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I'm a longtime FVWM user over on the Linux side and have developed some keyboard + mouse shortcuts that I find very helpful in managing windows. Specifically:

  • left click + command + shift = send to back if frontmost, otherwise raise to front
  • right click + command + shift = maximize window vertically (horizontal size unchanged)
  • left+right chord + command + shift = grab window and move it
  • left+right chord + command + control + shift = resize (drag pointer to side or corner and move that to resize)

For all of these, "click" means click anywhere in the window.

Is there Mac software that will let me set this up? I'm on 10.6.

Edit

To clarify, the move/resize operations should begin on mouse-down and end on mouse-up.

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I'm mostly looking for alternative to the default to gnome Alt + click-drag to move window (click anywhere in the window and drag). – bisko Feb 1 '11 at 22:21

6 Answers

up vote 2 down vote

Not entirely what you are looking for, but you can drag and resize the window without bring it to the foreground. Command-drag on the menu bar (or an empty space on the toolbar) to move the window and command-drag on the resize handle to resize it.

Command-clicking on window elements may allow you to use them while the window stays in the back, but that works inconsistently, iirc.

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up vote 1 down vote

You want Zooom/2. Free trial available. It works by holding down a modifier key and simply move your mouse around (no click required!) and then what ever window your cursor is above will resize or move around depending on what key you press, which is customizable. It does more things as well.

I use JiTouch personally, but that requires a trackpad and to be honest, this specific feature on JiTouch takes a little practice to invoke the gesture required, which is unfortunately not customizable.

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Thanks - Zooom does move/resize but not raise/lower or maximizing. I did submit a feature request. – Reid Feb 9 '11 at 18:07
It already does those things. For raising to front, check the settings. For maximizing, just double click while holding down your chosen modifier keys. – Randy6T9 Feb 9 '11 at 22:07
Double-clicking actually zooms instead of maximizing. Lowering isn't that useful IMO, hide can be used instead. – Lauri Ranta Mar 3 '11 at 6:23
@Lri, that opinion is fine, but in my opinion lowering is incredibly useful - one of the most important of the above requirements. – Reid Mar 7 '11 at 21:14
having the same behavior on my Mac and my Linux box is the point, so doing it with modifier keys is important. – Reid Mar 7 '11 at 21:14
up vote 0 down vote

You can run FVWM as your window manager for X11 apps and have this behavior.

For OS X apps, you can move and resize them without the mouse, using just the keyboard, using 3rd party apps (link, link).

I'm not aware of any other techniques to raise or lower.

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up vote 0 down vote

I have not used JiTouch but it claims to have a "move/resize" mode that is based on just the trackpad. If you have a desktop this will work with the external trackpad.

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It does. I use it. But be warned the gesture is not customizable for this particular feature and the gesture they have chosen is kind of hit or miss. It takes a bit of practice to get the hang of it. Hopefully this will be optimized once they get out of beta. – Randy6T9 Feb 9 '11 at 22:10
up vote 0 down vote

Based on this video, you want to use BetterTouchTool.

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Thanks - unfortunately BTT doesn't activate until mouse-up; I'm looking for mouse-down. I'll clarify the question. – Reid Feb 9 '11 at 16:56
up vote -1 down vote

Has anybody found a solution for lowering the window? I use it A LOT when coding and can't believe this feature does not exist in Mac!!!! Please let me know if anybody has suggestions.

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You are not providing an answer to the question, merely adding on to it. You should prefer to do so in a comment (if necessary). – user8472 Oct 16 '12 at 16:12

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