Smart-Open Files and Applications for a Cleaner Desktop [Mac OS X Tip]

Mac OS X tip: If you're keen on keeping a desktop free from the clutter of a hundred open windows, weblog AppleDoes points out a simple OS X keyboard shortcut that will simultaneously open a file or application while closing the Finder window you launched it from. How? Just hold your option key. So if you're about to launch an application, for example, holding option and then double-clicking the app will open the app and automatically close the Finder window you opened it from. This trick also works from the keyboard—so Cmd-Opt-O will open your app or file and automatically close the Finder window. It's not groundbreaking, but it's a handy little shortcut to keep your virtual world just a touch neater.

Open an application from the App folder and close its folder [AppleDoes]