Hands-On Apple (Audio)

By TWiTTechnology

Hands-On Apple (Audio) episodes

September 25, 2020HOM 28: Easily Adjust File Creation Dates for Photos
A Better Finder Attributes Core features:
batch change file creation date and time

batch change file modification date and time

batch adjust the Exchangeable Image File (EXIF) time & date that pictures were shot to compensate for timezones or incorrectly set camera clocks

set the creation date of a digital camera picture file to the time the picture was taken

show invisible files in the Finder

remove invisible files (including .DS_Store) from entire folder hierarchies

EXIF date writing support for JPEG (modification of existing timestamps only), CR2, CRW, and CIFF files

EXIF date reading support for JPEG, CRW, CR2, THM, NEF, digital camera TIFF, RAF, ORF, MRW, SRF, PEF, CIFF and DNG

"remove" file creation and/or creation dates so that they display as "---" in the Finder

add or subtract time intervals to the modification date and time

add or subtract time intervals to the creation date and time

make file creation and modification date the same

set or clear the "hide file extension" flag

set or clear the "lock" flag

set the Mac 9-style creator and type codes of documents
Get the program at https://www.publicspace.net/ABetterFinderAttributes/features.html

Leo Laporte gives you helpful tips to get the most from your Mac every week on Hands-On Mac!

Host: Leo Laporte

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-mac

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12 min
September 18, 2020HOM 27: Organizing Windows (Magnet Tiles & Workspaces)
Work in multiple spaces on Mac

If the desktop on your Mac gets cluttered with open app windows, you can use Mission Control to create additional desktops, called spaces, to organize the windows. When you work in a space, you see only the windows that are in that space.

If your Mac has a Touch Bar, you can set an option in Keyboard preferences to show spaces in the Touch Bar. Then just tap a space to open it.

If you assign an app (or System Preferences) to a specific space, the app will always open in that space.
Use apps in Split View on Mac

Many apps on your Mac support Split View mode, where you can work in two apps side by side at the same time.

To use apps in Split View on other displays, make sure the "Displays have separate Spaces" tick box is selected in Mission Control preferences.
Third-Party Solutions

‎Magnet https://apps.apple.com/us/app/magnet/id441258766?mt=12

Moom https://apps.apple.com/us/app/moom/id419330170?mt=12

Tiles https://freemacsoft.net/tiles/
Leo Laporte gives you helpful tips to get the most from your Mac every week on Hands-On Mac!

Host: Leo Laporte

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-mac

Discuss episodes in the TWiT Community.
Sponsor:
LastPass.com/twit
21 min
September 11, 2020HOM 26: Syncthing
Syncthing, a free open-source program, syncs multiple computers securely. Use it for backup, file sharing, or to keep the same files on all your computers - Mac, PC, and Linux. Leo gives a demonstration by setting up some synchronization between his devices.

Leo Laporte gives you helpful tips to get the most from your Mac every week on Hands-On Mac!

Host: Leo Laporte

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-mac

Discuss episodes in the TWiT Community.
Sponsor:
LastPass.com/twit
13 min
September 04, 2020HOM 25: Finder Tips
On macOS the Finder is the program that runs all the time. With it, you can manage files, launch applications, and as we've learned, automate many of the tasks you perform all the time. Learning to use the Finder more effectively can make a big difference in how happy you are with your Mac. So here are some tips from a variety of sources. Some you may know, some you may not.

Leo Laporte gives you helpful tips to get the most from your Mac every week on Hands-On Mac!

Host: Leo Laporte

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-mac

Discuss episodes in the TWiT Community.
Sponsor:
LastPass.com/twit
30 min
August 28, 2020HOM 24: Writing Your Own Folder Actions with Automator
Now it's time to really make folder actions sing with your own custom code. You can do this in Automator or Applescript (easier), or using a scripting language like shell, python, or Perl (advanced).

Follow these steps in order:
Create a script with Script Editor or another script application.
1. In that script, write a handler that conforms to the syntax documented here for the `[adding folder items to] ' folder action. Your handler can use the aliases that are passed to it to access the image files dropped on the folder.

2. Save the script as a compiled script or script bundle.

3. Put a copy of the script in `/Library/Scripts/Folder Action Scripts` or `~/Library/Scripts/Folder Action Scripts`.

4. Use the Folder Actions Setup application, located in `/Applications/AppleScript`, to:

a. Enable folder actions for your image folder.

b. Add a script to that folder, choosing the script you created
Leo Laporte gives you helpful tips to get the most from your Mac every week on Hands-On Mac!

Host: Leo Laporte

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-mac

Discuss episodes in the TWiT Community.
Sponsor:
LastPass.com/twit
14 min
August 21, 2020HOM 23: Using Hazel with Folder Actions
Before we go too crazy creating scripts to attach to your folder actions let me show you the easiest way to automate your mac: a little utility called Hazel.

Hazel watches whatever folders you tell it to, automatically organizing your files according to the rules you create. Have Hazel move files around based on name, date, type, what site it came from, and much more. Automatically sort your movies or file your bills. Keep your files off the desktop and put them where they belong.

https://www.noodlesoft.com/

Leo Laporte gives you helpful tips to get the most from your Mac every week on Hands-On Mac!

Host: Leo Laporte

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-mac

Discuss episodes in the TWiT Community.
Sponsor:
LastPass.com/twit
13 min
August 14, 2020HOM 22: Folder Actions: Part 1
From the TWiT Community forums, MrHomebrew says: "I've used a Mac for a while now (since 10.2) and have some geek cred, but I've never utilized folder actions and would love to hear Leo's take on how useful they can be."

Leo dives into Folder Actions and how to get started with them on macOS!

Leo Laporte gives you helpful tips to get the most from your Mac every week on Hands-On Mac!

Host: Leo Laporte

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-mac

Discuss episodes in the TWiT Community.
Sponsor:
LastPass.com/twit
14 min
August 07, 2020HOM 21: Secret Mac Boot Commands
From zapping the P-RAM to booting in safe mode, these are the secret key combinations handed down from Mac guru to guru. If your Mac is having trouble, give them a try!

Mac startup key combinations
To use any of these key combinations, press and hold the keys immediately after pressing the power button to turn on your Mac, or after your Mac begins to restart. Keep holding until the described behavior occurs.
Command (⌘)-R: Start up from the built-in macOS Recovery system. Or use Option-Command-R or Shift-Option-Command-R to start up from macOS Recovery over the Internet. macOS Recovery installs different versions of macOS, depending on the key combination you use while starting up. If your Mac is using a firmware password, you're prompted to enter the password.

Here's how to set a firmware password: Go into recovery mode, look in the Utilities Menu

Option (⌥) or Alt: Start up to Startup Manager, which allows you to choose other available startup disks or volumes. If your Mac is using a firmware password, you're prompted to enter the password.

Option-Command-P-R: Reset NVRAM or PRAM. If your Mac is using a firmware password, it ignores this key combination or starts up from macOS Recovery.

Shift (⇧): Start up in safe mode. Disabled when using a firmware password.

D: Start up to the Apple Diagnostics utility. Or use Option-D to start up to this utility over the Internet. Disabled when using a firmware password.

N: Start up from a NetBoot server, if your Mac supports network startup volumes. To use the default boot image on the server, hold down Option-N instead. Disabled when using a firmware password.

Command-S: Start up in single-user mode. Disabled in macOS Mojave or later, or when using a firmware password.

T: Start up in target disk mode. Disabled when using a firmware password.

Command-V: Start up in verbose mode. Disabled when using a firmware password.

Leo Laporte gives you helpful tips to get the most from your Mac every week on Hands-On Mac!

Host: Leo Laporte

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-mac

Discuss episodes in the TWiT Community.
Sponsor:
GetRoman.com/HOM
19 min
July 31, 2020HOM 20: Install Mac Fonts on Terminal
Here's how to use Homebrew and the Terminal command line to quickly install fonts.
Leo likes to use Fish, but you can use Bash as well.
If you haven't already, install and update Brew and its cask feature.

Then type the following into the Terminal command line:

brew update

brew tap homebrew/cask

brew tap homebrew/cask-fonts

brew search font-

brew search font- | less

brew search nerd-font | less

brew cask install font-fira-code

brew cask install font-daddytimemono-nerd-font

for $font in (brew search nerd-font) ; brew cask install $font ; end

And then go get a cup of coffee!

Here's some more information on installing fonts from the command line: https://corgibytes.com/blog/2020/01/29/install-fonts-on-your-mac-from-the-command-line-with-homebrew/

Leo Laporte gives you helpful tips to get the most from your Mac every week on Hands-On Mac!

Host: Leo Laporte

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-mac

Discuss episodes in the TWiT Community.
Sponsor:
LastPass.com/twit
17 min
July 24, 2020HOM 19: Make Free iPhone Ringtones - How to Make Ringtones With Mac
Sick of paying for Ringtones? You can make any song a ringtone for free on your Mac! Here's how:
Open Apple Music, or iTunes on older Macs.
Open Music -> Preferences click Files, click Import Settings and choose AAC Encoder, High-Quality 128k

Select a track to use as the source.

On the Get Info > Options tab set start and stop times to 40 seconds or less

Use File > Convert > Create AAC version.

Right-click on the new copy and click Show in Windows Explorer or Finder.

Change the file extension from .m4a to .m4r. (You may need to adjust folder options to see the extensions.)

Now connect your phone and drag the m4r file to it.

Leo Laporte gives you helpful tips to get the most from your Mac every week on Hands-On Mac!

Host: Leo Laporte

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-mac

Discuss episodes in the TWiT Community.
Sponsor:
GetRoman.com/HOM
12 min

About Hands-On Apple (Audio)

From the publisher's feed

Hands-On Apple explores and explains the Mac — and beyond! From clever Terminal commands to little-known iOS settings, Mikah Sargent shares all the best tips and tricks for your Mac, iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch. You'll get all the details on Apple's apps and the best apps in the App Store, you'll learn about awesome accessories for your Apple devices, and you'll explore updates to Apple's operating systems — including iOS, macOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. Hands-On Apple is your one-stop shop for Apple know-how.

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