window sizing confusion / new computer slowness

R

roninsmurf

Registered
as i said bvefore, i just got this g4

i'm wondering how can i set the defaults for how certain windows open, etc.
like: i want the Downloads window to open in a certain shape, every time -- but it just reverts back to some default...
it doesn't seem ot remember my prefs

ALSO: the computer's been really slow, recently for a while -- with everyithing can't figure out what it might be. are there any larg-esystem things people know aobut? it's a new computer fer chrussake


thanks a bunch.
gt
 
Unfortunately, some windows don't retain their shapes. How to get windows to stay where you want them is sometimes a bit voodoo. Come to think of it, I don't think Safari's download window stays the size I want it.

Slowness - If you _just_ got your machine, Spotlight may still be indexing your hard drive. Give it a few days before you worry about slowdowns.

Go to /Applications/Utilities or hit Apple-spacebar and type Activity Monitor. Then arrow down and press return. Or use your mouse. In Activity Monitor, you can click on the column title "CPU" and sort the list (of running programs) by how much they're using the processor. That can give you a clue as to what is slowing down the machine.

If you have any useless software running such as antivirus programs, uninstall them. There are no Mac viruses. I don't remember anyone running antivirus apps on Windows before viruses started to show up. What's the use?

In fact, stay away from anything Norton. Norton Utilities for Mac is dangerous. Worse than useless. If you want a disk utility, get Diskwarrior (latest is 3.?? I think) or TechToolPro 4. Or both. They're both excellent.

What else do you have running?

Doug
 
'... i want the Downloads window to open in a certain shape, every time'; then consider navigating within the 'Safari' Package Contents (via 'Safari's contextual menu) to the '/Applications/Safari/Contents/Resources/English.lproj/' folder, where the 'Downloads.nib' file exists - and open the file.
Via 'Interface Builder', available within the '/Developer/Applications/' folder (an optional install via the Tiger Installation DVD), edit the 'Window' 'Size' values - by way of the 'Inspector' ('Interface Builder's 'Tools, Show Inspector' menu item).

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'as i said before (corrected), i just got this g4'; each new post should include one's MacOS X version number, explicit Mac model, explicit version number of software application (if a software problem), and / or explicit model number and manufacturer name (if a hardware problem).
Others should not have to look into one's past post(s), if any exist, to determine such information.

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'i', 'bvefore', 'g4', 'ot', 'everyithing', 'larg-esystem', 'aobut', 'fer', and 'chrussake'; you could do a 'Command <control> D' with the mouse cursor positioned over the words, and the dictionary feature of Tiger will appear. You could also select 'Safari's 'Edit, Spelling, Check Spelling as You Type' menu item. Any incorrect spelling, in ‘Safari’s text edit (entry) fields would be underlined - in red.
 
wow. this forum is great. thank you all
so: is spotlight the same as Sherlock was in system 9.2.2?
i'm now using osx tiger and just getting used to all this

when i go to activity monitor, it lists all sorts of memory things
is this something i should set, like i did with 9.2? i remember going into the info part of 9.2 and setting the deired and minimum memory levels
 
ive tried finding the interface builder
doesn't seem to be on my computer (via spotlight)
my computer didn't come with a tiger disk, i don't think -- is there a way to actively install it? i can't seem to find an easily acessable download site for it on google.

thanks again
g
 
The XCode development tools are freely downloadable from Apple's website. Interface builder is part of XCode. I don't know if you really want to go to all that trouble. But . . . I suppose if it reeeeeaaaallly bugs you. :)

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Spotlight is MUCH more than Sherlock or any other typical search solution. Spotlight develops and maintains a database of the files on your hard drive. It knows several types of programs, such as jpeg, pdf, txt, music, movies, fonts, etc. And the search is really quick, since it's working with a pre-built database. One example of its advanced capabilities: It can search through PDFs. It has some rough edges, but it's very cool. I like instant search.

Command-F calls Spotlight when you're working with Finder. System-wide, you can press Command-space.

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Memory: OS X manages its own memory. You don't have to mess with it. Unix has very sophisticated memory management. The old Mac OS's clunky memory management is gone. Unless you're running Classic apps.

We're glad to try and help. By the way, welcome to macosx.com, if no one else has said so yet. It's like your very own virtual Mac clubhouse. Except we don't have any chips or beer.

Doug
 
'... is this something i should set, like i did with 9.2?'; you cannot allocate memory per application, with MacOS X. The OS does application memory allocation dynamically.

'Should i use Spotlight instead of cmd-F'; that depends on the type of search you are performing.
Each, 'Spotlight' and the standard 'Finder' 'Find' ('Command F' or 'File, Find' menu tiem) have their benefits and drawbacks.
If you want a System 9.2.2 (or earlier) like search, where you set the specific search parameters - consider 'Finder' 'File, Find'.
To determine how and where 'Spotlight' searches volumes, folders, and files - launch 'System Preferences' ('/Applications/' folder or 'Apple, System Preferences...' menu item) 'Spotlight' utility.

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'I have tried finding the interface builder, doesn't seem to be on my computer ... is there a way to actively install it?...'. Go to Apple Developer, sign up for the free 'Online' Developer's account, click on 'Downloads', click on 'Developer Tools', and finally download 'Xcode Tools 2.1' (751.8 MB). This package includes 'Interface Builder'.
 
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