Changing your X11 window manager

For fun I decided to play around with the window manager I use under X11. It's really simple, but I found it tough to get any info so I hope this will save others time.

Step 1:

Install your new window manager. I used fink to install flushbox and enlightenment, but this method will work for other types of installation.

Step 2:

Create a file in your home directory called .xinitrc and add this single line

exec /path/to/installed/windowManager

Now quit and restart X11. To change back simply remove or undo the changes to the .xinitrc file.

Nintendo DS settings for sharing WiFi from an ibook.

This took a little playing around, so for the benefit of others, this is how I got Nintendo WiFi Connection (NWC) working. You might want to do this is you lack a wireless router, or like me, you have a wireless router that can't cope with the way Nintendo WFC works.

DS side:
From the start screen Nintendo WFC->Nintendo WFC Settings
Now tap Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Settings and select one of the 3 connections.

I used the following settings:
SSID = your iBook's name; (see System Preferences->Sharing->Internet)
WEP Key = not set; (A possible security issue, be warned)
Auto-obtain IP Address = No;
IP Address = 10.0.2.11; (The IP of my iBook +10)
Subnet Mask = 255.255.255.0;
Gateway = 10.0.2.1; (The IP of my iBook)
Auto-obtain DNS = No;
Primary DNS = 192.168.2.1 (The IP of my wireless router).

So far I've only seen iBooks use 10.0.2.1 as their internal IP address, but to check you can use the following on the commandline,

ifconfig -a and look for the IP address of en0.

iBook side:

System Preferences->Sharing->Firewall
Stop the firewall. This could be a security risk, however in my setup I can leave my routers firewall turned on.

System Preferences->Sharing->Internet
Choose share your connection from Ethernet.
Then under "To computers using" select Airport.

Finally turn internet sharing on.

You should now be able to run Nintendo WFC in your game and enjoy playing online.

Changing some default settings.

Here I cover some of the default settings that I've changed on my mac. These may not be to your taste!

System Preferences->Energy Saver:
Optimise for extended battery life when using the battery and performance when on the mains. This is of course for laptop users.

Auto hide the dock: Right-Click (CTRL+Click) the dock. Tick the bottom option.

For the following, open System Preferences:
Keyboard and Mouse-> Keyboard -> Modifier Keys (at bottom of box) -> change caps lock:
A bit idiosyncratic, but I don't use the caps key so it stops me hitting it by accident.

Keyboard and Mouse-> Keyboard -> tick the "use Fn key for F1-F12 hardware functions":
I've generally found it easier to have direct access to the function keys as apposed to single hit volume control.

In the spotlight search box type "CrashReportPrefs"
Select the application and turn on the developer option to get more info about crashes.
This can be useful if you're a developer.

To get rid of annoying HDD icon on desktop:
Open Finder, under Preferences->General->"Show these items on desktop" deselect HDD.