Comments on: 5 Tips For a New Mac User?

By: Jamie

Jamie — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:51:49 +0000

In Windows Ctrl-Tab switches between document windows. Alt-Tab switches between application.
In Apple Command-Tab switches between applications

By: Amber

Amber — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 03:13:41 +0000

Wow! Thanks everyone! I just got my new Mac earlier this week, and I have actually found the switch pretty painless. I’ve been having a great time! There’s nothing new I can add to what has already been said except to have fun with your mac- there’s so much to do that is simply entertaining (widgets for dashboard, iphoto, garageband, etc.). I found this post by doing a search for “new mac users”- I think my next search will be “fun things to do with your mac”….I’M LOVING IT!

By: terri-Anne Howell

terri-Anne Howell — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:36:15 +0000

How do I maximize my screens?????

By: MacUser

MacUser — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:56:30 +0000

Thanks for the info!

http://www.videoprofessor.com

By: Kris

Kris — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:42:27 +0000

What are some good websites or forums for a newbie to Macs to join? I’m looking for a nice community that offers tips and help.

By: Richard

Richard — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:04:07 +0000

And don’t forget if your coming from a Windows machine the hash key # is found under Alt+3

I know .. it was part of my first account login under mac after switching from Windows, which I set on my Windows machine before the switch :P

(NB. The hash key # is also known as the pound key by those in the US)

By: Rick

Rick — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 06:19:39 +0000

1. Your menu’s are (generally) available from the top of the screen, rather than attached to the windows.

2. To turn off your computer, you can go to the Apple menu (top left) and click shut-down, or Control-Eject. (More important for desktops)

3. Programs are now called applications, accessible from the Applications folder. (Located in the Applications folder on your operating system hard drive.)

4. Many shortcuts use the command (apple) key instead of Cntl.

5. Apple Finder was there before Windows, and many shortcuts have not changed. Apple was not simply just trying to be different. (what does Alt-F4 have to do with closing a program anyway?)

By: v jacobson

v jacobson — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 17:04:31 +0000

Okay everyone – I had a MAC SE in college(yeah, 20 years ago), used PC’s at work for years, and now have an IMAC at home. Yes, it is very frustrating to learn to use because 1) previously intuitive ‘window’ type behaviors are not similar (in fact, Apple seems to go out of its way to use dissimilar semantics and common terms – like freaking ‘delete’ should be ‘delete’ – NOT “Move to Trash”. I mean, come on.) but also 2) because for a new computer user (new to ANY computer use), such as my husband, and unfortunately me as well in many ways, there is no easy tutorial or way to learn the BASICS about using the computer – what is on it, what things do, I mean forget sorting out shortcuts, we don’t know what the long way is yet! So – any advice as to where to go? (besides the built in ‘help’, which still requires a bit of knowledge to begin with, or #44′s suggestion to use the Start Up Booklet (where/what is this? we inherited this new IMAC from our 93 year old grandmother, so may not have all the stuff we should have with it . . . .).

Any help would be MUCH appreciated. I loved my MAC in college, and my main problem (and my husband’s) is probably more just learning basic computer info – what is what, where is it, then how do you best use it, etc., than necessarily adjusting to the IMAC, but one way or the other we could use some help.

Thanks,
V Jacobson

By: UGNN manager brother

UGNN manager brother — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 21:31:43 +0000

and the killer tip of the year in our school division for teachers doing tutorial or instructional documents….
a targeted screen capture with cross hairs mouse is: shift, control, command, #4
this gives you crosshairs mouse icon…whatever you mouse select goes to the clipboard for using in documents, emails, etc. TIP OF THE YEAR for Instructional Technology Resource Teachers and educators of all levels. We love our macs (and the intel windows running parrallels as well)!

By: UGNN InfoManager

UGNN InfoManager — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 13:52:14 +0000

Actually most of the responses above are all “geekish” responses — which could confuse a new switcher.
.
1) Take the short, simple tutorials in the “Start Up” booklet
.
2) Learn how to use “Help” (under the “help” menu)
.
3) Understand that nothing will break. You can’t hurt it
.
4) You need NO further software at this time.
. . . (maybe later once you’re comfortable with everything)
.
5) Join a user group.

:-)

By: bassplayer360

bassplayer360 — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 13:35:23 +0000

For window switching, the mighty mouse squeeze function works great but not at re-opening windows(app’s) dropped to the dock. Is there a quick way to open them without pointing and clicking?

By: Scott Gant

Scott Gant — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 14:29:19 +0000

Anyone ever use Spotlight to uninstall applications? Just type in the name of the application you want to uninstall, and it should show you all the files associated to that…such as preferences or folders. I’ve used it that way and it seems to work pretty well.

By: Kurt

Kurt — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 19:22:18 +0000

@Show Desktop (Hide all Apps)

Fogive me if someone already mentioned this but it’s very easy to hide all open applications. If go to the finder (click on it in the dock or hold down the apple command key and tab to it) you can hide all open apps by using the key command ‘option + apple + H’. This works for all applications, it stand for hide others. You can also use ‘apple + H’ to hide the application your currently in.

Example: Say you have safari or explorer open as well as many other programs and all the windows are gettin annoying. Well while your in the program you want just hit ‘option + apple + H’ and all other applications will ‘hide’. It’s three keys I know but it’s really easy to hit ‘option + apple’ at the same time with your thumb. You can also go to the menu bar of the app and hit ‘hide others’ or ‘hide (app name)’.

The Mac OS is much more intuitive, if it works on this it will probably work on that too.

By: Tony Steidler-Dennison

Tony Steidler-Dennison — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 00:06:40 +0000

Simon:

I think the switch to Mac for me was a bit easier, having come over from Linux, than it might be for a Windows user. I got very comfortable with the OS pretty quickly, including the Unix underpinnings. It took me a few weeks to even hear about Quicksilver. By that time, I was already familiar and comfortable with many of the other key aspects of OSX.

I don’t see Quicksilver as a crutch any more than I might see using a GUI tool to avoid learning the command line as a crutch. Both really are system enhancements. But, I do understand and appreciate the spirit of your point.

By: Gavin Cornwell » Tips For A Switcher

Gavin Cornwell » Tips For A Switcher — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 22:32:25 +0000

[...] a switcher I’m still getting used to the Mac and learning how to do things. I found this blog post this week requesting it’s community provide some tips for new Mac users. I thought I’d [...]

By: Ken

Ken — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 21:09:20 +0000

@luke
3. Does deleting an app remove it’s all associated files? Nope. The whole installation, uninstallation process in OS X is untidy, sure for some apps it’s easy as ABC but for some it’s a pain.

Actually, this is a painful process on Every computer platform I’ve ever used. Windows, HP-UX, Linux variants, Palm.

Uninstallers on Windows don’t remove everything (registry keys, temp files, additional directories, etc)
*nix variants… if you “install” something new, you run into dependency clashes, same goes when you want to “uninstall” something.
Palm – I remember installing something, deleting it and noticing that there was about a 1MB data file that went with it that I couldn’t remove.
OS X – more than likely something is in “Library/Prefrences” or “Library/Application Support”. Usually it’s documented somewhere.

Pick your poison. (Agreed – they all need work)