Just as a quick thought, for new Mac users …

You know, I’ve got to admit, for some years I’ve had a running gag that us Mac heads should have a funny handshake and an apron …

I got talking to a few customers, today, who, like me, have Mac’s and I’m surprised how many don’t use Exposé.

It’s a simple app that can be set up through your Mac’s System preferences — you can find that either in the Apple menu, or in your Applications folder.

What it does is quite simple; when you’ve lots of application and Finder windows open, as in the first screen shot, you can trigger Exposé – I’ve set the version on my Mini set to trigger when I use the squeezy buttons on my mouse — it’ll bring all the open windows forward, as in the second.   You can then click on the window you want to go to.

What surprises me is that a feature that I’ve certainly found very useful is — from the impression I got, today — isn’t so widely used.

At any rate, I’m also going to throw in a quick list of a few keyboard shortcuts I’ve found helpful.

Here …

CMD (⌘) + O	Open a file, window, or programme
CMD (⌘) + N	In the Finder, this opens a new window; as it does in most other programmes.
CMD (⌘) + A	Selects all the items in a document, window, or folder.
CMD (⌘) + M	Minimise the active Window
CMD (⌘) + W	W Close a Window.
CMD (⌘) + X	X Cut an objected object, or selected text
CMD (⌘) + C	C Copy selected object, or text
CMD (⌘) + V	Paste the selected object, or text. (The V looks like scissors blades. That’s what computer geeks call hysterically funny.  Sad, isn’t it?)
CMD (⌘) + P	Prints the current File. Or takes you to the print menu, at least. From there you can print stuff, or turn it into .pdf format files.
CMD (⌘) + ,	Gets you into the current programmes Preferences
CMD (⌘) + ?	Gets you into the current programmes Help menu.
CMD (⌘) + I	Shows you the information window for whatever file or programme you’ve selected.
CMD (⌘) + Q	Q Quit a programme

I also use CMD (⌘), alt (⌥) and esc to force quit a hung programme.

Something else I’ve found helpful is ctrl, alt and the Eject button; it takes me straight through to the Shutdown Menu.

Bloody handy, that.

Anyway, I hope those help.