I just found out that I cannot access Library folder in OS X Lion, it’s disabled and hide it from the user by default. I guess it’s because quite a lot user temped with the Library and cause some problem to the system. As a developer, I can actually access Library folder in OS X Lion via Terminal, but sometime you want to enjoy the privilege and moving stuff on the Apple Finder instead of terminal.

Access Library Folder in OS X Lion – How to Access

Access to Finder as usual, but you will not see Library folder listed in your Home directory. The only way to access Library folder in OS X Lion is click on “Go” on Finder, hold “Alt” or “Option” and the Library Folder will be available.

Another method to access Library folder in OS X Lion is via “Go to Folder” option, when the application launched, type in “~/Library”

Access Library Folder in OS X Lion – Enable the Access

For sure, there is way to enable and allow access Library Folder in OS X Lion and stay permanently. A little tweak on the system will do. Open up “Terminal” which can be found at Utilities folder and invoke command below.

$ chflags nohidden ~/Library/

With the new release of Apple Mac OS X Lion, there are a lot of changes on the kernel and backends. Therefore I don’t think it’s possible to do port upgrade on Macports in order to upgrade your existing or installed ports in OS X Snow Leopard.

I have tried several times to upgrade ports previously installed in Snow Leopard, unfortunately no luck to getting it works in OS X Lion Macports, some library couldn’t load and some library cannot be found. Failed miserably with tons of error messages.

I have decided to re-install, or rather clean install Macports on my newly installed Mac OS X Lion.

OS X Lion Macports with XCode 4.1

Before installing OS X Lion Macports, you need to download and install latest Xcode 4.1 which designs for Mac OS X Lion. Xcode 4.1 can be downloaded at App Store, the file size is around 2.96GB, it might take some time for user who has slow internet access.

The existing Xcode on your Snow Leopard will not support latest version of Macports.

OS X Lion Macports, Before Clean Install

Before proceed with OS X Lion Macports clean install, I suggest you do a few things as I listed below.

1. Dump current installed packages database. Run “port installed > installed.ports.log” to keep a list of packages currently install on your Macports. Which later you will need to re-install all the packages. Below is the sample of my current installed packages.

  apache2 @2.2.19_0+preforkmpm (active)
  apr @1.4.5_1 (active)
  apr-util @1.3.12_0 (active)
  atk @1.32.0_0 (active)
  autoconf @2.68_2 (active)
  autoconf213 @2.13_1 (active)
  automake @1.11.1_0 (active)
  axel @2.4_0 (active)
  bison @2.5_0 (active)
  bzip2 @1.0.6_0 (active)
  c-ares @1.7.4_0 (active)
  cacti @0.8.7g_1 (active)
  cairo @1.10.2_3 (active)
  ctags @5.8_0 (active)
  curl @7.21.7_0+ssl (active)
  curl-ca-bundle @7.21.7_0 (active)
  cyrus-sasl2 @2.1.23_3+kerberos (active)
  db46 @4.6.21_6 (active)
  dbus @1.4.12_0 (active)
  dia @0.97.1_2 (active)
  docbook-xml @5.0_0 (active)

2. Dump or backup your database data such as PostgreSQL and MySQL.

3. Backup your old directory, which is “/opt/local”, rename it to “/opt/local-snowleopard”, this is to keep all your data in order to migrate over to newly installed Macports later on.

OS X Lion Macports Clean Install

Macports team has not release latest Macports package/installer for OS X Lion (as when I written this post). If the official download is not available for OS X Lion, you need to install it from latest subversion built.

Create a new directory to check out latest subversion built for OS X Lion Macports

# mkdir /opt/lion-macports
# cd /opt/lion-macports
# svn co http://svn.macports.org/repository/macports/trunk

This will download the latest build of subversion, next we will proceed with OS X Lion Macports installation

# cd /opt/lion-macports/trunk/base
# ./configure --enable-readline
# make
# sudo make install
# make distclean

After installation, make sure OS X Lion Macports binary is exported into your environment path, existing user should not have this problem, for new user, edit your environment path as show below; Search for export path line

#sudo vi ~/.bash_profile
export PATH=/opt/local/bin:/opt/local/sbin:$PATH

Add /opt/local/bin and /opt/local/sbin into export PATH.

After environment path has been configured, get the latest update port tree and your are done

# sudo port -d selfupdate

OS X Lion Macports. Install package

You are basically you done Macports installation on Mac OS X Lion. Refer to your dump file I mentioned earlier “installed.ports.log”, re-install all the packages or the packages you need in newly installed OS X Lion Macports

I know it’s a little PITA (Pain In the Ass), but so far this is the only solution which can fix my problem by migrating into OS X Lion Macports.

OS X Lion Macports. Re-install MySQL

This is an example how I reinstall and load MySQL database which previously installed on Snow Leopard Macports into OS X Lion Macports.

1. Firstly, clean install MySQL5.1 database

# sudo port -v install mysql5-server

You might see error with plist conflict

Error: Target org.macports.activate returned: Image error: /Library/LaunchDaemons/org.macports.mysql5.plist already exists and does not belong to a registered port.  Unable to activate port mysql5-server. Use 'port -f activate mysql5-server' to force the activation.
Warning: the following items did not execute (for mysql5-server): org.macports.activate
Log for mysql5-server is at: /opt/local/var/macports/logs/_opt_local_var_macports_sources_rsync.macports.org_release_tarballs_ports_databases_mysql5-server/mysql5-server/main.log
Error: Status 1 encountered during processing.
To report a bug, see 

To fix it, force plist replacement.

# sudo port -f activate mysql5-server
--->  Computing dependencies for mysql5-server
--->  Activating mysql5-server @5.1.57_0
Warning: File /Library/LaunchDaemons/org.macports.mysql5.plist already exists.  Moving to: /Library/LaunchDaemons/org.macports.mysql5.plist.mp_1311315120.
--->  Cleaning mysql5-server

2. Move database into data directory, it required root privileges

# sudo su
# cp -RPa /opt/local-snowleopard/var/db/mysql5 /opt/local/var/db/

3. Start MySQL Server

# sudo /opt/local/etc/LaunchDaemons/org.macports.mysql5/mysql5.wrapper start

Please also share how you migrate existing Macports into OS X Lion Macports.

Mouse Scrolling in OS X Lion has changed into reserve direction gesture. It’s similar to finger scrolling on iPhone/iPad/Android or any touch screen phone. The way you pull the screen up and down.

The changed of scrolling behavior sometime confused me when starting using it. Should I move my finger upward or downward? I am trying to get use to it, it might be the future of mouse scrolling behavior/gesture; like when Apple first introduce USB storage than Diskette storage.

Mouse Scrolling in OS X Lion: Revert Back/Undo

Can I disabled reverse mouse scrolling in OS X Lion? Yes of course you can, I believe Apple does consider about people who might not get use to reserve mouse scrolling in OS X Lion. This behavior can be changed at Mouse Preference

Mouse Scrolling in OS X Lion: How to Change

1. Go to System Preference
2. Click on Mouse preference
3. Uncheck “Scroll direction: natural”

This will disable reverse mouse scrolling in OS X Lion. You can also explore more on what you can do with Mouse/Touchpad Gestures in OS X Lion

OS X Lion Hot Corner configuration preference no longer available on System Preference panel. It’s because of the Mission Control is designed to replace Exposé and the behavior of view All Application Windows. I was also thought that OS Lion has removed hot corner at the first place.

OS X Lion Hot Corner Missing?

OS X Lion Hot Corner feature is not missing, don’t worry about it It’s now “reside” at Mission Control preference. You can see it at the left bottom when access to Mission Control preference panel.

OS X Lion Hot Corner, Anything New?

OS X Lion Hot Corner preference has added two new options, Launchpad and Mission Control. Which is expected since it’s the new features for Mac OS X Lion.

It’s almost 6 days, after 14th July, which is the rumors of OS X Lion Release Date.

This is what we have been waiting for, Apple Mac OS X Lion is Available in App Store now. I have begun my download, what are you waiting for? Upgrade your Snow Leopard to Mac OS X Lion from App Store now!

The update installer file is about 3.74GB, it takes about 3 hours+ for me to download. Will review the features when I have my Apple Mac OS X Lion upgraded.

OS X Lion Release Date Delay?

OS X Lion release date was supposed to be today, but it seems like OS X Lion release is not out yet. I’ve been clicking on my software update and checking out App Store, but nothing has came to me and prompting for software update. A little disappointed

OS X Lion Release Date a Rumor?

Rumors has been circulating around the internet and according to 9to5Mac’s source, OS X Lion release date was supposed to be on 14 July 2011. But it seems like it’s not true.

All this while the source has been very accurate in regards to Apple’s Leaked News. The leaked out part numbers was captured by the source and also the price tagged on new OS X Lion. But it ends up not the date as expected

When is OS X Lion Release Date?

Snow Leopard was released back to 2 years ago in August 2009. It has been a while and the Mac users are so excited expecting for the new OS X Lion release date. I guess OS X Lion should be out real soon, it was announce that OS X Lion release date is in July, but there were no exact date announce to public.

Well, we will continue to wait for the release. I am all set and ready to download for the new release. What about you?

We all knew that Apple Mac OS X Lion will be out in the mid of July, according to the rumors, should be 14 July 2011. I’ve been reading about it and what are the things on OS X Lion that interested me on the upcoming Apple Mac OS X Lion?

New Things on OS X Lion

All My Files

Organize you own views on all your files by kind, name, date and modification times on OS X Lion. At times, I found it’s hard for me to look at my files/scripts/e-book in a organize manner. I hope that with All My Files, it is a useful tools for me to have the View I wanted to display my massive messy files in the hard drive

Mission Control

It sounds like mission impossible stuff, isn’t it?

Compare to current Active Application view, Mission Control gives you an overview of “real time” running applications on the “space” effect on OS X Lion. Activate via Single Swipe on the trackpad, no more hot corner pointing on my Mac

Apple Mail

Apple Mail! One of the features I was hoping it to release on the new Apple Mail in OS X Lion is the threaded conversations. It’s very useful when comes to reading on threaded mailing list, which can ease my reading by grouping the message at one thread. But, I also hope that the community will have updated Open PGP for new Apple Mail. Else, it’s the major stopper for me to upgrade new Apple Mail.

Air Drop

I guess it will be very useful for me to share files with colleagues in the office who are running on Lion. Just one drop into their box, the files will be transferred into their machine. It can save my time to open up terminal and do SCP (file transfer over SSH).

I foresee more sharing stuff is happening when this option is available for Mac to Mac.

Launch Pad

It looks like a Short Cut to me, which most people running on iPhone/IOS. I am not sure how Launch Pad can benefit where myself is a Quicksilver user. I still like the swipe thing which activate the Launch Pad instantly. Well, we will see.

Obtain Apple Mac OS X Lion

You don’t need to buy a DVD this time for OS X Lion. Apple Mac OS X Lion will be available via App Store. I am bless that where I work in an ISP Environment, downloading the update shouldn’t take much of my time Right now, I am ready for the download, just waiting for the day of shipping.

Well, what does Apple Mac OS X Lion interested you the most? Check out list of features on new Apple Mac OS X Lion and share with me.

Ctrl + Shift + Eject

The short cut key is to turn off your monitor screen. Before that, do make sure password lock is enabled by follow below.

• Go to System Preferences > Security
• Check “Required password immediately after sleep or screen saver begins

• Open Terminal, it can be found at Application -> Utilities
• Enter line below
• defaults write .GlobalPreferences com.apple.mouse.scaling -31000

There is another application can do more setting on Magic Mouse. It’s called Magic Prefs. Download link is here.

Does Apple Mac OSX support screen lock by keyboard shortcut key? I would say no, but you can do it with simple hacks.

Quick Screen Lock with Expose

One of my favorite screen lock method is through Expose. Before showing you how to lock the screen with Expose, you have to work on something at System Preferences.

1. Go to “System Preferences”
2. Select “Security” from “System Preferences”
3. Check or tick “Require password to wake up this computer from sleep or screen saver”

This is to configure your Mac prompt up Login Screen when your laptop is wake up from sleep or screen saver. Next, to configure quick screen lock with Expose;

1. Go to “System Preferences”
2. Select “Expose & Spaces”
3. Select one of the hot corner to “Start Screen Saver”

When you want to lock your screen, navigate your mouse cursor to the hot corner you have configure earlier and the screen saver will start shortly. The Login Screen will prompt up when you come back from your Screen Saver.

Screen Lock with Account setting

Another way to lock your screen is through the the menu bar of top on your Mac. This option require mouse over and some click job in order to put your laptop in login screen mode.

1. Go to “System Preferences”
2. Under “System” section, select “Accounts”
3. Select “Login Options” on the left pane.
4. Check on “Enable fast user switching” and select View as at your own preference.

If you have select “Icon” as your “View as” option, you will see a human icon on top of your menu bar. Click on the icon and select “Login Window…”. By selecting the option, your laptop screen will immediately lock.

Screen Lock with Keychain Access

Another option to Lock your screen is through “Keychain Access”.

1. Go to “Application”, “Utilities”
2. Select “Keychain Access”
3. On “Keychain Access”, select “Preferences..”
4. On “General” tab, check or tick “Show Status in Menu Bar”

On top of your Menu Bar, you will see a “Lock” icon, click on the “Lock” icon and select “Lock Screen”. You screen will be locked immediately.

Will my program still running when I lock the screen? Yes, your program is still running when you put your Mac into Login Screen mode.

Remember, locking your screen is critical, you can choose any method I have listed above to do quick lock on your Apple Mac OSX.

cd /destination/directory

second :

split /source/directory/big-huge-file prefix-to-apply-onto-splited-files

Voila !!!

(use the parameter -b to specify the size of splited files in BYTES, NOT kb, mb or gb)