OS X (previously Mac OS X) is marketing name for Apple's computer OS. Note the proper pronunciation is "ohh ess ten"
274
votes
118answers
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What are some tips or tricks for Terminal in Mac OS X?
One tip or trick per answer.
My favorite is
open .
Opens the folder you're currently browsing in Finder. You can also pass URLs, images, documents or else to open.
If you specify a program name ...
206
votes
123answers
131k views
Please share your hidden OS X features or tips and tricks
Do you know any hidden or little-known nice feature of Mac OS X? It doesn't matter what it is—maybe just a short terminal command or a keyboard shortcut. Share your experiences on hidden Mac OS ...
169
votes
233answers
21k views
Which OS X Applications do you find indispensable?
Please Search Prior To Posting!
There are many applications already listed. In all likelihood, this includes the one you are thinking of. Please check the existing answers to avoid duplicates, and ...
108
votes
4answers
23k views
How can I disable animation when switching desktops in Lion?
I would very much like to disable the sliding animation that occurs when switching desktops via ctrl+→/← or ctrl+[number] in Lion. This was previously accomplished in previous versions ...
98
votes
6answers
34k views
How can I configure Mac Terminal to have color ls output?
How can I configure Mac Terminal to have color ls output?
I am using MacOS 10.5
77
votes
16answers
7k views
Is there a quick way to lock my Mac?
On Windows you can hit the keys Windows+L to lock your computer if you step away.
I don't want to have to remember if sleep currently asks for a password, if there is a time out where my screen isn't ...
75
votes
52answers
12k views
What un(der)-documented features have you stumbled upon in Mountain Lion?
This question serves to share and collect the enhancements which are not documented by Apple, or documented poorly.
Please justify your answer; if it is something that is well documented by Apple and ...
43
votes
5answers
21k views
How do I run an app in Full Screen mode on OS X Lion on my second monitor?
How do I get an app to run in Full Screen mode on OS X Lion on my second monitor? It seems to be stuck on my first monitor, and I'd like to move it.
42
votes
4answers
2k views
Where did the ~/Library folder go in Lion?
I just installed Lion, and I can't find the Library folder in my user folder.
Does the folder no longer exist? If it doesn't, where are my preferences? If it does, how do I get to it?
41
votes
12answers
4k views
How long can I expect my system to be unusable during an upgrade to OS X Lion?
I just downloaded Lion and am pretty eager to install it, but I can use every minute I have, so I'd rather not install it now if it means my system is unusable for 30+ minutes.
How long should I ...
41
votes
8answers
13k views
Can I make a DIY Fusion Drive?
I have a Mac Mini with two drives: a 256GB SSD and a 500GB HDD. From what I've read, the new Fusion Drive does all of it's magic in software, using the Core Storage APIs.
Can I get my setup to ...
40
votes
7answers
21k views
I am missing the option to see the remaining battery life as time in the menubar?
In previous versions of OS X the battery indicator in the menubar included options to show the remaining battery life as percentage or time (or nothing).
In Mountain Lion, there's only an option to ...
39
votes
5answers
5k views
What's the quickest way to get a graphic on the clipboard saved to disk?
I have a graphic on the clipboard on OS X.
What's the quickest way to get it onto disk as a png or jpg?
36
votes
5answers
3k views
Do Macs need to be defragmented?
I don't see any application to defragment my Mac (running OS X).
Is defragmenting not necessary for Mac OS X? If so, why not?
33
votes
19answers
23k views
OS X Terminal “must have” utilities
I've just read with pleasure, and learned a lot from these questions :
OS X Terminal Tips and Tricks
OS X Hidden features and nice tips & tricks
OS X Applications you can't live without
But I ...
33
votes
2answers
8k views
What do I type to produce the command symbol (⌘) in Mac OS X?
What combination of keys do I press to produce the command symbol (⌘) on Mac OS X?
(I copied the above symbol from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Command_key.)
32
votes
7answers
11k views
How to simulate slow internet connections on the mac
What's a good software solution to slow down internet connections on the mac for testing and simulations?
My primary need is when testing code in the iPhone / iOS simulator, so slowing down the ...
31
votes
31answers
7k views
What are your favorite Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts?
What are your favorite keyboard shortcuts on Mac OS X?
31
votes
12answers
6k views
Keyboard shortcut for restoring applications from the Mac OS X Dock?
Is there a keyboard shortcut to restore a minimised application window from the Dock?
Almost all Apple Mac OSX applications respond to the Apple + M command which minimises the current application ...
31
votes
5answers
62k views
How can I mount an ext4 file system on OS X?
Is there a safe, stable application for reading from and writing to ext4 file systems on Mac OS X? If not, what's the best way to access the contents of an ext4 file system on Mac OS X?
30
votes
5answers
8k views
How do I remove duplicate “Open With” context menu items in Finder.app?
For whatever reason, the "Open With" context menu in Finder is always listing every app four times (exactly).
I've read about (and tried) rebuilding the Launch Services database to restore the ...
29
votes
12answers
18k views
Why would I disable swap file in Mac OS X?
I came across a thread about installing an SSD drive in MacBook Pro.
Someone in the comments also recommended to disable the swap file but didn't say why:
sudo launchctl unload -w ...
28
votes
3answers
1k views
What's the dot in the centre of the red window close button for?
When I'm working with certain applications / windows in Mac OS X (I'm using 10.8, although I'm not sure that's relevant), I sometimes see a black dot in the centre of the red window close button. What ...
27
votes
8answers
18k views
How to stop OS X from writing Spotlight and Trash files to memory cards and USB sticks?
When plugging a USB stick into a Mac, OS X creates a number of hidden files on the stick, including a Spotlight index and Trash folder.
Example from the terminal for a USB stick "Untitled":
$ ls -a ...
26
votes
8answers
1k views
Anti-Virus Software for Mac OS X
Is it worth to buy an Anti-virus software for Mac OS X?
I heard both opinions like "it's not possible to get a virus on Mac OS X" and "Mac OS X is also vulnerable against virus... "
What is true?
26
votes
3answers
4k views
How do I silently start up my MacBook Air?
When I start up my MacBook Air, it makes a loud startup sound unless I muted the computer prior to shutting down last time.
However, I cannot guarantee that I had muted the computer last time before ...
25
votes
29answers
6k views
What OS X tweaks, hacks, or modifications couldn't you live without?
What OS X tweaks or customization applications do you find indispensable?
Please search before posting in order to avoid duplicate entries. You can search within this question with inquestion:this ...
23
votes
11answers
10k views
How can I figure out what's slowly eating my HD space?
Every few days I get notices on my MacBook that it's running or run out of hard drive space. Curiously, restarting the computer will enable me to recover gigabytes of space (this past time, it was ...
23
votes
2answers
9k views
Can I fix things so Archive Utility doesn't hang on all zip files?
I am using Mac OS X 10.8.2. I don't know exactly when it started (might have been after the upgrade to 10.8.2, but not sure), but now, any zip file I try to open starts up 'Archive Utility', but then ...
23
votes
4answers
18k views
Why am I getting a “dubious ownership of file” error when Launch Agent runs my .plist file?
I have a Launch Agent configured to run a .plist file for example: /Library/LaunchAgent/foo.plist. Inside this .plist, it is set to run during LoginWindow and Aqua.
When I attempt to launch my ...
23
votes
2answers
9k views
What's the difference between Real, Virtual, Shared, and Private Memory?
The different columns in Activity Monitor are a little confusing
22
votes
7answers
2k views
How do I uninstall a program completely on a Mac?
I come from a PC background... every time I want to uninstall an application, I must use add/remove programs. On the mac, you can simply run a .app file from wherever you want, and many say that the ...
22
votes
4answers
9k views
Is there any way to set a MacBook Pro to not sleep when you close the lid?
The most common use case I have for this is when I'm playing music over AirTunes, but don't want an open laptop laying around. Or when I'm syncing or downloading something.
This isn't the same as ...
21
votes
7answers
6k views
What's a good graphical SFTP utility for OS X?
I need a small graphical utility, using which I can ssh to a server and see all the files and copy and paste (drag and drop) into my local machine.
I am running Snow Leopard.
21
votes
21answers
34k views
Can anyone recommend an app for creating flowcharts and diagrams?
I'm seeking a Mac app for creating basic flowcharts and similar diagrams.
Google has been no help; I've followed dozens of links to apps that either don't exist anymore, I can't find any real ...
21
votes
5answers
5k views
How to move files to trash from command line?
I do a lot of terminal work, and today had the experience of typing
rm fileInQuestion.txt
Before finding out that I did actually need fileInQuestion.txt. If I'd deleted in the GUI then I would have ...
21
votes
3answers
6k views
How can I achieve page-up and page-down in OS X?
I am using MacOSX Snow Leopard.
How do I achieve page-up and page-down?
21
votes
0answers
23k views
What's a good Windows RDP client for Mac?
I administer a number of Windows machines, and am trying to find a really good application to remote desktop in to them from my Mac. I've tried CoRD, and I really like its library approach to saved ...
20
votes
4answers
32k views
Can I open files in TextEdit from the Terminal in Mac OS X?
I frequently find that a terminal command to open a file in TextEdit would be very handy. Does such a command exist on Mac OS X?
20
votes
2answers
4k views
Why does the OS X Software Update check take so long?
Why does it take so long for Software Update in OS X to tell me that I'm up to date? I'm currently running 10.7.2, but this has been the case for all versions of OS X I've run. I just performed a ...
19
votes
12answers
8k views
How do you maximize windows?
Unlike Windows, you cannot maximize a window in Mac with a click of the button. The little green (+) button next to the red and yellow buttons at the left of the windows does some strange stuff ...
19
votes
8answers
28k views
Where does the Mac store account pictures?
I took a picture to add to my account on Mac.
Now I want to use it on messenger, but I can't find it. On the account config, it's too small. I need to find the original.
Where are the accout ...
19
votes
8answers
5k views
How can I make auto-hide/show for the dock faster?
I really like the auto-hide feature of the dock in Mac OS X.
However, the animation for the dock to reappear is just a bit too slow for me. Since this is quite annoying, I disable the feature.
Is ...
19
votes
2answers
5k views
Optimize macbook pro for internal SSD+HDD drives
I upgraded my MacBook Pro by replacing the SuperDrive with an SSD. I'm now using the SSD as the boot volume and have all my applications. My home folder is on the HDD.
My question is how to best ...
18
votes
6answers
2k views
How can I select buttons with just the keyboard?
Many user interface (UI) elements or dialog boxes have buttons. I would like to be able to select a button with just the keyboard, without the mouse. How can I do this?
18
votes
2answers
7k views
Isn't Inactive memory a waste of resources?
I'm looking for explanation of memory usage on my machine especially in light of the example in this screenshot below:
I understand what is Free and Active means
But what are the meanings of Wired ...
18
votes
7answers
727 views
How to limit my Mac's exposure to malware?
With OS X malware increasingly in the news (see the Flashback Trojan issue), is there anything that I should do to increase the security of my Mac and reduce my exposure to malware?
What I'm doing ...
18
votes
6answers
3k views
How to add characters to the press and hold character picker in OS X Lion?
In OS X Lion, there is a very useful feature for people like me who need to write in multiple languages, which pops up a small menu of additional characters when you hold down a letter.
For instance, ...
18
votes
5answers
524 views
In their simplest form, do programs just run terminal commands?
Say for example in a program it lets me select one folder and copy it to another location, on a very basic level is that application running commands that I could run in terminal or is it using some ...
18
votes
2answers
7k views
How to get the smaller tabs back in Safari 6?
In Safari 6, tabs became very wide. I don’t like this new behavior.
Is there a way to get the old, smaller tabs back?
