Switching to the mac (keyboard shortcuts)

This seems to be an obligatory blog post nowadays.  Two months ago I got my first mac.  I have used PCs since I was 7 and it was a tough change, I’m happier for it though.  There are things the mac just gets right, there are other things that will annoy out to no end.  Here are some of the things that I had the hardest time finding.

Cmd = Apple = Cloverleaf logo  = ⌘

Ctrl = ^

Shift = Up Arrow =
Option = alt = ⌥

⌘-Space = open the spotlight search box

this is the fastest way for me to find programs without cluttering up my dock.

⌘ ` = apple-tilde key switch windows in the current app
This was key to be able to navigate os x with the keyboard.

^ Scroll wheel = Zoom screen in

You need to enable this in

System Preferences > Keyboard & Mouse > Mouse > Zoom

This zooms the whole screen in

⌘^⌥8 = show negative image of the screen

This turns all your whites to blacks and vice versa, it makes some text much easier to read.   You need to enable this in

System Prefernces > Universal Access

Leave a Reply