MacWorld is asking readers to discuss how you customize your Mac for an upcoming series.
We all have our own ways of setting up and using OS X, of arranging our workspaces, managing files, and launching apps. Some of us rely on the tools built into OS X. Some of us use third-party utilities to enhance or replace those built-in tools. Many of us favor specific workstyles (keyboard vs. mouse, visual vs. verbal, neatniks vs. pack rats, and so on) and have customized our Macs accordingly.
For an upcoming series of stories, we’d like to know how you do all this, how you’ve customized OS X…
The comments section is great, giving a lot of different insights into how people customize their Mac and their workflow.
Here’s how I’ve customized my Mac to suit my workflow:
Organize and find files. I use a hierarchal folder system built mostly in Dropbox so I can stay synced across multiple computers. I archive old or dormant files on a removable drive.
Manage files. I use LaunchBar to manage my files. (I’m a former Quicksilver disciple, but the lack of recent development and some bugginess made me change.) I also use Default Folder X to help me when I’m saving files.
Preview/View files. I use Quicklook, which also works from LaunchBar.
Launch applications. LaunchBar.
Arrange workspaces. I use dual monitors and am generally running two computers at once. Often the second machine is for streaming Pandora or watching Hulu while I work. I use Spaces to separate different projects or specific tasks (i.e. blogging, music, surfing, etc.)
Dock. I keep it hidden, with stacks for my Downloads and Dropbox folders.
Menu Bar. I turned off transparency. In the Menu Bar I have Dropbox, Skitch, Pukka, CoverSutra, AppleScripts, Time Machine, MobileMe sync, wifi, volume, battery, customized date (using Format menu under International System Preference) and Spotlight.
That’s how I’ve customized my workflow. I’m looking forward to reading the MacWorld articles on this, because I’m fascinated with how people use their Macs.
