Resize Finder and Windows Explorer Columns to Fit File Names
I have to browse through lots and lots of files in my folder structure on my Mac. I prefer to use the column view (pictured above) because it allows me to quickly navigate through the entire folder path. But since I have a tendency (read compulsive disorder) to name folders and files with intricate, detailed names, it becomes difficult to read the entire name in the default finder column size.
To quickly make the column size snap to the longest file name in OSX Finder, simply double click in the white area at the bottom of the column. That’s it! You should be able to view the complete file names of all the files at the current level. Note: A coworker confirmed that this works in Windows Explorer as well.
There are all kinds of Mac OSX finder shortcuts, including the ability to make upload windows jump to the correct file.
FollowUpThen: Free, Fast and Simple Email Reminder
FollowUpThen is a boost to anyone’s productivity toolbag. If you always find yourself making notes to follow up on emails you send to friends, family members, or clients, then you should try FollowUpThen.
This easy-to-use service allows you to simply add a new recipient to any email in either the CC or BCC fields such as [email protected]
After the specified time has passed, you will automagically receive an email reminder to follow up to that email. You can even have reminders go to the other recipients of that email.
And best of all, FollowUpThen is a free service. To read more about FollowUpThen or read use cases, visit the website.
Create Quick Reminder Alerts with Online Timers
Ever find yourself needing to create a quick reminder but can’t justify creating an iCal or Outlook event? Quickly pop open a browser window and type a reminder right into the URL bar using online timers like TheTinyTimer.
Simply type in “thetinytimer.com/” and then an increment of time. You can type anything from 2m (for 2 minutes) to 3days2hrs20mins15sec. It is very intuitive. Just don’t include any spaces.
You can also do dates: thetinytimer.com/Nov3.
I often find myself needing to create a reminder for a short period of time to remind myself to do something. For example, I may be surfing the internet and really want some hot pockets. If I am reading something rather involved, I may forget to go check on them.
To avoid any forgetful mishaps, I type thetinytimer.com/15min into my browser window. A timer is automatically created with a visual countdown and sound alarm. When the time is up, a notification appears on the screen and an alarm sounds. You’re even presented with a fun fact or literary quote (see screenshot below).
If it is a reoccurring event, you can save the URL to your browser’s bookmarks. This will allow you to quickly access them any time you want.
Other features include the ability to customize the alarm sound and interval, change the fun fact message genre, upload your own alarm sound, and change the display of the timer. Also, you don’t have to worry about accidentally closing the window as TheTinyTimer will give you an alert message asking if you really want to close the window.
Have a tip for reminders? Leave a comment and tell everyone.
Hack Your Wallet for Note Taking
Ever find yourself out and about and need to take a quick note, but don’t want to lug around a notepad all the time? Just stick a post-it note or two to the inside of your wallet. Then you will always have the ability to jot down a quick note no matter where you are.
You can even layer post-it notes on top of each other to create a traveling post-it pad right inside your wallet.
And yes, girls, if you don’t want to carry around a purse all the time, you can do this, too.
Quickly Switch Tabs in Firefox
Sometimes I have lots of tabs open all in the same Firefox window. Clicking on each one to find the right tab can take up a lot of time or be irritating if there are more tabs than there is room for on the screen.
You can navigate around Firefox tabs with the below keyboard shorcuts:
- Press Ctrl+Tab to go to the next tab (or rotate forward).
- Press Ctrl+Shift+Tab to go to the previous tab (or rotate backwards).
- Go to a specific tab by pressing Ctrl+the tab number. e.g. Ctrl+7 to go to the seventh tab.
- Press Ctrl+T to open a new tab.
- Press Ctrl+W to close the tab.
- Restore Previously Closed tab by Ctrl+Shift+T.
Work More Efficiently on Your Computer with Cinch
[Mac Software}
Cinch is a $7 Mac software application that allows users to easily partition opened windows on your screen (halves or fullscreen). Simply drag the window to the edge of the screen on the side you want, and Cinch will automatically resize the window for you. Pulling the window away from the side resizes the window back to its original dimensions. Watch the video above to see Cinch in action.
I am all about the “Getting Things Done” (GTD) philosophy. Anything I can do work more efficiently, and with less frustration, is worth the try. I purchased Cinch this past December and love it.
Below is a description from the developer’s website:
Cinch gives you simple, mouse-driven window management by defining the left, right, and top edges of your screen as ‘hot zones’. Drag a window until the mouse cursor enters one of these zones then drop the window to have it cinch into place. Cinching to the left or right edges of the screen will resize the window to fill exactly half the screen, allowing you to easily compare two windows side-by-side (splitscreen). Cinching to the top edge of the screen will resize the window to fill the entire screen (fullscreen). Dragging a window away from its cinched position will restore the window to its original size.
Do you have an app to help you manage your windows? Let others know about it in the comments.
via Irradiated Software [download page]
