Every keyboard comes equipped with modifier keys. (Aka, keys that make the other keys do something different than they normally do when you hold them down together) They can be real time savers if you know what they are.

For example, when you hold down the shift key and any letter key, it creates a capital version of that letter.

When it comes to Macs, they have some global shortcuts (meaning that they work in any application, at any time) that are pretty nifty.

Take a look at some of my personal favorites:

Command + Option + H
Hold these 3 keys down simultaneously, and you’ll hide every application except for the one you’re currently working with. This is awesome for getting rid of screen clutter and helping you focus.

Command + H
This one hides the current application. It works well for hiding an internet screen you don’t want anyone to catch you looking at when someone unexpectedly walks in the room. (Not that that’s ever happened to me…)

Command + Tab
Here’s one that I get a lot of use out of. Holding the Command and Tab keys at the same time will let you switch from one application to another. Keep them pressed to cycle through every open application until you find what you were looking for.

Command + Space Bar
A great way to bypass your mouse when opening an app. These keys will open u spotlight search box. Just type in the application you want, and hit Enter when it shows up.

Command + X, Command + V, and Command + C
Just like with Windows, this will let you cut, paste, and copy, respectively.

Command + S
This shortcut lets you save whatever you’re working on.

Anyone have any other keyboard shortcuts that they get a lot of use out of?

jk

So whether you’re a seasoned Mac pro or an Apple neophyte, you may be looking for ways to use the Command key to help you speed your way through your everyday computer tasks. Here’s a look at some of my favorite shortcuts:

Opening a New Tab on Safari

If you use Safari as your search engine of choice, then you already know that right clicking on any word (or set of words) will commence a Google search on your phrase of choice. The only problem with this is that Safari returns your search results on the same screen you were just working on. However, if you hold the Command key down while right clicking, then the Google search will open in a new tab. Pretty slick, huh?

Also, if you click on a link, holding down the Command key will open this up in a new tab as well.

iTunes Fine-Tuning

One of the best things about charging my iPod on my Mac instead of using the wall plug is the fact that it automatically syncs my music every time I plug in. That way, I know that my music is always current. However, there are certain things that I don’t want on my iPod. (Like certain podcasts or news bites that I would rather just keep on the computer) Holding the Command key down as you plug your Mp3 or iPhone in will prevent it from automatically synching.

Finders Keepers

Just like command clicking while using Safari, holding the Command key while clicking on any Finder folder will open it in a new Finder window. Also, you can use the Command and delete keys to move selected files or folders to the trash. (It’s kind of like using the delete key with Windows)

I am a Mac. I love being a Mac, and have no intention of ever being a PC again.

That being said, I do remember that it took a little time and adjustment to completely familiarize myself with my new computer.

Most notably, it took me a while to get used to the Command key.
Now, I am a bit of a switch hitter, in that I still have to use a traditional PC at work. And now that I’ve had plenty of time to compare the two, I have to say without a shadow of a doubt that the Command key kicks the Control key’s butt.

Its location next to the space bar means that you can access it with your thumbs, which makes much more sense than stretching your pinky to hit Ctrl. When it comes to shortcuts—like copying and pasting—it really does save some time.

For you Mac newbies out there, the Command key is the one with the funny looking clover thingy on it. Up until recently, the key had the traditional Apple picture on it. (Which is probably why so many people still refer to it as the Apple key)

Sometimes, the Command key works just like the Windows’ Control key. However, for other things, it’s completely different, which means that your best bet is to familiarize yourself with the Command key shortcuts.

Need a little help figuring those out? Well don’t fret—check out my next blog for a list of Command shortcuts that you’re sure to get some serious use out of.

Oh, and one more thing— if a particular app is acting up on you and you’re looking to force quit it, then you should know that OS X’s equivalent to Control Alt Delete is Command, Option, Escape.

When I first weaned myself off the PC, there was one thing that took me a little while to figure out.

See, with my PC, I was used to using the Tab key to move from one selection to another. You know, as in when you’re filling out an online form, or when a dialogue box pops up and gives you the choice to save or cancel, for example.

On my Mac, it didn’t seem like the same shortcut was available.
Someone told me that hitting the Enter (Return) key was the same as selecting OK when a dialogue box popped up, while Command and the period key simultaneously equaled cancel—but that hardly seems like a comparable shortcut, if you ask me.

Luckily, though, a little snooping on my part led to the discovery that there is a way to PC-ify your tab button. It’s just not turned on by default. For those that would like to turn on the tab, here’s how:
First, launch your System Preferences. (You can find this in one of two places: the Apple menu, or the Applications folder)

Next, find the Keyboard pane in System Preferences. Once you get SP open, the Keyboard preference will be in the middle of the second row.
From there, click on Keyboard Shortcuts at the top of the window.
Scroll down to the bottom of that panel. There’s an option to use Tab to move either between “text boxes and lists only” (this is set as the default) or “all controls.”

Click on “all controls”

Now you’re able to use your tab button to go between Save and Cancel—or any other dialogue box options that should happen to pop up.

Just one more way to personalize an already awesome computer!

Have you guys heard the song out there called I love my Mac, by an aspiring Canadian songstress named Daphna?

Apparently, Daphna made the switch from PC to Mac sometime in the early 2000s. Then, in 2003, she began creating all of her music (she’s a classical piano performer, as well as a jazz and spoken word singer, among other things) on an Apple program called GarageBand.

Well, her love for the GarageBand software, along with her passion for all things Apple in general, inspired her to write a fun little number called (what else) I love my Mac.

Then, in 2004, she entered her catchy jingle in Mac Companion Magazine’s Macintosh Glory Laud and Honor Contest. The contest sought “entries composed of 4 stanza reproducible scores that would be pretty much a love song about the Mac.”

Needless to say, Daphna’s song was quite popular among the judges, and she won first prize—a 250 Gig One Touch Firewire hard drive from Maxtor. Now, the hard drive was a great reward. But the contest brought the singer something else, too: Instant popularity and a surprisingly large cult following.

Not too long after that, an admirer of the I Love my Mac song in Switzerland contacted Daphna and asked for permission to re-record the song in German. Suddenly, a new phase of the fad was born!

Today, if you check out Daphna’s website, you’ll see that she’s looking for her song to be recorded in as many languages as possible. So far, there are English, Italian, Japanese, Swedish, and (of course) German versions available. (If you’d like more info, or want to submit a version, check out the website: http://www.ilovemymacthesong.com/index.html)

The song itself is actually pretty fun. Take a listen—but be warned, it might just get stuck in your head:

One of the best parts about having a Mac is being able to customize it to your own fabulous personality.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with keeping the default picture on your desktop… but did you know that there are lots of playful ways to show off your individuality via your start screen? There are even lots of pre-installed images that you can choose from (just in case you’re running a little low on creativity at the moment.

If you’re a Mac newcomer, here’s how to scope out the desktop images that come with your computer:

From the Apple menu, click on System Preferences

From there, click the Desktop & Screen Saver button

Click on the Desktop tab

On the left plane, you’ll be able to see all of the folders from which you can choose an image. (The right plane will show you thumbnails of the images in the selected folders)

Click on Apple Images, and you’ll see the default picture you’re already using, along with a bunch of other images.

Click on any one of these thumbnails to instantly change your desktop image! (I love “trying on” a few different ones before I make me choice)

If, like me, you have a short attention span and a love for all things surprising, you can also have your Mac automatically change your desktop picture for you.

Just click the Change Picture checkbox.

From there, a pop-up menu will appear. You can then choose one of the intervals listed. (Every minute, every 5 seconds, every day, etc)

If you don’t click the Random Order box, then your images will all appear in alphabetical order (by name) every time. Personally, I like the Random feature, because it’s like a personalized, ever changing slideshow all about me.

For PC users’ thinking about making the jump to Macs, one of the things that sometimes stop them is the whole compatibility issue. If you do any kind of work related projects from your computer, then chances are good that you are used to dealing with Microsoft Word.

Personally, I knew when I made the switch that I would never be able to be happy with a computer that simply could not open a .doc or .docx file. I work from home, and it would be next to impossible to maintain my productivity if I wasn’t in synch with the rest of my company.

For me, the answer was simple—I went out and purchased Microsoft Office for my Mac. But starting at $150 and going up to nearly $400, this isn’t a cheap solution, by any stretch of the imagination.

But don’t fret… if, unlike me, you don’t do a whole lot of Word-ing, and only need to open the occasional document, there are other choices available.

The easiest of these options is using TextEdit, which is a program that comes preloaded for free with your Mac. No, TextEdit isn’t one of those overly simple text editors, like Notepad. Not only can it open .doc and .docx files, it can also format and word process quite well.

Just keep in mind that TextEdit doesn’t always maintain a document’s layout or design. So, your file isn’t always going to look exactly like what was originally sent. But again, if you aren’t a big user of all of Word’s features, this might work just fine.

Another option that might work for you is switching to a mail carrier (like Google’s Gmail) that allows you to use their program to open all kinds of documents for free. Again, you might lose some of the graphics or layout, but you will be able to read your document!

If your life is even remotely like mine, then you probably log onto (what feels like) a million websites a day—most of them requiring a user name and password. And if your memory is anything like mine, then you’re probably ashamed at the number of times you have had to click on the “Forgot Your Password?” button.

Which is why I was so excited to hear about what I think is going to be one of my favorite Mac applications ever: 1Password.

I have to tell you guys, I have been using 1Password for about a month now, and I could not be happier with it. It is, hands down, one of the best things to ever happen to my Mac. (And my frazzled brain, too)

Basically, 1Password lets you store all of your identities (real or made up) along with multiple different registration forms, billing and credit card information, and a slew of other things in one convenient and totally secure spot. Then, it fills things out for you, and even helps create new and unique passwords for your login pages.

What’s more, it remembers everything, so that you don’t have to.

And if you’re worried about browser compatibility, allow me to set your mind at ease. Safari and Firefox are both covered (which was all I needed to know!). For those of you using Chrome, you’ll be happy to know that there is an extension just for you. There are also a few other browsers on the list, so make sure you check out the 1Password website. (I’ll give them a little link love, seeing as though I am completely enamored with the product: http://agilewebsolutions.com/products/1Password)

And since 1Password is directly integrated with Keychain, you know that you don’t have to worry about keeping your info safe. Plus, it takes a master password to login, so there’s no need to sweat if you’re like me and have a teenage sister that occasionally wanders into your home office and logs onto your computer.

Anyone else out there using (and loving) 1Password as much as I am?

I’ve been on the lookout for a good financial/budgeting software program or application lately. I checked out a few online money management sites, like Mint.Com, but the truth is that I’m still a bit wary about sending my banking information and personal password off into cyberspace.

So, after scanning my favorite MAC news and idea blogs, I decided to order myself the latest version of Moneydance. At less than 40 bucks, it’s much more reasonable than a lot of similar applications out there, but still isn’t the very cheapest. (I’ve learned the hard way that with dirt cheap software, you usually get exactly what you paid for)

I love the fact that Moneydance is Mac friendly, and it seems to be getting rave reviews online. For those of you looking into budget planning software—and really, we should all be keeping an eye on our wallets lately—here are some of things that drew me to Moneydance:

Integrated Online Banking

Moneydance will link up your different bank accounts, and help you keep track of what’s coming and going amongst them.

Online Bill Pay

Apparently, you can use the software to bay bills—and it will even let you know when certain bills are about to be due, so that you can avoid those irritating late fees.

Financial Calculators

Aside from budgets and online banking, Moneydance claims to come with several financial calculators to help you figure out if it’s a good time to refinance your house, add an addition, move, or any of a number of other big expenses.

Tax Options

I always have issues come tax season, and I’m hoping that the tax features on this program will help me keep track of all things IRS throughout the year, so that I can get through it with ease come April 15.