Useful settings for Mac OS X (Mavericks onward) / Adding GPX files directly to a Garmin Fenix 3

Here's a few settings that I came across [1] that helped make my daily workflow easier while working on a Mac, listed below:

defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES
defaults write com.apple.finder QLEnableTextSelection -bool TRUE
killall Finder

Let's cover what they do:

defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES

This command above enables the ability to show all hidden files in the Finder, which can be useful for power users (or for those who have a Fenix 3 and need to access the NEWFILES folder in /Volumes/Garmin/Garmin to upload .GPX files [2]).


Do you use the Quick look feature much in OS X?  If not, it's certainly a very useful feature to quickly peek into files on the Finder.  If you do use it and would like to copy and paste frequently from these files (i.e. source files, or general text files), the command below will enable this:

defaults write com.apple.finder QLEnableTextSelection -bool TRUE

Of course, we will need to either logout of the current session or restart the finder.  You can restart the finder by running the following:

killall Finder

In case you want to revert the above settings to default, you can run the following commands respectively:

defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles NO
defaults write com.apple.finder QLEnableTextSelection -bool FALSE
killall Finder

References / Sourced from:

[1] Macworld UK:

How to show hidden files and folders in Mac OS X Finder:

http://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/mac-software/how-show-hidden-files-in-mac-os-x-finder-funter-3520878/

How to select and copy text from Quick Look previews in OS X:

http://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/mac-software/select-copy-text-from-quick-look-previews-on-os-x-3538951/

[2] Itamar Latnik's Youtube post: Garmin Fenix 3 - Import a GPX Course

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngTW044CZ8Y&ab_channel=ItamarLatnik

Worldly Wanda Tour de Fremont, 60+ mile ride completed! Details here!

For my second year in support of a good cause, I signed up for the Worldly Wanda Tour de Fremont. Both supporting a non-profit group based locally in Fremont that helps promote gender equality, and allowing to ride a challenging path, Saturday was quite an event :) Sometimes it can be tough for some folks to be able to wake up early on a Saturday morning, cycle to Lake Elizabeth and being a beautiful journey Touring the Tri-City area and San Jose, however this brave soul did ;)

I met a lot of friendly folks along this journey, each one of us sharing a common goal-- To finish in one piece. All shapes, sizes and genders were participating in this event, and they even had events for the less crazy-- i.e. 4 mile, 10, 20, and 40 for those who are building up their endurance. One thing to note was their path this year was modified from last, which included less populated roads = good thing (last year I felt myself competing with the 4-wheeled, all-metal bumper cars)

All in all, it was a great tour, a wonderful test of my endurance, and a breathtaking view of the Bay Area during springtime-- What more can one ask for? It was an opportunity for one to find peace within themself, with the surroundings near them, and with the energy all around us-- It felt mutually satiating :)

After all that hard work and climbing up hills (which is another topic I would like to write about sometime in the future), the treat of fresh made, piping hot chili with cheese and onions was awaiting at the finish line, back at the start line.

This is something so wonderful to be a part of, physically rewarding, and beneficial for the local charity-- a win-win situation. Count me in for next year's 60-mile and beyond!!

PS: Here's the link for all the Garmin details (including my health stats and GPS map of the trail) located here:

Garmin Connect -Activity Details for Untitled