Terminal is not for mere mortals, you're probably thinking. It's a kind of a sacred knowledge that only geeks and Mac geniuses possess. But if you get through your first command line you'll find it's not that terrifying. In fact, using Terminal is like applying Harry Potter wizardry to your tasks. Once you know the right spells you can break any laws of how applications behave and do some unbelievable things that even the most experienced Mac people can't. Isn't it seducing to try?
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We've chosen just a few of Terminal's most impressive features. For more serious take on Mac terminal commands, check out this article. Okay, are you ready to type in your first code? To start the journey, learn how to open Terminal app on Mac: Click Launchpad and then type Terminal in the search bar.
1) Make your Mac talk to you
One of the simplest commands which can be very fun, especially when you are planning a prank on somebody. Just type any text in Terminal and your computer will speak it in your Mac's default voice. But there's about 20 voices and intonations to choose from plus the ability to convert an entire text file into speech. So here's a slick audiobook maker at your hand.
Open up Terminal, type in:
say followed by a space and any text you want to hear
2) Customize Login Message
This is what makes Mac more personal and humanized. For example, you can write an inspirational motto or helpful information for other users, if it's a public library computer. It might even be a way to retrieve your MacBook if you lose it — if you set a login message with your contact information. Once again there's much room for pranking other people, but we won't go deep into that.
Open up Terminal, type in:
sudo write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow LoginwindowText 'Custom Text Here'
3) Watch Star Wars in Terminal app
In Terminal symbols, of course. This could be the greatest trick which makes no particular sense, but even if just for the coolness alone you should try it. The Death Star, R2D2, spaceships and the rest of the Episode 4 story retold in Terminal graphics will blow your friends away at the party. And there is no sound by the way.
Open up Terminal, type in:
telnet towel.blinkenlights.nl
On macOS Sierra and higher macOS versions, you should use a different command:
nc towel.blinkenlights.nl 23
4) Show hidden files in Finder
This isn't as funny as the previous one, but searching for important files is no joke. With this command, you'll be able to see everything on your Mac, even files which were omitted from standard display.
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Open up Terminal, type in:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE
killall Finder
This should summon Finder with previously hidden files shown grayed out.
To reverse this operation (be aware that you may be swamped with lots of irrelevant system files) just substitute TRUE for FALSE in the command line above:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles FALSE
killall Finder
5) Pay a visit to a psychiatrist
Funny Mac terminal commands are many. This is a classic Easter egg type of joke macOS developers are famous for. When you're feeling stressful, talking to friendly chatbot will at least make you smile. Strangely enough, this therapy may be actually working because you are asked to verbalize your emotions, by giving them a closer look. And the psychiatrists (the real ones) will confirm that sometimes it works.
Open up Terminal, type in:
emacs and then hit Return. Press Esc, then x, and finally type doctor
6) See iTunes songs notification via Terminal app
A clever addition if you normally work with the music on the background. If you fell in love with a particular track from your playlist you don't need to open iTunes to find out the artist's name. It will pop up on your Mac Dock from now on. Though a bit strange this feature isn't included by default because it's really a timesaver.
Open up Terminal, type in:
defaults write com.apple.dock itunes-notifications -bool TRUE
Close the dock using the following command:
killall Dock
7) Play simple games
This is another retro cool feature to cheer you up once in a while. You can play Tetris, Pong, Snake and a dozen of other arcade games. Once you have unlocked these nice hidden toys, you'll surely get to love your Mac more. Prepare to use your arrow keys.
Open up Terminal, type in:
emacs. Press Enter to open it up, press Esc then x. Now you have to type the name of the particular game and that's it.
Game names:
- tetris
- pong
- snake
- solitaire
- 5x5
- landmark
- doctor
What you learn from using Mac Terminal commands is that nothing is really impossible if you're on a Mac. But it's better to start your Terminal experience with these funny little tricks and then go to something serious. This program has a nearly infinite number of magic spells to choose from.
8) Make your Mac faster and more responsive
Okay, this has nothing to do with Terminal. But who wouldn’t want their MacBook as speedy and efficient as back then, on its first day? Surprisingly, this can be achieved easily, Terminal-style way — with aid of CleanMyMac X.
- Remove up to 74 GB of junk from your Mac
- Uninstall unwanted apps completely
- Speed up Mac with maintenance scripts
- Fully clean browsers and messengers
Download the app from developer’s site for free
Hope you found this article helpful, stay tuned for more!
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About FreeGames.org
Hi, my name is Gaz, welcome to my website. I've been developing free games and websites since 2006. My previous site, TheGameHomepage.com, was visited by 65 million people. I've also developed over a hundred web games and they've been played somewhere around a billion times! I picked up some cool awards along the way including a Guinness World Record and a BAFTA Special Commendation. What started as a hobby has turned in to my passion and over the past fourteen years I've learned a lot about web games. I've used this experience along with some new ideas to make this website, FreeGames.org, my fresh take on a free game website. With this project there are a number of things that I set out to achieve:
1. Genuinely Free 😄
In-app purchases and micro-transactions have become the norm in free games these days, withholding content or frustrating you to try and make you buy power-ups. It seems the catch for playing free games is that they will use every trick in the book to make you pay - often many times more than you would pay for a game outright. This strategy works and some people are spending huge amounts of money on their favorite games over time without realizing how much it has added up. All of the games on this website are complete full games with no in-game purchases whatsoever. All of our games and all of their content is 100% free - no exceptions!
2. Online 🌐
Apps have been the most popular way to play casual games for a while now. I think there are some compelling reasons to give online games another shot though. For instance it can be tiresome installing and deleting many apps to find the game you want. It can be a drag waiting for them to install when you just want to quickly play something new. They can fill up your device. They can only be played on one type of device (iPhone, Android etc.). Online Games solve all of these problems. I'm not saying that online games should replace apps - I think there are great reasons for both and they can happily exist alongside each other 🧡
3. On any Device 📱
I wanted to create a consistent experience across all devices. Often web games will only work on computers and if you visit on a mobile device they don't play. Other times if you visit the website on desktop then mobile you are presented with completely different games. I wanted to make a consistent experience on any device so if you play a fun game on your computer in the afternoon you can come back later on your phone to play it in bed. Or you want to show a friend you can pull it up on their tablet. All of the games on the homepage of this site are compatible on any device.
4. Scale to your Screen Size 👀
It is frustrating when you are trying to play a game but its size is completely different to your screen. All the games on FreeGames.org scale to fit any size screen so you can enjoy them on any device.
5. Fast Loading ⚡
Cached
I want players to be able to click (or tap) and play instantly. That's why I've used the latest cloud hosting technology to serve it all over the world from a location near you. I've also worked hard with site optimizations to make everything work as fast as possible. This is another advantage of removing video adverts as it means you can start playing your chosen game much faster or try out many different games to find a good one without watching an advert each time.
6. User Feedback 💭
I continuously update this website with new games and improvements. Rather than guess or assume what you want I have a secret weapon - I ask! You will notice feedback buttons and often short surveys popping up around the site. If you have any thoughts, issues or ideas don't keep them to yourself - let me know. I read every piece of feedback submitted and use it all to help decide what changes and features to implement to both the website and games.
7. No Downloads 👍
All of our titles can be played instantly with no need to download. Why fill up your phone or laptop with downloaded games you aren't even sure you will like yet when you can play them like this?
8. Wholesome / Family Friendly 👪
This website is family friendly. The games here have been selected/developed with the aim to create a positive experience that is appropriate for all ages.
9. The Best Games 🏆
Last on my list and most important of all is great games. I develop and hunt down the most fun games for you to play.
Hopefully these features will mean that you have a good experience on FreeGames.org. If you have any comments please do feel free to get in contact with me. You can do so via my contact form or facebook page. Last of all I'll leave you with my project motto which I have stuck on the wall next to my computer:
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'Create the best free games website for the players'
See Full List On Macgamerhq.com
Thank you for reading my manifesto and for using FreeGames.org. Have fun!
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❤️ Gaz Thomas (website creator)