N00b Question

PDD

Hi Folks,

I have a Mac Mini and for some reason I dont seem to be able to move files via cut and paste. Instead it just copies and paste even when I use the opt-x and opt-v.

I do have a windows keyboard and have DoubleCommand Installed with it set as the options of - option key acts as command key. Does anyone know how I can get it to be just like windows with ctrl instead of the awkward option key?

Ive also noticed that it seems to interfere with Paralells, when I need to press ctrl+alt to release the mouse and keyboard it doesnt. Ive tried lots of options like windows+ctrl and windows+alt etc but no luck. They only way I can get my mouse back is to unplug it and force OS-X to throw a wobbler over it.

With Apple's push for switchers they don't exactly make things easy or enable users to switch easily.

Dave

whiterebel

Go to system prefs, Keyboard and modifier keys and it should let you set your combo to open as you wish, providing you're in OS X of course.

Breezer

You can't cut and paste with files. This used to bug the hell out of me when I started using OS X. I still think it's pretty stupid that this hasn't been implemented but I've gotten used to dragging and dropping. The fact that the folders open as you drag a file over them makes this much easier than in Windows.

Double Command is unncecessary with Tiger. Go with what whitetrebel said, and switch the control and command keys. Though I have to say I find the command key just as easy these days now I've gotten used to it, and I regularly find myself shouting at Windows machines that perform strange menu commands when all I wanted to do was a Command + C

I don't use Parallels so I'm not sure what's going on there, sorry.

whiterebel

You should be able to copy and paste files in OSX? I know I can do it.

PDD

Hi Guys,

Cheers for the feedback but I think some people are misunderstanding what I am trying to ask and maybe its the way I explained it.

With regard to DoubleCommand and the keyboard. Under windows I can use ctrl+c for copying, ctrl+t for opening a new tab in FireFox etc. However under OS-X I have to use the option key but as I do not have a mac keyboard I use the windows key on my keyboard. I wish to use the ctrl key and not the windows key as it is awkward. How do I do this? I can see that I can swap the control for the command(apple) key but how will this affects other apps?

I DO NOT wish to copy and paste files I want to CUT AND PASTE files rather than having to copy them and then delete the original copy when moving files. Even the keyoard shortcuts of command+x and command+v do not work also when I drag files to folders they are copied not moved. How can I change this behavior as it is extremely irritating when trying organize and arrange files.

Dave

K.O.Kiki

Umm... IIRC, Finder doesn't support CMD+X -- it's a design decision (possibly a poor one).

Are you possibly drag-and-dropping between different HDDs/partitions?

PDD

Possibly? Definitely a stupid design decision. Are there any decent alternatives to finder that would be more akin to windows explorer or is it possible to put finder into a mode that uses a tree structure for navigating folders?

Not dragging between partitions or anything like that just dragging files from my desktop to a folder. Does anyone know if you can configure FireFox to put the files other than the desktop, i have it set to ask me but when I download a file the options from finder are limited.

Dave

Breezer

I have absolutely no idea why you would need to use the Option Key for copying. My advice is to get rid of Double Command, it became obsolete with Tiger as it's functionality was added into the operating system. Then go into Apple Menu -> System Preferences -> Keyboard and Mouse. Select 'Keyboard' and then down the bottom select 'Modifier Keys.' Change it to look the way it does in the image I've attached. This will allow you to use Control for everything Command normally does.

The only reason I can think of for a file to be copied rather than moved when you drag and drop it is that you are holding down the Option key as well (Windows key on your keyboard). Are you doing this?

As I said above, cut and paste is not possible in Finder. I agree it's annoying. The only alternative to Finder I can think of is Pathfinder, which costs money and I'm not sure even it supports cut and paste, or a tree view. You can view the path to your open folder by adding the Path button to your Finder toolbar. Right-clicking on the Finder toolbar, click 'Customize Toolbar' and drag the button with the three horizontal lines onto it. It's not exactly the same but it's the best I can think of.

To download files to a location other than the Desktop in Firefox, select Firefox -> Preferences from the menu. Click 'Main.' Select the 'Save Files to' radio button. Click 'Choose.' Select where you want them to download to.

PDD

Hi Breezer,

Thanks a million that has worked a treat. Sorry for having to spell it out for me

For FireFox I may not have been clear about what I was trying to do, when I go to download a file it does give the option where but when I click this it does a drop down. The problem is that I cannot browse to a specific folder I am limited to whats in the menu. For example I cannot go to hard disk then select a folder it will just leave it at hard disk.

Could you maybe recommend one or two good mac user websites for asking question and that might have content and tutorials of useful software or tips like daily mac hacks etc.

Dave

steveland?

Hi PDD, there should be another arrow next to the drop down. Click this and it should give you a finder window inside the little Firefox window to choose the specific folder and not just the sidebar folders

Breezer

steveland? wrote: »

Hi PDD, there should be another arrow next to the drop down. Click this and it should give you a finder window inside the little Firefox window to choose the specific folder and not just the sidebar folders

Ah yes, I forgot about that little fella

PDD, you could try MacOSXHints.com though it may be a little advanced. There's a few hints and tips threads stickied in this forum too.

Trust me, you get used to OS X's little idiosyncrasies soon enough. And in the meantime, the people here are always happy to help

PDD

Thanks a million guys for all your help, sorry for being such a n00b. Its a bit frustrating right now but there are lots of things that I'm liking :-)