Sunday 19 April 2009

Just as a quick thought, for new Mac users …

You know, I’ve got to admit, for some years I’ve had a running gag that us Mac heads should have a funny handshake and an apron …

I got talking to a few customers, today, who, like me, have Mac’s and I’m surprised how many don’t use Exposé.

It’s a simple app that can be set up through your Mac’s System preferences — you can find that either in the Apple menu, or in your Applications folder.

What it does is quite simple; when you’ve lots of application and Finder windows open, as in the first screen shot, you can trigger Exposé – I’ve set the version on my Mini set to trigger when I use the squeezy buttons on my mouse — it’ll bring all the open windows forward, as in the second.   You can then click on the window you want to go to.

What surprises me is that a feature that I’ve certainly found very useful is — from the impression I got, today — isn’t so widely used.
At any rate, I’m also going to throw in a quick list of a few keyboard shortcuts I’ve found helpful.

Here …

CMD (⌘) + O

Open a file, window, or programme

CMD (⌘) + N

In the Finder, this opens a new window; as it does in most other programmes.

CMD (⌘) + A

Selects all the items in a document, window, or folder.

CMD (⌘) + M

Minimise the active Window

CMD (⌘) + W

W Close a Window.

CMD (⌘) + X

X Cut an objected object, or selected text

CMD (⌘) + C

C Copy selected object, or text

CMD (⌘) + V

Paste the selected object, or text. (The V looks like scissors blades. That’s what computer geeks call hysterically funny.  Sad, isn’t it?)

CMD (⌘) + P

Prints the current File. Or takes you to the print menu, at least. From there you can print stuff, or turn it into .pdf format files.

CMD (⌘) + ,

Gets you into the current programmes Preferences

CMD (⌘) + ?

Gets you into the current programmes Help menu.

CMD (⌘) + I

Shows you the information window for whatever file or programme you’ve selected.

CMD (⌘) + Q

Q Quit a programme


I also use CMD (⌘), alt () and esc to force quit a hung programme.

Something else I’ve found helpful is ctrl, alt and the Eject button; it takes me straight through to the Shutdown Menu.

Bloody handy, that.

Anyway, I hope those help.

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