Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) Spaces

So far, my favorite feature of Leopard is the ability to have multiple desktops (i.e. Spaces). I have configured a few of my most used applications to automatically open within a particular space. For example:

(click to view)

What might not be clear from the screenshot above is the complete picture of what I am loading in each space, here is a more verbose breakdown of each of my spaces:

1. Main Desktop
2. Skype
3. Adium
4. Mail
5. Firefox
6. iTunes
7. NetNewsWire
8. Eclipse
9. Parallels or VMFusion (still determining which one I like better)

Here is a another view:

(click to view)

What I really like about each space is that all application related events are captured in the space that the application is running in. It becomes really nice to have my chat windows, e-mail, etcs all within their own space without being cluttered upon other applications. I also like that I can easliy switch between application by using the APPLE+TAB key combo.

My only complaint is that I wish there was a Spaces preference that let me force non-space-assigned applications to load in a default space. Like, for instance, my main desktop (#1 above). Otherwise, whatever space you are in when you launch a non-space-assigned application is the space that it will open up in. Something to be conscious of if you don’t want to clutter up a particular space by accident.

WordPress Advanced Menus Plugin

I recently started using the Advanced Admin Menus Plugin and it has made working with WordPress much easier. I create the following tutorial (1 minute and 17 seconds) to demonstrate:

(click to play)

Tags: WordPress

Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) Install Experiences

I finally got my Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) upgrade DVD in the mail this weekend and promptly upgraded my laptop. I ended up doing an “erase and install” as I’ve never been a fan of operating system upgrades (Windows taught me not to believe in them). Having read Ken’s horrible upgrade experience, I’m glad I went with the full install.

The install took only took an hour. I ended up selecting the MacOS Extended (case-sensitive, journaled) disk formatting option during the install. I made sure to backup some of my more critical files prior to the install. The folders I backed up prior to the install were:

• <user home>/Library/Application Support
• <user home>/Library/Preferences
• <user home>/Library/Mail

There are other files I could have backed up but that is all I really cared about. I was able to restore all my calendar and contact info from my iPhone. I had spent the last month installing so much crap to learn how things worked with the Mac OS that I was glad to get a fresh system again.

BTW, Leopard rocks! I really love all the little enhancements, especially with the Mail.app. I’m also turning into a Stacks and Spaces fan as well.

Professional Blogging Tips

The following tips are worth considering should you be looking for ways to improve how you write and manage your information:

• Practical Advice on Becoming a Better Blogger.
• 55 Essential Articles Every Serious Blogger Should Read.
• How To Write Excellent Blog Content - What We Wish We Knew.
• 10 Ways to Eliminate the Echo Chamber.
• 101 Steps To Becoming A Better Blogger.
• 5 Prerequisites For Blogging Success.
• The Rules Behind Creating a Great Blog.
• How To Find News For Your Blog.
• How To Reach Major Bloggers In Your Niche.
• 10 Simple Steps To Directly Monetizing Blogs.
• 10 (+5) Requisites for Professional Bloggers.
• 23 Ideas for Finding New Readers for Your Blog.
• 5 Surefire Steps To Increase Readership 300% (or more).
• Intelligent Design and Stickiness.
• Understanding The Rules of Great Content.
• A Few Last Lessons On Blogging.

LinkedOut

In an effort to reduce some of the clutter in my life, I have decided to drop my service with LinkedIn. Here are a few reasons why (listed in no particular order):

1. Outdated Information - I’ve noticed that several of my contacts haven’t updated their information in years. To be fair, this isn’t a problem specific to LinkedIn but a common problem with any service that requires upkeep from its clientèle. Even a few of the points below suffer this same fate.
2. Injudicious Connections - I’ve always treated my LinkedIn connections with some discretion. My criteria has been that one must be passionate, exhibit excellent workmanship, trustworthy, dependable, etc. All the qualities that I would want should I want to hire someone or have them represent me. I try to adhere to these values as well since I, in turn, am part of someone else’s network of connections. Not everyone does this and in some cases I wonder if people just add connections to seem important.
3. Unwanted Invites - This is along the same vein as Injudicious Connections, mentioned above, where I receive invites from people who I’ve never met or barely corresponded with. Then are those cases where I’ve met people that are a ton of fun to hang out with, yet their professional behavior is less than desirable. Sorry, I don’t mean to hurt your feelings, but LinkedIn, is for professional connection and not so much personal ones.
4. Time Consuming Job Searches - Supposedly, one of the features of LinkedIn, is to find job opportunities but it is a bit more personal if you an e-mail directly rather than via LinkedIn. The other issue is that when you want to keep tabs on jobs, you can’t generate a syndicated feed. I’m afraid that I don’t have time to keep logging into my LinkedIn account to check job updates. I’d rather have my feed reader do all the work and there are plenty of services that can make that happen: Google, Authentic Jobs, Simply Hired, Monster, LifeHacker, and Joel on Software to name a few.
5. Lack of Syndication - It would be nice if benefits of LinkedIn were less manual. It would be far more interesting if I could sync contact information with my address book without always having to sign into the service and then copy and paste the data. This would also allow me to be more mobile with my updated contact information should I be traveling with my laptop or phone and when I don’t have an internet connection.

For me, my address book, which is synced between my laptop and my phone, is far more valuable. Not only that but it is immediate and local. No internet connection required. Granted, my address book requires upkeep just like LinkedIn but it easier to use and requires fewer levels of complexity.

Sorry LinkedIn but I have what I need without you.