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Mac Tricks and Tips, Wallpapers and Applications for Mac Users
Quicksilver Tricks
Many have tasted the increase in productivity by using Quicksilver as their Application launcher. Some even built more Quicksilver skins to make it look nicer. But only a few realized that there are still more Quicksilver actions available for them to use.
As one of the Quicksilver's big fans, here I am with full enthusiastic, presenting default actions and cool tricks that you can do with Quicksilver.
Quicksilver - Quick Upload Photos to Flickr Uploadr
Although there is no any new released updates from Quicksilver development teams to solve its slowness while launching, I still stick to it until now.
The main reason is that I have used Quicksilver all the time and found it boosted my productivity. One example is when uploading photos to Flickr.
Flickr Uploader
We all know that Flickr has released its Flickr Uploadr for you to easily upload your photos separately from your web browser. It's such a good application but the only minus point is the upload window can't be closed. It can only be quitted.
So everytime you want to upload new batch of photos, you need to launch Flickr Uploadr first, before starting to drag and drop your photo files.
More Quicksilver Skins
Quicksilver, my favorite application launcher, now comes with nicer and more elegant-looking interface. All of this thanks to great job from Julius Eckert and folks at MacApper who deliver this great news.
These new Quicksilver interfaces are BezelHUD, SilverFlow and Showcase. Screenshots are shown after jump.
Set Alarm with Quicksilver and Automator
In my article, Two Secret Features of Quicksilver, I've discussed how to use Quicksilver to set a delay before running application.
Roughly, I believe you've already known how to create automator application to speak text which have been discussed here. In case you don't want to waste your time creating the application, I've created an application to only speak up "Time's up!" when it's launched; It can be downloaded here.
Two Secret Features of Quicksilver
Here are two special secret features of Quicksilver that you should know.
Revealing the Secret
- Invoke Quicksilver using keystrokes Command-Spacebar
- Call up an object, for example AppleScript Utility
- The default action will be Open. Press Control-Return instead of Return
- The object and the action will be combined and became Open AppleScript Utility
- Go to action box again, the two secret features will be revealed, i.e. Run After Delay and Run at Time
Set Tags with Quicksilver
Now we can set tags for multiple files.
Setting Up Plugins
- Invoke Quicksilver with keystrokes Option-Spacebar
- Go to Quicksilver Preference Pane using keystrokes Command-Comma
- Move to Plug-ins tab and add new plug-in called File Tagging Module (+)
- Wait for the file to be downloaded
Radial Quicksilver Menu
Last time I talked about radial Sapiens. Today, I will talk about radial Quicksilver.
Requirements
This radial Quicksilver menus requires to enabled assistive devices and additional Quicksilver plug-in called Constellation Menus.
To enable assistive devices, you need to go to Universal Access Preference Pane. It's under Macintosh HD → Applications → System Preference → Universal Access. You are required to tick the checkbox, on the bottom of the pane, labeled Enable access for assistive devices.
To install additional plug-ins, go inside Quicksilver Preference Panes under Plug-ins Pane, then search for Constellation Menus and then tick it to install. In short, Quicksilver → Preference Pane → Plug-ins → Add Constellation Menus.
Quicksilver, Change Background
I am a big fan of Quicksilver, I should and have to know how to change my desktop background via Quicksilver.
It's very easy to change your desktop background via Quicksilver. You just need to follow these simple acts.
Moving Files with QuickSilver
I remember my old Windows, I just need to press CTRL-X and CTRL-V to move the files. How about Mac? Mac doesn't have this feature.
For most of the people who are too lazy to reach the mouse, such as myself, moving files will be troublesome and sometimes hazardous. I often copy my files to other place instead of moving it. That's a bad idea, obviously.
Fortunately, Mac has QuickSilver by its side. QuickSilver has the authorization to move files. We only need a few no-mouse steps to move files.
QSDroplet, Strange QuickSilver Family
I encountered this strange app a few hours ago in my Mac's QuickSilver and do not know what is it.
Empty Trash with Quicksilver
Keyboard Shortcut
Do you still remember how to empty trash using keyboard shortcut? It's Command-Shift-Backspace!
Though it seems so hard to remember it, but don't worry, once you're used to it, you will find it comes in handy.
Empty Trash with Quicksilver
Let's see how QuickSilver owns your keyboard shortcut, we will go through QuickSilver ways.
- Invoke QuickSilver with Option-Space
- Type in action box keyword empty
- Hit Return and fully filled Trash will be emptied
Categories:
Quick Silver
Tags:
QuickSilver,
Quicksilver
Mac Quicksilver Eject Disk
Mouse at Disadvantage
You don't need to find the disk location and then Control-Click on the disk each time you want to eject the disk. That's troublesome, annoying, disturbing and wasting time
QuickSilver rules the disk
QuickSilver can do this task for you in quick and clean way.
- Invoking QuickSilver with Mac keystroke Option-Space
- Type in the disk's name, e.g. wendy for my flash disk name
- Tab to action box
- Type in keyword eject to search for Eject Disk action
- Return to finish the ejecting disk
Categories:
Quick Silver
Tags:
QuickSilver,
Quicksilver
QuickSilver as Universal Controller, Show-Hide-Quit
Beside the ability to start or open everything, QuickSilver also has the rights to finish it. This has something to do with scripting, as someone has built the script, appreciating them with using the script will be the most polite giveback.
QuickSilver reveals all invisible being
Deep hidden Application under the Dock will be revealed with a single script called 'Show All'. Call it up with QuickSilver, usually with acronym shall, perform the Run script (default setting) and all the invisible Apps will lose their invisibility.
Rename File with Quicksilver on Mac
There are two way of renaming file, one via QuickSilver and the other one via Finder.
Rename Finder
It's really easy to rename with Finder. You just need to highlight the item need to be renamed, press Return and type in the name then press Return again.
Advantage of Using Quicksilver
- First, Quicksilver help you find the items, if it is an Application, more quickly.
- Second, you don't even need to reach the arrow keys to select item to item.
- Third, it's the matter of racing with time. Your time record to rename file will improve when you used Quicksilver as it's depend on typing speed.
QuickSilver, Look into Application Info
Do you know how to get info from Application?
Control-Click on Application will be the fastest one that come into mind.
This is an easy task but this will become difficult enough to annoy you if all the Application icon are not in your Desktop, i.e. there are all attach to your Dock. Then you couldn't make it to the Info menu without looking for the original icon and don't forget that all Application that leave the Dock will end up disappearing.
In this case, QuickSilver will come into rescue.
Get Info with Quicksilver
- Invoke your Quicksilver Option-Space
- Then look for the Application you want to get the info. I use vlc because right now I am using this Application
- Then move to the action box using Tab
- After that, type in gi which stands for Get Info and hit Return to execute the action
- The info pane will successfully appear before your eyes
Categories:
Quick Silver
Tags:
QuickSilver,
Quicksilver
Searching Web Links via Quicksilver
Surprisingly useful and amazingly buried under the surface from the reach of QuickSilver mania, i.e. I am talking about myself, maybe I will call this feature links-summoner (not funny eh..).
This snapshot should become appetizer to fulfill your hunger for knowledge.
How to display those lists?
Quicksilver Loves to Grade
Do you realize that the most Application you use will likely to appear at the top of the QuickSilver search list? Honestly, I realize this behavior but I didn't know that QuickSilver gives rank for every of its search result.
I hope that all of you will understand how QuickSilver default searching works and make use of it after reading this article.
QuickSilver Tips, iTunes Launcher
Enjoy these short-simple-fun steps to decrease chances ended up moods being ruined.
- Invoke QuickSilver with Option-Space
- Go to Triggers Pane using shortcut Command-[ ']
- Click iTunes menu tab located at the QuickSilver Triggers Pane Sidebar
- Look for Play / Pause Command
- Fill in with shortcut intended to be used for opening iTunes Application
Though I assign Control-Space, you can assign another shortcut as you feel comfortable with as me with my shortcut. iTunes can be invoked whatever the pane you're at; It's amazingly flexible and extremely useful.
Categories:
Audio,
Quick Silver,
Tips and Tricks
Tags:
QuickSilver,
Quicksilver
QuickSilver - Translate URL Using Google
It's surprising yet incredible that QuickSilver can save your time translating the whole URL. You just need to do some steps below and Google! will help you translate your target URL.
Translate URL
There are 5 steps :
QuickSilver - The Comma Trick
One of QuickSilver most productive features : The Comma Trick. According to the name, this trick has something to do with comma.
How to use comma trick?
- Invoke your QuickSilver (Option-Space)
- Search for application you want to open, let's say you want to open Photoshop.
- No, don't hit Return. Instead, press the [ ,].
Quicksilver - Multiple Urls
QuickSilver, the most powerful applications search engine, can perform opening multiple urls. This can be done easily without putting so much effort in doing repetitive tasks again and again. This action can be done by using the comma trick. However, it needs a little modification here.
There are several steps to perform this action :
- Invoke your QuickSilver, Option-Space
- Enter the text field by using .
- Type one of the urls you want to open
QuickSilver - Useful Plug-ins
Calculator Module : Arithmetic Expression
- Change your QuickSilver to text field
- Insert = as a prefix to tell QuickSilver that you want to perform a calculation
- Insert your equation, e.g. sqrt(45x30). Be sure to use standard arithmetic operator : * (multiply), / (divide), + (adding), - (substraction), ^ (power), sqrt (square root)
- After pressing Return you will see the result
- Quick and Simple
QuickSilver - Installing Plug-ins
You can expose more hidden QuickSilver features. QuickSilver is used not only for opening application but also for performing another task. And of course, it requires additional QuickSilver plug-ins.
Installing the plug-ins :
1. Trigger your QuickSilver
2. Go to QuickSilver Preference Pane
3. Go under “Plug-ins” tab, the one with purple color
4. Tick those that you like to install them on your QuickSilver
5. Done. Now, you can rock with your QuickSilver
Categories:
Quick Silver
Tags:
QuickSilver
QuickSilver - Trigger Text Field
Here is another useful part of your QuickSilver, Text Field.
Want to know more? Follow these instructions..
1. Open your QuickSilver
2. Trigger your QuickSilver Text Field by key in .
3. Looks like this
4. Now you can type in some words
5. Or making huge text in your desktop
Categories:
Quick Silver
Tags:
QuickSilver
QuickSilver - Change the Interface
I think you already know about QuickSilver and how to change the hotkey. If you haven't know, you can refer back to QuickSilver - Setting Up Your Most Favorite HotKey.
Now go under QuickSilver Preferences and then look for the Appearance tab in the sidebar. There you can see the Command Interface area.
