USEFUL MACINTOSH KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS FOR ALL:
By Chris Ridzon
Over the last 20 years one of the most useful questions I have been asked has to be about keyboard shortcuts. For years, I have been hand scribbling cheat sheet's for my clients so I thought it was time I share all these shortcuts with everyone. Remember, you can always stop by our shop for support or training on this subject however, in the meantime here are five reasons why you should be using keyboard shortcuts.
1.Efficiency
It is generally acknowledged by computer pro’s that you can increase your productivity and accomplish more tasks by using the keyboard instead of mouse. In other words, it’s easier and gets your job done faster. Take for example the task of selecting all the text in a document. You can do that by simply pressing Ctrl+A while doing that with the mouse requires pressing the left mouse button and dragging it across the whole document. In time you will learn that keyboard shortcuts let you do more with less effort.
2.Multitasking
Derives from the first motive, basically meaning that when you use the keyboard you don’t have to follow a pointer to see what you are doing and you can do that task semi-automatically thus freeing your mind for additional tasks.
3.Complementarity
You can combine the advantages of using the keyboard with using the mouse. There are tasks that are much easier done with the mouse, take the example of browsing the web pages and clicking links but at the same time you can use the keyboard to navigate within the page or between tabs. The beauty of this is that you can do both at the same time.
4.Health issues
Extensive mouse usage is associated with repetitive movements which can cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome after prolonged use. By alternating mouse and keyboard usage you can reduce the risks of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and reduce the fatigue your wrists and fingers.
5.Precision
When you have a job that requires precision it is advisable that you use the keyboard. For example, if you do a lot of text editing, it is more efficient to handle it through keyboard shortcuts.
Below is the list of keyboard shortcuts that I have compiled, I encourage you to have a look and initially adapt only a few shortcuts that you think you will use. If you like using them and have success please come back as many times as you would like for more! Enjoy...
Menu Symbols:
⌘ - Command (or Cmd) Like the Control key on Windows/PC. Formerly known as the Apple key.
⌥ - Option (like Alt on Windows/PC)
⇧ - Shift
⌃ - Control (Control-click = Right-click)
⇥ - Tab
↩︎ - Return
⌅ - Enter (on Number Pad, or fn-Return on compact keyboards)
⏏︎ - Eject
⎋ - Escape
⇞ - Page Up (fn-Up Arrow on compact keyboards)
⇟ - Page Down (fn-Down Arrow on compact keyboards)
↖︎ - Home (fn-Left Arrow on compact keyboards)
↘︎ - End (fn-Right Arrow on compact keyboards)
←↑↓→ - Arrow Keys
⌫ - Delete Left (like Backspace on Windows/PC)
⌦ - Delete Right (fn-Delete on compact keyboards. Also called Forward Delete)
By pressing certain key combinations, you can do things that normally need a mouse, trackpad, or other input device.
To use a keyboard shortcut, press and hold one or more modifier keys and then press the last key of the shortcut. For example, to use Command-C (copy), press and hold the Command key, then the C key, then release both keys. Mac menus and keyboards often use
symbols for certain keys, including modifier keys:
Use a phrase:
· Around 12 letters long
· Something simple to remember, but hard to crack
· Can integrate things you like or do to make it more memorable
· Give an example
Keep each account unique:
· Never use the same password more than once
· Give an example (the idea here is to build on your previous example as you progress through each tip).
Play with spellings:
· Use homonyms
. Two or the number “2” instead of To
. Ant instead of Aunt
· Build on your previous example
Random capitalizations and numbers:
· Use numbers and capitalizations but keep it memorable
. If you go overboard, your password will be impossible to remember
· Idea: Can use a capital letter on the second word of every password
· Idea: Can use the same number behind the first word of every password
· Build on your previous example.
Download a password manager:
: Put your Mac to sleep.