OS X Terminal/X11 xterm Focus

For those who have jumped to Mac OS X from a Unix-type environment (Solaris, Linux, AIX, etc.), OS X has an X11 window manager as part of the core OS. This allows you both access to the command-line of the powerful OS X operating system and remote-display of applications from other Unix-type machines.

One thing is missing (by default) that I've missed, until now: focus-follows-mouse. For those that don't know, this changes the window focus under X11 (or the Terminal application) when you move your mouse over the window. No need to click on the window to cause the focus to change to that window. This is especially handy when copying-and-pasting between windows.

So, here goes. To change the X11 xterm and Terminal default behavior to focus-follows-mouse, go to an xterm or the Terminal app and type:

defaults write com.apple.x11 wm_ffm true
defaults write com.apple.Terminal FocusFollowsMouse -string YES

To change them back to the default, simply type:

defaults write com.apple.x11 wm_ffm false
defaults write com.apple.Terminal FocusFollowsMouse -string NO

Or, you can delete the preferences completely (if you're paranoid) by typing:

defaults delete com.apple.x11 wm_ffm
defaults delete com.apple.Terminal FocusFollowsMouse

Hope that helps someone out there!

The Left and the Right

One day, a florist goes to a barber for a haircut. After the cut, he asks about his bill, and the barber replies, "I'm sorry, I cannot accept money from you; I'm doing community service this week." The florist is pleased and leaves the shop. The next morning, when the barber goes to open up, there is a thank-you card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.

Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he goes to pay his bill, the barber again replies, "I'm sorry, I cannot accept money from you; I'm doing community service this week." The cop is happy and leaves the shop. The next morning, when the barber goes to open up, there is a thank-you card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door.

Later, a Republican comes in for a haircut, and when he goes to pay his bill the barber again replies, "I'm sorry, I cannot accept money from you; I'm doing community service this week." The Republican is very happy and leaves the shop. The next morning, when the barber goes to open up, there are a thank-you card and a dozen different books such as "How to Improve Your Business" and "Becoming More Successful".

Then, a Democrat comes in for a haircut, and when he goes to pay his bill the barber again replies, "I'm sorry, I cannot accept money from you; I'm doing community service this week." The Democrat is very happy and leaves the shop. The next morning, when the barber goes to open up, there are a dozen Democrats lined up outside waiting for a free haircut.

And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the left and the right!

Peace in Israel?

I find it hard to believe that peace in Israel will progress at all now, with Hamas as the new parliamentary majority in the new Palestinian state. Their defined goal is basically to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. So much for the "land for peace" initiatives. And, now they speak of creating a Palestinian "army" with their military (a.k.a., terrorism) branch. Oh, and don't forget that Hamas has stated that they will not cease bombings of Israeli civilians.

It still amazes me all the people who gripe and complain about the War on Terror. Yes, there are casualties of war, as is the case for any war in history -- that is a shame, but it is life. However, when you do nothing and capitulate to evil, evil will reign.

Not that this is any surprise. There will never be peace in Israel, until the end times. The Bible speaks to this in the book of Revelation and in the Books of the Prophets.

A great commentary on this. I'm amazed no one saw this coming....

Diving In...

Recently, I was able to purchase a new Digital SLR: the Nikon D50. This D50 replaces my current film body, the Nikon N80, which has been a terrific camera. The new D50 is an amazing camera. It functions nearly identically to my N80, but it has the added feature of being able to review my last shot taken. This is simply amazing when using an SLR camera! And, all my Nikkor lenses fit and work on the D50 -- a testament to the Nikon F-Mount. Lenses from the 1950s can still be used on nearly any Nikon SLR or D-SLR.

This isn't my first foray into digital cameras. I started with a series of digital point-and-shoot cameras. First was an Olympus Camedia Brio D-150 Zoom, which broke after falling about 12" on to a carpeted floor -- not the best quality camera, obviously.... The second one was a Casio QV-R40, which was a great, fast camera for outdoor shots. Indoors, it needed an auto-focus (AF) illuminator, which it lacked. But, overall, it took great pictures. My latest digital camera is a Nikon Coolpix 5400 -- a terrific camera with a wide-angle lens (28-105mm equivalent in the film world). The Coolpix 5400 is a great camera for snapshots (and I still use it), but I wanted something more -- something I could manually focus and use all my knowledge of SLRs with. Something that would be the successor to my Nikon N80, which I use when I want to get great shots of family gatherings or vivid travel photos. My N80 has been around the world with me, and I have taken some great shots with it. It has never given me any problems, and I can count on the Nikon Matrix metering exposure to be dead-on.

The Nikon D50 looks to be great SLR camera. I can't wait to get some springtime pictures.... And, maybe some macro shots while we're shut up indoors this winter.

Looks like I made the switch and dove into digital just in time...

Nikon to Stop Making Most Film Camera - Planning to Focus on Digital Photography

Apple Acquisition Syndrome

Dang, I guess my PowerBook G4 is now officially obsolete...

Read about Apple's new Intel Core Duo-based MacBook Pro and Intel Core Duo-based iMac.

Must...fight...urge...to Buy-It-Now.... ;-)

Edit: Watch the new Mac-Intel ad.

Content and Conviction...

One of my favorite speakers/pastors/expositors is Ravi Zacharias. He is amazingly intelligent and insightful, with a firm foundation in God's Word. He has a radio/tape ministry that comes on each week called "Let My People Think".

I caught up on some of these radio podcasts over the Christmas holidays, and heard one that was simple incredible. It is entitled "Creedal Affirmation in Search of Commitment" (Part 1 & Part 2).

Amazing to think that, in the major American church denominations, very few still believe in the inerrancy of the Bible. We have Moses and the Prophets; we do not need a miracle to believe.

Take a listen, and post your thoughts....