Mac Osx Common Tasks Quick Start

Quick Start Guide – Introduction to Mac OS X To Quit an Application:

I. Introduction Mac OS X is the latest operating system for Macintosh computers. This guide will help you with common tasks.

1. Click on the application menu (2nd menu, name of application).

II. Starting the Computer

2. Click on “Quit…” to end the program (i.e.: “Quit Calculator”).

Macintosh computers have three power states—Off, On, and Sleeping. To determine which state your machine is in, check the power button on the front of the monitor or main unit: •

If the computer is off, the power button will be unlit. Press the power button on the monitor or main unit to turn it on.

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If the computer is sleeping, the power button will pulsate. Push the power button, press a key on the keyboard, or click the mouse to wake the computer.

III. Using the Macintosh Mouse

Note: Simply closing the window usually will not terminate a program. V. Switching Between Running Applications The Dock (the translucent bar at the bottom of the screen) indicates which applications are currently active. A small black arrowhead appears under the icon of active programs). Click on the icon of an active application to switch to that application. VI. Closing, Minimizing and Resizing Windows To Close a Window:

A typical Mac mouse has only one button. Many Mac mice use the entire body of the mouse as the button mechanism; an actual button object will not be apparent. Push down on the front portion of the mouse body to click. IV. Locating, Starting and Stopping Programs Mac OS X includes shortcuts to many programs right on the Dock (the translucent bar at the bottom of the screen).

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To Minimize a Window: •

Click on the yellow glassy sphere button found at the far left of the window’s title bar (second button from the left). This minimizes the window (not the application) to an icon on the Dock.

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Click on the minimized icon to bring the window back to the screen.

Starting Programs from the Dock: •

Click on a program’s Dock icon to start it.

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If you are unsure which application a Dock icon represents, place the mouse pointer over the icon (do not click). The name will appear over the icon.

To resize a window to fit its contents: •

Note: Not all applications are automatically shown on the Dock. To start a program not shown on the Dock: 1. Double-click on the “Macintosh HD” icon (on the Desktop). 2. Double-click on the “Applications” folder (not the “Applications (Mac OS 9)” folder). 3. Double-click on an application icon (such as Calculator). You may also drag the icon to the Dock to make a shortcut there.

Click on the red glassy sphere button found at the far left of the window’s title bar. Note that this usually does not quit an application.

Click on the green glassy sphere button found at the far left of the window’s title bar (third button from the left). This will conform the size and shape of the window to fit the window’s content. Example: if you are browsing a folder containing more icons than can be displayed at once, clicking the Zoom button resizes the window so more icons are visible.

To change the size and shape of a window: •

Click and drag on the resize handle at the bottom right corner of the window (it should have an almost arrowhead-like appearance); the window will change size and shape depending on which direction you drag. Note that not all windows are resizable. If a resize handle is not present, the window is probably not resizable.

Learning Technologies Center – Updated June 8, 2006

Quick Start Guide – Introduction to Mac OS X (cont.) 5. Choose appropriate search criteria (e.g.: choose “Name”, “contains” and type a file name into the text box).

VII. Deleting Files and Folders To delete a file or folder: •

Drag and drop the file or folder onto the Dock’s “Trash” icon (far right, metal wastebasket). This moves the object to the Trash where it will be stored until you “empty the Trash” (see below).

6. Click on the “Search” button. Results appear in a separate window. 7. Click on a result to show its location, or double-click on a result to open it.

To remove an item from the Trash: 1. Click on the Dock’s “Trash” icon (far right, metal wastebasket) to view the contents of the Trash.

X. Accessing the Internet •

2. Drag and drop an item from the Trash window to the Desktop or another location. To permanently delete all items in the Trash: 1. Click on the “Finder” menu. 2. Click on “Empty Trash...”

Or •

Click on the “Internet Explorer” icon located on the Dock (the icon looks a large blue “e” with a ring around it) to start Internet Explorer.

XI. Using Sherlock

3. Click on the “OK” button if you are sure you wish to permanently remove the items (all items will permanently be deleted and will no longer be recoverable). If you are unsure, click on the “Cancel” button. Alternately, you can Control-Click (hold the Control key on the keyboard) on the Trash icon and select “Empty Trash” from the context menu that appears. VIII. Viewing the Contents of Disks and CDs To view the content of the computer’s hard drive: •

Click on the “Safari” icon located on the Dock (the icon looks like a compass) to start Safari.

Double-click on the “Macintosh HD” icon, located on the upper right corner of the Desktop.

To view the content of a CD: 1. Press the Eject button on the keyboard (top right corner, underlined arrowhead). The CD drive tray will slide out of the computer. 2. Place the CD on the tray.

Sherlock provides an interface to many Internet information services (like Dictionary.com or eBay). 1. Click on the Sherlock icon located on the Dock (the icon is a hat and magnifying glass). 2. Choose a Channel from the list at the top of the window and enter your search criteria (each channel works differently). XII. Shutting Down the Computer / Sleep Mode To shut off the computer: 1. Click on the Apple menu. 2. Click on “Shut Down…” to turn off the computer. To put the computer to sleep: 1. Click on the Apple menu. 2. Click on “Sleep” (or simply press the power button on the monitor or main unit) to place the computer in sleep mode.

3. Press the Eject button on the keyboard (top right corner, underlined arrowhead). The CD drive tray will slide back into of the computer.

XIII. Additional Mac Questions?

4. Double-Click on the CD icon that appears on the Desktop (this may take a few seconds while the drive begins to spin the disc). A window will open showing the disc’s contents.

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IX. Finding Files 1. Click on the Desktop. 2. Click on the “File” menu. 3. Click on “Find…” 4. Ensure that “Local Disks” is selected in the “Search in:” combo box at the top. Learning Technologies Center – Updated June 8, 2006