Edit: I just found this draft laying around. Forgot I wrote it.
The hints are solid so I am publishing them as is.
Make Terminal useful, as in more a Linux one.
http://www.twam.info/software/tune-terminal-in-os-x-lion
Combine Safari’s URL and Search Bars with Safari Omnibar
http://osxdaily.com/2011/08/05/safari-omnibar-combine-safari-url-and-search-bar/
Open Finder using a global shortcut
⌘-Option-Space bar
source and alternatives: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=422337