Tip 7: TidBits: Did You Know?

You can drag filenames from Finder windows onto the terminal app. For example, say you want to untar the file "/Macintosh HD/downloads/darwin/xyz.tar.gz" Just type tar xvzf (space) in terminal, then drag the file to the terminal window - then click on the terminal window and press return.

In OS X 10.x Terminal app, you can now cut and paste using the contextual menu (control-click). This is especially useful if you have a 2-button mouse. I use a Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer, and it works with no special drivers. Also, the scroll wheel now works in Finder and Terminal windows.

Also in the terminal app (new in version 10.1), go to the menu System/Preferences/Emulation, and check the box "option click to position the cursor". Now you will be able to position the cursor with your mouse in editors like pico, vi, etc.

(OSX 10.2+ only)

As of OS X 10.2 ("Jaguar") the terminal app includes transparency. These prefs have all been moved from "Preferences" to "Window Settings".

(OSX 10.2+ only)

Also new in 10.2: the "character palette". Go to System Preferences: International: Input Menu and enable (check box) "Character Palette". Very cool!

(OSX 10.2+ only)

Press option-command-* (that's the option key, the apple key, and the asterisk/number 8 key pressed at the same time) to activate 'zoom' mode. Now press option-command-+ (plus key) to zoom in and option-command--(minus key) to zoom out!

Want to learn more about OS X and it's UNIX roots? Go here for an excellent article by

Want to run X-Windows in OS X? Check out my desktop, I'm running X-Darwin 4.10 "rootless" on top of OS X. For more info, go here.

Last update 10-01-02