How do I make OSX keyboard shortcuts less stupid?

[GodlessAstronomer]

Just got my first Mac, a 13" MBP. The hardware is nice but I'm not impressed with OSX. Is there something I can install to make the keyboard shortcuts more like Windows? It seems every time I try to do something with the keyboard it fails. I don't know why they insist on making everything so different, but whatever.

Examples include:
Copy & paste (should be Ctrl+C/V)
Refresh/reload webpage (should be F5)
Switch program (should be Alt+Tab)
Move to recycle bin (should be Delete, except delete is backspace for some fucking reason).

Basically I'm trying to make it as easy as possible for me to switch between Windows and OSX.

 

[JSt0rm]

command button is what it is. The shortcuts in osx are so elegant that you can navigate the entire system via shortcuts if you so choose.

However if you do infact want to create new shortcuts it is very simple

system prefs>keyboard and mouse>keyboard shortcuts

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

I don't want the Command button to act like Control, I want the Control button to act like Control. There must be an easier way of doing this than setting every single shortcut manually.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

I don't want the Command button to act like Control, I want the Control button to act like Control. There must be an easier way of doing this than setting every single shortcut manually.

It's one of the tradeoffs of having a mac. You have to relearn shortcuts.

 

[speg]

I don't want the Command button to act like Control, I want the Control button to act like Control. There must be an easier way of doing this than setting every single shortcut manually.

LOL, you're confuddled because it doesn't behave exactly the same as Windows? Stick with Windows if you're not willing to change a few conventions. Which is just what they are.

Also, you're supposed to be a computer geek. Did you even look at the keyboard preferences? There's a section in there to switch around the modifier keys which is exactly what you want to do.

 

[JSt0rm]

I don't want the Command button to act like Control, I want the Control button to act like Control. There must be an easier way of doing this than setting every single shortcut manually.

I gave you the solution my friend. If that is too much work for you maybe someone below me has a program you can use. Another program you can use is quickkeys, however this is more work during the initial set up.

 

[Paperlantern]

LOL, you're confuddled because it desnt behave exactly the same as Windows? Stick with Windows if you're not willing to change a few conventions. Which is just what they are.

Also, you're supposed to be a computer geek. Did you even look at the keyboard preferences? There's a section in there to switch around the modifier keys which is exactly what you want to do.

I agree with this, asking why isnt mac osx like windows (in any facet) is like asking why isnt a mercedes like a jeep. Because if it was, itd be a jeep. Control DOES act like control... in OSX, which is what you are using. Adjust, or change it manually, those are the choices.

 

[tooriski]

try this http://pqrs.org/macosx/keyremap4macbook/document.html

 

[Kaido]

Just got my first Mac, a 13" MBP. The hardware is nice but I'm not impressed with OSX. Is there something I can install to make the keyboard shortcuts more like Windows? It seems every time I try to do something with the keyboard it fails. I don't know why they insist on making everything so different, but whatever.

Examples include:
Copy & paste (should be Ctrl+C/V)
Refresh/reload webpage (should be F5)
Switch program (should be Alt+Tab)
Move to recycle bin (should be Delete, except delete is backspace for some reason).

Basically I'm trying to make it as easy as possible for me to switch between Windows and OSX.

1. Click on the small Apple icon in the upper-left corner
2. Click on System Preferences
3. Click on Keyboard
4. Click on the Keyboard tab
5. Click on Modifier Keys
6. You will see this menu:

http://i.imgur.com/uIMeB.png

In the Keyboard Shortcuts tab, you can mess around with other keyboard shortcuts. If you need more options, you can get a remapping app or a keyboard shortcut app that lets you change keys (such as ControllerMate).

Just a tip - although it's difficult initially, it's worth learning Mac keyboard shortcuts so that you can use any Mac. If you custom-map your own Mac and then go to use a different Mac computer, the keys will be all different again. It's a bit of a learning curve, but if you ever plan on using another Mac than your own, it's worth it.

 

[MotionMan]

Rookie.

At work I use a MacBook hooked to a monitor. On the monitor is Parallels running Windows XP while the MacBook screen shows OSX (I use a USB keyboard and mouse.)

I use information from both sides, so I quite literally have to hit Ctrl-C to copy it from Windows, then hit WindowKey-V to paste it on the Mac side (and visa versa).

I leave the defaults because I am use to them. I pity anyone who ever tries to follow in my footsteps.

MotionMan

 

[Paperlantern]

Rookie.

At work I use a MacBook hooked to a monitor. On the monitor is Parallels running Windows XP while the MacBook screen shows OSX (I use a USB keyboard and mouse.)

I use information from both sides, so I quite literally have to hit Ctrl-C to copy it from Windows, then hit WindowKey-V to paste it on the Mac side (and visa versa).

I leave the defaults because I am use to them. I pity anyone who ever tries to follow in my footsteps.

MotionMan

I work this way, my boss does as well. Took all of 10 minutes to get used to the different key combos. I really do NOT get why this is such a big deal.

Maybe its because i grew up in the NES / SNES days with Street Fighter and the like that used ridiculous button combos to get the moves off. These are cake by comparison.

 

[Tegeril]

I switch between Windows and OS X daily, copying and pasting between remote desktop connections in each. It's just not that hard, I don't understand.

 

[mugs]

Just got my first Mac, a 13" MBP. The hardware is nice but I'm not impressed with OSX. Is there something I can install to make the keyboard shortcuts more like Windows? It seems every time I try to do something with the keyboard it fails. I don't know why they insist on making everything so different, but whatever.

Examples include:
Copy & paste (should be Ctrl+C/V)
Refresh/reload webpage (should be F5)
Switch program (should be Alt+Tab)
Move to recycle bin (should be Delete, except delete is backspace for some fucking reason).

Basically I'm trying to make it as easy as possible for me to switch between Windows and OSX.

I think it's funny that you say that the keyboard should be what you want them to be. There is no reason they should be the same as the Windows equivalents; most of Mac OS's keyboard shortcuts go back to the time before Windows was the dominant OS; they didn't do things differently for the sake of being different, they did things differently because two companies developing the same functionality around the same time aren't likely to implement it the same way. They've kept the functionality the same over the years because changing things to work like Windows would just annoy their users for the same reason that you find your present situation annoying.

I think it's pretty unlikely that you're going to like your Mac, so go ahead and return it before the return window ends. Or just install Windows on it and forget about OS X; there's no reason to use OS X if you want it to act like Windows.

 

[Zaap]

pfft. I use a PC with a Windows keyboard running OSX so all the Mac keyboard shortcuts are inverted, and switch back and fourth to Windows in a VM-then go to work and reverse the setup with a Mac/OSX and Windows with Mac keyboard. The full gamut of keyboard shortcut combos= a breeze.

 

[Kmax82]

Rookie.

At work I use a MacBook hooked to a monitor. On the monitor is Parallels running Windows XP while the MacBook screen shows OSX (I use a USB keyboard and mouse.)

I use information from both sides, so I quite literally have to hit Ctrl-C to copy it from Windows, then hit WindowKey-V to paste it on the Mac side (and visa versa).

I leave the defaults because I am use to them. I pity anyone who ever tries to follow in my footsteps.

MotionMan

Why don't you use the keyboard remapping in Parallels? By default it remaps CMD+C/V to CTRL+C/V and numerous other normal keymappings. I've also changed F5 to be CMD+R, and a few others.

In response to GodlessAstronomer:

For me, OS X keyboard shortcuts are quicker with CMD, once you get used to them. You can hit CMD easily with your thumb, where as CTRL is a much larger step to move your pinky to the CTRL key and stretch your pointer finger across to the other keys. Not to mention CMD+A. You only have to slide your thumb and not your whole hand to do shortcuts. You can keep your hand in it's normal typing position and modify away.

Definitely try to at least give it a shot.

 

[silverpig]

Why don't you just re-label the button?

 

[HomerSapien]

give keycue a try.

 

[MotionMan]

Why don't you use the keyboard remapping in Parallels? By default it remaps CMD+C/V to CTRL+C/V and numerous other normal keymappings. I've also changed F5 to be CMD+R, and a few others.

I use so many computers in a normal week, many of them not mine, don't want to get use to any such customizations. In other words, I want my mind to be use to the stock settings of both OSX and Windows.

MotionMan

 

[TheStu]

I think it's funny that you say that the keyboard should be what you want them to be. There is no reason they should be the same as the Windows equivalents; most of Mac OS's keyboard shortcuts go back to the time before Windows was the dominant OS; they didn't do things differently for the sake of being different, they did things differently because two companies developing the same functionality around the same time aren't likely to implement it the same way. They've kept the functionality the same over the years because changing things to work like Windows would just annoy their users for the same reason that you find your present situation annoying.

I think it's pretty unlikely that you're going to like your Mac, so go ahead and return it before the return window ends. Or just install Windows on it and forget about OS X; there's no reason to use OS X if you want it to act like Windows.

If he installs Windows on it, then he will complain about the fact that the CTRL key is in the wrong place.

At least he isn't complaining about the (+) button not fullscreening, and how he wants the (X)(-)(+) in the upper right.

OP, the instructions Kaido gave you should work just fine.

 

[Kmax82]

I use so many computers in a normal week, many of them not mine, don't want to get use to any such customizations. In other words, I want my mind to be use to the stock settings of both OSX and Windows.

MotionMan

Ok.. makes sense. I only work on my desktop, so I like to have uniform shortcuts, but I probably would opt into your camp if I were doing a lot of work on random machines.