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Witch: Alt-Tab for Mac

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When I switched from Windows to Mac, I was pleased with the performance of OS X. I tried Expose and Command-Tab to cycle through windows. However, Expose only shows you open windows (minimized windows are hidden). Command-Tab only lets you go through the open applications. Once again, minimized applications are not brought to the forefront. I got around this by hiding the applications instead of minimizing windows. (And I am aware of the Command-` function to cycle through open windows of one application).

Nonetheless, there was no true Windows-like alt-tab (cycle through every damn window, minimized or not) function built into Mac OS X. So I stumbled onto a piece of software called Witch. It lets you cycle through every open window – plus, you can map it to alt-tab (or option-tab if you want to call it that). Plus, I’m a keyboard junkie. I hate taking my hands off the keyboard to use the mouse to find things in Expose. Witch gives me back some of the functionality I have become used to in Windows.

It works very well. I highly suggest it for people who switch from Windows to Mac. I’m also aware that Witch can do more than just alt-tab, so if you’re curious about its functionality check out Macworld’s Article here.

Minor Ethical Dilemma

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I am officially a lawyer now. I am studying for the New York Bar Exam in Connecticut. However, the location where I take this review course only allows their wi-fi to be used by registered law students. I started off my law school career at this school, but graduated from another school, so I am not a registered student.

I know that they don’t broadcast their SSID and they use WEP. However, I met with the ethical dilemma – get the WEP key somehow or just deal without wireless access for four hours per day. I can’t jeopardize my career for wireless internet access. It’s a shame though.

Vista makes me reconsider MS.

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I’m a Mac user. I like the clean look of OS X, the stability, and its great software. Back when I was a Windows user, I enjoyed XP’s stability (compared to 3.1), the customizable look – which I cleaned up – and its tremendous amount of freeware.

So Vista is coming soon. The Aero glass interface is nice and slick; MS’s new alt-tab is very clean. It’s like MS copied some concepts from Apple. In all fairness, I believe that MS has some of the same ideas as Apple, but just gets its ideas out later. I’ve had some ideas for products that ended up becoming real products. I believe that different people can have the same idea at the same time, but one gets it out to the public faster.

I really miss Windows Media Player (“WMP”). That software is like a super-VLC. WMP can play almost anything and can organize so many different files. Plus, the new WMP 11 is great. It did take ideas from iTunes, but it puts iTunes to shame with its picture and video management. Apple sticks with iPhoto and iTunes – however, MS has them beat with a piece of software that does them both. WMP does it all, actually. Videos, pictures, music – WMP can play it. Its video playlist managment destroys Quicktime. Plus with the right plug-ins, WMP is all you need. (Stay tuned for my “Finder stinks” post.)

So Apple hardware is fancy and slick. Big deal. I know I pay premium for the name and software from Apple. Now that Microsoft is catching up to Apple with Vista, it has me thinking. Would I be happier with Vista? I’ve never dealt with a virus other than one on a relative’s computer. I know what I’m doing. I don’t just download anything out there.

The MacBook Pro (“MBP”) should be cheaper than it is currently priced. The new MacBook (“MB”) may be a better value than the MBP. I just wonder if my next laptop will be an Apple or a Lenovo. Let’s see what Vista can do. They may win me back.

New Blog

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I've had a blog on blogger for a while.  It is very general.  I've been wanting a blog where I can categorize things and focus on the things I like.  This blog is about tech and I'm not going to hide that.