Eric M Jones
Second Unit
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2000
- Messages
- 393
I've been reading through the Mac forum and it seems there a several new users/switchers here. I thought it would be fun to share OSX tips and shortcuts that aren't readily apparent but make the OSX experience even easier. One thing I love about OSX is the thought in the design and there are many features that I did not know about until several months of using it. So if you have a favorite post it here!
Expose' - One of my favorite OSX features. Allows quick switching between multiple open windows. It also looks very cool. Here's how it works:
Type the F9 key and Exposé instantly tiles all of your open windows, scales them down and neatly arranges them, so you can see what’s in every single one.
Type the F10 key, and Exposé instantly tiles all of your current apppliction windows while causing all of the open windows of other applications to fade to a delightful shade of grey.
Type the F11 key and Exposé hides all open windows, giving you instant access to your desktop. This one is very sweet. you can hide all the windows then say grab say a file off the desktop (click drag) hit F11 again and drop the file into one of the un-hidden windows.
Ok. Reading is one thing seeing is another. Open a bunch of windows hit F9 and if you've never seen it before I guarantee it will bring a smile to your face!
Toggle Between Open Apps - Hold "Apple/Cmd" then press "tab" the active application switcher menu will appear. Continue holding "Apple/Cmd" then hit "tab" again it will cycle to the next application icon. Hold "Apple/Cmd" + "Shift" it will cycle backwards. Highlight the icon of the application you want to use release the keys and that app becomes the current/top active application.
Rearrange Menu Bar or Dock Icons - Want to reorder or even remove those little icons that appear in the upper right of the menu bar? Hold "Apple/Cmd" key then click-hold on the icon you want to move. Move it around, the other icons make room by shuffling themselves. Don't want it there any longer? Drag it onto the desktop let go of the mouse button and "poof" it's gone.
PS - You can do the same with the dock icons but you do not have to hold "Apple/Cmd" key just click-hold.
-EJ
Expose' - One of my favorite OSX features. Allows quick switching between multiple open windows. It also looks very cool. Here's how it works:
Type the F9 key and Exposé instantly tiles all of your open windows, scales them down and neatly arranges them, so you can see what’s in every single one.
Type the F10 key, and Exposé instantly tiles all of your current apppliction windows while causing all of the open windows of other applications to fade to a delightful shade of grey.
Type the F11 key and Exposé hides all open windows, giving you instant access to your desktop. This one is very sweet. you can hide all the windows then say grab say a file off the desktop (click drag) hit F11 again and drop the file into one of the un-hidden windows.
Ok. Reading is one thing seeing is another. Open a bunch of windows hit F9 and if you've never seen it before I guarantee it will bring a smile to your face!
Toggle Between Open Apps - Hold "Apple/Cmd" then press "tab" the active application switcher menu will appear. Continue holding "Apple/Cmd" then hit "tab" again it will cycle to the next application icon. Hold "Apple/Cmd" + "Shift" it will cycle backwards. Highlight the icon of the application you want to use release the keys and that app becomes the current/top active application.
Rearrange Menu Bar or Dock Icons - Want to reorder or even remove those little icons that appear in the upper right of the menu bar? Hold "Apple/Cmd" key then click-hold on the icon you want to move. Move it around, the other icons make room by shuffling themselves. Don't want it there any longer? Drag it onto the desktop let go of the mouse button and "poof" it's gone.
PS - You can do the same with the dock icons but you do not have to hold "Apple/Cmd" key just click-hold.
-EJ