In Snow Leopard (MacOS 10.6), you can toggle the viewing of invisible files by pressing Command-Shift-. (period) in any Open or Save dialog box. This is great for editing configuration files! (Files beginning with a . are normally invisible)
(via MacOSXhints)
iTunes 9 introduces a new iTunes Media Organization option. Previously, the iTunes folder is organized like:
The new organization scheme puts all content into folders related to the content within the iTunes Media Folder:
I decided to upgrade my organization by choosing File > Library > Organize Library. The process appeared to go very well with only 12 old artist folders remaining in in my iTunes Media folder.
After examining these remainders, I found that some contained orphaned music files, some had jpg files and some were just plain empty. I dragged the music files to iTunes (which immediately moved them on the new organization scheme), deleted the images and the remaining empty folders.
Then came the shocker, my next Time Machine backup wanted 400GB+ to complete. I let it backup, but I’m planning on going back and deleting my old iTunes Music folder in the backups once I’m satisfied that there are no orphaned files.
A quick check using “List MIAs,” tells me I’m clean, but experience says I should wait a few weeks.
Update: Apple has posted a support article titled: “iTunes 9: Understanding iTunes Media Organization”
Here’s my fix for the MobileMe keychain sync process wanting to delete all keychain items:
Complete the testing with a few back and forth syncs to make sure that a large number of changes aren’t detected. (This technique works well for other sync types, but deleting the data can be much more complicated depending on how it is stored.)
Kensington has announced a really useful new iPhone dock which adds a removable, external battery. The dock charges both the mini battery and the iPhone.
Mini Battery Pack is supposed to extend play time up to 30 hours of music, 6 hours of video & 3 hours of talk. Charge overnight and grab both devices for a full day of iPhone usage- slick!
[Kensington via iPodNN]
LogMeIn Ignition allows you to connect to and control your desktop computers just like if you were sitting in right front of them. The iPhone App works over any network connection, faster is obviously better, and is very easy to use.
With this software, you can:
After downloading, simply enter your credentials and you’ll be presented with of a list of computers where LogMeIn is installed and ready for action. If you haven’t installed LogMeIn on a desktop computer, you obviously won’t have any available destinations.
If you haven’t tried the desktop software, you’re in for a treat. The basic screen sharing is free and I’ve used it for years. The service is fast and just works. I’ve been able to connect in every network configuration I’ve tried, including firewall and double-NAT situations.
The iPhone software is pricey at $29.99, but considering how much I’ve used the free desktop sofware and the fact that there are no monthly fees, it’s worth it.
Logging in with LogMeIn.
My list of computers with LogMeIn installed.
My remote computer in glorious 320px of width!
Widescreen mode prior to zooming in.
A zoomed-in search.
A view of this posting.
LogMeIn - Remote Access and Desktop Control Software for Your Computer
LogMeIn Ignition (iTunes AppStore)
Fake Steve Jobs (FSJ) is on a rampage! The Google Chrome OS has started quite the fake feud with Eric “Squirrel Boy” Schmidt and the new and improved FSJ.
Read more on fakesteve: “Dear Eric: You’re dead to me”
The Nike + iPod on iPhone 3GS is pretty slick. Since it is an official Apple App, it gets the benefit of backgrounding. This means you can respond to SMS, take a quick picture or video and even Twitter without interrupting your workout progress. However, taking calls while in a Nike + iPod workout does indeed pause the workout according to Apple.
One of the more interesting things about Nike+ on the iPhone is that you can control the music with the Apple headphone remote. You can pause, skip, rewind, adjust volume and even run Voice Control to find out what song is playing! The only unfortunate thing about the Voice Control is that when it finishes, the song remains paused even though the workout is still running. To fix, just pause the workout with the remote and resume with one more tap. You’ll hear both the music and a confirmation that the workout has resumed.
I couldn’t help thinking how cool it would be if this product added GPS tracking similar to iMapMyRun. The Nike site already supports routes, but they must be entered manually. The accuracy of GPS plus stride tracking would be killler! Here’s to version 2.0-
The notoriously slow, but heavily used, bulk email service MyEmma took a rather bland nosedive this afternoon.
The service is temporarily unavailable. We're sorry, our service is temporarily inaccessible. We are working hard to remedy the situation and hope to have access restored soon.
37 Signals takes a low-key approach to their error screen when search files in Basecamp. My interpretation- “Eh, it’s down- try again later. Please don’t bug us.”
Search is temporarily unavailable. Please try again in 5 minutes. If this continues for an extended period of time please let us know. Thank you.
Apple has posted a handy support note: “Tips and Tricks when using Voice Control”-
Using the microphone
- Use the built-in microphone or the microphone on the headset. Bluetooth headsets are not supported for Voice Control
- For best results when you’re using headphones with a built-in microphone, let the cord with the built-in microphone hang freely. Avoid holding the cord with the microphone or bringing it closer to your mouth. When the headphones are in your ear and the cord dangles freely, the microphone is in the optimum position.
- For best results when you’re using the built-in microphone on iPhone 3G S, hold iPhone like you were on a telephone call. If holding it in front of yourself, you can hold it up to 12 inches with the built-in microphone facing you.
- If you are using a carrying case and experiencing some issues with Voice Control, the microphone may be blocked. Try removing the carrying case.
When to speak
- After you press and hold the Home button, you will be prompted by an audible tone to speak a command.
- Always wait until the prompt is complete before you start speaking. Any words you speak while iPhone is giving the prompt will be ignored.
- Be ready to speak when the beep has completed. Long pauses may cause unexpected results.
For voice dialing
- Some short names may be too similar and may be hard to distinguish by themselves. For best results with these kinds of names, try saying both the first and last name.
- If you’re having difficulties getting iPhone to recognize a particular name, try editing the contact, tap Add Field, and add a unique nick name.
- Avoid possessive names. Instead of saying “call Frank’s mobile” try “call Frank on his mobile.”
For music playback
- You can play all songs in an album, playlist, or by an artist. iPhone 3G S will not recognize commands to play a particular song.
- If you can’t get iPhone to recognize the album or artist name, try telling it to play a particular playlist.
- If an artist has “The” in the name, make sure you say it.