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AppleScripts to set startup disk between Windows and Mac OS X
If you're living in a Boot Camp world and have a need for changing your startup disk from time to time, enterprising TUAW reader David B. has written a couple of AppleScript apps with your name on them. Boot (Camp) Sargent beta 0.1 is actually two scripts: the first to set your startup disk to Windows (*shudder*), while the other resets to Mac OS X. In this fast-paced, multiple OS world we live in, little apps that save a few clicks can make all the difference.Boot (Camp) Sargent is available at the first Google Pages site that I've ever seen used to promote or offer anything like this. Extra points for the tag line, "because holding down the Option key during startup is too hard", since I've actually heard people say that on the job in the past.
Mount a Box.net account on a Mac
Box.net is an iDisk-like service that allows you to mount an 'internet hard drive' on your desktop (they offer both free and paid accounts). Great for easily and securely backing up, syncing and sharing files between computers. Previously, they apparently only offered a client for PCs, but UNEASYsilence has published a simple tip for logging in and mounting your Box.net account on your Mac OS X desktop - no extra software necessary. Using the simple power of the Go > Connect to Server menu from the Finder, you too can have your very own WebDAV online hard drive. 1 GB is free, while 5 GB is $4.99/month, and 15 go for $9.99/month. Enjoy.
Toshiba's 200GB 2.5-in perpendicular drive
This whole perpendicular recording affair may have started with some dopey, bit-dancing hype, but things sure have gotten serious, fast. In the last month, Seagate dropped that big bad 750GB 'cuda while Hitachi slipped us their 5400RPM, 160GB 2.5-incher. Now, Toshiba announces their MK2035GSS which packs in 200GB of 2.5-inch SATA disk spinning at 4200RPM with a 150MB/sec transfer rate and 12-millsecond mean seek time. No word on price, but you can expect 'em to drop for mass production in August hitting your favorite laptop soon thereafter.[Via Impress Watch]
Apple's 'Quick Assist' support document edited, drops permissions repair and 'restart just because' tips
Remember that 'Mac Maintenance Quick Assist' Apple Support document we found that seemed to be aimed at those new to Macs and computers in general? You know, the one that recommended fundamentals like dusting your computer and using file names that actually mean something? Well, John Gruber today fortunately pointed out that the document has been slightly edited, as it no longer recommends questionable voodoo repair permissions tactics, nor disk defragmenting (Mac OS X automatically does most of that work itself automatically) or "restarting your Mac every few days just for kicks". Three cheers for sensibility.
TUAW Tip: Mac OS X can verify itself now
Disk Utility is a great maintenance and troubleshooting tool for those times when your Mac starts acting up. Repairing permissions can sometimes be handy (even though its true validity is in question as of late), but using the Verify and Repair Disk operations is often a more useful tactic. However, until Mac OS X 10.4.3, you had use Disk Utility to verify or repair your Mac's drive from some sort of an external source. You either had to plug into another Mac in Target Disk mode, or reboot and use the install disks that came with your Mac - not the most friendly process to your workflow. But now, With 10.4.3 and later, you can start up Disk Utility right from within Mac OS X and chose the verify option to make sure system level elements like your file catalog are all in order. One warning though: it is completely normal for your Mac to temporarily freeze or 'seize up' at the beginning of running this operation (you should get the infamous beachball), as this Apple support document explains. After a little while, depending on your Mac's speed and all that jazz, it will come out of its daze and you can continue working/chatting/surfing while it finishes the disk verification process.This is a really handy tool, perhaps even more valuable than checking permissions, and should be a welcome addition to any Mac maintenance arsenal.
JungleDisk offers a far cheaper, cross-platform, encrypted iDisk
JungleDisk is quite possibly the first serious, easy to set up alternative I've seen to Apple's .Mac iDisk. Using the power of WebDAV, JungleDisk allows you to mount an online, syncing hard drive (with various size options available) on Mac OS X, Windows and Linux, and save and access data to and from it as if you were working with files in a local folder on your desktop. This is all run through Amazon's S3 online storage web service, which is "based on the idea that quality Internet-based storage should be taken for granted". As an extra kick-in-the-pants to .Mac's iDisk, data sent to and from your JungleDisk is encrypted. A software package is available for each OS to make installation and setup a snap.Pricing is spectacularly low, though I'm slightly confused as to how billing works. They truly mean: "pay only for what you use" - there isn't a flat monthly or yearly fee for your storage and bandwidth. Instead, on their pricing page, they state that you are charged $0.15 USD per gigabyte of storage per month, and $0.20 USD per gigabyte of data transfer. They offer a convenient pricing chart on their main page to compare with other services.I'm already a .Mac customer right now, as I like the integration of all their other services. But JungleDrive sounds like a great alternative for those who only want the ease of use of an iDisk. If you have already used this service or will try it out soon (bonus points for more than one platform), please feel free to comment on your experience.[via ~stevenf]
Seagate's Barracuda 750GB drive reviewed
No doubt you remember the leaked specs on Seagate's new Baracuda 7200.10 series of perpendicular drives. Well, Seagate just made it officially, uh, official and PC World has a review for ya just to prove it. Now, we already knew it would be the biggest 3.5-incher around, but PC World tells us that it might also be the best. In a "first look" of the SATA/300, 16MB cache version, PCW found the new 'cuda to scream across the spectrum of tests ranking it first overall among the bevy of 7200rpm spinners they've tested, bested only be the 10,000rpm Raptor X. Expect the 750GB model they tested to hit the streets for about $590, or $0.79/GB, which isn't really that bad.
Interactive display of iPod commands
Command-Tab has put together a really handy interactive display of button sequences for the 5 major generations of iPod models. The available sequences are Hard Reset, Diagnostic Mode and Disk Mode, so if you've ever wondered how to partake in some of those iPod troubleshooting tutorials or you're just curious as to what your little while music player can do, head over to Command-Tab for the only button resource you need for getting under your iPod's hood.
