Some more Leopard questions

[Qinetic]

After using Mac OS X for a bit more I gathered some important questions that, if solved, would really make small tasks a tad bit less of a hastle. Please feel free to answer any of the questions. Feel free to leave if you don't think it's your responsibility to give answers. I know there's someone here willing to actually help rather than just redirect me.

I would like to know how to:
... quickly open a new tab in Safari without a tab already being opened, and also without using the command + T.
... maximize windows without dragging the bottom corner.
... make a new tab in Safari automatically go to my homepage
... more easily minimize windows (like in Windows you can just click on the task in the taskbar and it will minimize or maximize).
... open two finders simultaneously for easier file transfer.
... close finder windows easier, without clicking the close button, since command + Q doesn't work.

Thanks, and I'm sure I'll have more questions in the next few days.

 

[Tallest Skil]

Command+T
That's not how OS X works.
Set it to do so in Preferences.
Command+M
Command+N and then Command+N again.
Command+W

Also, search. This is common knowledge on Apple's site.

 

[elppa]

... quickly open a new tab in Safari without a tab already being opened, and also without using the command + T

Double click on the tab bar. If it is not visible, then choose Show Tab Bar from the View Menu.
If it is full, right click on the tab bar and choose new tab. There is no button, there probably should be.

Bonus Tip: If you have lots of windows and tabs open, choose Window > Merge All Windows to clean everything up and consolidate all tabs in one Window.

... make a new tab in Safari automatically go to my homepage

Go to Preferences (from the Safari menu, or press command + , (comma).
Then in General: set New Tabs Open with: Homepage.

... more easily minimize windows (like in Windows you can just click on the task in the taskbar and it will minimize or maximize).

There is no direct comparsion, but Mac OS has a wonderful hide feature. The options are hide this Application (Command + H), hide all other Applications (Command + option + H) and Show All. It's a different way of going about things, but it's very effective. So if your in Safari you can eliminate all background noise in one keystroke and bring back stuff as and when you need it.

... open two finders simultaneously for easier file transfer.

Command + N gets you a new Finder Window.

... close finder windows easier, without clicking the close button, since command + Q doesn't work.

Command + W closes a Finder Window, or any other Window.
Command + option + W closes all Finder Windows, or all Windows in any other Application.

If you hold down option when clicking the red close widget it will achieve the same thing.

 

[DJ567]

you can maximize the browser by adding a bookmark with this address

javascript:window.resizeTo((screen.width-150),(screen.height-50));window.moveTo(0,0)

i used that on my macbook as 13" just too small to view small windows

 

[elppa]

Also, search. This is common knowledge on Apple's site.

But where would the fun be in that, we'd have nothing to answer.

Qinetic has clearly done some reading and research. If your familiar with another style there may be some things which you are used to and prefer from Windows.

I can understand that, after using OS X for 8 years I am very comfortable and would take a bit of adjusting to use a Windows or Linux box full time, although I use both from time to time.

 

[Qinetic]

Thanks for the help guys. The preferences in Safari to open a homepage in new tab doesn't exist, unless I'm blind.

Also, can I make it so that I can use ctrl + (key) because I'm SOO used to Windows copy and paste. The command + c and command + v is awkward since the keys are so close together.

While messing with movies, notifications kept popping up in the background. Can I make it so they always stay in the foreground since I can't do anything until I respond to the notification.

Is there any way to empty the contents of a stack without opening it in Finder?

Thanks everyone.

ALSO, can anyone tell me why they made the difference between closing a window and force quitting an application. It's all still very strange. I wish I could use the mouse for everything... and easily.

 

[ikermalli]

For the minimize it is cmd + m but what about bringing it back up?

 

[elppa]

Thanks for the help guys. The preferences in Safari to open a homepage in new tab doesn't exist, unless I'm blind.

I have attached a screenshot. Change Empty Page to Homepage.

Also, can I make it so that I can use ctrl + (key) because I'm SOO used to Windows copy and paste. The command + c and command + v is awkward since the keys are so close together.

It's find if you use a thumb for command and your finger for paste.
If you can't get used to it:
System Preferences > Keyboard
Then click on the Modifier Keys Panel.
Again, see attached screenshot.

While messing with movies, notifications kept popping up in the background. Can I make it so they always stay in the foreground since I can't do anything until I respond to the notification.

Which notifications and from where do they can? You can ignore them and deal with them later.

Is there any way to empty the contents of a stack without opening it in Finder?

You can remove it from the dock by dragging it out or dragging it to the trash can. There is no quick way to delete all the contents of the folder.

ALSO, can anyone tell me why they made the difference between closing a window and force quitting an application. It's all still very strange.

Only if your used to something else.
Closing a Window — this closes a window.
Use Case: You have Safari open, you have a download going, you close all windows and view just the downloads window. Because the Safari application is still running you have all your menu items available and can easily open a new window, look at your bookmarks etc.

Force Quiting an Application — If an application is unresponsive, you can force quit it, this is the equivalent to ending tasks.

I wish I could use the mouse for everything... and easily.

What can you not use the mouse for?
Look at the jump lists as well in the dock. Right clicking gives you Hide, Show, Quit and let's you switch between windows for a particular application.

 

[elppa]

For the minimize it is cmd + m but what about bringing it back up?

You click on it, there is no keyboard equivalent.

 

[Chundles]

For the minimize it is cmd + m but what about bringing it back up?

Don't minimise, use the cmd-h Hide option instead.

 

[Qinetic]

I have attached a screenshot. Change Empty Page to Homepage.


It's find if you use a thumb for command and your finger for paste.
If you can't get used to it:
System Preferences > Keyboard
Then click on the Modifier Keys Panel.
Again, see attached screenshot.


Which notifications and from where do they can? You can ignore them and deal with them later.


You can remove it from the dock by dragging it out or dragging it to the trash can. There is no quick way to delete all the contents of the folder.


Only if your used to something else.
Closing a Window — this closes a window.
Use Case: You have Safari open, you have a download going, you close all windows and view just the downloads window. Because the Safari application is still running you have all your menu items available and can easily open a new window, look at your bookmarks etc.

Force Quiting an Application — If an application is unresponsive, you can force quit it, this is the equivalent to ending tasks.


What can you not use the mouse for?
Look at the jump lists as well in the dock. Right clicking gives you Hide, Show, Quit and let's you switch between windows for a particular application.

These were all very helpful. Thanks!

I decided that it's better to keep new tabs as a blank page. I wanted them to be google because the cursor goes straight to the search bar in google. With a blank page I can type a URL if that's what I wanted or I can just press tab to get to the google box.

I also decided to keep the command key for keyboard shortcuts. I never thought of using the right command key. I always used my left hand only. I also want to get used to using the command key, since that's the default.

The notifications in the background haven't been a problem so I can't recall what exactly happened anymore. I just remember it being annoying.

Right clicking apps in the dock was helpful too. Quit and hide are right there.

 

[elppa]

Safari 4 now has a new tab button, at the top right corner of the screen.

You can download the beta today from Apple.com/safari