This blog post offers a collection of macOS tips and tricks to enhance productivity and user experience. It covers various aspects of the operating system, from basic shortcuts like quickly hiding all other applications (⌘⌥H) to more advanced techniques involving the terminal and shell scripting. The post highlights features such as using the Preview app for quick image edits, leveraging Quick Look for file previews and actions, customizing the Dock and menu bar, and employing keyboard shortcuts for various tasks. It also emphasizes the power of the Terminal for automating actions and managing system settings, and recommends several useful third-party applications to further improve workflow.
Little Snitch has a hidden "Deep Packet Inspection" feature accessible via a secret keyboard shortcut (Control-click on the connection alert, then press Command-I). This allows users to examine the actual data being sent or received by a connection, going beyond just seeing the IP addresses and ports. This functionality can be invaluable for troubleshooting network issues, identifying the specific data a suspicious application is transmitting, or even understanding the inner workings of network protocols. While potentially powerful, this feature is undocumented and requires some technical knowledge to interpret the raw data displayed.
HN users largely discuss their experiences with Little Snitch and similar firewall tools. Some highlight the "deny once" option as a valuable but less-known feature, appreciating its granularity compared to permanently blocking connections. Others mention alternative tools like LuLu and Vallum, drawing comparisons to Little Snitch's functionality and ease of use. A few users question the necessity of such tools in modern macOS, citing Apple's built-in security features. Several commenters express frustration with software increasingly phoning home, emphasizing the importance of tools like Little Snitch for maintaining privacy and control. The discussion also touches upon the effectiveness of Little Snitch against malware, with some suggesting its primary benefit is awareness rather than outright prevention.
Summary of Comments ( 271 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43201417
HN users generally praised the macOS tips listed in the article, finding them useful and well-organized. Several commenters highlighted specific tips they appreciated, such as using keyboard shortcuts for moving windows between monitors, the "Say" command for text-to-speech, and the ability to paste rich text into plain text fields with a modified paste command. Some users shared additional tips of their own, including using Automator for repetitive tasks and leveraging specific terminal commands. A few questioned the necessity of some of the listed "tricks," suggesting they are standard macOS features. Overall, the discussion revolved around the practicality of the tips and expanding upon the list with further macOS productivity enhancements.
The Hacker News post titled "macOS Tips and Tricks (2022)" linking to saurabhs.org/macos-tips generated a moderate number of comments, many of which delve into specific features, offer alternatives, or debate the merits of certain approaches.
Several commenters discuss keyboard shortcuts and window management. One user highlights the usefulness of Rectangle, a free window management tool, as a superior alternative to the paid Magnet app mentioned in the article. Another chimes in to recommend Moom, a different paid window management application, praising its flexibility and customizability. Further discussion revolves around keyboard shortcuts for switching between applications (Command+Tab) and the added functionality provided by holding down the Command key while using this shortcut, allowing for quitting or hiding applications.
Another thread centers on the use of the Terminal and related tools. One commenter suggests using
pbcopyandpbpastefor clipboard manipulation, enabling interaction between GUI applications and command-line tools. This sparks a side discussion about the benefits and drawbacks of using these tools versus native macOS features or dedicated clipboard managers. Someone else recommends exa as a modern replacement for thelscommand, highlighting its colorized output and more user-friendly features. The merits ofbatas a replacement forcatare also discussed, with users appreciating its syntax highlighting.The article's recommendation of using Homebrew for package management also receives attention. One commenter cautions against over-reliance on Homebrew, pointing out that it can sometimes interfere with system stability or create conflicts. They advocate for learning how to manage software installations manually, reserving Homebrew for specific use cases.
A few users express general appreciation for the tips provided in the article, finding them helpful and practical. Others offer additional tips not covered in the original article, such as using Automator for automating tasks and utilizing keyboard shortcuts for controlling volume and screen brightness.
A recurring theme in the comments is the preference for built-in macOS features over third-party tools where possible. Several users advocate for learning and utilizing the operating system's native capabilities before resorting to external applications, emphasizing that this approach often leads to a cleaner and more efficient workflow. However, others argue that certain third-party tools offer significant improvements over the default macOS experience and are justified in specific situations.