Power Users Corner Tips
Read these 9 Power Users Corner Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Macintosh tips and hundreds of other topics.
Quick, Hide That File!
If you need to quickly hide a file you're working on, hold down the Option key and click in the Finder (your desktop). *Poof* ... it's gone! When prying eyes have gone away, retrieve your work by selecting it in the Applications menu (the upper right corner of your screen).
Instant Sleep Mode
Pressing the Command, Option and Power keys together will put any sleep-capable Mac to sleep instantly. (If you're online, it will shut down your modem connection first.) To wake it, simply press any key.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
If you're going to be sharing your files with a Windows machine, using TrueType fonts and DOS naming conventions (filename.xxx) will simplify the transfers.
Time Sensitivity in Virtual PC
If you use VirtualPC, be careful when saving a ‘saved state.' If the computer's clock is not properly set when you saved the state (perhaps when you're traveling you changed time zones and reset your Date & Time control panel to match), VirtualPC will not be able to restore the state. This can cause a real crisis if you have saved a state with open files … they may become corrupted or damaged. (It's a good idea to always close files before saving a state.)
Choosing to Partition a Hard Drive
Partitioning can be useful in some circumstances (I have a 650Mb partition I use for burning CDs, for instance), but it will not improve the overall efficiency of your Mac. If you're considering partitioning your drive, keep in mind you will have to back up the ENTIRE contents of the drive first, as partitioning requires a complete format of the disk.
Adding a Keyboard Command
Want a keyboard shortcut for a frequently-used command? You can add one using ResEdit.
Use ResEdit to open the application to which you wish to add a shortcut, and locate the MENU resources. Find the command you want to shortcut, and enter the appropriate keystrokes in the Key Equivalent box. Save the file, and you're on your way!
Use Your Mac as a Base Station
If your Mac is on a small network using a hub or switch, and if you have an AirPort card but are connecting to the internet via a modem or Ethernet, you can set up your Mac as a base station so that other machines on the network can get online using your connection.
Set it up by connection to the internet, then opening your AirPort software. Choose the Software Base Station button, and click the Network tab. At the bottom of the panel you'll see a clickbox which will allow others on your hub or switch to connect. Checkmark the box, then go to the Start/Stop tab to give your network a name and channel, then press Start.
From the other machines, select the network you've created, and users of the other machines will be able to connect to the internet via your modem.
"Slower" DIMMS
In some G4 AGP Macs, if you install more RAM, the System Profiler will report that the Apple-supplied DIMM is a PC100-322s, while your new RAM is a -222s ... and will further comment that your Apple DIMM is "slower". Don't be alarmed ... the difference is only 10 nanoseconds (a nanosecond is 1/1,000,000,000th of a second). Not likely to affect your gaming speed.
Two-button Mice for the Mac
Although we've always done fine with a one-button mouse, since OS8 and contextual menus, two-button mice have been a useful option. Right-click is faster than Control-click!
Kensington, Logitech, MacAlly, and Mouse Systems all make programmable two-or-more button mice, which (once you get used to them) can significantly improve your efficiency.
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