Mac OS X was among the first operating systems to offer faster searches, by providing Sp...

Mac OS X was among the first operating systems to offer faster searches, by providing Spotlight. Spotlight offers the following:

? Indexes files so you can find them faster

? Enables you to search for something by just typing a few letters of the name

? Quickly searches the computer’s nooks and crannies for what you want, even if you’re not sure how to spell it exactly

? Works in conjunction with smart folders so you can organize files you’ve found according to different characteristics that you choose

In this project, you use the Spotlight feature in Mac OS X Leopard or Snow Leopard. To use Spotlight:

1. Click the small magnifying glass on the right side in the menu bar at the top of the desktop.

2. Type a d. Notice that Spotlight starts an instant search (see Figure 2-34).

3. Slowly type the remaining letters, ashboard to see how Spotlight changes its display.

4. To the right of the Applications category, click Dashboard. Notice that Dashboard opens. Close Dashboard.

5. Open Spotlight again by clicking the magnifying glass.

6. If dashboard is still in the entry box, delete the word.

7. Type itunes. The item to the right of Top Hit is Spotlight’s best guess about which item is most likely the one you want.

8. What are the categories of listing for itunes (shown in the left column)?

9. Delete itunes and type in jpg.

10. Click one of the images listed (with a .jpg extension). Notice that the Preview application opens to show a .jpg picture.

11. Click Preview in the menu bar and click Quit Preview.

12. Open Spotlight one more time. Leave jpg as the default entry or type jpg if the box is blank.

13. Click Spotlight Preferences at the bottom of the search listings. You can use the Spotlight window to specify the order of categories and keyboard shortcuts for Spotlight.

14. Click System Preferences in the menu bar and click Quit System Preferences.