05-07-2009, 11:17 AM

I was wondering is there a command or something you can program that would hide everything open on your computer in one clock of a button? Or even better, return your computer to a state it was before? Because my problem is I go to school and when I should be studying, usually I am on the internet browsing forums, have a tetris application, am listening to itunes, and on ichat all at the same time. I want something where they all go away, make it appear that they're not open on the dock, and even bring up like nytimes.com or something with the click of a couple of buttons so when a teacher comes around to check it appears I'm working. Then clicking it once again restores it back to normal. Suggestions?

05-07-2009, 11:26 AM

It's called the "boss key" a.k.a. the "show desktop" key: Lifehacker - Set up a "boss key" with Show Desktop - Desktop

This nice thing about the Mac version of the "boss key" is that you can hide certain things while keeping other "work-related" things on the desktop. The Windows version of the "boss key" will blank the entire desktop.

05-07-2009, 05:55 PM

ok, thanks, that application is good. Just one thing, can I map it to a command like Apple-A or do I have to go up and click button at the top of the screen?

05-07-2009, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by tttonik

ok, thanks, that application is good. Just one thing, can I map it to a command like Apple-A or do I have to go up and click button at the top of the screen?

The button is on the dock, not at the top of the screen. I suppose you could map it to a hotkey if you prefer that.

05-07-2009, 06:29 PM

how do you do that?

05-07-2009, 08:23 PM

My first answer is to say, just work. It's not that tedious, and everything taught you will find useful (ish)!

But, have you got spaces set up? that would be my choice of way of getting round it!set up with 2/4 spaces, and keep school stuff on 1 space, and others on another.

05-07-2009, 09:51 PM

Umm why not just use expose and spaces?

05-08-2009, 07:24 AM

I don't know, spaces always confuses me. I mess something up with it always, like if I'm on 1 and try to open something on two. I was just looking for something like that Show Desktop thing, now I'm just wondering how do you map it to a command? I've tried going to system preferences>Keyboard and Mouse and creating a command, but it doesn't work. Help?

05-08-2009, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by tttonik

how do you do that?

I assume you're asking how to bind a hotkey to an application?

Answer: Use quicksilver: Quicksilver (Mac) - Download

Here's a tutorial on how to set it up: YouTube - Quicksilver Tutorial Mac OS X

Personally, I find keyboard shortcuts to be a PITA. I prefer using the mouse, but hey it's your call.