I'm always, well, tickled by the things that can happen when you use Terminal commands that begin with "defaults write" -- thus changing the preferences for applications, the Finder, and more, often in ways that you can't accomplish via GUI pref settings. I also get a certain warmness from Leopard's Data Detectors, but I have to confess I rarely use them. It's fun to watch the things that Mail can pick up on, and I've often tested to see what exactly iCal will make of it, but I guess some people just get better emails than I do. Strangely, I do get dates and info via instant messaging on a more regular basis.
You can enable Data Detectors in iChat with one simple command in Terminal:
defaults write com.apple.iChat EnableDataDetectors 1
You can disable it using the same command, but change the '1' to a '0.' Now you get the fun job of calling your closest Mac-using relative and explaining Terminal so they can use a feature that Apple hid from public view for what I can only assume were valid reasons. I hope your aunt has her screen-sharing figured out.
[via Mac OS X Hints]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-05-2008 @ 2:17PM
Zoli said...
Would this work with safari if you used:
defaults write com.apple.Safari EnableDataDetectors 1
??
Reply
1-05-2008 @ 3:22PM
Ed said...
Here's a workaround if you want to go to the trouble, but I think it kind of defeats the purpose of Data Detectors.
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20071108065202610&query=data%2Bdetectors
1-05-2008 @ 2:37PM
Brett Terpstra said...
I'm afraid not. I'm definitely hoping for more wide-spread support for the technology soon.
Reply
1-05-2008 @ 3:17PM
Ed said...
Wasn't this a hint on MacOSXHints, like, 2 months ago?
Reply
1-05-2008 @ 3:23PM
Ed said...
Never mind, it was only 2 weeks ago.
1-07-2008 @ 1:39PM
jay said...
Sometimes the iChat one just stops working. There doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason.
Reply
1-07-2008 @ 2:18PM
Brett Terpstra said...
That would probably be the "valid reason" I was hoping for :).
1-08-2008 @ 1:57AM
blargle said...
...and a reason that they made painfully clear on MacOSXHints.com already.