Mac Worflow
So I’ve been on Mac OS X for a couple of months now and I think I’ve adapted my workflow to the way it works. Mac OS X has some awesome features that are not available natively on Windows.
The feature that changed the way I use the computer the most is Spaces. This feature lets you have a number of virtual desktops to which you can launch specific applications that do not appear on the other ones. I work with two screens all the time, so this makes a huge difference for me as I usually have different applications launch in specific screens, and this lets me switch both windows instantly instead of attempting to minimize and maximize a number of applications on Windows OS.
My second most used feature is Active Screen Corners. This feature lets you assign an action to be executed when you move the mouse cursor to a screen corner. I use this in conjunction with Spaces and Expose. This makes it possible for me to switch spaces and applications using a quick mouse gesture instead of using the keyboard or clicking on the spaces icon. I have another corner assigned for Expose and another one to show the desktop.
I also like customizing the dock. I only have the applications which I regularly actually use their permanently. These are Firefox, TweetDeck, and iTunes. I have the essential CS4 Applications in a grid folder, my work applications in another grid folder, and then I just have all the installed applications in their original folder.
Another feature I like the screen capture tool which I have configured to work with an extra button on my mouse. Using it I simply click my scroll wheel to the left and then select the outline of the area I wish to capture. Really helpful when writing web tutorials!
Anyway, in addition to all these things I like I also have a number of issues with the Mac OS X. The first problem I have is when Expose does not work. For those who do not know what this feature is, it is a quick method to switch between programs in a single space which spreads out all the applications in a zoom-out grid like form. However, some applications have a lot of floating panels, example all Adobe CS4 applications. Using expose here makes each panel appear as a separate window screen making it impossible to know what is happening on the screen. The screen below is supposed to have 2 applications and 1 window opened.
The Mac OS X separates the upper file menu from the actual application window. For most users who use a single screen, they will not think that this is significantly different from Windows, however, because I use two screens, this difference becomes a huge issue, because the file menu only appears on the primary screen, any applications opened on the secondary screen will have their file menu on the other screen which is plain weird and confusing.
I am also irritated by the crazy number of shortcuts built-in the system. Almost all the F buttons already do a system-wide function that override any function to these buttons in other applications. I had to disable them one by one in order to be able to do any work. Some other crazy ones like renaming any file you select by pressing Enter cannot be removed or edited. I also still cannot get over the fact that you cannot maximize folders and apple applications such as iTunes. Not sure if I ever will.
