Here are a few settings you can change using the OS X defaults command to access some system parameters. As always, proceed with caution, and don’t mess with things of which you have no clue. I have only verified these in OS X 10.5 – no promises if they work in any other version. Some of these require a full restart to take effect.
Menubar
- Remove translucency in menubar, turns it white.
sudo defaults write /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.WindowServer 'EnvironmentVariables' -dict 'CI_NO_BACKGROUND_IMAGE' 1
- Remove translucency in menubar, turns it grey.
sudo defaults write /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.WindowServer 'EnvironmentVariables' -dict 'CI_NO_BACKGROUND_IMAGE' 0
- Reverts back to default translucent menubar.
sudo defaults delete /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.WindowServer 'EnvironmentVariables'
Finder
- Removes the stripes in list view. Use TRUE to reverse.
defaults write com.apple.finder FXListViewStripes -bool FALSE
- Resets the “Open With” menu, clearing duplicates
/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/LaunchServices.framework/Versions/A/Support/lsregister -kill -r -domain local -domain system -domain user
- Changed window title to full path. Use NO to reverse.
defaults write com.apple.finder _FXShowPosixPathInTitle -bool YES
Spaces
- Changes the delay when dragging windows off the edge of the screen to other spaces. Default value is 0.75.
defaults write com.apple.dock workspaces-edge-delay -float 0.5
- Disables the wrap-around when using Control-Arrow keys to changes Spaces. To enable again, repeat with YES at the end.
defaults write com.apple.dock workspaces-wrap-arrows -boolean NO
Dock
- Change to 2D Dock. Use NO to disable.
defaults write com.apple.dock no-glass -boolean YES
- Increase the Dock magnification past the maximum allowed by the slider in System Preferences. Don’t go larger than 512. Decrease via System Preferences.
defaults write com.apple.dock largesize -int 512
- Makes all items in the Dock spring loaded. Use NO to disable.
defaults write com.apple.dock enable-spring-load-actions-on-all-items -boolean YES
Misc.
- Creates a Recent Applications stack in your Dock, that you can change to display other recent items such as Documents, Servers, and Items. To remove, use defaults delete com.apple.dock persistent-others but this will remove all your stacks.
defaults write com.apple.dock persistent-others -array-add '{ "tile-data" = { "list-type" = 1; }; "tile-type" = "recents-tile"; }'
- Disable Spotlight Icon (enable using chmod 755)
sudo chmod 0 /System/Library/CoreServices/Spotlight.app
- Force Applications to use expanded print dialogue. (use FALSE to revert)
defaults write -g PMPrintingExpandedStateForPrint -bool TRUE
- Change Time Machine backup interval, default is 3600 seconds.
sudo defaults write /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.backupd-auto StartInterval -int 7200
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