Regardless of the reason, I’m sure some of you have had to convert some files from one format to another. For the most part Automator does a pretty good job. But if your looking for something a bit more flexible and fast, I suggest you continue reading.

Dragonman 1.4 (I’m assuming the name refers to converting a dragon into a man; I am often wrong though) is a lightweight, drag-and-drop file conversion app. It supports single files as well a batch operations. Dragonman can convert simple things, like pictures, documents and audio files, to all their corresponding types. But what pulls it apart from similar apps is its ability to handle archive file formats. For example: with Dragonman you can download a .zip file and before you even open it you can convert it to .7z,tar,sit,hqx,bin,dmg or any other supported file. (Dragonman can also uncompress all of these formats as well)

I strongly suggest you give it a try. ( It might even become one of those apps that you acutally BUY! )

Supported file types and more info can be found here: Dragon-Mac.com

Top Draw is an image generation program just launched in the Google Mac Playground. By using simple text scripts, based on JavaScript, Top Draw can create surprisingly complex and interesting images. Even cooler is that the program has built-in support for installing any image of yours as your desktop image. There’s a Viewer application you can install in the menu bar to automatically run with the parameters (such as script and update interval) that you’ve specified. And there’s even a Screen Saver to display the scripts when your computer is taking a break.

To the right are a few examples of what Top Draw produces. By default, Top Draw will re-assign the rendered images as your desktop pic in assigned intervals.

Follow the link for more info! Top Draw for OS X

The 2008 iMac. Apple most eco-friendly product.

The slick aluminum case of the iMac offers unique style and brilliant Apple design.

The design features a stunning aluminum case. This case wasn’t only practical when it came to dazzling design, but also when it came to thinking about the environment. Apple choosing aluminum over plastic was less detrimental to our environment, because of the highly recyclable nature of aluminum. (Besides plastics being a byproduct of petroleum, and we all know how bad petroleum is)

The iMac also excels in being environmentally friendly and conscious in that it has the ability to use significantly less cables then previous generations. This is due to the implementation of Bluetooth, wireless mice, keyboards, and routers. Not only does this cut down on manufacturing of cables but also makes for a more aesthetically pleasing desktop. The iMac’s Power consumption while asleep has also been cut in half over the past few years. Down to 2.7 watts while asleep. Check out this picture below for more info. Read the rest of this entry »

Photo Credit: nowhereelse.fr

*UPDATE: readers at engadget have already proved this one a fake! Read the comments at Engadget for details

leaked pics or clever photoshopping?

I hate to fuel the rumor wagon but I can’t pass by pics of the “New MacBook Pro” that easy. The design makes sense from an Apple design perspective. But I’m expecting something slightly different from the final product. Particularly the display on the trackpad. As much as I would like to believe that is coming. I don’t think it’s gonna be this soon. Still to costly to implement. Although the Mulit-touch function of the iPhone and iPod touch are relatively impressive.

Changing your login window is one of the coolest ways to make your Mac stand out. If your running OS X 10.5, it’s fairly simple as well. But we’re not stopping there. Today I am also going to show you how to change the default Apple logo displayed on the login screen. First I’m going to show you how to do this in 10.5. If you’re using 10.4 you can skip down to the 10.4 section

Customizing the Login Screen in OS X 10.5: To change the login background, simply replace the picture file located here: /System/Library/CoreServices/DefaultDesktop.jpg Use a jpg with a resolution equal to or greater then that of your monitor for best results.

If you’re interested in changing the default Apple logo you see at login do as follows: Hit command-shift-G to bring up the “Go to Folder” dialog and paste in the following path exactly: /System/Library/CoreServices/SecurityAgentPlugins/loginwindow.bundle/Contents/Resources In this directory you will find a file called applelogo.tif. Make a backup copy and then delete ‘applelogo.tif’. Rename your custom tif logo file to ‘applelogo.tif’ and move it to this same folder, you will be asked for the administrator password. Make sure the new image is 90×90 and a tif file. Slightly transparent images look best. Read the rest of this entry »

It recently occurred to me that not everyone is familiar with all of the great Mac forums out there. After all, there are literally thousands of Mac-centric forums out there. While they are all unique and interesting there are a certain few who reign king when it comes to valuable and knowledgeable content. So here is the Ultimate list of superior Mac forums.

1. The Mac Discussion Forums: The Apple supported support forum is the number one place for trouble shooting your Mac. I can’t count how many times this forums has helped me save my Mac from certain demise. With over 300,000 current topics. Chances are you can find some help here.
2. Mac Serial Junkie: Mac Serial Junkie is the number one place to help you out when it comes to Apps. The combined knowledge of its 57,000 members insure that if you need a certain app they are going to be able to give it to you. (They are notorious for there incomprehensible ability to get you those apps without paying for them. )
3. InsanelyMac: InsanelyMac provides a great place to get inside news about upcoming releases and rumors. It also provides lots of How-to’s and trouble shooting tips as well.

Hey everyone. I know you’re all not using twitter, But I think it would be beneficial if I was able to follow all of my readers on Twitter. That way I feel like I will be able to fine tune the site to your liking more. You can either start following my me clicking the pic or navigating to twitter.com/lwestlie, or if you would like you can post your twitter name in the comments below and I will start following you!

Thanks and have a great rest of your day.

-Luke

Today I am introducing you to one of those delightfully small yet useful apps that we all love to download and forget about.

Desktop Remind 1.1 – Desktop Remind is neat little app that Embeds your calendar appointments and upcoming events on your desktop, above your wallpaper but below your desktop items. You can then quickly and effortlessly know exactly what is on your calendar for the current day, and days to come. Its a very good way to remain on top of things to keep from letting things slip by.

I have been using it for a couple of days now and I am really happy I got. I tend to be a pretty forgetful person and Desktop Remind does a very good job of presenting itself without getting in the way. So head on over to Code Genocide and grab yourself a copy now.

Desktop Remind 1.1 14 Day Free Trial ($4.99 after trial period)

I’m sure your either in the process of downloading the update or have already installed it. Either case, let me inform you of whats new with this 330MB update to your digital feline.

Improvements in 10.5.5:

• Apple Security Updates
• Improved spotlight indexing performance
• Numerous graphic enhancements
• Improved reliability when using Disk Utility to manage RAID Servers
• Improved Time Machine stability when used with Time Capsule
• Improved Speech Dictionary

And in saving the best for last: “Addresses an issue in which some Macs could unexpectedly power on at the same time each day.” Hmmm. Well glad they got that taken care of. Good to see the continuing updates and support, but if you’re anything like me, you’re eagerly awaiting the release of OS 10.6.

If your looking for the full list of updates and more info about the update follow this link to Apple. 10.5.5 Update Notes.

OS X Leopard may claim over 300+ new features when compared to previous versions, but I can bet that you’re not even aware of half of them. This is where MacPilot comes in handy.

MacPilot is a system tool that allows you to enable/disable hundreds of uncommon and useful features in OS X. Things like: Enabling the “Cut” menu item,Adding a “Quit Finder” menu item,Disabling Desktop Icons,Include a “Recent Items” stack in the Dock, and much much more. The real benefit of MacPilot is that it essentially allows you to tweak the system to your liking. Maximizing the usability of your system. So download it and give it a test run. It’s not right for everyone but it can be a very useful app for some.

MacPilot 3.1.3 Universal Binary. 10.4+