Make a desktop shortcut

[eddyq]

I am used to XP's shortcuts where I can put a link to anything on the desktop. I have not been able to find this for OSX. Here are some examples of shortcuts I would like to create:

1. A shortcut to a document
2. A shortcut to an Xcode project
3. A shortcut to a folder
4. A shortcut to a web page

 

[MacBoobsPro]

I am used to XP's shortcuts where I can put a link to anything on the desktop. I have not been able to find this for OSX. Here are some examples of shortcuts I would like to create:

1. A shortcut to a document
2. A shortcut to an Xcode project
3. A shortcut to a folder
4. A shortcut to a web page

1, 2 & 3 - Hold Alt and Apple while dragging a file and it will create an alias/shortcut to that file.

4. Drag the favicon in the address bar to your desktop (or wherever you want the shortcut) and it will create a file that links directly to that webpage. Personally though why not just book mark the page in your browser? Do this by dragging the favicon to the bookmarks bar below the address bar in Safari.

 

[allan.nyholm]

I think I remember that feature. There is not such a thing in Mac OS X. You could create aliases for the stuff you want on the desktop. Eg. create an alias for your xcode project in your work folder and then drag that alias to the desktop. I bet you are aware of this. Websites can be dragged out from the favicon in Safari or Firefox to the desktop.

I have yet to see an app that does what that shortcut guide does on XP.

To create an alias hold down Command and Option while dragging the object in question.

edit.. okay, I was apparently too slow.

 

[r.j.s]

Video on using aliases: http://www.youtube.com/rjsontheMac#play/uploads/2/un9wgt8GwTc

 

[eddyq]

How about just creating a new shortcut. For example, I want to create a shortcut to a document called KEXTConcept.pdf but I want to call the shortcut "HelloIOKit is here"?

 

[allan.nyholm]

How about just creating a new shortcut. For example, I want to create a shortcut to a document called KEXTConcept.pdf but I want to call the shortcut "HelloIOKit is here"?

You should be able to rename aliases without problems.

 

[r.j.s]

You should be able to rename aliases without problems.

Correct. Once the alias is made, you can rename it or move it where ever you want.

 

[eddyq]

Ok, I see how to do it ... a bit of a hack but it works:

1. Double click Finder at the lower left
2. Find the file that you want to create a short to
3. Right click on the file name
4. Click Alias
5. Type the new name for the alias
6. Drag that to the desktop

 

[Tallest Skil]

Aliases have been dead ever since the Dock began existing. That's what the Dock is for...

 

[r.j.s]

Aliases have been dead ever since the Dock began existing. That's what the Dock is for...

There are more uses for aliases than just the dock.

 

[techfreak85]

Aliases have been dead ever since the Dock began existing. That's what the Dock is for...

exactly... and what buggs me is when people have aliases in the Dock

 

[big-blue-wolf]

exactly... and what buggs me is when people have aliases in the Dock

EVERYTHING in the Dock is an alias.

 

[big-blue-wolf]

I am used to XP's shortcuts where I can put a link to anything on the desktop. I have not been able to find this for OSX. Here are some examples of shortcuts I would like to create:

1. A shortcut to a document
2. A shortcut to an Xcode project
3. A shortcut to a folder
4. A shortcut to a web page

To create an alias, first select the icon of whatever you want an alias for, then press cmd-L to create it.

You will then see another icon with a little arrow symbol on it and the word 'alias' in its name. You can then move and/or rename the alias to whatever you want.

 

[techfreak85]

EVERYTHING in the Dock is an alias.

ok technically, yes, but what im saying is when they do stuff like this.

 

[big-blue-wolf]

Yeah see what you mean. All you have to do is drag the icon to the Dock and it puts it in without the little arrow so why bother creating the alias to then put it in the Dock?

 

[eddyq]

I think you mean that the doc is a "substitute" for the desktop. Maybe but it would seem to me that the doc would get to be pretty unwheely after a while.

Shortcuts could be useful if one wanted a reference in a directory other than the doc and desktop.

 

[Simmerl]

Just hold cmd and opt ("alt" if you're a Switcher) when dragging a file or folder to the Desktop, and voilà. Alias.

 

[eddyq]

ok, now how do I drag and make a copy of a folder to the desktop?

 

[r.j.s]

ok, now how do I drag and make a copy of a folder to the desktop?

A copy of a folder? Hold option while dragging, it will show a green plus sign.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmwR1FV2SUg