Apple tricks | collection of tips to bend OS X to my will

Since setting up a new system is usually a pain in the ass, I've tried to compile here the tricks I use to modify Mac OS X to my will.

Keyboard

How to swap alt + command key on Windows keyboard? 1

Go to System preferences -> Keyboard -> Modifier keys

Keyboard shortcuts 4

» Definitive list

Fix Home & End key behavior 5

  1. Download program called DoubleCommand.
  2. Install DoubleCommand.
  3. Go to System Preferences -> DoubleCommand.
  4. Check box PC Style Home and End keys.
  5. Click Save -> User
  6. Logoff/Logon

Reset keyboard type 6

Change keyboard type button missing in System Preferences
Two keys (<> and §°) are swapped

Delete the file:

/Library/Preferences/com.apple.keyboardtype.plist

Restart

After removing the file and restarting:

  1. I could set the keyboard type correctly using the assistant and
  2. I can now change the keyboard type again using the System Preferences

iTunes

How to remove ping service? 2

In the terminal:

defaults write com.apple.iTunes hide-ping-dropdown 1

How to restore iTunes store arrows? 2

In the terminal:

defaults write com.apple.iTunes show-store-link-arrows 1

How to reverse iTunes store arrows to point into library? 2

In the terminal:

defaults write com.apple.iTunes invertStoreLinks 1

All above need restart of iTunes.

iPhone

How to delete (all) photos from iPhone without iPhoto? 3

Use application called Image Capture (already on your Mac). You can now get rid of your iPhoto and use the actoual program that you use to handle your images (I use Lightroom).

Lightroom

Upload to FTP fails? 7

Error message:

Unable to upload because Lightroom cannot ascertain if the target destination exists.

How to fix it: avoid symbolic links in upload directory path.

Software to use

See: Software

Miscellaneous

HP Scanner driver takes 100 % CPU8

HP Scanjet 2400 scanner driver from Hewlett-Pacard polls continuously scanner buttons and uses too much computer processing power (up tp 100 % on one core). This can be avoided by deleting HPShortcutManager.

How to fix it:

  1. kill HPShortcutManagerStartup in Activity Monitor
  2. Go to /Library/Application Support/Hewlett-Packard/HP Scanjet Scanner/
  3. Delete HPShortcutManagerStartup
  4. kill HPShortcutManager in Activity Monitor

Remove Preferred Wi-Fi networks9

OS X remembers wifi networks you have connected and tries to join you to those networks. Sometimes you do not prefer to use noughbours wifi as it does not enable you to use your local network connections. This trick allows you to remove preferred networks from your system.

How to fix it:

  1. Check the id of your network adapter. Open terminal and run following command:

    ifconfig

    Next find out what's your wifi's id. For me the output is like:

    en0: flags=8863 UP,BROADCAST,SMART,RUNNING,SIMPLEX,MULTICAST mtu 1500

    ...where the en0 happens to be my wifi.

  2. Run following command to see list of preferred networks

    networksetup -listpreferredwirelessnetworks en0
  3. To remove single preferred network use following command:

    networksetup -removepreferredwirelessnetwork en0 "name of network"

    Quotes are needed only for wifis with more than one word (ie. containing space).

  4. To remove all preferred networks use following command:

    networksetup -removeallpreferredwirelessnetworks en0

Sources

  1. Macworld | Max OS X Hints
    http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=2007102013195255
  2. Apple | Support | Discussions
    href="http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2592723&tstart=75
  3. That's what I thought.
    http://cdevroe.com/notes/howto-del-iphone-photos/
  4. MacRumors | Guides
    http://guides.macrumors.com/Keyboard_shortcuts
  5. GeekGuides | Technology tips & tricks
    http://www.geekguides.co.uk/86/how-to-make-the-home-end-keys-on-a-mac-keyboard-work-like-home-end-keys/
  6. Entropy increases
    http://ycode.blogspot.com/2008/01/change-keyboard-type-button-missing-in.html
  7. Adobe Forums
    http://forums.adobe.com/thread/359734
  8. alnitac @ HP Support Forum
    http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Mac-printing-and-scanning/OS-X-scanner-driver-maxes-CPU/td-p/197310/page/2
  9. jwbales @ Macworld Mac OS X Hints - Forums
    http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20101014125740797