Lifehacker’s top OS X tweaks teach me something new

I tend to think that I’m fairly proficient in Mac OS X Tiger. I know how to perform almost any action, tweak or adjust most settings, and even can configure some complicated OS features, such as VPNs and cellular internet sharing. However, every once and a while I’ll come across something on the web that blows my mind out of the water. Most of Lifehacker’s Top 10 Mac OS X tweaks, posted today, were old news to me. However, they had a few really good hints which increased my OS X knowledge, and hopefully will do the same for you. Here’s what I found most meaningful:

1. Adding a path button to the Finder’s toolbar. I actually had no idea that the Finder’s toolbar could be customized. It makes sense to me now, because both Safari’s and Mail.app’s toolbars can be customized, but I just never knew this. Activate the Finder, then choose View > Customize Toolbar… to find some amazing options.
2. Removing Dashboard from the dock. For some reason I’ve come to think that the Dashboard is a permanent part of the dock, much like the Finder. Not so. It can be removed from the dock just like any other app. I usually use F12 or a hot corner to activate Dashboard anyways, so this is some welcomed space on my dock.
3. Enabling the tab key. By default in OS X the tab key doesn’t move between controls other than text boxes and lists. To fix this, hit up System Preferences > Keyboard & Mouse > Keyboard Shortcuts. Then select the “All controls” radio button at the bottom.

These were my personal favorites, but I’m sure you all knew about all these already, right? I just like to keep an honest, open mind because I seem to learn something more about OS X Tiger every day—and Leopard’s just around the corner.