Zach's Projects

Thanks for the link to Paintbrush - it's just what I need for the limited sort of graphical hacking I do. I actually installed Gimp on my Mac to try and fill that need, which is overkill in so many ways, so I often found myself on the PC just to use MS Paint.

Welcome to Macintosh!

 

Safari doesn't display URL's of links before you click them? Maybe I'll install Firefox on the Apple as well.

Go to the View menu, and select "Show Status Bar". It'll appear at the bottom of the window.

new computer on Saturday

Ouch - just missed the new mini. Same thing happened to me when I got my first iPod. It might be worth returning the one you just got and getting a new one - the graphic chipset in the new mini is significantly better.

 

Having to use a different key for keyboard shortcuts. Hopefully there's a way to change this without going too deep in the code.

Not going to change - Apple's use of the Command Key predates the Macintosh

The first model on which it appeared was the 1980 Apple III ... they mapped to the two different fire buttons of an attached joystick. This allowed for flexible combinations of a modifier key and base key (such as Open-Apple with C for Copy) with just a few extra wires and no ROM changes, since the Apple II could only register one key press at a time

When Microsoft borrowed the idea they didn't have a dedicated key to use for shortcuts, so they repurposed the control key. Once they got enough power to push through a Windows Key, the usage of Control was too ingrained.

 

That said, I work on a Windows system and use a Mac for my personal use. After a bit you'll be able to switch between the two systems without a second thought.

 

The weather panel is nice, I have 5 of them on my dashboard so I have instant access to the weather were my family lives. Another nice one to add is Radar In Motion.

new computer on Saturday

Ouch - just missed the new mini.

Zach e-mailed me that he'd bought one, and I wrote back something like, "Of course, within days now you just know they'll release a new model with better specs."

 

I usually keep an eye out on sites like MacRumors and AppleInsider. They aren't always accurate, but they give a pretty good indication when new stuff is coming up.

Having to use a different key for keyboard shortcuts. Hopefully there's a way to change this without going too deep in the code.

Not going to change - Apple's use of the Command Key predates the Macintosh

The first model on which it appeared was the 1980 Apple III ... they mapped to the two different fire buttons of an attached joystick. This allowed for flexible combinations of a modifier key and base key (such as Open-Apple with C for Copy) with just a few extra wires and no ROM changes, since the Apple II could only register one key press at a time

When Microsoft borrowed the idea they didn't have a dedicated key to use for shortcuts, so they repurposed the control key. Once they got enough power to push through a Windows Key, the usage of Control was too ingrained.

That wikipedia article is unintentionally hilarious:

One advantage of this scheme, as contrasted with the Microsoft Windows mixed use of the Control and Alt keys, is that the Control key is reserved entirely for its original purpose: entering control characters in terminal applications.

Yeah, because terminal applications are used so often by so many users that we want to make sure that there is a single, dedicated key for that purpose.

The Macintosh keyboard's other unusual modifier key, the Option key, serves as a modifier both for entering keyboard shortcuts and for typing text—it is used to enter foreign characters, typographical symbols, and other nonstandard characters.

Unusual? Ummm. Ever heard of the ALT key? Is it unusual if 99% of PCs sold have an extra modifier key for both entering keyboard shortcuts and for typing nonstandard characters?

 

I don't mean to bang too hard on you Apple fanatics - I kid because I care.

 

Anyway, speaking of keyboard shortcuts, regardless of what modifier key is held down, is the other key pretty standard between platforms?

I.e., <modifier>+

C for copy

X for cut

V for paste

B for bold

I for italics

U for underline

Z for undo

Y for redo

etc.

 

I'd think that would be the harder adjustment, if those didn't match up.

Anyway, speaking of keyboard shortcuts, regardless of what modifier key is held down, is the other key pretty standard between platforms?

I.e., <modifier>+

C for copy

X for cut

V for paste

B for bold

I for italics

U for underline

Z for undo

Y for redo

etc.

 

I'd think that would be the harder adjustment, if those didn't match up.

Pretty much, though CMD-Shift-Z is usually redo.

 

There are exceptions, such as when you are using a X11 application ported to OS X, some may still use CTRL for the above (and CTRL-Y for redo.)

new computer on Saturday

Ouch - just missed the new mini.

Zach e-mailed me that he'd bought one, and I wrote back something like, "Of course, within days now you just know they'll release a new model with better specs."

Ouch indeed. First thing I thought was, Nathan wasn't kidding. I bought the Mac a couple weeks ago, so it's not as if I just missed the new model by a day.

Yeah, because terminal applications are used so often by so many users that we want to make sure that there is a single, dedicated key for that purpose.

While it's no longer relevant, terminal applications where a big deal at the time. Amiga did the same thing as Apple with Closed Amiga, Open Amiga, Alt and Control keys.

That said, I work on a Windows system and use a Mac for my personal use. After a bit you'll be able to switch between the two systems without a second thought.

Thanks for the tip, Darrell. I am getting used to switching between the control and command keys, even though I use the same keyboard for both systems.

 

I'm still thinking about whether to install Firefox, even though Safari is pretty good. If I stick with Safari, I'll need to change the home page. It's no fun being taken to Apple's web site, where they advertise the new Mac Mini.