About five years have passed since I started using the Mac, but the software I use has changed with the changing times. Most of the work has been done on the web, especially recently, so much less software is installed.
Just the other day, I installed OS X cleanly, so I will write down the software and settings that I reinstalled for the next time. I’m using MacBook Pro, so it might be a little biased.
1. StartupSound.prefPane
This is my first setting. Removes the sound of jerking at startup. As an adult manner, it is embarrassing to sound when used outside.2. Expose & Spaces
(1) Expose
It starts when you bring the cursor to the upper right corner of the screen.
(2) Spaces
In the past, this virtual desktop function was not available, so I used a software called VirtueDesktops, but it became a standard function from Leopard. I keep one screen dedicated to Ubuntu and switch.
3. Keyboard settings
(1) Enable function keys
By default, special functions are given priority, so F1 to F12 can be used. You can display the dashboard with Expose with F9 or with F12.
Set from [System Preferences]-[Keyboard]
(2) caps lock → Ctrl
My MacBook is a US keyboard and the Ctrl key is in the wrong place. Since Caps Lock is not used, change it to Ctrl. This is basic.
Set from [System Preferences]-[Keyboard]-[Modifier Keys]
(3) Disable Spotlight shortcut
By default, Ctrl + Space is set to Spotlight. This is not possible for Emacs users, so disable it.
To set, go to [System Preferences]-[Keyboard]-[Keyboard Shortcut]
4. KeyRemp4MacBook
Click here for more detailed settings that cannot be done with the standard settings. The middle mouse button can no longer be used when opening in a new tab of a web browser or pasting text. Software to fix these.
I downloaded the source, added my own settings, compiled and used it. In particular, when MiddleClick can be used and when it cannot be used, the efficiency is the difference between the muddy (compared to our company).
・ Command_L and Option_L are swapped
・Command_R is kana / alphanumeric toggle
・ Option_R is MiddleClick
It is set like this.
5. Witch / WindowFlow
Switching applications with Command + Tab on Mac is not convenient for each window, but for each application, so it is inconvenient when multiple windows are opened in one application. It can be switched by Alt + Tab like Windows.
Witch has been paid for some time, but I still use the version I downloaded a long time ago. It may be free WindowFlow for a limited time only.
・Download
6. Place Dock on the right
Although I like it completely, the MacBook is a landscape screen and the vertical direction is narrow, so if you place it on the left or right, you can use the screen more widely. I am right school for some reason.
Set from [System Preferences]-[Dock]
7. Activity Monitor
When using a computer, I am worried that the CPU usage rate is not always visible. To solve this, always display it in a place where you can see the Dock.
Start from [Applications]-[Utilities]-[Activity Monitor], right-click the icon on the Dock, and check “Show CPU History” from [Dock Icon]. It is also a good idea to check “Open at login” from [Options] so that it will start automatically next time.
8. Deep Sleep
I think it’s unlikely that you’d turn off your MacBook, and close the lid to sleep. However, since this is a so-called suspended state, the battery is consumed if you carry it around when you go out. With this widget, you can drop it to hibernate with a single click. It is useful when you do not need to start for a while, such as when moving.
・Download
9. Fraise
An open source & free text editor, formerly called Smultron. I don’t use it much, but it’s too lonely for standard text editing.
・Download
10. LimeChat
I use it as Twitter client as well as IRC. Customize your look with CSS. The detailed setting method will be written in another entry.
・Download
11. iTerm2
I’m doing most of the development work on the black screen, such as programming, with Ubuntu in VMware Fusion, but I install it because I sometimes use it.
・Download
12. QuickSilver
Application launcher. Right now, Spotlight may be enough, but it has been used for a long time.
・Download
13. Growl
Software that notifies pop-ups that are so famous that no explanation is required. I want it to be a standard OS function like Ubuntu.
・Download
14. VMware Fusion / VirtualBox
At the beginning, I had a web-related development environment on OS X, but now the development environment has moved to Ubuntu within VMware. Recently, I think that it is getting better thanks to Homebrew, but it is troublesome that MacPorts requires compilation each time, duplication with software originally included in OS X, OS X specific know-how is necessary became.
Web-related servers are mostly Linux, so I don’t want things that run on OS X to go to production and not run. Even if your Mac breaks or you buy a new one, just copy the VM image and you can immediately start using the familiar environment on the new machine.