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Permanently disable the dock in 10.2 Desktop
This article from Kevin Schmitt describes a method of removing the dock in 10.2 -- apparently at startup, the Dock is somehow involved in providing functionality to the desktop, so the old method (see this hint) of killing it off doesn't work well in 10.2.

[robg adds: The article describes how to move the Dock to a new location, run it once to enable the desktop, then use an AppleScript to quit it for good ... personally, I've never found it that obnoxious but if you do, this appears to be a good meands of removing it under 10.2.]
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Permanently disable the dock in 10.2 | 7 comments | Create New Account
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Try PullTab
Authored by: Basilisk on Mar 03, '03 11:37:02AM

Funnily enough, I had partially the same problem described in the article (wanted to use a thrid party app swticher).

My solution was to make the Dock give up the Cmd-Tab key. See PullTab (http://www.ragingmenace.com/software/pulltab/index.html), APE module, open source, very simple.

Yes, this is a shameless plug, but I've been reading the Dock killer articles on MacOS X hints for a while now and decided it was time to share my solution.

Bas



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Permanently disable the dock in 10.2
Authored by: jneilson on Mar 03, '03 01:21:30PM

A great hint! I have never really seen the need for the dock ever since I switched from the OS that shall not be named. The first thing I did was hide the dock and forget about it - I prefer to use LaunchBar.

I have followed the simple instructions and even installed the program switcher app manager. System works fine for all users - those that prefer the "safe" dock and those that prefer the speed of LaunchBar.



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Try PullTab
Authored by: macfeller on Mar 04, '03 10:12:37AM

I was happy with the original hint (move/kill dock). Now I am *extremely* happy coz with this and wraparound I see four benefits: 1) the wraparound 2) not having to click a button to allow LiteSwitch (Proteron.com) command-tab functioning, 3) essentially getting rid of the Dock, while 4) actually still having it if needed (why?!) with just a keystroke.

Many thanks!

mf



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Permanently disable the dock in 10.2
Authored by: Mr. X on Mar 03, '03 04:52:30PM

a little OT but not really, I use this little utility called "Wraparound" that makes the mouse appear on the other side of the screen intead of stopping. A nice side effect is that the dock doesn't pop up anymore. I like to still have it around once in while so I can always use the option+apple+d shortcut. It's the perfect solution for me. :)



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Permanently disable the dock in 10.2
Authored by: PancakeMan on Mar 03, '03 05:02:24PM
Here's the download for Wraparound.

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Permanently disable the dock in 10.2
Authored by: macfeller on Mar 04, '03 10:20:37AM

Many, many thanks! Combined with Pull tab I get 4 benefits! (see response to Pull tab).

mf



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Permanently disable the dock in 10.2
Authored by: paulskinner on Mar 09, '03 09:22:11AM

A much safer and cleaner way to do this is to make an applescript that kills the dock and name it 'Dock'. Save it as stay-open application. Run it and the dock is gone. Quit your Dock script app and the Dock returns.

on run
   try
      set p to (path to startup disk as text) & "System:Library:CoreServices:Dock.app:"
      tell application p
         quit
      end tell
      
      tell application "Finder"
         activate
      end tell
   end try
end run

on idle
   return 60
end idle

The problem with Dock killers is that, since the Dock is the destination for all minimized windows, you can't minimize any windows while the Dock is gone. Windowshade is a possible alternative. http://unsanity.com/download.php?product=wsx No affiliation.

I personally prefer to use TinkerTool to move the Dock to the top, Since this requires you to carefully point at the pixel at the base of the menu bar to activate the Dock I rarely see it.



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