Posted on 05/21/2005 3:37:52 PM PDT by 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.
Buy some Judy Garland albums.
If you have a Mac store near you drop in and sak a salesman for an orientation and test drive.
mac all the way!
I made the opposite switch lately. The Mac OS is easier to use. Have fun. My wife could not make the switch as easy as I could. Peace in the family if you will.
http://tinyurl.com/7mz3m
Now that seems like a good suggestion. Thanks.
FYI
If you go for a Mac Laptop, wait for the new, corrected, batteries.
But seriously, no help from me. I just converted one of my PC's to Linux and I am all involved in learning that. Good luck!
Also, in Tiger (10.4) there is a very useful feature for new Mac users in the "System Preferences": a search field. Enter in the kind of thing you want to adjust (even in Microsoft terminology) and it will "spotlight" the tool you need to use.
Lots of nice folks here:
http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/macdsl
Many switchers too.
I have a 1.5 month old Powerbook G4. My batteries are not listed in the recall. Is there any reason to believe they need replacing?
Have to disagree with you on the "Mac OS is easier to use." I use both-- Mac at work, PC at home. Mac is easier because it's what you knew first. They're both easy to use.
LOL. No, definately need help. The nearest Mac store is 100 miles away.
That way you will have access to tech support to answer your questions.
I've got PC, Mac (Mini) and Linux (Fedora) computers. I prefer the PC. I prefer the WinXP user interface to OS X. I would put Linux 2nd and Mac 3rd.
They are all quite usable. You won't need much learning to use the Mac. The two problems I have with Mac are that the mouse control just doesn't feel right and all of those neat PC programs and games don't run on it.
Don't flame me about the mouse. I know how to change the mouse settings. There is no setting that I like.
Mac!
You'll never regret it.
Hmmmm...3 tips, eh?
#1. Go get a book the size of a phonebook on OSX. The Mac Bible is good. Don't let it intimidate you, just refer to it when you want to learn a shortcut or find something out. The investment is well worth it. Handy tips are hightlighted with icons, and these tips will serve you well.
#2. Instead of dragging a file to the trash, highlight it and hit Command + Delete ("Apple + Delete")
#3. To maintain your hard drive and prevent problems, click on the icon for the application "Disk Utility," then highlight your hard drive icon. Then click on "Repair Disk Permissions" and let it do its thing. Do this every couple of months.
Congratulations!
SD
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?
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