As a convert from PC to Mac/Linux, I find that the window management seems lacking from a Windows frame of mind. I have my Mac set up so that windows minimize into their respective icons on the dock. Sometimes (as with Google Chrome), clicking on the icon never brings back up minimized windows. I have to go up to the Window menu and hit it down at the bottom.

Maybe I should go back to having windows appear above the trash can so that this problem doesn't happen. It would also help to tell how many windows there are of a certain application open.

Any insights Mac users?

A four finger swipe downwards (or F3) brings up every window. Minimized ones are scaled down and put towards the bottom in a row. It is my primary method of navigating between windows. You can do the same thing but swipe upwards and it will reveal the desktop. It's good if you use a lot of desktop shortcuts. This function has a name but i can't remember what it is.

Try hiding the windows instead of minimizing them. Command+h