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Instead of minimizing windows, put them on a separate virtual desktop. Or close them. I never minimize windows on purpose. I think the only reason the concept

Instead of minimizing windows, put them on a separate virtual desktop. Or close them. I never minimize windows on purpose. I think the only reason the concept exists is because it predates virtual desktop switching. Also, instead of Alt-Tab, flick four fingers up or down and select the window of interest.

kitsunesoba 5y ago
Yes, under macOS minimizing windows is conceptually more like putting them away in the cabinet for later retrieval whereas under Windows it’s closer to setting them aside momentarily. The level of friction is accordingly different.
loginatnine 5y ago
Keyboard shortcuts are IMO superior to gestures and are objectively faster. The whole virtual desktop can get quite clunky fast when you have multiple windows opened or ephemeral programs that you temporarily need.
- twobitshifter 5y ago
  In the case of alt+tab window switching I suspect it’s only faster if you are going to the last used window. If you’re hunting for an app through multiple alt tabs, you’re almost certainly going to take more time than using the mouse gestures to switch.
  - loginatnine 5y ago
    Unless I have dozens of app no because the beauty of alt-tab is the fire-hold-release which is always quicker than getting the mouse and clicking.
- smaddox 5y ago
  Not the way I lay out my windows. Most of the time every window is partially visible, and so I switch by clicking on the one of interest. Or I overlay them and scroll the partially obscured one without focusing on it. The only time I actually switch with mission control is when I'm searching for a particular desktop and window, or am reorganizing windows. In those cases mission control is far superior.
- dsego 5y ago
  All gestures on macos regarding virtual desktops and windows have corresponding keyboard shortcuts.
  - loginatnine 5y ago
    Still, it's not alt tab with the press-hold-release which is always quicker than doing gesture->arrow to select something->enter.
    - colinmhayes 5y ago
      Completely disagree. Doing three finger swipe x times is just as fast if not faster than keyboard shortcuts that require you hunt down the window you're looking for.
      - loginatnine 5y ago
        It's objectively slower when you need to leave the keyboard with one hand to reach your touchpad. I'm thinking about a desktop environment here where 1. you might not even have a touchpad and 2. you have your both hands on the keyboard.
        mechanical_bear 5y ago
        I don’t think the literal fraction of a second difference matters.
        loginatnine 5y ago
        It matters after a long day and it adds up. On top of the time lost, it's also a matter of ease of use.
        colinmhayes 5y ago
        I mean maybe if you're using vim all the time, but most of my apps require mouse interface, so my hand is usually near the trackpad. Even when I'm using external monitors I still use the laptop keyboard and trackpad.

kitsunesoba 5y ago

Yes, under macOS minimizing windows is conceptually more like putting them away in the cabinet for later retrieval whereas under Windows it’s closer to setting them aside momentarily. The level of friction is accordingly different.

loginatnine 5y ago

Keyboard shortcuts are IMO superior to gestures and are objectively faster. The whole virtual desktop can get quite clunky fast when you have multiple windows opened or ephemeral programs that you temporarily need.

twobitshifter 5y ago
In the case of alt+tab window switching I suspect it’s only faster if you are going to the last used window. If you’re hunting for an app through multiple alt tabs, you’re almost certainly going to take more time than using the mouse gestures to switch.
- loginatnine 5y ago
  Unless I have dozens of app no because the beauty of alt-tab is the fire-hold-release which is always quicker than getting the mouse and clicking.
smaddox 5y ago
Not the way I lay out my windows. Most of the time every window is partially visible, and so I switch by clicking on the one of interest. Or I overlay them and scroll the partially obscured one without focusing on it. The only time I actually switch with mission control is when I'm searching for a particular desktop and window, or am reorganizing windows. In those cases mission control is far superior.
dsego 5y ago
All gestures on macos regarding virtual desktops and windows have corresponding keyboard shortcuts.
- loginatnine 5y ago
  Still, it's not alt tab with the press-hold-release which is always quicker than doing gesture->arrow to select something->enter.
  - colinmhayes 5y ago
    Completely disagree. Doing three finger swipe x times is just as fast if not faster than keyboard shortcuts that require you hunt down the window you're looking for.
    - loginatnine 5y ago
      It's objectively slower when you need to leave the keyboard with one hand to reach your touchpad. I'm thinking about a desktop environment here where 1. you might not even have a touchpad and 2. you have your both hands on the keyboard.
      - mechanical_bear 5y ago
        I don’t think the literal fraction of a second difference matters.
        loginatnine 5y ago
        It matters after a long day and it adds up. On top of the time lost, it's also a matter of ease of use.
      - colinmhayes 5y ago
        I mean maybe if you're using vim all the time, but most of my apps require mouse interface, so my hand is usually near the trackpad. Even when I'm using external monitors I still use the laptop keyboard and trackpad.