Keir Thomas - Mac Kung Fu: Over 300 Tips, Tricks, Hints, and Hacks for OS X Lion

Mac OS X Lion represents the pinnacle of software engineering. I confidently assert this as somebody whos not only used every operating system on practically every type of computer but also written entire magazines and books about them.

Put simply, OS X just works, and like millions of others, I value that. Whenever I use a Windows computer, with its stubborn pauses and its tendency to make users jump through hoops, Im reminded of the luxury in store whenever I boot my Mac.

But as much as I enjoy fuss-free computing, Im also a tweaker. Its in my nature to try and find secret settings and hidden features. Im addicted to the Wow! moment of uncovering something new and cool, often something nobody else knows about.

This is what inspired me to write Mac Kung Fu . No other book has the same obsessive depth, and no other author has the same drive to raid the catacombs of OS X to find fascinating treasure.

The 300+ tips youll find over the coming pages had to fulfill one or more of the following criteria to find their way into this book:

• They had to be genuinely useful for Mac newcomers and old hands alike (even Mac experts will find lots to enjoy here).

• They had to genuinely improve the way you use your Mac.

• They had to show the amazing things that can be done with a Mac computer using OS X.

• They had to be fun and interesting.

Over four hundred tips were written initially, which were then whittled down to the three hundred or so gems in the book. Not all the tips are barnstormers. Some point out very subtle tricks. But even these could change the way you work.

Throughout the book I assume you know the basics of Mac operation, something that usually comes after a week or two of using a Mac if youre a newcomer. In other words, I dont waste time explaining the insanely obvious. But you will find many tips pointing out lesser-known features of OS X as well as tricks to refine your workflow, often exploiting hidden settings. This book is all about wringing every drop of usability from OS X.

In a nutshell, Mac Kung Fu is a big book of tips. As such, I dont recommend any particular way of reading it. You dont need to be sitting beside your computer to do so. The whole point of Mac Kung Fu is that you can jump in anywhere. Start at the beginning, or start in the middle. You could even start at the end and work your way to the front. Just start reading. If you find a tip you like, then try it!

Some tips are more complex than others, and some involve editing system files. A good rule of thumb is that if youre unsure about what youre doing, then skip that particular tip and perhaps return to it later when you feel more confident.

The tips were written for OS X Lion. That isnt to say many wont work on previous releases of OS X, such as Snow Leopard. However, Ive only tested the tips against OS X Lion, and much of the terminology changed in the Lion release. If you do intend to use the book with an older release, some common sense will go a long way.

All this book requires is a Mac computer running OS X Lion. Nothing else. You might own a MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac Mini, or Mac Pro. It doesnt matter, although a handful of tips talk about getting the most from portable Macs.

None of the tips require you to buy more software. All the tips enhance, harness, or tweak built-in functionality. A small fraction of the tips discuss downloading some add-in software to add vital functionality thats missing from OS X, but the software mentioned is always free of charge.

Thanks go to the Pragmatic Programmers for not slamming the door in the face of a crazy guy who suggested a one-chapter book full of things he thinks are cool. Thanks also to Jackie Carter, my editor, plus the people at the Pragmatic Bookshelf, who are among the most switched-on individuals Ive ever met.

Im also grateful to the technical reviewers who put this book through its paces prior to its release and who often suggested important improvements. My gratitude goes out to Daniel Bretoi, Patrick Burleson, Bill Dudney, Isaac Dudney, Kevin W. Gisi, Jon Kurz, Wesley Matlock, Angela Murtha, Mike Riley, and Matt Swain.

Finally, thanks to the beta testers who took a chance on this book before it was officially published. Your errata comments made Mac Kung Fu a stronger book.

If youd like to share some of the tips from this book on your blog, then feel free. Its unlikely my publisher will be too happy if you take liberties, but sharing a couple of tips youve found useful can only be a good thing. If you do, it would be great if you could mention the book and provide a link to the books official web pagehttp://pragprog.com/book/ktmack/mac-kung-fu.

There are over three hundred tips in this book, and you can jump in anywhere. Theyre in no particular order, and you dont have to start at the beginning! If youre looking for tips on a particular topic or function of OS X Lion, use the index at the back of the book.

Mixed in with the tips are a series of sidebars that concisely explain features of OS X Lion you might have overlooked. The goal is simply to introduce you to key productivity features of OS X.