Aral Balkan

[Update] Apparently I was reinventing the wheel. Command + Shift + O opens a finder item in its own window as does Command + double-click (thanks to Erki, Chafic and Robert for these tips.)

I really wish there was an easy way of discovering shortcuts for OS X.

Comments

• I don't use that shortcut, I think I just right-click, "reveal in finder". Is this the same result?

  by LEE on 2006-08-20 23:00:07

• Here's some lists that I've found useful, I don't think each is entirely comprehensive although... http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75459 http://rixstep.com/2/20040510,00.shtml http://homepage.mac.com/frakes/MOSXPT/content/keyboard.html http://davespicks.com/writing/programming/mackeys.html You could try O'Reilly's book: http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/macxtigermm/ na zdrowie!

  by LEE on 2006-08-20 22:57:43

• Doesn't Command doubleclick do just that, open folder in new window? Works even with multiple folders selected and opens all of them in separate windows.

  by Erki Esken on 2006-08-20 16:25:20

• Is this the same as apple shift o ? If you wanted to do it with the mouse you can hold down the apple key and double click a folder or even a bunch of folders

  by Chafic Kazoun on 2006-08-20 16:37:56

• Hey Aral, Erki is right command-double clicking a folder will launch in its own window. One other tip thought - If you want to have folders always open/spawn their own windows permanently without using the command-double click or your automator action, switch to the finder and then go to Finder>Preferences>General You'll see a checkbox for: "Always open folders in a new window" Some other options for defaults in the finder as well. Rob

  by Robert M. Hall on 2006-08-20 16:38:47

• hey Aral, theres a widget in the apple site named xCuts, wich shows a list of the MAC OS X chorcuts, in diferent categories, i dont have the link but you could find it out, i've downloaded myself, it might work for you BeWell IsaacDM

  by IsaacDM on 2006-08-20 17:51:58

• "I really wish there was an easy way of discovering shortcuts for OS X." Aral, Aral, Aral, have you not heard of Google?! http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=mac os X shortcuts&btnG=Search&meta= *Hint, click the top result ;-)

  by Jolyon on 2006-08-21 08:49:53

• Hey, another sweet shortcut when typing in Mail, TextEdit and such, is ctrl-esc. This brings down a list suggesting possible words, a bit like code hints. Cheers, Hans Magnus

  by Hans Magnus on 2006-08-21 22:48:43

• Jolyron: I should've made myself clearer. I meant a simple way of discovering shortcuts as there is in Windows. In Windows you can see the Alt key shortcuts for every menu item and most (sometimes all) menu items have key-based shortcuts. So, I can press Alt F S for save if I don't know Ctrl S for example. Apple does a good job of hiding keyboard shortcuts. (For the record, I'd looked through the top Google result!) Thanks for the tips hints guys, much appreciated! :)

  by aral on 2006-08-22 11:06:20

• Anyone know a way to open Finder from any app with a shortcut (a la Windows E in Windows)? That's the one feature I really miss from Windows, and I know there has to be a way to do it...

  by Xtopher Robin on 2006-08-22 11:24:06

• Aral, if you got quicksilver installed (i hope you do!), get the user interface interface access plugin. Then you can use a trigger (i got mine to ctrl space) to quickly browse through all menu items by typing what you wanna do :) . (The right trigger is: Current Application -> Show menu items)

  by Thomas on 2006-08-22 17:29:37

• The shortcuts are visible in the menus on the right edge of any open menu. The shortcut philosophy does not include a shortcut to open the menu and then execute the subcommand. Rather each shortcut is unique and does not need the menu to be open at the time the command executes. For example, in the Edit menu a cloverleaf-C is present on the right edge of the menu when it is visible. The menu's are live, which is another way to discover commands. Open a menu by single clicking on it and while it is open try pressing the shift, option, and control keys. For example, in finder in the File menu see what happens when you press the shift, control, and option keys. Another neat thing is adding your own keyboard shortcuts using the keyboard pane in system preferences. Steve

  by Stephen Holland on 2006-08-23 01:36:47

• OH RIGHT! I forgot all about the keyboard pane in system pref's!!! thx Stephen!

  by LEE on 2006-08-23 07:25:57

• Hey Thomas, Stephen, just a quick thank-you for your tips. For some reason I haven't been able to warm up to QuickSilver even though I was using the LazyLauncher Yahoo! widget under windows as well as Runfast (I still run both on my Windows install under Parallels.) The keyboard triggers under QuickSilver conflict with Parallels and I value the ability to Command Tab, etc. while in full screen Windows mode to return to OS X. I'm going to give QuickSilver another chance and try out the UI access plugin as you suggested. It sounds useful. Stephen, I was aware of the shortcuts in the menu but I do miss the Alt menu functionality which you rightfully state isn't in the OS X design philosophy (but would make a good addition to it!) :) There is an app I found (forget its name now) that shows you context-sensitive keyboard shortcuts. A shareware app. Will look for it again.

  by aral on 2006-08-24 00:43:05

• Solved for me: Even i faced the same problem . I did lot of thing but finally got the solution here is the solution -click start-run-Regedit-then go the following location.....HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell Type NONE in the File data box, click OK, and exit the registry editor. that's it done..Your problem will be solved. Good Luck.

  by Raju Gunnal on 2009-03-06 04:22:20

• Many shortcuts are listed on apples website. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1343

  by Mark Aplet on 2009-11-19 18:43:42