Assorted (not so known) tips on MacOSX

I just came across these two tips recently, so you can find them either officially documented or in public forums like I did.

Tip #1: Dashboard widgets on your Desktop

Dashboard is one of those features that I believe are not very well explored in terms of desktop interaction, in MacOSX. I mean, many times it happened me (and I believe with most of you) to play a bit with some dashboard widgets but quickly end up forgetting about their existence, since one needs to change between dashboard mode and desktop mode. This tip I found out about a couple of days ago, when I first came across with a software review of Amnesty Singles. This piece of software basically allows you to transform any widget into a "standard" application. Nevertheless, if you are not willing to pay for such great software, there is quick and dirty tip that pretty much does the same thing (original link):

Preparation (1st time):

• Open Terminal (just type "Terminal" in Spotlight, or alternately open Applications->Utilities->Terminal)


• While in Terminal, type: defaults write com.apple.dashboard devmode YES


• Logout, for the previous command to take effect, and Login again.

Everytime you want to add a widget to your desktop:

• Press F12 to open Dashboard.


• Press the mouse down to drag the widget of your choice.


• Without releasing the mouse button, press F12 again to return to desktop mode.


• When in desktop, you may release the mouse button and the widget will remain in your desktop!

Everytime you want to remove a widget from your desktop:

• Press the mouse down to drag the widget of your choice.


• Without releasing the mouse button, press F12 again to open Dashboard.


• When in Dashboard, you may release the mouse button and the widget will return to it!

Not everything is perfect with this method. For instance, the widget will remain "always on top" and there is no way to minimise it to the Dock temporarily. The best thing you can do with most of them is to "reduce" their window size. This is why you should consider paying for Amnesty Singles if you are not satisfied with these limitations.

Tip #2: MacBook/Pro with open/closed lid, built-in display off (not dimmed) and external display (external USB keyboard not required)

Many of you usually prefer an external display, especially if you use your MacBook/Pro in a daily basis. Either because you find it distracting when using an external display or if you don't need your built-in display and want to save its life, you might find this tip useful. The option of whether to leave the lid open or closed is up to you, but the main reason to leave it open is to make the MacBook/Pro ventilate better. Some people even argue that with older Mac laptops such as PowerBooks, leaving the lid closed might cause it to melt under heat.

Ok, so here's the tip (original link):

• First, make sure to connect your MacBook/Pro's power adaptor to a power source, if it's not already.


• Plug in your external monitor to your MacBook/Pro. Turn the monitor on, if it's not already.


• After a while, if an image does not appear in your external monitor, go to System Preferences->Displays and click a button entitled Detect Displays. An image should appear in your external monitor.


• Now, the image that appears in your external monitor should represent either a mirrored desktop or an extended desktop. It is essencial that your MacBook/Pro is set to Mirrored Mode. If it is not, press F7 once and it should turn to "Mirrored Mode".


• Close the lid of your MacBook/Pro and it will go to sleep


• Now, plug in any USB device (e.g., an external keyboard, a mouse, a pen drive will also do it). If you already have an external mouse or keyboard attached to your laptop, you just need to press some key or button. This will make your MacBook/Pro awake from sleep and use the external screen as the main display.


• When the external display shows your Desktop again or your MacBook/Pro prompts for a password (if you activated this security feature for protection), then you can open the lid, if you want your laptop to dissipate better.


• Voilá! Your built-in display is turned off (not dimmed), your MacBook/Pro is not sleeping, and you can either use its built-in keyboard and mouse pad if you don't want to use an external USB mouse/keyboard like many forums advocate as necessary!

If you want to turn your built-in display back again:

• Go to System Preferences->Displays and click a button entitled Detect Displays. The built-in screen should turn on again.