Just found this useful little tweak to add a stack (similar to the default Download one) which contains a list of recent open applications for a quick and easy access. Very handy if you happen to use certain regular applications and/or documents.

Type the following command in the Terminal:

defaults write com.apple.dock persistent-others -array-add '{ "tile-data" = { "list-type" = 1; }; "tile-type" = "recents-tile"; }'

then after that, type the following command:

killall Dock

to restart the Dock and then you will see a new icon, similar to the Download Stack, being added next to the Trash icon. You can also choose this new Stack to show information between “Recent Applications“, “Recent Documents“, “Recent Servers“, “Favorite Volumes” and “Favorite Items“.

I was at Apple’s website last night and eager to check out the latest stunning aluminium unibody MacBook, and it was then I realised that my Firefox (on Ubuntu) doesn’t have the ability to play Apple’s de facto online streaming media – the QuickTime movie.

I know that MPlayer has a plug-in, “mplayerplug-in” (a Mozilla browser plugin to allow playing embedded movies on Web pages using MPlayer.) for Firefox for dealing with this problem so in wasting no time I type the followings in the terminal:

sudo apt-get install mplayer mozilla-mplayer

p.s. You might have to enable the “multiverse” repository first in order to install all the required packages.

After the installation, I restart the Firefox for the MPlayer plug-in to kick in, and I was able to watch that embedded video showing how Apple design and produce the beautiful 13′ MacBook from a single aluminium block – I’m very impressed I must say.

After the smooth process of upgrading my Ubuntu from Hardy Heron (8.04) to Intrepid Ibex (8.10), I happen to notice my Firefox (version 3.03) starts to behave differently. For instance, Firefox’s toolbar always returns to the default layout and some of installed add-on icons do not appear even they are functioning properly.

After some trials and errors, I eventually found the culprit that is causing this strange behaviour: Ubuntu Firefox Modifications (version 0.6) add-on. Once it is disabled, Firefox behaves like normal. I suspect a newer version of this add-on is needed for the new Ubuntu 8.10, however I’m still yet to notice any problem after disabling it…

Occasionally on my Ubuntu machine the sound/audio somehow stops working, and although most of the time this can be fixed by closing and then restarting the audio programme (or any other service that occupies the audio driver) you’re running. However on odd occasions the audio still fails to work and you might have to reboot the OS in order to get the audio/sound back which is rather irritating.

Here is a quick way of restarting/restoring your audio/sound without rebooting your Ubuntu system, try using the following command:

sudo /etc/init.d/alsa-utils restart

This should restart your ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture) driver instantly. However, sometimes certain programmes still keep holding on the audio driver even after your restart ALSA. Try the following command:

lsof | grep pcm

to find out the list of open files and close (kill -9) those processes that are still holding the sound driver.

It’s pretty straightforward really, just use the following command:

vmware-vdiskmanager -x sizeGB name-of-your-vmware-image.vmdk

for instance, if you wish to increase the capacity of the hard-disk to 20GB:

vmware-vdiskmanager -x 20GB WinXPProSP3.vmdk

Then you should see something similar to the followings:

The old geometry C/H/S of the disk is: 1910/255/63
The new geometry C/H/S of the disk is: 2610/255/63
Disk expansion completed successfully.

WARNING: If the virtual disk is partitioned, you must use a third-party
utility in the virtual machine to expand the size of the
partitions. For more information, see:

http://www.vmware.com/support/kb/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1647

If you start the VMWare again and choose the same VMWare image, the hard-disk size of the chosen image will have increased. To see the newly created space/partition inside the Windows, click on Control Panel > Performance and Maintenance > Administrative Tools > Computer Management. Then click on Disk Management under the Storage section from the left. The new unformatted partition should be there. However, in order to merge the new space with existing one, you need to use 3rd-party partitioning tools such as EASEUS Partition Manager Home Edition (free) or Partition Magic (commercial).

That’s it, it’s that simple!!

A quick way of changing the default file format for Grab.app (or ‘Command + Shift + 4′ short-cut) from .tiff to other formats such as .pdf, .png, or .psd etc.. Choose any of the following line and paste it in your Terminal window and press the return key, that’s it.

defaults write com.apple.screencapture type png
defaults write com.apple.screencapture type pdf
defaults write com.apple.screencapture type jpg
defaults write com.apple.screencapture type tif
defaults write com.apple.screencapture type psd


IMPORTANT: You have to log out immediately in order for this change to take effect!!

By the way, here is a list of short-cuts for making a screenshot quickly:
Screen to file:
Command + Shift + 3

Screen to clipboard:
Command + Control + Shift + 3

Crosshair screen selection to file:
Command + Shift + 4

Crosshair screen selection to clipboard:
Command + Control + Shift + 4

Window to file:
Hit spacebar after invoking 'Command + Shift + 4', then click the appropriate window

Window to clipboard:
Hit spacebar after invoking 'Command + Control + Shift + 4' then click the appropriate window