[weld]

I'm running 10.2.7 on a G4 iMac, and when I've got a bunch of applications open and want to see something on my desktop, I choose "Hide others" and then "Hide Word" (or whatever application I happen to be in at the moment). When the application I'm in disappears, one of the others invariably comes back from being hidden; the only way I can see my desktop is to close one or more applications (or resize one or more application windows, which is just as much of a nuisance).
In 10.3 I'd be able to use Expose, but I don't want to mess with the operating system on my iMac, at least until Tiger comes out. It should be possible even in 10.2.7 to hide all open applications and see the desktop without having to close or resize anything.
Has anybody else ever seen this problem? And if so, how did you sort it out?

[d00d]

That's because when you hide an application, it reverts you to the last application you were in, most likely something other than the Finder. Why don't you just click into the Finder and THEN choose Hide Others?

[Nobody]

there are also a few utilities out there that let you assign a shortcut key to certain events and/or applescripts; key xing is one of them, there's a few more on versiontracker (and i believe one on apple) that i'm sure people on the forum could recommend. i have a key set to switch to finder and hide everything else. it comes in handy.

[weld]

Thanks to both of you for speedy responses. I'm not sure why "Hide all" isn't an option in the same menu with "Hide others," but until I upgrade to a newer system that includes Expose, the tips you provided will keep me happy.

[d00d]

In reply to:

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I'm not sure why "Hide all" isn't an option in the same menu with "Hide others,"

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Well, because you can't "Hide all". There must always be at least one application not hidden.

[jkthompson01]

Um, you can hide all applications. Unless you mean the Finder, but I don't consider than an application.

[d00d]

In reply to:

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Unless you mean the Finder, but I don't consider than an application.

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But it is an application. So, um, no, you can't.

[Newstetter]

If you go to the Finder icon in the dock and hold the mouse button down while pressing the option key you will get the 'hide others' option for the finder which will hide everything but the Finder. I know this works in 10.3 anyway. Try it out.

[Nobody]

Try F11, you may be pleasantly surprised! /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Nobody]

Oops.... just noticed that you are in 10.2.x.
konfabulator has a similar function as the Expose but I'm not sure how helpful it will be for you.