Delete Key

Sorry to ask this but since my question is a bit different from past posts I thought someone could answer cheerfully.

What's the deal about Macs not having a delete key? I see it right here on my here on my keyboard. I highlight text that I have typed and hit the delete key and it removes the text so what's the issue people keep talking about? Is there some other function it's suppose to do that Windows keyboards offer?

 

I think what the people complain about is when they say select a file in Finder, and want to delete it, and they want to be able to do so by pressing the Delete key instead of having to right-click or drag to the Trash.

But that problem can be solved by pressing Command + Delete. That will delete the file .

 

Ah I see, never thought about using it for that reason, I guess it's because I have been using Macs for over 10 years. Thanks Sam and congrats on your acquisition or promotion to moderator!

 

The delete key on a Mac is the same as backspace on Windows in that it removes text to the left of the cursor. The delete key on Windows removes text to the right of your cursor. In order to do that on a Macbook Pro, you have to hold down the fn key and hit delete.

 

No problem, as always, hldan . And thanks! I was promoted, as I didn't take over cashmonee's spot so I didn't "acquire" it .

 

This is one of the annoying things I dislike about OS X (and Mac keyboards), it severely degrades workflow speed and really drives home the message that OS X just isn't for power users. Command + Delete requires 2 hands to comfortably hit, unless your left handed. The Delete key should do as it's supposed to. Delete stuff! There should be a dedicated Delete and Backspace key. Unfortunately why there is an Fn, Control, Option, AND Command button but no true delete key is beyond me. Does anyone actually even use the option key?

I've been using my Macbook for about a month now. I do love it, but not at all because of it's usability or friendliness (or even intuitiveness, coming from Windows almost everything is counterintuitive). Mostly, it's because OS X is pretty, and so is the system is itself. And I do love iTunes and Front Row.

 

you do realize there is a apple key on the other side of the spacebar to make it easy to hit apple+delete.

as for the option key, i don't see how you don't use it, it is a useful shortcut for symbols and for enhanced arrow key movements.

personally i find myself to be much faster in OS X then i do in windows.

 

Option is extremely important! I use it all the time to make the Apple logo .

Option + Shift + K for anyone interested.

 

It is counterintuitive because you are coming from something else. Give it time and the other will seem counterintuitive. OS X seems much more shortcut friendly. I would highly suggest learning the different shortcuts for doing things.

 

ah sweet! i've been wondering how to get the  symbol

 

Looking for more things to use the Option key for?

Control + Option + Command + 8 .

 

yeah, thats a fun one to sneak up behind a mac user with and quickly press on him. one of my buddies did that to me before i knew that handy shortcut.

 

I still amaze my little brother with that. He's been trying to figure out what keyboard combination I do to do that .

 

you ever try holding shift when minimizing a window or using exposé?

 

Yeaps! You should try it with Front Row too. I remember seeing Steve do that for his Stacks demo too.

We're veering off topic though ...let's get back to the Delete key .

 

let me just say, BULL****! ehh ehm, why would it be easier to press Command + Delete with your left hand? I sent files to the trash and empty the trash with one hand all day long. Trust me, what you are complaining about has been thought about much more than you have here.

to delete a file simply click it, put your thumb on the right Command Key, and press delete with any other finger of choice on your right hand. to then empty the trash, slap another finger down to the shift key (Command+Shift+Delete) to empty the trash.

This is a much better solution than windows.

 

another handy thing that not a lot of people know about is when you have a "right"/"control" click contextual menu up, pressing alt will give you different options.

try it some time. it does not work with all right click menu's, but basically all the OS contextual menu's have multiple options.

 

Ok people are misunderstanding me. I meant if your "left handed", as in the mouse is in your left hand. (I guess this doesn't apply if you use the trackpad). Thus, I prefer not to take my right hand off the mouse, as it slows workflow. Yes, it is possible to hit command + delete with your left hand, but it's a little more awkward.

Btw, I'm also pretty familiar with all the shortcuts by now. I've got 6 spaces setup, and shortcuts on my VX revolution that quickly moves between them, also one for command +W, command click, and Expose.

Are there shortcuts to go to System Preferences right away?

 

To System Preferences? As far as I know, no...but if you want to access an application's preferences, just press Command + , .

 

You can get DoubleCommand and change your enter key between the right arrow key and command key into a delete key.
http://doublecommand.sourceforge.net/

 

theres a few special ones, if you press option+(a function key such as monitor backlight, audio, or keyboard backlight) it will bring up the pref pane for that device