Mac OS (X) - From User to Power User?

[PurpleMarmalade]

I've been exclusively using Macs since 2008, and have been very happy with the change in ecosystem. But recently, as my proficiency with the basics of OSX has reached a sufficient level, I have realised that I remain woefully ignorant of its inner workings, and I'm sure there is so much more I could be doing/utilising. So, could you recommend a 'guide' to becoming a knowledgeable user of OSX? I don't mind paying for it (within reason), but free is better.

(I've used Leopard, Snow Leopard, and am now on Lion).

 

[thundersteele]

Not sure what you're looking for. I can see a few ways of becoming more knowledgeable in OSX, and that's just my own limited horizon

a) explore the underlying unix system. Learn what you can do in the terminal, explore the file structure and all the tools and programs that are provided there.

b) learn programming for OSX - objective C, cocoa, quartz, the frameworks that most OSX apps are based on. Can teach you a lot about how the system works. Apple script also sounds interesting

c) Automator can do a lot of stuff... might be worth learning


Not sure what else one could do to become a power user... OSX is made so that you don't have to learn it in order to use the computer... i.e. you can focus on your tasks.

 

[Krazy Bill]

Not exactly sure what you're looking for by way of "inner workings". Personally, I'm not interested in advanced coding as those days are over for me.

For "efficiency" with common tasks OSX has a plethora of intermediate gems which if used correctly can make your mac do amazing things.

Google/search for:

-Folder Actions
-Smart Folders
-Automator
-Applescript