Structurally Sound Treehouse

just some more awesome

Learning new Leopard keyboard shortcuts

If you like to be a bit adventurous, or at least discover some new things every once in a while, here’s a great way of finding some new keyboard shortcuts. In any application, open the menu and take a look at what commands are available. Some of these commands have their keyboard shortcuts displayed right next to them. What you may not know is that some of these commands have alternate behaviours when you press a certain modifier, such as the key.

For example, open a Finder window and then open the File menu. Now press and hold the key without clicking any command. See how some menu items change to reflect the modifier being pressed? Try the ctrl key for some more commands. This works with some contextual menu items, too. Just try it out with some different types of files.

This works not only in Finder but in many applications too. It’s a great way of learning all those useful keyboard shortcuts that can make your Mac life more productive and enjoyable.

via macsteps.com

 

Awesome Firefox Add On: SiteLauncher

If you are a Mac user, and you are anything like me, you go back and forth between Firefox and Safari as your primary browser.  Firefox for its Add Ons, such as Firebug.  And, Safari for its Mac-esque-ness.

One "must have" Safari feature for me, was the ability to bind a keyboard shortcut to a bookmark that is in your Bookmarks Bar.  It is possible that you did not even know of this feature.  If you put a bookmark into your Bookmarks Bar, Safari will give it a Comand+<number> keyboard short cut.

safari_keyboard_shortcuts

 

Well, now, Firefox has something just as awesome!  SiteLauncher:  https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/10127

On a Mac, you hit control+alt.  A sweet looking HUD appears.  Hit a key.  Opens a site.

 

firefox_sitelauncher

Steve should be worried

I am watching the Palm Pre CES videos on YouTube.

Those who know me have heard me rant about how the Apple iPhone's UI actually kind of sucks. Don't get me wrong. It is the best mobile device out there. But, the UI design is not that great. Sure. It looks great. But, it does not function great.

As I watch these Palm Pre CES demo videos, I am reminded of a few innovation truths:

  • There is always room for improvement
  • Being first does not make you the best
  • Design must be functional
Who knows if the Palm Pre will be  success.  But, it does look promising.

What you are used to is not the correct way

If you have not watched it already, go watch the Apple battery video here:

http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/

Prior to watching this video and understanding the reasons for an enclosed battery, it was difficult to understand Apple's decision.  Now, I am going to wait for the new enclosed battery to make its way to the 15" MacBook Pro before purchasing one.  It all just makes sense.

I think this is a great example of how we can get used to something, and think that it is the "correct" way.  But, in reality, the thing you got used to (and thought was the "correct" way) was created because of faulty design, laziness, or the lack of innovation.  

I see this phenomenon a lot in programming.  Some examples might be:

  • Premature optimization
  • Valuing computer processor time more than developer time
  • Writing unreadable clever code because it is "faster"
  • Stored procedures and triggers
  • Not using an ORM

My Macworld 2009 Predictions

  • Snow Leopard
    • Demo some crazy performance gains
    • Will make you want to pay $150 again to upgrade immediately
  • New Mac Mini
    • New form factor
    • Upgrade the hardware
    • Position is against a Dell desktop for non-pro users
  • Updated Macbook Air
    • Update the screen/lid to match the new Macbooks and MBP's
    • Update the trackpad to the new buttonless glass ones
    • Upgrade the hardware
  • AppleTV
    • Something, not sure what . . . but, the new killer feature will make me want to finally go buy one.  Finally!
  • iPod Touch Nano (not an iPhone Nano)
    • To me, this makes more sense.  The iPhone cannot get smaller because of the keyboard issue.  A smaller iPhone means a smaller keyboard.  On the other hand, a smaller iPod Touch would be sweet!
    • This follows the product progression for the iPod.  iPod -> Nano -> Shuffle
    • So, expect a Shuffle that is just a touch screen at some point.  What?!  That's right.