Full screen window w/ overlapping dock? Mute Keyb shortcut? No undo keyb shortcut?

[qwimjim]

New Mac user with a couple of questions:

1. Is there any way to be able to maximize a window to fullscreen by dragging the bottom right corner, like say a browser window, but have the dock overlap it? Auto-hide on the dock is too slow. If I have the dock on auto-hide, stretch a browser to full screen, then unhide the dock.. the dock does what I want and overlaps the maximized window. However as soon as I open a new window, or minimize/maximize the browser window, or hit the zoom button, it resizes so that it does not overlap the dock. It's annoying to lose 3/4" of vertical space on the bottom just for the dock..

2. Is there a keyboard shortcut for to mute the audio? I know there's a dedicated fn button on the MBP but I have a logitech 8 button mouse and on my PC the logitech software gave me "mute" as an option for what a button could do. Unfortunately I'm unable to get the logitech software working on my Mac so I downloaded Steermouse which is great but doesn't give me volume control options for my mouse buttons unless there's some kind of keyboard shortcut that exists?

3. Is there really no keyboard shortcut for the undo command???? That seems kind of crazy. It's blank in every application I've check, yet there's a keyboard shortcut for redo.

4. Is there anyway to remap cmd-x/c/v to ctrl-x/c/v like on a pc? The command button is so close, this is definitely one function that is better on a PC.

5. Is there a way to change the default file manager from finder to something else? I downloaded Macintosh Explorer and really like it, but everytime I open a folder on my desktop it opens it in finder (which I strongly dislike).

Thanks!

 

[Anonymous Freak]

New Mac user with a couple of questions:

1. Is there any way to be able to maximize a window to fullscreen by dragging the bottom right corner, like say a browser window, but have the dock overlap it? Auto-hide on the dock is too slow. If I have the dock on auto-hide, stretch a browser to full screen, then unhide the dock.. the dock does what I want and overlaps the maximized window. However as soon as I open a new window, or minimize/maximize the browser window, or hit the zoom button, it resizes so that it does not overlap the dock. It's annoying to lose 3/4" of vertical space on the bottom just for the dock..

You can move the dock to the side (either side,) which I prefer because on a widescreen monitor, I'd prefer to lose a few pixels on the side where I have plenty than on the bottom where I don't. Just right-click on the space between the applications and the shortcuts, and an option will be available.

2. Is there a keyboard shortcut for to mute the audio? I know there's a dedicated fn button on the MBP but I have a logitech 8 button mouse and on my PC the logitech software gave me "mute" as an option for what a button could do. Unfortunately I'm unable to get the logitech software working on my Mac so I downloaded Steermouse which is great but doesn't give me volume control options for my mouse buttons unless there's some kind of keyboard shortcut that exists?

There is no fixed "Command-something" for it, Apple assumes you have hardware buttons, as on all Apple-made keyboards. Most third-party keyboards (Logitech, Microsoft, etc,) also have dedicated volume keys. You'd have to use remapping software that has "Volume button" as an available choice.

3. Is there really no keyboard shortcut for the undo command???? That seems kind of crazy. It's blank in every application I've check, yet there's a keyboard shortcut for redo.

Command-Z, just like on Windows. (Well, equivalent to Control-Z, anyway.)

4. Is there anyway to remap cmd-x/c/v to ctrl-x/c/v like on a pc? The command button is so close, this is definitely one function that is better on a PC.

"Better" is purely subjective. It's just the physical placement of the modifier key that is different, so it's just what you're used to. If you'd been using a Mac all along, you would probably have the same complaint about Windows. There are keyboard remap utilities available, yes.

5. Is there a way to change the default file manager from finder to something else? I downloaded Macintosh Explorer and really like it, but everytime I open a folder on my desktop it opens it in finder (which I strongly dislike).

There is probably some kind of "hack" utility available, but I don't know of any off the top of my head. What is your specific complaint about the Finder? There may be tweaks available to make it behave the way you want.

Welcome to the Mac, and hopefully you can find solutions to all your quibbles.

 

[qwimjim]

You can move the dock to the side (either side,) which I prefer because on a widescreen monitor, I'd prefer to lose a few pixels on the side where I have plenty than on the bottom where I don't. Just right-click on the space between the applications and the shortcuts, and an option will be available.

I like having the dock on the bottom, I just want it to overlap maximized windows like it does on auto-hide, instead of cutting off the entire bottom section of the screen like it does when auto-hide is turned off. Any solution anyone?

Command-Z, just like on Windows. (Well, equivalent to Control-Z, anyway.)

Cmd-Z = Zoom on my Macbookpro, under Edit>Undo, it's blank. Maybe I installed something that screwed it up?

"Better" is purely subjective. It's just the physical placement of the modifier key that is different, so it's just what you're used to. If you'd been using a Mac all along, you would probably have the same complaint about Windows. There are keyboard remap utilities available, yes.

No it's definitely better control X/C/V on a PC allows you to put your pink on Ctrl and use your index finger to easily reach the other three buttons using the same movement without having to shift position. The command button is directly beneath the X which makes it very awkward to tap without changing your finger position.

Is there such a thing as right click drag and drop in OSX? In Windows a left click drag = move, a right click drag gives you the option to move or copy. It seems like in OSX files are moved by default on a left click drag like Windows, but to copy requires right clicking, selecting copy, then right clicking at destination, selecting paste. Is there any way to copy files more efficiently?

 

[qwimjim]

No one?

 

[Anonymous Freak]

I like having the dock on the bottom, I just want it to overlap maximized windows like it does on auto-hide, instead of cutting off the entire bottom section of the screen like it does when auto-hide is turned off. Any solution anyone?

If your Dock doesn't take up the ENTIRE width, you can in many apps drag it all the way to the bottom. (iTunes, for example.) Although having an app with the Dock covering the bottom does seem like an odd choice...

Cmd-Z = Zoom on my Macbookpro, under Edit>Undo, it's blank. Maybe I installed something that screwed it up?

Yeah, in every app I have, Cmd-Z is Undo. Zoom is "Hold control while using your pointing device's scroll up/down".

No it's definitely better control X/C/V on a PC allows you to put your pink on Ctrl and use your index finger to easily reach the other three buttons using the same movement without having to shift position. The command button is directly beneath the X which makes it very awkward to tap without changing your finger position.

"Better" is entirely subjective. For me to use the Cmd-Z/X/C/V, I just slide my thumb over from the spacebar, a very small movement, and have Z/X/C/V able to be hit by my standard "home row" fingers just as if I were typing them.

Is there such a thing as right click drag and drop in OSX? In Windows a left click drag = move, a right click drag gives you the option to move or copy. It seems like in OSX files are moved by default on a left click drag like Windows, but to copy requires right clicking, selecting copy, then right clicking at destination, selecting paste. Is there any way to copy files more efficiently?

There are similar shortcuts, but not one that will pop-up the context menu like right-click-drag in Windows. Press Option while dragging to switch the drag to a copy (A green circle with a plus in it will appear to let you know it's doing this.) Press both Option and Command, and it will create a shortcut. If you are dragging to another drive (or in or out of an encrypted home directory) where it would NORMALLY do a copy, and you instead want to do a move, hold down just Command while dragging.

These, and many other tips, are available from the "Mac Help" option from the Help menu when in the Finder. Mostly under the "Get to work" section.

 

[qwimjim]

cool thanks for all the tips. my dock is narrow but i'm unable to stretch a window over it. why would i want this? because it looks silly having a window full screen but having the bottom 3/4" showing the desktop and dock. when you autohide the dock, it overlaps whatever window you have open, it doesn't look strange. it would be pretty much only for my web browser which i like to full screen every now and then.

i found a way to sort folders first in finder so thats REALLY nice coming from windows, but is there no way to "cut" a file (note file, not data) and paste it elsewhere? spring folders work well but you still have to hold onto whatever you're moving the entire time, its pretty hand to just be able to cmd-x a file and paste it with cmd-v.

i'm sure 'll get used to cmd z/x/c/v, it just uses more fingers than the windows way. i installed a new hard drive and reinstalled osx and my cmd+z undo came back, guess some app i installed remapped it to the green zoom key.

i guess i won't be able to map a mouse key to mute the audio

other than that i'm lovin' it, never going back! then again for 20 years i said i'd never buy a mac

 

[kenford1]

Interesting about the "dock" I just got an air 13" i7 and really like it having been PC forever - but I hate the dock feature as I cannot maximize (stretch) a window over it unless the dock is on "hide" and the hide feature is tooooo slow. Why would I want 10% of a 13" screen taken up with icons? Hopefully there is a workaround or other solution. When I shrink the dock to a size similar to windows task bar the icons get all scrunched together. I even removed a bunch of the icons that I don't need but for some reason trash is permanent. Very frustrating as I like a clean and flexible work area.



I was tempted by the Samsung series 9 PC but held out for the new air - I'm glad Apple has a 14 day return policy but hopefully won't have to use it.