applications won't open

[rmsdrummer]

Hi all, I'm a fairly new Mac user as I got my first one (Macbook) two weeks ago. I love it. Its great. Its wonderful. OS X is amazing... but I've noticed something that isn't necessarily a problem..just weird.

I've noticed at least twice that if I have an application open and exit out, though not quitting it (it still shows in the dock w/ the arrow under it indicating its open) i am unable to get back to it. This has happened with quicken as well as mplayer (allows me to play avis as quick time nor windows media player for mac won't let me do)...

any advice or suggestions? is this semi-common?

again, it's not really a problem, all i have to do is quit it and reopen it. just curious.

thanks!!

 

[WildCowboy]

Generally, if you want to quit a program, it's best to quit it entirely from the menu or using Command-Q. That way it stops using resources.

Many good programs will pop-up the main window once you click on the Dock, even if you've closed all of the windows. For instance, I just tried this with Mail. I can close all of the windows while leaving the program running, but if I click on the Dock icon for Mail, it'll bring the main Message Viewer window back up. iTunes works the same way. But not all applications behave this way, particularly third-party ones. But if clicking on the Dock doesn't bring back the main window, you can usually select it from the Window menu in the menu bar of the application, and it'll pop right back up.

Also, have a look at Flip4Mac...it's the replacement for Windows Media Player that allows Quicktime to play lots of things. MPlayer is pretty decent though.

 

[emptyCup]

Because many Mac applications are designed to work with multiple screens open, closing all of the windows does not quit the program (which is why it is still in the Dock). Click on the Dock icon and look at the Menu Bar. Does it show the name of the application? If so, you have selected the application but there are no associated windows. File > New will create one.

This is confusing because some applications (like Safari) will create a new window when you click the icon if no widows are open. BTW holding down the mouse on a dock icon gives you the options menu. Quit is an option for applications.

Best wishes.