command

Apr 27 2009

The Easy Way Out

Cocktail The Easy Way Out

I know this column is for power-users to learn advanced ways to get the job done, but…why not take a day off? Do some things the easy way for once? Remember all of those terminal commands to keep your system clean and properly running? …I don’t… That’s why I use Cocktail.



Cocktail is an undeniably valuable tool for every OSX user who is either afraid of the terminal, or just doesn’t have the time to bother with it. Cocktail takes control of nearly every terminal command available and presents it in a very easy and intuitive GUI. Some features include prebinding, Cron scripts, deleting archived log files, deleting caches, and customizing the look and features of the Finder and Dock.


Now, go out there, download this app, and have a real coffee break.


This lazy tip has been brought to you by: James “MacManX” Huff.

By admin • Articles, Power User Monday Tip of the Week • Comments Off • Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Apr 27 2009

On Your Desktop

This week’s freeware picks all have something to do with your desktop, from expanding it to keeping it well informed.

mu On Your DesktopDesktops Manager

This handy menu extra allows you to spread windows over multiple virtual desktops. Better yet, it provides you with tiny previews of each of your desktops along the menu bar. This is a must have for video editors, Flash programmers or anyone else who wishes that had an extra monitor.

mu On Your DesktopNewsMac

Bring headlines to your desktop with this simple, free newsreader. For the most part, this newsreader isnít any different than most, except for the iPod and Palm synchronization. That alone will make it an attractive choice for iPod/Palm owners.

mu On Your DesktopSaft

Saft is a full-screen tool for Safari. This plug-in adds a command to Safari to completely cover your desktop (like kiosk mode). TIP: Uncheck the tool bar and address bar on the “View ” menu for the total full-screen effect.

Okay, so I was stretching the “desktop” theme a little far there. I realize that. I’ll try harder next week.

Brian

mu On Your DesktopDownloads provided by MacUpdate

By admin • Articles, Freeloader Friday Download of the Week • Comments Off • Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Apr 27 2009

Adobe Photoshop Tip– The Lord of the Rings Tutorial– The Extended Director’s Cut

Will you look into the mirror?
What will I see?
Not even the wisest can say, for the mirror shows many things.
Things that are, things that were, and some things that have not yet come to
pass.

Once you have completed the main tutorial, come here again and then I’ll show you how to add a reflection effect to the Ring.

Find an image

All I did was go to the Lord of the
Rings web site and download a picture of Gollum but you can be more creative.
Use a picture or your boss, Bill Gates or your little brother.

gollum4 Adobe Photoshop Tip The Lord of the Rings Tutorial The Extended Directors Cut

Just open up the downloaded image in Photoshop, select the whole image (Command-A)
and copy it (Command-C). Then go to your Ring file you’re building, select the
Outer Ring layer and paste your downloaded image (Command-V). You will probably
need to scale the image because we want it to cover the whole ring. Go Command-T
and hold down the Shift key to scale the image proportionately over the Ring
and hit Enter when you’re done.

Change the reflections blending mode to Overlay and adjust the Opacity to 60%.

Now duplicate the reflected image layer and drag the duplicate between the
Inner and Outer Ring layers. Group this layer to the Inner Ring as you did before.
Go to Filter>Distort>Polar Coordinates. Choose the Polar to Rectangular
setting, click OK and then use the Move to to drag the inner reflection around
until it is to your liking.

finalring Adobe Photoshop Tip The Lord of the Rings Tutorial The Extended Directors Cut

By admin • Articles, Graphics Tips • Comments Off • Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

« 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 »