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Joshua asked the question and here’s my reply… Not much has changed since my april post in the form of “stuff” on the desktop. The background changes every few days courtesy of InterfaceLIFT. The folder you see cleverly named “folder” contains all the crap that used to claim desktop real estate back in the day. Clean desktop = awesomeness.
I’ve been saying for a few months now wouldn’t it be great to have a way to exercise while working at a desk. Well it seems someone had the same idea and it’s coming third quarter 2008. However, now that I see a solution I’m not sure exactly how well it would work. But I’m going to keep my eye on it and read some early-adopter reviews.
One of the first things I noticed about OS X when I started using it a month or so ago was the fact that when you tabbed within a form (whether it be in a browser or a system form) it would skip over certain elements such as drop-down menus. After a few days I had to figure this one out. A quick google search revealed this article. Here’s the really simple fix!
In Windows you can capture a screen shot by pressing Alt+Print Screen, but how do you do it in OS X? Turns out that it’s just as easy using one of two built-in utilities.
- Capture entire screen (or multiple screens if you have two or more displays) = Command-Shift-3
- Capture a region of the screen = Hold down Command-Shift-4 and drag cursor over the portion of the screen you want to capture
- Launch Grab ( Applications > Utilities folder > Grab )
- Use the “capture” menu found in the menu bar to capture a selection, a window or screen.
- Use the “file” menu in the menu bar to save the screen shot.
Of course there are numerious third party apps available of which skitch is my favorite (and it’s free too).
John posted an entry today regarding his current desktop and I thought I’d respond here. As you can see, there’s nothing really on it now… Primarily due to two great OS X utilities.
A month ago I made the official switch from PC to Mac and in doing so I had to find a new audio editor for posting various church service elements (preaching, teaching, music etc). When I was on a PC, Sony’s Sound Forge was an easy choice but moving to Apple I had to do some research.
Initially I tried to do it in Garage Band. I was successful, but it was really cumbersome when compared to other audio editors and DAWs I’ve used (SoundForge, ProTools & Sonar) . Since that point I’ve managed to grasp the basics of GB but it is still not the most efficient tool when editing a stereo file.
After that, I tried Amadeus Pro for a week or two. I downloaded the trial seeing that it was a $40 piece of software that did everthing I wanted it to do. But after using it for a couple weeks found the UI somewhat awkward. Nice, full featured software, just awkward compared to what I’d been using for years (Sound Forge). That’s when another Google search turned up Peak LE 6 by Bias.
Peak LE 6 is more like to Sound Forge and it’s interface is awesome. It has all the features I need and plays nice with the Waves Gold Native plugin bundle that I own (I should mention that Amadeus Pro worked with the AU version of Waves plugins too). So now, my process for posting audio is something like this.
Some other features in Peak 6 LE are: The ability to podcast (complete with audio ducking to lower music level during voiceovers) as well as the ability upload your podcast via ftp from directly within the software. iTunes integration which allows you to export audio files directly to an iTunes playlist. Support for three simultaneous real-time AU/VST effect/instruments and a record timer that automates record stop time.
Peak LE 6 also includes some bundled software aptly named the “Peak LE Production Pack”. The BIAS Freq-2 pro-quality paragraphic EQ. WireTap Pro which allows you to capture internet and system audio with no loss of original quality. SFX Machine LT a real time VST plug-in with many special effects. 32 VST audio effects from Maximum Digital Audio (delay, limiter, dithering, de-ess, tone generator, and more). Top quality audio loops from PowerFX audio and 100+ high quality sound effects from Hollywood Edge.
Peak LE 6 is available to purchase as a download on the BIAS website for $129. There is a free trial download too but it won’t allow you to save anything duing the trial period.
As of this week we are officially a 100% Mac household (save a computer that Brin uses to do some work on during the day). I got my 17″ High-Res MacBook Pro on Tuesday and Brin’s has had her MacBook for a few weeks now. We also picked up a timecapsule router/NAS (1TB) drive and that’s an amazing upgrade too. Not only for the network hard-drive but the 802.11N router is so much faster than the G router it replaced. Can you say real-time streaming of HD quicktime trailers to the 1900 x 1200 MB Pro display! Amazing….
I’ve aleady posted about some of my favorite mac software and I’ll be adding to that list as time progresses.
Just notice a post on Shawn’s blog about Evernote invites and I went and checked my account. Someone ask me a couple weeks ago for an invite but didn’t see the link at that time. Anyways, I have 10 to give a way if you’re interested (comment and I’ll send you one).
For those wondering what the new Evernote Beta is all about I’ll point you to this video. The gist of it is a single place to store and index all your “notes”. Notes can range from typed notes, to scans/photos of receipts (which Evernote will index the text thereon). Add to this a slick online version that syncs your desktop notes so that they’re searchable anywhere you have an internet connection and you’ve got one amazing application.
[UPDATE] Evernote beta has another feature which I just learned about… You can connect your iPhone or Windows Mobile device to Evernote via email IMAP protocol and then view your notes within your email program on your mobile device! Your notebooks and tags show up as folders within the IMAP structure! Awesome!
[UPDATE 2] TUAW posted their take on Evernote this afternoon
We’ve only had a Mac in the house for a couple weeks but so far here’s some of my favorite apps. I’ll update this post as I discover more!
Quicksilver = huge productivity. First thing I installed. Hard to explain what it does so watch this.
Amazing piece of software for those looking to get into professional level video editing. Yea there are limitations but then again Final Cut Studio it over 1000 clams more.
Password Manager + AutoFill for Mac OS X
Password management software. Could NOT live without this kind of software (previously used RoboForm on Windows).
DVD ripping software [ for legal usage of course
The swiss-army knife of QuickTime components. This software will allow you to play the following formats natively within QuickTime!
Windows Media® Components for QuickTime
Play WMV in quicktime… Nuff said.
MenuMeters, free resource monitoring utility.
Free anti-virus for Mac OS X
I just purchased this Canon printer and I’m curious as to what the difference between Canon’s regular ink cartridges ( G-40 BLACK and CL-41 Color) vs their high capacity cartidges (PG-50 Black and CL-51 Color) in pages printed. I just purchased the high-capacity cartridges so once they run out I’ll update this post and let you know.
