! Check out my site at http://www.macscreencastnetwork.com or search 'MacModifier' on YouTube.

MacModifier #27 - Archive Utility

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:01:51 -0800

This is a short screencast showing how you can access the hidden Archive Utility and its preferences. I show it with Mac OS X Leopard but I am unaware if it also came with Mac OS X Tiger and earlier. Make sure you have your speakers on! Check out my site at http://www.macscreencastnetwork.com or search 'MacModifier' on YouTube.

MacModifier #26 - Remove iTunes Store Arrows

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:43:48 -0700

This is a short screencast showing how you can disable the iTunes Store Arrows in iTunes 8. Copy and paste all the code inside the quotes into Terminal. (Applications-Utilities-Terminal) "defaults write com.apple.iTunes show-store-arrow-links -bool FALSE" To reverse it, change "FALSE" to "TRUE". Make sure you have your speakers on! Check out my site at http://www.macscreencastnetwork.com or search 'MacModifier' on YouTube.

MacModifier #25 - Springy Dock

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 13:58:15 -0700

This is a short screencast showing how you can enable spring loaded icons in the Dock. Copy and paste all the code inside the quotes into Terminal. (Applications>Utilities>Terminal) "defaults write com.apple.dock enable-spring-load-actions-on-all-items -boolean YES; killall Finder" To reverse it, change "YES" to "NO". Make sure you have your speakers on! Check out my site at http://www.macscreencastnetwork.com or search 'MacModifier' on YouTube.

MacModifier #24 - iTunes Sound Enhancer

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:39:27 -0700

This is a short screencast showing how you can enhance your music quality in iTunes 8. As I say in the video, I never saw it in iTunes 7 or earlier, but I read online that it was there. Make sure you have your speakers on! Check out my site at http://www.macscreencastnetwork.com or search 'MacModifier' on YouTube.

MacModifier #23 - Easily Check Contact Groups

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:34:22 -0700

This is a short screencast showing how you can highlight the Address Book Group that the selected contact is in with a single keystroke. Make sure you have your speakers on! Check out my site at http://www.macscreencastnetwork.com or search 'MacModifier' on iTunes.

MacModifier #22 - Easily Navigate Drop-Down Windows

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:00:15 -0700

This is a short screencast showing how you can drag and drop Finder window icons to navigate a drop-down window. This works for any "Save" drop-down as well as any "Open" drop-down. It can also be from any program, from Safari to iMovie. Make sure you have your speakers on! Check out my site at http://www.macscreencastnetwork.com or search 'MacModifier' on YouTube.

MacModifier #21 - Run The Periodic Scripts

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:39:27 -0700

This is a short screencast showing how to run the periodic scripts via the Terminal. These scripts run at Midnight on your Mac but they will not if it is off. The script is "sudo periodic daily weekly monthly". Copy everything inside the quotes. You will need to be an administrator to run these. Make sure you have your speakers on! Check out my site at http://www.macscreencastnetwork.com or search 'MacModifier' on YouTube.

MacModifier #20 - Display Phone Numbers Full Screen

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 12:38:12 -0700

This is a short screencast showing how you can view Apple Address Book phone numbers enlarged to the size of your screen. No additional software is required. This feature is built into Address Book. Make sure you have your speakers on! Check out my site at http://www.macscreencastnetwork.com or search 'MacModifier' on YouTube.

Protect Yourself From A Trojan Horse

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:42:33 -0700

This is a short screencast showing what you can do to protect yourself from the recent Trojan Horse targeting Mac OS X. This tip will prevent Apple's Remote Desktop from working. You will need Administrative privileges to modify the ARDAgent. Make sure you have your speakers on! Check out my site at http://www.macscreencastnetwork.com or search 'MacModifier', 'MacApplicator' and 'SitesMonthly' on YouTube.

MacModifier #19 - Subscribe To iCal Calendars

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:33:18 -0700

This is a short screencast showing how to subscribe to iCal calendars. I show the site http://icalshare.com/ These calendars work in all versions of iCal. Make sure you have your speakers on! Check out my site at http://www.macscreencastnetwork.com or search 'MacModifier' on YouTube.

MacModifier #18 - Eject Local Drives With An AppleScript

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:10:33 -0700

This is a short screencast on how to write an AppleScript that will eject all local drives that are smaller than the predetermined size. The code for the AppleScript is: “tell application “Finder” to eject (every disk whose ejectable is true and local volume is true and physical size < 5.0E+13)”. Copy everything within the first set of quotes, excluding the quotes themselves. Make sure you have your speakers on! Check out my site at http://www.macscreencastnetwork.com or search 'MacModifier' on YouTube.

MacModifier #17 - Run WebKit

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:23:58 -0700

This is a short screencast of how to run a new version of Safari; WebKit. WebKit is the rendering engine for Safari and is updated almost daily. I use the Acid3 test at http://acid3.acidtests.org to compare Safari and WebKit. The program is free and available from http://www.webkit.org Make sure you have your speakers on! Check out my site at http://www.macscreencastnetwork.com or search 'MacModifier' on YouTube.

MacModifier #16 - Create Animated Slideshows

Sat, 17 May 2008 18:25:09 -0700

This is a short screencast of how to create an animated slideshow. I have received several emails about how I created the openings for my podcasts. This shows you how I did it. The program is $8 and available from http://www.arizona-software.ch/photopresenter Make sure you have your speakers on! Check out my site at http://www.macscreencastnetwork.com or search 'MacModifier' on YouTube.

MacModifier #15 - Change The Default Desktop Wallpaper

Tue, 06 May 2008 15:49:07 -0700

This is a short screencast of how to change the default desktop wallpaper. This will change the wallpaper that is automatically placed when you create a new account. Also, it will change the background of your Mac’s login screen. It will work in Leopard as well as in Tiger. Make sure you have your speakers on! Check out my site at http://www.macmodifier.com or search 'MacModifier' on YouTube.

MacModifier #14 - 'Set As Wallpaper' Menu Option

Fri, 02 May 2008 18:51:54 -0700

This is a short screencast of how to add a contextual menu option that places the selected image as your desktop wallpaper. It uses automator but the action is available in Leopard as well as Tiger. Make sure you have your speakers on!

MacModifier #13 - Use Alternate iTunes Visualizers

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:28:22 -0700

This is a short screencast of how to use the alternate visualizers available in iTunes. As far as I know, only iTunes 7 has these other visualizers. Make sure you have your speakers on!

Convert MacModifier For Your iPod

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:35:05 -0700

This is a screencast, not counting as an actual episode, that shows you how to convert the previous episodes of MacModifier into MPEG-4. This will allow them to auto sync to your iPod. This applies to episodes 1-12. All future episodes, including this one, are already in the correct format. Make sure you have your speakers on!

MacModifier #12 - Get Terminal To Welcome You

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:58:20 -0700

This is a short screencast of how to get the Terminal to give you a welcome message in each new window. This is a feature that was in Mac OS X Tiger but taken out for Leopard. The code is, in order: “cd /etc”, “sudo pico motd”, {Your Message}, “{Control}-X”, “Y”, and “{Enter}”. Make sure you have your speakers on!

MacModifier #11 - Lock The Finder To All Spaces

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:26:59 -0700

This is a short screencast of how to keep the Finder showing in all Expose Spaces. While other windows will remain in their original Space, an open Finder window will stay in view as you switch between Spaces. Make sure you have your speakers on!

MacModifier #10 - Add A Trash Stack

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:03:00 -0700

This is a short screencast of how to add a stack to your Dock that will show the contents of your Trash. From The “Go To Folder” Menu, type “~/.Trash”. Make sure you have your speakers on!

MacModifier #9 - Add Mac OS X Leopard's Hidden Searches

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:12:41 -0700

This is a short screencast of adding the hidden Mac OS X Leopard searches to the sidebar or your dock. Make sure you have your speakers on!

MacModifier #8 - Increase iTunes Volume Past The Slider

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:55:00 -0800

This is a short screencast of increasing iTunes’ volume to a higher level than you can with the iTunes slider or the system sound. It is shown in iTunes 7.6 but will work with any version of iTunes that supports the equalizer. Make sure you have your speakers on!

MacModifier #7 - Rename Your Boot Camp Partition

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:38:00 -0800

This is short screencast of how to rename your Boot Camp partition from the standard “Untitled” that you get with an NTFS formatted drive. This mod works in Mac OS X Leopard as well as in Tiger. I am sorry that I missed last week’s episode but my second semester of school was starting. This is the second episode for this week. The website address for this program is www.twocanoes.com/winclone Make sure your have you speakers on!

Update: Please note that the new version of Winclone (2.0 or greater) does not support this feature. This tip is only valid if you are using version 1.6.6 or earlier. At the time of this post, you can download version 1.6.6 from http://winclone.en.softonic.com/mac

MacModifier #6 - Make An Image Of Your Boot Camp Partition

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:19:00 -0800

This is short screencast showing how to make an image of your Boot Camp partition for a future restore if a virus or spyware strikes. This tip uses a program called Winclone. This mod works in Mac OS X Leopard as well as in Tiger. There is a short jump in the video because I had to cut out a part that showed personal files. I am sorry that I missed last week’s episode but my second semester of school was starting. There will be two episodes this week. The website address for this program is http://www.twocanoes.com/wincloneMake sure you have your speakers on!

MacModifier #5 - Remove The PowerPC Code From Apps

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 12:02:00 -0800

This is short screencast of removing the PowerPC code from applications using Xslimmer. This will speed up the launch of the programs. I will try to keep my tips from using paid software in the future. This mod works in Mac OS X Leopard as well as in Tiger. I know that at about 4:00 minutes in, I say, “...time it good.” I know it should be well, I was just talking fast. :-) Make sure you have your speakers on!

MacModifier #4 Part 2 - Change Mac OS X Leopard's 3D Dock

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 11:49:00 -0800

This is part 2 of a semi-short screencast of changing the background of the new 3D dock in Mac OS X Leopard. This mod only works in Mac OS X Leopard. I had to make this a two-part tip because of bandwidth limits. The video should appear white at the beginning. The transition between the two videos is rough because it was not planed. Future two-part tips will be smoother. Make sure you have your speakers on!

MacModifier #4 Part 1 - Change Mac OS X Leopard's 3D Dock

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 11:29:00 -0800

This is part 1 of a semi-short screencast of changing the background of the new 3D dock in Mac OS X Leopard. This mod only works in Mac OS X Leopard. I had to make this a two-part tip because of bandwidth limits. The transition between the two videos is rough because it was not planed. Future two-part tips will be smoother. Make sure your have you speakers on!

MacModifier #3 - Add Processor Pref Pane To Mac Menu Bar

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:16:00 -0800

This is a short screencast of adding the hidden processor preference pane to System Preferences and the Menu Bar. It is shown in Mac OS X Leopard, but unfortunately, I have not tested this mod under Tiger. Make sure you have your speakers on!

MacModifier #2 - Rearrange Mac OS X's Menu Bar

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:07:00 -0800

This is a short screencast of rearranging the items in the Menu Bar. It is shown in Mac OS X Leopard, but this tip works in Tiger as well. Make sure you have your speakers on!

MacModifier #1 - Edit Mac OS X Leopard's Contextual Menu

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:31:00 -0800

This is a short screencast of changing the contextual menu items in Mac OS X Leopard. I have not tested this mod under Tiger. I will try to keep my mods as Tiger/Leopard friendly as possible in my futures posts, but for know, Leopard only. Make sure you have your speakers on!