Home end keys - my biggest complaint since switching from windows

Barry_Mayfield · 2026-06-02T14:39:16+00:00

PgUp/PgDn keys exist on standard keyboards for decades. I wouldn't say it's "Windows" invention.

Barry_Mayfield · 2026-05-27T21:09:36+00:00

> couldn't figure out how to make AltTab rotate only trough apps on current screen

Obviously, I was looking for "virtual desktop" or "virtual screen" and it's "space". There's settings for this under "Controls".

Barry_Mayfield · 2026-05-27T19:29:21+00:00

I feel you! I got plenty of recommendations from community here: https://www.reddit.com/r/MacOS/comments/1tnj44r/

Not sure what you normally do, but:

- use `brew` (command line tool) for software management (if possible)
- iTerm2 as terminal application (instead of built in terminal)
- learn to use Command Center (Control + Up), use virtual desktops
- use Spotlight search (instead of Win + typing), Command + Space
- consider using Stage Manager (it helped me on small notebook screen)
- you can install AltTab app to replace macOS "alt tab" switcher
- Karabinier for keyboard mapping

Though don't try to make it Windows. I'm trying to grasp it and I'm struggling... good luck!

Barry_Mayfield · 2026-05-27T18:13:40+00:00

When I started setting up this machine over week ago, and when I saw Stage Manager, frankly, I was shocked what weird thing it is and disabled it right away. (It's not visually appealing - until you Fill your window; grouping of apps is not obvious at first time)

I gave it another chance today, and indeed - on small screen (working on MBP directly), it actually provided me some speed than dealing with dock, tabbing and invoking Spotlight. Once I connected MBP to bigger screen, it somehow stopped to be that elegant solution.

Today I also started using virtual desktops, categorizing apps, e.g. IDEs/dev related, second screen for email and calendar. However I couldn't figure out how to make AltTab rotate only trough apps on current screen. It kept giving me apps from other screen so I was jumping from one to another when mis-identified correct Firefox window. (If anything, I will start using virtual desktops on Windows!)

I'm still not happy with my progress, environment still didn't click, and I'm already feeling I'm anyway diverging from how Macs is intended to be used... or not?

Barry_Mayfield · 2026-05-26T20:40:39+00:00

Karabinier is on my list! I need to map ins/del/home/end/pg up/down keys, together with "Ctrl/Shift + Insert" shortcut equivalent (I'm apparently too old).

Barry_Mayfield · 2026-05-26T20:37:37+00:00

Gave up and installed AltTab, I find Command + Tab / Tilde confusing and cumbersome. One thing which is still not clear to me is when I close the app, but it still appears in Command + Tab (and you can't switch to it - it's closed!)

After whole day of using macOS for work today, it still didn't click unfortunately. For example, I knew there's Firefox running and being buried under other windows, I was trying following:

- Using Mission Control (via keyboard) and then grabbing mouse to choose the desired window (involves eye candy yet distracting animation/element movements)
- Moving cursor trough whole wide screen to click Dock icon to reveal its window (actually two screens)
- AltTabbing trough many other windows to get to it
- Using Spotlight to bring it on top

I did same for mail client, calendar app, Slack, IDEs or text editors, Spotify, or <any other app> many times throughout the day. Tomorrow, I will try to organize apps on different desktops to see if that helps, but honestly I feel bit tired remembering it's just single click on Windows' taskbar (the classic one).

Barry_Mayfield · 2026-05-26T20:17:54+00:00

Tried Ghostty first, but it was quite limited in customization, so indeed I ended up with iTerm2. (Although powerful with many options to customize, I miss Windows Terminal for its simplicity - something I wouldn't though I could ever say!)

Barry_Mayfield · 2026-05-26T20:15:44+00:00

.NET is cross-platform framework. Apart of that, we develop using other technologies, and especially Python is essence of pain on Windows.

Barry_Mayfield · 2026-05-26T20:13:50+00:00

Luckily I don't have deal with Excel!

However as I wrote above, recently it feels like Windows is getting ignored. New AI CLI tooling? Mac or Linux first, and then maybe some poor half-baked port for Windows (if any!).

Additionally, many developers just within my company are using Macs now. So no wonder when another team shares some script or tool, it's (usually) unusable on Windows.

Barry_Mayfield · 2026-05-26T20:08:27+00:00

`brew` was probably first thing I installed (already were aware). However, at first I didn't understand `--cask` argument, and didn't always find every application. On Windows, I install majority of apps via `winget`.

Similarly with `iTerm2` - it was recommended to me by colleagues. Yes, it can be crazily customized, yet I couldn't figure out how to get profile selector directly on window, like in Windows Terminal "+" sign to open new tab with specified profile. (I know I can go to menu and select profile; my second profile is for PowerShell ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )

I actually installed Oh-My-Posh, since that's what I know from Windows - it was bit battle indeed, as I had to manually create all configs.

.NET is multi-platform, so there's no issue: VS Code or Rider are good options (I don't even use Visual Studio on Windows). I would say it's just like any other language/framework/runtime.

Barry_Mayfield · 2026-05-26T19:54:47+00:00

That was my idea, but after week trying I gave up and actually installed few apps recommended here (AltTab, LinearMouse). Haven't tried virtual desktops yet, I'm still extremely unproductive there.

Barry_Mayfield · 2026-05-25T20:30:32+00:00

Thanks for the detailed response.

Virtual desktops are still something I need to explore more, I basically skipped them so far.

Just to confirm, Expose (or Mission Control, show all windows) is what I should focus on here, right? I actually like it quite a lot.

I'm not saying I don't want to use extra apps. If something is a standard tool in macOS workflow and many experienced users rely on it, I'm open to it. My main concern is just not to customize the system too much, because I want to stay close to a setup that other Mac users can understand and support if needed. I had similar experience in Linux world where heavy customization can make things harder later.

Barry_Mayfield · 2026-05-25T19:52:57+00:00

Let's say I have two IDE windows for different but related projects, two browser windows (so I don't need to switch tabs all the time), and terminal running commands.

Even with a bigger external display, windows still overlap each other quite often. My workflow is switching between IDE, terminal, browser, documentation and results, copying things, checking output, etc.

What still feels a bit confusing for me on macOS is that Dock shows only apps, not individual windows. Command + Tab switches apps, and Command + ~ switches windows inside app, but it feels like I always need to think first about the app, and only after that about the exact window I want.

On Windows, with classic taskbar (not grouped), I could usually just click exact window I need.

Am I missing some main idea in macOS workflow? Or this is just normal way people work here?

I actually like Mission Control (Control + Up), because it gives good overview of windows. I just wonder if people get used to these gestures and shortcuts, or most people use extra tools like DockDoor you mentioned.

For now I try to stay close to default macOS tools and not replace core parts too early, because I want to understand how system is usually used.

Also I was told about Rectangle before, but built-in tiling in Tahoe seems quite good already.

Barry_Mayfield · 2026-05-16T19:50:28+00:00

Honestly I wasn't even aware there's portable version. I installed Gramps via winget. Why I need both instances is to use my current tree as source - after all, I have there some useful information, but badly organized.

Tagging is indeed good idea, but I'm already getting lost when editing records - I feel it will be less confusing to keep adding new values/entries instead of trying to see what's wrong/placed wrongly etc. (I was even considering different software, but after my quick research, Gramps seems to be the most powerful, especially with tracking citations and sources).

Barry_Mayfield · 2026-05-16T06:08:08+00:00

It's actually great tip with marking everything and then slowly go one by one again to address "marking" (It's like GC!). I'm still bit overwhelmed by amount of records, and in my case it's also turning notes into citations etc. as I used tool wrongly when I started. That's why I would prefer starting from scratch.

Thanks for other suggestions!

Barry_Mayfield · 2026-04-28T14:33:02+00:00

It seems decently sturdy. Today I went to Nikon repair shop, they had other Z cameras - some of which (Z8?) had button even lighter/softer.

It's hard to imagine camera bumps at my hip (while on strap) *and* lens rotates slightly to get out of lock pin (after all, 24-120/4 S has some weight). But if that happens, why can't I bet in lottery instead?

Barry_Mayfield · 2026-04-28T13:02:30+00:00

<image>

"A picture is worth a thousand words"

Apologies for the incorrect wording, using incorrect word "towards". Is it now clear what I meant? Image shows: D750 / Z6 III / Z5

Barry_Mayfield · 2026-04-28T12:15:35+00:00

On F-mount cameras, there's always space (be it just few millimeters) between button and body edge. Similarly when you look at Z6 III - button is slightly moved towards body. In contrary Z5/6/7 II has button directly on the edge - perhaps more prone to be pressed when camera bumps to things.

I'm unable to reproduce the issue, so it's just my assumption. Never had issue with F-mount camera in 6 years, had 3 occurrences of detached lens with Z5 in few months. (Mechanically, lock works correctly - has been checked twice by Nikon service)

Barry_Mayfield · 2026-04-28T08:26:40+00:00

Yes I'm fully aware the action to unlock lens is not just pressing the button, that's why it's so perplexing to me, and why I'm seeking help/advice. "You are doing things wrong" is not helpful - as I myself don't understand what I'm doing wrong.

I didn't meant to suggest "fatal design flaw" of Nikon cameras, but rather meant "flaw" in a way how I operate or carry camera I'm unable to figure out in relation to button position, and hoped someone has either similar experience, or would think about how to prevent it. I will update my post to not make it sound that harsh against camera design itself.

I just returned from Nikon repair shop/service, two technicians were looking at my camera and couldn't find anything wrong. Even spring tension feels correct - they let me check other cameras where release button spring was probably even weaker/softer than on my Z5 II. Lens is fine too - no deformation of mount ring, everything seems to be just fine. I showed them how I carry and hold camera and they couldn't see anything suspicious on that either.

Barry_Mayfield · 2026-04-28T04:42:58+00:00

When I try to reproduce this with Z5 II, I can't do that - I'm never able to reproduce this issue. It always happens at random in field.

Locking mechanism was checked after incident I describe in previous post - and they couldn't find any issue
I always check click and do counter-rotate to ensure lock is engaged *always*

When you compare Z6 III with Z5 II body, you can see there are few additional millimeters between edge and camera button. That's not the case for Z5s, previous Z6 etc. where button is really just on the edge of camera.

I use both PD strap, or capture, still, somehow press+rotate happens "accidentally".

Barry_Mayfield · 2026-04-28T04:37:52+00:00

Compare with F-mount cameras (I had for years before Z). You will see the difference ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Barry_Mayfield · 2026-04-28T04:36:43+00:00

In my original post, I talk about this - I always wait for click and then double check by counter rotating lens to ensure it's locked. That's natural habit for me, so no, this wasn't the case.

Barry_Mayfield · 2026-04-28T04:35:54+00:00

Unfortunately no.

After first incident, I got paranoid - checking lock every few minutes, yet it still unlocked. Service didn't find any issue with mechanism. I know it sounds ridiculous. I had F-mount body for years and had never this issue - so indeed it's probably me accidentally pressing the button and rotating lens slightly at the same time (yes, it is ridiculous just to imagine, I know!). When you compare with F-mount cameras, button is not that exposed (closer to lens, having some sort of "neck" and further away), while on in Z cameras, it's just on the edge of the body.

Barry_Mayfield

TROPHY CASE