Removing Apps From Launchpad

I prefer the Dock on the left to maximize vertical space.

Mac OS X Lion & Mountain Lion make Apple computers more like their iOS devices, but this isn’t always a good thing.

Apple’s Lions are pretty — there’s no denying that. However, in adding simplicity, Apple has limited functionality and control. In an attempt to make Mac OSX more user-friendly, Apple has hidden files and features. The multitouch trackpad and Launchpad make Macs function more like iPhones and iPads — the problem is that desktops and notebooks are more complex than their bite-sized brethren.

Want full control of your Launchpad?

"Too bad" seems to be the Apple response. According to Apple, you can rearrange icons and remove Mac App Store apps only. [To remove App Store apps, either click and hold over the app icon (similar to the iOS process of removing/re-arranging apps) or hold the “alt option” key. Click "X." To add any app to Launchpad, drag & drop the app from Finder onto the Launchpad icon (located on your Dock).]

But what if you want to remove an app without an “X”?

Since Apple won’t help, I will!

First, if you’ve used Mac OS prior to Lion, you’ll notice the absence of the Library folder. Apple decided that people don’t need to be bothered with such things and hid it. If you want to view it again, open Terminal.app, located in /Applications/Utilities. Copy/Paste the following:

chflags nohidden ~/Library

Like magic, Library will now appear in Finder. (Note: Before you go modifying your Launchpad, you may want to backup its current setup. To do that, backup the .db file located in /Library/Application Support/Dock)

If you want to remove ALL items from Launchpad, you can follow this guide at gnuu.org This might be best if you have a lot of clearing to do.

However, if you just want to remove some apps from Launchpad…

Open /Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app and use the following;

sqlite3 ~/Library/Application\ Support/Dock/*.db "DELETE from apps WHERE title='APPNAME';" && killall Dock

REPLACING APPNAME with the name of the app you want to remove from Launchpad. For example, if I wanted to remove Reminders, I would open Terminal and enter:

sqlite3 ~/Library/Application\ Support/Dock/*.db "DELETE from apps WHERE title='Reminders';" && killall Dock

Note: This won’t delete the app, it just removes it from Launchpad.

Hopefully this helps you!

If it has, please leave a comment and consider liking my Says Brad Facebook page to keep in touch. I’d love to hear from you.

There are a lot of third-party apps out there for Dock, Desktop, Library and Launchpad management, but frankly, I don’t trust them; many aren’t free or are ad-supported, created by people I’ve never heard of. Not saying that they’re all illegitimate, but I can’t be certain. Luckily, a little Terminal magic can solve the bulk of your OSX issues. I’m an iOS guru (lol), not an OSX expert, but feel free to ask if you have questions — if I can help, I will.

Status Update

Hi. I have a lot to cover here.

Also, please excuse the 2009-2010 layout/colors. I'm setting up a new one... it just takes awhile because I can't do it laying down (literally, laying down).

Note: this may not be interesting/relevant if you don't know me on some kind of personal level. Feel free to browse other things. Enjoy picture of cats in boxes, or look at this inkblog post. Or these assorted images including Hipstamatic iPhone 4 pics (more soon). And join Zurker, a social network you can own so we can become friends.

Miscellaneous personal stuff:

• I think the satsuma mandarin orange season is at an end. Thanks to Chow Lafayette, I've managed to get almost 30lbs of oranges per week since December. Luckily, California has a lot of raspberries!

• This crazy Bay Area weather has been giving me daily migraines. Sometimes lasting up to 20 hours, I haven't had much relief. I think my migraines have been triggered by barometric pressure changes.

• I've been studying/trying to play Chess. Until recently, I hadn't had much interest in the game, but I played Go, then Gomoku, and that led me to Chess.

• I dig Shortmail. Using their iPhone app and my Twitter, @bradtastic, I setup simplified email in one minute. This format is based on the Email Charter — principles to eliminate email overload — found here.

Blog consolidation; goodbye, TypePad.

I've wanted to like TypePad since using MovableType at AIS, years ago. I just... don't. I want to like it; it's got a good team behind it, some interesting features, but poor layouts and themes. I don't know enough programming to make my own, and with time constraints and constant pain, I won't be learning anytime soon. Learning programming isn't just reading, it's trial & error — and not accomplished easily on the iPad.

So unless SAY:Media or someone is willing to pay for my disability blog, I'll be moving the content here. This isn't ideal, but it'll be easier to maintain. It also means gaming info and iOS app reviews will be mixed together with information on my condition.

For now, I'll keep the domain names — they're paid for — I'll just point them here.

Squarespace vs WordPress

I've been reading some blogging guides about setting up WordPress and other things (including Posterous and Tumblr). I want to keep writing and sharing — it's therapeutic — but I also want to keep costs down. Some blogging concerns are stability, aesthetics, typography, and file management. My goal is to share my photography, illustrations and design alongside writing. I love Squarespace's themes and CMS, but I don't care for the blogging/editing UI — it isn't touch and small-screen friendly. I adore their customer service, however.

A real iPad blogging tool, Blogsy, by fomola.

I found this app called Blogsy — subsequently communicating with it's developer/owner — and am now convinced that blogging from iPad will continue to be viable, if not someday preferred. Blogsy doesn't support Squarespace yet, but I've been told that that's a planned addition. I've used each of the services that it does support, and I'm starting to question my Squarespace convictions.

I hope to continue learning about technology and tools while I practice and strengthen my writing. I've been reluctant to share my fiction attempts, but perhaps it's time for more change.

This is a big year with Olympics, elections and Mayan doomsday predictions myths. Hopefully I can learn to better manage my disability and life, and share some of that — you know, before the world ends.

Inspiration

Created 2011 Brad Chin. Rights Reserved… don’t steal art!

Inspiration… where does it come from?

I have been asking myself that quite a bit over the past few days. Last week, I quite literally dreamt up an idea for a fictional story, something that I may turn into a novel or a screenplay, or a series — I don’t know. What I do know is that I’ve never felt anything like that before, and I feel like I must share this story.

It doesn’t feel optional. I feel like if I even make an attempt to hold it back, it’ll tear through my brain, gush out my face and rip apart the remaining seams that hold my sanity together. No one wants that to happen. That would be amusing for some, but probably quite the mess for crime scene cleanup. 

The necessary tools.

Fortunately, I feel like I’m finally properly equipped. I feel like I have the tools to create the world; the brush, the paint, the canvas and the spirit. Reality has this mean reputation for shattering dreams; it takes some willpower to overcome boot camp, hell week — the rigorous tests that separate greatness from mediocrity — and the stigma against “creating art” for a living (instead of getting a “real” job). 

Recently, I sent an inquiry to the fine folks over at Literature & Latte. Long story short, I’m now using Scrivener to organize my writing projects, and I’m thrilled — because Scrivener is incredible. Bradtastic Approved. In my (excellent) opinion, Apple makes the finest computing equipment for creatives and has engineered a wonderful backbone for some of the most amazing software designed by the friendliest, most sincere, dedicated, and down-to-earth programmers in the world. If you have Mac OS X, check out Scrivener — also available in the Mac App Store.

Another crucial asset is ThinkBook by bitolithic. It’s just incredible; well-built, incredibly usable, powerful, intuitive… if you like to plan anything, you can benefit from ThinkBook. 

I’m still doing what I’m doing, trying to recover and heal, deal with my pain and reduce it as much as possible. I was thinking about how to go about sharing my recent eureka moment, and I created the image above in Sketchbook. I wasn’t going for anything in particular; I just let my muse guide me, and the colors, shapes and strokes above is the result.

What, or whom, inspires you?

Apple, Stuff of Intrigue

I'll keep this short, because it won't interest everyone.

Apple: In Trouble?

If you follow tech stuff at all, you might know about the lawsuit filed against Apple for their upcoming "iCloud" service. Apparently, there's a company by that name that does stuff with the cloud — and it's similar to what Apple wants to do. I think that it will be interesting to see how this plays out. Apple isn't known for playing nice.

But, I like their stuff.

Particularly, I love my iPad 2. Bradtastic Approved. What a great device... seriously. What makes it really fantastic, however, is the software. The App Store offers some amazing stuff — apps created by some of the coolest developers anywhere. I've personally contacted dozens of them; they've ALL been quick to reply, and each has taken my opinions and suggestions seriously.

Their dedication makes iOS phenomenal. I like to support people and businesses that truly believe in what they offer, and I'm happy to see that success hasn't given them the "greater than thou" mentality.

In closing, I'd like to recommend some apps:

For writers: check out OmmWriter. The new desktop version, Dana II, is available for Mac and PC. You can download Dana I for free to try out the app; however, Dana II has many worthwhile features, and for the price, it's a great deal. I especially like the chroma therapy background and adjustable text area.

If you don't consider yourself a writer, that's okay — OmmWriter Dana I might be a spark. Check it out anyway, and let me know what you think. Better yet, tell the devs!

For Mac owners, Day One (Journal/Diary) is amazing. I've mentioned Momento before, but I prefer Day One, for several reasons. First, it syncs with Dropbox — if you don't have an account, you really should get one. (Please use that link; in doing so, I'll get a little extra storage space for free. It's a wonderful service, and many apps use it for backup.) Second, Day One is incredibly usable. If you have an iPhone and/or iPad, the Day One universal app keeps everything synced with the desktop version, and creating entries couldn't be easier. There aren't any complicated or useless features, and a simple reminder system effectively aids the user to remember to write something.

Writing is a healthy process that people don't always make time for, and Day One is great because it doesn't seem to demand long entries or a particular style. I've exchanged emails with the developer — features will continue to be added, and if you think of something, he's more than happy to receive your suggestion. I've used each version of Day One extensively, and can affirm that each is stable.

I've got a lot of things that I'd like to share (on multiple subjects, too) but I haven't yet made the time to write it all out. I want to convey things properly... and I would like to include more images in my posts.

Also: please don't be shy. If you're reading this, let me know — say "hello!"

Negativity

Some not good luck and negativity.

I’m going to keep this short, because there are still a few other things that are pressing. I’ve been meaning to post for one week now, but haven’t been able to, due to a combination of being busy, tired, hurt and sick. I’m not sure what caused it, but I genuinely felt close to death several days ago. Blogging was on my mind, but I wasn’t about to endure more agony for it. 

Zen Brush art created on iPhone 4. (Bradtastic)

I wrote what I could, when I could—and I must say, Day One Journal (at App Store. currently for iPhone and Mac desktop) has been an amazing thing. Simple and straightforward, uncluttered and synced with Dropbox, Day One is a perfect tool for getting a little something jotted down from wherever. On the iPhone, tidbits, observations, random thoughts and “captain’s logs” can be quickly tapped out and saved. At the desktop, longer posts can be thoughtfully composed and edits can be made to shorthand, quick iPhone-made entries. (FMI: I need to remember to give TextExpander a look)

I should add that, although I really like the desktop app (and I really like the people behind Day One), I still think that the price is a little steep for what is currently offered. I’ve been told several times that features are being added for upcoming versions and that the price isn’t likely to change. Also, good news for iPad owners, the iOS app is going to be made universal. The combined benefits of these additions justifies the $9.99 price to me, but because I’m fairly sure the price of the Mac app won’t go up, it’s not unreasonable to wait if you think you’d have buyer’s remorse—or that the current lack of features would cause the app to somehow fall into disuse. Really, it’s too good for that.

I should also add: supporting the Day One app devs is worthy. The apps are worth using, as is. There’s not a lot wrong with either… I just wish there was a little more (like a separate title field, completely plain text export, password protection on the desktop app).

So—much of my writing has been private, and much of it isn’t bloggable for one reason or another. Some of it just isn’t likely to be interesting to anyone else, some of it isn’t likely to make sense to anyone else, and some of it… just isn’t appropriate.

Hopefully I’m over the worst of the physical problems and side effects caused by poison my medicine. Next week, I hope things are back to the new normal. This much I know—I’ll have plenty to share at Bradtastic Defined. I suppose that with Playstation Network still down, I’ll have stuff to share at Bradtastica as well. 

Maybe sometime soon I’ll share my new desk setup as well. It’s fairly kick-ass; enough-so that I’m going to take one of those artsy social-network-site-style camera-phone shots of it instead of using my SLR. If you have Netflix (watch instantly), get an overdose of Top Gear!

And you’ll have more from me soon.

New tech, tools and reviews.

I'm going to try to get an Apple iPhone 4 on Friday. I've heard wonderful things about it; from the retina display to the 5MP camera and video chat, the phone is likely to be a game-changer. Thus far, dual camera devices haven't done much to make mobile video chatting attractive to consumers — seems like the iPhone 4 will change that.

Things from Amazon

Yesterday, I placed an order for Autodesk Sketchbook Pro 2010 and a Sherpa pen. I should receive the software tomorrow. I'd really like a new tablet to take advantage of the awesome drawing tool; I saw the Motion Computing LE1600 for $450 at Amazon, though I've been thinking, a Wacom Cintiq 12WX might make more sense. (if I'm going to sketch at home, I'd rather do it connected to Mac, and if I'm out, I'd use the iPad)

I'm strongly considering getting the new graphite Kindle DX; I'm not upset about waiting now, either, because of the $110 price drop. As much as I love my iPad, reading from a backlit screen just doesn't cut it. Maybe when the iPad gets retina display, the experience will be better. Reading magazines on the iPad is superb, but I'd never spend hours on end reading them — as opposed to books, ad they generally take at least one hour, and I try to read at least two every day.

Other tech

I hope Apple updates the MacBook Air. The new iMacs are really nice; I'd certainly create marvels with the 27". I am out more often now, and with several events coming up in the near future (SC2 Bay Area Launch Party & Tournament, for one), it might be practical to get a 3G iPad.

We'll see. To pay for these things, I'll need to finish up my other designs and projects. Reading up/studying programming and CSS isn't much fun for me, so I've been reading some books on grids and typography as well to break up the bits. I'm putting together new websites (not just for me) and finalizing some print-work — perhaps I'll share some of it, as I think you'll like it.

Tidbit about Draft

Software, idea management, brainstorming

I've enjoyed playing around with mind-mapping and idea-mapping, GTD and other task management solutions (Action Method)... though I'm still trying to be more bit literate. I've found Things for iPhone to be helpful, Taskpaper, and I like Adobe Ideas for iPad. The App Store has a dedicated GTD section filled with great tools such as Momento and Penultimate.

Despite reading negative reviews and the $9.99 pricetag, I decided to try 37signals' first iPad app, called Draft. Its features are limited; with only two color pens, one writing size, an eraser and one-level "undo," the app is hard to comprehend. It can sync to Campfire (a web-based group chat platform with iPhone apps like Ember) but not Backpack (yet). I'm really hoping that it gets better.

I'm going to try Use Your Handwriting Gold ("UYH") today — I see it as being a nice note/task management tool for use during phone calls (for things like writing phone numbers).

I told a friend that I'd post more often

So I will... and I'll try to keep it engaging. I've got another busy week; SF, Infiniti dealership, design, print, meetings — I need to get adequate rest.