Mac 101: Four simple ways to make your Mac more efficient
Mac users love their machines for the “ease of use” and “simplicity.” We agree, but completing a few simple steps (free and built-in, mind you), will make things even better.
1. Easy access from the dock
I always drag my hard drive and Applications folder into the dock. No need to minimize windows, invoke Expose or, worst of all, shuffle windows around manually to reach the folder or file you want. Just click to reveal a speedy, hierarchical menu.
2. Learn some keyboard shortcuts
Mouse jockeys will balk, but memorizing even a few keyboard shortcuts will save you much time in the long run. For instance, most web browsers will select the address field with Command - L.
Things get even more fun with the Finder. Shift-Option-D brings up the Desktop Folder. Shift-Option-A presents the Applications folder. Command-M minimizes the frontmost window.
Is the dock in your way? Command-Option-D hides it away, and then calls it back. There are many shortcuts to choose from, but find the four or five that address the tasks you perform most often. Sure, it only takes a second to move from the keyboard to your mouse and back again, but seconds add up.
3. Embrace the menu bar
Several applications offer functionality that can be accessed from the menu bar. For instance, you can set your iChat status and even monitor which of your buddies are online without launching the application.
First, launch iChat and select “Preferences” from the iChat menu. Select “Show status in the menu bar” from the General tab. If someone initiates a chat with you, the application will launch in full and ask if you’d like to receive the invitation.
There are others, of course. Initiate a sync (for MobileMe customers) or Time Machine backup, alter display settings, select a wireless network or check the date and time without exiting the program or project you’re woring on. Many third party applications will let you interact with them via the menu bar as well.
4. Mod your windows
There’s a lot of room for customization in Mac OS X’s Finder windows. For instance, you can easily drag frequently accessed applications, files or folders into the sidebar. I keep AppZapper in the sidebar to quickly eliminate unwanted applications. To remove something from the sidebar, simply drag it out and let go. Poof! It’s gone.
The toolbar at the top of Finder windows is equally flexible. Again, you can drag files, folders or applications up there for one-click access. No more hunting through nested folders.
Change the default icons by right-clicking (or Control-clicking) any neutral space in the toolbar and selecting “Customize toolbar…” from the resulting contextual menu. A sheet will appear with several options. Just drag-and-drop.
Finally, you can keep related files color coded. Simpy right- or Control-click any file or folder and select the color you like under “Label” in the resulting contextual menu.
So there you have it. This list is by no means exahustive, but represents four simple things you can do in fifteen minutes or less to make your Mac more effecient and fun. Best of all, there was nothing additional to buy or install. Happy computing!
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Mac 101: Spotlight, your application-launching pal
More Mac 101, our series of tips and tricks for new and returning Mac users. Love it or hate it, Spotlight’s ubiquitous search has changed the Mac OS X experience; quick and (mostly) reliable full-text indexing is now part of the landscape. It’s not just for finding files, however; did you know that Spotlight makes a handy application launcher too?
You can launch most any application by hitting the Spotlight hotkey (⌘-Space by default), then typing the first few letters of the application’s name. Chances are it will be the “top hit” for your search, so go ahead and hit Return or Enter to launch it immediately. This approach doesn’t have the power-user moxie of third-party launchers like QuickSilver, Butler or LaunchBar, but it’s helpful for applications that don’t live in your Dock when you want to reach them quickly.
If you’ve got ideas, suggestions or questions on the Mac 101 front, just let us know below.
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Mac 101: Folder shortcuts in the Finder
Another quick tip in our Mac 101 series for beginners: Some special folders on your computer have keyboard shortcuts that you can press to instantly navigate to that folder when using the Finder.
For example, to open your Applications folder, click on your desktop and use the shift (⇧) and command (⌘) keys to type ⇧ ⌘ A. Voilà! Your Appplications folder appeareth.
Other folders have shortcuts too:
- Your computer: ⇧ ⌘ C
- Your home folder: ⇧ ⌘ H
- Your desktop: ⇧ ⌘ D
- Computers on your local network: ⇧ ⌘ K
- Your Utilities folder: ⇧ ⌘ U
- Your iDisk: ⇧ ⌘ I
You can also bring up a dialog box to specify a path to a specific folder on your hard disk by typing ⇧ ⌘ G.
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Mac 101: Get info
Switchers and new Mac users may hear veterans refer to “performing a get info.” Here’s what that means, and exactly what you’ll get.
Single-click a file or folder in the Finder and select “Get Info” from the File menu (or hit Command-I on your keyboard) and a new window appears. This is the Info window, and it provides a lot of information.
First, you’ll see the file’s name, size and most recent modification date. Below that is a field for storing comments or keywords to improve Spotlight search results. For instance, you might add “Colorado,” “Map” and “Vacation” to a PDF you’ll need for that upcoming trip.
Next you’ll see the file’s kind, size (again), location on your hard drive, creation date and most recent modification date (again). You can also add a color-coded label to any files you want to group visually.
Two checkboxes follow. Selecting “Stationery Pad” will force that file to open a copy of itself when double-clicked, and selecting “Locked” will prevent future changes (as well as deletion).
The “More Info” display depends on file type. For instance, an image will list data like dimensions, color space, etc. A Pages document will list last time opened or edited.
“Name and Extension” lists a file’s name as well as an option to display or hide its extension. You’ll also find an option to determine a file’s parent application (the one used to open it), a preview of that file and finally sharing and permission information.
If you’re new to the Mac, “perform a get info” on a few files to get a feel for that window and the data you’ll find there. It’s pretty useful.
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Mac 101: Eliminate shadows in screen grabs
Sharing screen grabs and screencasts is a great way to show someone exactly how to do something with their Macs. You’ve got several choices for screencast software (here’s a list of posts in our screencast category), but snapping a simple screen grab is much simpler.
Using Apple’s Grab application you have a few options:
1. Shift + Command + 3 produces a snapshot of the whole screen
2. Shift + Command + 4 produces a crosshair that you can drag over a specific area of your screen
3. Shift + Command + 4 followed by the space bar turns the crosshair into a camera
Number three will let you grab a single window. The problem is that it includes that window’s shadow, which you might not want. Fortunately, MacOSXHints has described how to exclude the shadow. A single line typed in the Terminal will get the job done.
That’s great and all, but for some real fun, take a screenshot of a collegue’s desktop, move all his desktop icons onto his hard drive, set your screenshot as the desktop image and feign ignorace while he clicks furiously on his “icons.” You’re welcome.
Popularity: 5% [?]
