If you use Panther (Mac OS 10.3.x), you probably already know about Expose. If not, Expose essentially gives you instant access to any open window with a single keystroke. You can display all open windows as thumbnails, view windows of the current application, or hide all windows to quickly locate a file on your desktop by using your “F” keys on your keyboard. For “Power Users,” who usually have several applications and windows open at the same time, Expose alone might be one of the greatest reasons to use Panther! Here’s how it works:
F9 – When you press the F9 key, Expose instantly tiles all of your open windows – scales them down and neatly arranges them, so you can see what’s in every single one.
F10 – Say you have up to a dozen documents open from various applications at the same time. Expose makes finding the one you need incredibly easy. Type the F10 key, and Expose instantly tiles all of the open windows of your current “active” application, while causing all of the open windows of other applications to fade to a shade of grey. The clutter cleared, you can easily find the “active” application document you were looking for. A mouse click makes it the active window. Plus you can use the tab key to switch between open applications and associated tiled windows.
F11 – Type the F11 key, and Expose hides all open windows, giving you instant access to your desktop.
Final Expose Tip: Expose can help you move or copy items between windows of an application and from one application to another. Here are just two examples:
- To move an item to the Desktop, start to drag the item then press F11 to hide all windows and release the item on the Desktop. To copy the item, press the Option key while releasing the item on the Desktop. To make an alias, press Command-Option while releasing the item.
- To attach a file to email you’re writing, press and hold F9 to show all windows and point to the window with the file you want. Release F9, then start to drag the file. Press F9 again and point to your email. Release F9, then release the file you’re dragging.