Overview - macOS Tips for New Users

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QuickLook

  1. Select one or more items in the Finder. Press the space bar to view those items without opening an application.
  2. Use the left or right arrow keys to move through the files.
  3. Zoom in and Out by pressing (+) or (-)
  4. Click on the Markup icon to annotate or edit.
  5. See all items in a grid view by clicking on the Grid View icon.
  6. Click open with [app]
  7. Close by pressing the space bar again.

Right-Click (or Secondary Click)

There are multiple ways to right click on a mac. Right clicks were introduced in mac OS 8 around 1997-1998.

  • Press and hold the Control key while you click an item using a mouse or trackpad.
  • To Control-click using only the mouse, adjust settings in System Settings > Mouse. Click on the "Secondary click" pop-up menu and select an option to use the right or left side of the mouse. 
  • To Control-click using only the trackpad, go to System Settings > Trackpad. Click on "Secondary click" pop-up menu. 

Maintenance

  1. Reboot weekly. This ensures that patches install, cleanup scripts run, temporary memory (RAM) clears, runaway background processes stop and resolves software glitches which boosts performance and stability.
  2. Keep software updated.
  3. Backup data to approved locations.
  4. Turn on the device once a month.