Wei Yang

Accessing your iCloud Photostream on a Mac

iCloud’s Photostream feature is neat. All the photographs and screen grabs I take with my iPhone or iPad are shared between the devices automatically. But getting to them on the Mac is more complicated, and if you’re approaching it from a pure product perspective it appears that you have no choice but to use iPhoto to get to the images on a Mac. Turns out this isn’t true. Hunting for options, I found a Mac OSX Hints thread about finding the underlying iCloud sync location on disc, and automatically copying the files elsewhere so you can use them in Finder, or import into some other app. Read that thread if you like, but the most useful comment is the last one, by Joh:

Just use a saved search in Finder

A few nice ideas here, but the most simple way to get easily at your Photo Stream without iPhoto is to create a smart folder (saved search) in Finder with kind JPEG in the assets/sub folder. Easily accessible from the side bar, with preview icons and everything. You can even set sorting order and display type there and it will stick.

To extrapolate that into a handy step-by-step, here’s how to get your Photostream in Finder:

Open Finder, hit⌘⇧G, or hitGo: Go To Folder…

Enter~/Library/Application Support/iLifeAssetManagement/assets/sub. HitEnter.

You’re now looking at the internal location where all the Photostream content gets synched to. It’s a load of hashed directories, and within them are eventually the files themselves. If you do use iPhoto to manage Photostream, it copies new files into your library from this place.

Now that you’re in the right place, hit⌘Fto open the search interface. You don’t need to enter a search term.

Make sure that the search is focused on “sub”, and not “This Mac”, and then in the first Smart Search option, from the three drop-downs chooseKindisImageJPEG.

Now you’re seeing all your Photostream photos.

HitSavein the search interface, save the search as a Smart Folder in your Pictures directory, or wherever you like. You can now use this folder to access Photostream without importing into iPhoto first, and can use it to import into other apps such as Lightroom.

You can repeat the process, but choose a file type ofPNGinstead of JPEG, and create an equivalent Smart Folder for iOS screen grabs.

Running Tips:

Wear spandex shorts under your regular running shorts so you don’t chafe

Cotton socks will only lead to blisters; invest in socks designed for running.

Join your local running club—check with your local running store fitness center and/or recreation department to find one

Find a committed running partner. It is much harder to skip a run when you have someone else depending on you

Remember that- It gets easier.

Accept and appreciate the fact that not every single run can be a good one

Do not compare yourself to others. Run within yourself and for yourself first.

Even a bad run is better then no run at all

If you normally run with music try skipping it and listening to your feet to hear your pace and your gait

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t experience weight loss immediately

Start a running blog, to see your progress and set goals

Hydrate. Make it a habit to drink water throughout the day

On long runs eat something every hour—whether you feel like it or not

During longer runs if you don’t like to carry water take some cash in your pocket pouch or a shoe wallet. Run a route where there’s a corner store that you can use as a pit stop to pick up your water and maybe use the bathroom

To aid recovery the most crucial time to eat and drink is in the hour immediately after you run

Use Vaseline or BodyGlide wherever things rub. They will help prevent blisters and chafing

Do not increase your mileage more than 10 percent per week

If you are prone to shin splints and lower leg pain try running soft trails for your Training runs and save the asphalt for race day

Do not run two hard days back-to-back

Ice aches and pains immediately

Pay attention to your form. Try to run lightly to minimize impact that could lead to injury

When running don’t forget the bug spray, sunscreen and a hat- BIG TIME!

Neosporin (or another antibiotic cream) is good for chafed areas

Make sure you cut your toenails short enough so they don’t jam into your Shoes

Be careful about running on paths that force you to run consistently on a slant. It’s hard on the hips knees

Don’t stretch before a run. Warm up by walking briskly or jogging slowly for several minutes

Do not ice for more than 20 minutes at a time

For beginners, set mini goals to keep you motivated. (Can be minutes [run 5, walk 10], run between street lights then walk between street lights, run till the next bus stop, until you pass a car on the street)

Do not use the hot tub after a race. It will increase inflammation and hinder healing

Be aware of cyclists approaching you from behind and try to keep to the right. Try to pay special attention when running with music

Run facing traffic.

Never assume a car sees you

Doubleknot your shoe laces so they will not come undone when you run\

If you listen to music, put earbuds in the go inside your ear, if you are usuing the ones that sit in your ear, it will fall out

Buy yourself some actual running shoes from an actual running store because running in junk “sneakers” will destroy your feet and your legs

At first keep your runs short and slow to avoid injury and soreness so you do not quit.

If you are breathing too hard slow down or walk a bit until you feel comfortable again

Pick your route close to home (out your front door)—the more convenient it is the better chance you will have sticking with it.

Set realistic short term and long term goals

Remember Soreness one to two days after a run is normal (delayed onset muscle soreness).

There’s no shame in walking

Four laps around the local the high school track equals one mile

Vary your training routes. This will prevent boredom and prevent your body from getting acclimated

Push through rough spots by focusing on the sounds of your breath and feet touching the ground

Do abdominal breathing to get rid of side cramps

Run on trails if at all possible. It will be easier on your body and you’ll love it

Dress as if it is 10 degrees warmer than the temperature on the thermometer

Run early in the morning or later in evening to avoid mid-day heat

To keep cool in hot weather soak a bandana in cold water wring it out a bit and tie it loosely around your neck

I was doing publicity for a client.

Me: A reporter from Detroit News wants to interview you tomorrow. What time are you available?

Client: 10am. What station will it be on?

Me: It won’t be on a station - Detroit News is a newspaper.

Client: Okay.

Me: So you’re all set for 10am.

Best way to eat a Stormtrooper.

Taiwanese pineapple cake packaging has a familiar look.

Athlete Aimee Mullins