Help Needed!

[SJ1]

I seriously need some one to one help on my new iMac. I went to buy my son a mac laptop and ended up getting an iMac at the same time on impulse and basically I've sat and admired it for 2 weeks now (I'm writing this on the PC!) It is so alien to me and I really want to learn from the start and get the most out of my computer as I'm self taught on a PC and I know I don't use it to it's full potential. I'm useless reading manuals and learn better with one to one so I can ask questions along the way. Just looking at some of the threads on here I feel totally out of my league as there feels like there is so much to learn.

So my question is - is there anyone in Kent who would be willing to give me a few hours one to one so I can stop looking at my lovely Mac and actually start using it.

Thanks for looking at my cry for help.

SJ

 

[72930]

I am unfortunately too far to help, but for the meanwhile I recommend just trying stuff out, and using the MacRumors beginners guides

 

[HLdan]

Manuals are really not necessary however there is a book called OS X for dummies (no pun intended) or OS X the missing manual. Don't worry about it, if you were self taught on the PC you will have a lot less learning curve on the Mac. What you have to do is drop the idea that the Mac is complicated and you have months of a journey before you will understand it.

The Mac OS came first so that should help. I mean this by saying what you see on Windows is a design after what the Mac OS is since inception and as you play around with OS X you will find yourself saying, "Oh it's like Windows but easier".

Some tips for now:
The Web Browsers: Safari, Firefox or any other. They run the same as on your PC however Apple uses a logic system when maximizing the window. When you click the green expand button it will enlarge the window just enough to show all the content necessary. In Windows it just expands to full screen which may seem easier but makes no sense since many websites don't take advantage of the whole screen. If you must maximize to full screen you can simply resize the window.

Macs don't use uninstall or or traditional Windows style installs (on most apps). When removing unwanted apps just drag the file to the trash as there is no Registry (like Windows) all the contents of the file are contained in one folder which makes it easy.
Installs are generally a drag and drop installation. No install shields or complicated extract and run set ups, again very easy.

Right clicking works out of the box so don't let your friends or your lack of knowledge tell you that Macs don't right click. Just go into System Preferences and change the settings for the mouse to right click.

Don't deal with anti-virus or spyware software, not needed on Macs at this time or even in the forseeable future, another nicety about using the Mac system.
One last thing, most apps will quit when you hit the red close button but some will not like iTunes or your web browser. You will have to hit File-Quit. That's one of the inconsistencies about the Mac I don't even understand but that's how it works. Good luck.

 

[Bolteh]

All these years ago, I just thought myself 2 things:

- ctrl +click = right click (but with 5 buttons, the new mice can just be configured to have a right click, without ctrl)
- the dock = taskbar + start-menu

That's all I had to know to get started with OS X, thus evening a road towards more advanced stuff.

OS X really doesn't differ much from Windows, apart from looks and the fact that OS X actually works in a logical way.

 

[jessedylan]

Not in Kent, but...

I live in Everett, and wouldn't mind helping if it didn't take so long to get to Kent with traffic. Any incentive? Otherwise don't the "Mac Geniuses" at the Apple Store put on classes that will help you navigate your new computer?