Tips for a year-old switcher?

adamrao · October 15, 2004 2:26PM

Nick's topic of tips for a new switcher got me to thinking...

I've been a Mac user for almost a year now (bought my PB 12" last Oct.). I know Mac OS X pretty well and can do pretty much anything I need to do on a daily basis. Do you all have any tips for someone a year into the Mac OS X experience? I've hardly touched the Terminal (haven't had a need to yet), haven't really played with AppleScript (again, no need as of yet), etc. What would you all suggest I explore next in becoming a Mac OS X wizard?

Just wondering...

buonrotto · October 15, 2004 2:31PM

For starters, have you mastered keyboard navigation yet -- both navigating through fields and buttons as well as command key shortcuts?

adamrao · October 15, 2004 5:55PM

I know quite a bit about navigating with the keyboard, but certainly not the way an experienced Mac user does. Any tips?

Just noticed something that bothers me... why doesn't CMD-Up and CMD-Down work in all windows/frames for page up and page down? Entourage 2004 mail preview pane for example. It would be nice if this worked across the board. It works in Safari, not in Firefox. Go figure.

wrong robot · October 15, 2004 6:47PM

Butler

This program enables you to have *complete* control of your computer through key commands, it also gives you complete customization of your key commands, and it adds a menu bar item that enables you to quickly access search engines and webpages as well as applications, it enhances the clipboard, and basically does a wealth of other really neat things.

if you're the type of user that like to be able to get everything just as you like it, get this program!

mpmoriarty · October 16, 2004 1:25AM

I use Quicksilver myself...

http://quicksilver.blacktree.com/

I tried Butler, but it never really caught on with me.

Mike

ra · October 16, 2004 1:55AM

In the Terminal type apt-get moo and prepare to be amazed.

scott · October 16, 2004 9:03AM

Quote:

Originally posted by adamrao

...

Just noticed something that bothers me... why doesn't CMD-Up and CMD-Down work in all windows/frames for page up and page down? ...

I think you want to use the function key "fn" to do that. On the Powerbook all of those alternate key uses are accessed via the function key.

adamrao · October 16, 2004 1:11PM

Is there a BIOS-like interface for the Mac? If so, how do you access it?

benroethig · October 16, 2004 10:12PM

Quote:

Originally posted by adamrao

Is there a BIOS-like interface for the Mac? If so, how do you access it?

No.

code master · October 16, 2004 11:32PM

There is firmware access though which is really cool! (Though not necessarily very useful for most people).

benroethig · October 16, 2004 11:58PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Code Master

There is firmware access though which is really cool! (Though not necessarily very useful for most people).

I didn't know that. How do you access it?

ra · October 17, 2004 1:54AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BenRoethig

I didn't know that. How do you access it?

Hold apple-option-o-f while restarting.

vox barbara · October 18, 2004 4:15AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Code Master

There is firmware access though which is really cool! (Though not necessarily very useful for most people).

Any goods by doing this for the average user?

I'd recommend terminal cmds as the like:

"top" (shows active processes)

after "top" type in "x" "t" "w" for better viewing and understanding.

if you want to kill a process, type in "kill" and appropriate PID. Cool.

and of course:

"sudo periodic daily weekly monthly" (basic maintenance)

did i mention "uptime"? If you ever want to know how long you are up, then type "uptime" into your terminal

Tips for a year-old switcher?

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