Pimp My Mac

SimpleTask: A to-do app that managed to remain simple without sacrificing power

Paul — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 13:30:27 +0000

There are many to-do and Get-Things-Done (GTD) applications available to Mac users, some free, others quite pricey. It’s hard to know which is the best one to choose for your needs. If you’re looking for something free and lightweight, this is what I would choose:

SimpleTask is a wonderful to-do application that is freely available to download for Mac users. With a simple and intuitive interface, this application is nice to look at, with the option of setting it up as an app window, or as a a menubar item, the latter being a really nice option for those who like a clean and uncluttered desktop.

The application is functional by using only your keyboard, not having to waste time moving your mouse; productivity at its finest. You can organize your tasks through filters and color labels, which is handy for categorizing items on your agenda.

SimpleTask is also available on the iPhone/iPod Touch as a $1.99 application. It essentially has the same features as the Mac client, but with syncing available, having your to-do list always on the go makes SimpleTask an even more attractive option to Mac users.

Download SimpleTask here.

Filed under: Application, Organization, Productivity Tagged: Application, download, freeware, get things done, iPhone, Mac, Organization, Productivity, to-do

Desktop Notifications for Facebook

Paul — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:49:49 +0000

Desktop Notifications is an experimental tool built by a Facebook engineer. It provides a discrete menubar icon that turns blue when you have a new notification, and allows you to see your past notifications, inbox, as well as providing direct links to updating your status, and reaching your news feed and profile.

The application integrates with Growl, allowing small notification bubbles to pop up when activity you’ve chosen to be notified for has occurred on your Facebook. Clean and lightweight, this application is handy if you want to always know what’s going on with your Facebook, not so much if you can’t afford to waste time on social networking.

Download Desktop Notifications here.

Filed under: Application, Internet Utilities Tagged: Application, download, Facebook, Mac

Alfred App

Paul — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:34:25 +0000

My first post in a long time is bound to be a good one. For that reason, I decided to post about Alfred. This is by far my most used application. Simply put, it is a local and web search tool. For the basic user, it lets you launch your applications, or directly search on the search engine of your choice, including websites like IMDB, Amazon, and YouTube.

It can also perform basic power functions of a Mac, e.g. you can log out or lock your computer by simply bringing up the Alfred window and typing in ‘log out‘ or ‘lock‘. Alfred is available for free, with a purchasable Powerpack, providing additional features including iTunes navigation and theme implementation.

If I had to pick one third party application for my Mac, this would be it.

More information here.
Download Alfred

Filed under: Application, Productivity Tagged: Application, download, freeware, Productivity

How To: Survive Using Your Keyboard Only

Paul — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:49:23 +0000

How to survive using your keyboard only; here are some shortcuts.

Users with MacBooks need to include the function (fn) key in commands involving F#-keys.

ctrl + F2

opens access to your menu bar, which is navigated with arrows, enter, or letters (for a shortcut, type the first letter of the menu item you want to access.

ctrl + F3

opens up access to your dock, which can be navigated in the same way as the menu bar.

NOTE: If those actions are not working, then press

ctrl + F1

to activate/deactivate the commands.

Don’t forget the simple shortcuts too, like

Command + Shift + A

which opens your applications folder (only works when on Finder; Safari for instance, gives you autofill preferences…)

Other shortcuts you must know are:

Empty trash: Command + Shift + Delete
Quit application: Command + Q
Close current window: Command + W

UPDATE: oli4 reminded me with his comment; to see a directory of shortcuts, go to System Preferences > Keyboard & Mouse > Keyboard Shortcuts

UPDATE #2: Learned a new shortcut! When on Safari, select a word and press

ctrl + Command + D

and you will get a quick definition show up as a tool tip window.

Feel free to share your tips and shortcuts in the comments below!

How to: Restore windows and tabs on Safari

Paul — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 07:45:51 +0000

One of the great things about other web browsers, such as Firefox and Camino, is that they have many functions that Safari does not have. I’m sorry, I meant, did not have. With Safari 3, many new functions have been introduced, one of which is provided by browsers like the previously mentioned.

All performance enhancements aside, one of the key new features implemented in Safari 3 is restoring one’s last workplace. All you need to do is go to the history tab in the menu bar, and click on Reopen All Windows From Last Session.

Simple as that! The nice thing about it, you don’t always have a window popping up to ask you if you want to restore or not, like Camino, instead, you just use that menu tool when you need it.

Anxiety

Paul — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:28:35 +0000

Super light-weight to-do application; a cheaper alternative to the $49.99 Things.

Syncs with iCal and Mail.

‘Nuff said.

Get Anxiety here.

Tricking out QuickLook

Paul — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:45:14 +0000

Found two great plugins to trick out QuickLook, for all you Leopard users!

The Folder List QuickLook plugin is a plugin that allows you to view the contents of the folder, and information about all of the files (date modified, size, etc…). You can find out more about this plugin over here.

BetterZip Quick Look Generator 1.1 is a very similar plugin. It works the same way, only you view the contents of archived files. This is particularly useful if it’s a big archive, and you don’t feel like unzipping the damn thing to see what’s inside. More info about BetterZip over here.

Download Folder List plugin here.

Download BetterZip Quick Look Generator 1.1 here.

BatchRename’em: Rename groups of files and folders easily!

Paul — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 17:04:41 +0000

Finally, a way to easily rename groups of files!

Pretty helpful if you’re renaming pics and screenshots!

With BatchRename’em, you can do the following to files and folders:

- Make Sequential
- Add Text
- Replace Text
- Change Case
- Add Date or Time

Much easier than doing every file manually.

Get BatchRename’Em here.

TextWrangler: TextEdit, on steroids

Paul — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 17:14:18 +0000

TextWrangler is a full blown text editor; it pretty much works with anything that uses text, packed with various utilities to use for script editing, Terminal, etc… Seriously, this has everything you could possibly need when it comes to text. The icon leaves a lot to be desired, but you can always change that. Programmers, admins, you’ll definitely find use for this.

Get TextWrangler here.

Shiira Review

Paul — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 14:00:33 +0000

After having read an article listing relatively unknown browsers, I decided to check some of them out, and luckily for me, I found a great new browser that I am currently using. Shiira appears to be designed as an alternative to Safari, being based on Web Kit, and also has one of Safari 3′s major new features, private browsing. However, this browser is true eye candy. Very sleek interface, and it implements two different systems, tab bars and page docks (page docks, something that is available to Safari only as a third-party plug-in). One aspect of Shiira that makes it so compatible and easy to switch to is its shelf feature. In the shelf, you have access to all of your other browser’s bookmarks, so there’s no need to import! There is also a full screen mode for a better viewing experience.Many more features, all can be seen at the Shiira Project site. Download Shiira here.