Introduction to Macs for PC Users
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Introduction

Basic Differences

Interface
 - Desktop
 - Apple Menu
 - Dock
 - System Preferences
 - Trash
 - "Right-clicking"

Working with Windows
 - Close, Minimize, Maximize
 - Resize, Move
 - Menus
 - Menu Shortcuts
 - Hiding Programs
 - Exposé

Where are all the programs?
 - Macintosh HD
 - Finder
 - Navigating Folders
 - Spotlight
 - Creating Aliases (a.k.a. Shortcuts)

Hardware
 - Turning the Computer On/Off
 - Loading CDs
 - USB Ports

Common Mac Software
 - Safari
 - Mail
 - Dashboard
 - Address Book & iCal
 - iTunes
 - iLife Suite

Common Keyboard Shortcuts

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Exposé

Exposé is a program that allows you to quickly view and hide windows.   The program is always running; you will never have to click on an icon or locate an application file.

View All Windows

Perhaps you want to view all of the windows you have open simultaneously.   Press the F9 key.   Exposé will tile small representations of all the currently open windows.   Place the cursor over each window, and the name of the program or file will be displayed.   Click on a window and that program will come to the forefront.   F9 is useful for moving quickly between applications when you have many windows open.   Press F9 again to return to the window you were using.

View One Program's Windows

Press the F10 key.   This will display all of the windows of the program you're currently running.   For example, I'm using Microsoft Word.   If I press F10, Exposé tiles all of the Word document windows that I have open.   I can easily see what documents are open and click on the one that I need to use.   Windows for other programs remain unmoved in the background.   Press F10 to return the windows to their previous locations.

Hide All Windows

At times, you may need to hide all of the windows that are currently open.   This can be helpful for locating items on the Desktop that often become hidden behind application windows.   Press F11 .   This will move all of the windows to the edges of the screen; you will only see a small sliver of each.   However, they have not been resized or changed.   Press F11 again or click on the small visible edge of a window to restore all of the windows.

To tailor Exposé to your personal preferences, look under System Preferences and "Dashboard & Exposé."  Rather than relying solely on the function keys, you can set each corner of the screen to perform a different Exposé task, such as viewing all open windows.   To activate the screen corner controls you've selected, move the cursor into the farthest point of the corner.   To continue working, click on a window or the Desktop.

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© 2005 Darby Tober | iSchool | UT Austin | webmaster