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CobraNT · Sep 17, 2003, 11:03 PM

Ok, I am very new to Mac's and OS X. I just got my Powerbook 3 weeks ago and am slowly learning how to navigate it. Being from a PC world for over 15 years I am having a few issues. I have hit an issue that is just plain annoying. Here is what I am trying to do. I simply want to place a 'shortcut' to an application on my desktop. In the Windows world I simply would right click on the desktop and create a shortcut, but I am having issues doing this in OS X. If I drag and drop the application from its location on my hard drive in its folder it copies the app to my desktop. This seemed fine until I started the app. The application went looking for some startup files it uses to run. Being that I moved it, it couldn't find them and in its wisdom creates new folders and startup files clustering my desktop with numberous folders. What am I doing wrong. I simply want to create a shortcut, not copy the whole file and have it create a bunch of folders. Help a virgin out guys!

Uncle Skeleton · Sep 17, 2003, 11:08 PM

copy = option drag

alias ("shortcut") = command option drag

Art Vandelay · Sep 17, 2003, 11:10 PM

You can either Command (Apple key) - Option drag the item to where you want to create the alias (Mac's term for shortcut) or select the item and choose Make Alias from the File menu.

CobraNT · Sep 17, 2003, 11:18 PM

Thanks guys! I knew it was something simple. Time to populate my HUGE desktop.

Ratm · Sep 17, 2003, 11:33 PM

or control + click and select 'Make Alias' from the contextual menu

Welcome to MacWorld, I hope you enjoy your stay.

thePurpleGiant · Sep 17, 2003, 11:47 PM

Or, you could always drag the application into your dock (the thing at the bottom of your screen!) and it will create an alias to it in there - you don't even need to hold any special keys to do that.

Brass · Sep 18, 2003, 12:12 AM

Originally posted by thePurpleGiant:
Or, you could always drag the application into your dock (the thing at the bottom of your screen!) and it will create an alias to it in there - you don't even need to hold any special keys to do that.

Yeah, the Dock exists specifically for this purpose. Just drag it to the Dock, anywhere to the left of the vertical bar (to the right is for documents, folders and trash).

Much better than the Desktop for this kind of thing.

CobraNT · Sep 18, 2003, 12:40 AM

Thanks, who knew I could put them in the Dock at the bottom! I love the Mac world so far......and I haven't had even one blue screen of death or Serious Unknown Error yet!!!!

Mr Heliums · Sep 18, 2003, 02:05 AM

Originally posted by Ratm:
or control + click and select 'Make Alias' from the contextual menu

Or for us one-button fans, just select Make Alias from the File menu.

Or for keyboard fans, Command-L

engaged · Sep 18, 2003, 03:51 AM

You don't absolutely have to litter your desktop with aliases. You can use the 'Favourites' folder, and try some of the toys that Unsanity have to offer; FruitMenu will add just about anything (incl. aliases, Favourites folder) to your contextual menu.

nobitacu · Sep 18, 2003, 04:27 AM

Originally posted by CobraNT:
Thanks guys! I knew it was something simple. Time to populate my HUGE desktop.

hehehe, yup, it's very simple. I would say much more easier to use that XP. I've used only windows based computer for over 12 years, tried using Linux for about a year, was happy with Linux, but took about a month for me to learn everything I need to know about it. Would still be using Linux if I didn't make my jump to Mac. But after using Mac OS X, there is no way I will move back to PC. Even if I do, it'll be a Linux computer, not window based.

Ming