Overview
Hack your perfect Mac
Got a little maverick in you? Sure you do. That's why you chose a Mac in the first place. And now there's OS X Tiger, just begging you to get in there and create your dream machine. Here are serious hacks you won't find anywhere else—ways to change the boot screen, unlock hidden Finder settings, enhance speed and performance, and really customize your Mac. Make your backups and start making tracks!
There's something for everyone—basic user, advanced tinkerer, or serious programmer
Part I—Tips
- Clone dashboard widgets
- Dicker with the Dock
- Outsmart iTunes playlists
Part II—Mods
- Tweak application bundles
- Create Automator workflows
- Customize iChat
Part III—Hacks
- Badger your Dock
- Build a widget
- Go commando
Synopsis
Hack your perfect Mac
Got a little maverick in you? Sure you do. That's why you chose a Mac in the first place. And now there's OS X Tiger, just begging you to get in there and create your dream machine. Here are serious hacks you won't find anywhere else—ways to change the boot screen, unlock hidden Finder settings, enhance speed and performance, and really customize your Mac. Make your backups and start making tracks!
There's something for everyone—basic user, advanced tinkerer, or serious programmer
Part I—Tips
- Clone dashboard widgets
- Dicker with the Dock
- Outsmart iTunes playlists
Part II—Mods
- Tweak application bundles
- Create Automator workflows
- Customize iChat
Part III—Hacks
- Badger your Dock
- Build a widget
- Go commando
Editorials
From Barnes & Noble
The Barnes & Noble ReviewSee how much more your Tiger-driven Mac can do. Tweak. Goof around. Explore. Spelunk. Your guide: Scott Kastner. Intelligent, witty, experienced, he’ll challenge you -- and keep you safe throughout your adventure.
Kastner starts with stuff that’s accessible to any Mac user: Finder, Dock, and Dashboard tricks, Preferences shortcuts, and a whole chapter of user interface goodies. (iTunes, too: for example, how to outsmart Smart Playlists, or create iTunes entries for “hidden” CD tracks.)
Next, go deeper. Use the Automator to streamline tasks and workflows, without one iota of programming (not even AppleScripting). Uncover the primitive (but addictive) games hidden within the emacs text editor. Even start building your own widgets and Spotlight importers. OK, this will take some coding. But not as much as you think. And with Kastner’s patient help, it’s eminently doable. Bill Camarda, from the September 2005 Read Only