This document provides an overview and introduction to basic Mac functions including: 1. The Finder interface which allows navigation, organization and opening of files and folders. 2. Common parts of the Finder window like the Dock, Sidebar, Spotlight search. 3. How to take screenshots using keyboard shortcuts to capture the screen or portions of it. 4. A variety of other keyboard shortcuts for switching apps, navigating windows, text editing and more.

1. Mac Attack
Mac Basics
Staff Development
October, 2013

2. Basics: Hardware

3. Basics: Hardware

4. Basics: Hardware

5. Basics: Trackpad

6. Basics: Trackpad

7. The Finder
The Desktop
The Dock
Access the Finder anytime
Resize the Dock
Shortcuts
The Finder is the desktop interface of a Mac. It allows users to move,
copy, delete, and open files, navigate through folders, and move
windows around the desktop. The Finder loads automatically when
the computer starts up and is always running in the background.
TIP: Any item on the dock that has a glowing sphere below it is
open. To quit any open application, click and hold on the item in
the dock and choose quit from the menu that appears.

8. Finder: Parts & Pieces
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1. Apple Menu: Launch recently opened applications, shut down or log out from here
2. Wireless Signal: Make sure this signal is black. If gray click and select BPS
3. Spotlight: Search for files, folders and applications located on your computer
4. Hard Drive: This contains all of your files, folders and applications
5. Sidebar: This shows shortcuts to important locations on your hard drive or the server
6. Finder Window: Use this when navigating for files, folders or applications on your computer

9. Finder: Parts & Pieces
1. Window close, minimize, and zoom buttons
2. Finder window view buttons – icon, list, column, and cover flow
3. Action Menu - Quick access to Finder functions for highlighted items, such as Get Info,
Move to Trash, and Services.
4. Item Arrangement button - In any view, you can organize the window by clicking the
item arrangement button and choosing one of the ways to group items.
5. Search Field - Start typing a word or phrase and Spotlight will search your Mac for any
matches.
6. Right pane - The contents of a selected folder are shown in this pane.
7. Pane edge - Drag to resize.
8. Devices - A device connected to your computer, such as a DVD, USB device, or your
Time Machine backup disk.
9. Sidebar - Items are grouped into categories: Favorites, Shared, and Devices—the top
portion has Favorites which contains quick access to All My Files, Applications,
Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Movies, Music, and Pictures.
10. Back / Forward buttons – You can use the back button to return one step back and the
forward button to go forward.

10. Finder: The Dock
The Dock is the bar of icons that sits at the bottom or side of your screen. It provides easy
access to some of the applications on your Mac, displays which applications are currently
running, and holds windows in their minimized state. It's also the place to find the Trash (its
icon looks like a waste basket).
Tip: Click and hold on an item in the dock to reveal an option menu
Tip: Quickly see what applications are running by the little glow below the
icon
Tip: Drag an application from your Finder window into the Dock to have a
shortcut appear.
Tip: Drag an icon off the Dock to remove it.

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12. Screen Shots
Screen shots are a handy trick to know. When you take a screen shot, you are capturing what
is on your screen to use when building lessons, sending notes in email, or asking your tech for
help. Below are the four most common types of screen shots.
•
Command-Shift-3: Takes a screenshot of the
screen, and saves it as a file on the desktop
•
Command-Shift-4, then select an area: Takes a
screenshot of an area and saves it as a file on the
desktop
•
Command-Control-Shift-3: Takes a screenshot of
the screen, and saves it to the clipboard
•
Command-Control-Shift-4, then select an area:
Takes a screenshot of an area and saves it to the
clipboard

13. Keyboard Shortcuts
What you see in the menu
In the Finder
Switching Between Apps

14. Keyboard Shortcuts
The Dock
Working with Text
Windows & Dialogs

15. Keyboard Shortcuts
Troubleshooting and Miscellaneous Shortcuts