MacGeekery
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Hide an Icon in the Dock
The über-Mac geeks over at mac geekery answer a reader question I have often wondered about myself: is it possible to hide an application's icon so it does not appear in your Dock, even though the application is running? And the answer is yes, if you're up for a little bit of relatively easy hacking. Apparently all you have to do is drill down into the Application package (right-click on the application icon and choose "show package contents") and add one key to its Info.plist file. JC warns that this may have some unintended consequences, as the "Dock controls almost all aspects of application switching," so if you do this you may "lose" the application and have no way to interact with it. In addition some applications "interact with their Dock icon programmatically" (e.g. the way Mail.app shows the number of unread messages in its Dock icon), so this is not a good idea for those programs. However, if you have something that must run all the time, but with which you don't interact much, and whose Dock icon you want out of there (e.g. the DynDNS Updater client), this is a handy tip. One word of warning, be sure to duplicate any application you decide to try this on first, so that you can go back if necessary. A second word of warning, this affects the menubar as well as the Dock.[Update: several commenters have mentioned Dockless, as a more user-friendly way of doing this. I originally misunderstood what Dockless did, but after a little more research it turns out that Dockless basically just automates the very same process this tip describes (i.e. changing the value of the LSUIElement key in the info.plist file).]
Improving your AirPort reception, MacGeekery How-To
MacGeekry has just published a truly epic post discussing best practices for maintaining a strong and relatively interference free AirPort Network. The article, full of pretty graphs and shiny charts, explains how to use three free programs to check your network for issues, and how to fix any issues you might find. Although intended for owners of AirPort base stations, I imagine much of the information in the article applies globally for all wireless routers and access points. I haven't tried any of the suggestions yet, as I'm not at home, but I'd be interested to hear from you readers if this stuff really works.
MacBook has great Wireless range
I like the screen on my new MacBook, that's a fact. I'm loving the WiFi range of the little bugger as well. Mac Geekery points out that Apple repositioned the wireless antennas on the MacBook, and boy does it make a difference. I had no idea that there were so many wireless networks near my apartment (though I only use mine, and you can't freeload off of my bandwidth because I secured my wireless network).Yet another reason to buy a MacBook (I really need to justify the purchase).
Acquire a copy of iTunes Producer
iTunes Producer is the program that Apple created that allows music makers to upload their songs to the iTunes Music Store. Usually you need an iTunes Label Connect Login to get the program (i.e. Apple needs to approve you), but Macgeekery has found a way around that.If you're running OS X server you can download the application (via the built in Software Update functionality), but of course you can't use it without an iTunes Label Connect login.Pointless? Perhaps, but it is still pretty neat.
How Apple geniuses find out about new Apple products
I have been enjoying the 'Pure Genius' column over at Mac Geekery since they started running, and the most recent column is no exception. If you have ever wonder how much Apple Store employees know about upcoming products wonder no more (the answer is little to nothing). As always, misbehaving customers figure into the column. Am I the only one that is fairly pleasant to Apple Store Employees?Go hug your local Apple Genius, and tell 'em Scott sent ya.
Mac Geekery on OS X Security Basics
I know that many people who read this site think that security is something that only Windows users have to worry about. Well, I hope that the events of the last few days have changed your mind, and made those people realize that while OS X hasn't been targeted in the past that means nothing for the future.Mac Geekery has a great post that details some OS X security basics that all OS X users should read. Check it out, and implement at least some of the things the article suggests. You'll thank me later (or mock me in the comments now).
