In about a month from now, it will be World Diabetic KID'Z Day
Here is a "heads up."
Please visit http://www.globaldiabeticawareness.org (also http://www.diabeticlifewon.com) for more information.
October 4, 2009
September 30, 2009
How to Make an Application Inventory
Hand-Made Mac Tip No. 12
How to Make an Application Inventory
I've been dragging my feet about upgrading to Snow Leopard. Reason being, I wanted to make sure all my apps will be compatible. I need this machine for work for when I do consulting, so if I upgrade, I want to make sure everything works so there are no surprises down the road when I go to demonstrate something for a client.
There is a pretty extensive list in the form of a wiki here that shows which applications will work with Snow Leopard and which are buggy yet. I wanted to check my own applications list against this for compatibility. Problem was, I didn't really have a good inventory list of all my apps, let alone license keys, so I set out to create one in a spreadsheet format that I could stash away somewhere for safekeeping in the event of another upgrade, or God-forbid, catastrophic loss which might result in a clean install of every piece of software I own.
Here is a handy way to get started by getting all the application names into a spreadsheet using iWork Numbers (or Excel).
I could have sworn at some point in time — and this may be reaching as far back as the days of Mac OS 9 — that you used to be able to just highlight all of the application names using the list view in the Finder sorted by Name, then copy and paste them into either a text document or spreadsheet and they would just magically appear in alphabetical order. When I try this now, however, I get mixed results. It just doesn't work that way anymore. You may get a list of apps, but the names are duplicated several times over and it's just messy.
I also remember the days, again in OS 9, when you could simply print out a Finder window's contents. This came in extremely handy when I was a production manager preflighting jobs for print services in ad agencies. I had a handy system in which I would neatly organize and gather all of the print-ready data onto a CD and then print the window contents out, fold the paper a certain way and it was an instant CD cover for the jewel case that told you exactly what was on the CD that went out to the client. That feature disappeared for some reason as well in the new OS X system. I always wondered why they brought labels back, but not the Print Finder Window feature.
Well, there is a third party solution to the rescue. It's called, appropriately, PrintWindow 4.0. It does just what it says it does and even snazzier than the old grayscale teeny icons of OS9.
So what does this have to do with making an inventory list in a spreadsheet format you ask?
Well, it turns out, that if you print this list to a PDF, you can then view the PDF, press command A to highlight and select all of the text, then command P to paste the text into a spreadsheet. This will give you an alphabetical listing of all of the applications in the Applications folder.
It's easy-peasy. Just launch PrintWindow – either from the Dock, or you can do like me and put the icon in your toolbar of your Finder so it's handy. Next, select File, then Print Folder Listing. Navigate to your Applications folder and select it. Then follow the rest of the settings, it's pretty self explanatory. Just be sure to sort by name.
http://skitch.com/macmommy1228/nb8uq/applicationlisting (<---- link to larger image)
In the screen shot above you can see my Applications Finder window with the status at the bottom indicating that I have 181 applications in that folder. Next, you can see that when I copied and pasted the names from the PDF into the spreadsheet, the total number also matches by looking at the last line in that spreadsheet. This tells me I got them all copied.
From here, I can now go about tweaking my spreadsheet and adding in important information like serial numbers and versions. Later on, I can then sort the columns however I'd like or add check marks to remind me which applications are ready and which are not for Snow Leopard. This will help me to better decide when to upgrade and which applications I'll need to upgrade along with it. I might even add a column for the vendor link so that I can just run down the list later and click on the links to go to the download page for the updated software.
OCD is so much fun when you have the right tool for the job!
I hope you've enjoyed this Hand-Made Mac Tip!
September 29, 2009
World Habitat Day
About Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 300,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.5 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org
September 28, 2009
Hapee Face
So I'm at the OBGYN for a checkup and I had to, um, you know -- make a "contribution." Lucian was with me in the ladies room and, well, I had to try and keep him entertained so after I wrote my name and DOB, he asked for the marker and, well, there you have it…
… this is the very first happy face he has ever drawn.
I guess your kid's artwork can show up just about anywhere. If only I could have seen the look on face of the person collecting the sample. I can only **hope** they heard me giggling and talking to my child through the wall. I just can't bear the thought of them thinking it was me who drew it! Hapee ThoughtsAre You a Freak on a Leash?
How do you feel about leashes on kids?
I personally think it's a good idea at times and I have used a leash with Lucian. I used to raise an eyebrow at people who used leashes — until I became the parent of a curious toddler.
The thing that bugs me is the way people stare or when family members have chastised me for using one, whether they have kids or not. I didn't use it all the time, just times when I was with him by myself or just feeling extra insecure in an unfamiliar place like a big city with lots of cars. I plan on using a leash with our next child when I feel necessary as well, but I'm not looking forward to the way I feel when people stare at me. I won't let it stop me though.
I'm curious. What is the big freakin deal, people? Why do you stare at parents who choose to use a leash with their kids? Isn't it better than just letting their kids run wild all over the place? People complain about that as well.
I just want to be a good mother and using a leash makes me and my child feel safe. Isn't that what's most important? Isn't it better to give your child a little bit of space rather than digging your fingernails into their flesh or yanking their arms out of their sockets from dragging them? I've seen that happen and I don't want to use that method if I can help it. Parking lots and crowded malls are very scary places! You'll pull your kid by his hair or his eyelashes if that's the nearest thing on them when a car darts out at you!
It takes some practice to use a leash. It can be tricky and downright dangerous sometimes, but once you get the hang of it, you feel much more secure. If you plan on using a leash, be sure to practice somewhere first like your back yard or some place where you and your child can roam before you use it in public.
Do me a favor, next time you see a parent using a leash with their child, please smile at them and just know they are trying to do what they feel is best for their safety and security.
Thanks!
Check out more DadLabs videos. They're the dudes who give Dads their due!
Mouse Paint (tag: Lucian)
Each month at Lucian's Preschool they focus on a book and do activities based on the story as part of their curriculum. This month the book is "Mouse Paint," by Ellen Stoll-Walsh.
http://www.amazon.com/Mouse-Paint-Ellen-Stoll-Walsh/dp/0152002650#Lucian was very excited about this book and he was trying to describe it in detail when I picked him up at the bus stop.
This is how he looked when I picked him up this past Friday.
Later on that day, we played with some clear chap stick and he painted mouse whiskers on Mommy. Oh, and a pink nose too!
(I guess they were invisible whiskers, but he could certainly see them on me!)
I love his imagination.
September 27, 2009
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