OSX key commands

[forge]

one of the best things with OSX is the way you can get around with keys

but does anyone know how to bring finder into focus so that I can use the finder key commands? At the moment I'm using CMD+Tab to switch to finder, but I'd like to for example just jump straight to the applications or utilities folder with one key command - FInder does this but it has to be in focus first

so in other words, if Live is open and I want something in the Apps folder I'd like to be able to use cmd+shift+A to bring up applications without having to switch to finder first

EDIT: I just tried dragging the applications to the 'stacks' part of the dock - that's actually pretty cool and might do fo the moment

I'd still probably quite like a key command for Applications though

[doc holiday]

the thing is is that those commands may do something else in the app you are in

[forge]

the thing is is that those commands may do something else in the app you are in

yeah, that's why I was wondering if there was one that wouldn't - but I guess that's hard to guarantee

I think ? + H to hide the window might be the go for now, that's easy enough (BTW I got that CMD symbol with CMD+ALT+T )

[eskay]

This should do the job:
http://www.xkeys.com/xkeys/xkdesk.php

You can assign different combination of keys to almost anything. I"m looking into getting this for myself.

[hangar17]

?+spacebar brings out spotlight no matter what window you're in just type in whatever you're looking for there you go

[oblique strategies]

Maybe Quicksilver?

review:
http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-9893599-12.html

download:
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/14831/quicksilver

[siliconarc]

iKey

[bendybones]

I've never tried using Spaces.
But from what I understand u can assign different apps or maybe different windows to different spaces , of which there are 4.
Fro there use CTRL+Arrow to switch between.
I think u can assign shortcuts to call up a specific space directly, but that shouldn't be necessary if u just set up 2 spaces - one for Finder and one for everything else.
Then CTRL+LEFT and CTRL+RIGHT would work.
I may be wrong bout some of this, but check it out.

[forge]

I've never tried using Spaces.
But from what I understand u can assign different apps or maybe different windows to different spaces , of which there are 4.
Fro there use CTRL+Arrow to switch between.
I think u can assign shortcuts to call up a specific space directly, but that shouldn't be necessary if u just set up 2 spaces - one for Finder and one for everything else.
Then CTRL+LEFT and CTRL+RIGHT would work.
I may be wrong bout some of this, but check it out.

Yeah I've been getting into spaces - but the ctrl+arrow is again only while it's active (after pressing F8)

I'm finding I'm getting the hang of the key commands

it's no big deal to cmd+tab really, I'm kinda used to it, I just thought it would be cool to jump straight to apps or utilities - but then I always end up using the mouse/track pad to activate whatever app, so sometimes it's just as easy to go to the dock and click the applications folder in the stacks side - that way you get that cool black looking platform thingy with all the apps

[polyslax]

Well I guess we've got a bunch of different approaches to these things. Mine is MaxMenus from Proteron. Their site seems to be nothing more than a download at the mo. Very stable and they update fast when the OS changes. Cost ya $30 tho.

Here's their description blurb:

MaxMenus is a utility that adds powerful, flexible menus to simplify using Mac OS X with NO haxies involved. Always available in the corners of your display, the menus offer unparalleled ease-of-access to your most commonly used applications, documents, folders, volumes, preferences, and... well, you get the idea.

MaxMenus can be customized to your heart's content, configured to meet your every desire. You can build a menu out of any items you want and put it wherever you want. In just a few moments of set-up you can streamline OS X to fit your work habits. With MaxMenus installed you have Mac OS X finally working for you.

MaxMenus also offers the power to link any item on your computer to a key combination. And yes, it's very easy to set up. Just press the key combo while your mouse is over a menu item, presto, the task is done! So go all out and configure every shortcut you want. F8 for iPhoto. F9 for iTunes. F12 for the Terminal. You can even assign key combinations to your menus from the MaxMenus preference pane. Try pressing Option-Apple-Tab when you're done with the MaxMenus install.

We knew MaxMenus wouldn't be complete without support for drag-and-drop. So we took it all the way. The menus you set up in MaxMenus fully support spring loaded drag-and-drop. You'll be moving and copying files, making aliases, and opening every document with your favorite application when MaxMenus is installed.

[forge]

I've never tried using Spaces.
But from what I understand u can assign different apps or maybe different windows to different spaces , of which there are 4.
Fro there use CTRL+Arrow to switch between.
I think u can assign shortcuts to call up a specific space directly, but that shouldn't be necessary if u just set up 2 spaces - one for Finder and one for everything else.
Then CTRL+LEFT and CTRL+RIGHT would work.
I may be wrong bout some of this, but check it out.

oh wait - I just looked in the prefs again and you can choose shortcuts to directly switch! that might be the one!

[ethios4]

So, are these key commands unique to OSX or is there a 3rd-party app for windows that accomplishes the same thing? It sounds very useful, and these are the sort of things that might make me switch to Mac, but so far I've found a 3rd-party windows equivalent for everything.

[oblique strategies]

I've never tried using Spaces.
But from what I understand u can assign different apps or maybe different windows to different spaces

Spaces is great (with very few caveats). But as far as I know you can't "assign" apps exclusively to a space -you simply move apps, windows, icons, etc. to a space; or open them in a space you have already navigated to.

You do have this option in the spaces system preference though:
"When switching to an application, switch to a space with open windows for the application." This might be good if you keep specific apps in specific spaces.

Another cool way of using spaces is to drag the spaces icon from the applications folder to the dock -this gives you a good way to access spaces, & see all spaces at once (same as F8 -when enabled), & better than the menu bar option.

[oblique strategies]

dbl

[oblique strategies]

So, are these key commands unique to OSX or is there a 3rd-party app for windows that accomplishes the same thing? It sounds very useful, and these are the sort of things that might make me switch to Mac, but so far I've found a 3rd-party windows equivalent for everything.

Do some research on Spaces, Expose, & Spotlight in OS X -very powerful features.