This serious-but-fun, down-and-dirty book dives into default system settings, unlocks hidden gems, and includes original Mac OS X programs with full source list... » 

This serious-but-fun, down-and-dirty book dives into default system settings, unlocks hidden gems, and includes original Mac OS X programs with full source listings and explanations. Heavyweight hackers will learn the tricks and modes of OS X booting, tweaks for login screens, and how to customize or even kill the Dock. Find out the inside scoop on Dashboard and Spotlight, including two sample widgets and one Spotlight importer, all with fully annotated source listings. With tips to make Tiger purr, this book concentrates on tweaking the appearance, speed, usability, and security settings of Mac OS X to get your Mac working the way you want. Speed it up, lock it down, or pull back the curtains. Find out how to install and use Unix and X11 applications on your Mac, take advantage of command line tools, and create system services and active Dock badges. «