Minimal Mac

As an avid reader of Minimal Mac for a while, I thought I’d submit my desktop as contribution to this wonderful site. Unfortunately, I am easily distracted by the wonders of the internet. By having a minimal desktop, I win the fight against distractions just that little bit more often. However, I find that minimalism must exist in balance with core functionality (In line with my workload).

My menubar contains a few things, which I like to know are happening in the background. iStat Menus provide me with a comprehensive clock and a dropdown calendar with world times, I’m constantly checking my calendar to arrange appointments, and opening iCal is just a step too much. I also have a processor bar on the smallest setting as I quite often like to see why the fans are going crazy in my MacBook Pro.

I use Little Snitch to monitor my network connections, whilst I accept that my Mac is a relatively secure machine in the face of internet threats, I still like to know why applications are requesting internet connections and why some constantly seem to require a connection. Jumpcut provides me with a simple clipboard, and I always seem to be activating Caffeine for one reason or another.

Whilst I haven’t been as ‘minimal’ as others and cut down to approximately three apps in my Dock, I keep it hidden (on the left) and have 12 applications in it which I know I will access at least once a day. I use Concentrate to streamline. However, the one app I use the most to help concentrate doesn’t appear to have had a mention here. I use Freedom to cut all network connections to/from my computer, hence I am left with just my brain and a work to do. No internet = no distractions. Things organises my day.

I don’t use any application launchers as OS X comes with Spotlight, and that does enough for me. I like to keep my drives on my desktop as they’re quick to get to after a few expose gestures on my trackpad. I also have my iDisk on constant access to encourage me to use it as a secure backup environment (and to warrant my MobileMe membership). Sorry for blurring out my disk name, but I don’t want my public folder hounded! Wallpaper available here. Keep up the great site!

(Submitted by epinochsaint)

I think I just found my next desktop picture. Stunning.

Posted October 28, 2009 at 9:31am || home