Using the Control Strip’s Icons

Using the Control Strip’s Icons
Mac Tip#21/19-Sept-2001

In Tip #20 I wrote about the Control Strip. Once you have it open on your screen you’ll see it has a number of icons.

The first thing you can do is to turn on Balloon Help so you can find out what each icon does. Go to the Help Menu and select Show Balloons. Now if you hover over the various icons on the Control Strip a Balloon will show up explaining a little about each icon.

In Tip #19 I suggested finding out what resolution your monitor is set to. Point to the icon like a checkerboard and press the mouse button down. You’ll probably see three possible resolutions: 1024 * 768, 800 * 600, 640 * 480. You might have others as well, or you might have fewer on an older computer. One will be marked with a bullet point to show that is the current setting.

Chances are, your monitor will be set to 800 * 600. Try changing it to one of the other settings and notice how it affects your screen. If you choose higher numbers everything on your screen will seem to get smaller and more will fit in. If you choose smaller numbers everything on your screen will seem to get larger and less will fit in.

There’s no correct resolution — just use the one which works best for you.