How to add iCloud documents to the Finder Sidebar

Under OS X Mountain Lion, Apple has added Documents in the Cloud to iCloud. This lets you save your files one one device (Mac, iPad or iPhone) and have them synchronize with any of your other Apple devices. One problem that people have noticed with Documents in the Cloud is that each applications files are only easily available inside that application. If you want to open a file in an application other than the one that created it, things become tricky. Many people have expressed the wish to be able to put iCloud in the Finder sidebar, next to Home, Documents and Desktop. Here is my method for achieving that.

First, go to the Mobile Documents folder. The easiest way to do that is

1. In the Finder, click on the Go menu, and choose Go To Folder (or press Shift ⌘ G).

2. Paste in the following text: ~/Library/Mobile Documents/

3. Click GO.

Now you will be in a folder called iCloud. You cannot drag this folder anywhere. Also, it contains non-document files like preferences for iCloud enable iOS apps. 

However, you can perform a search for documents in this folder, and save that search in the sidebar.

1. In the Finder, click on the File menu and select Find (or press ⌘ F)

2. After Search:, click on "Mobile Documents"

3. Choose Kind is Document.

4. Click Save.

5. Name your search "iCloud" or "Docs in the Cloud" or whatever you want.

6. Check the Add to Sidebar box and click Save.

Now you can see all of your Documents in the Cloud in the finder. All of your unsaved iCloud documents will be there as Untitled. You can use the Arrange button in the finder to sort them by Application or other criteria.

You can also see this saved search in the open dialog in any application. Unfortunately, this does not let you easily use multiple applications to edit one file saved to iCloud. If you open a document in an application other than the one that created it, editing that document will create a new document that will be saved in the iCloud under the new application. For documents that you will edit in more that one app, you are better of saving to On My Mac instead of iCloud.

Apple's page about the Flashback infection

Apple now has a post about the Flashback malware. They recommend using Software Update if you are running Mac OS X 10.6 r 10.7. 

If you are running an older version of Mac OS X, you should disable Java software (not JavaScript) in your web browser (a browser is the software you use to access the internet, for example Safari or Firefox).

Here is a are links for disabling Java in Safari, Firefox, and Chrome.

Infection alert! Your Mac may be vulnerable!

A few malicious web sites are currently attacking Macintosh computers. On April 3, Apple realeased an update for Macs running 10.6 and 10.7 that fixes the vulnerability and stops the attackers if you visit these web sites. Run Software Update today! If you want to check it your Mac might already have been infected, visit this web page:

How to check for—and get rid of—a Mac Flashback infection

Update: Here is a link to a simple application that will check if your Mac is infected. It performs the same actions as the earleier link, but is much easier to use, with simple Yes or No answer.

FlashbackChecker 1.0 (more info: Flashback Checker Download page )

Create Free custom ringtones for your iPhone

Here is great video from Macworld.com. It shows all the steps to making a custom sound for alerts or ringtones on your iPhone. Have a look: Create custom iPhone alert sounds with GarageBand

Are you eligible for a new iPhone?

Apple just announced new iPhones. If you have had your current phone for less than two years, you might not be able to get the advertised price for new phones. Here is an article that explains how to check with your cell phone carrier: How to check if you're eligible for an iPhone upgrade