How to Use the Mac OS X Leopard Dashboard

OS X Leopard's Dashboard is a new feature that contains "widgets"-- small mini-programs for your use, such as a calculator, calendar, dictionary, phone directory, weather report, stock tracker and even puzzle games. Any time you need quick information, you can probably access a Dashboard widget to find it.

Instructions

1. Press the "F12" key to summon the Dashboard. If "F12" is the "Eject" key on your Mac, hold down the "fn" key. On a thin aluminum Apple keyboard, use the "F4" key.

2. Access the Widget Bar by clicking the circled plus button on the screen bottom. This contains all the Dashboard widgets not open. Click the "X" button above and to the left to close the bar.

3. Open a widget by clicking on its icon in the Widget Bar. You can search all widgets by scrolling the bar with the arrow buttons on the sides.

4. Close a widget by clicking the "X" button in its top left corner. If the "Widget Bar" is open, this appears on them all. Otherwise, press the "Option" key with the cursor across the widget's face to reveal the button.

5. Move a widget's position by dragging it with the mouse. Click on some place besides a button, menu or text box.

Tips & Warnings

• You can rearrange your widgets by opening your hard drive and going to the "Widgets" folder in the Library. Change their Widget Bar position by renaming them (they always appear alphabetically). Remove widgets from the folder to delete them.

• The Widget Bar can also be opened and closed by pressing the Apple symbol and "=" keys. This may only work on U.S. keyboards.