useful defaults write
some interesting features of your os x can only be activated through modification of preferences, those files with the .plist extension. but if you don't have the developer tools, with which comes the property list editor app, then it is very cumbersome to modify these xml files.
for this case there exists the special command "defaults write" which will just do as well as the property list editor. open the terminal, paste the command, finish. here i note down the most common usages of this command.
all the above options should be executed while the corresponding application is not running (itunes, safari) or take effect on relaunch of the system (dashboard). they can be undone by substitute
update: see also this entry: defaults write to speed up os x
for this case there exists the special command "defaults write" which will just do as well as the property list editor. open the terminal, paste the command, finish. here i note down the most common usages of this command.
defaults write com.apple.dashboard mcx-disabled -bool YES
this disables the dashboard permanently. if you want to get rid of your dashboard because you use it rarely and don't want to waste your ram and cpu, just shut it down.
defaults write com.apple.itunes invertStoreLinks -bool YES
ever noticed these small arrows in the itunes of your friend? they're very useful to jump to the selected artist or album - but!! usually, they jump to the itunes music store. unless you keep the alt-key pressed while klicking the link. or you change your preferences to stay local as default with the above command.
defaults write com.apple.Safari IncludeDebugMenu 1
this activates the safari debug menu. for anybody with interests in web development there are some interesting options such as changing the the user agent string or viewing the dom tree.
all the above options should be executed while the corresponding application is not running (itunes, safari) or take effect on relaunch of the system (dashboard). they can be undone by substitute
YES with NO or 1 with 0.update: see also this entry: defaults write to speed up os x
