Mac is a work tool for people in a variety of professions. We use computers to write texts, edit photos, create applications and a lot of other things. Like any job, your Mac workflow should be productive. Screen space is one of the biggest factors affecting productivity. Some use external monitors, but what about those who cannot afford such luxury? For such users, we have some useful tips.

Make active use of the application switching menu

When working on a small screen, it makes more sense to use the space for one application and simply switch between them as needed. OS X has very convenient menu switching, which is called by the key combination [⌘]+[⇥] (Cmd+Tab). It is, in fact, not as primitive as it might seem at first glance. Here are a few nuances of his work:

• if you press the [⌘]+[⇥] keys, you will switch to the previous application
• if you press [⌘]+[⇥], and then release [⇥] while holding [⌘], the menu itself will open with icons of running applications
• using the menu you can switch not only to the previous application, but also to any of the running ones
• You can select an application in the menu using the mouse (just hover over the cursor)
• ... or the [⇥] keys, single presses cycle through applications, holding [⇥] scrolls through them to the end of the list

In addition, you can easily switch between windows of the same application using the shortcut [⌘]+[~] (on an RS/A keyboard [~] next to the [Z] key, while on a US keyboard it’s right above , which is more logical).

Make efficient use of available screen space

We've already reviewed various tools that help you manage windows more efficiently in OS X, including Moom, BetterSnapTool, and Window Tidy. All of them allow you to more conveniently control the size and placement of windows, with the same goal - to effectively divide the available screen space between the applications that you need to work with at the same time.

Let me give you an example. I'm working on a 13 inch MacBook Pro, which is not the smallest, but given the resolution of 1280 x 800 (which is even less than the 11-inch Air), it can be considered as such. When I translate large articles, for comfortable work I need to simultaneously hold at least three windows - a text editor and two Safari windows with the original and a dictionary or translator window. Manually resizing windows and placing them on the screen in the order I want is a very thankless task, so I use BetterSnapTool, which has many options for both window sizes and their placement.

Set up desktops and divide your workspace

Support for multiple desktops in OS X is a standard feature and has been implemented for quite some time. You can create as many virtual desktops as you like and easily switch between them.

The idea is to demarcate your workspace. The system allows you to link each application to a specific desktop and thereby reduce confusion and chaos. You can assign the desktop to an application by right-clicking the menu on the application icon in the dock and selecting Options ▸ This desktop.

This is how my desktops are organized: on the first iTunes and Mac App Store, on the second - mail, on the third - Telegram and Twitter, on the fourth - Safari and Writer Pro, on the fifth - Pixelmator. This is enough for me, you may have more or less. Here are the things you should know about desktops:

• You can add a desktop in Mission Contorl by calling it with a four-finger swipe up or pressing the F3 key, after which you need to click on the plus sign in the upper right corner of the screen
• you can switch between tables with the same four-finger gesture, only left and right, or using the key combination +[←] and +[→]
• you can quickly switch to the last open desktop by swiping in its direction and go back by swiping in the opposite direction

Use full screen app mode

There's nothing wrong with using all your screen space for one app. For example, if you work in text editor, then by expanding it to full screen, you will get rid of distractions and focus on your task. This method is not suitable for all applications, but it can still be used in most cases. Full screen mode is present in almost all applications, so don't forget to use it!

Use the Dock Effectively

The Dock is an exclusive and very convenient feature of OS X. It makes it very convenient to switch between applications and open documents, but the downside of the dock is that it takes up precious screen space, which is already scarce on widescreen 11- and 13-inch displays. Here we have two options, or rather even three:

• tune minimum size dock that is acceptable to you (menu  ▸ Dock ▸ Dock Settings)
• move the dock to the side of the screen, after all, we have much more space in terms of width
• configure automatic hiding and opening the dock by moving the cursor to the edge of the screen (by the way, you can speed up its response)

You will find all the described options in the dock settings, and automatic hiding can even be enabled with a separate shortcut - [⌥]+[⌘]+[D].

Don't forget about Spotlight

Working at a computer almost always involves interacting with documents, files and folders. You can, of course, keep a Finder on a separate desktop with several tabs or a couple of windows, but it’s easier to open the documents you need or search for files using Spotlight.

Global search in OS X can be called up while in any (even full-screen) application - to do this, press the key combination + [Space]. With the release of OS X Yosemite, Spotlight has become much more functional and allows you to convert values, carry out calculations, and search for information on Wikipedia. Think about this the next time you open Safari to look for this information.

Set up three-finger drag

The small MacBook not only has a small screen, but also a not so large trackpad. Therefore, it complicates the frequently used operation of dragging, which we use to select text, drag and drop objects, and in many other cases. By default, as on regular mouse, is performed by tapping and swiping your finger, but can be reassigned to a three-finger gesture. To do this, open the trackpad settings and check the appropriate box.

From childhood we are taught to have order. With a smile, I remember those times when all the trash and unwanted screws, nuts, wires and other “extremely necessary” little things were swept away in an instant with a confident movement of my father’s hand. Today, in addition to a comfortable workplace, a practical desk and an easy chair, everyone also has a virtual computer desktop. Alas, the tendency to pile up icons, dozens of open windows, tabs, and the habit of saving everything to the desktop remains. A couple of days active work and a real dump covering a beautiful wallpaper picture is guaranteed.

In today's article we will figure out how to properly organize your OS X desktop and work productively with windows using standard system tools and additional applications.

Desktop

Every day, many files find their home right on the desktop. Files, archives, music tracks and photographs that were saved for just a few hours for the purpose of familiarization eventually receive permanent registration. I never get around to cleaning up my desk. And if on a 27-inch Mac problem lack of space can be protracted, then on the 11-13-inch MacBook the critical point comes very quickly.

Camouflage

Genre
Publisher: Krasten Kushe
Version: 4.1
OS X: 599 RUR [Download from Mac App Store]

Application CamouFlage is a truly convenient and practical utility that, with a few clicks, will completely relieve your OS X desktop.

Once launched, Camouflage is embedded into top panel Dock. In order to hide all the contents of the desktop, just click on the application icon and select Hide icons. As a result, the entire table will become completely clean.

The number of Camouflage settings is kept to a minimum, but this does not at all affect the functionality of the application.

For more productive work and instantly hiding all icons, it is recommended to use hotkeys. By selecting the item Change, press a convenient combination on your keyboard. Personally I use Shift + Alt + S. By default, Camouflage covers your desktop with a black wallpaper. In the settings you can set any picture. To return all icons, press the installed key combination again.

All icons, folders and files stored on the desktop will still be accessible in Finder in the Desktop folder.

Cleaning via terminal

For those who are not ready to spend money on useful but primitive applications, there is an option to hide all the “sinner icons” using the terminal.

Open a terminal and enter the following commands:

defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop -bool false
killall Finder

Thus, we have not only completely hidden all icons from the OS X desktop, but also banned the ability to display icons, files and folders. The desktop will now be always empty. All files are stored in the Finder sidebar, in the Desktop folder.

To get everything back, use with the following commands:

defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop -bool true
killall Finder

This method is somewhat more complicated, but for lovers of scripts and those who do not want to spend their money, it will be an excellent alternative.

Window

Watched the video, sent an email, created a reminder, read the news on website, left a couple of notes... After 15 minutes of such active work, my eyes begin to twitch from the abundance of open windows. An amazing thing, but reaching out to yellow button I personally am not accustomed to “collapse”.

Hocus Focus

Genre: Productivity, Desktop
Publisher: Niall Giacomelli
Version: 1.1
OS X: Free download]

The name of the application speaks for itself: a magic icon in the form magic wand in the upper Dock will constantly monitor order in the environment of open OS X windows. Magic? No, just thoughtful individual timer for each running application. After the specified time has elapsed, the window unused application will collapse automatically.

There are exactly two options for how HocusFocus and the proposed profiles work:

• hiding unused windows after a set time;
• hiding when “losing focus” (another window is opened - the unused one is automatically minimized).

From my own experience with the application, I can say one thing: it really is convenient way combating the disorderly arrangement of windows. At first it’s a little annoying, because everything is canceled without warning and strictly on time. Correct installation timers solve problems and work becomes comfortable.

Minimizing using OS X

If you consider purchasing HocusFocus inappropriate, you can solve the problem with cluttering windows using regular funds OS X operating system (alas, there is no timer operation). Collapse open window can be done in two ways:

– the obvious way – using the yellow circle-folding;

– use of a pressed key ALT And click on the desktop. The window must be active when minimized. The alternative is closure system windows using a combination CMD+W and applications using CMD+Q.

Additional Dock

For more productive work in the OS X environment, you can use the additional Dock panel (if the key F4 and the standard Dock panel no longer satisfies your needs).

Ring Menu

Genre: Productivity, Desktop
Publisher: Daniel Schrot
Version: 1.3.4
OS X: 279 RUR [Download from Mac App Store]

Application Ring Menu allows you to open an additional Dock panel using gestures on MacBook touchpad or using a hotkey combination.

The number of Ring Menu settings is limited to selecting gestures for the touchpad, using black-and-white and color icon modes, and setting the application disk theme. Mode Swift Mode provides for instant opening of the application when you hover the mouse cursor over it.

You can call the Ring Menu over any open application or windows. When using the application, it is advisable to enable automatic hiding of the standard Dock on OS X ( Settings – Dock– check the box next to the item Automatically show or hide the Dock).

To add new application icons, open Programs, call up the Ring Menu and drag the required icon in the ring area.

P.S. For rational use of all possibilities operating system OS X (applies to those who have become acquainted with the system recently), do not be lazy to study it.

Every new version of macOS (OS X) comes with fresh stock wallpapers. Here you can find everything from 10.0 Cheetah and 10.1 Puma to 10.13 High Sierra. At 5K. A must for the collection.

10.0 Cheetah & 10.1 Puma

The first pair of OS X came with blue wallpaper with wide blue arcs. They set the tone for the new Aqua interface, which Apple began using.

10.2 Jaguar

Jaguar picked up the theme previous version operating system, but made it deeper and more dynamic. Many people compare these lines on a blue background to comets in space.

10.3 Panther

Panther made the operating system interface metal. Today it is extremely unusual to observe such skeuomorphism. But the wallpaper remained the same blue. "S" - stability.

10.4 Tiger

Many rightfully believe the best version The operating system for Mac is Panther. One can argue with the statement, but there is definitely some truth in it. The wallpaper remained the same blue.

10.5 Leopard

The Leopard came with a new redesigned and unified user interface. He managed to get rid of the blue color on standard wallpaper. The space age has begun on the Mac.

10.6 Snow Leopard

Snow Leopard was as different from Leopard as the last two current platforms. This is clearly visible in the standard Mac desktop wallpapers.

10.7 Lion

Lion continued the space theme in the standard Mac wallpaper. This time, by default, all Macs running this operating system displayed the Andromeda galaxy.

10.8 Mountain Lion

On that times Apple used exactly the same technique that was already used before. It didn't fundamentally change the default Mac wallpaper. But she made them simpler and cleaner.

10.9 Mavericks

With the release of this version of the operating system Apple systems left cats in naming and switched to popular places in California. And this wave looks just as scary on standard Mac wallpapers as it does in real life.

10.10 Yosemite

The release of this version of the operating system marked a complete abandonment of skeuomorphism and a transition to a flat interface, which the company has already tested on iOS 7. The wallpaper shows a mountain peak in Yosemite National Park.

10.11 El Capitan

Apple continued the mountain theme. And on the standard wallpaper of this macOS versions turned out to be Mount El Capitan, located in Yosemite National Park.

10.12 Sierra

Inspired by Yosemite National Park in California, Apple chose the Sierra Nevada mountains - the result of a rare geological formation - for new version macOS.

10.13 High Sierra (beta)

Mac is a work tool for people in a variety of professions. We use computers to write texts, edit photos, create applications and a lot of other things. Like any job, your Mac workflow should be productive. Screen space is one of the biggest factors affecting productivity. Some people use external monitors, but what about those who don't have that luxury? For such users, we have some useful tips.

Make active use of the application switching menu

When working on a small screen, it makes more sense to use the space for one application and simply switch between them as needed. OS X has a very convenient switching menu, which is called up by the keyboard shortcut [⌘]+[⇥] (Cmd+Tab). It is, in fact, not as primitive as it might seem at first glance. Here are a few nuances of his work:

• if you press the [⌘]+[⇥] keys, you will switch to the previous application
• if you press [⌘]+[⇥], and then release [⇥] while holding [⌘], the menu itself will open with icons of running applications
• using the menu you can switch not only to the previous application, but also to any of the running ones
• You can select an application in the menu using the mouse (just hover over the cursor)
• ... or the [⇥] keys, single presses cycle through applications, holding [⇥] scrolls through them to the end of the list

In addition, you can easily switch between windows of the same application using the shortcut [⌘]+[~] (on an RS/A keyboard [~] next to the [Z] key, while on a US keyboard it’s right above , which is more logical).

Make efficient use of available screen space

We've already reviewed various tools that help you manage windows more efficiently in OS X, including Moom, BetterSnapTool, and Window Tidy. All of them allow you to more conveniently control the size and placement of windows, with the same goal - to effectively divide the available screen space between the applications that you need to work with at the same time.

Let me give you an example. I work on a 13-inch MacBook Pro, which isn't the smallest, but with a resolution of 1280 x 800 (which is even smaller than the 11-inch Air), it can be considered one. When I translate large articles, for convenient work I need to simultaneously hold at least three windows - a text editor and two Safari windows with the original and a dictionary or translator window. Manually resizing windows and placing them on the screen in the order I want is a very thankless task, so I use BetterSnapTool, which has many options for both window sizes and their placement.

Set up desktops and divide your workspace

Support for multiple desktops in OS X is a standard feature and has been implemented for quite some time. You can create as many virtual desktops as you like and easily switch between them.

The idea is to demarcate your workspace. The system allows you to link each application to a specific desktop and thereby reduce confusion and chaos. You can assign the desktop to an application by right-clicking the menu on the application icon in the dock and selecting Options ▸ This desktop.

This is how my desktops are organized: on the first iTunes and Mac App Store, on the second - mail, on the third - Telegram and Twitter, on the fourth - Safari and Writer Pro, on the fifth - Pixelmator. This is enough for me, you may have more or less. Here are the things you should know about desktops:

• You can add a desktop in Mission Contorl by calling it with a four-finger swipe up or pressing the F3 key, after which you need to click on the plus sign in the upper right corner of the screen
• you can switch between tables with the same four-finger gesture, only left and right, or using the key combination +[←] and +[→]
• you can quickly switch to the last open desktop by swiping in its direction and go back by swiping in the opposite direction

Use full screen app mode

There's nothing wrong with using all your screen space for one app. For example, if you work in a text editor, then expanding it to full screen will help you get rid of distractions and focus on your task. This method is not suitable for all applications, but it can still be used in most cases. Full screen mode is present in almost all applications, so don't forget to use it!

Use the Dock Effectively

The Dock is an exclusive and very convenient feature of OS X. It makes it very convenient to switch between applications and open documents, but the downside of the Dock is that it takes up precious screen space, which is already scarce on widescreen 11- and 13-inch displays . Here we have two options, or rather even three:

• configure the minimum dock size that is acceptable for you (menu  ▸ Dock ▸ Dock Settings)
• move the dock to the side of the screen, after all, we have much more space in terms of width
• configure automatic hiding and opening the dock by moving the cursor to the edge of the screen (by the way, you can speed up its response)

You will find all the described options in the dock settings, and automatic hiding can even be enabled with a separate shortcut - [⌥]+[⌘]+[D].

Don't forget about Spotlight

Working at a computer almost always involves interacting with documents, files and folders. You can, of course, keep a Finder on a separate desktop with several tabs or a couple of windows, but it’s easier to open the documents you need or search for files using Spotlight.

Global search in OS X can be called up while in any (even full-screen) application - to do this, press the key combination + [Space]. With the release of OS X Yosemite, Spotlight has become much more functional and allows you to convert values, carry out calculations, and search for information on Wikipedia. Think about this the next time you open Safari to look for this information.

Set up three-finger drag

The small MacBook not only has a small screen, but also a not so large trackpad. Therefore, it complicates the frequently used operation of dragging, which we use to select text, drag and drop objects, and in many other cases. By default, it is performed by pressing and moving your finger, just like on a regular mouse, but it can be reassigned to a three-finger gesture. To do this, open the trackpad settings and check the appropriate box.