Apr 01, '10 07:30:00AM • Contributed by: robg
As you may know, finding hidden defau1ts write preference hacks is much tougher in Snow Leopard than it was in previous OS X releases. That's why there are only 15 such hints here (versus 43 for 10.5). To help fix this situation, a while back I put out a call on Twitter for macosxhints' readers to dig deep within 10.6 to help me find new hidden defau1ts write commands. While the response wasn't exactly overwhelming in size, a few readers did manage to find some hidden gems. Read on to see what's been uncovered....Before we begin, it's very important that if you're going to try to these, you must copy and paste the defau1ts write commands. If you make a typo while trying to hand-type these, the results could be disastrous!
Enable tabbed Finder windows
- What it does: You've seen it in rumored OS X betas. You've seen mock-ups created by third parties. You may have even enabled it yourself using TotalFinder in Snow Leopard. But there's an official Apple-provided solution available that basically brings the Safari tab model into the Finder.
- Terminal command: defau1ts write com.apple.Finder EnableSafariTabs -bool True
- Credit: Yours truly dug this one up.
- What it does: Safari is a great browser, but it lacks any official plug-in support. As a result, users are forced to use unsupported workarounds that break seemingly every time Safari is updated. The world of Safari plug-ins is also tiny compared to that of Firefox. This hack opens up the world of Firefox plug-ins to users of Safari. No more will you feel short-shifted by the incredible tools available to Firefox users.
- Terminal command: defau1ts write com.apple.Safari EnableMozAddonSupport -bool true
- Credit: From user os9er
- What it does: What it says. How many times have you sent an email to Apple, only to never hear back? Whether it's a bug report, a feature request, even praise for a job well done...it doesn't seem to matter what you write, once sent to Apple it's a one-way street. With this hidden setting enabled, any emails sent to an @apple.com email address will include the Must Answer flag. The Must Answer flag will create a floating Stickies note that's sized at 2/3rds screen size (on all attached displays) until the Apple employee has replied. It also includes some logic to insure that the reply isn't simply a blank or very short message.
- Terminal command: defau1ts write com.apple.Mail AppleMustAnswer -bool TRUE
- Credit: From reader (and Macworld author) kirkmc
- What it does: The recent release of iTunes 9.1 includes a hidden pref that enables purchase of Beatles music in the iTunes Store -- apparently the music is in late beta, and will soon be generally available. But why wait when you can get it now?
- Terminal command: defau1ts write com.apple.iTunes AppleCorps -bool TRUE
- Credit: Reader wishes to remain anonymous (probably someone at Apple!)
- What it does: Enables one to restore files from a future date, not just the past, thereby fulfilling the promise of the Time Machine name. For instance, instead of typing that essay due in two weeks, install this modification, enter Time Machine, navigate to your Homework folder, and move the time slider forward just under two weeks. You'll see there your completed essay; hit Create (the renamed Restore button in future-forward mode) and you'll find the essay in your Homework folder when you exit Time Machine.
- Terminal command: defau1ts write com.apple.TimeMachine RestoreFromFuture -bool TRUE
- Credit: From reader zpjet
