I have been a Windows and Linux user ever since I came to know a computer is ! Yes, of course DOS as well in the beginning. Yesterday, was my first day with my MacBook Pro and just like the everyone else I too started to like MAC. As some friends say MAC is just a hyped version of Linux and you started to like just cause you spent a quite a good amount. But I seriously deny the fact and MAC has something special in it. I will keep sharing my experience over here.
However, During my first face off with Mac OSX I found few thing which I could not relate with either Windows or Linux. I had to search for doing some of the tasks which I normally do it on Windows & Linux. I thought it will a good idea to keep that in one place, so that users who shift form Windows / Linux should get kickstart reading this.
Overview and Folders in Mac
Mac’s folder structure is very simple and straight forward. There are three main folders which are already pinned in the bottom dock namely, Application, Documents, Downloads. Whatever you download from Internet goes in Download folder, unless you change the default location. When an application is installed, it asks if you need this to be copied into Application folder or no. And the documents folder consists all the documents created on your Mac.
The spotlight or quick application launcher for Mac
You will see a lens on the top right corner of the panel. This is called spotlight , it lets you quickly find the applications, documents, images etc which are present in your Mac. You can Launch quickly using ⌘ + spacebar and start typing. A list of matched items which be shown and of course with a categorization to differentiate them.
What is command key in Mac ?
Command Key is like Windows start key for a Windows user. Mac OS has most of the shortcut keys associated using the command key. Command Key looks like ⌘ on the keyboard, you will slowly realize its power.
Turn on the magnification effects for the bottom dock
The very first thing I noticed was the icons in the bottom dock do not show any effect when I take mouse pointer over them. That’s the first and quickest thing to find out when you explore a MAC in a store or something. So here is how you can turn on the magnification and set its preferences as desired.
Click on the Apple Icon, located at the top left corner and goto Dock. In the Sub-menu you will see Turn Magnification On . Click and that’s all, see the screenshot below.
Where is Alt + f4 in Mac ?
Yes, the old school shortcut in Windows and in some versions of Linux to close the current window using Alt + f4 is different in Mac. To close the current window you have to use ⌘+ w (command key + w). Yes, this combination also works in windows, Linux as control + w
How do I extract rar files in Mac ?
When I was downloading certain apps off the internet, I discovered that Mac does not have in-built rar file extractor, even Windows & Linux do not have that by default. So I found this nifty free app called The Unarchiver for Mac which can be downloaded. It helps you extract rar and certain other formats very easily. One of the nice app to be freely available.
How do I take Screenshots in Mac ?
Yes, the printscreen key does not exist in Mac keyboard, so how do we take screenshot in Mac OS. Certainly, Mac provides an in-built tool called Grab for taking screenshots. You can find this utility under Application > Utilities > Grab . After starting this program you won’t see any window popping but instead you will see its the current windows toolbar been replaced by Grab’s toolbar. Which allows your certain functions which can help you screenshot as desired. For eg. it allows you to have timed screenshot, select which portion of screen should be captured viz window, selected, entire screen.
There is only one Delete key and that works like Backspace, why ?
Yes, Mac keyboard just has one delete key which upon pressing works like a Backspace in windows/linux. So there needs to have a delete key no ? Yes, the same delete key deletes text backwards & forwards. Originally it deleted text backwards (like backspace) but when pressed with fn key (function key) it deletes text backwards or work like the Delete key in Windows.
Where is Home and End key in Mac ?
Again, you won’t be able to find Home and End on Mac Keyboard. However, you can achieve those functions using command key ⌘. So to Home key is ⌘ + Up arrow and End key is ⌘ + down arrow . Cool ?
How do I cut, copy and Paste ?
Cut, copy & Paste is pretty similar to windows, linux. The only change is that instead of control key, you have to use our all time favorite ⌘ key 🙂 . See I told you in the start only, ⌘ is going to be very powerful and the most used key.
There is lot more to my learning it’s just that I thought this would give you a kickstart if you are the one who just now to Mac from Windows/Linux.
Stay Digified !!
Sachin Khosla
