FTP Clients

One thing I have never understood is why Apple has chosen not to include a FTP application. You can FTP via the command line of course; but the whole reason to buy a mac is to use the awesome OS X UI.

The FTP client I find myself using most of the time is Cyberduck.

It has everything you need in a FTP program without going over the top with some crazy UI design. It’s clean and fast. My favorite part is that Cyberduck doesn’t use the old fashioned two-pane approach. Cyberduck single window approach makes it brain dead easy to drop in files and folders from any finder window or the desktop.

So if you’re tired of FTPing from the command line go check it out!

Introducting the new Chad’s Mac Blog Widget!

Today we are introducing a RSS Widget! This is freeware and availble for download here and the Apple download page. Download it and spread the news! Tips and tricks in seconds!

Download Details

• Version: 1.0
• License: Freeware
• File Size: 243K 

System Requirements

• Mac OS X 10.4 or later

App. of the Week: Transmit

Working with Servers (especially FTP) can be a pain, especially when you are not working in the office and you need access. Transmit is a great program that lets you see the server on the right, and your computer on the left. It’s a very simple program but a powerful one. It is the best server program I’ve seen, and I have seen many!

Here are some features:

Buy it today, it’s amazing!

App. of the Week: HandBrake

HandBrake is a great app. that we (Andy and I) use quite a bit. What is it? HandBrake is a freeware program that rips DVDs to your Mac in either iPod format or regular format. It really is an essential software, making life easier especially if you have a newer iPod. You don’t have to download and pay for every movie in iTunes now, just upload one of your movies.

Speaking of iTunes movies, what do you think of iTunes Movie Rentals?

This Keyboard Really Sparkles!

Take a look at this video of this new keyboard that has come out for use with your Mac. It is fully map-able and able to display images inside each key. So that your tool pallet can actually show up on your key board. A little pricey but cool if nothing else. 

Mail Just Got a Whole Lot Better!

WARNING: By subscribing to the e-mail post you will get to see complete, whole images.

In previous apple operating systems adding a new mail account (e.g. Yahoo! Gmail etc.). In OS 10.5, there is a new automatic set up account button! Open Mail, and go to preferences, accounts, and then the little plus button at the bottom.

Then it will show you a window like this…

Notice the “Automatically set up account” button…

How to: Password Protect Files

Here is a question that people always seem to be asking: “How do I password (encrypt) a file?”

I don’t know how to protect a regular file, but I know how to protect a PDF. You can do this by downloading this freeware application called PDF Encrypter 1.o. All you have to do is install it and you just have to save a PDF file by going to File –> Print –> PDF –> Security Options

Print…

Save as PDF…

Security Options…

New Feature in Address Book!

In OS 10.5 (Leopard), Address Book has some new cool features including the pictures.

After you take the picture, you can click the effect button to the right of the shutter button, and believe it or not, there is more effecs than Photo Booth. Here are some:

Merry Christmas,

New Features in Photo Booth!

If you have Leopard, you will see that Photo Booth has some new features including multiple pictures capture, movie recording, build in green screen, no countdown capture, and no flash! To turn off the flash simply press the shift key while clicking on the Shutter button. To turn off the countdown,  hold down the option button and click on the Shutter button. To have no flash or countdown, hold down shift and option and then click on the Shutter button.

Ring tones!

Are you tired of paying for 10 second clips (ring tones) that you already own? Well, I found a way to not pay for them!

REQUIREMENTS:

1) A Mac with Blue Tooth technology

2) A phone with Blue Tooth

3) Switch -if you don’t have it you can download it here.

Instructions

Open iTunes and select a song that you would like to have a ring tone to. I chose “Typical” by Mutemath

Lets zoom in…

Now drag it onto your desktop

Now drag it into Garageband or you can select it in the media browser.

Select which portion of the song you want to play using the EDIT–> Trim to Selection, feature. You probably want about a 10 second clip and export it to iTunes. Garageband exports this song in .aif form, a form your phone doesn’t read. Drag this song onto your desktop and open Switch.

Now convert it to .mp3 format. Go to applications and to Utilities –> Blue Tooth File Exchange, and turn on the Blue Tooth “Find Me” feature.

Final Step: Send the song to your phone! Enjoy!