Been using OSX for about a week

[BigToque]

I've been a Windows user my whole life and just picked up an old Mac laptop. I've been struggling to use the OS. I just don't know my way around like I do in Windows.

I was just reading an article about the OSX dock and they explained how it was like the quicklaunch bar in Windows except better.

Anyway, the dock is nice to have, but I really do like the start menu concept in Windows where I can quickly navigate to any program on the computer.

In OSX what I keep having to do is minimize all my windows, click on the hard drive in the top right corner and then click my way through the Finder window to find the particular program I'd like to use.

Is there anything similar to the start menu on OSX? Or am I expected to put every program in the dock to be able to quickly access it?

The other thing I'm having problems with is switching between windows. Alt-Tab is fine for switching between programs, but is there a way to switch between multiple windows from the same program? (Such as switching between multiple browser windows).

 

[Ichigo]

I'm not sure if this would not work for non-Tiger versions, but you can use Spotlight and type in the first few characters of the application and hit return.

Personally, I use Quicksilver, which means I open any program I want within a second. I have the Quicksilver bezel set to open using command+space, type 2-3 letters, then I hit return. Instant gratification. It takes a while to get used to an OS without a start menu, but I have and I'm partial.

Alt + ` switches between windows. This had me confused for a while too.

 

[TheStu]

Ah... see this is why I wish my Guide was stickied...

First off, there is no need to minimize anything in OS X... let me introduce you to Expose.

First, press F9, this will tile all your open applications on your screen, allowing you to choose which one you want (faster IMO than Alt Tab)
Now, press F10, this tiles all the windows from the currently selected application. So all your browser windows (why not use tabs?)

Finally, F11. Show desktop.

For your start menu-esqu thing. Leopard will have Stacks which will let you put your applications folder on the Dock so you can view it, but what I personally prefer is to Command (Apple) Click on an application in the Dock. This opens up the folder that contains this application, so if you Command Click on Mail, it will bring up the main Applications folder.

Alternatively, Open up the Finder (Blue and Light Blue Smiley Face on the Dock), and then press Command + , This will open up the Preferences for the Finder (and about 99% of the other applications on OS X use Command+, as the hot key for Preferences) and within there, choose the Applications folder as the default for Finder. Then, you only have to click on that icon in the Dock to bring up your Applications Folder.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2089382&enterthread=y The guide

 

[Dug]

Yes, get quicksilver. Greatest program on Earth.
Once you get used to it, you can get anywhere on your computer. Much better than spotlight. I've tried spotlight in 10.5 and still doesn't hold a candle to the simplicity of Quicksilver.

For instance you can type s- return and safari launches. Type m- return and mail launches.
These are just examples, but it learns what you use the most and puts it at the top of list.
Keeps you from having to move the cursor around and clicking all the time.

TheStu is right, use Expose. No reason to to minimize. I have it assigned to my side mouse button under my thumb because I use it so much.

 

[bearxor]

Open Macintosh HD. Take the Applications folder and drag it to the dock by the trash, not in the trash though. It just has to be on the other side of the dock seperator from your quick launch icons.

Once you let go you have a permenant shortcut to your Applications folder on the dock. If you click it, it will open the folder to view all applications. If you right-click (or ctrl+click), it will pop up a menu and give you all the documents (or applications in this case) available in the folder. This is the closest you can get to a Start Menu in OS X.

You can do this for any folder too. If you take your documents folder and drag it to the dock you can right click on it and it will bring up a list of all your documents and then you can simply click the one you want.

 

[aphex]

I do the same as bearxor, i have a link to Applications & Utilities in my dock for easy access... I only put the most common apps i use in the dock directly...

An additional way to do this is to use the free Himmelbar - http://softbend.free.fr/himmelbar/

Quick access to most of your system, right through the menubar

 

[batmang]

I agree with the mention of QuickSilver. That is the BEST application ever for a Mac. Makes it incredibly easy to navigate, plus, you dont have to move your mouse.

 

[TheStu]

You know, I really never liked Quicksilver... just isn't my thing I guess.

 

[Kaido]

I like Todos:

http://www.dbachrach.com/opensoft/index.php?page=Todos

 

[TheStu]

I just installed it, but it seems so cluttered, I don't like how it includes the stuff from the Utilities folder in there as well. I think I'll just stick with Stacks on Leopard

 

[randomlinh]

quicksilver rules, I love it. I hated navigating through the start menu.

I also have my finder windows to default to the applications directory, so if I'm lazy, or can't remember the name of a program, I can use quicksilver.