A few questions from a first time MAC owner

[DallasCowboysFan]

Please bear with me if I bore you with some basic questions, but I have been using PC's for 20 years and after owning 3 iPhones I bought my first MAC, a 13 inch M2 Pro model LAST night. I bought it at Costco for 1099 and an additional year's warranty at no additional charge.

My biggest problem is adjusting from a 15 inch keyboard to 13 inches. so many typos

I did my thumbprint for the security. But when I tried to add my index finger it requires me to log in with a password. The 2 I gave apple don't work for this. And it won't accept my thumbprint to log in .... any ideas?

Can I use dictation to post a thread here
If we can, I have not figured it out even though dictation has been enabled

Why can't I scroll to the bottom of this forum page and see the part about attaching a file, posting the thread etc. but I can see it on my 15 inch HP? I had to return to my PC to type this.

I have not tried it yet, but can I download adblock like I have on my HP to block all the annoying ads?

I tried to download weather widget to put on my start page, but apple wanted all my account information and a cc. Even if the widget was free. I tried to forward past it, but it would not let me download it. I don't think I have to do that with my iPhone. Do I have to give up the information, I am sure it will be safe, but if I don't have to give it up....

On the bottom of my keyboard is a function called option....what is that used for?

I have not tried transferring data from my PC to the PRO yet, any ideas?

Why is it when I move the cursor to the right, I can see the scroll bar and I can move a page up and down with the arrows but I can't do it with the cursor......am I doing something wrong?

When the laptop starts up, it welcomes me with my full name, how can I eliminate my last name, in the rare event that it is lost or stolen the thief won't know my full identity?

Macs are different from PC's for sure. But I like the reputation and the build quality.
I know I will never own anything other than an iPhone again.

I am confident I will have many more questions.

Thanks

 

[DeltaMac]

A little about the "Option" key - https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/option-key-on-macs/

If you touch your touchpad, (using one finger) you can move the cursor. The page does not scroll or move, just the cursor.
Add a second finger touching the touchpad. Moving those fingers will scroll. Up to move the page up, move left to move the page left, etc. Experiment a bit with that, you'll figure out what to do.

Changing your account name (deleting your last name, for example), after the account is active - is not as simple as you might think. That's because your account name is a basic part of your account login. If you change that name without using the correct procedure, you risk damaging your account, and locking you out of your own account.
easiest method has always been to make a new user account, with the name as you want it, add that as a new user account. Transfer everything from your old user account. Log out of the old account, then log back in with the new user account. Finally, delete the old account, if you wish to do that.

 

[DallasCowboysFan]

A little about the "Option" key - https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/option-key-on-macs/

If you touch your touchpad, (using one finger) you can move the cursor. The page does not scroll or move, just the cursor.
Add a second finger touching the touchpad. Moving those fingers will scroll. Up to move the page up, move left to move the page left, etc. Experiment a bit with that, you'll figure out what to do.

Changing your account name (deleting your last name, for example), after the account is active - is not as simple as you might think. That's because your account name is a basic part of your account login. If you change that name without using the correct procedure, you risk damaging your account, and locking you out of your own account.
easiest method has always been to make a new user account, with the name as you want it, add that as a new user account. Transfer everything from your old user account. Log out of the old account, then log back in with the new user account. Finally, delete the old account, if you wish to do that.

I read the link about the option key, very versatile

I tried the two finger tricks and it worked


I think I will wait a while before I do anything about changing the account.
That is probably not a good idea right now considering my technical knowledge right now.

Thanks

 

[HDFan]

I have not tried it yet, but can I download adblock like I have on my HP to block all the annoying ads?

Lots of ad blockers available for Safari, Adblock being one of them. Go to the Safari menu/Extensions.

Can I use dictation to post a thread here
If we can, I have not figured it out even though dictation has been enabled

Works fine in MacRumors.

Dictate messages and documents on Mac

With Dictation on your Mac, you can dictate text anywhere you can type it.

support.apple.com

have not tried transferring data from my PC to the PRO yet, any ideas?

Lots of ways. You could setup a network share and use to copy to the Mac in the Finder, copy to some media (disk, USB stick, etc.) and use Finder to copy from there, etc.

apple wanted all my account information and a cc. Even if the widget was free. I tried to forward past it, but it would not let me download it.

The apps that you download and purchase are associated with your Apple Account so you have to be logged in to download. If you get an app with a different account it won't be available, although there may be ways around that restriction.

 

[dmccloud]

I did my thumbprint for the security. But when I tried to add my index finger it requires me to log in with a password. The 2 I gave apple don't work for this. And it won't accept my thumbprint to log in .... any ideas?

The password would be the password you set up when you created the device (Mac) account, not an Apple ID password. Also, you want to make sure you're using the same Apple ID with the Mac and iPhone instead of two separate IDs.

I tried to download weather widget to put on my start page, but apple wanted all my account information and a cc. Even if the widget was free. I tried to forward past it, but it would not let me download it. I don't think I have to do that with my iPhone. Do I have to give up the information, I am sure it will be safe, but if I don't have to give it up....

Safari, Firefox, Chrome all can use the same extensions that are available on Windows versions of the browsers. You would just go through the proper channels for each browser to add them.

When the laptop starts up, it welcomes me with my full name, how can I eliminate my last name, in the rare event that it is lost or stolen the thief won't know my full identity?

Macs are different from PC's for sure. But I like the reputation and the build quality.
I know I will never own anything other than an iPhone again.

I am confident I will have many more questions.

Thanks

 

[DallasCowboysFan]

The password would be the password you set up when you created the device (Mac) account, not an Apple ID password. Also, you want to make sure you're using the same Apple ID with the Mac and iPhone instead of two separate IDs.


Safari, Firefox, Chrome all can use the same extensions that are available on Windows versions of the browsers. You would just go through the proper channels for each browser to add them.

I managed to download Adblock successfully.

I am watching video after video on YT to learn more about my Mac.
It's different from my PC but I am slowly learning,

Even my typing skills are improving, moving from a 15 inch keyboard,

Thnx

The password would be the password you set up when you created the device (Mac) account, not an Apple ID password. Also, you want to make sure you're using the same Apple ID with the Mac and iPhone instead of two separate IDs.


Safari, Firefox, Chrome all can use the same extensions that are available on Windows versions of the browsers. You would just go through the proper channels for each browser to add them.

 

[DallasCowboysFan]

Lots of ad blockers available for Safari, Adblock being one of them. Go to the Safari menu/Extensions.


Works fine in MacRumors.

Dictate messages and documents on Mac

With Dictation on your Mac, you can dictate text anywhere you can type it.

support.apple.com

Lots of ways. You could setup a network share and use to copy to the Mac in the Finder, copy to some media (disk, USB stick, etc.) and use Finder to copy from there, etc.







The apps that you download and purchase are associated with your Apple Account so you have to be logged in to download. If you get an app with a different account it won't be available, although there may be ways around that restriction.

Thanks for your help and your detailed reply.
I am learning a little more each day.

Thnx

 

[chabig]

Don't assume the TouchID is just a "thumbprint" reader. It works with any of your fingers, and in fact I find it most convenient to enroll my right ring finger because that fingertip suffers least from everyday use.