Decluttering Downloads

When I select a time, registration will open for those preregistered. Soon after, if there are still slots available, I’ll post the registration link here for anyone else who wants to join.

Before your first class, I’ll also require you to sign this confidentiality agreement.

• Learned to change Zoom settings regarding window management during screen sharing; recommended “Maintain current size” and “Side-by-side mode”
• Explored multiple ways to access Downloads folder, including Finder window sidebar and Finder’s Go menu
• Recommended viewing Downloads as a list; learned how to change sort and group options
• Discussed several common file types that most people can delete: disk images (.dmg), installer packages (.pkg), event invitations (.ics), previously expanded zip files
• Learned Command+Delete shortcut for Move to Trash command (not Command+D, which is Duplicate)
• Learned to multi-select items in a list using Shift or Command to select contiguous or noncontiguous items, respectively, with respect to the previously selected item
• Learned to search in the Finder for files of specific kind, either by typing the name of the kind or using its associated file extension, and then selecting the kind from the dropdown menu
• Learned to change the scope of a search between This Mac and the folder that was shown when initiating the search
• Generally recommended installing software updates
• Discussed how to know what items are safe to delete:
  • Items in Downloads are safe because you put them there by downloading from a website
  • Items elsewhere on your Mac that may have been created by macOS might be best to leave alone or you might not have permission to delete them at all
  • From decades of supporting Mac users, I have wisdom to know which is which and help people declutter their systems individually
• Recommended setting Archive Utility: After expanding, move archive to Trash
• Outlined recommended best practices for managing downloads: consume, then file or trash
• Differentiated between Save and Move commands in the File menus of various applications, such as Microsoft Word and Preview
• Discovered that Word’s Move command is unhelpful for moving a file between local folders and discouraged using it
• Learned to move an item in the Finder using Edit > Copy (Command+C), navigating to the destination, and Move Item Here (Command+Option+V) — distinguished from Paste (Command+V)
• Learned to view the contents of the clipboard with Finder’s Edit > Show Clipboard
• Learned to move an item in the Finder using drag-and-drop paired with Spring-Loaded Folders, including ability to change the speed of spring-loading in System Settings > Accessibility > Pointer Control
• Learned to move an item using File > Move To, such as in Preview
• Learned to use the Inspector to get info on a group of selected items
• Learned to use Quick Look to preview a selected item (Spacebar to show or dismiss Quick Look)
• Learned to use Quick Look, arrow keys, and Command+Delete to easily triage a list of unknown items, such as a series of images

1. TEACH Workshops are a good venue to learn about a topic and begin to practice some new skills, but it’s unreasonable to assume you’ll be able to accomplish all of your goals in that domain
2. There’s a great variety of questions asked by different people, some that others wouldn’t think to ask, leading to an overall increase in the volume of material covered
3. There’s particular value in slowing down, patiently witnessing the computing experiences of others, and, in a new light, exploring tips and tactics that previously felt second nature