OS X has a pretty sweet interface, but sometimes it can be fun to customize it a bit. Of course, this requires delving into parts of your Mac where you don't want to go unless your willing to crash your computer. Fortunately, Unsanity's ShapeShifter allows you to apply themes to OS X's GUI in a simple, easy-to-use interface. Well, now ShapeShifter has finally been fully released as a Universal Binary. In addition to support for Intel Macs, ShapeShifter 2.4 also adds support for "unified" themes. So, if you're an Intel Mac user and in the mood for a little change of appearance in OS X, ShapeShifter is for you.
[via Infinite Loop]
Do you live or work in an environment with lots of Intel Macs and their respective remotes? If so, then you'll probably want to read this. All Apple Remotes come generically programmed with your Mac, so any remote will control any Intel Mac. As you simultaneously launch three different copies of Front Row upon the pressing of one remote button, you may realize that this could be a problem. Luckily, Apple realized this and has a solution. It's simply to pair your Apple Remote with your Mac:
To unpair the remote simply launch System Preferences and open Security. Then click Unpair in the Security pane. Happy pairing!
If you're a music buff then you probably like to share your tastes with the world--advertise and brag about your broad collection and refined tastes. KavaSoft's iTunes Catalog will help you with this. It's an application which allows you to upload your iTunes music library (the metadata, not the actual music) to the web. Users can search your music, view your playlsits, see your album art, and even browse the current selection on your iPod--all from an iTunes-based web interface. If this interests you then check out this sample site and then consider giving the application a free trial.
[via The Apple Blog]
Ever since the release of Macs with the new MagSafe connector, there have occasionally been problems with the connectors melting, potentially due to design flaws, misuse, or...Warcraft. Thankfully, Apple has been quietly replacing the adapters under AppleCare while still officially maintaining that these damages are not covered -- most likely to keep public scrutiny to a minimum while allowing them some leeway in cases where they choose to replace.
It appears that the volume of hazardous reports is not great, so your MacBook or MacBook Pro likely isn't at risk. One owner, however, isn't taking a chance, and has taken the do-it-yourself route to ensuring his connector stays safe. Kent Sievers wrapped the end of the MagSafe cable with a small bit of spiral cable wrap in an effort to minimize stress on that area. Hopefully tricks like this aren't necessary to keep your power flowing safely, but it is a clever mod none the less.
[via AppleDefects]
Not long ago, I detailed the shareware program ViddyUp, a utility for converting video files to iPod-compatible formats. Now there's an easy way to convert your DVDs as well. Instant HandBrake is a branch of the free HandBrake app, both of which convert DVD format video to MPEG-4. Instant HandBrake, however, is specifically designed to convert DVD titles to iPod.
I need not remind U.S. readers about the legal issues surrounding the breaking of DVD copy protection, so keep that in mind while you're converting your favorite movies to pocket sized format. Legalities aside, Instant HandBrake will create both H.264 and MPEG-4 files, either cropped or scaled to fit the 320x240 iPod screen. Download the beta build here and get converting!
[via Digg, OS X Daily]
If you dine at the table of Terminal frequently, you're probably a good friend of the "cd" command, which allows you to go to the folder that you need to work on. A minor detail, but performed dozens of times a day, it can add up. That's where OpenTerminal helps out.
OpenTerminal allows you to begin a Terminal session for a particular folder via icon or Finder context menu. It's totally free, and version 2.0.2 has just been released. Also, OpenTerminal is compatible with Terminal alternative iTerm.
You can download OpenTerminal here, at possibly the plainest page on the entire internet.
Well the pregnancy was longer than expected, but Vista has finally been born. (I heard it was so ugly that the doctor slapped the mother... snap!) With its release, Joel on Software remarked upon the new "Shut Down" menu. He concluded, through suspect yet concise reasoning, that the number of options should be reduced from seven to one. After this was posted, Moishe Lettvin, a member of the team that actually designed the function, commented on how bureaucracy can stymie intuitive design. The team that determined how Vista turns off had 24 members, and had to deal with outdated builds due to Microsoft's system of development. Fun, right?
How was the function designed in OS X? Arno Gourdol, Mac OS X Finder Lead, describes the process:
But the biggest difference probably was that only a few people were involved in the whole decision making process: a UI designer, a kernel engineer, a UI engineer, a Senior VP with very strong views about this featureFor the most part, I'm pretty happy with OS X's Shut Down process, though I do wish that "one key" Shut Down was implemented:
We even had "one key" keyboard shortcuts, so that to restart the computer all you had to do was press the power key, then R when the dialog was displayed and the Restart option was selected.So what do you think? Do any of you have any strong feelings either way on the OS X Shut Down feature?
Not to engage in a bit of thunder-stealing from MacUser's Chief Patentologist, Scott, but we've got news on a new patent that's sure to have iPhone rumormongers in an uprorar—iPhone fishmongers, on the other hand, are going quietly about their business on this Thursday morning.
The patent specifically addresses some technology that would come in useful in a handheld device with wireless capability. Some parts of the device would be constructed from the ceramic zirconia (the cubic form of which is a popular substitute for diamonds) which is besides being a strong and stiff building material is also radio-transparent (radio waves pass through it easily, unlike, say, titanium).
The patent also claims that using ceramic as a structural material in handheld devices is a first, and says that some designs may have up to 100% of the enclosure constructed out of ceramic.
Does this point directly to an iPhone? Not necessarily, but the evidence for wireless in the iPod is strong. With Microsoft's Zune gaining attention for its poorly-implemented if much anticipated Wi-Fi capabilities, it's prime time for Apple to swoop in with a solution of its trademark elegance and design that gives the consumer what they really want.
[via MacNN]
I'd been running into some problems of late with my MacBook, where it refused to acquire an IP address from my wireless router. I'd get on the network, and it would just end up with an auto-configuration IP (169.254.x.x). My B&W tower and PC were both fine, and neither of my roommates were banging down my door to complain. On other networks, my MacBook was fine, though it meant I had to bounce back and forth between DHCP and manually assigned addresses. Fun.
When the problem did eventually spread to my desktops, I got fed up and did some searching, finally coming across a solution thread on Linksys's forum (the manufacturers of my router—a WRT54Gv5, if you're wondering), faulting the most recent firmware. I downgraded the firmware to the previous version and voilà, DHCP harmony was returned.
This morning I noticed that Apple had posted a support document entitled: "Mac OS X 10.4.8: Intel-based Mac can't obtain IP address from third-party wireless router." Eager to see what tricks they had up their sleeve, I checked it out to find the following advice:
SolutionYeah, thanks Apple. Real helpful. If you're suffering from this issue, my advice is skip straight to step two.1. Turn the wireless router off and back on.
Note: This step will disconnect any clients currently connected to the wireless network provided by this router.
2. If restarting the router does not resolve the issue, contact the manufacturer of the third-party wireless router to resolve this issue.
The embarrassing truth of the matter is that I haven't completed a single MacHeist. Now, I love heists, especially high-society jewel heists. And I love free. So, it would seem like this is right up my alley. But I've, er, been busy.
Heist number three is a mission to find Lisa, the MacHeist handler, who's been missing for the past week. An iCard from Lisa arrived, bearing a cryptic series of images which should help lead to her. Your reward, as always, is free Mac software.
Oh, and of course, should you be captured or killed, MacHeist will disavow all knowledge of your existence. Whoops, sorry—that's what Mom used to tell me every morning before school.
