[sph]

I'm relatively new to the Mac OS and would like to assign function keys to some main functions (like putting the mac to sleep) and was wondering how I go about this. Is this something that you do through Automator? If not, how would I do it?

And what is Automator for? Are there some macros that I can set up to make things easier? Is there a website that might have this info on it?

thanks!

[Cold Warrior]

I've updated your thread title so that folks can see both your questions from just the title.

If you open up System Preferences and click Keyboard & Mouse, then Keyboard Shortcuts, you'll get a list of shortcuts, and you can also add your own for a variety of programs, including the Finder. I was able to add a shortcut for the Finder and input Sleep, but I didn't test it because I'm running some network-intensive stuff now and don't want to break the connection.

Edit: I've assumed you're running 10.5 (Leopard) since you mentioned Automator. Let me know if that isn't the case.

[TETENAL]

Automator was there in Tiger already (and so was custom keyboard shortcuts). Its name gives away what it does. It allows you to put together a sequence of actions for different programs that is processed automatically. Open it then go to the Help menu and select "Automator Help". Its explained there what it is and what it does much better than I ever could do.

[Cold Warrior]

Thanks.

[sph]

Awesome. thanks!

[cybergoober]

⌃⌘⏏ will put your machine to sleep.

⌃ is the control key BTW

[cybergoober]

Oops. It's actually ⌥⌘⏏ to sleep. (⌥ being the option key).

⌃⏏ brings up the Sleep, Restart, Shut Down, Cancel dialog - type s to sleep, r to restart, enter to shut down and escape to cancel. This is also the same as pressing the power button on a laptop.
⌃⌘⏏ will do an immediate restart.
⌃⌥⌘⏏ will do an immediate shut down.

[pilotdude]

As for websites about Automator try these:

Automator.us

Automator World