I’m a huge fan of Star Trek. So much so that many of my blog posts are about doing nerdy Star Trek-related things with your computer. Here are a few of my favorites. Continue reading “Celebrate 50 Years Of Star Trek With These Nerdy Computer Tricks”
Tag: star trek
Give Your Work Phone A Custom Ringtone
This may work for other devices, but the one I used was a NEC DT700 (original PDF instructions). I have seen these models in several different workplaces. The process can probably be adapted for other phones, too. Continue reading “Give Your Work Phone A Custom Ringtone”
Microsoft Windows Infects The Borg
Originally found here (credit: unknown)
Mr. LaForge, have you had any success with your attempts at finding a weakness in the Borg? And Mr. Data, have you been able to access their command pathways? Continue reading “Microsoft Windows Infects The Borg”
Trigger Scripts Via Dropbox And Hazel
I haven’t found a great use for this yet, but you can have your Mac automatically run a script by simply creating a file/folder in your Dropbox. To do this, you need to set up Hazel to watch your Dropbox folder for a certain file/folder, and if it appears, trigger a script. You could also use folder actions, or launchd, but it will be much more challenging.
In the example below, I simply play a sound byte of the Borg claiming that resistance is futile. Continue reading “Trigger Scripts Via Dropbox And Hazel”
Give Your Office Door A Star Trek “Swoosh” Sound Effect
Feel like you are entering the bridge every time you come into your office by reproducing the Star Trek “swooshing” door sound. This trick uses a Webcam that sense motion, which triggers a script that plays the sound file. If you want something more professional looking, check out the Star Trek Door Panel on ThinkGeek. Continue reading “Give Your Office Door A Star Trek “Swoosh” Sound Effect”
Give Your Mac A Voice-activated Self Destruct Command (Just Like Star Trek)
OS X Yosemite has a new feature called Dictation Commands. This allows you to press Function key twice, speak your command, and then have the computer do something for you. While there are some useful built in ones, it is much more interesting to make your own.
In this example, I make a Star Trek-style auto-destruct mechanism, which will destroy all the data on my hard drive and make it crash (not really, but there are ways to do this). Continue reading “Give Your Mac A Voice-activated Self Destruct Command (Just Like Star Trek)”
How To Tell If Someone Is Spying On Your Computer Using GeekTool
[UPDATE]: An even better solution is the ScreenSharingMonitor, which provides a “native” feel thanks to the Notification Center messages. Continue reading “How To Tell If Someone Is Spying On Your Computer Using GeekTool”
OS X Mavericks: Change the Login Window Icon or Wallpaper
Replacing the default Apple Logo with your own is a great way to customize OS X. This trick could also work with organizations looking to brand their Macs with their logo.
A while back, OS X Daily showed how to replace the grey-colored background with your own wallpaper. Unfortunately, this also got rid of the Apple logo. Continue reading “OS X Mavericks: Change the Login Window Icon or Wallpaper”
Turn Your Mac into a Functional Star Trek LCARS Terminal
Now you can feel like an ensign on board the enterprise every time you use your computer. Make your Mac display LCARS-style backgrounds that move and animate. Even listen to the ambience of the subtle “blips and bleeps” of the computer. Now close your eyes and pretend you are on the bridge… Continue reading “Turn Your Mac into a Functional Star Trek LCARS Terminal”