Excluding a folder from Spotlight

Sometimes you’re looking for a folder to be completely hidden from Spotlight. Luckily Spotlight has a built in feature that will exclude a folder from it’s rapid searches. This is easily accomplished in a couple steps.

Step 1: locate or create a folder in which you want to keep private from Spotlight.

Step 2: Open up “System Preferences > Spotlight” and click on the “Privacy” tab.

Step 3: Click on the “+” and browse to your private folder.

Said folder is now excluded from Spotlight’s searches.

To test this, simply create a dummy file and name it “Private” and save it within the folder. After saving, click on Spotlight and try searching for the dummy file.

Manually Installing Fonts

The Mac OS comes with an application called “Font Book,” which I find to be clunky and annoying to use. I prefer the old manual way of installing fonts, and it’s super easy.

Step 1: Find a font you like, via website like Urban Font or Dafont. Or via disc or any other way.

Step 1B: Unzip the font so it is in raw format.

Step 2: Open up the following directory: /Your HD/Users/YourUsername/Library/Fonts

Step 3: Simply drag the fonts into this directory.

You should now be able to use your new font in other applications like “Word” or “Photoshop” and etc.

Locating your HTTPD.Conf file

As you know Apache is pre-installed on your Mac, you just need to turn it on and configure it. I am currently in the process of this, when I noticed a lot of people trying to find the location of the httpd.conf file. The actual location of this file is “/private/etc/apache2/httpd.conf” Now by default you cannot find this due to it being a hidden directory. But there is a simple applescript that will toggle on/off hidden files. Simply run the script and navigate to the proper directory.

Changing individual folder icons (without Candybar)

Everybody has atleast one folder laying around on the Mac that needs to be changed. But for whatever reason be it; Procrastination, laziness or just the lack of the no-how. It just doesn’t get done. In my case I have a ROMs folder in which I have tons of SNES ROMS. So surfed the net and found a nice controller icon for my folder. Here are some easy steps to get you in the right direction for any situation.

Step 1: download and install img2icns

Step 2: select the “Folder Icon” radio button and drag your icon or image onto the dropzone. (notice the “export path”)

Step 3: right click the folder you want to change and select “Get Info.”

Step 4: simply drag your new icon over the folder’s icon in the top left corner. (notice mine)