Skip to Content

Gadling's resident pilot explains what life in the cockpit is like
AOL Tech

Posts with tag mac os

Filed under: OS, Software

Rock your clipboard with CopyPaste Pro

Described as "Time Machine for the clipboard," CopyPastePro takes your Mac's clipboard way beyond simple temporary storage.

There's a multiple clipboard option of course, but CopyPaste Pro also lets you edit the contents of a given clipboard (or "clips" as they call them) with its built-in word processor, create an archive of previous clips and even review clips via a "clip browser," which resembles Mac OS X's application switcher.

If you're one of those users who just can't live with the standard Mac OS clipboard, check out CopyPaste Pro.

CopyPaste Pro requires Mac OS X version 10.4.x or 10.5.x. For a short time, users of CopyPaste can upgrade to CopyPaste Pro for $20US. On May 12th, the price will go up to $30US.

Filed under: Leopard

So what other tricks can we expect from Leopard?



Along with today's announcement of Leopard's release date, Apple has also now updated the Mac OS X site to reflect all the enhancements you can find in the latest release of OS X. So, what's new?

Apple, clearly keen to show what they've been working on in the last few months (what with the delay n'all), have listed all 316 features, categorised them and allowed you to peruse them at your leisure. Here's just a few that caught my eye:
  • AppleScript can now read and write plist files (whilst a little thing, and a niche feature at best, this is promising if you're wanting to backup items such as serial numbers for applications from the application plist files, and do it in AppleScript)
  • .Mac syncing of more system items (Dock items, Dahsboard widgets, Mail notes and, it appears, even the entire System Preferences)
  • TextEdit now support Open Document and Word 2007 files.
  • Open panels now have a Media Browser tab, allowing you to open items directly from the relevant location.
  • Library Randomization - identical to Windows Vista's Address Space Layout Randomization, meaning that people looking to exploit Mac OS X can't rely on system code being at a specific memory address (i.e. it's harder to persuade an OS X system process to execute malicious code). Whilst Apple has always touted the more robust security of Mac vs Windows, it's good to see they're not sitting on their laurels and becoming complacent with OS X. Also of note is the digital signature technology in all the Leopard applications (and third-party developers can sign applications too). I've always believed this to be a technology that would be used in any iPhone SDK, so seeing it within XCode is a promising move - even if the possible use of Digital Signing in an iPhone SDK is pure conjecture on my part.
  • Front Row now sports the Apple TV interface, and the integration with the Apple Movie Trailer site.
  • iChat has seen a smorgasbord of new features added - Photo Booth effects, new media codecs, video and audio chat recording, tabbed chats, the ability to hide your own local video from a chat window, and screen sharing.
The list goes on. After a somewhat disappointing WWDC Keynote this year, the '300+ feature' proclamation has reassured me that Apple hasn't necessarily lost its way as a desktop OS and computer company. 26th October just cannot come quick enough.

Filed under: Leopard

Leopard makes an Amazon appearance



Apple's next-gen OS, Mac OS X 10.5, aka Leopard, is expected to ship in Spring '07. This is not a secret. But somehow we feel better when Amazon confirms it for us. As Nelson pointed out in the iWork '07 on Amazon comments, they are already listing Leopard with a note that says "Scheduled to ship in spring 2007."

Amazon is conveniently offering to email you when it's available for purchase. I guess Mac lovers who plan to be in hibernation for the next 3 months might need that.

Thanks Sean and Nelson!

Filed under: OS, How-tos, Tips and tricks

All the cool things your Mac can do

I know your Mac is really cool, and you know it's really cool, but do all of your friends (especially those using Windows)? One of the things I really enjoy is gloating showing off some of my Mac's more interesting tricks, a job made easier by this cool list at Silver Mac. They describe one of my favorite tricks right off the bat: If you highlight at word in any cocoa app (like Safari) and hit Command-Control-D, a small window will appear with the dictionary definition and part of speech of that particular word. Move the cursor from word to word, and see their respective definitions.

The article also describes how to invert your screen's colors, create a quick text clipping and more. Check it out, and really "wow" your friends.

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Software, Odds and ends, Apple

Life changing software

James Fee has posted about software that changed his life, and it struck me as a very powerful idea. Can a bucket of bits and bytes really change anyone's life? The more I thought about it, the more I knew it was true. Software can change lives, it has certainly changed mine.

Back to James for a moment. He lists the following software as life changing (for him):
  • Hypercard
  • ArcInfo
  • BBEdit
  • Freehand
  • ArcView
Not too shabby. This, of course, got me thinking about the software that has had an impact on my life. Mac OS 8.6 sprung immediately to mind. That's what my first Mac ran, and it was the first time that I felt like I was working with a computer instead of at a computer (a subtle, but telling difference). 8.6 was my entrance into the Cult of Mac and now look at me! I'm a titan of the Mac web and I have owned more Mac gear should be allowable by law.

So, dear readers, has any software changed your life?

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion

I can't use a Mac unless...

I set up a lot of out-of-the-box Macs at work. If I'm getting them ready for life as a general workstation machine, I just give them my usual run through. However, If I'm lucky enough to be working on a machine that I'm going to be using, I can get everything set up the way I like it. In short, I can't use a Mac unless...

  • All Finder windows are set to column view. Seriously, icon and list view are just infuriating to me at this point. I don't know how I used list view so happily for all those years with the "classic Mac OS."
  • The desktop bears only one single icon. That icon is the hard drive. I cannot understand people whose desktops are so littered with icons that the desktop picture is barely visible. I don't know how they find anything, or even focus on the screen. I'd need a Ritalin smoothie to use that machine.
  • The Dock is transparent and borderless. I started using TransparentDock a while ago, and now the sight of a white Dock just irks me. Speaking of the dock...
  • The hard drive and Applications folder are in the Dock. But that's a given, right?
  • Quicksilver is installed. That's right, I can't use a Mac that doesn't have Quicksilver installed. I find myself hitting Command-space on other machines all the time, as it's ingrained in my muscle memory at this point. I can hit Command-space-m- (for Mail) Return without even thinking about it.
  • I have a two button mouse. Just try it for a week, you'll never go back.

So, there you have it. What's your list?

Tip of the Day

To hide drives or optical media on your Desktop, choose Finder > Preferences. In the General tab, choose which items you want to show on your Desktop. Place a check next items you want to see or clear the checkboxes to hide items.


Follow us on Twitter!

Sponsored Links

Featured Galleries

DNC Macs
Macworld 2008 Keynote
Macworld 2008 Build-up
Podcaster
Apple Vanity Plates
Apple booth Macworld 07
DiscPainter
Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D
Macworld Expo 2007 show floor
Apple Texas Hold 'Em
The Macworld Faithful in Line
iPhone First Look
Facebook 2 for iPhone
Best Buy Express selling iPods at LAX
Jack-o-Lantern Screensaver
Ten Fun and Free iPhone apps
Take a stroll down memory lane
First Look: SousChef for Mac
First Look: Grocery iQ for iPhone
Pixelmator 1.3
Earthscape

 

More Apple Analysis