Efficient ways to use OSX - keyboard shortcuts, etc.

bob99 · Mar 24th, 2008, 01:55 PM

I've been using Macs for years, but I still feel slow when I navigate around the system. I recently watched an editing tutorial, and I was blown away by how fast the guy was able to navigate the finder, mostly through keyboard shortcuts.

I've started to take advantage of the apple-tab command to switch between programs, but I still don't make much use of expose, quicksilver, or any of the more complex methods.

I often find that I'll accidentally have multiple finder windows open, but I still won't be in the directory that I want. I've been using the "places" list in Leopard to help with this, and it's kept me a bit more organized.

Are there any shortcuts or tips that people have success with? I know there are many turbo users on this board, and it would be great to hear some advice.

Thanks,

Bob

P.S. One other interesting thing would be to see how people browse the web the most effectively. I usually end up with three or four browser windows open, and they've all got multiple tabs within them. It becomes a pain to quickly switch between them. Should I open multiple new windows, and just use expose? Should I start using spaces in Leopard?

Right now I do most of my work on a Macbook - sometimes I hook it up to a 24" monitor, where the extra screen real-estate really helps.

Vexel · Mar 24th, 2008, 02:14 PM

One thing that I've become accustomed to is Spotlight. I use it as a launcher. It surely speeds up opening applications and files.

Command + Space (Then, type what you want). It's lightning fast in Leopard.

Command + ~ (tilde key) is excellent for cycling through open windows. In finder, it will cycle finder windows. In Safari, it will cycle through open Safari windows. (I'm not a tabby person.)

If you're using command + tab, remember, that if you have to go the other way, you can hit command + shift + tab to go in reverse.

Rather than using the mouse to close windows or programs, I always hit command + Q or command + W. It saves a ton of time.

That's about all I can think of right now... but, I'm sure I'm missing some. I do use expose occasionally but, I'm using spaces a LOT right now. I have most of my Apps open into specific spaces. For instance, my messenger apps all open into a particular space, mail opens in another while Safari and iTunes open in other spaces. It really makes organization easy.

Eric0 · Mar 24th, 2008, 02:15 PM

I use the spotlight search A LOT. Activate with [Command] + [Space Bar]

It lets me open files and applications without having to open finder, click applications or documents and search for what I'm looking for.

Second thing that I really enjoy is hot corners with "desktop" and "all applications". Let's me shift through multiple web windows or between applications. Many people aren't happy with all their windows disappearing when they hit a corner but you adjust quite readily.

If you can get a multi button mouse like most of the higher end Logitech's, they can save you a ton of time. I have dashboard, spaces and expose all linked to various mouse buttons. Not the greatest travel solution but for desk work its great.

zarquon · Mar 24th, 2008, 02:39 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by Vexel
	If you're using command + tab, remember, that if you have to go the other way, you can hit command + shift + tab to go in reverse.

You can also hit the` key (if you haven't released the cmd key) to go backwards when the app picker is up. It's a bit easier then getting a third finger into the mix.

Z.

smashedbanana · Mar 24th, 2008, 02:45 PM

Here's a fun one:

Hold Control on the keyboard and then scroll up or down with the mighty mouse and you can zoom in any window or finder.

Ed

Eric0 · Mar 24th, 2008, 03:07 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by smashedbanana
	Here's a fun one: Hold Control on the keyboard and then scroll up or down with the mighty mouse and you can zoom in any window or finder. Ed

Depends on your computer. With the MacBook Pro its the command key.

eMacMan · Mar 24th, 2008, 03:57 PM

F11 pushes everything to the edges allowing you easy desktop acccess.

"Command Delete" to send things to the trash. (That's the back space delete not the forward delete)

"Control Eject" brings up the shut down menu directly.

In PhotoShop Elements "Command (+ or -)" to enlarge or shrink the image I am working on. Spacebar lets me grab the image and move it around, even in the middle of working with a selection tool.

Watch the menu items. If you use something all the time chances are the shortcut is right beside the menu command.

biovizier · Mar 24th, 2008, 03:58 PM

Here's one that has been around for ages. Everyone knows that you can select items in "Finder" windows by typing the first or first few letters of a file name. If nothing matches exactly, the selection will rest on the nearest (alphabetically) item.

So (and this has been a useful feature for years and years), a quick and easy way to jump to the top of a Finder window is to just press the "spacebar"...

Damn.

keebler27 · Mar 24th, 2008, 04:20 PM

Bob, I felt the same way so I recently bought mac os x leopard: the missing manual by David Pogue. Tons of great info and I've learned quite a bit from it. It's a thick book, but it sits right on my desk and i'll pick it up often browsing through it and marking pages.

I also bought a book specifically on automator to learn how to better use that b/c i think it's a tool that can help me out on the business side of things...ie. repetitive tasks.

cheers,
keebler

bgw · Mar 24th, 2008, 04:28 PM

I just tried the zoom in thing and couldn't zoom out! Had to reboot! Tried to scroll the ehmac site - mouse only scrolls upwards. Does everyone agree that I have a problem? Is that why I can't zoom out!