11–20 of 109 posts
Not the same as mouse-less operation but a lot less strain than reaching for and moving a mouse.
First it starts with the setup. At work I have an external monitor and keyboard. I keep my MBP to the right so I can use the touch pad here and there when I can't use the keyboard for certain things.
Here are some tips/programs/plugins I use:
1) Vim (not macvim) and screen - This dynamic duo is the greatest invention. I recommend it to anyone who has the time to learn. Once you do, you'll never go back.
2) Vimperator - Firefox plugin - This one has changed my browsing experience for the better. Once you learn all the commands you'll be flying through pages.
3) Remap your CAPSLOCK key to ESC - Once you start using vim and vimperator, the esc key becomes more useful. I remapped my CASPLOCK key to ESC so its quicker to reach. I used the program called PCKeyboardHack.
4) Learn your keyboard shortcuts.
6) Try to replace programs you use often with console versions. For example I dont use any gui programs to access databases. Diffs/text search/file searches are all done through command line.
7) Spotlight - I don't use Dock, sometimes I forget its even there. I would disable it if I could.
8) pbcopy - command line program that you can use to copy to your gui clipboard. Try piping contents of a file to it. Becomes very handy.
Most of my day I spend using Vimperator and Terminal. So it's easier for me to not have to use a mouse.
I'd say try becoming ambidextrous with the mouse, and switch hands every month or so. And under Keyboard -> Keyboard Shortcuts make sure Full Keyboard Access is on 'All Controls' so you can focus/select buttons with tab. Also, make that useless Caps Lock key into Ctrl :) Ctrl+F2 = Access Menu bar Ctrl+F3 = Access Dock I will give someone 1 american dollar if they can tell me how to get menu bar selections to wrap bac…
For your question, I just noticed you can use Page Up/Down to go to the top/bottom of the menu.
Is there a way to select which functions keys should work as function keys and which one work as the Apple special keys (Exposé, volume control…)? The reason I ask is that I always found it inconvenient to use shortcuts like Ctrl+F2 because I have to move my hand much more to get to the fn key. But at the same time, Exposé is too useful to be left behind it.
I use and love SizeUp. http://irradiatedsoftware.com/sizeup/
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC380LL/A (you don't have to put it on the side of the keyboard or you could get one of the tinier al. keyboards) Not the same as mouse-less operation but a lot less strain than reaching for and moving a mouse.
The idea is to extend the command-line metaphor to parts of OS X where a regular shell isn't useful, and most such tools provide a whole lot of functionality besides just launching apps.
I'm a ruby/php developer who works on a Macbook Pro 9 hours a day and I've learned to work w/o a mouse. Took a while to get used to, but now I keep my mouse in my desk drawer and only pull it out if someone borrows my computer. First it starts with the setup. At work I have an external monitor and keyboard. I keep my MBP to the right so I can use the touch pad here and there when I can't use the keyboard for certain…
If you listen to music while working, I also find Coversutra http://www.sophiestication.com/coversutra/ or Bowtie http://bowtieapp.com/ very useful.