Introduction to Mac OS



The Apple Menu

The Apple menu is the equivalent  to the Start button on the bottom left in the Windows interface.  The Apple menu is accessed by clicking on the small Apple logo in the top left on the toolbar. (snapshot here filename:apple logo.jpg)

Quitting Applications

The Menu at the top of the screen remains open in every application, and changes its functions based on what is the front-most active application.

To quit an open Application/Program:

Click the name of the open Application on the toolbar at the top of the screen, and

Select Quit "NameofOpenApplication/Program" 

(screenshot filename: quit an application.jpg)

The Dock

The Dock at the bottom of the screen is an advanced version of the Taskbar on the bottom of the Windows interface. Apple provides a certain number of applications they suggest as most useful already on the bottom.

Finding Applications and Documents from the Dock

There are two folders to the left of the Trash on the Dock: Applications and Documents. The Applications folder, contains all of the Applications/Programs on your computer. (snapshot filename: application folder on dock.jpg) The Documents folder is the place where you can store documents like paper and image files.

Removing Seldom-Used Applications/Programs from the Dock

If you wish to remove an Application from the dock, follow these steps:

1. Hold down the Control button and click on the Application/Program icon (the equivalent of right clicking on a mouse),
2. Choose Options → Remove from Dock. (snapshot filename: removing an app from dock.jpg)

Adding Often-Used Applications/Programs to the Dock

To add Applications and Programs to the Dock:

1. Hold down the Control button and click on the Application icon,
2. Choose Options → Keep in Dock. 

Accessing Minimized Windows from the Dock

The right side of the dock also holds all your minimized windows. To open the window again, just click on its icon on the Dock.

The Trash

The Trash is the metal trash can icon, which is the last icon on the right hand side of the Dock.

Deleting Items from Your Computer

There are two ways to delete an item from your computer:

Click and drag the item to the Trash

OR

1. Hold down the Control button and click the item.
2. Select Move to Trash. (screenshot filename: deleting an item.jpg)

Emptying the Trash

To empty the trash:

1. Click the Finder menu button on the toolbar at the top of the desktop
2. Select Empty Trash. (screenshot filename: empty trash.jpg)

Exploring files on your Mac instead of on Windows

• On a PC, you use Windows Explorer to browse through files and folders on your computer. On a Mac, you use an Application called the Finder. It is a blue icon that is always the first icon on the left hand side of the Dock. Open the Finder to view all files on your computer. (screenshot filename: finder.jpg) On the left side of the Finder window is the sidebar, which allows you to move throughout your computer files with ease. Clicking the Macintosh HD under the DEVICES section is the equivalent of opening My Computer on a PC. Under the Macintosh HD will show any additional devices attached to the computer. Under the SHARED section displays any shared or networked items. The PLACES section shows common places on the computer, such as the Desktop and Documents folders. The SEARCH FOR section provides an easy way to search for files based on when they were opened or the type of file they are. 

Basic Functions on a Mac

• While selecting any item, tap the Space bar to preview the file without having to open it. 
• Instead of controlling the window from the top right hand corner of the screen, Macs controls are on the top left hand corner of the screen. The red circle closes the window, the yellow minus minimizes the window, and the green plus changes the window to its optimal size.
• Basic information (such as time, date, volume, internet connection, battery level, etc.) can be found at the top right hand of your computer on the toolbar instead of on the bottom right of the screen on Windows, on the Start menu.
• At the very right hand side of the toolbar at the top of the screen, there is a magnifying glass. Clicking on this opens the Spotlight feature, which is a program that searches your entire computer based on file names. If you wanted to search for a particular file, folder, application, or anything else on your computer, this is the place to do it. (screenshot filename: spotlight.jpg)

Keyboard and Trackpad Shortcuts

Keyboard Shortcuts (from: [http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1343])

Trackpad Shortcuts

For More Information

[http://www.apple.com/support/switch101]

[http://www.apple.com/support/mac101]