Tip One: Change Microsoft Office's serial number.

Note: A much easier version of this tip is now available on the new CreativeIQ Tips Blog: Change Microsoft Office serial number, easily! There is a hidden feature in the Remove Office tool that automates the process of re-serializing Microsoft Office on Mac OS X.

If you use Microsoft Office (X or 2004) in a small Macintosh-based creative team, you may have run into the frustrating situation that comes with multiple users accidentally installing the same Office serial number on several Macs. Normally the only way to change the Office serial number after the fact was to completely de-install the program and re-install it a second time.

Unless you know this trick:

Quit all Office applications. Trash the files listed below and then re-launch Microsoft Word. Your copy of Office will act as if it has been reinstalled and allow you to enter new serial number and registration information.

/Applications/Microsoft Office 2004 (or X)/Office/
    - OfficePID (normally an invisible file)

Users/[Username]/Library/Preferences/Microsoft
    - Carbon Registration Database
    - Office Registration Cache
    - Microsoft Office Settings

Mac OS X Tiger Spotlight Tip: Download EasyFind to find and trash the invisible OfficePID file (Spotlight won't find invisible system files). Turn on the "Invisible Files & Folders" option when you search for an item named "OfficePID". Select the file in the search results window and choose File > Move to Trash.

[Source: MacWorld Mac 911 by Christopher Breen. EasyFind is profiled in QuickTips #80 Tech Tip: Use EasyFind instead of Spotlight (occasionally).]

Send this Tip to a Friend
Sign Up for Weekly Tips

Tip Two: Change all folders to display in list view.

[Over the next few months we've got plenty of tips for Apple's new Mac OS X Tiger. Before installing the upgrade, read Tip #39 with thoughts about when to install.]

Here is an answer to a long-standing Mac OS X question: "How can I change all folders on my work drive to show in list view?"

This tip also serves as an introduction to Mac OS X Tiger's new Automator utility. Automator streamlines and simplifies the process of scripting repetitive tasks on your computer. This tip is a simple example of some of the things Automator can do.

Step 1: Open the new Automator application.

Automator is found in Mac OS X 10.4's Applications folder. By default, Automator will open up with a new untitled workflow window.

Step 2: Drag a folder, hard drive, or server into the workflow window.

This technique works with folders on your local computer as well as shared servers. Drag a folder, drive or server into the blank workflow window (where it says "drag or add action here".) This adds an action to the workflow window called "Get Specified Finder Items" with your folder already selected.

Step 3: Add the action called "Set Folder Views"

In Automator look under Finder actions for an action called "Set Folder Views." Drag this action to your workflow below your folder from Step 2. Pick your favorite view settings. Make sure to click the checkbox that says "Apply changes to sub-folders".

Step 4: Click Automator's run button.

The run button is in the upper right corner of the screen. Automator will go through all the folders in your selected drive or server and set them to the same view. The process will take a couple of minutes -- more if you have a lot of folders.

[Source: Consultant Kyle Pauley. Read more about Automator on the Apple Website.]

Send this Tip to a Friend
Sign Up for Weekly Tips

Share tips and win music! Each week we're giving away a pair of $15 iTunes cards to a randomly chosen new Seattle-area subscriber PLUS the friend who referred them. Pass this newsletter along using the "Forward to a Friend!" link at the bottom and tell your friend to give you credit when they sign up!

QuickTips is a free weekly e-newsletter from CreativeTechs, Inc. Each week we publish a fresh mix of left-brain and right-brain tips based on our real world experience supporting hundreds of creative teams in the greater Seattle area. For a complete archive of previous tips, visit www.creativetechs.com/tips

Your referrals wanted! CreativeTechs relies on word-of-mouth introductions. If you know a Seattle-area creative team who might benefit from our unique mix of computer support for creative professionals, please introduce us. We are never too busy for your referrals. Email help@creativetechs.com, or call us at 206-682-4315.

Copyright 2004, 2005, 2006 CreativeTechs, Inc.