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You are here: MacNN Forums > Software - Troubleshooting and Discussion > macOS > Official Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Tips & Tricks Thread

Official Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Tips & Tricks Thread
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.Neo
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Oct 25, 2007, 02:42 PM
 
I thought it might be a good idea to have a thread like this. Especially in those early days!

To start the thread off:

Bluetooth
Make sure you have configured your Mac properly before attempting to connect an device like your phone over Bluetooth.

Go to System Preferences > Sharing > Bluetooth Sharing to enable it.

Dock
Get rid of the 3D Dock and turn it 2D by executing this command in Terminal:

defaults write com.apple.dock no-glass -boolean YES

To reverse:

defaults write com.apple.dock no-glass -boolean NO

In order to make the changes take effect execute this command as well:

killall Dock
     
badidea
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Oct 26, 2007, 08:57 AM
 
This thread is officially deserted...
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Kevin
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Oct 26, 2007, 08:59 AM
 
     
workerbee
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Oct 26, 2007, 09:26 AM
 
OT:
badidea, I really like your sig. Did you see the nice pics here? What a gorgeous aircraft!

OK, back to OS X...
I'm getting slightly twitchy here (even more than usual)... in a few hours I should have my sweet purring Leopard on a brand-new sweet purring 250GB disk in my MBP.
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MrForgetable
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Oct 26, 2007, 11:09 AM
 
This might be stupid, but I really like scrolling a background app or window when my mouse is over the window.
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OliverTwist
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Oct 26, 2007, 11:24 AM
 
I'm guessing the answer is no, but can Time Machine back up volumes, including mounted external storage devices and disk images?

Sorry guys, I posted this in the wrong thread. My bad.
( Last edited by OliverTwist; Oct 26, 2007 at 11:33 AM. )
     
mdc
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Oct 26, 2007, 12:15 PM
 
If you have an old laptop that never used to support it, you can now enable two finger right clicks.

MrForgetable, that's awesome! Nice tip. I always used to scroll background windows with the scrollbar. I like this new feature a lot better.
     
Kevin
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Oct 26, 2007, 12:26 PM
 
Originally Posted by MrForgetable View Post
This might be stupid, but I really like scrolling a background app or window when my mouse is over the window.
Not stupid at all. I noticed that earlier this morning. Really handy.
     
AppleOptionFour
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Oct 26, 2007, 12:35 PM
 
Originally Posted by .Neo View Post

Dock
Get rid of the 3D Dock and turn it 2D by executing this command in Terminal:

defaults write com.apple.dock no-glass -boolean YES

To reverse:

defaults write com.apple.dock no-glass -boolean NO

In order to make the changes take effect execute this command as well:

killall Dock

     
AppleOptionFour
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Oct 26, 2007, 12:37 PM
 
"Always Show Tab Bar" in Safari is now in the "View" menu...not Preferences.
     
AppleOptionFour
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Oct 26, 2007, 12:38 PM
 
Also Safari related --> Debug Menu

defaults write com.apple.Safari IncludeDebugMenu 1


From: Safari Developer FAQ
     
mdc
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Oct 26, 2007, 12:47 PM
 
I don't think this was in 10.4:

Open Dashboard
Add the World Clock and set it to a time different to the one it initially loads as.

The hands wind to the correct time. Very cool.
     
fisherKing
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Oct 26, 2007, 04:04 PM
 
interesting...there are braille drivers in the system...
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And that is what you all are: inverted Nothings...with potential" (Sun Ra)
     
.Neo  (op)
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Oct 26, 2007, 05:20 PM
 
When enabling Spaces I can really recommend to assign applications to your various desktops. It will really improve the experience.



I have it set up like this:

1. Default applications such as iChat, Mail and Safari (Internet etc.)
2. iLife '08, iTunes, QuickTime (Multimedia)
3. iWork '08, Adobe CS3 (Productivity)
4. All other 3rd party applications

Not matched to a certain space: Finder, Preview, Utilities
     
mdc
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Oct 26, 2007, 05:36 PM
 
To add to .Neo's tip, you can assign certain applications to be on all Spaces.
I have iTunes and Adium/iChat on all so that it's quick to get to iTunes and so that chats are never lost.

The general OS X tip that still is in effect here. Holding Shift while clicking things causes them to animate slowly. Stacks looks cool.

Right clicking on the Time Machine dock icon lets you start a backup. I couldn't find this option elsewhere and accidentally came across it in the dock menu. It will also let you browse other Time Machine backups. I assume this is if you run out of space and keep the backup drive as an archive and move onto a new one.
     
.Neo  (op)
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Oct 26, 2007, 05:42 PM
 
Originally Posted by mdc View Post
Right clicking on the Time Machine dock icon lets you start a backup. I couldn't find this option elsewhere and accidentally came across it in the dock menu.
Hey thanks for that! I was actually looking for it as well, but without any luck. It really didn't cross my mind to look around the Dock menu.
     
~bash $
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Oct 26, 2007, 08:30 PM
 
When you are backspacing in a dialog of some sort, you used to press option-<backspace> to delete individual words instead of chars. This is still the behavior in Safari and most places, it seems. However, when asked for my password, in the password field box "option-backspace" doesn't work and command-backspace did work. If this isn't a bug, it's a feature!
     
legacyb4
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Oct 27, 2007, 01:53 AM
 
Shift-Command-4 now gives pixel numeric readouts. Way cool for trimming that last line of pixels from a screen grab!
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Oct 27, 2007, 04:08 AM
 
has anyone here tried using the "bars be gone" feature in dvd player yet? also, has anyone used the de-interlacing feature?

any picture improvements, sound improvements?
     
TheoCryst
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Oct 27, 2007, 04:20 AM
 
Originally Posted by legacyb4 View Post
Shift-Command-4 now gives pixel numeric readouts. Way cool for trimming that last line of pixels from a screen grab!
Also, Shift-Command-4, followed by the space bar, now captures the shadow of the window as well as the window itself.

Any ramblings are entirely my own, and do not represent those of my employers, coworkers, friends, or species
     
.Neo  (op)
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Oct 27, 2007, 06:10 AM
 
I just accidentally found out that when you go to Spaces (the overview layer) and press "C" it will collect all window in Space 1. Hit "C" again and they'll move back.

Pretty nifty.
     
mdc
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Oct 27, 2007, 10:44 AM
 
I don't know if this was in 10.4 or not.
If there are different things on the desktop, like a mounted .dmg and files, and you drag them to the Trash it will do the appropriate action for each thing.
It'll unmount the .dmg and delete the files.

Was this in 10.4?
     
.Neo  (op)
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Oct 27, 2007, 12:34 PM
 
I don't know if this was in 10.4 or not.
If there are different things on the desktop, like a mounted .dmg and files, and you drag them to the Trash it will do the appropriate action for each thing.
It'll unmount the .dmg and delete the files.

Was this in 10.4?
That functionality exists since Mac OS X' initial release in 2001. I think even Mac OS 9 allowed you unmount drives by dragging them to the Trash.
     
mdc
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Oct 27, 2007, 01:01 PM
 
I understand that. I meant that if you drag a mounted .dmg and a file to the trash at the same time it would dismount the .dmg and trash the file.

I was unsure whether <10.4 would do both actions on both files in the single drag.
     
Art Vandelay
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Oct 27, 2007, 01:13 PM
 
10.4 has it too, not sure about prior releases.
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.Neo  (op)
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Oct 27, 2007, 02:30 PM
 
Originally Posted by mdc View Post
I understand that. I meant that if you drag a mounted .dmg and a file to the trash at the same time it would dismount the .dmg and trash the file.

I was unsure whether <10.4 would do both actions on both files in the single drag.
I know what you meant and my previous response still stands.
     
mdc
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Oct 27, 2007, 07:22 PM
 
New? Click on the date part of the widget.

     
dashonline80
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Oct 28, 2007, 01:02 AM
 
Hi,

I want to do a erase and instal of Leopard. I got my mac a month back so don't have that much data. All I want that I might lose all the bundled software that came with my new mac - pre-installed. Is than any way I can take the back up of those application and re-install them after I install leopard?

any pointer?
     
brassplayersrock²
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Oct 28, 2007, 01:36 AM
 
that is new mdc. good find!
     
.Neo  (op)
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Oct 28, 2007, 06:14 AM
 
Originally Posted by dashonline80 View Post
Hi,

I want to do a erase and instal of Leopard. I got my mac a month back so don't have that much data. All I want that I might lose all the bundled software that came with my new mac - pre-installed. Is than any way I can take the back up of those application and re-install them after I install leopard?

any pointer?
Wrong thread.

http://forums.macnn.com/90/mac-os-x/...iapps-leopard/
     
Love Calm Quiet
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Oct 28, 2007, 10:06 PM
 
NOT A TIP: (while I lurk and see how Leopard's going for folks)

...but no one here seems to be having the BlueScreenOfDeath-ish phenomenon that's been discussed a lot on slashdot?
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Oct 29, 2007, 10:25 AM
 
To move an app to a different space, click & hold on window titlebar, then CTRL+Arrow to move to different space. App comes along for the ride. This is easy to do on my MacBook keyboard, I'd imagine it'd be a bit more difficult when using a full keyboard + mouse though.
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drainyoo
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Oct 29, 2007, 05:18 PM
 
Originally Posted by TheoCryst View Post
Also, Shift-Command-4, followed by the space bar, now captures the shadow of the window as well as the window itself.
And if you press space while making your selection you can move the selection around.
i hate project managers.
     
arcticmac
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Oct 29, 2007, 08:52 PM
 
Originally Posted by drainyoo View Post
And if you press space while making your selection you can move the selection around.
AND... if you hold shift, it locks you to changing the size in one direction (whatever direction you change first after hitting shift), and if you hold option, it changes to center-based resizing, just like in any self-respecting graphics program.

oh, and for those of you who've been wanting a screenshot of the spaces HUD, if you set the key command for direct change to be command-control-number, the HUD stays on the screen as long as you have control down, so you can take a screenshot before it disappears... and it even comes out appropriately transparent and everything! sweet.
     
badnewsblair
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Oct 30, 2007, 11:00 AM
 
I hadn't seen this in my exploration of this subject, but I know when I was getting ready to install Leopard I was worried about retaining my Boot Camp Windows partition.

I can confirm that it remains intact. No worries.
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Oct 30, 2007, 06:53 PM
 


Quick Look on an Automator Workflow will show you the steps of the workflow.
I may be wrong but it looks like (a not quite finished yet) resolution independence is at work to create the Quick Look preview of the Automator Workflow?
     
Art Vandelay
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Oct 30, 2007, 07:03 PM
 
I saw this posted somewhere else a few weeks ago...

You can edit the Open Directory settings of accounts in the Accounts pref pane by right-clicking (control-clicking) the account and choosing "Advanced Options..." Remember to unlock the pref pane first.
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Oct 31, 2007, 12:28 AM
 
Cmd + a folder in stacks will bring its parent folder up in Finder. kind of weird, actually, that it doesn't open the folder itself. just stumbled upon it ...

so did i just miss this altogether previously, but cmd + anything in the dock brings that item up in its parent folder -- except the trash. It just comes up. And finder brings up its default starting location or any of its windows.
     
Art Vandelay
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Oct 31, 2007, 12:34 AM
 
Command clicking anything in the Dock reveals the item in the Finder, which by extension also shows its parent folder. Been that way forever.
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analogika
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Oct 31, 2007, 06:53 AM
 
Originally Posted by Art Vandelay View Post
I saw this posted somewhere else a few weeks ago...

You can edit the Open Directory settings of accounts in the Accounts pref pane by right-clicking (control-clicking) the account and choosing "Advanced Options..." Remember to unlock the pref pane first.
This may seem like a stupid question, but:

Can I actually use this to change a short user name?

I.e. is there anything I need to be careful about, or is it fine to just change the short user name and change the name of the user directory as well?
     
legacyb4
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Oct 31, 2007, 02:23 PM
 
Mentioned elsewhere, but you can also drag an app window to the side of the screen where there is another Space and it will drag over.

Originally Posted by PBG4 User View Post
To move an app to a different space, click & hold on window titlebar, then CTRL+Arrow to move to different space. App comes along for the ride. This is easy to do on my MacBook keyboard, I'd imagine it'd be a bit more difficult when using a full keyboard + mouse though.
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Oct 31, 2007, 03:12 PM
 
Originally Posted by ~bash $ View Post
Cmd + a folder in stacks will bring its parent folder up in Finder. kind of weird, actually, that it doesn't open the folder itself. just stumbled upon it ...

so did i just miss this altogether previously, but cmd + anything in the dock brings that item up in its parent folder -- except the trash. It just comes up. And finder brings up its default starting location or any of its windows.
Unfortunately because of how stacks work best, with folders full of aliases, this isn't as useful as it might have been - you know, if we could have dragged a small set of apps/docs to make a stack.
     
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Oct 31, 2007, 07:32 PM
 
In Spaces you can drag windows of the same app by holding the Cmd Key
     
MartiNZ
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Oct 31, 2007, 07:39 PM
 
Nice one! In just trying that and then, of course, other modifiers, I was pleased to see that spaces works with 'shift' slow motion, and it's quite interesting to watch, the dock and desktop picture appearing very early in the switch back to normal view, and the new active space sliding over the top of them.
     
iGrouch
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Oct 31, 2007, 08:13 PM
 
Another one.

Get a Finder window in one space. Quicklook a video. Go to another space the video pauses. Go back to the space with the Finder, the video resumes.

In fact this pause restart of video in quicklook (QL) works where with a video in QL you use the navigation keys or a mouse scroll wheel over cover flow, QL flips to the next video file if there is one and starts it. Flip back to the previous file and it resumes where it left off.
     
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Oct 31, 2007, 09:04 PM
 
QuickLook will pause if Finder stops being the active application.
     
mdc
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Oct 31, 2007, 10:40 PM
 
Exposé shortcuts (or screen corners if you have them setup) work while you're in the Spaces "all Spaces view."
Very cool.
     
Charles Bouldin
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Nov 3, 2007, 07:37 PM
 
Is there a way to make a Smartfolder a stack? This would be just about the first USE I can see for stacks, since the visual representation is limited to only a few items. I've tried everything I can think of, and apparently, Smartfolders can't be Stacks. Argh.

The work around I can think of, and will now try to code is: Make a Smartfolder and attach a Folder Action to it. The Folder Action copies aliases of the SF contents to the Stack-able "real" folder. This would let you have a Stack of, say "Documents used today".

Things like that would be a very nice use of Stacks, but what a klutzy way to get there. Tell me I'm overlooking something...
     
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Nov 3, 2007, 07:49 PM
 
Either way it does strike me as a good use of the feature! I've not tried to use folder actions before, but this seems a sensible use of that too .
     
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Nov 4, 2007, 12:25 PM
 
If you don't like the "stripes" in the list mode that shows a different background with each object you can turn that off by opening the terminal and typing

defaults write com.apple.finder FXListViewStripes -bool FALSE

Then to restart the Finder to show the changes

killall Finder

To put it back the other way, do the same commands but replace FALSE with TRUE
     
 
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