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Ask HN: tips for working with Mac OS X without using the mouse? (RSI)

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Re: Ask HN: tips for working with Mac OS X without using the mouse? (RSI)

#21

Post by Dobbs »

roelbondoc wrote: post #12

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…

For vim and many other old programs ctrl+[ is equal to escape. So what I've done is map caps to control which lets me easily hit things like ctrl+c, ctrl+u or when needed escape. Mac also comes with a program that can map caps->ctrl in the keyboard section of system preferences.

Re: Ask HN: tips for working with Mac OS X without using the mouse? (RSI)

#24

Post by tibbon »

Artagra wrote: post #2

Divvy will help tons: http://www.mizage.com/divvy/ Otherwise, consider getting a trackpad / trackball for when you have to use the mouse. Or even using your mouse with your left hand (my brother does this).

Wow, this is great. One thing I've missed for years from Windows is being able to easily tile windows in a sane manner.

Re: Ask HN: tips for working with Mac OS X without using the mouse? (RSI)

#25

Post by steve19 »

roelbondoc wrote: post #12

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…

try tmux instead of screen. Supports vertical splitting. tmux is in macports.

Re: Ask HN: tips for working with Mac OS X without using the mouse? (RSI)

#26

Post by doki_pen »

roelbondoc wrote: post #12

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…

I'm not trying to besnarky, but why even use a MAC. It seems like Linux is a better fit and less expensive. MAC is really about the UI, and if you don't take advantage of that you are just left with an almost Unix environment.

Re: Ask HN: tips for working with Mac OS X without using the mouse? (RSI)

#27

Post by tmcw »

doki_pen wrote: post #26
roelbondoc wrote: post #12

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…

I'm not trying to besnarky, but why even use a MAC. It seems like Linux is a better fit and less expensive. MAC is really about the UI, and if you don't take advantage of that you are just left with an almost Unix environment.

I appreciate that you're trying not to be snarky, but that's a vast oversimplification of the differences between Mac and Linux.

Re: Ask HN: tips for working with Mac OS X without using the mouse? (RSI)

#28

Post by jcl »

Timothee wrote: post #14
zackola wrote: post #7

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…

I did the same thing (full keyboard access and Caps Lock=>Ctrl), so I don't have much to add. 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+…

I'm not sure if this helps in your particular case, but I believe some of Exposé's functions are mapped to four-fingered multitouch swipe gestures on the touchpad (up and down).

Re: Ask HN: tips for working with Mac OS X without using the mouse? (RSI)

#29

Post by thibaut_barrere »

doki_pen wrote: post #26
roelbondoc wrote: post #12

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…

I'm not trying to besnarky, but why even use a MAC. It seems like Linux is a better fit and less expensive. MAC is really about the UI, and if you don't take advantage of that you are just left with an almost Unix environment.

To me it's really nice UI + convenience/simplicity of use + all the command line goodness. I use it for a couple of reasons:

- simplicity and reliability (I'm on mac since 2006) - it just works, for everything I do actually

- an ecosystem of tools that are decently priced and very simple and reliable (such as 1password, knox, deskshade...)

- interop with our (i)phones

- the UI is really pleasant to my eye (fonts)

- I'm still in love with TextMate after all those years (Allan if you read this, take your time)

But then everyone is free to use what they like, no need for the neighbours to use the very same platform :)

Re: Ask HN: tips for working with Mac OS X without using the mouse? (RSI)

#30

Post by hopeless »

zackola wrote: post #7

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…

It's interesting that you mention the magic mouse. I switched to a Mac about 2 months ago and can't believe how uncomfortable the magic mouse is. Apple understand aesthetics but obviously haven't a clue about ergonomics. I've reverted to my 10 year old Logitech trackball although I do miss the fast smooth scrolling of the magic mouse.

Any suggestions for a better trackball or did all innovation cease 10 years ago?

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