How To: Install Mac Apps

I was using a friend's Mac a while ago, and I noticed he had a large number of installation disk images sitting on his desktop. at first I wondered if he had recently installed a lot of software, but then I realized he was actually running his apps out of the disk images.

If you're reading this, you might not know exactly how to install Mac apps, and you may just make the same mistake my friend did. So, what should he have done differently? How do you install Mac apps? It's incredibly easy, and I'll explain how to do it.

Read the rest of this post »

Read More

Add Hidden Autocorrect bar in iOS 5

There's a hidden, Android-like autocorrect bar for the keyboard in iOS 5. I'll explain how to add it, below, but I should caution anyone, it will change how your keyboard functions dramatically.

| didn't think I'd like this addition to the keyboard based only on the fact that it would reduce the space above the keyboard. After trying it, I found another reason to dislike it. After typing a word, you have to push the confirm key. The space bar acts as a "Next" button until you've confined a word, which means pressing it will automatically select a different word from the list. Essentially, you'll make far more mistakes using this keyboard. Even if you get comfortable using it, it still requires an extra keystroke for every word: the Confirm key, and then the Space key. Honestly, I can't imagine why anyone would want to add this feature.

Still, if you'd like to try it, I'll give the instructions below. It's just like enabling the Panorama mode without jail breaking, so it involves creating a backup, modifying the backup, and restoring the phone to that backup. It's not a quick process, and I really wish I hadn't wasted so much time doing it. Still, if you're willing to try it out, and risk any issues from mistakes, here's the directions:



Read the rest of this post »

Read More

UPDATED: Enable Hidden Panorama Mode Without Jailbreak

Here's a way you can enable the hidden panorama mode in iOS 5 without jail breaking, and without having developer access. It's clever, and relatively easy is you have average computer skills. Essentially what you'll be doing is creating a backup, modifying that backup on your computer, and then restoring your iPhone from your backup. The step-by-step guide is below.

Read the rest of this post »

Read More

Change Login Background in Lion

Yesterday, I showed how you could change the background of the Dashboard, Mission Control, and the folders in Launchpad. There's one more default background that you could change, the one behind the login window. Changing it is as easy as changing the other backgrounds. Just create a copy of the original file, and replace it with your own PNG image.

You'll want to navigate to the folder location below. Just copy the path, go into Finder, and press Command + Shift + G, and paste that path in.
/System/Library/Frameworks/AppKit.framework/Versions/C/Resources

The file you'll be replacing is called NSTexturedFullScreenBackgroundColor.png

You may have to play around until you find a background you like. A few things to remember:

• It must be a PNG image


• 72PPI resolution (most images will fit this requirement)


• And create a backup of the original!

Again, if you're not comfortable changing system files, this isn't for you. Honestly, it's not too hard, and as long as you make backups of the originals, it's safe to do. So if you don't like Apple's backgrounds, why not make a few of your own?

via AskDaveTaylor

Read More

Customize Lion Backgrounds

Did you know you could customize the backgrounds of Dashboard, Mission Control, and even the Folders in Launchpad? You'll be working with system files, but if you're willing to do so, try it out.

First off, you may want to make a backup. Use Time Machine, or make a copy of the files you'll be editing. Before replacing the images, you should copy them, even if you've use Time Machine to make a backup.

More below.

Read the rest of this post »

Read More

Get System-Wide Zoom in Lion

If you frequently use the system wide zoom feature in Mac OS (Ctrl+Scroll), you may be a bit disappointed to find that it has been disabled in Lion. This is because applications such as Safari now feature more intuitive zooming using the pinch gesture. However, this won't work for all applications, and it doesn't zoom the full screen. If you have vision issues, or frequently show of a section of your screen to others, this could be a problem.

But, fear not, it's actuality very easy to add the functionality back into Lion. How to, along with screen shots below.

Read the rest of this post »

Read More

Create Full Screen Shortcuts in Lion

Lion adds great support for full screen apps, but one feature you may like is a keyboard shortcut to enter and exit full screen. Fortunately, Mac OS makes it easy to create your own keyboard shortcuts.
Cult of Mac has created a guide for adding new keyboard shortcuts for full screen. The step-by-step instructions are below.

Read the rest of this post »

Read More

Yes, That Flash Drive Will Work on your Mac

One of the concerns of new Mac owners is whether or not an external drive will work on their Mac. But you shouldn't fear, I haven't found a flash drive that doesn't work with a Mac yet. This is because most drive manufactures make drives that are formatted in a way that allows it to work on both Macs and PCs.

However, there are drives that are specifically formatted for Windows. Out of the box, they won't work on a Mac. You won't be able to open or read them. However, these drives can be reformatted with ease, and they'll work fine after a quick procedure. As a reminder, formatting a drive will delete all contents on it, you can't do this if you'd like to save the data on the drive.
More below.
Read the rest of this post »

Read More

Upgrading to Lion Tomorrow? Here's a Simple To-Do List

There are a few things you can do to make installing a new OS go as quickly as possible. And fortunately, you still have time tonight to prepare your Mac for Lion. Below, I've created a list of preparations to make sure your installation of Lion goes quickly and smoothly.

Read the rest of this post »

Read More