Mac or PC?

Jeff Overton ^ | May 21, 2005 | BJungNan

[BJungNan]

I bit off the political but I need some help with a Mac I just started using. I'm making a switch from PC to a Mac. Always used the PC format but figured with what I heard about Mac that I would make the plunge.

What always seems to help me when I start using a new program, or in this case, a new operating system, is to get one or two pointers from people that are familure with it.

So, I turn to the experts at FR and ask, What are the two or three most useful tips for a newbie on a Mac? Does anyone have any pointers that will help me overcome the usual unfamiliarity with a new system?

It is Saturday and I've nothing to do on this afternoon. It is a bit too hot to be outside today (weather man says its 115 degrees today). The AC is on. Hoping someone will fire away with some advice.

Thanks in advance and FReep Regards.

[PittsburghAfterDark]

Quite frankly there isn't a whole lot I can really tell you if you're going from a PC to a Mac. Why? Because OS X is leaps and bounds easier to use than XP. When I have to go back to Windows I feel like I've stepped back into the stone age.

The GUI is more intuitive on OS X. Programs are easier to install, run and delete. For example, if you're moving Office 2004 from one Mac to another? Just pick up and move the whole Office folder to your CD, burn and install. Unlike XP there aren't 1,000 Office components installed in more folders, directories and registers and if you don't move one the program doesn't work.

You'll notice less "bloatware" too which will speed up disc access times and lessen the frequency which you should have to clean up your HD. Here's a good example, when you install a typical Apple program it may have 1-50 components it installs. I think Office 2004 had 40 something for OS X. When I installed Office 2003 for a friend of mine it had 1,200+ items to install. As a result, Macs typically run basic apps faster.

Once you get into stuff like movie, picture editing, iPod/iTunes use and the like you'll swear MS is about 5 years behind the curve, which they are.

[PittsburghAfterDark]

I don't use the Mac, but want to know. Is the file extension used by PC's versus no file extension on Mac still an issue?

In Office v.X and 2004 when you're saving a file it asks you if you want to append the file for Windows. So it's not that major an issue. Even if you send the file to someone without the .xls, .ppt, .doc and all they see is a file name all they need to do is add a .xls, .ppt or .doc and it will open up.

Most of the work I do I send/save in PDF's so it's never a major issue for me.

[UB355]

I had a Mac at home and PC at work. Keeping up to date on spyware removal, Virus removal, and Firewalls never was an issue with me on my Mac. I was direct connected to DSL with out a Router on my Mac. Never had a problem. First two weeks with a PC, three virus attacks. That's why the MAC is easier to use.

[savedbygrace]

First, delete your bookmark to that webpage. It's for an old OS. The latest Mac OS is Tiger, v10.4.

Second, after you install anything (operating system, application, upgrades, updates) Repair Permissions from Disk Utility. You'll find DU in the Utilities folder, which is inside the Applications folder on your boot/system drive. Also, Repair Permissions regularly, like once a week.

Third, if you don't leave the computer on 24/7, you need to manually run what are called "cron" routines. They clean out caches, logs, temp files, and junk files, which will keep your system running better. Use a freeware app called MacJanitor to do this.

Fourth, every application has its own menu item, to the immediate right of the blue apple. Here you will find the app's preferences.

Fifth, if you have a number of Finder windows open and you want to close them all, hold down the Option key and click on the Close button for one of them. (I don't have Tiger yet, but the Close button in the previous OS is the red button in the upper left of each window.

Sixth, Command-Q is the keyboard shortcut for Quit in all Apple applications.

[BJungNan]

First, delete your bookmark to that webpage. It's for an old OS. The latest Mac OS is Tiger, v10.4.

Well, that just saved me a bit of wasted time. Thanks. Dang FReepers are sharp. Amazing, you picked up on the bookmark for the study page I found.

[Morgan in Denver]

Thanks! I'm still battling this issue with people who use Mac. I'm using HTML for now, but data files remain an issue with some people. First it was AOL and non-text, and then I had the Mac complaint, and then it was programs that would not read PC files. PDF is an option, but I would bet anything I'd still get complaints.

[_Jim]

For a straight 'consumer' or 'user' of computing equipment, a Mac may make sense ... for anything else, the PC is the way to go.

What's the chip set used in a Mac?

Are there any 'open specs' that cover that such things that one could:

- design one's own PCI-like board to install in a Mac and write your own drivers or apps without spending a small fortune?

Dunno 'bout a Mac, but for a PC it's not too expensive or difficult.

[stands2reason]

Mine's a G5 dinosaur running OSX.

I've had it for 3 years and I've never had a problem with it other than ISP issues that were due to lousy ISPs. No viruses, nothing.

Explorer runs beautifully on it.

[Calvin Locke]

How hot do the batteries get? I'd check the recall site again, if you're worried.

Made the news last night while I was falling asleep to C2CAM.

[stands2reason]

BTW, I can't tell you what's different about a PC because I never owned one.

But I'm able to customize my Explorer to my heart's content. Increase text size with a click, change fonts for easier reading, even customize my link colors.

One thing I can think of to do is check out Preferences under each program tab that you run.

Feel free to PM me if you have a specific question.

I don't know much, but I'll share what I do know.

[politicket]

What are the two or three most useful tips for a newbie on a Mac?

1. Register as a Democrat
2. Buy a case of granola bars
3. Sell your SUV and buy a moped

Just joshing with the mac-ites ;-)

[savedbygrace]

Here's a URL to visit regularly:

http://www.apple.com/macosx/tips/

And here's a book that will teach you all about Tiger:

Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger : Peachpit Learning Series (Apple Training)

[martin_fierro]

Here we go again.

[backhoe]

Crosslinked here to my general-interest browser, OS, malware and computer post:

Browser Wars, take two

And if you have a tale to tell about your experiences, let me know, and I'll link to it. I'm not particularly dogmatic about OS's-- I just want the bleeding thing to work as easily as possible.

[David Lane]

Mac are the best. Far easier to use and less problems.

You will love the changeover.



GOOD CHOICE.


David

[austinmark]

Need I say more ????

[ThinkDifferent]

Are there any 'open specs' that cover that such things that one could: - design one's own PCI-like board to install in a Mac and write your own drivers or apps without spending a small fortune?

Sure. Macs use standard PCI and PCI-X and the driver layer is open source. Some guys have written Mac drivers for PC TV capture cards, for example.

[roylene]

I have both.
I use the Mac for "artsy stuff" (photos. movies and such". The PC for everything else.
I just can not get used to the Mac for "everything else" I find it very difficult to maneuver around financial and word processing programs.
In the same fashion. I am unable to negotiate "artsy" stuff on the PC.

[balrog666]

Buy some Judy Garland albums.

BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHA!

[Swordmaker]

Mac or PC

If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.