My Journey: Switching from Windows to MacOS - Navigating the Mac Landscape

Embarking on a journey from the familiar terrain of Windows to the mystical realm of MacOS

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4 min read

😊 Introduction

Embarking on a journey from the familiar terrain of Windows to the mystical realm of MacOS is like trading in your trusted old car for a sleek new spaceship. Having made the switch myself, I'm excited to share my experiences, both delightful and frustrating, as I navigated through this new digital universe. So, fasten your seatbelts, and let's embark on this voyage!

πŸ“‹ Farewell, 'Cut' - The Mac's Different Way

  • One of the first things that struck me was the absence of the 'Cut' feature.

  • In Windows, we're used to effortlessly cutting files or folders and pasting them elsewhere.

  • On MacOS, this is not the norm. Instead, you copy the file, paste it, and then delete the original item. It took some getting used to, and it feels like an unnecessary extra step.

πŸ‘¨β€πŸ’» Mastering Mac's Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Keyboard shortcuts are the bread and butter of any power user, and Windows has its fair share of them.

  • Transitioning to MacOS, I found myself stumbling over keyboard shortcuts that were quite different from what I was used to.

  • However, with time and practice, I began to appreciate the efficiency and logic behind Mac's keyboard shortcuts. It's a learning curve, but it's worth the effort.

πŸ“‚ Quirky Folder Behavior

  • One particularly odd behaviour that left me scratching my head was the way folders worked.

  • In Windows, when you select a folder and press Enter, you expect to open it.

  • However, on MacOS, pressing Enter triggers the rename function for the folder. This is a significant departure from what Windows and Linux users are accustomed to and can be quite frustrating.

⌨️ Redefining Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Customizing keyboard shortcuts for applications and services can be essential for productivity.

  • On Windows, this can often be done easily through the settings. However, on MacOS, it can be a bit of a challenge. You'll likely need to resort to third-party tools like Raycast to redefine shortcuts according to your preferences.

πŸ€— Emoji Shortcuts: Stuck in the Default Lane

  • In the world of emojis, MacOS has its own set of shortcuts.

  • Unlike on Windows, where you can easily remap shortcuts for emojis, MacOS doesn't offer this flexibility out of the box.

  • This limitation can be frustrating for those who have grown accustomed to their emoji shortcuts.

πŸ“…
Update 5 October 2023

πŸš€ Improving User Experience: Rethinking Notification Display

  • Have you ever been in a situation where notifications seem to play the role of an unintentional roadblock in your application usage? That's precisely the challenge I faced in my recent macOS.

  • Notification Position Limitations: The current system offers notifications with a fixed position, lacking customization options to reposition them, be it to the left or bottom of the screen.

The Problem

  • This fixed notification positioning strategy poses a significant hurdle. It tends to cover essential action areas within applications, demanding a mandatory clearing of all notifications to access specific parts of the application.

The Solution

  • Swipe right temporary to hide it and can be access back by swiping left

  • Update settings of notification to keep it Banners instead of alerts. It will automatically go away in some seconds and can be accessed back by swiping left

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Disclaimer: These points are based on macOS v12.6.2. This problem may or may not be there based on your macOS.

Conclusion

  • Switching from Windows to MacOS is like learning a new language, complete with its unique quirks and customs.

  • While there were initial hurdles and moments of frustration, I've come to appreciate the elegance and efficiency of the MacOS environment.

  • The journey has been a blend of discovery, adaptation, and the occasional longing for the familiar.

  • In the end, MacOS has won me over with its sleek design and user-friendly experience, even if it meant bidding farewell to the 'Cut' feature and some old keyboard shortcuts.

So, to anyone considering making the switch, I say go for it. Embrace the change, navigate the quirks, and you may find yourself on a journey of digital transformation that's both exciting and rewarding.

⚠️Disclaimer

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It's important to note that the points mentioned in this article are based on personal experiences and observations during the process of switching from Windows to MacOS. Individual experiences may vary depending on system settings, hardware configurations, and personal preferences. The intention is to provide insights and reflections on the transition, but it should not be considered as an absolute conclusion or a definitive assessment of MacOS. Users are encouraged to explore and customize their MacOS experience to suit their needs and preferences.
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