Setting up a custom keyboard shortcut is actually very simple!  This simple walk-through shows you how to set one up.

Step 1: Open ‘System Preferences‘ and select the ‘Keyboard‘ section under the Hardware heading

Step 2:  Select ‘Application Shortcuts‘  from the list on the left of the screen and then click the ‘+‘ button underneath the list of current shortcuts

Step 3: You will be given a form to enter the details of your new shortcut.  Click on the Application drop-down list.

Step 4: Select ‘Mail‘ from the list of Applications.

Step 5: Enter the exact word ‘Send‘ into the Menu Title box.  Click in the Keyboard Shortcut box and press the key combination you want to use to send mail.  Here I have used Cmd + Enter.

Step 6: You’re all done!  The shortcut should appear in your list of Application Shortcuts.  To check it works, fire up Mail and try it out!

Step 7: Enjoy the benefits of your increased productivity having saved those vital milliseconds it took to reach for the mouse!

Do you have any killer Mail shortcuts that boost your productivity?  If so, please share them in the comments!

#1 – Virus-free & secure

Whether you’re a business or home user, you’ll be well aware that computer security is a major pain in the backside. With Mac, you have the comfort of knowing that there are (almost) no viruses to harm your computer! And you know what that means? No bulky obtrusive anti-virus and anti-spyware programs clogging up your computer – updating every 20 minutes and hogging your CPU.  If that’s not enough to make you buy a Mac already, here are a further 12 reason.

#2 – Quality of components

With a Mac you really do get what you pay for. Sure it may be a little more than typical PC specs, but Apple use top of the line, top spec components in their Mac’s. That means better performance, longer life and less breakages.

#3 – Software architecture based on Unix

This one’s for all you programmers out there.  When you buy a Mac you also get a machine with a Unix core.  That means access to a fully functional shells, including sh, bash, zsh and ksh.  You also get the Darwin Ports system to update your application, Cron to schedule tasks easily and a whole host of programming and scripting utilities baked in, including: awk, Perl, PHP, Python, Java and C.

#4 – Looks that could kill

You have to admire the design and craftsmanship of all of Apple’s products; the Mac line-up is no different!  Better yet, Apple don’t compromise performance for design, with a Mac you get stunning equipment that will outperform the majority of its PC rivals.

#5 – It doesn’t crash!

Wouldn’t it be nice to know that as you are typing the last few words of a long letter, or adding the final touches to a complex graphic, your computer isn’t going to ‘stop responding’. Whilst Mac’s aren’t 100% perfect, I can honestly say that my Mac has crashed 2-3 times in the last 2 years. That’s 50 – 60 times less than my Windows based notebook, which I use for 10% of the time I use my mac. Convinced yet?…

#6 -  Time Machine

We never know when we’re going to need a file that’s been accidentally deleted or lost. Apple offers inbuilt backup software with its operating system (OS X) which automatically keeps backups of all your files. With the use of an Apple time capsule, your backup hard drive doesn’t even need to be attached to the computer. Hiding it away behind a book case could see all your data saved in the event of a theft.

#7 – Saves you money

It does! Honestly. Whilst it used to be the case that we would require new PC’s every 1-2 years, your Mac will far outlast a PC, meaning you don’t really need to update for 3 – 4 years. All PC users will be aware that Windows based machines seem to get slower and slower as time goes on – soon you are reduced to de-fragging hard drives or wiping the computer and reinstalling everything. Well not with a Mac! Much like the Duracell Bunny – it’ll just keep going.

#8 – iLife

iLife offers you everything you need for everyday media. Organise your photos, make home movies, compose and arrange music and build websites. You cant ask for much more! Whats better – it all comes with you Mac as standard. Even better – its quick and easy to use, whilst still giving you a large number of features to play with.

#9 – OS X

OS X (The Apple Mac operating system) is the envy of Microsoft. We know this, because Microsoft appear to try and copy it as much as they can! The operating system is not only sleeker, quicker, more robust and more secure than its Windows counterparts but is far more stylish and intuitive to use. Apple really are a good few steps ahead of Microsoft in this field.

#10 – Genius Bar

Apple offer all Mac customers Genius bar assistance. This means you can make an appointment at any Apple store and get face to face technical assistance from an Apple professional. They often make repairs on the spot and are always happy to help. Its certainly 10x the service you’d expect from PC outlets such as PC World.

#11 – Closing software gap

In times gone by, Apple Macs were seen as an industry tool. Today, they are still prominent as an industry standard but have taken on the home computer market as well. Today, the large majority of  mainstream software can be run on a Mac (including the likes of Microsoft Office). And for those rare occasions that you find some software that hasn’t yet been made Mac compatible, Mac offers Boot Camp, Parallels and Wine which allow Windows only software to be run on your Mac hardware.

#12 – Comes with everything you need

When you buy a Mac you really do get the whole package. Apple don’t leave you needing to buy more once you purchase one of their Mac’s. With a Mac you’ll have the pleasure of inbuilt Web Cam and microphone (iSight) high quality speakers as well as access to a plethora of software to get started with your day to day activities.

#13 – Your friends will want one

Finally we come to the end of our list. Heres one last thing to keep in mind.. Once you’ve purchased a Mac, all of your friends will want one!

So what are you waiting for? Next time you come to change your computer – go Mac!

Screenshot Key Combinations in Mac OS X

The following key combos can be used to take screenshots.

Mac OS X also provides the Grab utility (described by O’Reilly) which offers even more powerful screenshot taking capabilities.

Happy Screenshotting!

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The answer is found within Disk Utility and is not a solution you would stumble upon blindly. The following steps are your path to ISO burning heaven:

1. Insert a blank CD or DVD
2. Open Finder and navigate to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility
3. From the File menu, select ‘Open Disk Image’ or press Apple+Option+O.
4. Select the ISO file you want to burn. This will mount the ISO and add it to the list of volumes.
5. Select the mounted ISO volume from the left-hand list in the Disk Utility window
6. Click the ‘Burn’ button in the top left corner of Disk Utility
7. Select your CD/DVD drive from the list of devices
8. Click ‘Burn’

This process works with Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger.

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