http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/features/tmo_quick_tip/ en The Mac Observer Copyright 2009 Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:06:49 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fmac_os_x_getting_the_most_out_of_the_fonts_window%2F&seed_title=Mac+OS+X%3A+Getting+the+Most+Out+of+the+Fonts+Window http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/mac_os_x_getting_the_most_out_of_the_fonts_window/ Mac OS X’s Fonts Window, which is accessible from many programs by hitting Command-T, makes handling and choosing your fonts easier. (Note that we didn’t suggest that anything about fonts is ever actually easy.) In this article, Melissa Holt will show you some secrets of that little window and how to use them to your best advantage. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, Reports, Mac OS, Lion, Snow Leopard Fri, 25 May 2012 08:25:01 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fmac_os_x_handy_terminal_dock_tweaks%2F&seed_title=Mac+OS+X%3A+Handy+Terminal+Dock+Tweaks http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/mac_os_x_handy_terminal_dock_tweaks/ Using Terminal commands, you can change the default behavior of your Dock in all sorts of ways. In this tip, Melissa Holt will cover how to “pin” your Dock to a corner of your screen, how to keep any icons from being removed or added, and how to gray out the icons of hidden applications. It’s practically a tip-o-rama in here. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, Reports, Mac OS, Lion, Snow Leopard Wed, 23 May 2012 07:50:54 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fmac_os_x_open_contacts_events_in_separate_windows%2F&seed_title=Mac+OS+X%3A+Open+Contacts+%26amp%3B+Events+in+Separate+Windows http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/mac_os_x_open_contacts_events_in_separate_windows/ iCal and Address Book have a feature that’ll allow you to view events or contacts in separate windows, making it a snap to compare phone numbers or event details quickly. It’s easy to use and requires little or no setup. It does, however, require that you read this tip, so you’re not getting off THAT easy, bub. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, Reports, Mac OS, Lion, Snow Leopard Fri, 18 May 2012 08:25:12 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fiphone_4s_my_favorite_siri_commands%2F&seed_title=iPhone+4S%3A+My+Favorite+Siri+Commands http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/iphone_4s_my_favorite_siri_commands/ If you have an iPhone 4S and you don’t use Siri much, Melissa Holt is disappointed in you. So disappointed, in fact, that she’s decided to write an entire tip on her favorite uses for Apple’s friendly personal assistant. She hopes by doing so that she can convince you to start talking to your electronics in public—after all, the more people start doing that, the less insane she looks when she does. We’d call that a win-win. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, iObserver, iPhone, Siri Wed, 16 May 2012 08:35:23 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fitunes_adding_media_files_automatically%2F&seed_title=iTunes%3A+Adding+Media+Files+Automatically http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/itunes_adding_media_files_automatically/ iTunes has a special folder that you can use to automatically add content to your library without having to do much, really, except drop files into it. You can even tell your browser to use that folder as its default downloads location for painless importing and organization right from the Web. Nifty, huh? In this tip, you’ll learn the ins and outs of how to use this feature to make your media experience a seamless one. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, iObserver, iTunes Fri, 11 May 2012 08:25:46 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fquick_tip_rename_idevices_in_itunes_without_restoring%2F&seed_title=iTunes%3A+Rename+iDevices+in+iTunes+Without+Restoring http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/quick_tip_rename_idevices_in_itunes_without_restoring/ Turns out you’ve got a new iDevice but you already own a previous iPhone, iPad or iPod touch with the same name. While iTunes lets multiple iDevices have the same name, it can get confusing keeping track of which device is which. We show you a quick and dirty iTunes trick for renaming your device without having to restore it and start over. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, iObserver, iPhone, iOS, iTunes, iPad, iPod Wed, 09 May 2012 09:39:05 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_mail_the_mark_addresses_feature%2F&seed_title=Apple+Mail%3A+Manage+Recipients+with+the+%26%238220%3BMark+Addresses%26%238221%3B+Feature http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_mail_the_mark_addresses_feature/ Apple Mail has an interesting preference that can help prevent you from accidentally sending a private e-mail to the wrong person. It’s especially useful in offices where you might need to exchange company info between co-workers without risking that data getting out through carelessness. Melissa Holt can’t help you with deliberate acts of corporate espionage, but she might be able to keep you from copying your Uncle Martin in by accident. After all, the less he knows, the better. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, Reports, Mac OS, Lion, Snow Leopard Wed, 09 May 2012 08:35:01 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fiphone_4s_shutting_siri_up%2F&seed_title=iPhone+4S%3A+Shutting+Siri+Up http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/iphone_4s_shutting_siri_up/ Using Siri, the “intelligent personal assistant” for the iPhone 4S, is an efficient and easy way to access your contacts, get maps and weather data, and set reminders. But she can also be pretty loud, even when your phone is in silent mode. In this tip, we’ll cover how to use her settings to shut her up. No offense intended, Siri. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, iObserver, iPhone, Siri Fri, 04 May 2012 08:35:39 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fitunes_enabling_show_in_itunes_library%2F&seed_title=iTunes%3A+Enabling+%26%238220%3BShow+in+iTunes+Library%26%238221%3B http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/itunes_enabling_show_in_itunes_library/ In this tip, Melissa Holt is going to write about a Terminal trick that’ll give you the ability to jump right to a song’s artist or album in your iTunes library. Heck, even if you don’t want to use the Terminal command to switch things up, it’s still pretty cool to know about the default behavior. So come on in and be astounded! Be amazed! Be only slightly more informed! Tips, TMO Quick Tip, iObserver, iTunes Wed, 02 May 2012 08:32:53 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fiphoto_editing_images_with_an_external_program%2F&seed_title=iPhoto%3A+Editing+Images+with+an+External+Program http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/iphoto_editing_images_with_an_external_program/ Using iPhoto’s preferences, you can set up another program (like Photoshop) to edit your images, without having to pull anything out of iPhoto or import it back in when you’re done. After all, why not let iPhoto handle the file-management part of your picture library, since that’s what it’s there for? In this tip, Melissa Holt’s going to cover how to open iPhoto images with an external editor (and what’s going on behind the scenes as you do so). Tips, TMO Quick Tip Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:35:44 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fwwdc_2012_tickets_what_you_need_to_know%2F&seed_title=WWDC+2012+Tickets%3A+What+You+Need+to+Know http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/wwdc_2012_tickets_what_you_need_to_know/ Apple finally announced its 2012 Worldwide Developers Conference on Wednesday, and with that announcement came a few changes to how the company is handling tickets for the event. The Mac Observer checked out this year’s ticket restrictions so you’ll know what to expect before clicking the Buy button. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, Reports, Conferences, WWDC Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:36:09 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fitunes_using_home_sharing_to_sync_content%2F&seed_title=iTunes%3A+Using+Home+Sharing+to+Sync+Content http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/itunes_using_home_sharing_to_sync_content/ It’s a confusing media-buying world out there. You purchase a song, and you want your wife to have it, too—but how? Enter Home Sharing, an easy way to transfer content to other machines in your household. Luckily for us, Home Sharing includes some options that make it pretty easy to keep your iTunes Store purchases in sync, meaning less time spent futzing around with your files and more time enjoying them. Here are some simple tips for keeping things together. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, iObserver, iTunes Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:00:15 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fdisabling_java_in_older_versions_of_os_x%2F&seed_title=Disabling+Java+in+Older+Versions+of+OS+X http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/disabling_java_in_older_versions_of_os_x/ Apple’s recent Java updates address the security issues that led to the Flashback trojan outbreak and now LuckyCat, too. If you aren’t running OS X 10.6 or higher, however, there aren’t any security updates available. Disabling Java will stop hackers from taking advantage of those unpatched flaws, and it only takes a couple steps. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, Reports, Mac OS, Lion, Snow Leopard, Leopard Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:10:19 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fmac_os_x_print_or_save_a_list_of_file_names%2F&seed_title=Mac+OS+X%3A+Print+or+Save+a+List+of+File+Names http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/mac_os_x_print_or_save_a_list_of_file_names/ Sometimes you need to print out a list of files in a particular folder. And sometimes you discover that it’s not at all obvious how you go about that. In this tip, Melissa Holt is going to give us some suggestions for how to do so easily and quickly, no third-party programs (or Terminal commands) required. Tips, TMO Quick Tip Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:41:51 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fmac_os_x_view_an_entire_folders_contents%2F&seed_title=Mac+OS+X%3A+View+an+Entire+Folder%26%238217%3Bs+Contents http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/mac_os_x_view_an_entire_folders_contents/ Got lots of images outside of your iPhoto Library? Want to be able to see the entire contents of any folder at once? Have we got the tip for you. Using Quick Look’s Index Sheet function, you can see everything you have and find just what you’re looking for, without even having to open a program. It’s as easy as falling off a log. A really tiny, misshapen log, even. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, Reports, Mac OS, Lion, Snow Leopard Wed, 11 Apr 2012 08:26:19 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fmac_os_x_timed_startup_shutdown_and_sleep%2F&seed_title=Mac+OS+X%3A+Automating+Startup%2C+Shutdown+%26amp%3B+Sleep+Times http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/mac_os_x_timed_startup_shutdown_and_sleep/ Using System Preferences, you can easily set up automatic sleep, startup, and shutdown times and configure them to only happen on certain days of the week. In this tip, Melissa Holt’s gonna tell us how to do it, and we’ll all start waking up to an already-powered-on computer. Hearing the startup chime first thing in the morning might even be better than smelling fresh coffee. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, Reports, Mac OS, Lion, Snow Leopard, Leopard Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:30:39 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fflashback_trojan_making_sure_youre_safe%2F&seed_title=Flashback+Trojan%3A+Making+Sure+Your+Mac+is+Safe http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/flashback_trojan_making_sure_youre_safe/ The Flashback Trojan poses a potential threat to Mac users with older version of Java installed, and according to the Russia-based antivirus company Dr. Web, over 600,000 Macs have been been infected. Avoiding the Trojan is fairly easy to do, and checking to see if you’ve fallen victim only takes a couple steps. News, Tips, TMO Quick Tip Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:50:54 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fios_share_your_location_with_maps%2F&seed_title=iOS%3A+Share+Your+Location+with+Maps http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/ios_share_your_location_with_maps/ You can use the iOS Maps app to send your buddies the address of your current location (or any other place) very quickly. This is useful especially if you’re not using Find My Friends or if you’re sharing with someone who’s on a different device than you are. How can you use this magical feature, you ask? Melissa Holt’s going to show you how. It’s her tiny contribution to keeping people together. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, iObserver, iPhone, iOS, iPad Wed, 04 Apr 2012 08:30:03 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fos_x_lion_arranging_icons_by_date_like_a_pro%2F&seed_title=OS+X+Lion%3A+Arranging+Icons+by+Date+Like+a+Pro http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/os_x_lion_arranging_icons_by_date_like_a_pro/ Jeff Butts is a file hoarder, keeping just about every file he’s ever downloaded. When he wants to find a particular file, he usually arranges files by date to find the most recent copy. In Snow Leopard, he was used to the “Arrange by Date” contextual menu, but OS X Lion has changed how that looks. In this Quick Tip, Jeff shows how to coax OS X Lion to give the same user experience of arranging files by date as in Snow Leopard. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, Reports, Mac OS, Lion Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:50:51 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fmac_pranks_for_april_fools_day%2F&seed_title=Mac+Pranks+for+April+Fools%26%238217%3B+Day%21 http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/mac_pranks_for_april_fools_day/ For April Fools’ Day, Melissa Holt has put together a collection of her favorite tricks you can play on other Mac users. Pranks are silly! They’re rather juvenile! They could get you punched! Sounds fun, right? We can’t promise you’ll learn anything useful by reading this article, but we bet you’ll find a new way to irritate the people you live with. And isn’t that the best knowledge of all? Tips, TMO Quick Tip Fri, 30 Mar 2012 08:25:30 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fmessages_inserting_carriage_returns%2F&seed_title=Messages%3A+Inserting+Carriage+Returns http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/messages_inserting_carriage_returns/ In the Messages Beta on your Mac, if you hit Return, it sends the message you’re composing to the recipient. But what if you need to actually insert a carriage return instead? Sometimes we all need new lines, man. Here are the instructions for how you get ‘em. Tips, TMO Quick Tip Wed, 28 Mar 2012 08:25:46 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fmail_hiding_synced_notes_in_your_inbox%2F&seed_title=Mail%3A+Hiding+Synced+Notes+in+Your+Inbox http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/mail_hiding_synced_notes_in_your_inbox/ Frustrated with how the notes you create on your iPhone show up in your Inbox in Apple Mail? Well, be frustrated no more. There’s a way to turn those off, and if you take a lot of notes, doing so will really clean things up. Here’s how you do it. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, Reports, Mac OS, Lion, Snow Leopard Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:20:39 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fbacking_up_calendars_and_contacts_from_icloud%2F&seed_title=Backing+Up+Calendars+%26amp%3B+Contacts+from+iCloud http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/backing_up_calendars_and_contacts_from_icloud/ Melissa Holt is insane about backups. Experience has taught her not to make any major changes—to her data or to anyone else’s—without having redundant information somewhere else. In that vein, she’s going to discuss how to back up iCloud calendars and contacts from icloud.com, which can be very handy if you’ve lost your machine or if you’ve previously synced to an iOS device but not a Mac. Be diligent about making backups, and Murphy’s Law will have no effect on you. Tips, TMO Quick Tip Wed, 21 Mar 2012 08:40:31 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fos_x_lion_track_shipments_in_mail%2F&seed_title=OS+X+Lion%3A+Track+Shipments+in+Mail http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/os_x_lion_track_shipments_in_mail/ In OS X Lion, Apple has added several “data detectors” that work alongside Mail to make your Mail more interactive. In this TMO Quick Tip, Jeff Butts shows how to track your packages right from Mail. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, Reports, Mac OS, Lion Tue, 20 Mar 2012 09:43:17 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fhow_to_access_all_verizon_ipad_data_plans%2F&seed_title=How+to+Access+All+Verizon+iPad+Data+Plans http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/how_to_access_all_verizon_ipad_data_plans/ New owners of 2012 Verizon iPads, take note: you may have more data options available to you than meet the eye. Although initially presented with two choices of monthly data allotment, Verizon actually offers four, but they’re a bit hidden. We’ll show you how to access them. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, iObserver, iPad Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:40:01 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fitunes_weeding_out_duplicates%2F&seed_title=iTunes%3A+Weeding+Out+Duplicates http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/itunes_weeding_out_duplicates/ We all have duplicate songs in our iTunes libraries. Some of us have thousands of duplicates, leading to much hair-pulling and teeth-gnashing. Here at TMO, we hate it when you have to either pull hair or gnash teeth, so to that end, here’s how you can easily resolve those duplicates so that your music is as clean as a whistle. It’s easy and reasonably pain-free—we promise. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, iObserver, iTunes Fri, 16 Mar 2012 08:00:17 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fios_5_creating_photo_albums_on_your_device%2F&seed_title=iOS+5%3A+Creating+Photo+Albums+on+Your+iPhone http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/ios_5_creating_photo_albums_on_your_device/ In iOS 5, Apple has graced us with the long-asked-for ability to create albums on our mobile devices. While this is a cool and useful feature, it has at least one pretty big downside. Melissa Holt’s gonna give us the scoop on the good, the bad, and the…third thing. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, iObserver, iPhone, iOS, iPad Wed, 14 Mar 2012 08:38:03 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fios_5.1_deleting_images_from_photo_stream%2F&seed_title=iOS+5.1%3A+Deleting+Images+from+Photo+Stream+%5BUpdated%5D http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/ios_5.1_deleting_images_from_photo_stream/ One welcome new feature in iOS 5.1 is the ability to delete individual pictures from Photo Stream on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. With the release of iPhoto for iOS, you’d think you could manage what’s in Photo Stream from there, but it turns out that’s not the case. Read on to learn how mobile Photo Stream image deleting really works. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, iObserver, iPhone, iCloud, iOS, iPad Mon, 12 Mar 2012 09:40:11 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fios_5.1_over_the_air_software_updates%2F&seed_title=iOS+5.1%3A+Over+the+Air+Software+Updates http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/ios_5.1_over_the_air_software_updates/ When Apple released iOS 5.1, it seems everyone with an i-device rushed to the Internet to get the update, and in the process brought Apple’s servers to their knees. Even two days later, some users are reporting trouble getting the update through iTunes, but are having much better luck with iOS 5’s over-the-air update feature. Not sure what that is? Read on to find out. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, iObserver, iPhone, iOS, iPad Fri, 09 Mar 2012 09:16:25 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_mail_finding_sorting_removing_previous_recipients%2F&seed_title=Apple+Mail%3A+Finding%2C+Sorting%2C+%26amp%3B+Removing+Previous+Recipients http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_mail_finding_sorting_removing_previous_recipients/ When Mail tries to autofill e-mail recipient addresses, a potential problem is that it doesn’t know when one you’ve used in the past is incorrect or no longer useful. Just because you contacted Eddie Bauer’s customer service seven years ago doesn’t mean you want that address as a choice when you’re trying to e-mail your friend Eddie. We can sort through and remove those old or invalid addresses pretty easily and quickly, though, so what Mail has created, let us now put asunder. Or something. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, Reports, Mac OS, Lion, Snow Leopard Fri, 09 Mar 2012 08:35:04 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fios_5.1_using_the_new_lock_screen_camera%2F&seed_title=iOS+5.1%3A+Using+the+New+Lock+Screen+Camera http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/ios_5.1_using_the_new_lock_screen_camera/ When Apple introduced iOS 5, one of the many new features the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch software update included was the ability to snap photos from the lock screen, no need for pass codes. With the release of iOS 5.1, the way you access the camera changed — but only slightly. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, iObserver, iPhone, iOS, iPad Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:34:30 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fios_5_enabling_the_emoji_keyboard%2F&seed_title=iOS+5%3A+Enabling+the+Emoji+Keyboard http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/ios_5_enabling_the_emoji_keyboard/ Some of us love them. Some of us wish we could enact laws to restrict them. Emoticons are both adorable and insufferable, but either way, they’re pretty much an inescapable part of our lives these days. In iOS 5, we have the ability to turn on the Emoji keyboard without having to install any app or do much else, really, beyond just toggling a preference. Here’s Melissa Holt’s how-to on the subject. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, iObserver, iPhone, iOS, iPad Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:30:46 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fkeyboard_shortcuts_that_save_time_replying_to_mail_messages%2F&seed_title=Mail%3A+Quick+Keyboard+Shortcuts+for+Replying+to+Messages http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/keyboard_shortcuts_that_save_time_replying_to_mail_messages/ Do you often switch between Reply and Reply All in Apple Mail? Mac Geek Gab listener Scout sends in a great tip for Apple Mail that will save time when replying to emails. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, Reports, Mac OS, Lion, Snow Leopard Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:21:07 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fairport_utility_setting_wireless_time_limits%2F&seed_title=Airport+Utility%3A+Setting+Wireless+Time+Limits http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/airport_utility_setting_wireless_time_limits/ Sometimes you need to block your kids from accessing your wireless network at certain times of day. (Sometimes you may need to block adults, too—after all, there’s no better way to force yourself to be productive than to take away your Internet, is there?) Luckily for us, Airport Utility offers an easy way to set wireless access by time and by computer, effectively cutting off mischievous children and adults alike. Melissa Holt’s going to talk us through it, and she’ll absorb the wrath of every teenager who reads this. She can take the heat. Tips, TMO Quick Tip Fri, 02 Mar 2012 08:29:28 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fimessages_enabling_read_receipts_on_macs_ios_devices%2F&seed_title=Messages%3A+Enabling+Read+Receipts+on+Macs+%26amp%3B+iOS+Devices http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/imessages_enabling_read_receipts_on_macs_ios_devices/ Read receipts, long familiar to users of programs like Outlook on the PC, allow people to see when a particular message or e-mail has actually been viewed. Since this feature is now available for iMessages you receive on either your iOS 5 device or your Mac, Melissa Holt is going to show you how to enable it on both. Those keen on privacy need not apply. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, Reports, Mac OS, Lion, Mountain Lion, iObserver, iPhone, iOS, iPad Wed, 29 Feb 2012 09:00:35 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fclarify_create_send_instructions_quick_as_a_wink%2F&seed_title=Clarify%3A+Create+%26amp%3B+Send+Instructions%2C+Quick+as+a+Wink http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/clarify_create_send_instructions_quick_as_a_wink/ Last week, Melissa Holt covered pretty much everything there is to know about taking screen shots on a Mac. This week, she’s going to tell us about Clarify, a lovely little program that’ll help you use screen shots to create instructional documents so quickly you won’t believe it. Send a Clarify PDF to your technophobe uncle, and he’ll be hacking into the Department of Defense website before you know it. OK, maybe not. The application’s still cool, though. Tips, TMO Quick Tip Fri, 24 Feb 2012 08:35:11 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_mail_adding_links_to_text%2F&seed_title=Apple+Mail%3A+Adding+Links+to+Text http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_mail_adding_links_to_text/ There’s nothing that Melissa Holt finds quite so ugly in her e-mails as long URLs. We know, we know, that isn’t a very big problem to have. Still, it’s good to know how to format things in a more attractive and professional way, so in this tip, she’ll be covering how to add cleaned-up HTML links to your messages. It’ll make you look impressive—trust us. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, Reports, Mac OS, Lion, Snow Leopard Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:35:08 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fmac_os_x_so_much_screen_shot_info_so_little_time%2F&seed_title=OS+X%3A+Mac+Screenshot+How-To+%26amp%3B+Power+Tips http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/mac_os_x_so_much_screen_shot_info_so_little_time/ Being able to take screen shots on the Mac is a very useful skill—it’s a great way to send someone an error message you’re getting or to save any kind of information for later perusal. Most of you are probably familiar with the most common keyboard shortcuts for taking screen shots, but are you aware of how many options you have with them by just adding a few modifier keys? Well, that’s what we’re going to cover today with TMO’s Melissa Holt. No punch or pie will be served. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, Reports, Mac OS, Lion, Snow Leopard Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:35:53 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fmac_os_x_finders_show_item_info_option%2F&seed_title=Mac+OS+X%3A+Mastering+the+Finder%26%238217%3Bs+%26%238220%3BShow+Item+Info%26%238221%3B+Option http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/mac_os_x_finders_show_item_info_option/ Have you ever wanted to automatically show more information about items in a folder? Have you ever needed to be able to see the dimensions for an image file right on your Desktop, for example? No? Well then, fine. Alas, you can’t stop Melissa Holt from writing about whatever she wants to, and she’s feeling feisty today. Thus, she’s going to instruct us on how to do those very things, whether we like it or not.  Tips, TMO Quick Tip, Reports, Mac OS, Lion, Snow Leopard Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:35:36 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fos_x_lion_replacing_the_show_hide_button_in_finder%2F&seed_title=OS+X+Lion%3A+Replacing+the+%26%238220%3BShow%2FHide%26%238221%3B+Button+in+Finder http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/os_x_lion_replacing_the_show_hide_button_in_finder/ Some of you probably used the little pill-shaped button in previous versions of Mac OS X. Some of you may have never noticed it was there (until you accidentally hit it, that is). Melissa Holt misses being able to use that funny little thing in Lion to make some Finder windows more accessible, and because of that, she’s going to show us how to use keyboard shortcuts to replicate those old functions. She may also gnash her teeth a little bit that she needs to find workarounds like this, but that’s neither here nor there. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, Reports, Mac OS, Lion Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:42:32 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fical_moving_events_between_calendars%2F&seed_title=iCal%3A+Moving+Events+Between+Calendars http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/ical_moving_events_between_calendars/ Switching iCal events from one calendar to another shouldn’t be a painful process. Melissa Holt believes that from the very bottom of her black, evil—er, we mean kind and generous heart. Because of that, she’s taken it upon herself to show everyone a couple of easy ways to accomplish the task. Here’s how you can make iCal just a tiny bit more user-friendly. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, Reports, Mac OS, Lion Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:45:50 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fmac_os_x_time-saving_terminal_tips%2F&seed_title=Mac+OS+X%3A+Time-Saving+Terminal+Tips http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/mac_os_x_time-saving_terminal_tips/ For power users, the Terminal is indispensable. It can help you figure out permissions problems, change settings that you couldn’t otherwise, and tinker with all kinds of invisible goodies, even if you’re not a powerful sysadmin who uses it to administer hundreds of machines. In this article, Melissa Holt will show you her favorite ways to make using the program an easier, more pleasant experience.  Tips, TMO Quick Tip, Reports, Mac OS, Lion, Snow Leopard Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:29:23 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fpages_09_cleaning_up_invisible_characters%2F&seed_title=Pages+%26%238217%3B09%3A+Cleaning+Up+Invisible+Characters http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/pages_09_cleaning_up_invisible_characters/ If you’ve used word-processing applications a lot, you may be familiar with the concept of invisible characters and how they can skew formatting every which way. If you’re not sure what that means, though, this tip’s for you. Melissa Holt will make a few terrible jokes, but she’ll also talk about what to do with hidden stuff in Pages if it’s a problem. Your part? Read this tip and be mildly entertained. Tips, TMO Quick Tip Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:30:31 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fhow_to_share_your_dropbox_files_with_shareable_links%2F&seed_title=How+to+Share+Your+Dropbox+Files+with+Shareable+Links http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/how_to_share_your_dropbox_files_with_shareable_links/ Mac Geek Gab listener Jedd sends us a great tip on using shareable links to provide access to specific files and folders in your Dropbox account. We walk you through the process and show you how to get rid of the links once you’re done sharing. Tips, TMO Quick Tip Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:15:50 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fios_changing_preview_settings_in_mail%2F&seed_title=iOS%3A+Changing+Preview+Settings+in+Mail http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/ios_changing_preview_settings_in_mail/ If you’ve never poked around in the Settings app on your iPhone (or any other device you have, for that matter), you’re missing a world of possibilities. Wanna turn off that infernal keyboard click sound? Look in Settings! Like to see which apps are asking for your location? Look in Settings! Want to…eh, you get the picture. The point is that pretty much anything you can imagine changing, preference-wise, is in there. Today Melissa Holt is going to cover her favorite iOS mail setting to do the old switcheroo on. Tips, TMO Quick Tip Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:34:53 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fsafari_5_managing_files_with_the_downloads_popover%2F&seed_title=Safari+5%3A+Managing+Files+with+the+Downloads+Popover http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/safari_5_managing_files_with_the_downloads_popover/ Safari 5 has a ton of new stuff packed into it, some of which is only available to folks who are using Lion. One of those Lion-only changes is the new Downloads Popover. Some people like it. Some people think it’s a wretched, evil thing that should be destroyed as violently as possible. Luckily for us, Melissa Holt likes that silly little button, and because of that, she’s gonna give us all a bunch of information about what we can do with it and how best to manage our downloads from there. If you still hate it after reading this, you can’t blame her, OK? Tips, TMO Quick Tip, Reports, Mac OS, Lion Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:00:45 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fhow_to_manage_data_backups_with_ios_5_and_icloud%2F&seed_title=How+to+Manage+Data+Backups+with+iOS+5+and+iCloud http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/how_to_manage_data_backups_with_ios_5_and_icloud/ A great new feature of iOS 5 and iCloud is the ability to back up your iOS device wirelessly to the cloud, but there are a few caveats of this new method of data protection. We show you how to precisely manage and protect your data. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, iObserver, iPhone, iCloud, iOS, iPad, iPod Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:40:13 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fmac_os_x_using_console_to_troubleshoot_problems%2F&seed_title=Mac+OS+X%3A+Using+Console+to+Troubleshoot+Problems http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/mac_os_x_using_console_to_troubleshoot_problems/ Melissa Holt spends a lot of time troubleshooting Macs. She reports that the most useful tool in her arsenal is the restart command. (Gosh, she really makes being a tech sound so difficult, doesn’t she?) After that, though, the Console application is her lifesaver. In this tip, she’s going to cover how to listen to what your Mac’s telling you and even how to save canned searches of your logs. It’s going to be a troubleshoot-apalooza in here. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, Reports, Mac OS, Lion, Snow Leopard Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:35:55 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fios_5_opening_web_links_in_the_background%2F&seed_title=iOS+5%3A+Opening+Safari+Web+Links+in+the+Background http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/ios_5_opening_web_links_in_the_background/ In the Mac OS X version of Safari, you can open links in new tabs or windows without bringing them to the front, allowing you to continue reading the page you’re on without interruption. In iOS 5, we can toggle on a similar preference, making our web browsing more Mac-like and friendly. In this tip, Melissa Holt’s going to talk about this setting, how it works, and how generally wonderful it is. Tips, TMO Quick Tip, iObserver, iPhone, iOS Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:40:21 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Ftmo_quick_tip&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fprinting_multiple_emails_at_once_in_os_x_mail%2F&seed_title=Printing+Multiple+Emails+at+Once+in+OS+X+Mail http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/printing_multiple_emails_at_once_in_os_x_mail/ Mac Geek Gab listener Andrew writes in with a great tip for printing and archiving multiple emails at once using OS X Mail. We walk you through the process step-by-step. Tips, TMO Quick Tip Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:45:40 -0500