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Tech...
Two weeks with a Mac: New Mac user tips
By Brian Beck
After using a Windows-based PC for ten years, switching to a different operating system can be difficult. I used a Powerbook exclusively for two weeks and have answered some questions that new Mac users may have.
Question: How do I right-click?
Photo courtesy of Logitech
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Answer: One of the most common functions of Windows involves a single right-click of the mouse button. So, it can come as a shock to find that the Apple mouse only has a single button.
There are two ways to resolve this issue. The first is to simply buy a USB-based two-button mouse. Youíll be able to use the right click without any issues. Another way, and an interesting one, is to hold the Control key when you click ñ it will mimic a right mouse button click.
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Question: Hey, whereíd the taskbar go? Or: Whatís that funky thing at the bottom of my screen?
The dock in Mac OSX is very versatile.
To add a program to it or remove one, simply drag it from your applications folder and drop it on the dock.
To see how many instances of the program are running, just right-click (or Control-Click) to see a list.
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Answer: No taskbar in OSX - you get the Dock. Instead of just listing running programs in a little banner-type bar, you simply get a little black arrow under the running program.
First of all, right-clicking the icon will bring up all of the running instances of that program. This is a nice element for, say, browsing the internet or for conducting a chat over an Instant Messaging program. You can also close all the open windows of the program with a single click.
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Question: How in the heck do I browse the net?
If, for some reason you really dislike Safari, there are other quality web browsers you can check out on your Mac.
One of the most popular is Mozilla Firefox.
If you don't like the default Mac email program, you can check out Thunderbird, an email program made by the same group that made Firefox.
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Answer: Typically, Windows users use Internet Explorer to browse the Internet. And hey, guess what? You can find Internet Explorer on a Mac too. Just one thing to say about that, though: donít use it.
No, really. Avoid it like the plague. OSX brings with it a browser that youíll grow to love ñ Safari. Pop-up ads wonít worry you again, you wonít have to download any sort of download manager and you definitely wonít have to worry about spyware. Finding Safari is simple too ñ click the compass icon in your dock.
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Question: I have a ton of pictures to offload onto my computer. How can I do that?
Photo courtesy of Sony
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Answer: A simple way to offload and touch up pictures on a Mac is to use iPhoto. No dealing with any of those funky programs that put your files in an odd folder, oh no.
Just plug your camera into the computer and iPhoto will open itself up. With just one click, your pictures will be on the computer, ready for you to manipulate and have fun with. Yes, it is really that simple. For more on digital photography, click the picture to the left.
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Question: I like to listen to music. What program should I use?
Photo courtesy of Apple
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Answer: Learn it, love it, live it ñ iTunes is your new music player. Thereís a chance you are already using the Windows version of this program, too.
With iTunes, you can convert a CD into various formats, buy new music, create playlists and even make your own mix CDs. You can also load music onto your iPod (Click the photo to check out our iPod buyer's guide).
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I hope that each of these tips prove to be useful as you learn to use your new computer. With the ease of using OSX, youíll catch on in no time.
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