MacUser's Andy Ihnatko's put together a list of what he's determined are the best Mac OS X features most people don't seem to use (or aren't even aware of in the first place).

First on his list are OS X's Speech Commands. As Ihnatko points out, Macs come standard with a whole slew of voice commands for such functions as navigation and application switching. Plus it's a cinch to add new commands, as Speech will open any alias, file, folder or application that's in its Speakable Items folder when its name is spoken. But that's not all - put AppleScripts and Automator workflows into the Speakable Items folder and you'll be able to get your Mac to do long, complex instructions - perhaps even more complex ones than you may think are possible.

Next up is Sharing. Bet you didn't know that any USB printer connected to a Mac in a network can be made available to every other Mac on that network. Or that a Web Sharing feature allows Macs' files to be accessed by any device, even smartphones. Or that network connections can be shared via AirPort. There's more of course; that's just the tip of the iceberg.

And then there's Spotlight - more specifically, Spotlight's Smart features, which automatically organize everything for a user without even needing to be asked. Spotlight automatically indexes files and inserts references to them in Smart Folders set up in the Finder. Everyone who uses a Mac makes use of Spotlight, but very few of those who do so ever go beyond the basics - and that's a real pity.

Ihnatko's top pick - for him the most 'underused and unappreciated' OS X feature - is the Help menu. It's something even experts are forced to do one time or another. As he says, "Hitting Command-? is like embarking on a pilgrimage. ItÂ?s humbling, but it undoubtedly strengthens the soul."

I've been a Mac user for years now - switched to OS X just a year ago - and I have to admit I'm guilty of the sin of not having learned more about what it can do for me. Any fellow Mac users out there who can say the same thing?

Do you like booting into windows for the occasional PC program but hate how hard it is to hold the option key down? Well then today is your lucky day because govdavid has released Boot Camp Sargent v.1 Beta. Boot Camp Sargent is an Applescript program that reboots your mac into either Mac or Windows. It also comes with a script to reset your start up disk to Mac OSX so you don't have to go into your system prefs to do it.

All you have to do to install these scripts is to Drag them to your computer, and into the dock (or other launcher) if you wish.

[Download Boot Camp Sargent .1 Beta]

Mac laptops are not exactly cheap, making them obvious targets for thieves. Thanks to Panda Studio's JackSMS, Mac laptop owners can somehow be assured that nobody can take their precious laptops away without them knowing about it.

JackSMS will work on a Mac laptop - iBook, PowerBook, MacBook, or MacBook Pro - with the built-in sudden motion sensor (SMS). Making use of the sensor, JackSMS triggers an alarm whenever someone tries to move the Mac laptop, close its lid, or disconnect the power cord. If you're away from the Mac laptop and cannot hear the alarm, you'll still know if someone is trying to move your Mac via a mobile text message being sent whenever the alarm goes off.

Also featured in this Panda Studios application is the option to lock the screen while JackSMS is on or when alarm is triggered, plus the SMS sensitivity and alarm duration is adjustable. Its Applescript support will work with Salling Clicker or BluePhoneElite.

JackSMS is currently in v1.0b3, where triggering of alarm when lid is closed has been integrated. To use, just install JackSMS anywhere in your computer, launch it and it stays as a menu item. To activate the alarm, choose "Activate Alarm". For Applescript support, refer to the "AppleScript Example for JackSMS".

If you want to keep your Mac laptops safe, give JackSMS a go...better be safe than sorry.

Download [JackSMS v1.0b3]

Sofa Control - that should say it all. But for those who still don't get it, dig this.

Sofa Control is an application that wasn't included in your Mac boxes but should've been, so CASE Apps made it especially for you. This application uses and extends the power of your Apple Remote via the AppleScript which is included in your packaged Macs. Along with automated workflows and controlled applications on the Mac, your Sofa Control also comes with support for several apps like Powerpoint, Preview, VLC, EyeTV, and Keynote, among other things.

If this isn't enough good news, then read this: you can download scripts from a designated place so the number of the applications supported by the Sofa Control gets larger. Scripts will be provided by other users like yourself and share them with other Mac users.

Sofa Control has two modes that you can use to interact with your Mac via the remote control. The first one is the Sofa Mode where you can use your Remote Control to access videos, documents and other files even when you're just resting on a chair (or a sofa). It provides an application switcher, big menus and file chooser.

Auto Mode on the other hand, will allow you to use your Remote Control like another input device when in front of your Mac. Sofa Control will automatically recognize the application which you are using. Default actions are used when there are no defined actions for a certain application.

Lifetime license for the Sofa Control is priced at $9.99 USD.

You might not be overly ecstatic about the supposed "iPod Phone", but curiosity will always get the better of you, so you wait in line for the coming of Apple's mysterious device. Not to burst your iPod Phone bubbles, but you'd be surprised to know how phone-savvy your iPod is already.  Don't worry, that makes the two of us.

Brian of MacMerc.com has a tutorial on how to get phone messages on your iPod. So, how do you turn your iPod into a phone message hound? Well, you'll need an iPod with iTunes on a Mac, and a phone service that supports message-to-email, such as Vonage or Gizmo Project.

Step 1: Build a Scripted Message Folder

After you've set-up your phone messages to go to your inbox as attachments, you'd have to write an AppleScript (use Script Editor) and attach it to a folder where you'll save your messages. Don't worry, it's just a simple script, like this one:

Take it from here, Brian: Hit compile and save this as a script in your /Library/Scripts/Folder Action Scripts/ folder. Create a Messages playlist in iTunes (be sure this playlist is set to sync with your iPod) and a folder just for messages anywhere on your drive. The above script will try to add anything that falls into that folder to iTunes, so make a folder you won't be tempted to use for anything else.

Now, right-click the folder and select Enable Folder Actions, then Configure Folder Actions. Hit the plus on the left side and browse to your folder. Then hit the plus on the right side and select your script. Now we're ready to test.

Step 2: Download your Message Straight to your Pod

Here comes the best part. To test if what you've configured in Step 1 is actually working, call yourself and leave a message. Once the message comes in, right click and save the file to your scripted folder. If all went well, iTunes will fire up and you will find your message on your playlist (and iPod after the next sync). Great job!

Now, listening to your messages is just a sync away!