| mac.column.ted
From October 2003 to August 2009, I wrote a monthly column for MacFixIt, titled mac.column.ted. Each column focused on some current issue in the Mac universe, most often with troubleshooting but it also veered off into other directions. Below are links to selected columns and tutorials. You can see a list of all my mac.column.ted articles via this MacFixIt link. [Note: The link does not list tutorial articles.] |
- The Demise of Troubleshooters? [posted August 2009; written in June]. My final column for MacFixIt. I discuss why professional troubleshooting may be going the way of the horse-and-carriage.
To view the column, with reader comments appended (which may or may not be included via the MacFixIt link to the article), click here.
- The non-Terminal users guide to not using Terminal: Part 2 [May 2009] The conclusion of the article started last month.
- The non-Terminal users guide to not using Terminal: Part 1 [April 2009] It is no longer necessary for most users to deal with Terminal. A host of easy-to-use utilities allow you to accomplish at least 90 percent of what you would otherwise need Terminal to do. This article gives the deatils.
- Secrets of the Dual-Band AirPort Extreme [March 2009] When Apple released this update to the AirPort Base Station, it didn't provide details on several of its new features. This article fills in the gaps.
- The Macintosh: Changing our lives every day for 25 years [January 2009] The top ten ways in which computers in general, and the Mac in particular, has changed our lives in the 25 years since the Mac was first introduced.
- Macworld Expo remembered [December 2008] A fond look back at what made Macworld Expo a not-to-be missed event each year.
- Searching for good searching [November 2008] Why are most vendor search engines so lame?
- Taking your iPhone overseas [October 2008] Learn how to save money and hassles when going out of the country with your iPhone [Also posted here].
- Five “under-the-hood” things you should know about App Store apps [September 2008] Find out where App Store apps are stored on your Mac, how you can peek inside them, and more "under the hood" tips. [Also posted here]
- Ten Good Years: MacFixIt's 10th Anniversary [March 2006] The title says it all. A look back at the highlights of MacFixIt's first decade.
- A return to those thrilling days of yesteryear... [December 2003] This column is a look back at the birth of the Mac twenty years ago next month.
| Tutorials |
- Location Finder: Part II [September 2007] A continuation of the "where is it?" tour at some of the "most frequently sought-after but not especially obvious destinations" in Mac OS X.
- Location Finder: Part I [June 2007] A "where is it?" tour at some of the "most frequently sought-after but not especially obvious destinations" in Mac OS X.
- Preferences Files: The Complete Story: Part VII [October 2006] My favorite property list (.plist) file tricks.
- Preferences Files: The Complete Story: Part VI [August 2006] Property List (.plist) files outside of the ~/Library/Preferences folder.
- Preferences Files: The Complete Story: Part V [June 2006] How .plist files become corrupt and troubleshooting the results.
- Preferences Files: The Complete Story: Part IV [January 2006] In this installment of the multi-part tutorial, I get to the nitty-gritty of how to edit preferences (.plist) files.
- Preferences Files: The Complete Story: Part III [December 2005] In this multi-part tutorial, I explore all about preferences (.plist) files. In this second installment, I explain exactly what "hidden" .plist file settings are, why they exist and how to find them.
- Preferences Files: The Complete Story: Parts I & II [November 2005] In this multi-part tutorial, I explore all about preferences (.plist) files. In this first installment, I explain what .plist files are, where they are stored, and how to view their contents.