This is a simple one. There are a number of menu bar items that aren’t easily accessed through system preferences that can be found in System -> Library -> CoreServices -> Menu Extras. Double click an interesting item that you find in that folder. To remove the menu bar item simply command drag the menu bar item away from the menu bar.
Author: Dustin Rue
Cinch – Aero Snap for OS X
Found out about this app in a magazine. It allows you to drag a window to the top, left or right and have it expand to fill the screen or the left or right half just like Aero Snap.
Marketplace will be the only way to get apps on Windows Phone 7 Series
Unlike John Gruber I am a bit surprised by this announcement. It seems like there are a large number of PC guys who complain about how closed Apple’s system is. I’m curious how people will react…oh wait they don’t like.
Mac tip of the week: Managing the sidebar
Finder’s sidebar in OS X allows you to add and remove items. This short video shows you how to do so on OS X 10.5 and newer. Older versions of OS X also allow this but the Finder looks different. The way you add and remove is the same. The short video below shows you how.
Linux based tablets are also on their way
As pointed out by this article on Slashdot.org a good number of Linux based tablets are also on their way and set to compete with Apple’s iPad. Of the mentioned tablets I think Android based ones hold the most potential simply because Android was designed from the ground up around the idea of touch input.
The other interesting thing, as always, are the comments on the Slashdot post. I just can’t help but feel the majority of tech savvy people simply don’t understand what the iPad is and why it will be a success. According to a large number of the tech savvy, people want a device they can tinker with, install whatever they choose on and is open. Anything else is evil and you’re dumb if you don’t agree. What they tend to forget is there is a large market of people who just don’t care about openness. They just want a device that works without the need to tinker.
My wife isn’t someone who wants to tinker. She wants results. As a tech savvy person myself, it took me a number of years before I fully understood why turning on the TV, stereo, selecting the right input, turning on the DVD player and selecting the right remote for each device in order to watch a movie simply wasn’t acceptable to her. It had to be simpler. The entire setup was so simple in my mind and I had complete control over the system, it all seemed perfect to me. Getting everything turned on so we could watch a movie together seemed like a small accomplishment each and every time. To her it was a complete chore. The answer, in the end, was a Logitech Harmony remote. One button turns on the needed equipment, automatically selects the correct input and the one remote then correctly controls each device without further work. Turning it all off is equally easy. Today I’d never give up that remote because of how it simplified the entire process.
My point is that eventually, getting things done becomes more important than openness or the ability to tinker. I’m more than willing to give some of that up for a more pleasurable experience. I think Android based devices, including phones and tablets, will be successful, but in the area of tablets the iPad will lead because it provides solutions with the least amount of resistance.
iPad available for pre-order today
Early this morning Apple’s iPad became available for pre-order and it sounds like it sold rather well. Apple reportedly sold around 50,000 iPad’s in the first two hours and some stores are telling customers that the overwhelming demand could affect in-store pickup.
Don’t trust the critics: Four Apple products they thought would fail
A great look back at negative reviews gone wrong. I was really surprised to see Mac on there because people were against using a mouse.
Steam is coming to the Mac
I’m wouldn’t call myself a huge gamer but the fact that Steam is coming to Mac has be excited.
Spindump
If you don’t like to send in the error reports and find spindump eating to much time on your Mac, this tip can help
Mac tip of the week: Spotlight as a launcher
Since the 10.4 version OS X has had a search system called Spotlight. Among other things, Spotlight allows you to search your computer for files matching whatever criteria you enter. In addition to regular files, Spotlight will also show you any programs that match what you’ve typed in. In 10.5 or newer, the tip hit will also be highlighted first and you can simply press enter to select it.
You can access Spotlight in two ways, by click its icon () or pressing command+spacebar. Start typing the name of the application you want launch and press enter when it is highlighted.
This will launch the application. Over time you’ll find you can search for and launch applications very quickly using this method.