Working in Snow Leopard: The Aqua Interface

Abstract

Whether you are new to OS X or just new to Snow Leopard, the first step to getting the most out of your computer is to learn a bit about Aqua. Apple has designed what many people think is the most attractive, user-friendly interface of any popular computer operating system to day; however, if you come to OS X after years of using Windows or some other operating system, you will likely encounter a number of features that are different and perhaps even confusing. Also, if you are just making the upgrade from Tiger or an earlier Mac OS X version, you will immediately notice a number of differences in Snow Leopard; even if you’re upgrading from Leopard to Snow Leopard, you may notice a few refinements to the interface. This chapter will go over the interface basics of Snow Leopard and show you how to get the most out of it, specifically:

• The menu bar

• The Finder and the desktop

• The Dock