Add a “folder..noindex” to disable files in the folder from getting indexed
Hard to discover tips and apps for macOS
31–40 of 232 posts
Re: Hard to discover tips and apps for macOS
#32My favorite is this: You can drag the Spotlight search bar anywhere on your screen. But if you want to restore it to the default position long tap/click on the Spotlight icon in the menu bar and it will snap back.
Wow, how did you discover the long tap/click to restore it...
Re: Hard to discover tips and apps for macOS
#33> You can select multiple images in Finder and drag them onto the Preview dock icon to open them in one window with a Sidebar where you can quickly flip between them with arrow keys.
Instead of wasting time dragging and dropping, just press Cmd+Down Arrow to open the files (usually images are associated with Preview.app as the default application). Cmd+Down Arrow in the Finder opens (navigates one level down) whatever is selected: folder or single file or multiple files. Cmd+Up Arrow goes one level up from the current folder.
> Path Finder: A fancier version of Finder with multiple panes and various other advanced features.
Path Finder has a few nice features, but its updates and update schedules haven't been great. A cheaper alternative that also supports network transfers is Forklift.
Re: Hard to discover tips and apps for macOS
#34I have a few favourites ControlPlane https://github.com/dustinrue/ControlPlane Divvy https://mizage.com/divvy/ Stay https://cordlessdog.com/stay/
+1 for ControlPlane. I’ve got a lot of automations set up for things like muting my speakers when I get to the office (remember those days?), when I use an app that listens to my microphone, automatically turning on a Hue light Red and toggling Do not Disturb so I don’t get interrupted is my latest and favorite though.
Re: Hard to discover tips and apps for macOS
#35There are better tools than a hex editor or system monitor (why do you want to constantly be bothered how well your hardware is performing?). Unclutter - This gives you a nice non intrusive "memo zone" as well as manage your clipboard, so that copying password won't lose your user name into limbo. BetterTouchTools - Who'll live without this one? Just give "three fingers swipe down" mapped to cmd-w and your life will…
> BetterTouchTools - Who'll live without this one? Just give "three fingers swipe down" mapped to cmd-w and your life will be quite that much better. No more click at the upper corner tiny button to close a window which is an insanely dumb usability.
I prefer using the keyboard as much as I can, and I use Cmd+W to close windows (yes, sometimes one may mistakenly hit Cmd+Q and close the entire application, but muscle memory can help).
Re: Hard to discover tips and apps for macOS
#36> cmd+backtick is like cmd+tab but between windows of the same app. Well, I wish that were completely true, because cmd+backtick only cycles through the windows of the application, while cmd+tab lets you select the application you want. From Ubuntu (or maybe rather Ubuntu's default desktop environment?) I am used to cmd+backtick allowing me to select the window - I did find an application that does enable this behavi…
> > cmd+backtick is like cmd+tab but between windows of the same app.
> Well, I wish that were completely true, because cmd+backtick only cycles through the windows of the application, while cmd+tab lets you select the application you want.
I'm having trouble distinguishing between these two descriptions of the behaviour. What is different between what you say and what the author says?
Re: Hard to discover tips and apps for macOS
#37> You can select multiple images in Finder and drag them onto the Preview dock icon to open them in one window with a Sidebar where you can quickly flip between them with arrow keys. Instead of wasting time dragging and dropping, just press Cmd+Down Arrow to open the files (usually images are associated with Preview.app as the default application). Cmd+Down Arrow in the Finder opens (navigates one level down) whateve…
> Path Finder has a few nice features, but its updates and update schedules haven't been great. A cheaper alternative that also supports network transfers is Forklift.
It is mentioned in the article immediately after Path Finder. The author says they prefer Path Finder for its good column view, which they find no alternative offers.
Re: Hard to discover tips and apps for macOS
#38My tips: 1. Forget Finder, it is just bad for any power user scenario, and IMO worst part of Mac OS. Use Forklift or other similar app for all GUI file management operations. 2. Never drag and drop (this applies to any OS). Early release can cause all kinds of issues. 3. Make sure that you have fast access to Activity Monitor, since some GUI applications do not show any reasonable progress indicators when they start…
> 1. Forget Finder, it is just bad for any power user scenario, and IMO worst part of Mac OS. Use Forklift or other similar app for all GUI file management operations.
The author mentions this among several other Finder alternatives, of which they prefer Path Finder.
Re: Hard to discover tips and apps for macOS
#39I’ve been a long time user of Dash. There is a Linux alternative called Zeal for those that use multiple platforms.
I use Alfred quite a bit as well, though not as an alternative to Spotlight. I use it for automations via workflows instead. Turning on or off VPNs, sending files, converting date times, reading 2FA codes off my Yubikey, etc. I haven’t found a great Linux alternative for this. Ideally I’d have something that lasts me reuse my workflows that I’ve written.
Not mentioned in the article is Better Touch Tool[1]. I’ve had this since the original Intel MBP and it’s been incredible for making the fancy trackpads and touch bars actually useful. I’ve got a Pomodoro timer, Dark Mode toggle, Do Not Disturb toggle (also automated by ControlPlane), and lots of simpler app shortcuts.
I responded to someone else about ControlPlane a bit further down, but I have it automate things like DND when I start a call from my Mac.
Re: Hard to discover tips and apps for macOS
#40I have a few favourites ControlPlane https://github.com/dustinrue/ControlPlane Divvy https://mizage.com/divvy/ Stay https://cordlessdog.com/stay/
Looks like ControlPlane is not actively maintained now. Last pull request merge was a year ago, with many issues and some more pull requests open.