Dock postition

[auxplage]

Sorry if this has already been gone over, but I am curious as to where people position their dock, and if one places it corresponds to their previous opperating system. I am also curious to see if hiding the dock corresponds to one's previous or long time use of another operating system. It would seem that most former 0S 9 users would hide their dock while former Windows users have their dock for "comfort". I am a switcher for about 9 months and my dock is on the bottom of the screen and not hidden. Sorry this is long, so can you all tell me about your dock (I am always very interesting in how the mind works and I feel the dock tells one a lot about this (I have issues))? :)

[Duff-Man]

Duff-Man says.....my dock is on the left, pinned to the top...what I would really prefer though is to have it on the right side of my left monitor, (I use 2 displays) but that is not possible (yet...I hope)....oh yeah!

[Applespider]

I had Windows and still do at work.

My Dock is hidden on the right side of the screen. If it needs attention, it bounces and it's still easy to get things and drag them into an icon.

And the magnification is turned off.

[auxplage]

I do not know. I find this so fascinating. I think it is so interesting. I seriously feel a huge scientific study could be done on this by some research group.

[munkle]

Check out the desktop threads to see how people configure their docks. It's also a good place to see what apps people are using, what they've got in their menu bars etc. Anyway I keep mine pretty minimal and in the centre - boring but it works for me! :)

[baby duck monge]

lifetime mac user here (for all intents and purposes):

small-ish dock unhidden in the middle of the bottom screen. sometimes pinned left. no magnification.

of course, i was always a fan of popup folders and whatnot, so the dock makes me happy.

[rtdgoldfish]

My dock is hidden on the right side of the screen. I also have a litttle bit of magnification on as well. I've been a Mac user since OS 7.5 so that is about nine or ten years.

[johnnyjibbs]

I switched from Windows about 15 months ago. So I love the dock :).

I have it at the bottom, unhidden, and with magnification on (it's so cool!). I can't stand the dock at the sides of the screen - the bouncing of app icons doesn't look right and I just don't find it as accessible there. I rarely have any window resizing conflicts (i.e. can't resize because window behind dock). Also I don't like it on the left because windows appear behind it (mainly Carbon apps) and I don't like it on the right because it covers up my HD and other desktop icons.

Also, I keep it centred and with the nice standard translucent background - I haven't 'modded' it in any way.

[emptyCup]

Never liked the Task Bar in Windows. Used A-Dock (bottom, hidden) under OS 9. Like the Dock under OS X unhidden, unmagnified, small and pinned to the right. I find it does not get in the way there, gives me easy access to my Applications and Documents folders (plus a few apps I use all the time) and lets me see what is going on.

[auxplage]

Thanks for all the replies. I find it surprising how many of you thus far have in on the sides. My mind gets so confused with the dock icons jumping out from the side. It makes me think too much. :eek:

[jxyama]

mine is on the right, flushed to the bottom. this puts the trash can in the bottom right, where it belongs, imo. i don't like putting the dock at the bottom because the screen space is more precious in the vertical direction than the horizontal. i don't put it to the left because of the trash can and the fact most documents like to open flush to the left.

if you like UI discussion stuff, including discussion on the dock, try http://www.asktog.com

very interesting reads. tog was a big part of apple coming up with UI design guidelines.

[Mechcozmo]

Bottom. Hidden, smallest possible size. Magnification pretty high.

I have folders set up on the right side with aliases to applications in them so that I can open any application instantly. Here is an example:

http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=20500&stc=1

[Applespider]

Thanks for all the replies. I find it surprising how many of you thus far have in on the sides.

My logic on the right side dock is as follows. I like to use the full height of the screen but rarely use the full width. The dock on the bottom makes it awkward for me to scroll to the bottom of long web pages without it appearing.

I've tried left and right docks. I finally moved to the right when I figured that since it's the default area for files downloading to the desktop, having the dock there made it quicker to drop those files onto the relevant applications.

I have it hidden because I think it makes the desktop look cluttered, despite having it at a fairly small size. Funnily enough, at work, I loathe having my Windows toolbar closed.

[auxplage]

Since I have only used OS X on a regular basis, I am a little confused on what the "TrashCan" exactly was in OS 9 for example. Was it an "icon" or was it permantly in one place? Also, has the trash can changed over time in any major ways?

[auxplage]

My logic on the right side dock is as follows. I like to use the full height of the screen but rarely use the full width. The dock on the bottom makes it awkward for me to scroll to the bottom of long web pages without it appearing.

I've tried left and right docks. I finally moved to the right when I figured that since it's the default area for files downloading to the desktop, having the dock there made it quicker to drop those files onto the relevant applications.

I have it hidden because I think it makes the desktop look cluttered, despite having it at a fairly small size. Funnily enough, at work, I loathe having my Windows toolbar closed.

I completely understand what you mean. I think I have it on the bottom though because of all my dreadful years under WINDOWS. It is a psycological thing, I think!! I am trying it hidden now and there is a lot more space which I like. It just makes me feel uncomfortable, but I do like the extra space.

[Mechcozmo]

Since I have only used OS X on a regular basis, I am a little confused on what the "TrashCan" exactly was in OS 9 for example. Was it an "icon" or was it permantly in one place? Also, has the trash can changed over time in any major ways?

The Trash Can was in the bottom right hand corner of the screen by default. You dropped stuff into it, and then chose "Empty Trash" from the Special menu. The lines on the Trash Can changed directions between System 1.0 and 2.0

[evil_santa]

long time mac user. Dock hidden bottom center, small with lots of magnification.

On my xp dell at work I hide the task bar, & move all the icons to the right of the screen, to make it more mac like, it also annoys the hell out the IT support boys.

[stubeeef]

Count me with the hidden on the right. I use a 12" PB mostly now, so what little realestate I have is valuable, I use magnification, my eyes are not what they used to be.

[stcanard]

Been using OSX for about 15 months, prior to that was mostly unix (switching between KDE and GNOME) although I'm stuck using Windows at work.

Dock is on the right side, pinned to the bottom. As small as possible with medium magnification so I can scrub it for information as necessary.

I use Quicksilver and Growl (and incredible combination for keyboard junkies) so I barely use the dock anymore. In fact it just ocurred to me I should be hiding it, since it's just wasted space most of the time, so as of now it is hidden. I haven't done that before.

My logic with the dock on the right is similar to others -- with the widescreen displays (15" PB) vertical space is more precious than horizontal. Pinned to the bottom because the trash can should be in a fixed location (IMO).

[bigandy]

my dock moves every week at least..

this week it's been bottom, pinned to the left.

[kerb]

always at the right. it's my perfect browsing companion

like so

http://www.insectlife.com/dock.jpg

[auxplage]

I am curious. If you have the dock on the bottom, then it naturally is always centralized. Is there a way to make it say be on the right and then grow towards the left with the addition of icons?

[Earendil]

I understand the "on the right to save height" argument. But in my case, it stays hidden, so it doesn't bother me. I currently have 42 apps/docs/folders in the Dock, so I set the size pretty small, and have it zoom. With 42 items, having it on the right side of a 15' laptop wouldn't work, as it hardly fits at the bottom of the screen! The small icon/zoom effect also helps me know which app I currently have the curser over... not that I ever use my laptop while driving or anything... :rolleyes: ;)
Mac user all 20 years of my life, started on an Apple 512K, woohoo! :D

~Tyler

[wdlove]

I keep my Dock at the bottom. Like to have my HD, OWC, and other icons on the right. My windows are set from the left.

[JzzTrump22]

I keep my dock on the bottom of my screen. It's always showing and i keep magnification up 100%.

[rdowns]

On my 20" iMac, it's pinned to the right since I rarely use the full screen width.

On my iBook, hidden on bottom.

[Nickygoat]

On the bottom. Almost minimal size with magnificationa at ~70%.

[virividox]

bottom pinned permanently i have a ton of icons!!!

[Diatribe]

This is how I keep it:

- bottom
- hidden
- small size
- medium magnification
- only apps that I use daily (about 17)
- 2 app folders for the other apps on the right and
- 1 To-Do folder for all the things I don't get around to do that second

I like it clean.

[Blue Velvet]

Smallest size always there at bottom of screen, no magnification, scale (not genie)... Currently 42 icons including trash & minimized windows.

Tend to use Apple-Tab to switch between open apps.

[SodaPopMonster]

My dock is on the left, hidden about medium size with not that much magnification..I don't like the bottom because I find the it gets in the way-also, I only have 1 "extra" icon, because I use quicksilver.

monster

[ebow]

The dock on my 1024x768 iMac display (I think screen real estate may have a significant influence on people's preferences): Right side, centered, icons about 24 points, with just a touch of magnification (enough to give me extra visual feedback about which icon the mouse pointer is over).

I'm a somewhat long-time Mac user (since '96) and when I first moved the dock to the right, I figured I was placing it in a position somewhat similar to where the pre-OS X application menu would drop down. That's kind of a weak reason, but I left it there because screen height is already more constrained than width on this little screen. Funny thing is, in OS 9 which allowed you to tear off the application menu, I'd always place it along the bottom (but the icons there were only 16 pixels).

I'm also a proficient Windows user, and I just keep the taskbar on the bottom. I tried it on the top and on either side, and the thing is just too clunky and... different to fit there comfortably. For me. I personally can't stand hiding either the taskbar or dock. And I'm too lazy to seek out, download, and especially get used to something else like Dock Drawers or whatever those options are. <shrug>

[dollystereo]

always at the right. it's my perfect browsing companion

like so

http://www.insectlife.com/dock.jpg

WHATS that radiohead little bear you have there, i will like to have that icon!!!!
RADIOHEAD rulez!!!

[andrewfee]

I have my dock on the left, pinned to the bottom. It's set at the smallest icon size, and autohides.

I've got 17 apps on it (including finder) and 5 folders.

I like it there because I can just flick my wrist with the mouse, and get to it easily. I also prefer to have the trash in a corner of the screen. (if it wasn't for that, I'd probably pin it to the top)

[auxplage]

Thanx for all of the responses. It is interesting as I have mentioned many times. Well I have another question:

Does anyone not use the dock because he/she finds it obtrusive and a waste of time?

[wdlove]

Thanx for all of the responses. It is interesting as I have mentioned many times. Well I have another question:

Does anyone not use the dock because he/she finds it obtrusive and a waste of time?

I certainly wouldn't want to be without the Dock. For me it saves time. Being at the bottom its not at all obtrusive.

[velocityofjack]

I currently have my dock pinned to the bottom, unhidden, and magnifying to slightly above 50%. I did switch from being a windows user for many years. (other than my first computer, an Apple IIc :) ) I think that I may experiment and try out some new positions though.

I love the dock and do not find it obtrusive at all either. Although, I do like to keep it perfectly sized to align with the hinges of my powerbook screen. (Just a little of my OCD.) :)

[JeDiBoYTJ]

bottom, pretty small, unhidden... with all the major programs I use, and a shortcut to the Applications folder.

[theonenonlyjoey]

right side, pinned to the bottom corner, 3/4 the way to the smallest size with slight magnification and hiding on.

[stcanard]

Does anyone not use the dock because he/she finds it obtrusive and a waste of time?

I wouldn't call it obtrusive, because I was happy with it beofre, but now that I've switched to Quicksilver (http://quicksilver.blacktree.com/) as a launcher/finder/other replacement, and to Growl (http://growl.info/) for notifications I really don't use the doc anymore. I'll look at it sometimes to see what applications I have running, but that's about it.

I don't even have any icons in the doc normally, finder, trash, and whatever's running. That's it.