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This is a very simple site, all I am trying to do here is to share what I do to make my mac more usable. It involves few changes to the settings, installation of some small apps and widgets, but also some basic howtos.

 
 

This site is still in a very early stages of development, not complete and is not really usable yet, but I will be writing things here a bit at a time.

 
 

Things I change first when I get a new mac:

  • Configure mouse speed (and tap to click on laptops)
  • I fix finder viewing option, add path, icon size and arrangement
  • I create several sub folders in Application folder with few categories and move all app there exept ones from apple
  • Create a shortcut for Applications in the Dock
  • Configure Multiple users login and fast user switching
  • Configure Menubar to show time with seconds, date and day of the week
  • International Keyboard Settings (if you ever type in other languages), and fix keyboard shortcut for it, so it does not conflict with spotlight
  • I go through the entire System Preferences here and I adjust things, but if you are new to that just go though and look, you can change everything later

Things I install right away when I get a new mac:

  • Install StaffIt Expender (if it is not installed)
  • TinkerTool, FolderGlance, Witch, Menumeters, Adium, Growl, Skype, Erroneous, HandBrake, RDC Menu, Firefox, SnapNDrag, VLC, Perian, Cyberduck, GMail Notifier, TubeTV, ClamXav
  • Finder Up-Button (a missing "Open parent folder" button for the Finder)
  • Run Apple System Update

Help for some mac applications


Quick hints

  • To flush DNS, open Terminal and type: dscacheutil -flushcache
  • ⌘+Shift+. (Command Shift Dot) in dialog boxex toggles hidden files
  • ~/Library/Application Support/Skype/%skypeusername%/IMHistory is the location of chat history

 
   © setupmac.com, last updated 2009.10.28 by Dimka