Mac OS X: customization, keyboard shortcuts

[cmyk]

*Originally posted by stypticus *
I’ve been considering making a Mac my next computer, and was pleased when I got the opportunity to use one without putting the money down first. I’m using OS X 10.1.5 right now, but would upgrade to 10.latest if I had my own, so please respond with that in mind. My question is bipartite, but both parts are related to getting OS X to act the way I want it to instead of the way Steve Jobs and company decided it otter.

Mac OS X 10.2 is definitely the way to go, and welcome to the Mac community!

*Originally posted by stypticus *
**See, I really like the OS. It’s pretty, useful, functional, and stable. But the keyboard accessibility and certain aspects of the window/desktop behaviour are driving me nuts! I use Windows and KDE extensively, and have come to appreciate Windows’ keyboard shortcuts (which KDE also employs fairly extensively) and KDE’s flexibility in managing the windows and the desktop (which Windows doesn’t touch, but that’s a whole 'nother thread). Having poked around on Google for keyboard shortcuts, I see a few things I can do but can’t find as much info as I’d like. Here’s what I want:

Keyboard shortcuts! I want to close windows with alt-F4 (scratch that – I want to close applications with alt-F4 so they don’t sit around, windowless, in the background). (Do all applications conform to the alt-Q/alt-W paradigm? Maybe I just need to get comfortable with the idea that application developers can conform to a standard.) I want to select which window is active using alt-tab (not application, window). (Yes, I know it’s command, not alt – blame the MS keyboard I have attached to this Mac.**

I tried looking around a bit for a good piece of shareware that’ll change shortcuts, but I didn’t seem to find any that did what you’re looking for. On that note, I’d really like to stress getting used to the Apple Standard of Command-Q for quitting Apps, and Command-W for closing windows (but leaving the App running). As Joshmaker has already pointed out, these commands work in 99.99% of all Mac programs.

Command-TAB will cycle you through all open Apps (tip: Hold Command down, while tapping TAB until you get to the App you want… they’ll highlight in the Dock, then let go… voila!).

Also, click-hold on the icon in the dock, and it’ll list which windows are available. I’m not sure if there is a shortcut to allow this behavior?

*Originally posted by stypticus *
Window management! I want to have multiple desktops. I want the Dock to show me what’s open on a window level, not an application level. I want to shade windows. I want windows to snap to each other and the desktop’s edges. I want to resize windows from the border, not just the corner.

Like I said, I’m not sure if the dock will show you anything on a window level, but click-holding on the icon in the dock can show cool things.

As far as window shading goes, look no further than this:
http://www.versiontracker.com/moreinfo.fcgi?id=12243&db=mac
It’s a GREAT piece of shareware, with some really cool features that take it farther than just windowshading.

Try this for Multiple Desktops:
http://www.versiontracker.com/moreinfo.fcgi?id=14996&db=mac

*Originally posted by stypticus *
Perhaps I’m stuck in the wrong paradigm and should give up on the Mac, go back to my super-adjustable KDE. Maybe Macs aren’t meant to be used by those who shun contact with the mouse. But if I can do any of the above things in OS X, I’d love to find out. Even better would be a link giving details on many customization options for OS X beyond the trifling options in the Preferences window.

Like another already pointed out, if you’re looking to shun your mouse, the Full Keyboard Access (System Preferences/Keyboard) is what you’re looking for. It takes advantage of the F-Keys, so Control-F4 will cycle through any windows that may be open. Control-F3 will activate the dock, then use the arrow-keys to cycle through… and so on. This might be a big answer in and of itself right there.

Hope this is of some help!

-kev