The Spotlight index in OS X is the database used for quickly accessing file information on your Mac. While this is primarily used for finding files on your system, there are several other services that use Spotlight’s information, and if there is any damage to Spotlight then you might see odd problems and behaviors dotted throughout your system. Continue reading
If you ever need to run a quick calculation or two when working on your Mac, then you can do so using Apple’s Spotlight search; however, while you might find yourself using this for basic addition and multiplication, Spotlight’s calculations support far more, and if used properly can be just as if not more valuable than Apple’s included Calculator utility. Continue reading
Spotlight allows you to search for all of your files, applications, and other items on your Mac, allowing you to open them directly by highlighting them and pressing Enter, or even dragging them off the Spotlight menu (or window, for Yosemite) for various drag-and-drop purposes in OS X. While you can manage your listed search results in this way, if needed there may be times when you might want to find exactly where the file is on your Mac, or otherwise handle it in the Finder. Continue reading
Apple has built OS X to be quite intuitive, and while you can get many things done by pointing and clicking, and using the keyboard in standard ways, there are some services and features in OS X that can be quite useful for taking a closer look at things, looking up definitions, or getting around your files and folders. While there many such hidden features in OS X, here are a few that you could possibly use on a more frequent basis. Continue reading
Searches in OS X will by default only include files you have access to, such as documents you have saved, and applications that you use; however, there may be times when you might want to search for system files as well, either by name or by content. These can include fonts, preference files, cache files, and other files you might not usually access directly in the Finder. Continue reading
The Spotlight searching system in OS X is not only good for finding files, but because it includes applications and access to services like the dictionary on the system it can be useful as an application launcher, and a quick dictionary reference, among other uses. All of these can be accessed from any application by pressing Command-Space or selecting the Spotlight menu in the menu bar, and then entering a search query. Continue reading
Apple’s Spotlight technology is its built-in searching routine for finding almost anything you will use in your account, and to do this it will create and then maintain a metadata index for each locally attached drive on your Mac; however, there may be times when you open the Spotlight menu and always see the progress bar indicating the system is indexing your hard drive. In addition, if you open the Activity Monitor utility, you will likely see Continue reading