Mac tips, tricks, apps & hacks. Volume 2.

226 Pages·2012·74.21 MB·English

✔ Applications ✔ Step-by-steps ✔ Customising ✔ Hardware
Mac
Volume 2
Unlocking the potential of your Mac
MEan hc'as n hcaer dy wo uarre gEusisdeenst fioarl
Mountain
Lion
617
essential
hints and
Speed up and secure Essential Mac &
your machine MacBook fixes tips inside
Welcome to
Mac
Your Mac is an incredible piece of kit, that offers features to suit anyone and
everyone. Designed to be accessible, intelligent and reliable, it’s simple to
just turn your machine on and get straight in to everything it has to offer.
However, there’s so much more to these machines than first meets the eye.
Dig a little deeper and you’ll open a whole new world of possibilities. That’s
where this book comes in. Packed with in-depth features and step-by-step
tutorials, you’ll learn how to hone your Mac skills, and improve the way your
machine works. Whether your Mac’s a little sluggish and want to speed
things up, or you want to add that personal touch to your desktop, we’ll
show you how. With guides covering iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, Pages,
Aperture, Final Cut Pro X and more, we’ll also show you how to improve
your productivity and create amazing projects on your Mac. On top of
that, you can discover how to tweak the inner workings of your machine,
including how to add an extra hard drive to your MacBook. Last but not
least, we point you in the direction of the best the Mac App Store has to
offer, opening up a world of new possibilities.
003_MTTAH_02.indd 3 11/10/2012 11:42
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Disclaimer
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Mac Tips, Tricks, Apps & Hacks Volume 2 © 2012 Imagine Publishing Ltd
ISBN 978-1908955623
Part of the
bookazine series
IMAGINEER TEAM
OF THE YEAR OF THE YEAR
DANIELLE DIXON BOOKAZINES
005_MTTAH_02.indd 1 10/10/2012 12:55
CCCCCCCCoooooooonnnnnnnntttttttteeeeeeeennnnnnnnttttttttssssssss
24
Essential guides
Add style to
your Mac
08 Complete guide to OS X Mountain Lion
16 Secure your Mac
24 Customise your Mac
28 Speed up your Mac
34 Mac Wi-Fi mastered
44 25 Mac questions answered
““MMoouunnttaaiinn LLiioonn iiss tthhee bbeesstt
version of OS X yet” 8
The features
of OS X
Tips TTrriicckkss
56 Load apps automatically 96 Back up images to iPhoto 136 MIDI editing
58 Save a PDF from any app 98 Master editing tools in iPhoto 138 Learn an instrument
60 Tweak Finder’s settings 100 Discover info about photos 140 Audio eff ects in GarageBand
61 Create bespoke icons 102 Combine eff ects in iPhoto 142 Manage iWork documents
62 Quick Look in Finder 104 Access your original image 144 Create business cards
64 Full-screen slideshows 105 Multiple-app image editing 146 Design a work schedule
66 Open fi les with Quick Look 106 Multi-touch gestures in iPhoto 148 Bring presentations to life
68 Control with Automator 108 Manage multiple libraries 150 Selective brushes in Aperture
70 Moving iTunes to a Mac 110 Add retro eff ects to images 152 Work with RAW fi le images
72 Change default apps 112 Edit documentaries in iMovie 154 Perfect pictures in seconds
73 Quickly import photos 114 Fix badly recorded video 156 Transform with brushes
74 Discover Search Tokens in OS X 116 Add transitions in iMovie 160 Export images and projects
76 Event invitations using iCal 118 Create a black & white scene 162 Edit in Final Cut Pro X
78 Test password strength 120 Make the most of markers 164 Add eff ects in Final Cut Pro X
80 Set parental controls 122 Action-packed sequences 166 Organise with keywords
164
82 Disable Notifi cation Center 124 Blue screen in iMovie 168 Optimise video for YouTube
Effects in
84 Control app access 126 iMovie’s export options
Final Cut
86 Transfer keychain data 128 Master Track in GarageBand
88 Disable the Go to Folder 130 Add tempo changes
90 Organise Dashboard widgets 132 Record multiple takes
92 Invert Mac screen colours 134 Use automation
“Discover things you never knew existed”
6 Mac Tips, Tricks, Apps & Hacks
006-007_MTTAH_02.indd 6 11/10/2012 16:32
148
Present in
Keynote
112
iMovie
editing
130
IImmpprroovvee
yyyooouuurrr aaauuudddiiiooo 106
Multi-touch
gestures
HHaacckkss AAppppss
172 TToopp tteenn tteerrmmiinnaall ccoommmmaannddss 220022 GGuuiiddee ttoo tthhee MMaacc AApppp SSttoorree
174 FFiixx aa ffaauullttyy MMaaccBBooookk PPrroo ffaann 222200004444 TToopp 1100 BBuussiinneessss aappppss
176 CChhaannggee iiccoonnss wwiitthh CCaannddyyBBaarr 222200006666 TToopp 1100 DDeevveellooppeerr ttoooollss
178 AAdddd aa sseeccoonnddaarryy hhaarrdd ddrriivvee 220088 TToopp 1100 EEnntteerrttaaiinnmmeenntt aappppss
180 RReessttoorree UUsseerr LLiibbrraarryy ffoorr OOSS XX 221100 TToopp 1100 EEdduuccaattiioonn aappppss
182 RRee--eennaabbllee tthhee SSaavvee AAss ooppttiioonn 221122 TToopp 1100 GGrraapphhiiccss && DDeessiiggnn aappppss
184 AAiirrPPllaayy ffoorr oolldd MMaaccss 222211114444 TToopp 1100 LLiiffeessttyyllee aappppss
186 TTwweeaakk yyoouurr DDoocckk iinn tteerrmmiinnaall 222211116666 TToopp 1100 MMuussiicc aappppss 218
188 RReeppllaaccee aa MMaaccBBooookk’’ss bbaatttteerryy 221188 TToopp 1100 PPhhoottooggrraapphhyy aappppss
Top photo
189 RReevveeaall sseeccrreett wwaallllppaappeerrss 222200 TToopp 1100 UUttiilliittyy aappppss apps
190 SSuuppeerrcchhaarrggee yyoouurr MMaacc 222222 TToopp 1100 VViiddeeoo aappppss
192 BBuuiilldd aa mmeeddiiaa cceennttrree
194 CCrreeaattee aa cclloouudd sseerrvveerr
196 CChhaannggee rreeggiioonnaall sseettttiinnggss
198 RReeppllaaccee yyoouurr ssoolliidd--ssttaattee ddrriivvee
MMMaaaccc TTTiiipppsss,,, TTTrrriiiccckkksss,,, AAAppppppsss &&& HHHaaaccckkksss 77
006-007_MTTAH_02.indd 7 11/10/2012 16:32
Feature
Complete guide to
OS X
Mountain Lion
Discover the amazing features on offer
with Apple’s latest OS upgrade
The summer of 2012 was an exciting There are eight main new features that features out before deciding to invest in a brand-
time for Mac users with the launch Mountain Lion brings to the table, many of new machine, and see what all the fuss is about.
of Mountain Lion, the latest version which are inspired by features found in iOS 5 We have got a detailed guide across these
of Apple’s famous OS X operating system. and iOS 6-run devices worldwide. The rather pages where you can check if your machine
Hot on the heels of OS X 10.7 Lion, with the uncharacteristically long period between the is compatible for the latest upgrade. If your
developer preview appearing a mere seven announcement of the developer preview and machine is less than three years old, it should be
months after Lion’s initial launch, 10.8 is less of a the full launch gave third-party software compatible, which means that you can enjoy the
brand new version than an evolution. It is more developers plenty of time to scrutinise the benefits of all the new Mountain Lion features
of a refinement of the previous version in a technology and come up with viable alternatives as soon as you upgrade. However, we’ve also
similar way to how 10.6 Snow Leopard was an to the new features. covered a few alternatives to the built-in apps of
improved, sleeker and more high-performance This is fortunate for those of you with slightly Mountain Lion, just incase you can’t get access to
version of 10.5 Leopard. Many people see this older Macs that are unable to upgrade to the the new operating system just yet. That means
latest update as a broad step towards the ultimate new OS, as it means you can still access the whatever machine you happen to be running,
future merging of OS X with Apple’s iOS mobile functionality that these default apps offer, just you’ll be able to get access to all the wonderful
operating system, creating one slick user interface through a slightly different package, that in many features that Apple has decided to package in its
across all of Apple’s hardware. ways will give you the opportunity to try the latest release.
“Many people see this latest update as a step towards the future
merging of OS X with Apple’s iOS mobile operating system”
Mountain Lion key features
Messages Reminders Sharing Sheets Gatekeeper
This app is an OS X version Much like the iOS 5 app, Sharing Sheets places a Gatekeeper makes
of iOS’s iMessage feature, Reminders enables you new sharing button in your Mac usage safer
enabling you to send free to set yourself tasks many apps allowing you to by enabling you to set
SMS-style messages to with alarms and sync share content socially with friends boundaries on the types
Mac and iOS users. them over iCloud. and family. of apps you can run.
8 Mac Tips, Tricks, Apps & Hacks
008-015_MTTAH_02.indd 8 11/10/2012 15:42
Feature
NNootteess AAiirrPPllaayy mmiirrrroorriinngg NNoottiiffiiccaattiioonn CCeenntteerr iiCClloouudd ddooccuummeenntt ssyynncciinngg
Another port from AirPlay lets you beam Identical to that found in iCloud integration lets you
iOS, Notes is a virtual your music, photos iOS 5, Notification Center store and sync versions of
notepad capable of and even your Desktop lets you know when your documents online
storing not just text, but between your Mac, iOS you receive an email, aanndd aacccceessss tthheemm ffrroomm yyoouurr
photos and other attachments as well. devices and an Apple TV. iMessage, reminder, and more. iOS devices.
Mac Tips, Tricks, Apps & Hacks 9
008-015_MTTAH_02.indd 9 11/10/2012 15:42
Feature
Messages
If you want the functionality of a
decent and reliable messaging app
but aren’t too fussed by Apple’s official,
universal Mountain Lion Messages
app, then MySMS is a popular IM client that is free to
download. It is available from the Mac App Store for
OS X and the App Store for iOS.
When you first launch the app on your Mac you
will be invited to enter your mobile phone number
and choose a password, after which you will be sent
a link to download the iPhone version. When you
launch that, agree to get Push Notifications.
“All of the messages
that are sent between
mysms users are
completely free”
Then enter your phone number into the mobile
app, followed by the pin that you will receive via a
text message. Once the initial syncing process takes Step-by-step SSyynncc MMeessssaaggeess aaccrroossss aallll ddeevviicceess
place, you’re good to go.
The interface is very similar to Apple’s Messages
app – you just type what you want into the text field,
click on Send and your message will be fired across
to the intended recipient. All of the messages that
are sent between MySMS users are completely free
of charge and all messages will be synced across
all of your devices (that have the app installed)
automatically. To send a new message, simply click
on the ‘New Message’ option and then enter the
name of the person you wish to text (if they are in 1: Add accounts 2: Send a message 3: Auto-sync
your contacts) or their phone number. Then just type Launch the MySMS app and then Click on New Message and then Your messages will be automatically
what you want and enjoy quick and easy messaging enter your mobile phone number enter the name or number of the synced across all of your devices that
between devices. The app also supports dictation, so and a password to login and register recipient before writing and sending have the app installed, so you can
you can speak instead of type. an account to the app. the message. start on one and continue on another.
Reminders
Apple’s Reminders task-management have Wunderlist on all of your devices. Wunderlist
app already comes pre-installed on is capable of syncing your tasks and lists via cloud
every new iPad, iPhone and iPod sync across multiple devices, in exactly the same
touch and is now available if you way as Reminders functions on Mountain Lion.
have upgraded to Mountain Lion. To-do list apps You can share lists, add notes to your tasks and
of this type are ‘ten-a-penny’ on the Mac App choose from twelve different high-resolution
Store though, but, the solution that comes closest background textures.
to reproducing the Reminders experience, at the Wunderlist is also cross-platform, so you can bring
moment, is a piece of software called Wunderlist. your non-Apple PC and even your Android devices
Available free from the Mac App Store, there is into the fold – there’s even an online version so your
also an iOS version on the App Store, so you can lists will always be right at your fingertips. Wunderlist makes for a great Reminders alternative
thanks to its cross-platform compatibility with iOS
10 Mac Tips, Tricks, Apps & Hacks
008-015_MTTAH_02.indd 10 11/10/2012 10:18
Feature
Notes iCloud document
syncing
Evernote has been around for quite a while
now, and has had time to evolve into a
sophisticated cloud-based solution for
capturing and storing notes, web clippings The concept of iCloud document With the majority of apps there aren’t really
and even images that can then be accessed from anywhere syncing involves being able to keep a many ways to faithfully replicate the way iCloud
using the Evernote website, desktop or mobile app. Its project edited and updated across a syncing works, but Dropbox gets pretty close
strengths are the fact that it’s cross-platform, together number of different devices. Say you as a means of keeping everything in sync. Any
with its ability to capture multiple media types, as well as create a document on your Mac, sync it to iCloud, file saved to Dropbox also instantly saves to your
categorising notes into then take your daughter to ballet class. During her computers, phones and the Dropbox website.
folders and using tags lesson you continue to work on the document on Cross-platform capability is most definitely there,
to aid searching. Free your iPhone. By the time you get back home, the with Dropbox apps available on OS X, iOS, Linux,
and Premium accounts changes you made are already there on your Mac, Windows, Android and Blackberry devices. The
are available, with free ready for you to continue. big plus is that Dropbox only transfers the parts of
accounts including a There are currently only one or two apps that the file that have changed, rather than the whole
data allowance support this function, one of which is the text thing, keeping sync times
of 60MB per month. editor Byword, which enables document syncing down to an absolute
via both iCloud and file sharing service Dropbox. minimum.
For Mac
“Any file saved to Dropbox
1: Create account also instantly saves to your
Download, install and
computers, phones and the
create a free account.
Launch the desktop app,
Dropbox website”
select New to Evernote
and fill the required details.
2: Note-taking
Click New note to begin
creating your first note.
You can enter text, record
audio or take a snapshot
with your webcam.
For iPad
1: Log in on iDevice
Syncing is done
automatically. To view
your notes from a mobile Dropbox has been a long-standing cloud storage and
syncing service popular with both OS X and iOS users
device, launch the
Evernote app and sign in.
2: View notes
Tap your notebook to
open it. Your notes will
download from the
Evernote server and be
ready to view or edit.
“You can enter text,
record audio or
take a snapshot with
your webcam”
Mac Tips, Tricks, Apps & Hacks 11
008-015_MTTAH_02.indd 11 11/10/2012 10:19
Feature
Sharing Sheets
Bookmarklets are little
pieces of JavaScript Step-by-step Set up bookmarklets in OS X Safari
code that can be saved
as ordinary bookmarks
by dragging them straight into the
bookmarks bar that is located in your
Safari application.
Ultimately, they enhance your
browsing experience by giving you
super-instant access to useful tools
and special functionality, and in the
case of Mountain Lion’s Sharing Sheets
feature, they can be configured to share
1: Search for bookmarklets 2: Install 3: Name bookmarklet
content such as links, images and video
via services such as Twitter, Facebook Do a search for a bookmarklet that can Bookmarklets appear in the form Type the name as you want it to
and Flickr at the click of a mouse. Here’s perform the particular task you have in of links. To install one, simply drag appear. After you hit OK, click the
a straightforward mini three-step plan mind. We’ve found one that will tweet it up from the webpage to Safari’s bookmarklet to post a link to the
to using bookmarklets in OS X Safari. the contents of the current webpage. Bookmarks bar and release it. current page on your Twitter feed.
AirPlay mirroring On the menu
Once installed, AirParrot is controlled via the menubar.
Clicking the icon reveals the main menu, from which
source and destination selections can be made. This is
AirPlay mirroring is an also where you open up its Preferences pane
extremely popular and
useful addition to the Mac
OS since Mountain Lion
debuted. Being able to replicate your
Mac’s display wirelessly and in real time on
a big screen is a feature that has countless
uses, such as viewing movies from
iTunes and iMovie, demonstrating apps
and techniques and delivering Keynote
presentations. It can also send a video
stream and associated audio via an Apple
TV, scaling what’s on your Mac’s screen to
fit that of the connected TV.
Similar to AirPlay mirroring, there’s a
current alternative in the shape of an app
called AirParrot. AirParrot lets you select
a Mac monitor as the source and an
AirPlay destination, and then uses H.264
video encoding to build a live video
stream from the chosen source monitor.
AirParrot lets you select which application
window to mirror and also supports full
audio streaming, although this has to
TTiicckk tthhee bbooxxeess
be enabled manually. A single AirParrot
Users of third-generation
icense costs £6.99/$9.99.
Apple TVs can enable 1080p
viewing by ticking this box.
Advanced settings If you experience crashes
using Snow Leopard, enabling
Some HD TVs don’t show the entire screen, so adjust
Compatibility Mode should
the underscan setting to bring everything into view.
provide stability in exchange
You can also use the sliders provided to set the quality
for a little extra CPU usage
and maximum frame rate of the streamed video
12 Mac Tips, Tricks, Apps & Hacks
008-015_MTTAH_02.indd 12 11/10/2012 10:19