If you’ve ever wanted to set up a Mac for someone and do tasks such as preload applications or run Software Update, you’ll have to jump through the setup process, but the next user won’t be able to enter all their details. How can you go about resetting the Mac to re-run the Setup Assistant and give the new-Mac feel?

A tip I ran across on niload.com describes how to do just that. Basically, you run setup like normal, log in and do updates and/or install programs, then remove a few things and shut down. Upon reboot, the Mac will run the Setup Assistant as if it just came from the factory. You can read the full hint for the detailed instructions. (Also, note my comment at the bottom of the hint, as it should be a safer way of removing the account.)

While I’m on the subject of new Mac owners, this list of 10 things every new Mac owner should know might be a handy resource to print out and give along with the updated Mac. [via]

Here is a hack just like my ADB to USB Mouse Conversion, only using the electronics from a newer Apple mouse. The creator, Alex Dawson, did a great job on the overhaul, especially with the positioning of the board and the placement of the optical sensor. It was recently posted on hackaday, which is where I learned of the hack.

On a related note, I just received my first issue of MAKE magazine, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with it. If you find the above hack even moderately interesting, you’ll want to get a subscription.

I originally posted this on my About page, but I decided to create a Music category and toss some particularly oustanding albums into the mix of regular postings. I’m far from a music reviewer, though, so please bear with me as a I try my hardest to describe what is best listened to, not read about.

Eastmountainsouth
by Eastmountainsouth

I listed this album first, as it’s undoubtedly my favorite. Released in 2003, the self-titled Eastmountainsouth is the work of the folk/country artists Kat Bode and Peter Adams, both of whom have bluegrass backgrounds. The work they’ve crafted is an absolutely beautiful album of southern and Appalachain harmonies, making use of unique instruments. If I had to choose a favorite track from this wholly fantastic album, it would likely be “The Ballad of Young Alban and Amandy,” a track which both tells an adventurous tale and has a great sound. It seems unlikely that the group will release another album together, as they’ve each gone to explore their own individual talents, but Eastmountainsouth is a timeless piece that will remain at the top of my iTunes Library.

Hear it on iTunes

Mentioned briefly in my post about the comment spam filter Akismet, WordPress.com is out of beta and open to anyone who wants to sign up. Not to be confused with the downloadable version at wordpress.org, WordPress.com is a free Blogger style site where you can create an account and instantly run a blog powered by (you guessed it) the WordPress publishing system.