Module 4.2 - The Desktop and Dock

 The Desktop and Dock

The part of the Mac Operating System (OS) that controls everything is called the "Finder." If you click on your hard drive and open a new window, you are using the Finder. If you create and save a document, you are using the Finder. The Desktop is where the Finder displays its contents.

 

LaptopWhat Are the Elements of the Desktop?

The elements of the desktop are as follows:

  • Apple Menu () - Access Software Update, System Preferences, Sleep, Shut Down, and more. The Apple Menu will always be visible independent of what other program(s) you may be running.
  • Finder/Application Menu - If you are not currently using an application, this menu contains Finder options. If you are using an application, this menu contains options for the application you're currently using. The name of the application appears in bold next to the Apple menu. All other menus pertain to the current app.
  • Menu Bar - Contains the Apple menu, active application menu, status menus (WiFi, Volume, AirPlay, etc.), menu bar extras, Spotlight icon, and Notification Center icon.
  • Status Menu - Shows the date and time, status of your computer, or gives you quick access to certain features—for example, you can quickly turn on Wi-Fi, turn off Bluetooth, or mute your computer's volume.
  • Spotlight - Click it to bring up the Spotlight search field, where you can search for anything on your Mac.
  • Notification Center - Click it to view Notification Center, which consolidates your notifications from Messages, Calendar, Mail, Reminders, and third-party apps.
  • Desktop - This is where your applications' windows will appear. You can add more desktops using Mission Control. If you're using Mac OS X v10.6 or later, you can use Spaces Links to an external site..
  • Dock - Quick access to your most frequently used applications, folders, and files. With a single click the application, folder, or file opens.

desktop_image.jpg 

LaptopMacintosh Hard Drive

You will notice that on most Macs now the desktop does not show the hard drive. For most users, viewing the hard drive is not needed, however it can be made visible by clicking on the Finder Menu --> Preferences --> General --> and checking "Hard disks" under "Show these items on the desktop". Viewing the hard drive makes it easier to see the computer's library which contains folders for the computer's fonts and other items.

Finder_Preferences.png Hard Drive Library

 

LaptopThe Dock

 Your computer's Dock has four sections:

Dock_1.png

  • Applications - The main section is the applications section. Applications can be added to this area to provide quick access to your most used items. Note the black dots under some of the applications. These indicate that the application is open. You can click and hold on the application to bring up a menu that will give you the option of quitting out of the app.

Dock_Options.png 

    • You can add applications to this section of the Dock to give you quick access to them. To add applications, click and drag them to the desired location on the dock and wait for other items to move and make room for your new quick link. 
  • Documents - The second section is the documents section. This is the area to the right of the divider. It shows several items:
    • Documents and windows you currently have open but have minimized using the yellow bubble
    • Quick access to your downloads folder
    • The Trash icon
    • You can add documents and folders to this section of the Dock to give you quick access to them. To add items, click and drag them between the divider and the trash can.
  • The Divider - The divider is on the dock to separate the two main sections. You can click and drag on the divider to change its size. You can also Control + Click or Right-Click on the divider to bring up a contextual menu and select how you would like your dock to behave. You can use the divider menu to do any of the following:
    • Turn dock hiding on or off. If the dock is not hidden, it stays on the screen at all times. If the dock is hidden, then you must navigate your cursor to the dock area to have it come up on the screen.
    • Turn dock magnification on or off. Turning magnification on will make the icon your cursor is on in the dock become larger.
    • Position the dock on either the right side, left side, or bottom of the screen.
    • Choose how items minimize into the dock.

Dock_2.png

  • From Other Devices - If you have more than one device tied to your Apple ID you can actually see on the dock what applications are being used from those other devices. To the left of the dock you may see an icon like the one pictured below. If you click on the icon, it will take you into whatever app is showing, and if it is a document that is saved to iCloud, like Pages or Keynote, it will open that document.

Dock_3.png

Watch the following video for more information about what you can do with your computer's dock.

Play media comment.