New to mac from windows - keyboard commands

[rickybob]

hi all

Im new to the Mac and would like to carry out similar tasks that I could do on windows on the Mac..

1. in windows I can open up windows explorer no matter what screen or app im in by using the windows + the E key, how can I do the same with the finder on the mac ?

2. in windows I can open up the start menu by simply pressing on the windows key, from there I can use the keyboard arrows to direct me around the start menu. how can I do this on the Mac for a) the dock and b) the main apple menu as i don't want to have to use the mouse/trackpad to move around the dock or menus.

3. in a application in windows if I wished to go to the applications file menu I could press the alt key and then use the keyboard arrow keys to find the menu I want. how can I do this from within a application on the mac ??

4. when in a mac ox leopord application screen. eg. pages or numbers. I should be able to do a command + S to save any changes I've done, this does not seem to work for me and i have to go to the main menu with the mouse and choose saves changes , can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong ?

I'm using a macbook running leopard.

thanks
Eoin

 

[72930]

1. in windows I can open up windows explorer no matter what screen or app im in by using the windows + the E key, how can I do the same with the finder on the mac ?

2. in windows I can open up the start menu by simply pressing on the windows key, from there I can use the keyboard arrows to direct me around the start menu. how can I do this on the Mac for a) the dock and b) the main apple menu as i don't want to have to use the mouse/trackpad to move around the dock or menus.

I greatly recommend Quicksilver for all your app-launching etc. keyboard needs

4. when in a mac ox leopord application screen. eg. pages or numbers. I should be able to do a command + S to save any changes I've done, this does not seem to work for me and i have to go to the main menu with the mouse and choose saves changes , can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong ?

Command+S, same goes for other shortcuts such as Command+C for copy instead of Ctrl+C

 

[Eidorian]

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75459

Get an application launcher (e.g. Quicksilver) or use Spotlight.

 

[tersono]

As the previous poster said, Quicksilver, Launchbar (which is my personal choice) or, if it comes to it, Spotlight itself can handle all of your file, window, application shortcuts.

With regard to Command-S etc, make sure you are actually pressing the Command key (to the immediate left of the space bar) rather than the Control key (which is what Windows uses). It's a common mistake

 

[emptyCup]

1. Command (Apple)-N
4. Apple-S works for me

Here is a list of keyboard shortcuts. There are also lists under Help, at Apple and many other places. You may also find David Pogue's Switching to the Mac useful. Best wishes.

 

[richard.mac]

1. command-N (only works if finder is the front most application) or click the finder icon in the dock.

2. move focus to menu bar "control-F2"

3. move focus to dock "control-F3"

4. command-S works for me when saving work in pages. make sure before you save that the close button in the top left of the window has a circle in it. this means that you have unsaved work. when you press command-S the circle will disappear indicating youve saved.

also +1 for quicksilver and +1 for spotlight as an app and doc launcher. press command-space to invoke spotlight and type the first word of an app or doc and press enter.

 

[rickybob]

thanks to all who replied.

I'll look into quicksilver, mind you I'm a bit disappointed the mac can't do these simple tasks without a 3rd party... dare i say it , i prefer windows on this particular query..

thanks

 

[Eidorian]

thanks to all who replied.

I'll look into quicksilver, mind you I'm a bit disappointed the mac can't do these simple tasks without a 3rd party... dare i say it , i prefer windows on this particular query..

thanks

One or two letters in Quicksilver or Spotlight and you'll get the program you want to launch...

Why did you want to navigate around in the start menu with the arrows?