adjusting to the new Macbook
apple July 11th, 2006I'm enjoying the new Macbook. The last time I used a Mac was programming in Motorola 68k assembly language on System 8.0 in college. This experience is a little more fun. Even so, every operating system/environment takes a little patience and tweaking. Here's a list of things I've noticed so far:
- Trackpad Settings - The default trackpad settings are just whack. I went to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Keyboard & Mouse > Trackpad and turned on clicking & dragging, two finger scrolling, and two finger tapping for right-click. I also maxed out the trackpad speed. Most useful is the two-finger tapping for right-click–I need my context menus!
- Delete Key - The "delete" key on the Macbook keyboard acts like a Backspace key. It deletes characters to the left of the cursor. So, where's the real "delete" key? Fn+Delete will delete characters to the right of the cursor. For reference: Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts
- Command+ - I'm trying to train myself. Command+c instead of Ctrl+c for copying, Command+v instead of Ctrl+v, Command+Tab instead of Alt+Tab for switching apps, and so on…
- Firefox - Safari's cool, but Firefox is my browser of choice
- Color Calibration - There are some colors in the light greens and yellows that appear darker on my Macbook than they do on my Linux and Windows machines. I've attempted to calibrate the LCD, but it's still the same. I'm tempted to think the other machines are wrong and the Macbook is right, but who knows? Suggestions?
July 13th, 2006 at 7:45 pm
Dude,
Thanks for all the tips. I do use the cntrl+clicking for the right click function. I think the colors are pretty good on the Mac. Of course, I do not have a very good eye for noticing subtle differences. I agree with you on the delete key, also.
September 25th, 2006 at 7:38 am
Thanks for leaving me a comment about the MacBook. It really is pretty cool. (can I use really and pretty in the same sentence?) Anyways, I just wanted to tip you off to one of the slickest little apps that I know of for the Mac. It's called Quicksilver. Have you heard of it? Go here…
http://quicksilver.blacktree.com/
If you change the settings…oh wait, they're called preferences on a Mac…so that the command interface is set to Menu on the Appearance tab, it's WAY cool.
Basically, what it does is allow you to hit Ctrl+Space and it brings up the app, over top of the menu bar, then allows you to start typing anything (files, applications, websites, etc.) which you can open from there. It's better than Finder because it remembers your favorite stuff and there is a lot more that you can do with it. Just read the website. Have fun!!
September 26th, 2006 at 5:51 am
Thanks, Erik. Yes, Kat tipped me off to Quicksilver. Very cool app.