OSX Tips and Tricks

Although I love my MacBook Pro and OSX (I have upgraded to the snowy version) there are some strange "quirks" that I have struggled with. Below is a description of the "quirks" and a solution for each of them. Hope they come in handy to you - at least this will serve as a space where I can find the solution should I forget how to solve it in the future.

Quirk 1: The checkbox "Always Open With" does not seem to stick

Description:

Let's say you want to open an xml file and the default application suggested by OSX is Safari. As a developer I am not a bit interested in viewing an xml file in Safari so therefore I "right click" and select "Open with" -> "Other..." and finally an application, e.g. TextEdit. There is a checkbox at this stage which says "Always Open With". I thought that checking this box would solve the problem, but it doesn't! Apparently this only applies to the specific file, not all xml files.

Solution:

"Right click" the xml file (in this example) and select "Get Info". A new window opens up and about in the middle of it you can find the arrow "Open with". Click on it and select the TextEdit application and then click "Change all...". Voila! That's it. Now all xml files will open in TextEdit. Nice huh? :-)

Quirk 2: There is no "Print Screen" button

Description:

Having used a PC for a long time before I got my MacBook Pro I got used to the "Print Screen" button. On the MacBook Pro there is no such button so how do I copy stuff as it's shown on the screen?

Solution:

It turns out there are a couple of commands in OSX to serve the needed functionality rather than just the old "print screen" button. Any of the commands below will create an png file on your desktop.

Command + Shift + 3 takes a screenshot of the entire screen.

Command + Shift + 4 brings up a selection tool so you can decide what rectangular area you want to be copied.

Command + Shift + 4 + Space brings up a camera with which you can select any modular window (or even the dock) on the screen.

If you want any of the images created to be automatically copied to the clipboard you just hold down the Control key during the above commands.