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Open Files with Finder's App Switcher

Say you're in the Finder looking at a file and you want to open it with an application that's already running but which doesn't own that particular document. How? Switch to that app and choose File > Open? Too many steps. Choose Open With from the file's contextual menu? Takes too long, and the app might not be listed. Drag the file to the Dock and drop it onto the app's icon? The icon might be hard to find; worse, you might miss.

In Leopard there's a new solution: use the Command-Tab switcher. Yes, the Command-Tab switcher accepts drag-and-drop! The gesture required is a bit tricky. Start dragging the file in the Finder: move the file, but don't let up on the mouse button. With your other hand, press Command-Tab to summon the switcher, and don't let up on the Command key. Drag the file onto the application's icon in the switcher and let go of the mouse. (Now you can let go of the Command key too.) Extra tip: If you switch to the app beforehand, its icon in the Command-Tab switcher will be easy to find; it will be first (or second).

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Problem Solving | 01 Sep 2009 | Listen   | Print Printer-Friendly Version of This Article | Comment (4)

Getting 1Password Working in Snow Leopard

by Tonya Engst Send Email to Author

1Password helps you devise and store passwords for any occasion, and takes the work out of memorizing and securing them (see "1Passwd Eases Password Pain," 2007-06-18). The current version of 1Password (2.9.31) doesn't work in Safari in Snow Leopard, since Safari by default runs in 64-bit mode. 1Password 2.9.31 does reportedly work normally in all other Web browsers in Snow Leopard.

Agile Web Solutions planned to complete a Snow Leopard-savvy version of 1Password before Snow Leopard was released. Unfortunately, 1Password 3 isn't yet available, but Snow Leopard is, thanks to Apple's early ship date. Fortunately, the folks at Agile Web Solutions have some interim workarounds.

If you use 1Password and want to upgrade to Snow Leopard right away, you have three options:

  • Use this as an excuse to try a different browser, such as Firefox or Camino. The main downside here is the pain of migrating your bookmarks and potentially learning a different interface.
  • Run Safari in 32-bit mode, which enables it to work with 1Password 2. The steps are posted on the Agile Web Solutions Web site, but they involve opening the Get Info window for Safari in the Finder, selecting the Open in 32-bit Mode checkbox in the General section, and then relaunching.
  • Upgrade to the Agile Keychain format and then upgrade your copy of 1Password 2 to 1Password 3. You'll end up with a beta version of 1Password 3. TidBITS editors Rich Mogull, Jeff Carlson, and Joe Kissell all report that they've been running the 1Password 3 beta under Snow Leopard with no problems.

To upgrade to the Agile Keychain, you should upgrade to 1Password 2.9.31 by choosing Check for Updates from the 1Password application menu. Once you have it, follow the detailed steps posted on the Agile Web Solutions Web site to upgrade your keychain.

It's best to upgrade to the Agile Keychain before you update to Snow Leopard to avoid accidentally upgrading to 1Password 3 (which requires the Agile Keychain format) before you're ready.

After upgrading to the Agile Keychain, go ahead and update to Snow Leopard. When you first launch 1Password 2 under Snow Leopard, 1Password will ask you if you want to update to 1Password 3, and it will download and install the update automatically.

 

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Comments about Getting 1Password Working in Snow Leopard

Bob2009-09-01 12:58
This is exactly why I use PasswordWallet instead. It provides the same function, but without the fragile hacks.
Roustem Karimov2009-09-01 19:38
Thank you for posting this information, Tonya! I especially liked the idea to use this opportunity as an excuse to try a different browser :) However, the 64-bit Safari is amazingly fast and we hope to release 1Password 3 very soon.

To address Bob's concern. There is no official way to extend most of the Mac browsers and 1Password browser extensions are loaded using a mechanism that is not supported by the browser developers. This mechanism is however supported by the Agile Web Solutions developers.

Being able to work inside the web browser allows 1Password provide features that are not possible in a regular password-vault type application. These features include automatic saving of the login information, filling registation and credit card details with one click, anti-phishing protection and many more.

Best regards, Roustem
Co-author of 1Password
Bill Vlahos2009-09-01 21:14
InfoWallet (http://www.infowallet.com) is compatible with Snow Leopard as well as Windows and Linux.

It doesn't try to integrate within browsers but is a separate and portable program that not only includes passwords, but other critical personal information such as medical records, financial accounts, insurance policies, and contacts.
Tom2009-09-06 05:26
I've been running 1Password 3 Beta on 64-bit Safari for about a week, with no problems at all. Know that if you switch to the Agile Keychain format, you can't use MobileMe syncing across Macs any more. You have to use something like Dropbox, which I use.