APPnox » Finder

Using Your F-Keys For Launching Applications & Finder Items [Mac]

admin — Mon, 16 May 2011 18:47:43 +0000

class="align-right" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/shutterstock_75857092.jpg"/>

If the sixteen function keys (typically called F-keys) on your Mac keyboard are not being clicked regularly, you might be missing out on their time-saving uses.

If you rarely use these keys, launch System Preferences on your Mac and click Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts. In the resulting open window, click on Display in the left column and you will see by default that keys F14 and F15 are assigned to decrease and increase brightness of your computer screen. Under Exposé & Spaces the F9, F10, and F11 keys are assigned to “All windows”, “Application windows”, “Desktop,” respectively. If you have never used these keys, just click them and you‘ll see what they do.

The F-keys on your Mac keyboard can be a powerful set of application and Finder item launchers, saving you the trouble of burrowing through the Finder and bookmarks to launch say iCal, Address Book, your favorite websites, and other items. So why use the F-keys when you can simply launch items from the Dock? Well, sometimes the Dock may get overcrowded with applications. At the same time, it can be much faster to click say F5 to quickly launch iCal, your Dropbox folder, or your bank account website.

Empowering F-keys

If your F-keys are not being used, there are two ways you can assign functions to them. You can download a paid app called href="http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/11517/function-keys-mapper">Function Keys Mapper, and/or you can use Automator in your Applications folder to build workflows that you can be activated by your F-keys. There are href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tech-fun/search/?cx=009717636731598800244%3Aqhe4rh7wuxs&cof=FORID%3A11&q=automator+&sa=%C2%A0">several articles on MUO that explain how to use Automator. You can also download my href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/awesome-automation-guide-mac-users-download/">MUO Awesome Automation Guide for Mac Users to learn more. But I’ll briefly take you through an exercise that shows you how to set up an Automator workflow for launching a website (in this case, MakeUseOf.com) that in turn can be activated by an assigned F-Key.

Star off by launching Automator. Select the Services template and click, “Choose.” /> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/servicesaction.png" width="540" height="501" /> /> Change the “Service receives selected,” drop-down button to “URLs” in “any application.” This simply means that the action you are building will appear in the Internet section of the Keyboard Shortcuts, in System Preferences. It also indicates that this workflow will work in any application. /> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/urlservice1.png" width="572" height="357" /> /> Now click on the Internet actions in the Automator Library.

class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/internetactions.png" width="374" height="386" />

Slide the following two action in the main workflow window: “Get Specified URLs”, followed by “Display Webpages.” /> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/muoscreenshot467.png" width="574" height="396" /> /> Change the default Apple URL in the first action to the ”http://makeuseof.com” URL or any site you wish. Notice that you can add a series of URLs if you like, and you will be able to open them all in one single click. /> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/muoscreenshot468.png" width="574" height="365" /> /> Click the Run button on the top-right side of the Automator toolbar to make sure the workflow is set correctly.

Click on File > Save, and give the workflow a name, such as “Open MUO.”

Assign a Function Key

Now open System Preferences and click on Keyboard. Select Keyboard Shortcuts, and then Services. You should find your Automator workflow under the Internet section. /> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/services.png" width="580" height="331" />

Select the workflow and click inside it. In the blank space, click and assign an F-key that will activate your workflow—i.e. launch your designated website(s). If your selected F-key is not accepted it means that it’s being used for another application or Finder item. After your F-key is applied, it’s ready to use. While it took a few minutes to put together this workflow, you’ll gain back that time and more when you can simply open your chosen website with a click of a button.

F-keys and Modifier Keys

You are not limited to using single F-keys as hotkeys. You can add one or more modifier keys to create a hotkey.

class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/modifier.png" width="408" height="108" /> /> For example, your hotkey could be Command+Option+F4, or any combination you can remember best.

Other Activations

Now that you have created your fist Automator action and assigned an F-key to it, go back to Automator and check out many of the other types of workflows you can create to assign F-keys to. /> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/servicesactions.png" width="145" height="292" /> /> In similar fashion, you could create a workflow to open a designated folder, e.g. your Downloads folder, or a similar action for creating a new mail message to someone or a company that you write to on a regular basis. /> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/newmailmessage.png" width="555" height="367" />

For you Mac laptop users who want to customize the function keys on your portable Mac, check out Jackson’s article about how to href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/flip-out-your-function-keys-with-functionflip-mac/">Switch Your Mac Function Keys with FunctionFlip.

For more about Mac keyboard shortcuts, check out href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/the-secrets-of-mac-shortcuts/">How to Master the Power of Mac Shortcut Keys.

Let me know how this is tutorial works for you, and feel free to share other tips you know for using the F-keys on your Mac.

Image Credit: rel="nofollow" href="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-75857092/stock-photo-sphere-made-of-computer-keyboard-keys-over-white-isolated.html">Shutterstock.com />
/> href="http://flashvideodownloader.org/fvd-suite/track/s/makeuseof">Download videos from the sites like YouTube, Break.com etc. Convert videos to almost any format. /> href="http://flashvideodownloader.org/fvd-suite/track/s/makeuseof"> src="http://flashvideodownloader.org/fvd-suite/banners/aban3.gif">

Read comments: href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/fkeys-launching-applications-finder-items-mac/#disqus_thread">Loved it? Hated it? Join discussion here …

href="http://api.tweetmeme.com/share?url=http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/fkeys-launching-applications-finder-items-mac/"> src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/fkeys-launching-applications-finder-items-mac/"> href="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis/login?url=http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/fkeys-launching-applications-finder-items-mac/"> src="http://www.makeuseof.com/images/rss-buttons/diggme.png"> href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/fkeys-launching-applications-finder-items-mac/"> src="http://www.makeuseof.com/images/rss-buttons/fb.jpg"> href="http://www.google.com/reader/link?url=http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/fkeys-launching-applications-finder-items-mac/&title=Using Your F-Keys For Launching Applications & Finder Items [Mac]&srcTitle=MakeUseOf.com"> src="http://www.makeuseof.com/images/rss-buttons/gbuzz-feed.png"> href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/fkeys-launching-applications-finder-items-mac/"> src="http://www.makeuseof.com/images/rss-buttons/stumble.png">

More articles about: href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tags/application-launchers/" title="application launchers" rel="tag">application launchers, href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tags/keyboard/" title="keyboard" rel="tag">keyboard, href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tags/productivity/" title="productivity" rel="tag">productivity, href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tags/shortcuts/" title="shortcuts" rel="tag">shortcuts />

Como gravar discos no OSX utilizando o Finder

admin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:37:01 +0000

Um vídeo mostrando como utilizar ‘Burn Folders’ para gravar discos no Finder eo Utilitário de Disco para apagar mídias regraváveis.

Recensione Mac OS 10.6 Snow Leopard – Finder

admin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 01:09:40 +0000

Prima parte della recensione al nuovo sistema operativo Apple. Viene analizzato il Finder

MSN block checker,MSN block finder work 100%

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:31:41 +0000

Download mypublicfiles.com MSN block checker,MSN block finder work 100% runscape hacking hakcing pking pwnage 1337 google command prompt kill girls hacking school computers back door filter software hack hacking passwords password command prompt change cam bish try it out yourself hack episode ep one dillonp23 hacking crack cracking bike lock 30 tools no pick show forgot 666 Super Bluetooth Hack Sony Ericsson Nokia Phone Hacking Break into mobile phones How to call from other phone ringtone office tower building skyscraper capture space invaders light display hijack computer game house hack attack Lichtspiel Gebäude urbane Hacker MSN hacking hacks hacked wlm hax passwords password virus how to make use cool kool new old plus How to Mod / Hack MSN Messenger hacking hotmail hack windows xp metasploit aircrack wep hacking kyokorn infinitum anonymous fox11 bad media hackers tools interbutts lulz TAGS /!\ Microsoft, Internet Explorer, Windows and the Windows/ IE logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft Corporation in no way endorses or is affiliated with All other products mentioned are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of their respective companies. Diagnose computer issues, Disable Spyware from Auto Restarting. Boot Up Faster. Increase Systems Performance by gaining back resourcesMicrosoft, windows, hack, trick,network, repair, troubleshoot Make your computer Faster. Using …

Make Windows Look Like Mac – FlyaKite OSX + Finder Bar

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 05:33:40 +0000

In this tutorial i show you how to make windows look like mac using only 2 pieces of software called flyakite osx and finder bar FlyaKite OSX : osx.portraitofakite.com Finder Bar : landvermesser.tripod.com

About Duplicate MP3 Finder and Duplicate Image Finder

admin — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:32:10 +0000

Duplicate mp3 finder and duplicate image finder are two softwares, tools or programs which, as their name suggests, help you to find duplicate image files or duplicate mp3 files on your computer which block your hard disk space un-necessarily. It is suggested that you take your computer or computer network system through a scan every few days to identify such files and deal with them accordingly.

Let us find out how these duplicate mp3 files or duplicate image files are created in our computer. It will give us a basic insight into the fact that how we ourselves are responsible for creating this mess and then looking for ways to get rid of them and free our hard drive of this clutter. So often do we find ourselves downloading mp3 files from internet, copying image files from friend’s computers, grabbing mp3′s from CD you can have a several copies of the same song and so on.

If users create limited number of duplicate mp3 files or image files there is little problem. But if you have a lot of duplicate mp3′s or image files you have to realize that you are wasting space of your hard disk quite un-necessarily. And it has been generally observed that one tires quickly of listening to any file very often. And if you have several duplicates of one such mp3 file or image files you are in for a bid trouble.

If you are in such a situation already then your answer lies in buying and installing duplicate mp3 finder program, duplicate image finder program or software for cleaning your computer or entire computer system. If you don’t buy duplicate MP3 finder and duplicate image finder programs, you will have to check all your mp3 files manually and eliminate the duplicates that you find.

For manually deleting or moving the MP3 files or image files is a huge and cumbersome job. You will first need to sort out a list of your mp3s or images to decide which ones are duplicates and should be deleted. Then you need to remove every duplicate file manually. This procedure gets very boring and dull after a certain time. The way to tackle this situation and save yourself of hours of manual labor, install Duplicate MP3 Finder and Duplicate Image Finder on your computer. These are automated duplicate mp3 checker and remover programs and will make the work comparatively quite easy for you.

Duplicate MP3 finder and duplicate image finders are safe and reliable tools that help you find duplicate MP3 files and image files on your computer. It has various versions and works in several ways. Let’s discuss how this program after all works!

To begin with the program scans computer disks / folders and searches all mp3 and image files and makes them into one big list. As it proceeds it also reads ID3 tags where artist and title info is stored. In the 2nd step the duplicate finder program compares files and builds another list only with duplicate mp3 or image files.

After you verify the duplicate mp3s and image files and confirm elimination/removal, change of folder etc, Duplicate MP3 finder and duplicate image finder programs will be follow the instruction respectively and likewise.

Don’T Let Adware Finder Find You!

admin — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 01:13:19 +0000

Adware Finder is another corrupt anti-spyware program. Most of us come in contact with adware or spyware at one time or another. Some are easy to remove, and some seem like a never-ending cycle of removal. If you are considering downloading a version of Adware Finder, don’t. If you are trying to find out more about the program because it won’t go away, then keep on reading.

Adware Finder tries to present itself as a legitimate program. The file system that is loaded onto your computer is small which might seem like a good thing under normal circumstances, but the program is so small that it only contains a little over 500 files and definitions. This is hardly adequate protection. Considering that some legitimate programs have over 100,000 definitions in their database, and they still aren’t able to keep up with the latest inventions in malware.

In fact the Adware Finder’s scan engine identifies files that are legitimate Windows files needed for your operating system. If you were to delete them, it would result in permanent damage to your computer. However, this program is so ineffective that when it incorrectly identifies false positives, it doesn’t even remove them when it says it will. The scan takes over 2 hours, and all it does is scan the same files over and over. It does not check your registry or your DLL.

If you have downloaded Adware Finder, you will also find a completely useless toolbar called AdFinder Toolbar. The program is designed to look like another anti-spyware program that actually works. The company responsible for this program is engageMARKETING. They are infamous adware and spyware distributors.

If you need an anti-spyware program, you should always do your research. The TuCows Award is like the Oscars of software. Not many anti-spyware programs receive recognition because the face of malware is constantly changing. Try finding a program that is on this list. Look around on different forums. If you are trying to remove Adware Finder, look for a program that guarantees 24 hour removal.

Best Free Pdf Print Driver Finder – Unique Download Tool !

admin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 13:30:54 +0000

Today i would like to teach you how to search and get a pdf print driver without risking your pc by visiting suspicious driver download websites. Downloading drivers from anonymous or uncertain websites can make your windows vulnerable to unwanted risks like trojan horses, worms, etc. Read the next few paragraphs to discover a state-of-the-art and powerful technique which will let you – in no time – pin down your required driver(s).

Click here to get a pdf print driver now!

Many pc users aren’t fully aware of the reality that driver creators constantly modify their drivers because of bugs, supporting system updates, incompatibility issues, … Did you waste a lot of time the last time you searched for one driver or another required to run something on your computer? For those who aren’t aware, the driver is a specialized program which interfaces with a predetermined software application or a hardware component. A new solution that i recently discovered enables you to find the most up-to-date and compatible version of almost any possible driver. A very handy utility, it can routinely (and you don’t even need to be involved!) search and update all your computer’s drivers at regular intervals – you’ll always be up to date.

Your drivers are essential parts of a pc and require occasional care, exactly the same way that you manage and safeguard your windows system. As far as i found, this important system can manage an abundance of hardware devices from thousands of manufacturers because of a highly advanced driver recognition capability. Should you choose to install drivers manually, avoid unnecessary hassle and worry and check to see that these drivers are going to be suitable with the windows ver. you have installed.

As you can see, knowing how or what to do to get a pdf print driver doesn’t need to be a lengthy and complicated and even dangerous proposition as it used to be. Keep in mind that it’s possible for one small corrupted driver to produce some significant difficulties and possibly even crash your windows os. All that’s left is for you to “test drive” one of these utilities – find out how it goes about locating and updating whatever driver(s) you happen to be in need of. Surely the time is not far off when many windows users will obtain one of these easy-to-use programs and add them right away to their computer’s arsenal. Regardless of your maintenance strategy, i can’t advise you strongly enough to use this utility to replace your corrupted drivers; it can be done in less than 2 minutes from now.

Personalizar el Finder Mac OSX

admin — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 18:37:36 +0000

Personalizar el Finder con separaciones. Descargar por aquí: macthemes2.net

Mac OSX 10.6 Snow Leopard 10a354, Finder Icon Preview – Korean

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 13:58:17 +0000

Mac OSX 10.6 Snow Leopard 10a354, Finder Icon Preview – Korean, 스노우 레퍼드 파인더 추가기능