I have started a series of posts on OS X. Some will be Tech Tips. Others will be reviews of FOSS (Free Open Source Software) or free apps. This will be a central spot where all can be viewed. Readers may also be interested in my collection of Mac Keyboard Shortcuts. You also may be interested in my macOS Sofware Directory page.
Recommended Essential Software for Every Mac
- Evernote
- Onyx
- Dropbox
- StartPage
- Duet Display (for any MacBook)
- TripMode (for any MacBook)
- TeamViewer for all my Macs
- MacDown Markdown editor
- AppCleaner – remove an App and associated files
- MenuMeters – a FOSS App to monitor your system
OS X Tech Tips
- Tuneup Your OS X Mac – Part 1 . . . The Simple Stuff
- Tuneup Your OS X Mac – Part 2 . . . Easy Disk Cleanup
- Tuneup Your OS X Mac – Part 3 . . . Safari
- Tuneup Your OS X Mac – Hardware Upgrades
- Mac OS X – Adding an External Disk Drive
- OS X Automator
- Mac OS X – Safari Sharing Options and Markup Missing
- Mac OS X – Wi-Fi Fix for Yosemite
- Mac OS X Tip – Auto Hiding the Dock
- Mac OS X Tip – Alternative Disk Icons
- Setting the Default App
- Transferring Files To and From Your Mac
- Upgrading to OS X 10.11 El Capitan
- What’s New in OS X 10.11 El Capitan – updated 11/4/15
- Mac OS X Tip – Safari Muting
- Do You Use the Chrome Browser on Your Mac? – some are experiencing degraded OS X performance
- Create Text Shortcuts – use the built-in text expansion capability of OS X
- Migrating from Evernote to Notes
- macOS Tip – Preview – Magnification
- Recovering a deleted Note file
- Keyboard Sequence to open new Finder Window
- Killing a Process
- Configure Trash to Auto Delete
- Disabling Video Auto-play in Safari
- Private Web Searches with StartPage
- Control Your Dongles
- How to Remotely Access Your Mac – Part 1 – easily remote access to your desktop Mac from a MacBook on the same network
- How to Remotely Access Your Mac – Part 2 – use Back to My Mac, though with security risks
- How to Remotely Access Your Mac – Part 3 – using the TeamViewer App
- Are all your Mac Apps 64-bit?
- Improve security, speed, and privacy by changing your DNS provider to Quad9
- Add favicons to Safari tabs
- Become More Productive on your Mac with File Tags – Part 1
- Become More Productive on your Mac with File Tags – Part 2
- Skip the Save Prompt
- Is Your Mac Ready for macOS Catalina?
- 12 PDF capabilities built into Preview
- Use your iPad to add a Display to Your Mac with Sidecar
- macOS – Create Keyboard App ShortcutsmacOS – Create Keyboard App Shortcuts
Security Issues
- The Threat of Thunderstrike
- Passwords
- FREAK – security vulnerability
- Adware now included with Java 8 Update 40 Installation
- Security Patches to Safari
- Built-in OS X Malware Protection
- OS X Security – An Overview from the JAMF Nation User Conference
- Update your Mac to Prevent Ransomware
- macOS Security: OS X Security – Defense in Depth
FOSS on Mac OS X
- FOSS Under OS X: Vienna – an RSS Reader UPDATED 3/29/15
- FOSS Under OS X: LibreOffice – an office program suite UPDATED 6/18/15
- FOSS Under OS X: Calibre – eBook library manager, format converter, editor and viewer
- FOSS Under OS X: SeaMonkey – web-browser, advanced e-mail, newsgroup and feed client, IRC chat client, and HTML editor
- FOSS Under OS X: Filezilla – an FTP, FTPS and SFTP client
- FOSS Under OS X: Gramps – genealogy tool
- FOSS Under OS X: Audacity – multi-track audio file editor
- FOSS Under OS X: GIMP – image editor
- FOSS Under OS X: Inkscape – vector graphics editor
- MacDown Markdown editor
- MenuMeters – a FOSS App to monitor your system
Other Mac OS X Software
- MacLampsX – put Christmas decorations and snow on your desktop
- OnyX – System Maintenance Tool and Optimizer
- My Net – Network Scanner
- Free Fonts – Christmas Collection
- Mac OS X Video Converter Pro
- Timeline 3D
- Evernote – Cross-platform note-taking and organization tool
- Dropbox – file sharing
- VirtualBox – virtualization
- Carbon Copy Cloner – backup utility
- Disk Analyzer Pro – disk usage analyzer
- iStat Menus – Mac system statistics
- Folder Designer – folder icon customization
- MathStudio – more than a plotting calculator, it lets you solve and graph algebra and calculus equations
- Tweak and Tuneup – a tool to identify files that can be removed to free up space
- DiskMaker X – Bootable installer creator
- Free Christmas Fonts 3.0
- Commander One – dual pane file manager
- Patina – Simple drawing program
- Geek bench 3 – a cross-platform benchmarking program
- WinterFest 2015 – Collection of software discounted for a short time
- Slack – collaboration tool for groups
- Free iOS and OS X Software – I published a post each month with a list of 40-60 iOS/macOS/tvOS titles
- Duplicate Sweeper
- AppDelete – remove Apps and their associated files
- Zonebox – a productivity tool
- TripMode – control which Apps access the Internet
- Twitterrific – Twitter client for Mac
Mac Compatible Hardware
- Product Review – Benfei Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type C) to VGA Adapter
- Product Review – Product Review – NewerTech Voyager S3
- Product Review – KSB 3.5″ Hard Drive Storage Cases
- GearTies – great for managing extra cables or dressing up system cables
- Anker USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter – Add gigabit ethernet through a USB port on any Mac running macOS 9 or higher
- Add a ‘cheater plug’ to your travel kit
- Add a ParcSlope to make your MacBook easier to use and run cooler
macOS News
OS X References
- The Macintosh Story on the Tech Stuff Podcast
- macOS High Sierra User Guide
- Mac OS X Yosemite Survival Skills Guide
- Terminal Cheatsheet for Mac gives an overview of keyboard shortcuts for the Terminal App., as well as the most common CLI commands you might use.
- MyApple Magazine – a bi-monthly, free, all electronic magazine about anything Apple related
- A guide to picking your next Mac – a product overview and comparison
- Cult of Mac Magazine App – iOS App with weekly issues of the magazine
- OWC YouTube Channel – a library of “How To” videos
- Unix for the Beginning Mage – an introduction to the Terminal command Line
John's Notes 