macos

macOS Tips & Tricks

macOS Tips & Tricks for Sonoma:

  • General Shortcuts:
    • ⇧⌘/ for menu search, ⌃F2 for menu focus, Option for outline expansion, command shortcuts for buttons in dialogs.
  • Screenshots:
    • ⇧⌘4 for area capture, hold Control for clipboard copy, hold Option to remove shadow.
  • Open/Save Dialogs:
    • Drag files into dialogs, commands for layout switching and deletion.
  • Mission Control/Window Management:
    • Use Command without activation, shortcuts for window management and navigation.
  • Function Keys:
    • Shift/Option for finer volume/brightness adjustments.
  • Menu Bar/Notification Center:
    • Hold Option for extra options, manage menu items and notifications.
  • Finder:
    • Various shortcuts for file management and navigation.
  • Dock:
    • Hide/show, focus navigation, open files rapidly.
  • Spotlight:
    • Search shortcuts, filters to streamline results.
  • Safari:
    • Tab organization, quick searches, and browsing history management.
  • Mail:
    • Message navigation, mailbox management, and sending replies.
  • Preview:
    • PDF merging, page reordering, various shortcuts for image handling.
  • Calendar:
    • Event manipulation and Spotlight searches for events.
  • Messages:
    • Fast replies, timestamp viewing, and conversation navigation.
  • Photos:
    • Photo organization and quick export options.
  • TextEdit:
    • Text manipulation and selection shortcuts.
  • Terminal:
    • Command navigation, output selection, and path insertion.
  • Calculator:
    • History management and conversion tools.
  • QuickTime Player:
    • Frame capture.
  • Photo Booth:
    • Countdown skipping and effect manipulation.

For dozens of specific shortcuts to improve productivity across macOS applications.

https://saurabhs.org/macos-tips

Hyperspace

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User's exploration of file systems led to developing “Hyperspace,” an app reclaiming disk space using APFS clones. After creating a script that identified duplicate file content, he built a Mac app, now available for free in the Mac App Store. Hyperspace efficiently saves space without deleting files, offering a new approach to managing disk usage.

https://hypercritical.co/2025/02/25/hyperspace

Quick macOS Tip: Create and Use Text Clippings for Productivity

macOS Tip: Text Clippings
Text Clippings in macOS allow users to save text by dragging it to the Desktop or Finder, creating a standalone .textclipping file. This feature, present since at least Mac OS 9, facilitates easy reuse of text across apps like Pages, Mail, and Xcode. Users can quickly view or copy text snippets via Quick Look or double-clicking the clippings. Organizing clippings in dedicated folders can enhance efficiency and minimize desktop clutter, although compatibility with other platforms may be limited.

https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/macos-tip-create-text-clippings-productivity/

25 Years Ago, Steve Jobs Changed the Path of the PC Forever

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Steve Jobs transformed computing 25 years ago at Macworld 2000 by unveiling Mac OS X, marking a pivotal shift for Apple and the PC world. This update addressed long-standing issues of the classic Mac OS, introducing modern features such as multitasking and a graphical interface designed for the future. Jobs' demo showcased significant innovations like the Dock and improved Finder navigation, setting the foundation for macOS and other Apple operating systems that endure today. Ultimately, the introduction of Mac OS X redefined the Mac experience for years to come.

https://www.macworld.com/article/2568010/looking-back-25-years-later-even-steve-was-wrong-about-mac-os-x.html

Bootable Mac Startup Drive Backups, and Another Ode to SuperDuper

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Bootable backups for Macs faced issues with macOS 15.2, but the recent 15.3 update fixed the replicator bug in SuperDuper. While bootable clones were once crucial, the rise of cloud storage and macOS's recovery features has diminished their necessity for many users. Current backup strategies, like using SuperDuper’s “Erase, then copy” or “Smart Update,” still serve backups effectively, but the need for rapid booting from a backup drive is less prevalent today. Users now rely on Recovery mode for issues, reducing the reliance on bootable clones, especially for those who aren't in high-pressure environments.

https://daringfireball.net/2025/02/bootable_mac_startup_drive_backups_and_another_ode_to_superduper

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