Disabling visual effects

Question

Disabling visual effects

I just got a new macbook, and one of the first things I'd like to do is disable most of osx's [in my opinion] superfluous visual effects, such as the minimizing effect, window shadows, and anything else that can be safely disabled to help the comp run faster and draw faster. I'm not a computer newb, but I'm pretty new to mac os and I know almost nothing of UNIX yet. I saw some third party programs that can disable the features I don't want, but I don't really want to spend money and risk giving my system problems since I read that there are ways to disable those things through the UNIX shell. I'm not talking about anything that can be disabled through the preferences, as I've already looked through those.

Any links to instructions or instructions on disabling those things would be greatly appreciated, or if there are any REALLY good third party aps that won't cause any problems later.

Thanks

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on Jun 16, 2006 6:49 PM

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Answer 1

mhunter

Level 6

9,191 points

Jun 16, 2006 7:47 PM in response to Paradox Quine

I've used both programs quite a lot on several different systems. Never had a single problem.

I've had several e-mail communications with the programmer for OnyX, and he has been very responsive to my questions.

I did find a couple of odd bugs in one of his older revisions (a couple of years ago), and he fixed it within a day or two of receiving my e-mail.

That's impressive response time for a guy who didn't charge me any money.

I've e-mailed him a couple of times since with various questions, and he's been very helpful and responsive to my questions.

So, I've be very comfortable with OnyX.

I've used TinkerTools several times as well. Never had a single problem with it either.

I've used both programs with all variations of OS 10.3.x and 10.4.x and they've worked great.

As for determining which programs may be harmful, any program that alters settings can be harmful if you alter settings that you are not familiar with.

You need to make sure you understand what you are doing when you change those settings.

One example of a program that could be more damaging with a Novice is TinkerTools "System" (their higher version). The System version has more settings that should be left to a more advanced user.

But, the other thing to do is just search the Internet (using Google) for complaints with a particular program before you use it if you have any concerns.

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Answer 2

SimplyMac

Level 4

2,508 points

Jun 16, 2006 7:05 PM in response to Paradox Quine

If you wanted fast graphics, then the MacBook was not for you.

The MacBook has "integrated" graphics that has no physical RAM of it's own, unlike the MacBook Pro which has a dedicated video board & VRAM.

The MacBook uses a portion of your system RAM. Install more RAM, and you will get improved graphics.

OSX is not like Windows, you cant turn off the flashy graphics and go back to a Windows 2000 style interface.

You can change some things like the minimizing effect in System Preferences >Dock to use the "Scale Effect" instead of "Genie".

Otherwise, OSX, is the way it is.

You may find some 3rd party apps that may remove shadows. But the speed increase is not even noticeable.

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Answer 3

Jun 16, 2006 7:22 PM in response to SimplyMac

I realize the macbook isn't GPU oriented, and I'm fine with that. However, my friend's macbook has shadows, minimization effects, and a couple other things disabled, and it draws noticeably faster than mine. I'm not looking for extreme speed, I just want OS X to look a little less overly pretty.

Also, I just remembered, I'd like to disable the dashboard. What's the safest and best way to do that?

EDIT: Oh, and I would've gotten a macbook pro for the better graphical processing capabilities, but they're far too expensive for me right now, so I'm going to make the best out of just a MacBook 😀

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Answer 4

mhunter

Level 6

9,191 points

Jun 16, 2006 7:32 PM in response to Paradox Quine

Two utilities that will alter or disable a lot of these extra animations and such are:

OnyX:
http://www.titanium.free.fr/pgs/english.html

TinkerTools:
http://www.bresink.de/osx/TinkerTool.html

You can read about TinkerTools main features here:
http://www.bresink.de/osx/0TinkerTool/details.html

OnyX also provides several maintenance tools. But, you'll find many settings like you are looking for in the "Appearance" tab.

While you are on the TinkerTools site, look under their Products for TinkerTools System, and some of their other tools.

Hope this helps.

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Answer 5

SimplyMac

Level 4

2,508 points

Jun 16, 2006 7:33 PM in response to Paradox Quine

Onyx is the best tool for optimizing OSX and enabling/disabling little features like shadows if you feel you really need it.

Widgets Preference Pane is a little utility for enabling/disabling the Dashboard.

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/18578

It installs to Macintosh HD > Library >Preference Panes

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Answer 6

Jun 16, 2006 7:37 PM in response to Paradox Quine

Thanks very much to both of you, that's very helpful. Are those programs absolutely safe to use, or is there a chance one or more may mess up some aspect of os x [as I'm not knowledgeable on how it works so I'm in the dark about app safety on macs]. Also, I know it's not really the right area but are there any general tips for determining if a program may negatively affect one's system in an irreversable or not easily fixable way?

Thanks

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Answer 7

Jun 16, 2006 7:47 PM in response to mhunter

Many thanks.

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Answer 8

mhunter

Level 6

9,191 points

Jun 16, 2006 7:50 PM in response to Paradox Quine

Hello,

Many thanks.

You are quite welcome 🙂

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