http://theworldinpolaroid.blogspot.com/

(sorry WP broke my links)

Recently I have found the need to take more control of the Dock in OS X. There are basic functions of the Dock that can be changed by System Preferences built into OS X, but there are tons of options that aren’t available by a built in Graphical User Interface (ie. the pretty window).

While there are some awesome third party apps like Onyx and TinkerTool that give you access to these preferences the downside is you have to install an app. While I have both of these installed on my personal machine I do not want them installed on my Labs in the schools I work for. Yet, I need some of the power they offer to keep my Labs uniform and running.

So to do this I have been trying to learn how to manipulate these preferences though the command line.

The function that kids always seem to find and mess with is the size of the dock. Even with Parental Controls enabled (which I have had quite a bad time with anyway) there is no way to lock this functionality down in System Preferences. So I present to you the ability to do it through Terminal, and in so doing through Apple Remote Desktop as well.

Too little for me to see!!!

And if you are going to push this out, to lets say, a lab of computers you may want to make all of the uniform first. If not, skip this step.

Resize dock to uniform level:

       defaults write com.apple.Dock tilesize -integer 32

Ok now the meat and potatoes.

Lock down ability to scale dock:

       defaults write com.apple.Dock size-immutable -bool true

       killall Dock

Unlock ability to scale dock:

       defaults delete com.apple.Dock size-immutable

       killall Dock

Much better.

This is tested and works in OS X 10.5.6.

**Thank you TinkerTool, Daniel, and Justin.

**Update 2/27/09: Here is the command to lock the contents of the Dock as well.

Lock Dock Contents:

        defaults write com.apple.Dock contents-immutable -bool true

        killall Dock

Unlock Dock Contents:

        defaults delete com.apple.Dock contents-immutable 

        killall Dock

From an admirer to the Crew. Thank You.

This is a post written by a friend of mine. I find it to be an invigorating discussion of Prop 8 and the reaction to its passing.  

Gthing.net- Cake: Have it or Eat it?

http://view.break.com/487616 – Watch more free videos

EyeConnect- 1.5.1

This little bit of code was whipped up by a nifty little company called Elgato. They make media interfaces and software for your Mac.

This app free to download and free to use, unlike some of the other attempts at bringing DLNA compatibility to os x.

Allegro Media Server- $40 bones

TwonkyMedia- $40 bones

For those of you who are unfamiliar, DLNA (or Digital Living Network Alliance) is an attempt to offer plug-and-play capabilities with a wide variety of products and manufactures.

To be fair there is a freeware package that claims to bring DLNA compatability to your Mac called mediatomb, but those who aren’t Terminal savvy need not apply. Personally I couldn’t get the darn thing to database my shared folders, but if your looking for a challenge and more control check it out.

If you are running a windows box, from what I understand compatibility comes standard with WMP 11. So all you suckers still stuck getting the “blue screen of death” need not worry.

The freeware package installs a icon in your System Pref’s to manipulate what you do and do not want to share. So, Have At It!!

P.S.- Apple, where are you on this one…. why isn’t this built into 10.5???

BTW- I know I haven’t been posting lately… sue me.

*UPDATE: I have read a couple of threads today suggesting that others have not had the same success as I have with Eyeconnect. It worked wonderful for me… Granted the codec’s need to be installed on your PS3, and your network needs to be able to handle it (wifi is usually your bottleneck), but it worked for me without any trouble. Feedback???

**UPDATE: I have also found another freeware program called CyberMediaGate but have not tested it out yet.

I’m new to the world of the “crackberry” users, however while paroosing the interwebs I came across the blackberryforums.com and found out that last week T-Mobil released a new operating system for the 8100.

Drum roll……….

“This software includes:

-Redesigned Application list that is displayed when you press the Menu key from the Home screen.

-Improved quality and reliability of the audio experience during phone calls.

-Improved two-way audio experience.

-Ability to use t-zones browser, Instant Messaging and Picture Messaging for all customers (additional charges may apply).

-Improved persistence of Call Logs and Messages.

-Ability to use t-zones browser, Instant Messaging and Picture Messaging for all customers (additional charges may apply)

-Improved consistent behavior of the ABC indicator.

-Improved stability when using a Bluetooth headset.

-Improved reliability of myFaves icon appearance.

-Improved reliability of keyboard lock feature.

-Daylight Savings Time Patch Integration.

NOTE: While updating the software on your Handheld, be sure to select the option to back up and restore data on your device, to preserve your information that’s already on the device.” – tmobile.com

You can get the full PC suite here, but from what I understand their desktop management software needs an update. Someone on the forum recommends getting the app from here.

You can get install instructions here. I really recommend this forum. In the two weeks that I’ve owned my Pearl I have learned tunz from it.

P.S. Unstated above- the new OS now supports 4gb micro sd cards!!!!

What I gathered from the film is a need to update the copyright laws (as they stand now) to allow more use of media that is already released and/or make it realistic to sample media (while compensating the original artist) without the red tape that keeps artists in court or in the hole for doing so. The industry is changing my friends and I would encourage you all to watch this film.

But, don’t take my word for it.

They put their money where their mouth is- get the torrent here.