OS X Tip #24
If you are a “switcher” from Windows you might actually miss some things. Not the viruses, spyware, and adware. But just maybe the “Start Menu” for one. Do not despair OS X actually has a better way to have what Windows calls the “Start Menu”. One that let’s you customize it the way YOU want. Even if you are a longtime Mac user you may find this tip helpful. I have been using OS X this way since it was introduced. By the way did you ever wonder why Microsoft calls this a “Start Menu” anyway? As it is mostly used to shut down or “re-start” the machine? Maybe they should have called it the RESTART MENU!

Let’s get to it:
Simply drag the Application and Home folders to the right side of your Dock. This creates an Alias to these folders (Shortcuts to you “switchers”).

Then all you have to do to access Applications not already on your Dock is click your mouse over the Application folder in the Dock and hold it down for a few seconds. Instant “Start Menu” just like Windows.

This works the same way for the Home folder or any folder by the way. Better than the “Start Menu” in Windows.

You can easily navigate to the sub-folders, just mouse to them.

Another option to open and select an application is to Command+Click (Apple key+Click) any application in the Dock. This will open the Application folder as a window in the Finder. Since the Application folder is alphabetized, by clicking an application with a name similar to the one you want, you can get to your desired application pretty fast. Note that this will not work if the Application you click is in a sub-folder in the Application folder. In this case the sub-folder will open.

OK “switchers”, are you also missing having My Documents on the Desktop (Finder to longtime Mac users)? Simple just create a My Documents folder inside of your Documents folder. It is easy Control+Click in Documents folder, choose New Folder. Name it My Documents. Then create an Alias (Shortcut in Windows) by Control+Click in new My Documents folder, choose Create Alias. Drag Alias to desktop (Finder). Now you can access to store and retrieve items from your new My Documents folder.

Or better yet put this Alias in your Dock also making it easier to access the items in it!

By the way if you do not like the Alias in the folder’s name, go ahead and change it.

    | Tags: mac tips, productivity