iPhone / iTouch app & repo (source) locator:

iSpazio.net has released a new application RepoName which lists repositories for most known apps!

You can even eMail a request to locate an missing app.

Details (Italian) here.

Repository - http://repo.codegenocide.com/

[See post on entering repo's here.]

[Or, prep the device...]

Swee.

iPhone / iTouch power saving tips:

The power consumption for the iPhone / iTouch isn't bad considering its 400mhz processor, and large backlit display.

We have never run out of power in the past year using our iPhones.

We do have mobile and/or AC adapters on hand when we travel, however, and we're not afraid to use them.

Still, there are a few things you can do to preserve battery life...

 Keep your device out of direct sunlight, or any hot environment.

This will degrade your battery life significantly. (Ideal temperature is 72℉, 22℃)

 Keep updated to the latest software.

Apple is constantly tweaking their software.

(If your device is hacked, check with the online community before updating, however....)

 Adjust the backlight display lower than the default of 50%.

Tap 'Settings', tap 'Brightness', and slide to a comfortable level.

 Turn off "Push eMail" rely on intervals, rather than instantaneously.

Tap 'Settings', tap 'Mail', select the 'push' account, tap 'Use Push Mail' to Off.

 Set eMail retrieval to manual. (or every hour, half-hour?)

Tap 'Settings', tap 'Mail', tap 'Auto-Check', select your interval.

 Check fewer eMail accounts.

(Maybe create a free account [ex: gMail], and forward, or have your accounts retrieved by the new one.

 Turn off WiFi when you aren't using it.

Tap 'Settings', tap 'Wi-Fi', tap 'Off'.

 Turn off Bluetooth when not in use.

Tap 'Settings', tap 'General', tap 'Bluetooth', tap 'Off'.

 Set the display screen lock to a short time span.

Tap 'Settings', tap 'General', tap 'Screen Lock'.

 Lock your device when through using it.

Press the 'Sleep' button. (The one on top...)

 Use Screen Dimmer, if equipped.

The third party app 'Extended Preferences' provides a screen dimmer option, you can set (aside from the screen lock option).

 FYI; Placing your finger above the earpiece on the iPhone when waking allows the phone to dim its display. (It then assumes its in a dark room, keeping the backlight dimmer.)

 Turn off the music equalizer.

Tap 'Settings', tap 'iPod', tap 'Equalizer', select 'Off'.

 When on a call, press the 'Sleep' button (if using a hands-free device) to turn off the display, the call is not effected.

 Press and hold the 'Home' button a couple seconds to stop the app when finished.

Some apps use CPU cycles if left running. (Quickly pressing the 'Home' button.)

 Battery maintenance:

It is recommended to run the battery down as low as possible about once a month.

> drink potion

When you drink it, you die.  It was liquid death.  It has killed you.

Would you like to play again?  Y/N

>  

                                                                                                          

Changing the default iPhone / iTouch password.

[Firmware earlier than version 1.1.3 and using BSD Subsystem earlier than 2.0 can skip to the third step**.]

The supplied UNIX passwd command in BSD Subsystem is broken for firmware 1.1.3 and 1.1.4.

Attempting to change the password under firmware 1.1.3 or 1.1.4 will result in your device continuously rebooting.

(The reboot fix involves holding both the Power button and the 'Home' button down for at least 30 seconds, then [upon seeing a triangle icon], plugging the device into iTunes for restoration.)

What to do, what to do.

Ah-Ha!  Replace the broken passwd command with the older, but working version...

iPhone / iTouch using firmware version 1.1.3 or 1.1.4, using BSD Subsystem 2.0, follow these steps:

First, download the older, but working unix passwd command.

Second, using, as always, CyberDuck; SSH** to your  /usr/bin  directory, and replace [drag and drop] the old cmd with the new one.

Now, click on the 'passwd' file in the CyberDuck window listing (to highlight it), then right-click and select 'Info'  -verify the file permissions as (755).  [all except group-write and others-write checked.]

Third, run Terminal, and type  ssh root@youripaddress

When prompted, enter the default password  alpine    (Firmware prior to 1.1.3, has the password  dottie  )

Type  passwd  and press 'return'

Type your new password as directed.

Type  exit  and quit Terminal.

Fourth, push the 'Disconnect' button on CyberDuck, and reconnect again, using your new password.

Don't forget to turn the device's SSH OFF when done.

** Basic SSH instruction within the previous post here.

iPhone / iTouch Manual Backup : (

[This refers to hacked devices.]

Apple describes the iTunes automatic backup here.

While there is no application to backup the device odomatically, you can backup manually.

Its recommended to use an app like Insomnia, (or tap 'Settings', tap 'Display', and set Screen Lock to 'Never') to prevent the device from sleeping temporarily.

You will need to SSH to the device, and copy the folders...

The files your concerned with are all within the  /private/var   directory path.

Create directory folders on your HD using the same hierarchy structure as the device, making it easy to remember where to place them again if ever necessary.  (ex: copy your apps to a folder named 'Applications' within a folder named 'var' within a folder named 'private', within a folder named 'iPhone BackUp' on your desktop.)

Backup:

/private/var  (Any miscellaneous files not in folders except 'MobileSafari', and icon.png'.)

/private/var/Applications  (3rd party apps)

/private/var/mobile/Library  (Preferences, settings)

/private/var/mobile/Media  (more settings, eBooks, Game Files [iPhysics, ROMs],  Music, pictures [DCIM], and recordings.)

/private/var/msgs  (messages)

/private/var/Ringtones  (any non-standard ringtones)

/private/var/root  (any miscellaneous files not in folders)

/private/var/root/Library  (settings)

/private/var/root/Media  (pictures, eBooks [not-relocated to mobile], games [frotz], and PDF files [if installed].)

As always, TURN OFF SSH after you're though.

Also, Set Screen Lock on again, if you turned it off for this process.

Keep those backups in a cool, dry place.

Preventing and/or correcting iPhone / iTouch crashes:

Our [hacked] iPhones rarely crash anymore.

However, these steps should help if/when there's trouble...

 Try to keep at least 250MB of free space on your device for use as cache.

 Reset the device using 'Respring'.  (Or, run SMBPrefs, and tap 'Restart SpringBoard'.)

 Turn the device off, and back on.

 Create a copy of your devices backup file:

Apple Macintosh:  Username/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup

windows xp:  (Note: the 'Application Support' folder is invisible by default.)

    C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Application Data\Apple Computer\SyncServices\Local

    (unsure of actual filename, backup the folder, just to be safe.)

 For Safari, clear the history, cookies, and cache. (run 'Settings', tap 'Safari', scroll to bottom.)

 Restore the device through iTunes.  (You backed up, Right?)

 Erase all content and settings: Run 'Settings', tap 'General', tap 'Erase All Content And Settings'.  (You backed up, Right?)

Warning: This will erase all content and settings.  If the problem remains, its not your content and/or settings causing the issue.

Grouping or Hiding 3rd party iPhone / iTouch apps:

Required Apps (both from BigBoss through the source):

Categories

Poof

Run Installer, install Categories, and Poof.

Run Categories, create new folder(s) as described therein.

Upon updating any categorized apps though Installer, run Poof and immediately exit the program, which will refresh the updated apps location, no further action needed.

Furthermore, using BossPrefs, you can assign apps to its own dock, by tapping 'More', and tapping 'Dock Icons':  Tap 'Add', and then tap the apps to dock in BossPrefs. 

Then run Poof, tap those same apps to hide, and they will only be displayed at the bottom of the BossPrefs scrollable dock.

Mac OS X Startup / Shutdown Shortcuts

Press and hold 'C' during startup

Start up from a CD / DVD that has a system folder.

Press and hold 'D' during startup

Forces internal disk to boot. (If system volume.)

Press and hold 'N' during startup

Attempt to start up from a compatible network server (NetBoot).

Press and hold 'T' during startup

Start up in FireWire Target Disk mode (access through FireWire to a second computer, this computer acts like external HDD).

Press and hold 'X'  or  '-X'  (Command-X) during startup

Force Mac OS X startup.

Press and hold 'Z' during startup

Attempt to boot from first bootable partition (primary drive).

Press 'F8' during startup

Mac OS X boot partition selector.

Press and hold '⏏'  or  (Eject) [or 'F12' key] or [Command-E] or [Depress Left Mouse Button] during startup

Forces ejection of a CD / DVD.

Press and hold ''  (Option) during startup

Allows temporary selection of startup volume through the use of an icon lineup.

Press and hold ''  or  (Shift) during startup

start up in Safe Boot mode. (Temporarily disable login items and non-essential kernel extensions.  Mac OS X 10.2 and later.)

Press and hold ''  or  (Shift) after startup boot-screen

Overrides auto-login.

Press and hold ''  or  (Shift) after login

Safe login mode. (Disables user login items and non-essential user extensions.  Mac OS X 10.2 and later.)

Press and hold '-S'  or  (Command) - S' during startup

Start up in Single-User mode.

Press and hold '-V'  or  (Command) -V' during startup

Start up in Verbose mode.  (Displays console messages and disables user login items and non-essential user extensions.)

Press and hold '--O-F'  or  (Command-Option-O-F) during startup

Invokes Open Firmware.

Press and hold '--P-R'  or  (Command-Option-P-R) during Startup until a second startup sound

Resets Parameter RAM.

Press and hold '--N-V  or  (Command-Option-N-V) during startup

Resets non-volatile RAM.

Press and hold ' -  -  - '  or  (Option-Command-Shift-Delete) during startup

Bypass primary startup volume and seek a different startup volume (such as a CD, DVD, or external disk).

Press and hold ' -  - ' and press the power button  or  ( Command-Control-Shift-Power) [while computer off]

Resets the power manager state to default.

Press '-⏏'  (Control-Eject)  or  Power button

Brings up the Restart, Sleep, or Shutdown dialog box.

Press '--⏏'  (Command-Option-Eject)

Fast sleep. (No confirmation)

Press '---⏏'  (Command-Option-Control-Eject)

Fast Shutdown. (No confirmation)

Press '--⏏'  (Control-Shift-Eject)

Display off.  (Note: Not secure.)