Brand New to Apple Mac OS x 1

[prha]

Hi I have just purchased a laptop for one of my users. It is running OSx. I have never used Apple before and am a complete newbie. Can someone advise of either a good book or a website that offers good advice/tutorials for a windows user who is switching to Mac? I playing around and learning but I feel that there are probably lots of easier ways to get good enough to support the users.

Any advice greatly appreciated

 

[chiph]

The O'Reilly books seem to be really good:

http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/macxmmpanther/

And if you're coming from Unix:

http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/mpantherunix/

Chip H.


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[macmend]

I would recommend mac os x "the missing manual"

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0596006152/jonathaspence-21

more answers can be found at:

http://www.macmend.com

 

[jmgalvin]

Yeah - get osx - the missing manual. David Pogue always makes things very clear - and usually in a very entertaining way.

One thing you'll have to get used to; usually setting up macs takes far fewer steps than Windows. BUT, out of the box Macs DO usually need further setting up. You'll also have to get used to the file structure. It's very basic and easy to understand but, in OSX (as opposed to mac classic) different things go differenct places - depending on who the "users" are. Fonts are one thing that can drive you nuts. They may be installed in the main fonts folder, in each user's fonts folder, or in a fonts folder connected to an application's folder. Then they might be allowed for one user, but not another, etc. If you put all fonts in the main fonts folder, life will be easier.

Also, make sure that, if your users share and collaborate on docs, that the font families match. Macs come with most of the common Windows fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, Verdana, and MS Office usually installs some more common Windows fonts but, if your Windows users use any special fonts, you'll have to get the Mac version (unless they're Opentype - which is universal)

If you're planning to hook the macs into a Windows network, go to Apple's site and check out info about connecting to a Windows server.

 

[prha]

Many thanks for all the above info. Most appreciated. they all help.
One of the main things I find frustrating is not knowing the shortcuts to do things such as highlight/delete the things infront of the cursor! and other menial tasks which saves so much time, by not using the mouse in windows but I'm not sure what they are on macs......

anyway I'll perservere

Cheers

 

[pixl8r]

Most of them are exactly the same as they are on Windows. Replace the Ctrl key for the Command key and you are good to go.

 

[GrayShades]

And the ALT key for Windows is often the same as OPTION key on Macs (not always - which you will learn).

Software: XL2002 on Win2K
Humanware: Older than dirt

 

[texspleen]

Hi prha, The best way to learn about OSX is via the Finder or Desktop Help menu at the top of the screen. It can be viewed by catagory to make it easy to target the precise info your after. Once you've found the page you need you can print it out for later reference. Also, open the "system preferences" pane. (usually found in applications folder of your hard drive) This is where you adjust the majority of settings for the operatimg system. It may look daunting at first but with time I'm sure you'll get to appreiciate the great feel of OSX.
Good Luck. Tex. PS For the Ultimate (but expensive) reference manual try OSX Bible. (as the name suggests...)

 

[SimonDavis]

If you haven't already, you might want to think about changing the Mac mouse for a 2 buton mouse. Any USB mouse will work, and you get the right click back which works more or less the way you're used to - pops up acontextual menu with copy / paste etc.