I like Gmail, and I like that I can read my email in Apple Mail using IMAP. But I don’t like that the chat transcripts don’t download with the rest of my email. Does anyone know how to make that happen?
Gmail IMAP and chat transcripts
January 31st, 2008I learned another incantation
January 29th, 2008A few months ago I purchased a computer. For the first time in my life. It is a new-to-me Apple PowerBook G4 I bought off the son of a coworker of Rebecca. I have used Apple’s Mac OS X quite a bit at school and always preferred it to my Windows XP (and my Linux!), but Apple computers are expensive. So I got a good deal, and bought it, and have experienced no remorse whatsoever.
Now with my job I have been supporting some Apple computers rather closely, and learning so much more about the operating system, specifically how I can configure just about anything with the Terminal. You know, type type type? Text-only? UNIX? It really is great.
In a way, learning and using Linux (i.e. UNIX (i.e. POSIX)) for my server has prepared me for Mac OS X and helped me to appreciate it more.
Also, there is remote administration. I can see the computers without leaving my desk. I can control them, even if someone else is logged in and using them. That would probably be a bit freaky: you’re mousing around when suddenly, the mouse is moving on its own and there is nothing you can do about it.
I haven’t tried that on anyone yet.
Here is the problem I ran into, however: I want to change a setting, but to do so I need to take control of the computer and open System Preferences, &c. I don’t want to interrupt the user to do it. I was considering this, when I remembered all the times I read tips online for configuring Mac OS X before I actually owned such a computer, and I remembered that the tip-giver would almost always give a Terminal command to effect the change, and said Terminal command would almost always begin with defaults.
So, I did some digging and learned about the defaults command, and, long story short (“Too late!”), I came up with these magic words:
defaults delete /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow PowerOffDisabled
This command shows the Restart and Shutdown buttons on the login window (so you can turn off the computer without logging in first). Having a Terminal command to do this is great because I can run such commands on the computers I administer without interrupting the current user. All behind the scenes. It is very clever.
Another blog
January 15th, 2008I got married. My wife and I started a new blog together. The address is http://acciojacksons.blogspot.com/.
The blog is protected, so if you want to read it you will have to email me.
Also, I am doing very well.
That was awkward.
December 14th, 2007True story: I just got on the elevator at the second floor, only to find a custodian wiping down the walls with something lemony-scented. I pushed “G”, descended two floors, and got out, while said custodian continued to wipe down said walls with said lemony-scented cleaner. No words were spoken.
I’m asking you to do this.
October 20th, 2007
Geoff Yano is my favorite director. I might be a bit biased, because he has directed every film I ever acted in. But he is great! And phenomenal.
Geoff is so phenomenal, in fact, that he recently made a three-minute movie in 24 hours. And it is awesome. The movie, Crosswalk, is part of the 2007 Apple Insomnia Film Festival. It’s a contest and normal people like you and like me get to help decide who wins.
So you should click that banner up above and rate Geoff’s movie, because it is really good and deserves to win.
For more detailed instructions on how to register and rate the film, I refer you to Dan Jones’ blog.
Please give Geoff a good rating, then tell everyone you know to do the same!