[quipy]

i've always been confused on how OS X users switch between running programs. i mean, i get it with windows: taskbar holds every running program and all. does the dock act like the taskbar too?

[Nobody]

I change programs by either clicking on open windows, or by clicking on the dock icon. There are also numerous Keyboard shortcuts to do this. But I won't go into that now.

[MacCheetah3]

Hi

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There are also numerous Keyboard shortcuts to do this. But I won't go into that now.

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One pretty quick one that comes to mind is hold down Command and than while still holding, press Tab. Each time you press Tab it moves to the next running app's icon in the dock. Once the program you wish to switch to is highlighted, release both keys. I hope that made sense.
MacCheetah3
"Yes, yes, I know the procedure for armed robbery...I do work in a convenience store, you know"

[iloveitaly]

or if you have a keningston two button mouse, tell the prefs that when you chord make a app menu. I find this feature very usefull.

[Farang]

If I remember right, there was a freeware called "ASM Menu"
This one brought a bit of "Classic" back to X.

[CrecenS]

The taskbar is indeed like the dock. You can use it to switch apps, or you can get apps like ASm that use the OS9 app switcher in the top right corner, or dragthing, which can make a floating dock that holds open apps, like the OS9 launcher.
If you aren't familiar with these don't worry. To quickly switch between apps, use cmdtab to go to the last used app, and then down the dock, or cmdshift+tab to go backwards, exactly like the taskbar.
In 10.3, there will be a cool "zoom out" feature, that will seperate and shrink all your windows so you can pick which one you want to go to.

[Philbert]

X-Assist is another small ditty for regaining OS 9-like application switching. I've used it ever since the OSX beta and it works great. The fact that it's freeware is icing on the cake.

[rockinphotog]

I'm starting to use iKey to assign cetain apps to f-keys (which is way faster than even moving my mouse to the dock). Cheetah's suggestion is ok, but I don't want to switch through every app open to get to the one I want, then accidentally pass it 'cause I'm switching too fast, argh!
I also like to be able to auto type commonly used text like my several email addy's with my function keys.
iKey is $20 shareware, but I think I'm going to buy it, since it does everything I likes that Quickkeys did in OS9, but way cheaper.

[mystery_stain]

If you accidentally pass an app, just go backwards. Command-Shift-Tab.
There's also an app called LiteSwitchX that works like the app switcher in Windows, only better (of course). If it was still free I'd still be using it

[maczan1205]

Another way to quickly switch between apps without going to the dock is to use windowshadeX. You can minimize windows in place to little floating icons that you just need to click to quickly bring them back to full screen.
Or you can double click the task bar to minimize the task bar to a narrow strip that allows you to see the desk top or other open apps, when you double click it comes right back.
WindowshadeX

[quipy]

i cant help but wonder, how OS X users still have to resort to 3rd party apps to do this - i'm not implying that OS X can't, its just such an integral function in an OS... i hope that cool new panther feature will put an end to the need for those 3rd party apps.

[Duke_Thomas]

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i cant help but wonder, how OS X users still have to resort to 3rd party apps to do this - i'm not implying that OS X can't, its just such an integral function in an OS... i hope that cool new panther feature will put an end to the need for those 3rd party apps.

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What do you mean "have to" and "need"? The dubious "need" for 3rd party apps arises from some people's dogged insistence that OS X behave exactly like another OS. If you're fine with how OS X handles command-tabs and dock clicks to switch between applications, a vanilla interface will do just fine.

[CrecenS]

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i cant help but wonder, how OS X users still have to resort to 3rd party apps to do this - i'm not implying that OS X can't, its just such an integral function in an OS... i hope that cool new panther feature will put an end to the need for those 3rd party apps

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Likewise, people use these to customize the OS to work in a specific way. The Dock theoretically allows you to do all these things, but us Mac users like customizations that allow us to do the same thing in different ways. Have you seen anything that goes around the Windows Start button or taskbar? No choice there...
And, if you are looking for the absolute quickest and easiest way to switch apps, just turn on speech recognition, and tell your computer to switch when you want to change. No mouse movements, no keyboard typing, just a quick speech command. Another reason Macs rock.

[tahoe3]

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Have you seen anything that goes around the Windows Start button or taskbar? No choice there...

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Like what kind of things? Maybe I can help.