(Credit:
CNET)
As an integral part of the Mac OS X interface from the beginning, all Mac users know the Dock is where people can launch their most-used software and check to see which programs are currently running. I always find it interesting to see how people use the Dock on their Macs because its inherent flexibility makes it something personal for every user. Everyone has a specific way they work or play, and the Dock is easily customized to fit each person's style.
A program I discovered today makes the Dock in Leopard even more flexible and customizable for the different ways that you use your Mac. Docks makes it possible for you to take a snapshot of your Dock and save it by assigning a name. Once your Dock is saved, you can drag icons off or add new ones, knowing that you can restore your original Dock in only a couple of clicks. This means that you can create and name customized Docks for the various ways you use your Mac and you'll have a handy list to select the Dock you need at any given time. You could have a "work" Dock, for example, with each of the programs you use to get through your workday, or a "games" Dock with all your favorite games easily accessible. To switch, simply use global hot keys and pick the Dock you want to use at the time.
Name your docks so you know which ones to choose later
(Credit: CNET)The latest version of Docks adds support for Spaces making it possible to launch a customized Dock automatically when you switch to a different Space. This demo is a 30-day trial of the software and costs $10 to buy. I think that once you get used to switching Docks on the fly, you'll find that it improves your work flow and makes an already useful feature in Mac OS X Leopard even more flexible.
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Screenshot by Rafe Needleman/CNET)
Apple released an update to its operating system Wednesday, version 10.5.8.
The update is said to fix issues related to compatibility and reliability when trying to connect a Mac to an AirPort network, as well as restore Display System Preferences, and Bluetooth reliability. The latter will likely bring a sigh of relief to users who have complained of their Bluetooth keyboard or mouse periodically disconnecting from their Macs.
Also included in the update: an upgrade to Safari 4.0.2, with improved accuracy of search history; a fix for importing large photo and movie files from cameras; better iCal, iDisk, MobileMe, AFP, Managed Client, Sync Service reliability; more support for RAW images from third-party cameras; and improved compatibility for external USB drives.
My colleague Elinor Mills has a separate post on the security updates contained in 10.5.8.
As always, let us know if you have any problems with this update.
The latest update to Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard dropped Monday afternoon, with fixes for several different issues.
Apple posted a support document on its Web site and began informing Leopard users through the Software Update mechanism that Mac OS X 10.5.2 is now ready for public consumption. A combo update that includes some security patches is 343MB and can be downloaded immediately. The first update to Leopard, version 10.5.1, was released in November.
The latest version of Leopard, Mac OS X 10.5.2, has arrived.
(Credit: Apple)This time around, Apple has fixed some issues with Time Machine, the automatic backup software available in Leopard, as well as Finder. Time Machine now works with a wider variety of external hard drives, and you can now access the application through the menu bar like you would a list of Wi-Fi networks. There's no support for wireless backups, however, unless you pick up Apple's new Time Capsule external hard drive.
Finder now seems more stable, with fixes that should prevent it from crashing in certain situations. And Airport is said to work more reliably with improved stability and security.
Apple also released two separate patches for Leopard users that improve graphics performance and update WebObjects to 5.4.1. It's not clear whether those are included in the combo update; they aren't included in the list of new things in version 10.5.2 on Apple's site.
Tiger users also have some work to do, with new security updates released for both Tiger and Leopard. The Leopard combo update does include the security update released Monday for that OS. About 19 percent of the Mac installed base has upgraded to Leopard, Apple executives said on their earnings conference call last month.
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CNET Networks)
By now most Mac users (and certainly Leopard users) know about Stacks, the new file-management feature that resides in the Dock in Mac OS X 10.5. Stacks are great for many things, like organizing a bunch of similar files or keeping all the parts of a project together. To create a stack, you just put a folder in the Dock and start grabbing files and drag them to the same folder. You get your choice of the way it displays your files when you click the folder--either in a grid or fanned out. The less-than-useful issue I noticed, is that when I have too many items in a stack, it automatically offers the overflow option of opening in the Finder. While it's still useful for a certain number of items, it seems like it could be better.
A hierarchical menu lets you get to the file you want without leaving the Dock.
(Credit: CNET Networks)I was going through my usual daily software scouting earlier this week when I came across a little software gem I think Leopard users will really like. HierarchicalDock is a free utility that makes folders in the Dock more accessible, especially if you have a lot of items in the folder. Simply choose or make a new a folder of items and drag it into the HierarchicalDock window, then drag the resulting "processed" folder to your Dock. Now, in addition to being able to use stacks, you can have multi-item folders with hierarchical menus for easier navigation. Any time you want to navigate the folder, just click on it to get a hierarchical display and drill down to the file you want to open without ever leaving the Dock.
I like most of the stuff Apple added to Leopard and Stacks is no exception--for some projects. But when I have a lot of items that I'm going to be using for a project like digital photos, for example, HierarchicalDock is the way to go.
Do you have a better program for the job? Do you think I'm crazy for not loving Stacks? Let me know in the comments!
(Credit:
CNET Networks)
Leopard has now only been available for a week, so even if you waited in line to purchase the latest Mac OS, you're probably still getting used to all the new features. My personal favorite at this point is probably Spaces, because I can split up my work into different areas and quickly switch between them. The addition of Stacks is a welcome change, too, because I now have all my articles in the same place--right there on the Dock. One surprise for me, though it probably shouldn't have been, was that I soon realized I missed a certain program immediately when I went to save a document.... Read more
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CNET Networks)
Have you been thinking about buying a new Mac? Have the sleek new iMacs won you over? Maybe you're thinking about one of the MacBooks? Well, this was brought up yesterday by our very own Tom Krazit at CNET News.com, but I think it's worth mentioning here: don't pull the trigger on that purchase just yet!
According to Mac rumor sites, Apple will announce the release of Mac OS X Leopard on October 26. There's no confirmation from Apple--there never is--but with last week's news of a mostly complete release candidate for Leopard, it's a pretty good bet that what the rumor sites are hearing is true. Though you might be chomping at the bit to get a new iMac, you'll be much happier if you wait and get Leopard preloaded on your machine. You also won't be kicking yourself for having to spend an additional $150 to get it.
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CNET Networks)
Apple's iPhone has been the source of most of the buzz on tech sites over the past several months, but let's not forget Apple is more than just a sweet touch-screen mobile phone company--Apple made its name with stylish hardware and intuitive software meant to take the complexity out of personal computing.
As a reminder to the iPhone maniacs (myself included), last Friday, Apple released its latest build of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. Early reports say it is a complete version that may be considered release candidate status. Oddly, Friday's release came on the heels of two minor updates to the previous build that fixed issues with the Automatic Software Update features. Just hours after the two minor updates, Apple Developer Connection members were given the release candidate build of Leopard as a 6.5GB download.
Early Leopard adopters shouldn't start draining their savings accounts yet however; those familiar with the new release say this will probably be the first of many release candidates before Apple settles on a final version.
Apple previously announced Leopard would be available in October, so expect to see more release candidates and news about features in coming weeks. If you want to refresh your enthusiasm or acquaint yourself with Apple's new OS, take a look at some of the exciting new features and enhancements at Apple's Web site.
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