Create a symbolic link to add directories to Dropbox

OS X and Linux users of Dropbox will appreciate this tip that adds links to directories outside of the default Dropbox folder for backups:

Terminal Time:
:: Fire up the Terminal
:: Type “ln -s /path/to/desired-folder ~/Dropbox/desired-folder” making the appropriate substitutions and not including the quotation marks
:: Hit Return
This works with individual files as well using:
:: Start a Terminal session
:: “ln -s /path/to/desired-file ~/Dropbox/desired-file”
:: Enter

Quick Terminal Tip:
:: Begin the command by typing “ln -s” (don't hit Return just yet)
:: From the Finder/File Chooser drag the folder/file that you want to link into the Terminal window
:: Complete the rest of the line with ~/Dropbox/desired-file and hit Return

Note that an Alias file or folder does not work with Dropbox. Not sure why, but creating the symbolic link takes care of the problem.

Technorati Tags: dropbox, mac, symboliclink, howto, linux, docstechnotes

Google Search Tips

Here are some excellent ways to locate information quickly using Google Search.

* Apple -newton | excludes pages containing excluded word (-)
* “Doc's Tech Notes” or Doc's-Tech-Notes | searches for the exact string of text
* define: apocalypse | displays the definition of the word
* Goog* | wildcard
* apocolypse | suggests the correct spelling
* ~apocalypse | displays links to synonymous topics
* weather 62225 | displays the weather for the zip code
* movie 62225 or showtimes 62225 | displays a quick list of movies playing
* 22 USD in JPY | converts currency (works with all major currency)
* 2+2 or 10+4*8 or sqrt(144) or 5! or sine(90 degrees) | performs calculation
* teaspoons in a cup | performs conversion, works with major measurements
* Lost .avi | links to subject and file type
* PowerBook G4 $500..$1000 | searches commerce sites for product within price range
* Richard Nixon 1960..1970 | returns subject links during range of years
* site:gov Medicaid | limits results to .gov sites
* site:docstechnotes.blogspot.com iPhone | searches specific site for topic
* link:docstechnotes.blogspot.com | displays a list of sites linking to URL

Read our companion piece at Give Us One Minute for more detailed information on this topic:

Google dis, dat and de utter ting

Have some excellent search phases to add? Leave a comment.

Technorati Tags: google, search, tips, googlesearch, docstechnotes

Better OS X application removal using AppTrap

AppTrap is a free OS X application uninstaller that scrubs your drive looking for rogue pieces of software that should also be removed when you drag an app to the Trash Can.

• Download AppTrap from: http://konstochvanligasaker.se/apptrap/ 
• Install AppTrap
• Drag and application to the Trash Can
• Empty Trash
• Answer a few AppTrap prompts
• App and rogue pieces deleted

Looking for a supported, paid app? Try AppZapper.

Technorati Tags: apptrap, appremoval, remove, mac, osx, docstechnotes

Create drawings in Google Docs

Create fairly sophisticated drawings with Google Document, Spreadsheet and Presentation. Choose the following from the pull-down menu in either of the apps:
Insert | Drawing
The tools are pretty standard and if you've used any drawing apps, you should feel right at home.

Technorati Tags: google, googleapps, documents, spreadsheet, presentation, drawings, docstechnotes

Restore an iPhone

It happens. Sometimes you need to restore your iPhone to it's original pristine condition to get it working again. Here are the steps:

• Hold down the “Power” and “Home” buttons together until the plug-in image appears
• Connect the iPhone to iTunes
• Select the Restore option (do not restore from backup)
• Wait - it takes awhile

Once the iPhone is restored, you can re-sync your data and apps as well as update to the latest firmware version. This usually clears up major issues with the iPhone and should be used only when all else fails.

Technorati Tags: iPhone, restore, apple, firmware, docstechnotes

Faster Document Navigation in OS X

You know how to move your “I” bar around your documents using arrow keys. Try these keystrokes instead to make navigating a bit quicker:

cmd → | Move to the end of a line
cmd ← | Move to the beginning of a line
cmd ↑ | Move to the beginning of a document
cmd ↓ | Move to the end of a document
ctrl → | Move to the end of the next word
ctrl ← | Move to the beginning of the next word
ctrl ↑ | Page up
ctrl ↓ | Page down

The keystrokes above function properly in TextEdit, TextMate and Pages and any other application that conforms to the Apple standards.

Technorati Tags: document, navigation, keyboard, apple, osx, editing, keystrokes, docstechnotes

OS X 10.5 Forgot Password Fix

Please be kind...don't use this tip to hack other folks' Macs.

• Insert Mac’s or a recent OS X installer disc
• Hold down the c key and reboot from CD
• Language prompt will appear, select proper language
• When the menu bar appears, choose Utilities | Reset Password
• From the User pop-up menu, choose the user account whose password needs to be reset
• Enter a password and confirm
• Click Save to make the change
• You’ve reset the Administrator’s password, you haven’t reset the login keychain password.

Reference: http://www.macworld.com/article/139568/2009/03/changemacpassword.html?lsrc=rss_main

Technorati Tags: osx, password, hack, apple, docstechnotes

iPhone Screen Capture

Screen captures only work with the iPhone 2.0+ OS.

• Press and hold the "home" button
• Press the "power/sleep" button - the iPhone will play the camera shutter sound
  
• Open the Photos app to find the screen capture

This is great feature for those who need to share iPhone screen captures.

Technorati Tags: screenshot, screencapture, iphone, ipodtouch, apple, docstechnotes

OpenDNS Addresses

Sometimes you just need IP addresses. And these OpenDNS addresses are ones I look for regularly.

208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220

Everyone (Apple, Linux, Windoze, etc) should be using OpenDNS. Learn why by clicking here. My favorite TIP is to plug these numbers in to my wireless router's DNS settings so everyone on the network is using OpenDNS.

Technorati Tags: opendns, ip, configure, router, docstechnotes

Reset an Airport Extreme or Express

Sometimes those wonderful Apple Wi-Fi devices don't perform as they should. This tip for correcting the problem is a simple one, but will stump you unless you know the secret (or through out your instruction sheet).

Important:
:: A hard reset erases all base station settings.
:: The base station must be connected to power during this process.

Reset an Airport Device:
1. Push and hold the reset button (a small nail works perfectly).
2. Continue holding for about five seconds until you see the center status light (LED) start to flash rapidly.
3. Release the button, and AirPort Extreme will reset (good as out of the box new!)

Again, easy if you know how to use the secret sauce.

Technorati Tags: airport, airportextreme, airportexpress, reset, apple, docstechnotes

Gmail Modes

These URLs modify the way you enter/view gMail:

Reference: http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2008/10/gmail-modes.html

---------------------------------------------------------------
Safe mode | http://mail.google.com/mail/?labs=0

Secure mode | https://mail.google.com/

Older version | http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=1

Basic mode | http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=html

Mobile mode | http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=mobile or http://m.gmail.com

iPhone mode | http://mail.google.com/mail/x/gdlakb-/gp/

iGoogle gadget | http://www.google.com/ig/gmailmax

"No browser checking" mode | http://mail.google.com/mail?nocheckbrowser

Technorati Tags: gmail, google, safemode, hacks, email, docstechnotes

Search Google Images by Size

Need an image with a specific size? Here's how to search for it:

:: Visit http://images.google.com
:: Enter a search term such as:
imagesize:640x480 airplane

Google Image Search will return a listing of aircraft images that are 640x480 pixels. Great tool for finding desktop images.

Technorati Tags: google, image, googleimage, search, googlesearch, googleimagesearch, docstechnotes

Add sounds to Firefox

If you want audible verification as you navigate within Firefox, here's the steps necessary to give the browser some blips and bloops:

:: Install the Noise Firefox add-on available at:
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/8438

or

:: Click here to automatically install

Sounds add lots of personality to your browser. Maybe a Star Trek LCARS or Andy Griffith theme. The options are endless. As of this blog post writing you will need to register with Mozilla to install this experimental Firefox add-on. .

Technorati Tags: sound, audio, firefox, noise, addon, extension, browser, docstechnotes

Publish to your Blogger account using e-mail (Mail2Blogger)

Configure Blogger blog:
:: From the Blogger Dashboard select Settings | Email | Email Posting Address
:: Select a secret word to add to your posting address (think secure)
:: Choose publish option
:: Select Save Settings

Compose message/blog post in email client:
:: Address message to "e-mail+secret word"
:: Subject = Title
:: Body = Post text
:: Send

I haven't figured out how to add a category as part of the e-mail message. Have to edit the post on Blogger to add a category. Can anyone help with this one?

Technorati Tags: blogger, post, email, category, blog, post, blogpost, docstechnotes

Blogger Quick Edit pencil icon disappears

This one stumped me after fiddling away for hours on a canned Blogger template for this site, but I finally figured it out:

:: Activate third-party cookies in the browser
:: For Firefox select Preferences | Privacy | Accept Third-Party Cookies

Now I can edit blog posts clicking the pencil icon. As an added bonus, it fixed many broken tools using http://draft.blogger.com.

Technorati Tags: blogger, draft, edit, quickedit, pencil, pencilicon, fix, docstechnotes

Still holding on to that Newton?

Get the Newton Connection Software for OS X here:

:: http://homepage.mac.com/simonbell/connection/

Allows you to backup your Newton data to your Mac desktop, import and export Dates, Names, Notes and NewtonWorks, install packages and use your Mac desktop keyboard to enter text on your Newton device. In fact, most of the functions provided by the Newton Connection Utilities (NCU), but without the need for the Classic environment.

I have an eMate the I'm just dying to try this on.

Technorati Tags: newton, apple, emate, connection, software, newtonconnectionsoftware, docstechnotes

Apple TV FTP Access

After applying a Patchstick or ATV hack to the Apple TV, you can remotely access the storage space via FTP using the following information:

:: Server: AppleTV.local (or Apple TV IP address) Username: frontrow
:: Password: frontrow
:: Protocol: FTP
:: Port: 21

I recommend Cyberduck for Mac as your FTP client.

Technorati Tags: ftp, appletv, hack, ssh, cyberduck, apple, applecore, atv, docstechnotes

Google Docs in Full Screen Mode

Use the following:

* Select View | Full-screen mode or Ctrl-Shift-F
* Escape returns to normal viewing mode

Use Firefox, Explorer or Chrome full-screen mode (F11) for even more real estate and distraction free editing.