One of the reasons which prevented me from fully migrating from Windows and Linux to Mac was the shortcuts. I am sure they are well documented but they are difficult to locate. I have tried various resources such as the seminars at the flag ship Apple store in London Regent street etc, but no one seems to have any idea of being a power user on a Mac. Using Skype helped me a lot to get familiar with macs, because otherwise I didn’t have the necessary patience to get to know the mac os. I just started using my first mac for chatting and gradually discovered all these short cuts. It really helped that I am very familiar with shortcuts on Windows and Linux.

1. Taking Screenshots
I use screen shots a lot for various reasons including keeping records of online transactions to creating interesting images for my blog posts.
I use the commands below, it’s always a good idea to have the volume at a reasonable level so that you can hear the noice which emulates a camera taking a photo. This will let you know that the screenshot has been taken and unlike windows or even Linux Mac saves the screenshot on the desktop.
Compared to other operating systems this makes life easier by not having to open an image manipulation program for taking and modifying screen shots.
I normally use “Preview” which comes with Mac to modify these images.

Command-Shift-3: Take a screenshot of the screen, and save it as a file on the desktop
Command-Shift-4, then select an area: Take a screenshot of an area and save it as a file on the desktop, very useful for blog posts etc.
Command-Shift-4, then space, then click a window: Take a screenshot of a window and save it as a file on the desktop

2. Minimise open windows one at a time
Useful when you want to get some windows out of the way to de clutter your view. This wouldn’t minimise all windows. The behaviour is different to the normal minimising by clicking on the minimise button, this put the application window in the docking area and you need to click again to get it back up. With this shortcut it’s easier because this minimises only out of view and doesn’t dock.

Command + H

Try

Command + Shift +F3

to minimize all open screens with a theatrical effect. Very useful when you want to see the Desktop !

3. Toggle between various application windows
Command + Tab (–>|)
Hold the Command button down and keep pressing “Tab” to cycle through all the open applications.
When you reach the application you want to select release the command key.

This is one of the most useful shortcuts for me because I use a number of applications at the same time.

4. Closing an application
Focus on the application window that you want to close and press “Command + Q”, this will not only close the open window for that application but close the application it self !

5. Toggle between all open windows within the same application
For example when I am using Firefox I tend to open a lot of new browser windows, to toggle between these I use
Command + `
Very useful to cycle through open windows

You can combine this with the previous command to select the specific application window that you want to close
Hold down the command button then keep pressing the Tab key until you reach the application icon that you want, then while still holding the command button press “Q” to quit that application. This is a quick and an easy way to cycle through all the open applications and quit.

6. Where is the “#” – hash or pound key on the Mac ?

There isn’t one, the keycombo to use is ALT+3

I will keep updating this post to include the shortcuts as and when I get familiar with them. In the mean time if you have any suggestions or would like to comment please do so below . I am more than happy to include your favourite shortcuts here.