Find Stuff Faster
41. Use Spotlight for metadata
Spotlight uses metadata stored by the system to search within files, not just their filenames. So, for example, it can identify text stored on a layer within a Photoshop document. This makes things quicker to find, even if you can’t remember where they’re stored.
42. Trim Spotlight searches
If you have a folder into which you drop lots of temporary items, consider excluding it from Spotlight’s search in System Preferences > Spotlight. Otherwise the system may slow down as OS X tries to index all the contents, only for you to delete the files shortly afterwards.
43. Create aliases
Aliases are as old as the hills in computing terms, but still a great way to link to files and folders. Just select an item, press Command/L or right-click and choose “Make Alias,” then drag the alias wherever you want it to go. Double-clicking on an alias will open the file or folder without you having to navigate to it; this is particularly useful when something is buried deep in a subfolder or on another drive.
44. Right-click items
Many functions to do with items in the Finder can be found by right-clicking (or Control/clicking) on them to bring up the contextual menu. Common operations like “Move To Trash,” “Duplicate” and “Compress” can be found here for quick access. Some applications also install contextual menu items, most notably antivirus software (for quick scanning) and compression software like StuffIt (for quick archiving).
45. Quick Look
New in OS X 10.5 Leopard, Quick Look is a fantastic timesaver. Simply select any item in the Finder and press the spacebar. If it’s a folder, a window appears, giving you info about its properties. If it’s any other kind of document, you get a live preview of its contents without having to open the document or its associated application. So, Quick Look a movie and you’ll get a playing, scrollable preview with sound.
46. Even quicker look
The Quick Look window in OS X 10.5. is contextual, so, if you have it open, you can use the arrow keys to Quick Look other items without having to close and open it again.
47. Spring-loaded folders
By default, spring-loaded folders are activated in Finder. If you pick up one or more items and drag them onto a folder without releasing the mouse, after a short break that folder will spring open and you can see its contents. Hold onto one of its subfolders and the same happens, until eventually you reach the bottom of the folder structure. You can drop your items into any level as you go, which saves loads of double-clicking.
48. Speedier springs
You can alter the delay before files spring open, or even disable this feature entirely, in Finder’s Preferences > General tab.
49. Spaces
If you’re tired of juggling lots of windows, try Spaces — another of Leopard’s new features. In the System Preferences you can assign as many rows and columns as you want, up to a total of 4×4, and assign applications to spaces. Then, set up your keyboard shortcuts, such as the Command and arrow keys, to move between spaces and you can have a different set of windows in each space.
50. Quick print
If you have a document that you want to print, you don’t always have to open it first. Simply open your printer from System Preferences > Print and Fax, and drag the items into the window to add them to the print queue.
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41. Use Spotlight for metadata
Spotlight uses metadata stored by the system to search within files, not just their filenames. So, for example, it can identify text stored on a layer within a Photoshop document. This makes things quicker to find, even if you can’t remember where they’re stored.
42. Trim Spotlight searches
If you have a folder into which you drop lots of temporary items, consider excluding it from Spotlight’s search in System Preferences > Spotlight. Otherwise the system may slow down as OS X tries to index all the contents, only for you to delete the files shortly afterwards.
43. Create aliases
Aliases are as old as the hills in computing terms, but still a great way to link to files and folders. Just select an item, press Command/L or right-click and choose “Make Alias,” then drag the alias wherever you want it to go. Double-clicking on an alias will open the file or folder without you having to navigate to it; this is particularly useful when something is buried deep in a subfolder or on another drive.
44. Right-click items
Many functions to do with items in the Finder can be found by right-clicking (or Control/clicking) on them to bring up the contextual menu. Common operations like “Move To Trash,” “Duplicate” and “Compress” can be found here for quick access. Some applications also install contextual menu items, most notably antivirus software (for quick scanning) and compression software like StuffIt (for quick archiving).
45. Quick Look
New in OS X 10.5 Leopard, Quick Look is a fantastic timesaver. Simply select any item in the Finder and press the spacebar. If it’s a folder, a window appears, giving you info about its properties. If it’s any other kind of document, you get a live preview of its contents without having to open the document or its associated application. So, Quick Look a movie and you’ll get a playing, scrollable preview with sound.
46. Even quicker look
The Quick Look window in OS X 10.5. is contextual, so, if you have it open, you can use the arrow keys to Quick Look other items without having to close and open it again.
47. Spring-loaded folders
By default, spring-loaded folders are activated in Finder. If you pick up one or more items and drag them onto a folder without releasing the mouse, after a short break that folder will spring open and you can see its contents. Hold onto one of its subfolders and the same happens, until eventually you reach the bottom of the folder structure. You can drop your items into any level as you go, which saves loads of double-clicking.
48. Speedier springs
You can alter the delay before files spring open, or even disable this feature entirely, in Finder’s Preferences > General tab.
49. Spaces
If you’re tired of juggling lots of windows, try Spaces — another of Leopard’s new features. In the System Preferences you can assign as many rows and columns as you want, up to a total of 4×4, and assign applications to spaces. Then, set up your keyboard shortcuts, such as the Command and arrow keys, to move between spaces and you can have a different set of windows in each space.
50. Quick print
If you have a document that you want to print, you don’t always have to open it first. Simply open your printer from System Preferences > Print and Fax, and drag the items into the window to add them to the print queue.
keyword "system maintain,system speed, system tips and tricks,hardware maintain,how to improve system speed,how to optimize old system,how to solve system errors"
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