How Efficient Are You?
Well, after googling and finding a bunch of tips on how to be more effecient on OS X, such as good use of Smartfolders, Spotlight comments, and general metadata, I decided to see what real people actually do in their own user experiences. I'm always interested in finding better ways to do common tasks. And adjusting my usage style to match.
So what are some ways you have made better use of the OS? Have you found a good way to sort and organize your photos in iPhoto? made your own scripts in Automator? Or just found a better overall way of doing things? Let's hear your stories!
So what are some ways you have made better use of the OS? Have you found a good way to sort and organize your photos in iPhoto? made your own scripts in Automator? Or just found a better overall way of doing things? Let's hear your stories!
Comments
I use labels quite a lot now even though I never did under OS 9.
I also use the finder icon preview for sorting out my images. I like the idea of something I saw in Windows though where it shows a bigger view of the image in a space above the icon previews. I don't really like having to open the images all the time - it wastes my mouse.
Most of the time, I just keep my directories in a logical structure. I actually use spotlight less than the old search.
-iphotobrowser automator script kicks ass (see www.macosxhints.com)
-use the provided folder structure.. this mainly means actually using the documents folder.
-use metadata!
Originally posted by Splinemodel
I never use expose. A long time ago I got into the habit of hiding apps I wasn't using at the moment. Hiding+Dock is pretty effective.
yep I use this too.. option+cmd click on a dock icon is nice.
one thing I forgot to mention is that the floating itunes controller is great as it requires no app switching to use, ditto for vlc player with the floating window option turned on.
cmd clicking through applications is handy as well
Not at all!
Originally posted by Archstudent
yep I use this too.. option+cmd click on a dock icon is nice.
one thing I forgot to mention is that the floating itunes controller is great as it requires no app switching to use, ditto for vlc player with the floating window option turned on.
cmd clicking through applications is handy as well
Bless you Arch! I did the option+cmd thing once and I was like, "Hmm, this is usefull...but what did I do?" Cmd+option, I'll never forget it now.
While I do use Expose alot, I normally just stick to the cmd+tab menu, and pressing q or h to quit and hide the selected app respectively.
Also, what is spring loaded folders, and how do I use it?
One caveat though, I would like to see the dock still accessible some how.
Originally posted by blue2kdave
I do the hide thing too when switching apps. I know I am probably in the minority here, but I wouldn't mind all apps being full screen (capable) apps.
Yep, minority.
The behavior of windows apps to take over the entire screen is one of the things that almost makes me go cuckoo.
john outwater, Spring Loaded Folders is great. You may have to turn it on. Go to Preferences...in Finder (in the Finder menu on the left.) Then adjust the timing. What this concept is, is that you can drag a folder on to another folder, and if you hold the mouse, it opens. You can burrow down subdirectories infinitely. It's AWESOME, try it!
Originally posted by Aquatic
I Looooove Expose. It is a perfect companion to spring loaded folders. I also love how Spotlight is fast enough to be an app launcher.
john outwater, Spring Loaded Folders is great. You may have to turn it on. Go to Preferences...in Finder (in the Finder menu on the left.) Then adjust the timing. What this concept is, is that you can drag a folder on to another folder, and if you hold the mouse, it opens. You can burrow down subdirectories infinitely. It's AWESOME, try it!
Oh, that's what is. I had been using it for a while, but now I know how to adjust the speed. It's alot better when the delay is shorter.
And about Spotlight, I used to use it launch apps. I like the you just hold the cmd key and it goes to the first choice, but I prefer the speed of Quicksilver.
love apple+q, apple+w, apple+shift+h, apple+shift+a, apple+shift+u in finder... use them everyday.
apple+option+8 and then apple+ - and + for zooming in and out, use that a lot too.
once upon a time I thought windows was cool... I cannot stand using windows now.