Using Login Items On Your Mac
Are you using your Mac to its fullest potential? Chances are, the answer to that question is no. Apple packs so much capability into each computer that it is easy to overlook the simple ways your Mac can help you increase your productivity and streamline your computer experience.
One of these basic tips involves using your login items effectively. What is a login item? It is simply a program that you have set to open when you start up your computer. For me, I have Adium, Ecto, Endo, Twhirl and Thunderbird set to open the moment I crack open the MacBook.
What is the point of having login items open on start? If you have a series of programs you use most often (the programs above often comprise the bulk of tools used in my entire work day, for example) having them set as login items will save you considerable time and ensure that you never miss a beat while your day is getting started.
So how do you set the login items on our Mac? It’s really quite simple, as most things Mac-related are. Go to your Apple menu in the upper left corner of your screen. Open System Preferences. Select the Accounts button and then your Account name. Once your account name is selected you can navigate to the Login Items tab.
This tab will show you what items you already have as login items and which items are missing. This gives you a chance to tweak the items on the list to show only what you actually use. Part of increasing productivity is streamlining, and login items gives you a way to streamline time and applications all at once.
Adding and removing programs is as simple as clicking the plus or minus sign beside each slide on the list. You can also use Login Items to manage a hefty document trail. By setting certain files to open on launch, like I do with my writing progress spreadsheet, you can streamline your day even further.
The main drawback to using Login Items is increased time in booting. If you experience a slow down in performance, be sure to take a moment to remove any frivolous applications or non-productive time sinks from the list. I found myself reacting by deleting extraneous programs as well, so adding and removing login items can also save you from distraction. What programs do you need to open before you even have your morning coffee or tea?
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