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Reveal in Finder
2006-12-02 19:10:01
Its not hard to notice that Right-Clicking (Control-Clicking) on an item in the Dock brings up a menu with the option to "show in Find er", which essentially opens up the enclosing folder of that Application or File.Less obviously, Command-Clicking on an icon in the Dock will do just the same. But it doesn't end there. Command clicking has a similar effect when clicking icons in other places.google_ad_client = "pub-0039062403589372";google_ad_width = 336;google_ad_height = 280;google_ad_format = "336x280_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel = "0667952178";google_color_border = "F7F6F7";google_color_bg = "F7F6F7";google_color_link = "1870D8";google_color_text = "333333";google_color_url = "1870D8";For instance, in the title bar of any cocoa app, you will see the name and icon of the open file. Command-Clicking on the icon brings up a list of all the enclosing folders.Another example that could save you hours of wasted time, is command clicking spotlight results. This o...
More About: Finder

Web Receipts PDF Services
2006-12-02 19:10:01
Branin Johnson sent in this tip relating to the PDF Service s in the print dialog box. He writes:The Save to Web Receipts option in the print dialog box overwrites other documents with the same website name. There is an easy way around it however, there is an automator action controlling this function.Save PDF to Web Receipts Folder.workflow is located in the /Library/PDF Services folder of the root of the hard drive. I added two lines to this file that would append the date and time to the filename. Now, pdf files of websites with the same site title, will have unique files in the web receipts folder.You can easily modify all of the scripts in that folder to add additional functionality to your print dialog boxes.Here's the modified file: http://www.braninjohnson.com/downloads/Sa ve PDF to Web Receipts Folder.workflow.zipThe automator workflows are stored in the Library at the root level of your hard drive, not in your individual user library. As a result, this will change the way t...
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Do things in the background
2006-12-02 19:10:01
Isn't it annoying when you click a link in an email and Safari pops up in front when you want to continue reading and check the web page later? Mac OS X offers a way to open and manipulate windows without bringing them to the front, by holding down command whilst doing things.For example, command-click a link in an email. Safari opens up in the background, without disturrbing your reading, allowing you to go to the page later.This also extends to moving, closing and resizing windows. If you can see a Finder window behind your iTunes library for example, command-clicking on close, minimize or holding command whilst moving or resizing performs the action without switching to the finder, instead staying within iTunes.google_ad_client = "pub-0039062403589372";google_ad_width = 336;google_ad_height = 280;google_ad_format = "336x280_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel = "0667952178";google_color_border = "F7F6F7";google_color_bg = "F7F6F7";google_color_link = "1870D8";go...
More About: Ground , Back , Things , Background , Thing

Hide Accounts in the Login Window
2006-12-02 19:10:01
In OS X it is easy to create as many user accounts as you need. It's definitely useful being able to have an account for each family member, or an account just for troubleshooting. However, this also leads to an extremely long list on the login window, and an annoying scroll bar down the side.If you are running Tiger, hiding user accounts that you rarely use is simple. Firstly, go to the Accounts pane in System Preferences, and find the "short name" of each user you want to hide. Once you have these, open up Terminal (Applications/Utilities) and enter the following:sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindo w HiddenUsersList -array-add shortname1 shortname2 shortname3Obviously shortname1 2 and 3 will be replaced with the short names of the user accounts you wish to hide. You can hide as many as you like, just separate each with a space.To make a hidden name appear again, type the command with no names in it, therefore resetting the list of hidden users.sudo defau...
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Set a Screen Saver as the Desktop Background
2006-12-02 19:10:01
Here's a quick fun tip that I found over at macresearch.org.Make sure you have a cool screen saver set (macresearch suggests the RSS visualizer)Open Terminal (found in Applications/Utilities)Type the following:/System/Library/Frameworks/Scre enSaver.framework/Resources/Screen SaverEn gine.app/Contents/MacOS/ScreenSaverEngine -backgroundLook at your Desktop .To stop the whole thing and return your desktop to normal press Control-C (or Command-.)google_ad_client = "pub-0039062403589372";google_ad_width = 336;google_ad_height = 280;google_ad_format = "336x280_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel = "0667952178";google_color_border = "F7F6F7";google_color_bg = "F7F6F7";google_color_link = "1870D8";google_color_text = "333333";google_color_url = "1870D8";There are a few things to look out for with this: Depending on which screen saver you are running and what mac you are running it on, this make take up a large CPU load. Also, your normal background will be shown when pressing...
More About: Ground , Back , Background

Keynote: Tips for making presentations
2006-12-02 19:10:01
Macintalk design has an article on giving Keynote presentations on other peoples computers. I'm sure many people have the problem of perfecting a presentation, to have it messed up or incompatible with the computer you are giving the presentation on.The tips mainly involve converting your presentation to a universal format, like PDF or quicktime movie, and it goes into the details of exactly how to do so.From the article:Unless you’re holding a presentation from your own machine, you will run into several problems. This first is that the machine you’re presenting from won’t have Keynote installed, or it won’t have the fonts you need. It might even be running Windows.google_ad_client = "pub-0039062403589372";google_ad_width = 336;google_ad_height = 280;google_ad_format = "336x280_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel = "0667952178";google_color_border = "F7F6F7";google_color_bg = "F7F6F7";google_color_link = "1870D8";google_color_text = "333333"...
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Seven Simple Safari Shortcuts
2006-12-02 19:10:01
We all want to go faster. Especially when it comes to web browsing. If only there was this one feature or shortcut that could make our lives so much easier, make us work so much faster. Well, sadly there is no one simple way to do it, even with Safari . However, here's a list of lesser known features, the hidden shortcuts and the secret workarounds that will help you surf smarter and more efficiently, and get things done much more quickly.google_ad_client = "pub-0039062403589372";google_ad_width = 336;google_ad_height = 280;google_ad_format = "336x280_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel = "0667952178";google_color_border = "F7F6F7";google_color_bg = "F7F6F7";google_color_link = "1870D8";google_color_text = "333333";google_color_url = "1870D8";1. Use TabsThis feature is arguably one of Safari's most useful, but, surprisingly, it isn't turned on by default. Tabbed browsing allows you to cut clutter by opening multiple web pages in one window. A tabs bar appears below...
More About: Simp , Seven , Simple , Shortcuts

Super-fast Printing in OS X
2006-12-02 19:10:01
Just over a week ago, I wrote a tip explaining how to set up a desktop printer. This allowed you to quickly print files without having to open up specific applications.However, right now I have just read this tip on the Apple Pro tips site, explaining how to print even more quickly. It can be done by Right-Clicking (Control-Clicking) on the file, and choosing Print from the contextual menu. This won't allow you any of that drag 'n' drop goodness that the other method gave, but it definitely is quicker, especially if you have a two button mouse. What's more, it doesn't require you to set anything up.google_ad_client = "pub-0039062403589372";google_ad_width = 336;google_ad_height = 280;google_ad_format = "336x280_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel = "0667952178";google_color_border = "F7F6F7";google_color_bg = "F7F6F7";google_color_link = "1870D8";google_color_text = "333333";google_color_url = "1870D8";The one drawback of this method I can see is how multiple pr...
More About: Super , Fast , Inti , Printing

Browsing a Site with the Title Bar
2006-12-02 19:10:01
As you navigate a site, burrowing deeper and deeper into its pages, sometimes you can get a little bit lost. Here's a way to quickly jump back to another place in a site.You could always click the back button over and over again, but this is a fairly laborious method. Clicking and holding the back button will give you a list of all thepages you have been too, but only by title.google_ad_client = "pub-0039062403589372";google_ad_width = 336;google_ad_height = 280;google_ad_format = "336x280_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel = "0667952178";google_color_border = "F7F6F7";google_color_bg = "F7F6F7";google_color_link = "1870D8";google_color_text = "333333";google_color_url = "1870D8";If you Command-Click on the title of the page in the title bar of the Safari window, a list will pop up with all the pages above your current location in the file hierarchy. If, for example, you are on http://www.apple.com/macosx/tips/spotligh t.html, Command-Clicking on the title bar will ...
More About: Site , With , Browsing , Sing , Title

RSS Feeds in Safari
2006-12-02 19:10:01
I never really understood the point of RSS feeds in Safari until I watched this video on the Apple site. It's a great introduction for how to set up and use the RSS features of safari, and shows you why you would want to do so.The main thing I learnt was technique of making a folder of RSS feeds from related news sites (for example, all the mac tips sites I visit regularly) and setting it to Auto-tab. Then, when you click on the folder, Safari will combine all the RSS feeds and give you a list of the latest news from all the sites in the folder.There is also additional help on highlighting new articles and sorting articles.google_ad_client = "pub-0039062403589372";google_ad_width = 336;google_ad_height = 280;google_ad_format = "336x280_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel = "0667952178";google_color_border = "F7F6F7";google_color_bg = "F7F6F7";google_color_link = "1870D8";google_color_text = "333333";google_color_url = "1870D8";
More About: Feed , Afar

Drag and Drop Bookmarks
2006-12-02 19:10:01
A quick way to build up your bookmarks bar is to drag and drop addresses from the location bar into folders on the bookmarks bar. This even works with Auto-tab folders, and folders of RSS Feeds.This is a much quicker way to fill your bookmark folders than using the Book mark s menu, and also has a few other useful features. For example you can drag a URL into an unused place in the tab bar, it will open it in a new tab. If you drag a URL onto an already open tab, it will load the page in that tab.URLs can be dragged from your files, links in web pages and from the location bar at the top of every safari window.If you want to file your bookmarks away somewhere that isn't in the bookmarks bar, a quick way to do it is to click the bookmarks icon at the far left of the bookmarks bar (or press Command-Option-B) while you are viewing the page you wish to save. Then, when the bookmarks page is open, the URL will stay in the location bar at the top. You are now able to drag and drop that int...
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Translucent Icons for Hidden Programs
2006-12-02 19:10:01
Pressing Command-H will hide your active application. That is, all the windows of the program will become invisible and allow you to see the application underneath, or the desktop. This can also be achieved by choosing hide from the menu with the name of the application.However, when you do that, there is no way to tell that an application is hidden by looking at the dock. The icon remains fully visible, unchanged from when the application was in view. With lots of applications open, it gets quite hard to tell which applications are hidden and which aren't.google_ad_client = "pub-0039062403589372";google_ad_width = 336;google_ad_height = 280;google_ad_format = "336x280_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel = "0667952178";google_color_border = "F7F6F7";google_color_bg = "F7F6F7";google_color_link = "1870D8";google_color_text = "333333";google_color_url = "1870D8";By modifying a small setting, you can make the Dock show which applications are hidden by displaying them a...
More About: Icon , Icons , Programs , Cent , Prog

Cancel a shut down command
2006-12-02 19:10:01
Rob Griffiths over at Macworld has a great tip for cancelling a shut down.This isn't a perfect solution and won't always work, but it is definitely worth trying if you suddenly remember you have to do one last thing before you shut down. The best conditions for this seem to be when you have lots of open applications and when the shut down seems to be taking quite a while.From the article:Have you ever told your machine to shut down, and then remembered that you had one last thing you wanted to do—send an email, check the weather forecast, or pay a bill online, for instance? Once the shut down process has started, it seems you’re out of luck—there’s no obvious way to cancel a shut down command.However, there are two things you can do that will prevent your machine from shutting down. Either one should work, assuming you have enough open applications that the shut down process is taking a bit of time.google_ad_client = "pub-0039062403589372";google_ad_width =...
More About: Down , Comm , Command , Shut , Ancel

Drag 'n' Drop Printing
2006-12-02 19:10:01
In Mac OS X there is a way to print documents right from the desktop, without having to open up the application first. This is done by creating a "Desktop Print er," essentially an alias that you can drag and drop files on to print them.The settings to do this are in the Printer setup Utility, which is accessible through System Preferences. Load up System preferences (from the Dock or in the Apple Menu) and choose Print and Fax. Once this preference pane has loaded, click the Printer Setup button, which will load up a Printer Info dialog. Now press Command-L to show the printer list.google_ad_client = "pub-0039062403589372";google_ad_width = 336;google_ad_height = 280;google_ad_format = "336x280_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel = "0667952178";google_color_border = "F7F6F7";google_color_bg = "F7F6F7";google_color_link = "1870D8";google_color_text = "333333";google_color_url = "1870D8";Your printer(s) will be listed here. Select the printer you want to use, Go to the...
More About: Drag , Inti , Printing , Drop

Rectangular Selections
2006-12-01 01:07:05
Many Mac OS X applications allow rectangular selections. That is, selecting multiple lines of text, without having to select up to the end of each line. This can be useful if you have created a text formatted table, and want to select an entire column, or if you want to modify the same thing on every line in a document.To do this type of selection, hold down the Option (alt) Key while the cursor is over a block of text in a cocoa application. Notice that the mouse arrow changes to a cross.With the Option Key still held, click and drag to make a selection without the text up to the end of the line being automatically selected when you drag down over multiple lines.If you want to do something particularly neat, once you have made a selection hold down the Command Key as well as the Option Key, which will allow you to make another selection somewhere else in the document, whilst keeping the first block of text still selected.This works just about everywhere you are able to edit text, ...
More About: Elections , Election , Selec , Select , Sele

Move Outlook Contacts to Address Book
2006-12-01 01:07:05
Currently there is no standard, easy way to move your contacts from Outlook to Address Book that comes with every mac. People new to Mac OS X, especially switchers from PCs or people upgrading from OS 9 often ask the question, and there is no proper answer. Mac OS X Hints has a number of tricks to get around this difficulty.google_ad_client = "pub-0039062403589372";google_ad_width = 336;google_ad_height = 280;google_ad_format = "336x280_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel = "0667952178";google_color_border = "F7F6F7";google_color_bg = "F7F6F7";google_color_link = "1870D8";google_color_text = "333333";google_color_url = "1870D8";There are 7 methods mentioned:1. If you have access to a PC, use a windows program called OutPort2. Do it via Netscape Communicator3. Use a program called ABFiller, which is very simple a straightforward4. Converting to vCards if you have Outlook 20035. A more complex trick, using terminal to customise things6. Importing CSV files to Address B...
More About: Contact , Dress , Move

Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts
2006-12-01 01:07:05
Here is a great list of Keyboard Short cuts in Mac OS X. It has everything from holding down keys during startup to accessing menu commands.google_ad_client = "pub-0039062403589372";google_ad_width = 336;google_ad_height = 280;google_ad_format = "336x280_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel = "0667952178";google_color_border = "F7F6F7";google_color_bg = "F7F6F7";google_color_link = "1870D8";google_color_text = "333333";google_color_url = "1870D8";
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Full Keyboard Access
2006-12-01 01:07:05
Pressing Tab in windows and dialogs normally just moves the focus between text boxes and lists. To make the focus move to all elements of the window, start by opening the Keyboard and Mouse Preferences (in System Preferences) and going to Keyboard Shortcuts.Under the "Full Keyboard Access " section at the bottom, choosing "All controls" will allow you to focus on things like pop-up menus and buttons too.Now, when a dialog box opens up, there will be a faint halo around one of the buttons, which you can move by pressing the tab key. Pressing the space bar will select whatever has the focus. The up and down arrow keys now navigate menus, and right and left arrows for folders and subfolders.google_ad_client = "pub-0039062403589372";google_ad_width = 336;google_ad_height = 280;google_ad_format = "336x280_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel = "0667952178";google_color_border = "F7F6F7";google_color_bg = "F7F6F7";google_color_link = "1870D8";google_color_text = "333333";goo...
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Drag-n-drop with open/save dialogs
2006-12-01 01:07:05
Navigating through the columns of an open or save dialog box can take a long while, especially if the location you are looking for is hidden deep within multiple folders.Instead of painfully clicking through each level, you can just drag the folder from the finder straight into the dialog box. The open/save dialog instantly changes to display the contents of the folder you just dropped on.google_ad_client = "pub-0039062403589372";google_ad_width = 336;google_ad_height = 280;google_ad_format = "336x280_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel = "0667952178";google_color_border = "F7F6F7";google_color_bg = "F7F6F7";google_color_link = "1870D8";google_color_text = "333333";google_color_url = "1870D8";Obviously you can use all the usual tricks with this, like Command-Tab to switch over to the Finder and back again, and exposé to find the window you want, but there are also a few extra quirks. For example, dragging any file to the dialog will display the enclosing folde...
More About: Open , With , Drag , Dialog , Save

Essential Tips for Podcast Lovers
2006-12-01 01:07:05
In the iTunes section on their web site, Apple has a page titled Essential Tips for Pod cast Love rs.This contains everything a podcast junkie needs: Tips on finding and playing podcasts, managing your subscriptions and sharing them.If you are still not with this newfangled podcasting stuff, take a look at the Podcast ing FAQ.google_ad_client = "pub-0039062403589372";google_ad_width = 336;google_ad_height = 280;google_ad_format = "336x280_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel = "0667952178";google_color_border = "F7F6F7";google_color_bg = "F7F6F7";google_color_link = "1870D8";google_color_text = "333333";google_color_url = "1870D8";
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PDF Services
2006-12-01 01:07:05
By now, most people know about the PDF button in the Print dialog box. It allows you to "print" web pages, receipts, recipes etc. to a PDF file, a useful way of archiving things.This is useful, but the PDF services are even more extendable. You can create aliases to folders to go in the menu that appears when you click the button, allowing you to automatically archive items to specific folders without navigating through your entire file system.google_ad_client = "pub-0039062403589372";google_ad_width = 336;google_ad_height = 280;google_ad_format = "336x280_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel = "0667952178";google_color_border = "F7F6F7";google_color_bg = "F7F6F7";google_color_link = "1870D8";google_color_text = "333333";google_color_url = "1870D8";First set up folders, possibly within your documents folder. For example have one for web receipts, one for recipes, one for important emails etc.Next, go to your library folder, located within your user folder, and create...
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Stop screen burn
2006-09-21 10:24:04
There is a useful article on the Apple support site regarding "image persistence" on Apple LCD displays. Commonly referred to as screen burn, this used to be a major problem with CRTs that displayed the same image for a long while, and it got "burnt" into the screen so that it was permanently displayed.Many people think that LCD displays are unable to get screen burn, but actually they can. Manufacturers call these faint remnants of an image "persistence". However it is quite easily solved, as detailed in the Apple article.To avoid screen burn, set the energy saver preferences to turn off the display when not in use. To try and remove persistence, create a slideshow screensaver with one white photo, and display it until the persistence is gone.Tags: mac, tips, mac os x, hints, mac tips, display, LCD, burn, image persistence
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Send SMS messages from iChat
2006-09-20 22:21:04
Tags: mac, tips, mac os x, hints, mac tips, ichat, sms, mobile, phone With the latest versions of iChat , you can send SMS messages to mobile phones. Start by going to the File menu and selecting "New Chat with Person" or by pressing Command-Shift-N. Then enter the mobile phone number, which requires the country code. For example, type +1 followed by the number. I am unsure whether numbers from outside the USA are supported. Once this is entered, chat away.After sending the SMS, you will receive a confirmation that it was sent.
More About: Hat , Essa , Message , Messages

Top iCal Tips
2006-09-11 03:12:06
Merlin Mann has made a list of Best iCal Tips over at 43 Folders, his site about personal productivity. The site is great for blog postings about staying productive and "getting things done" (GTD), and he recommends using iCal as a great way of doing this.The list of tips includes ways of getting the most out of iCal, organising multiple calendars and scheduling a "dash," a way to prevent procrastination.

Use the Sidebar like the Dock
2006-09-11 03:12:06
One of the main new features when Panther was introduced a couple of years ago was the introduction of a newly designed Finder, including the sidebar to every finder window. You can customise this sidebar by adding icons to it, such as commonly used applications and folders. For example, if you use iMovie a lot, open your applications folder, find iMovie and drag it to a position in the sidebar. Notice how the other icons shrink and slide away to make room for the new icon.You can use this icon just how you would use it in the dock: Click on it to open the application, drag a file over it to open it in the application, and just drag it out of the sidebar to watch it vanish in a puff of smoke.
More About: Dock , Sidebar , Side , Like , The D

Create Zip Archives On The Fly
2006-09-10 03:09:05
A super quick tip - To create a zip archive for a folder, file, or a selection of folders or files, select them, right-click (or Control-Click) on one, and choose "Create Archi ve ".This will automatically archive your selection into a zip file, ideal for storing away, sending via email or to save space.Provided by Jeremy, the owner of the Life in a circuit board blog.
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Zero-Out Free Space
2006-09-10 03:09:05
When files are normally deleted they are just removed from the filesystem. The file itself is still on the hard drive though, which is how some programs are able to "recover" deleted files. For security reasons you may want to zero out your free space, which will get rid of all chances of recovering deleted files. First open Disk Utility in /Applications->Utilities. Then select the hard drive partition on the left of the screen, select the erase tab, then click "Erase Free Space ". Choose which option you want (the first option is usually enough) and click the "Erase Free Space" button. The process can take anywhere from an hour to quite a few hours depending on your hard drive size, and the amount of free space. During the process a "You are running low on disk space" warning may pop up, just click OK on this and ignore it. That message is suppose to pop up. Disk Utility zeros out the free disk space by simply making a giant file that is nothing but zero...
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Undo Prevening Safari Autofill
2006-09-10 03:09:05
Sometimes I find that I accidentally click "Never for this Website" when Safari offers to remember a username and password. More commonly, friends and family use my mac and go on the same websites i do, then click it without thinking about my saved passwords. Once it has been clicked, Safari refuses to remember any passwords for that website, which can get to be a lot of hassle, especially if you visit the site daily. Luckily there is an easy fix for this, which lies in Keychain Access.Firstly, open up Keychain Access (Applications/Utilities) and look for the site address in the "login" keychain. In the list you will see an entry that looks something like this:www.examplesite.com (Passwords not saved)Just delete that item from the login keychain, and then restart Safari. The next time you enter your unsername and password on that site, Safari will prompt you to save it.
More About: Auto , Fill , Afar , Autofill

New web address
2006-09-10 03:09:05
This blog is now accessible from www.macosxtips.co.uk.Go on. Try it out. Bookmark it. Or subscribe to the RSS Feed.
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Font Scaling
2006-09-10 03:09:05
Most tips that work with a standard part of a cocoa app (TextEdit, Mail), will work with any other cocoa app. Luckily, the font box is a fairly standard part of the UI, and luckily this means that you can use this tip with loads of applications. Most cocoa applications have the ability to scale fonts mathematically. This means that you can resize a selection of text containing different sizes while keeping the relative sizing between fonts. It also means that if you want all the text on a page a little bit bigger, instead of selecting each size and changing it a bit bigger (the 12 point to 14 point, the 16 point to 18 point etc.), you can just do it relatively.Select all the text in your document and open the Font panel ( Usually Format->Font->Show Fonts) and enter "*1.2" or another mathematical expression. The example given will multiply all font sizes by 1.2, but you can do anything, like "/2" to half the size, "*.0.75" to get 75% of the original size...
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