TextExpander is a system utility for Mac OS X that monitors your keyboard input and automatically inserts words or phrases, called “snippets,” based upon abbreviated keyboard input. For example, it can be programmed to replace any instance of “hhome” with your home address, or “ttime” with the current time. It also comes with some useful…
Jim Tanous
Articles by Jim Tanous
Apple Targets iPhone-Compatible Adult Websites in WIPO Domain Name Dispute
As noted by Domain Name Wire, all seven sites contain the word “iPhone” in their names, including names such as “porn4iphones.com.” However, there are some alarmingly innocuous-appearing names, such as “iphone4s.com” and “iphonecam4s.com.” AppleInsider reports that while Apple owns iPhone4.com, the iPhone4s.com domain was successfully registered in August 2008, over three years before Apple unveiled…
Re-Downloading the OS X Lion Installer From the Mac App Store
Unfortunately, by default the App Store prevents users from downloading software that is already installed on the Mac. The “Install” button in the store is replaced by a grayed-out “Installed,” which the user can’t select. Thankfully, there is a workaround to this limitation that will allow users to re-download the Lion installer if they so…
How to Quickly Lock Your Screen in Mac OS X
Launch Keychain Access and go to Preferences. In the General tab, check the box for “Show keychain status in menu bar.” This will add a padlock icon to your system’s menu bar.Select this icon and you’ll see several options, the first of which is “Lock Screen.” The second option is even faster: a keyboard shortcut.…
TMO’s Ultimate Guide to Creating a Mac Triage Drive
One could, of course, purchase an external SuperDrive from Apple for US$79 (or a third-party external optical drive), but there’s a more convenient and useful way, a method that Apple Store Genii have known and used for years: a triage drive. We’ll show you how to plan and build your very own. A triage drive…
How to Set Up a Custom Media Server with Plex
About three years ago, a Mac-based fork of the venerable open-source XBOX Media Center (XMBC) hit the web. Initially called “OSXBMC,” the project promised a customizable interface, limited hardware requirements, and massive format support. The program shortly afterward changed its name to “Plex,” and began to evolve into truly Mac-inspired application, eventually bringing support to…
Apple Releases Cards App via the iOS App Store
The free app allows iOS users to create cards directly on their devices, including customized pictures and text, and order physical copies of those cards to be directly mailed to the individuals in the user’s contacts list. Cards can be mailed both in the United States ($2.99 per card) and internationally ($4.99 per card).…
How to Permanently Restore the Visibility of Lion’s User Library Folder
Before: The User Library folder is nowhere to be found inside the user’s home folder. In Apple’s defense, it’s likely that 90%+ of Mac users will never have to go into their Library folder and, if they do, they may end up causing more harm than good. But for the remaining 10%, Mac Geek Gab…
Use Both 10.6 and 10.7 on the Same Mac
We’ll divide this article into two sections. The first focuses on reverting to Snow Leopard from Lion and removing Lion completely. The second demonstrates how to install Snow Leopard on a second drive or partition so that both operating systems can coexist peacefully. Reverting to Snow Leopard These methods get rid of Lion altogether and…
Using Boot Modifier Keys with Bluetooth Keyboards
Press your boot modifier keys after the chime, but before the spinning gear appears.One problem is that these boot modifiers seem not to work with Bluetooth keyboards, as many users who hold down the modifier keys immediately at startup find that the Mac boots up normally, ignoring the modifiers. The solution is simple: wait to…
Skype Chat Power Tips
Edit Sent Messages with Find & Replace Have you already sent a text message using Skype but now notice a typo? Change it before the other party notices by using the following command, entered directly into the chat entry dialog box: s/[typo]/[corrected]/ For example, if I were to type “TMO is the best webite,” I…
MagSafe Power Adapters Are Safe with All Mac Laptops
As discussed on Mac Geek Gab 355, while it may be “safe” to do so, it’s worth noting that it may not always be effective. A higher wattage adapter will charge a lower-wattage computer just fine (for example, an 85-watt 15-inch MacBook Pro adapter used on a 45-watt MacBook Air) but a lower wattage adapter…
Step by Step: Mac Pro Processor Upgrade
I’d like to take the time to mention here that everything discussed in this article, except for the RAM upgrade, most definitely voids your warranty. In my case, the warranty had expired so I had nothing to lose in that department. But if you choose to follow my lead and upgrade your own Mac Pro,…
How to Find & Recover Missing Hard Drive Space
OmniDiskSweeper run from the Applications folder. It shows that the user’s Documents folder is the largest folder on the drive. Note also the size of the Spotlight Database as 0 bytes.When run normally, as above, Joe noted that OmniDiskSweeper only shows files that are visible to the user that ran it. Since few people ever…
Mac Insomnia? Use pmset To Discover The Reason
Set Your Portable Mac to Stay Asleep When the Lid is Opened By default, Mac laptops will wake up if a sleeping machine’s lid is opened. You can prevent this behavior and choose to wake the Mac on your own terms by entering the following terminal command: sudo pmset lidwake 0 Conversely, add the following…