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shortcut - technical definition
(1) In Windows, a shortcut is an icon that points to a program or data file. Shortcuts can be placed on the desktop or stored in other folders, and double clicking a shortcut is the same as double clicking the original file. However, deleting a shortcut does not remove the original file. In the Mac, a shortcut is called an "alias." See Win Shortcuts.
Shortcuts
Shortcut icons have a northeast-pointing arrow at their bottom left side. Note the difference between the icons on the actual items (left) and the shortcuts that point to them (right). Deleting the shortcut does not delete the original item.
(2) In the Mac, a shortcut is a keyboard command that activates some function. For example, pressing F12 displays the Dashboard widgets. Keyboard shortcuts are configured in the Keyboard Preferences panel.
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