I've got a few tips that might make your experience a little better. Option 3 below will be particularly helpful for accessing the documentation more easily.

Option 1: Re-map your Expose´ keys. I mouse (tablet, actually) right handed, so I use the following shortcuts that I can access them quickly with non-mouse hand:

F1 - All Applications

F2 - All Windows

F3 - Desktop

F4 - Spaces

This allows me to use Expose´/Spaces via keyboard in tandem with the mouse. While technically two steps, it feels more like a single, coordinated step to me.

I use XCode in the Condensed (not All-in-One) layout, which results in lots of small windows. I hit F2 (or F1 if I've secluded XCode to a single Space), then either:

- mouse over the various windows and press the space bar to see a zoomed-in view of that window. Then, click the one you want to bring into focus.

- press an arrow key to highlight a window, press space to see a zoomed-in view, press arrow keys as necessary, and then either press F2 again (or click the left mouse button) to exit Expose´.

Option 2: Press Cmd + Shift + D. This will bring up the "Open Quickly" dialog box. Start typing the name of the file you need to open or bring into focus.

Option 3: Use shortcuts to go immediately to the definition of a class/method/protocol/etc., toggle between .h/.m files, or open the documentation to whatever's under the mouse.

- Press Cmd key then double click a class name (or method name or whatever). This immediately opens a window to the definition.

- Press Cmd + Option + Up Arrow to toggle between .h and .m files for a class

- Press Option then double click a class/method/etc. name to open the documentation in a floating window.

- Press Cmd + Option then double click a class/method/etc. name to open the documentation in the XCode documentation window.

Mac OS X is littered with these kinds of accelerated interface shortcuts. I wish I could point you to a good, consolidated guide; but I have yet to find one on the web. Several of them can be found in the opening chapters of Aaron Hillegass' Cocoa programming books.

user:	radishmouse
created:	July 24, 2009
karma:	1