New Macbook owner need help with some basics

[Davdi]

I've just bought a refurb 2020 Macbook Air (M1 chip) And so for I really like it, but I need some help with the basics (It's quite different to Debian).
I want to edit the dock to remove lesser used entries, and what's the easiest way to delete files using the UI (I'm quite happy to use a terminal as the commands are still Unix/Linux).

 

[chown33]

Info on using & customizing the Dock:

Use the Dock on Mac

On your Mac, the Dock runs along an edge of the screen. Click an icon for quick access to the Finder, apps, downloads, and the Trash.

support.apple.com

One way to delete files using the Finder is to select the files you want to delete, then hold down the ⌘ modifier key (also called the command key) and press the "delete" key (upper right of US keyboard). This is a shortcut for "Move to Trash". I use it often.

Another way is to select the files, hold down the "control" modifier key, then click one of the files. A popup menu will appear, and you can choose "Move to Trash".

You can also drag the selected files to the Trash icon and drop them.

To actually delete the files, use Empty Trash.

Here's a brief intro to using the Finder:

Use the Finder on Mac

On your Mac, use the Finder (identified by the blue icon with the smiling face) to view, organize and access almost everything.

support.apple.com

Basic Mac user guide:

Mac User Guide

Learn what’s new in macOS, how to get started with your Mac and use it with your Apple devices, and how to control privacy and security on macOS.

support.apple.com

 

[Ben J.]

I find it easiest to use right-click on the mouse to move files to the trash.
Here, in the 'context menu', you will also find 'Get info' and other useful stuff, like if you have selected more than on file/folder and right-click there will be a item called 'New folder with the selected items'. A new folder is created containing the items, and you can start typing immediately to give it a name.

Macmost.com is a great resource for video guides on all things mac:

MacMost Videos By Category

MacMost: MacMost Videos By Category

macmost.com

Here's a nice start:
10 tips for new mac users

 

[Alameda]

I've just bought a refurb 2020 Macbook Air (M1 chip) And so for I really like it, but I need some help with the basics (It's quite different to Debian).
I want to edit the dock to remove lesser used entries, and what's the easiest way to delete files using the UI (I'm quite happy to use a terminal as the commands are still Unix/Linux).

To remove an item from the dock just drag it upwards, away from the dock, and it will disappear in a little puff of smoke.

 

[Ben J.]

To remove an item from the dock just drag it upwards, away from the dock, and it will disappear in a little puff of smoke.

And anything you'd like to have in the dock, simply drag it, app or anything, into the dock. It will not 'move there' it will stay where it is and the item created in the Dock will just be a 'pointer'.

Another nice thing with the dock is you can put folders there. I have a few folders in my documents folder which I created custom icons for, and I dragged them to the Dock. Then I dragged photo apps to the Dock 'Photo' folder, anything related to my audio work to the 'Audio' folder etc. Because they are in the Dock, all these items will be 'pointers' or aliases as they're known as on mac.

 

[Alameda]

And anything you'd like to have in the dock, simply drag it, app or anything, into the dock. It will not 'move there' it will stay where it is and the item created in the Dock will just be a 'pointer'.

Another nice thing with the dock is you can put folders there. I have a few folders in my documents folder which I created custom icons for, and I dragged them to the Dock. Then I dragged photo apps to the Dock 'Photo' folder, anything related to my audio work to the 'Audio' folder etc. Because they are in the Dock, all these items will be 'pointers' or aliases as they're known as on mac.

View attachment 2434117

Translation for Unix users: A Symbolic Links is called an “alias” on Macs.

 

[Ben J.]

Translation for Unix users: A Symbolic Links is called an “alias” on Macs.

Pretty much the same thing, but there are technical differences I'm told, symlinks being a bit more 'solid', but I don't know the details. I use aliases, but I also create symlinks using this:

Download SymbolicLinker for Mac | MacUpdate

Download the latest version of SymbolicLinker for Mac for free. Read 54 user reviews and compare with similar apps on MacUpdate.

www.macupdate.com

 

[Alameda]

Pretty much the same thing, but there are technical differences I'm told, symlinks being a bit more 'solid', but I don't know the details. I use aliases, but I also create symlinks using this:

Download SymbolicLinker for Mac | MacUpdate

Download the latest version of SymbolicLinker for Mac for free. Read 54 user reviews and compare with similar apps on MacUpdate.

www.macupdate.com

You’re right; I oversimplified.

MacOS is based on Unix and it does support true symbolic links and hard links, and a Mac alias is neither.

A symbolic link points to a target file path and file. Moving the file breaks the link.

A Mac alias points to a file’s inode. Moving or renaming the target file does not break the link, but deleting the target file does break the link. Aliases work on removable drives and file servers, but I don’t think you can move a file to a server without breaking the alias (pretty sure you need to make a new alias).

A Unix hard link maintains a link to the file even if the target file is deleted.

 

[Davdi]

Many thanks for all the useful help, I wondered why <Control> V didn't work.

 

[Ben J.]

Many thanks for all the useful help, I wondered why <Control> V didn't work.

And you've found that paste shortcut on mac is 'command-V' of course?

 

[Alameda]

Many thanks for all the useful help, I wondered why <Control> V didn't work.

On Mac, the Command (propeller) key is like a PC’s Control key. Command-S is Save, Command-P is Print, and so forth.

The Option key, for the most part, lets you type Optional characters. Option-e and then e types é. Option-n and n types ñ, and so forth.

The Control key, for the most part, is for compatibility, such as when you use a terminal emulator or you Telnet into another computer.

Software developers can use these modifier keys in other ways, such as Option-Command-P, if they choose. It can be cumbersome but sometimes it’s done.