Ok Mac guys...help me out here

[Nathans_Dad]

Well, I went over to the darkside today and bought a new IMac. I feel like a complete idiot trying to figure out this desktop, lol. Anyone who is Mac saavy have any tips? Do you use the Safari browser or are there others? What programs are good/bad? How should I set up this desktop? Help a former PC Brutha out!!

BTW, does this mean I have to grow my hair long and vote Democrat now???

[IROC]

Welcome to the dark side. :>) I don't have any tips, really. I've been using Macs since 1989 and it just feels natural to me (although I use a PC workstation at work).

I use Safari, the wife uses Firefox. Microsoft Office for the Mac is nice as it allows you to interface with the rest of the world.

Soon...you'll love it.

Mike

[fastpat]

I've been using Mac since day one, 1984. While I've used PC's for a long time as well, even been to school for them at corporate expense; the Mac is my primary computer by choice. We have both here at the house.

I use FireFox on my Mac, but would use Navigator if I was doing intergrated email and web browsing as I used to do. I'm FireFox most of the time now, even on the PC. It's just a better browser.

Both my brother and sister were PC'ers that finally converted to Mac's, for the most part, over the last two years. The dark side is the PC world, Mac's are definitely for the enlightened.

The desktop metaphor was, while an idea at the Xerox PARC, was spread far and wide on the Mac. The MS Windoze standard screen is but a faint shadow of the Mac's desck top ambience, i.e. the two are similar but the Mac's is much more powerful.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Funny, I use Safari (mostly) and my wife uses Firefox, too. Firefox is definitely better for Gmail and other sites that use complex Java/Javascript/Ajax.

[stomachmonkey]

First thing I have found that gives switchers fits. Things on a Mac are uncomplicated and obvious. It really is as simple as it should be.

Take some time to explore the system prefs and set things up the way you want them. Click on the Apple upper left of screen and select system preferences.

Just click thru them, they are self explanatory.

Safari is fine, so is mail. Camino and Firefox work equally as well.

For navigation there are several views just like Windows, I prefer this view,


Note the highlighted blue icon upper left, I use the cascading view as m primary, you click on a folder and it reveals the structure beneath it. Click the other views to see what they do.

The Dock is your friend, you can modify it's size and position in the system prefs. When you run a piece of saoftware that is not permanently in the dock ou can right click it to tell it to stay there. It just creates a "shortcut" in the dock. To remove stuff from the dock just click hold and drag them out then let go.

To find stuff till you get used to the environment use spotlight, upper right corner, little blue magnifing glass, click it and start to type into the field and what a list of matching items appears.

lot's more to tell you but that should get you sstarted on the exploration.

[Ronbo]

Rick-- By the end of the weekend you'll probably feel very comfortable with using the Mac. For a browser, Safari is very good but I also use Firefox. Have fun!

[nostatic]

what do you want to do?

I use Firefox. For email I use mail (the included program). The iApps are great for all my media, although for more complex image manipulation I use either GraphicConverter (great shareware app) or Photoshop. But it comes down to what you want to accomplish.

[Nathans_Dad]

Basically I just surf the net, I just want a browser that works well and works quickly. I downloaded Firefox and am using it now, I think I like it better than Safari.

How come I can't take Safari out of my dock? The thing won't go poof like the others will.

Also am trying to get Quicken set up and get all my files converted over from Microsoft Money. So far so good but my bank won't talk to Quicken right now for some reason. Stupid Bank of America Military Bank. There is always something quirky about the way they do things. They are completely separate from the regular BoA and don't have all the bells and whistles. Of course the military will only do direct deposit to the military bank (at least that's what they told me 8 years ago). As soon as I separate I am switching banks, I swear.

So far so good on the Mac, I am starting to figure my way around and like it so far. It is much cleaner than the PC, seems to "run itself". Also is a little more organic than a PC is, edges are softer, seems less like a machine if that makes any sense.

Is there a way to get a clock onto the desktop? I know there is one with the dashboard, but I like to have a little clock somewhere so I know if I've spent 4 hours on the computer...

[BlueSkyJaunte]

There's a clock in the Dashboard thing. I think if you hit F13 it'll come up? Not sure, I'm on my 10.3 machine right now.

[nostatic]

you should see a clock in the upper right of the menu bar (always visible). If you don't, click on system preferences, then date & time. click on the clock tab and you can fiddle with the details...

[Nathans_Dad]

Oh, yeah there it is...lol, I'm so used to it being in the lower right hand corner on windows. I didn't even look up there...geez, it's amazing what our brain does when it is used to doing something a certain way.

I'm starting to get the hang of it now though, I really like the interface and stuff loads much more quickly than in my PC. I haven't started playing with all the gadgets yet like itunes and idvd and iphoto and iporn (wait, that one isn't there...).

Starting to like this thing more and more.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by Nathans_Dad
-+Starting to like this thing more and more.

You'll never go back by choice, you'll only use PC's if required to do so at work, or for other PC specific tasks. My wife has a sewing machine that's only computer friendly to PC's. Very preverted.

[jyl]

So, you've joined the Rebel Alliance. Cool.

Sometimes you mght still need to put on a stormtrooper suit and sneak onto a Death Star to do your banking. If the Death Star won't work with Safari or Firefox, you can always use IE for Mac. And you also have the option on running Win XP on your iMac (I'm assuming it is a new Intel iMac) if that's necessary.

[Nathans_Dad]

Yeah it is the new intel iMac, I've decided to not put XP on it for now. I plan to run a networked PC with XP on it for my XP only programs, kids computer and gaming. I didn't want to pollute my new shiny iMac with WinXP...

[targa911S]

To remove safari from the dock, on a two button mouse, (yes you can use one), just right click on the safari icon in the dock scroll down to "remove from dock" and click once. Or you can left click once and hold, then as above. Good bye!

[Nathans_Dad]

Ok, first slight negative. I'm not sure if I like this mouse or not. It is supposed to sense whether you are left or right clicking but doesn't pick up the right click sometimes.

On the upside, I love the keyboard. Smoothest I have used.

[Ronbo]

Assuming a Mighty Mouse, when you're right-clicking, make sure your other finger is completely off the left-click area. Even the slightest pressure on the left side and you won't get a right-click.

[techweenie]

Originally posted by Nathans_Dad
Ok, first slight negative. I'm not sure if I like this mouse or not. It is supposed to sense whether you are left or right clicking but doesn't pick up the right click sometimes.

On the upside, I love the keyboard. Smoothest I have used.

There are several traditional 2-button-with-scroll wheel mice available if you don't end up loving the iMac mouse. I use one called a mini optical mouse on my PowerBook.

[stomachmonkey]

Get one of these. http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2135,CONTENTID=9340 I have 2 of them. The ergonomics are great, you'd think apple made it. Not Bluetooth, uses USB dongle but it's a minor inconvenience. Batteries last 6 months.

Go to your local big box and try one on. Staples sometimes has a $25 rebate on them.

I use my computer 12 hours a day and I never get cramps and no carpal tunnel.

Scott

[Yellowbird RS]

Best site for new Mac users