Working Mac

The iPad at work, Day 3: making adjustments

Dan Moren — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:20:00 -0800

After three days of working with nothing but his iPad, Dan Moren knew how to do what he needed to do for work--but he also knew what the iPad really can't do on the job.

The iPad at work, Day 2: testing the limits

Dan Moren — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:20:00 -0800

On the first day of his iPad experiment, Dan Moren took it easy on the tablet. On day two, he was ready to really test the iPad's limits as a work machine.

The iPad at work, Day 1: Getting it all set up

Dan Moren — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:21:00 -0800

On his first day of using nothing but an iPad for work, Dan Moren found that it takes a bit of adjustment--but only a bit.

The iPad at work: Can it get the job done?

Dan Moren — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:20:00 -0800

As iPads make inroads into the business world, the question must once again be asked: can the tablet really replace a computer when it comes to doing real work? To find out, Dan Moren used nothing but his iPad at work for three days. Here's what he found out.

Five keyboard shortcuts you should set up now

Sharon Zardetto — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:00 -0800

Why are you opening the same menus and submenus, looking for the same commands again and again? Access menu commands across apps with these time-saving tips.

Automator workflow of the month: Clear the iPod photo cache

Christopher Breen — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:00:00 -0800

If your Mac's storage space is dwindling for no apparent reason, a hidden iPod Photo cache folder may be the culprit. Use Automator to keep it trim.

Apple program lets businesses buy apps in bulk

Joel Mathis — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:00:00 -0800

Apple's Volume Purchase for Business program--also known as VPP--gives companies a way to buy iOS apps for employees outside the regular App Store.

The best way to run Windows on your Mac

Rob Griffiths — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:40:00 -0800

When it comes to running Windows on a Mac, there are two main players: Parallels Desktop 7 and VMware Fusion 4. Which is right for you? Rob Griffiths runs through the comparison.

Four great OS X services you don't know about

Kirk McElhearn — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:00:00 -0800

Once you know the basics about services, OS X's underused shortcuts, your next question is inevitably: Where can I find more? Kirk McElhearn reveals four of the best.

How to use services in Mac OS X

Kirk McElhearn — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 06:30:00 -0800

OS X services let you borrow features from other programs, saving yourself time and multiple steps in the process. Kirk McElhearn answers frequently asked questions about Lion's most underused shortcuts.

Why I use Scrivener for business writing

David Sparks — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 06:30:00 -0800

Scrivener was designed for writing fiction. But it turns out to be a great tool for business writing, too. David Sparks explains.

Automator workflow of the month: Automate app backups

Christopher Breen — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 06:30:00 -0800

There's nothing more irksome than losing an iOS app that works perfectly for you because a less-than-perfect update has replaced it. Here's how to protect yourself from such mishaps with Automator.

New year's resolution: A clean Mac

Kirk McElhearn — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 06:00:00 -0800

Simple ways to banish grunge, dirt, and dust bunnies from your computer and peripherals

New year's resolution: A backup plan

Lex Friedman — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 06:00:00 -0800

Make a New Year's resolution you can keep: Start backing up your Mac. And we're going to make it as easy as possible.

How to stay connected in unconnected places

Glenn Fleishman — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 06:08:00 -0800

Traveling for the holidays? There have never been more options for acquiring high-speed Internet access, whether you're staying at your old family home or a hotel.

Lend a holiday helping hand

Christopher Breen — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 06:30:00 -0800

Traveling home for the holidays? If so, one of the greatest gifts you can bring with you is your technical expertise.

Five unexpected uses for the Option key

Sharon Zardetto — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 06:04:00 -0800

The unsung hero of the keyboard, the Option key can reveal alternative commands and unlock all sorts of hidden features. Here are five of Sharon Zardetto's favorite Option key tricks.

Five unexpected uses for Copy and Paste

Sharon Zardetto — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 06:00:00 -0800

Did you know you can copy and paste a whole lot more than just text and graphics? When you start in the Finder, you can use the Copy command to lift all sorts of information from a selected Finder item. Here are some of Sharon Zardetto's favorite tricks.

Five unexpected uses for the spacebar

Sharon Zardetto — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 06:00:00 -0800

In the quest for greater productivity, Mac users have an unlikely ally—the spacebar. Here are five things you didn't know the spacebar could help you do.

Five unexpected uses for help tags

Sharon Zardetto — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 06:00:00 -0800

Sharon Zardetto shows how you can use help tags (formerly known as tooltips) to find the full name or path of a file in the Finder, get a quick summary of a help topic, learn all about a font, and more.

Six unexpected uses for the arrow keys

Sharon Zardetto — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 06:00:00 -0800

Navigate and activate menus, and more, with the often-overlooked arrow keys.

Five unexpected uses for the Control key

Sharon Zardetto — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:40:00 -0800

Sure, you’ve nearly worn out your Mac’s Control key using it to open contextual menus. But did you know you can also add Control to common key combinations to access different commands?

Five unexpected uses for the Tab key

Sharon Zardetto — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 06:00:00 -0800

What can you do with the Tab key? Zoom around the Finder and your favorite apps, among other useful tricks. Sharon Zardetto shows you how.

Six unexpected uses for the Application Switcher

Sharon Zardetto — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 06:00:00 -0800

From hiding and quitting applications to transferring information between documents, the Application Switcher can help you throughout the day.

Five unexpected uses for the Esc key

Sharon Zardetto — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 06:00:00 -0800

The Esc key has long been the “get me outta here” panacea for many things: canceling a dialog box, getting rid of a button-less splash screen, you name it. Here’s a handful of less-than-obvious solutions the Esc key provides.