Section 39. The Dock

39. The Dock

In Mac OS X, the Dock (as shown in Figure 14) is a strip of icons that floats along (or, depending on your preferences, pops up from) the left, right, or lower edge of the screen.

Figure 14. The Dock provides quick access to the files and applications you use most.

Unlike the PC's taskbar, the Dock features large icons that make it easier to identify open documents and applications. The Dock holds shortcuts to often-used apps, and files dropped onto Dock icons open in their associated programs.

Leopard expands the Dock's functionality, adding spring-loaded folders that expand to reveal their contents and instant access to apps and documents located on multiple desktops.

After you switch, you'll depend on the Dock for fast, easy access to the files you use most.