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Switch apps with two finger scroll System
This one surprisingly went undiscovered (by me) until just now. I like to use the keyboard and trackpad on my PowerBook a lot, and I am always looking for ways to work more efficiently. I frequently switch applications using the Command-Tab (or Command-Shift-Tab) keyboard combo. Sometimes after Command Tabbing, I'll use the trackpad and pointer to move the mouse to an application that is more than a few positions away from the current app. This involves (as it turns out) an unneccessary movement of the mouse. While command-tabbing, you can two finger scroll, and this will run through the open applications and avoids having to move precisely to the individual application. Pretty slick, pretty simple.

[robg adds: Similarly, the scroll ball on the Mighty Mouse also works for switching applications in the Command-Tab interface. I thought we'd at least mentioned the Mighty Mouse method here before, but it doesn't look like it.]
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Switch apps with two finger scroll | 14 comments | Create New Account
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Switch apps with two finger scroll
Authored by: tobyvoss on Jul 10, '07 07:55:35AM

i find it even easier to hold the command key and then tap the tab key quickly a couple of times. holding the shift key while tab-tapping reverses direction.



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Switch apps with two finger scroll
Authored by: Peganthyrus on Jul 10, '07 08:47:17AM

apple-tab to bring up the task switcher, keep apple held down: tab cycles right, ` cycles left. Much less complicated than managing to hit the shift key.

(that's the backquote/tilde key, not the apostrophe/quotes key. The one right above tab.)



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Switch apps with two finger scroll
Authored by: jaguarcy on Jul 10, '07 08:25:47AM

The scroll button on any standard 3-button mouse will work wonders, 1 stop with the scroll button is exactly one app - provides much more accurate management of what app you're navigating to.



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Switch apps with two finger scroll
Authored by: feelgood on Jul 10, '07 08:32:34AM

Or hit command-tab, lift the tab but keep the command button down, and use the arrow keys.



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Switch apps with two finger scroll
Authored by: George the Flea on Jul 10, '07 09:06:16AM

As I understand it any scroll wheel (which is what the two-finger scroll essentially is) will go through tabs when using command-tab.

My preferred method, however, has not yet been cited. Once you've hit command-tab you don't have to use command-shift-tab to go backward; what's quicker is to use command-` (the button immediately above tab on English keyboards).

When not in the command-tab interface, command-` switches between the windows in the active app, which is another little known but handy shortcut.



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Switch apps with two finger scroll
Authored by: indianboy on Jul 10, '07 09:45:00AM

I am not sure how many of you have discovered this trick but I found it difficult to hold down SHIFT to reverse my selection direction so I discovered that CMD + ~ will do the same thing as CMD + SHIFT + Tab. Let me know if it works for you. I find this easier :)



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Switch apps with two finger scroll
Authored by: RussellK on Jul 10, '07 12:20:41PM

A few of you have mentioned (independently from each other) the "Command ~" combination to cycle backwards (leftwards?) once the app-switch bar is brought up.

This, to me, is the true gem within this thread...I've always found it cumbersome to hit Shift to cycle backwards and have instead just quickly cycled forward all the way around to the other side of the bar. This will be a great timesaver for me!



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Switch apps with two finger scroll
Authored by: jcc on Jul 10, '07 01:10:07PM

There is an even easier method to switch applications with the keyboard: Hold the Command key, and keep tabbing. The application selector will cycle through all open applications

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jcc



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Switch apps with two finger scroll
Authored by: AndySpry on Jul 10, '07 02:15:16PM

These are nice variations on the theme.

However, is there a keyboard shortcut to switch between tabs within a single window like a safari window. Also what about tabs in a preference window?



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Switch apps with two finger scroll
Authored by: ridogi on Jul 10, '07 09:57:26PM

Command tilde will cycle windows in the current app. Command Shift Bracket moves through safari tabs (switch direction by using the other bracket).



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Switch apps with two finger scroll
Authored by: Puppo on Jul 11, '07 10:35:36AM

Safari Stand has a "Key Action" that allows you to cycle through tabs with only the "," and "." and no modifier keys.



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Switch apps with two finger scroll
Authored by: adrianm on Jul 15, '07 04:27:02PM

ctrl+f5 is standard way of switching to a toolbar, then use left/right keys (or tab) and finally space to choose.


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Switch apps with two finger scroll
Authored by: mmmark1 on Jul 21, '07 08:35:13PM

In my Firefox, "ctrl-tab" will cycle through tabs, as will "option-command-left/right arrow". I do have an extension called "Tab Mix Plus" installed, so I'm not sure whether it's the extension or Firefox that allows this switching.



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Switch apps with two finger scroll
Authored by: brisbin33 on Jul 23, '07 10:45:21AM

Not sure about safari or preferences, but in firefox or adium i always use command+the number of the tab as read left to right, (command+1 for the first tab, command+2 for the second, etc.) sidenote: this even works on firefox for windows with control+number... very useful



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