Basics4Mac

There's More to See

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:05:00 -0400

Understanding the � icon

The Rest of the iPhoto Toolbar
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]Many Mac applications have toolbars across the top of the window.

If the toolbar is wider than the width of the window there is a problem: you can't see the entire toolbar. The Mac has a very simple solution to this problem.

Using Cover Flow in the Finder

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:05:00 -0400

Quickly preview a folder of images

Cover Flow view
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Cover Flow is standard method for viewing albums in iTunes and on iPods. With Cover Flow you can quickly scroll through your album covers to find the music you are looking for.

A lesser known use of Cover Flow is in the Finder to quickly flip through file thumbnails.

Upgrading iCal Data to the New Format

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:05:00 -0400

Still in Beta

Upgrade invitation in iCal
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If you have MobileMe, you may have received a message asking if you want to upgrade to the new MobileMe calendar. Also, if you access your calendar from me.com, you may have received an invitation to the new Beta version of the MobileMe calendar.

Quieting Down Your Mac

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:05:00 -0400

Get rid of the Dings and Whooshes

Mail Sounds in Preferences
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Somewhere along the line, I've gotten into the habit of keeping the system volume on Mute on my MacBook. I un-mute when I need to hear something and then re-mute.

I just happened to keep the sound volume up this week and quickly realized why I keep it muted: the Mac can be a noisy beast. Clicks then you drag and drop. Whooshes then you send mail and dings when you receive mail.

Rather than muting and un-muting all the time, it is easy to turn off the sound effects that your Mac makes.

Understanding System Volume Vs Application Volume

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:05:00 -0400

Seemingly conflicting controls

System volume and application volume sliders
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Mac OS X has a a System-wide volume control and many applications such as iTunes, QuickTime and Safari videos like YouTube have their own volume controls. To get the proper volume level you are looking for, it is important to know how system volume and application volume interact.

Unlocking System Preferences

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:05:00 -0400

Making system-wide changes

Preference Panel Lock
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There are two types of System Preferences� Those that affect just your user and those that affect the system and all users. System Preferences that affect the system and all users are locked to prevent unauthorized changes.

RELAX!!! NO NEED TO SHOUT!!!

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:05:00 -0400

WHY IS IT SO LOUD IN HERE????

DO YOU HAVE ANY TROUBLE READING THIS TEXT?

DOES IT SEEM A LITTLE STRESSFUL TO READ?

How about this....a little calmer?

Quitting and Hiding Applications Quickly

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:05:00 -0400

A Command-Tab trick

Control-Tab
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Here is a little trick to quickly quit or hide applications. It is based on this tip to quickly switch between applications.

Automatically Open Applications at Login

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 00:05:00 -0400

Your favorite applications ready to go

Open at login
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There are some applications such as Safari and Mail that I use all the time and they are always open. You can set applications to open automatically when you log in to your account.

Changing between the 12 hour and 24 hour clocks

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:05:00 -0400

0:00

Setting the time format
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When you first set up your Mac, it determines where you are located and sets the appropriate date, time, number and currency formats for that region. For time formatting, some countries use a 12 hour clock with AM/PM and some use a 24 clock. You can change between the 12 and 24 clocks without changing the formatting for dates, numbers and times. The most obvious effect of changing between 12 and 24 hour clocks is the Event times in iCal.