Launchpad
The Launchpad app presents a dark background with evenly spaced icons that represent all your programs (Figure 6-3). You can open one with a single click.
Why did Apple feel the need to create yet another way to open programs?
First, because Launchpad fits right into the general theme of making the Mac look and work more like the iPad. Launchpad is a dead ringer for the Home screens of an iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch.
Second, it’s a much less intimidating place for technophobes to learn to love than, say, the Applications folder.
And, third, it’s a lot quicker to get to than the Applications folder. You can summon it instantly, using any of these methods:
Put four fingers on your trackpad and pinch them together. The Launchpad appears instantly, no matter what program you were in; you don’t have to duck back into the Finder, navigate to the Applications folder, and so on.
Press the Launchpad key. Recent Macs have a special Launchpad icon painted right on the F4 key (
).Click its icon on the Dock. It’s the one resembling a rocket (
).Press a keyboard shortcut of your choice. To set that up, choose
→System Preferences→Keyboard. Click the Shortcuts tab, and then click Launchpad & Dock in ...
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