Dock

The launch bar, or Dock, spread across the bottom of the screen is the first thing most people notice when introduced to Mac OS X. The Dock (Figure 8.2) is roughly equivalent to the Start menu in Microsoft Windows. It shows all the applications you are currently running (with triangles under their icons) as well as those whose icons you have dropped onto the Dock for easy access. A single click on the icon starts the application; its icon will bounce as the program starts.

Figure 8.2. The Dock is the first thing most people notice when introduced to Mac OS X. It gives users easy access to their most-used applications and also is kind of cute.

The size and position of the Dock can be changed, as you'll soon see.

Everyone's Dock is a bit different, but, from left to right, here's what is on mine: Finder, Dashboard, iChat AV, Safari browser, Mail, Sherlock, Address Book, iTunes, iCal, iPhoto, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Trash. Both the Finder and Dashboard have triangles under them, showing that they are running. You will find many of these same icons on your Mac mini when you start it for the first time.

All of the applications except twothe Finder and Dashboardare discussed in Chapter 9. The Finder and Dashboard are both explained later in this chapter, as is the top menu bar.