HeySage

In this episode I show you how to:

1. Utilize Data Detectors in Apple Mail (for Address Book Entries)
2. Activate Data Detectors in iChat via the Command Line
3. Run shell scripts via Quicksilver

Here we go!

To utilize data detectors all you need to do is run your mouse cursor over any phone number, address, email, date, or time and a dotted rectangular outline will appear with a drop down arrow. Simply click on the drop down arrow and you will be presented with options such as:

• Create New Contact
• Add to Existing Contact
• Create New iCal Event
• etc. etc.

To enable this functionality in iChat you must run the following shell script:

defaults write com.apple.iChat EnableDataDetectors 1

You can do this several ways:

1. In Terminal : Open Terminal (Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app) and type the command followed by ⌅ (Enter)
2. Launch Quicksilver (⌃spacebar) enter text entry mode (.) and then type in the command. Once completed hit ⇥(tab) and then type R-U-N. Select Run this command in shell and hit enter. Presto chango you are ready to go!

Please email any comments or suggestions to info@heysage.com

In this episode I show you how to place your DVD content onto your iPod or iPhone. The steps are relatively straight forward and easy to follow. There are two steps:

1. Rip your DVD via Handbrake
2. Transfer it to you iPod/iPhone

I believe the podcast speaks for itself so I won’t elaborate much more. Enjoy!!

[Update: I am no longer posting links to view the podcast on the site since most viewers are downloading from iTunes. If you would like me to post the movies on the site let me know]

Technorati Tags: How to put your content

Anybody that owns a MacPro or MacMini is fully aware that these computers do not ship with a copy of Photobooth. As a MacPro owner I felt short changed when I did not receive a copy of Photobooth. Well, there is a solution. If you have an iSight camera, or any firewire camera for that matter (I use a sony TRV 900), and a computer (or friend’s computer) with Photobooth you are in luck.

All you need to do is copy Photobooth.app from the iMac, Macbook, or Macbook Pro to your MacPro or MacMini. The easiest way to do this is to copy the application to an external drive (via drag and drop) and then copy it into the applications folder of the Photoboothless computer. Once you do you are set. Just turn on your webcam and launch Photobooth. You are now ready to take photos of yourself at your computer until your heart’s content.

Technorati Tags: Photobooth, MacPro, OS X Hack

In this episode I show you how to create slideshows on the fly within Apple Mail and Preview. As I typically do, I have incorporated some Quicksilver and keyboard shortcuts into the episode.

The concept is really quite simple. All you need to do is go to iTunes and play some music and then use the slideshow engine built into Mail and Preview. In the podcast I utilize Quicksilver and keyboard shortcuts with the hope of demonstrating additional ways to incorporate each into your workflow.

Send any comments to info@heysage.com

Technorati Tags: Slideshow, OS X, Mail.app, Preview, How to

I recently had a request to do a show on the basics of Quicksilver so, here it is. In this episode I show you a few of the innumerable uses of Quicksilver. Quicksilver is an unified, extensible interface for working with applications, contacts, music, and other data. The possibilities are endless. These are just a few of the ways that I use Quicksilver on a daily basis.

In this episode I show you how to use Quicksilver.app for the following:

1. Application Launcher
2. Bookmark Access
3. Moving/Copying Files
4. iTunes Control
5. Address Book Access
6. Add iCal Events/To Dos to iCal

Follow along closely because things go quickly!

Technorati Tags: Quicksilver 101, How to use Quicksilver, OS X Tutorials

In this episode I show you how to create and utilize smart playlists. You may be asking yourself, what exactly is a “smart” playlist? A smart playlist is a playlist that is constructed based on parameters that you set via drop down menus in iTunes’ smart playlist dialogue box. Here we go.

1. Launch iTunes
2. Press ⌘ ⌥ N (or go to file new smart playlist)
3. Configure the Parameters as would like
4. Click OK
5. Name the playlist by typing the name of your liking

You are set. You can always edit your list by right clicking (⌃ clicking) the playlist name in the left hand column.

It is certainly worth mentioning that most  applications have a smart folder feature. Thus, you can create smart albums in iPhoto, smart folders in finder etc. etc.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge that I know that the notes for this episode are short. I also did not do any audio enhancement in post as I usually do. The summer has been quite busy for me. Not only have I gotten married and gone on an amazing honeymoon, but I am in the middle of purchasing an orthodontic practice. Expect the standard notes and production quality to return in the near future.

Technorati Tags: Smart Playlist, iTunes

If you are anything like me, one of the most annoying features, or lack of features, in the iPhone is the fact that there is no copy and paste. This is a great little mockup of how copy and paste might work on the iPhone. Knowing Apple they will come up with something else, lets just hope it is sooner than later.

Technorati Tags: Copy and Paste iPhone

In this episode I review the features of OS X’s application switcher. I recently had an email question regarding the application switcher. I responded to the question via email but I thought that I would do a whole show on the application switcher. As usual you can watch the episode here if you would like. So, here we go!

The first question, what is the application switcher? The application switcher is a very simple way to navigate between open applications. To launch the application switcher simply hold the ⌘ key and press ⇥ (the tab key). Once you have done this, the application switcher will launch in the middle of the screen with the last application that you used highlighted (as opposed to the current application). Continue to hold the tab key to keep the application switcher visible. Once you let go of the command key the application that is highlighted will be selected.

Once the application switcher is visible you may select an open application several different ways.

1. While holding the ⌘ key, you can cycle forward through the open applications by repeatedly pressing, or holding down, the ⇥ key (tab).
2. You may cycle through applications in the opposite direction by adding ⇧ (shift) to the previous equation. So, holding down ⇧ ⌘ tab will cycle through open applications in the opposite direction.
3. Once the application switcher is open you may use your mouse to select any application. Press ⌘ ⇥ and then click on any application.

Another wonderful use of the application switcher is to hide and quite applications. For example, you may have a slew of applications open and you may want to quite out of several of them. To do so quickly and efficiently, launch the application switcher and select the application that you would like to quit (either tab until it is highlighted or place the mouse cursor over the application without clicking). Once the application is selected use the keyboard shortcut ⌘ Q to close down the application of your choice. Holding the ⌘ key and pressing ⇥ and then Q multiple times will quite all of your applications. You may use the same technique with the keyboard shortcut ⌘ H to hide any application that you choose.

A variant of this trick is ⌘ ~ (tild) to cycle through windows in an application. As with most things in OS X, you can cycle backwards through windows within an application by adding ⇧ to the equation.

It is worth noting that in most instances where the ⇥ will move through fields, whether it be in Safari, AddressBook, or any other application, holding down the ⇧ key will allow you to move through fields in the opposite direction.

My last tip about the application switcher is geared towards the mouse lovers out there. If you have an apple mighty mouse you can program any button to launch the application switcher. I personally prefer the trackpad button but the side buttons work fairly well too. With mouse in hand this is extremely convenient. Once you press the trackpad button you can scroll through the applications with the scroll wheel. rthdfg

As always, send your feedback to info@heysage.com

Technorati Tags: Application Switcher, ⌘ ⇥

In this episode I show you how to create custom ringtones using GarageBand or Soundtrack Pro and them install them on your iPhone using iFuntastic. There is also a small section dedicated to text selection keyboard shortcuts. You may watch this episode here. Here we go!

Warning: Use this tutorial at your own risk. Changing system settings on your iPhone may cause problems with your iPhone. A restore should let you recover but there are no guarantees (I have used iFuntastic numerous times without any problem but that does not mean that you will not have any problems)

The first step is to create yourself a custom ringtone. This may be done by editing one of your favorite songs, creating your own song, or using system/application sounds (my preference).

In the podcast I used two sounds from Adium (a great IM client) and stitched them together. I show you how to do so using GarageBand or SoundTrack Pro (I prefer soundtrack pro if you have it).

Once you have created the ringtone and have converted into the AAC format you are ready to pursue iFuntastic. Download iFuntastic from either iPhoneAlley or Rapidshare. The links to either download site is here.

The steps are clearly outlined within the application but they are as follows:

1. Sync your iPhone
2. Launch iFuntastic. Select the prepare tab and then click on the Jail button.
3. Hold down the home key and power button until you see the caution sign.
4. Allow the iPhone to think for awhile (this is the part where I digress into the text selection keyboard shortcut tutorial).
5. Click the continue button to relaunch iTunes if necessary (it has always been necessary for me).
6. Then click on the Ringtones tab to add ringtones.
7. Simply drag and drop the m4v files to the right panel. Click the plus button so that it is highlighted and then click the update iPhone button at the bottom of the window.
8. At this point feel free to change the carrier logo or the home screen in the respective pane of the application.
9. Once you are finished you need to go to the finish tab and click on the jail button. From there power off the iPhone and then reboot it.
10. Click done and you are the proud owner of a customized iPhone.

In this episode I also briefly review some text selection keyboard shortcuts. They all involve different variations of ⌘ ⇧ and arrow keys. I will probably do a podcast on keyboard shortcuts in the near future.

I am trying to get this episode out quickly as I have just returned from my honeymoon and I have not put out an episode for awhile. I apologize in advance for any shortcomings (especially in production quality). If you have any questions please do not hesitate to email me at info@hesage.com.

The Sage just got married and I am going on my Honeymoon. Why is this relavent? Well, this means that there will not be a podcast for a couple of weeks. Enjoy your summer!