Here are some of my OS X 10.9 Mavericks settings and preferences. See also: Operating Systems, BIOS Settings, Device Settings, System Info, Installation Order.
System Preferences
General
Appearance: [Blue]
Highlight color: [Blue]
Sidebar icon size: [Medium]
Show scroll bars: (*) Automatically based on mouse or trackpad
Click in the scroll bar to: (*) Jump to the next page
[x] Ask to keep changes when closing documents
[x] Close windows when quitting an application
Recent items: [10] Documents, Apps, and Servers
[x] Use LCD font smoothing when available
Desktop & Screen Saver
Desktop
Apple: Nature: Aurora (default desktop background for Snow Leopard)
[x] Translucent menu bar
Screen Saver
Screen Savers: Message
Screen Saver Options...
Message: [Mac]
Start after: Never (setting "1 Hour" is too soon)
[ ] Show with clock
Hot Corners...
Top Left Corner: [Start Screen Saver]
Dock
Size: 4/10
[ ] Magnification: approximately 8/10
Position on screen: (*) Left
Minimize windows using: [Scale effect]
[x] Animate opening applications
[x] Automatically hide and show the Dock
[x] Show indicator lights for open applications
Mission Control
[ ] Show Dashboard as a Space
[x] Automatically rearrange Spaces based on most recent use
[x] When switching to an application, switch to a Space with open windows for the application
Language & Region
Preferred languages
Comments: to change the operating system interface language, drag preferred language to the top (for example English or Suomi).
English
Suomi
Svenska
Deutsch
Region: [Finland (Custom)]
First day of week: [Monday]
Calendar: [Gregorian]
Time Format: [x] 24-Hour Time
List sort order: [Universal]
Advanced...
General
Format language: [English]
Number separators: Grouping: [ ] Decimal [,]
Currency: [Euro (€)]
Grouping: [ ] Decimal [,]
Measurement units: Metric
Dates
Short: 14 01 14
Medium: 14 Jan 2014
Long: 14 Jan 2014
Full: Tuesday 14 January 2014
Times
Short: 23 : 55
Medium: 23 : 55
Long: 23 : 55 : 55 GMT+2
Full: 23 : 55 : 55 GMT+02:00
Security & Privacy
General
[x] Require password [5 seconds] after sleep or screen saver begings
[x] Disable automatic login
Allow applications downloaded from:
(*) Anywhere
FileVault
Turned on
Firewall
Firewall: On
[Firewall Options...]
(Applications)
x means "Allow incoming connections", otherwise it's "Block incoming connections".
[x] Adium.app
[ ] Compressor.app
[x] Dropbox.app
[x] FaceTime.app
[ ] Final Cut Pro.app
[ ] Finder.app
[x] GoogleTalkPlugin.app
[x] GrowlHelperApp.app
[ ] iTunes (I don't share my music or videos on LAN)
[ ] Pinball HD.app (strange)
[ ] Safari (I shouldn't need to enable Safari, because other browsers are not listed here either)
[x] Spotify.app
[x] TI-Nspire CAS Student Software.app
[ ] VLC.app
[x] Automatically allow signed software to receive incoming connections
[x] Enable stealth mode ("Don't respond to or acknowledge attempts to access this computer from the network by test applications using ICMP, such as Ping.")
Privacy
Location Services
[x] Enable Location Services
[x] Safari.app
Contacts
[ ] Adium.app
[ ] Windows Phone 7 Connector.app
[ ] Thunderbird.app
(empty) ("Apps that have requested access to Twitter will appear here.")
(empty)
Diagnostics & Usage
[x] Send diagnostic & usage data to Apple
Spotlight
Search Results
[x] Applications
[x] Documents
[x] Folders
[x] PDF Documents
[x] Spreadsheets
[x] Presentations
[x] Music
[x] Images
[ ] Movies
[ ] Mail & Messages
[ ] Contacts
[ ] Webpages
[ ] Messages & Chats
[ ] Events & Reminders
[ ] System Preferences (unnecessary)
[ ] Fonts
[x] Developer
Privacy
Prevent Spotlight from searching these locations
(Comment: this will speed up computer, when it doesn't need load to temporary file info to memory at startup and update index all the time.)
Macintosh HD/Library/Caches
Macintosh HD/System/Library/Frameworks
Macintosh HD/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks
Users/tomihasa/Library/Caches
Users/tomihasa/Library/Logs
Users/tomihasa/Library/Preferences
Comment: make Library directory visible, so you can select it: chflags nohidden ~/Library/
Users/tomihasa/Pictures/iPod Photo Cache
Disc 2/Torrent Complete
Disc 2/Torrent Incomplete
Disc 2/Torrent Index
Notifications
Do Not Disturb
[ ] From 23:00 to: 07:00
[x] When mirroring to TVs and projectors
[x] Calendar
Alert style: Alerts (Alerts won't disappear, Banners will)
[ ] Show notifications on lock screen
[x] Show in Notification Center: [5 Recent Items]
[x] Badge app icon
[x] Play sound for notifications
[x] Messages
[x] Reminders
[x] FaceTime (in case I get contacted with this app)
[x] Adium (in case I get contacted with this app)
[x] Firefox (Firefox has working RSS feeds)
[ ] Google Chrome (a website may try to send a notification, but the browser has the final say)
[ ] Colloquy (IRC)
[ ] Creative Cloud (Adobe Flash Professional, etc.)
[ ] Game Center
[ ] iTunes
[ ] Cyberduck
[ ] TextWrangler
[ ] Safari
CDs & DVDs
When you insert a blank CD: [Ask what to do]
When you insert a blank DVD: [Ask what to do]
When you insert a music CD: [Ignore]
When you insert a picture CD: [Ignore]
When you insert a video DVD: [Open DVD Player]
Displays
HP ZR24w
Resolution: (*) Best for display (1920 x 1200)
MacBook Pro 15.4" Antiglare
Resolutions: 1680 x 1050
Brightness: approx. 4/10
[ ] Automatically adjust brightness
Energy Saver
Battery (MacBook Pro)
Computer sleep: 1 h 30 minutes
Display sleep: 1 hour
[x] Put the hard disk(s) to sleep when possible
[ ] Slightly dim the display when using this power source
[x] Automatically reduce brightness before display goes to sleep
[ ] Restart automatically if the computer freezes
[x] Show battery status in the menu bar
Power Adapter
Computer sleep: Never
Display sleep: 1 hour
[ ] Put the hard disks to sleep when possible (disable for Mac Pro, Enable for MacBook Pro)
[ ] Wake for Ethernet access (Mac Pro once turned on when waking was on)
[x] Allow power button to put the computer to sleep (Mac Pro)
[ ] Start up automatically after a power failure (Mac Pro)
Keyboard
Keyboard
Key Repeat Rate: 5/7
Delay Until Repeat: 4/6
[ ] Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys
[ ] Automatically illuminate keyboard in low light (MacBook Pro)
Text
[ ] Correct spelling automatically
Spelling: [Suomi (Voikko)] (or: Automatic by Language)
[ ] Use smart quotes and dashes
for Double Quotes: ["abc"]
for Single Quotes: ['abc']
Shortcuts
Screen Shots
[x] Save picture of screen as a file
[x] Copy picture of screen to the clipboard
[x] Save picture of selected area as a file
[x] Copy picture of selected area to the clipboard
Mouse (Logitech Notebook Optical Mouse Plus+)
[ ] Move content in the direction of finger movement when scrolling or navigating
Tracking Speed: approx. 8/10
Scrolling Speed: 8/8 (Mac Pro: 8/8, MacBook Pro: 6/8)
Double-Click Speed: 9/11
Primary mouse button: (*) Left
Trackpad
Point & Click
[x] Tap to click (doesn't work very well with MacBook Pro)
[x] Secondary click
[ ] Look up (look up a dictionary word)
[ ] Three finger drag
Tracking speed: 4/10
Scroll & Zoom
[ ] Scroll direction: natural
[x] Zoom in or out
[x] Smart zoom
[ ] Rotate
More Gestures
[ ] Swipe between pages (annoying when editing on Google Sites or TextWrangler)
[x] Swipe between full-screen apps (maybe I will use this some day)
[ ] Mission Control
[ ] App Exposé
[ ] Launchpad
[ ] Show Desktop
Printers & Scanners
[ ] Share this printer on the network
Default printer: [EPSON AL-CX11]
Default paper size: [A4]
Sound
Sound Effects
Play sound effects through: [Digital Out] (MacBook Pro: Internal Speakers)
Alert volume: 0/4
[ ] Play user interface sound effects
[ ] Play feedback when volume is changed
[x] Show volume in menu bar
Output
Digital Out (Mac Pro)
Internal Speakers (MacBook Pro)
Input
Line In (Mac Pro)
Internal microphone (MacBook Pro)
[x] Use ambient noise reduction (MacBook Pro)
iCloud
[x] Keychain
[x] Find My Mac (MacBook Pro, WiFi required)
Internet Accounts
iCloud
Gmail
Network
Mac Pro: Static IP Address (with ASUS DSL-N55U, 6/2014)
Configure IPv4: [Using DHCP] Comment: ASUS DSL-N55U manual recommends DHCP setting instead of a manual address.
Comment: this was changed to "Using DHCP" maybe because I switched from ZyXEL to ASUS.
IP Address: [192.168.1.46]
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Router: 192.168.1.1
DNS Server: 109.204.194.2, 109.204.194.3
Comment: DNS server was changed to "198.168.1.1" maybe because I switched from ZyXEL to ASUS.
Mac Pro: Connection List
Location: Automatic
Nokia Datacard
Nokia Datacard 2
Ethernet 1
Ethernet 2
FireWire
Location: Local Area Network
Ethernet 1
Ethernet 2
FireWire
Bluetooth PAN
Location: Mobile Broadband
HUAWEIMobile-Modem
HUAWEIMobile-Diag
HUAWEIMobile-Pcui
Bult-in Ethernet
MacBook Pro: Connection List
(I need different DNS settings on different locations. Mobile ISP also needs its own "location".)
Location: Automatic
Wi-Fi
Ethernet
FireWire
Bluetooth PAN
Location: Mobile - Saunalahti or DNA
HUAWEIMobile-Modem
Ethernet
Location: UTA
Advanced
DNS
DNS Servers: 153.1.2.12, 153.1.0.18, 10.10.0.1
Ethernet
Wi-Fi
Huawei Settings 1: OK (see also: cogwheel icon: Set Service Order)
HUAWEI Mobile-Modem (seems to be working without "Mobiililaajakaista ohjelmisto")
Configuration: [Default]
Telephone Number: [*99#] (connection: Saunalahti Nopsa)
[x] Show modem status in menu bar (from menu bar I may need to select "Connect HUAWEIMobile-Modem")
Advanced
Modem
Vendor: [Other] (MacBook Pro: Generic)
Model: [EasyConnect Modem Script] (MacBook Pro: Dialup Device)
[x] Enable error correction and compression in modem
Dial Mode: [Wait for dial tone before dialing]
Dialing: (*) Tone
Sound: (*) On
PPP
[x] Connect automatically when needed (connection sometimes stops)
[ ] Prompt every [30] minutes to maintain connection
[ ] Disconnect if idle for [10] minutes
[x] Disconnect when user logs out
[ ] Disconnect when switching user accounts
[ ] Prompt for password after dialing
[x] Redial [1] times if busy, waiting [5] seconds before redialing
[x] Send PPP echo packets
[x] Use verbose logging
Terminal Script: [None]
[x] Use TCP header compression
[ ] Connect using a terminal window (command line)
Huawei Settings 2: Disconnects A Lot Or Doesn't Connect At All (For some reason I used these settings with my MacBook Pro.)
HUAWEI Mobile-Modem
Configuration: [Default]
Telephone Number: [*99#] (connection: Saunalahti Nopsa)
Advanced
Modem
Vendor: [Generic] (I can't find "Other" as with Mac Pro)
Model: [Dialup Device] (try GPRS (GSM/3G))
APN: internet.saunalahti (with setting GPRS (GSM/3G))
CID: 1 (with setting GPRS (GSM/3G))
[x] Enable error correction and compression in modem
Dial Mode: [Wait for dial tone before dialing]
Dialing: (*) Tone
Sound: (*) On
PPP
[ ] Connect automatically when needed
[ ] Prompt every [30] minutes to maintain connection
[x] Disconnect if idle for [10] minutes
[x] Disconnect when user logs out
[x] Disconnect when switching user accounts
[ ] Prompt for password after dialing
[x] Redial [1] times if busy, waiting [5] seconds before redialing
[x] Send PPP echo packets
[ ] Use verbose logging
Terminal Script: [None]
[x] Use TCP header compression
[ ] Connect using a terminal window (command line)
Bluetooth
Comment: you need to enable "Bluetooth Sharing" also for download/upload between devices. You do not need to enable "File Sharing".
Does not work with: iPod Touch 3rd gen. with iOS 5 (additional app needed: try Intuitive Commander using WiFi) (11/2012), HTC HD7 with Windows Phone 7.5 (11/2012).
Works with: Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini, both ways, from Xperia's Album app to Mac Pro: about 100 - 200 KB/s (12/2012), Nokia Asha 300 (11/2012).
Tip: See also Sharing settings: Bluetooth Sharing.
Tip: Use "+" only on one Mac computer to start discovering a Bluetooth device.
Tip: Use cogwheel icon: "Show More Info".
[x] On
[x] Discoverable (disabled after I have setup my Bluetooth devices)
[x] Show Bluetooth status in the menu bar (there you can see "Send File" and "Browse Device")
Advanced...
[ ] Open Bluetooth Setup Assistant at startup when no input device is present (enabled for Mac Mini)
[ ] Open Bluetooth Setup Assistant at startup if no mouse or trackpad is detected (enabled for Mac Mini)
[ ] Allow Bluetooth devices to wake this computer (enabled for Mac Mini)
[ ] Reject incoming audio requests
Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 Mini (older)
Type: Smartphone
Services
AVRCP TG
Audio Source
OBEX Object Push
OBEX Phonebook Access Server
PnP Information
Voice Gateway
Paired: Yes
Configured: Yes
Connected: Yes
Major Device Class: Phone (0x2)
Minor Device Class: Smartphone (0x3)
Device Service Class: 0x2c0
Last Name Update: 11/30/12
Last Inquiry Update: 5/29/13
Last Services Update: 11/26/13
Sony Xperia Tipo (newer)
Type: Smartphone
Services
AAS
AIS
AVRCP TG
Audio Source
Generic Access Profile
Generic Attribute Profile
OBEX Object Push
OBEX Phonebook Access Server
PnP Information
Voice Gateway
Paired: Yes
Configured: Yes
Connected: Yes
Major Device Class: Phone (0x2)
Minor Device Class: Smartphone (0x3)
Device Service Class: 0x2c0
Last Name Update: 4/12/13
Last Inquiry Update: 6/2/13
Last Services Update: 4/12/13
Sharing
[ ] DVD or CD Sharing
Note: this is for local network.
[ ] Screen Sharing
Note: this is for VNC.
[ ] File Sharing (not necessary for Bluetooth sharing)
Note: this is for local network.
Finder: Preferences: Connected servers.
Works with ZyXEL P-2812HNU-F1 when Mac Pro is on LAN on MacBook Pro is on WLAN (4/2013).
[ ] Printer Sharing
Note: this is for local network.
[ ] Remote Login
Note: using SSH.
[ ] Remote Management
Note: using Apple Remote Desktop.
[ ] Remote Apple Events
[ ] Internet Sharing
Note: share your Internet connection with other computers.
[x] Bluetooth Sharing (you can leave this on, because you only turn on Bluetooth when in use and may not remember to turn on "Bluetooth Sharing" every time Bluetooth is enabled)
When receiving items: [Accept and Save] (saves time when you don't need to response to each file individually with a trusted device)
[x] Require pairing
Folder for accepted items: [Downloads]
When other devices browse: [Ask What to Do]
[x] Require pairing
Folder others can browse: [Public]
Users & Groups
User
Password
[Change Password...]
Full Name: [...]
Apple ID: [Change...]
Contacts Card: [Open...]
[ ] Allow user to reset password using Apple ID
[x] Allow user to administer this computer
[ ] Enable parental controls [Open Parental Controls...]
Login Items
[x] Meteorologist
Guest User
Comment: instead of using guest account where you always need to change the settings again (Finnish, tap for click, etc.), you could create an account and hide it when you don't want to see it on login screen.
Comment: when using Film2home first I thought MacBook Pro heats up more with Guest User, but with a limited user account using a different browser I got approximately the same heat for CPU and GPU.
[ ] Allow guests to log in to this computer (allow when I'm having guests)
[ ] Enable parental controls (caused problems for example with movie rental website film2home.fi in May 2012)
[ ] Allow guests to connect to shared folders
Login Options
Automatic login: [Off]
Display login window as: (*) List of users
[x] Show the Sleep, Restart, and Shut Down buttons
[ ] Show Input menu in login window
[ ] Show password hints
[ ] Show fast user switching menu as [Full Name]
[ ] Use VoiceOver in the login window
Network Account Server: [Join...]
Parental Controls
(not in use)
App Store
[x] Automatically check for updates
Comment: disable for MacBook Pro, because I often use it with mobile connection (I share my mobile phone's internet connection with MacBook Pro).
[ ] Download newly available updates in the background (not with mobile connection, because updates can take over 1 Mbps of bandwidth and accessing even email can be laggy)
[x] Install system data files and security updates
[Check Now]
Date & Time
Date & Time
[x] Set date and time automatically: [Apple Europe (time.euro.apple.com)]
Time Zone
Time Zone: Eastern European Summer Time
Closest City: [Tampere - Finland]
Clock
[x] Show date and time in menu bar
Time options:
(*) Digital
[x] Use a 24-hour clock
Date options:
[x] Show the day of the week
[x] Show date
Finder
View
Customize Toolbar
Back/Forward, Path (all I ever use is these two "button groups", this way I get more space for Spotlight search box on MacBook Pro)
Launchpad
Empty cache / clear cache
Finder
Go to Folder, ~/Library/Caches (leave main folders, but remove their contents)
Go to Folder, /Library/Caches (be careful here)
Dock background: translucent/transparent
More translucent (more Mountain Lion like)
defaults write com.apple.dock hide-mirror -bool true;killall Dock
Back to less translucent (default Mavericks look)
defaults write com.apple.dock hide-mirror -bool false;killall Dock
Info
Show hidden files
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES
killall Finder
Unhide a certain folder
chflags nohidden ~/Library/
Last modified: January 3rd, 2015
Author: Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com)
URL: http://sites.google.com/site/tomihasa/os-x-10-9-settings