1. To hide an application and all of its associated windows, Option-click outside the application. (This used to be Command-Option-Click.) To get back the application and all of its windows, click its icon in the Dock. This applies to both Classic and OS X Native applications.
2. In OS X applications, Command-H is reserved for hiding the active application and all of its associated windows. This includes the Finder. So you can no longer call up a Sherlock Internet search with Command-H. Rather, you will have to use Command-F, and then click on the Internet icon. By default, the next time you perform a Sherlock search, it will be an Internet search.
3. If you want to close all of the open windows, Option-click on the Close button in one window. If you want to minimize all windows (move them to the Dock), just Option-click the Minimize button,
4. Do you use a multi-button mouse? Well, guess what: It works without any drivers. Even scroll wheels work. Unfortunately, most other external devices don't, include pressure-sensitive tablets. (You'll have to wait for these drivers to be developed by their respective manufacturers.)
5. Are you using a PPPoE client for your Internet connection? PPPoE is built into OS X. In your Applications folder, you'll find a little application called "Internet Connect." Launch this, enter your account information and then select the Option that let's you connect automatically anytime you use a TCP/IP application. Voila! No more annoying PPPoE client software cluttering up your life.
6. There's a number of ways you can customize your OS X interface to work better for you.

• First of all, you can shrink down and hide the Dock (an turn on magnification) in the Dock Preference Panel (Apple Menu > System Preferences > Dock).
• If you want to customize your Finder, go into the Finder and select Finder > Preferences. This will let you adjust your icon sizes, grid snapping and Desktop Picture.
• You can also adjust icon sizes for individual windows using Command-J from the Finder.
And you can customize the Finder Toolbar using View > Customize Toolbar.
• To add things to the Dock, just drag whatever it is you want to add down to the Dock. Applications go on the left, and folders and files go on the right. To remove an item from the Dock, just drag it out and let go. You'll see a little puff of smoke indicating that it's gone. (The original item will remain wherever you had it stored on your drive.)

These ought to hold you for a little while. In the meantime, enjoy your new OS. Very few applications yet run natively in it, but this thing is as solid an operating system as there is. It simply does not crash. Individual applications might crash, but OS X doesn't. If you have an OS X tech tip, drop me a line at dnagel@digitalmedianet.com.

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