New to Mac and needing some help

[downhillboy86]

I'm a first time Mac user and I just bought a 20" iMac C2D. I haven't had too many problems learning the new OS but I do need some help. I know this is a lame thread, but help a brotha out.

Problems:
1. Is there any way to manually sleep just the screen?

2. I know with my PC I had to clean up the temporary files and what not to get my computer to run faster and had to run disk defragmenter. Is there any use to this on a Mac? If so where is it located or what program should I download? I know that the computer only being 2 weeks old that I don't need to do it yet, but for future reference.

3. How do you change themes/dock icons on an Intel iMac?

4. Can iPhoto compile photos/music, and burn it to a DVD or .vcd or something to where I could play it from a DVD player?

Thanks. Sorry for the stupid questions.

 

[nodabs]

Problems:
1. Is there any way to manually sleep just the screen?

2. I know with my PC I had to clean up the temporary files and what not to get my computer to run faster and had to run disk defragmenter. Is there any use to this on a Mac? If so where is it located or what program should I download? I know that the computer only being 2 weeks old that I don't need to do it yet, but for future reference.

4. Can iPhoto compile photos/music, and burn it to a DVD or .vcd or something to where I could play it from a DVD player?

Thanks. Sorry for the stupid questions.

I'd be interested in answers to 1 & 2 as well... but i know the answer to number 4! haha, you use iDVD, which integrates w/ iPhoto. I just got my iMac setup on Sunday and already made a beautiful DVD w/ my photos from the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg!

 

[downhillboy86]

I'd be interested in answers to 1 & 2 as well... but i know the answer to number 4! haha, you use iDVD, which integrates w/ iPhoto. I just got my iMac setup on Sunday and already made a beautiful DVD w/ my photos from the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg!

Thanks. Big help. Anyone on questions 1,2,3????

 

[darkcurse]

1. Is there any way to manually sleep just the screen?

Just turn the brightness all the way down or set it in the energy pref pane. It will turn off the screen after awhile.

2. I know with my PC I had to clean up the temporary files and what not to get my computer to run faster and had to run disk defragmenter. Is there any use to this on a Mac? If so where is it located or what program should I download? I know that the computer only being 2 weeks old that I don't need to do it yet, but for future reference.

You don't really ahve to defragement on a Mac because it uses a journaled file system which keeps track of where file fragments are and automatically optimises the system. If you want to you can repair permissions and check your disk for errors using disk utilities but its not really needed

3. How do you change themes/dock icons on an Intel iMac?

Not really sure how to do this. There are some programs out there that will allow you to just google around for it I guess

 

[igucl]

For question 2: Onyx is a free download that allows you to manually run the maintenance scripts that the OS would do automatically if it were left on through the night. http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/11582 It also includes additional tools and options.

It is not the only option, but a good one.

 

[Demon Hunter]

1. Yes. Go to System Preferences > Energy Saver. Click Show Details. There are two timers, the bottom one is just for the display.

2. It's automatic. Mac OS X defrags in real time for small files. When you install a new application, OS X will also optimize system performance.

3. You can change the icon of any file, folder or application by clicking on it in the Finder and selecting Get Info from the File menu. Click on the icon and replace it by using Copy and Paste.

As for built-in themes, there are none, but you can change the look of buttons and the menu bar in System Preferences > Appearance.

 

[Aperture]

I'm, to slow! (Edit)


1. Not Sure - Sorry
2. Mac OS X automatically defrags every so often without the user's consent
(so you don't have to worry)
3. Open the Applications folder, find the app you want to change the icon of and have the replacement icon at hand. Right click on the replacement icon (be it in the pictures folder/etc) and hit "Copy______" Then, right click on the app you want to change (Application Folder) and right click on the app, and hit "Get Info". Notice in the top right corner of the info window, you see the little app icon, click on it. A blue glow will appear around it. Now hit Command (Apple) + V or right click and hit paste & the app icon will change.

Hope this helps! If you're confused, I can post screen shots.

Kevin

 

[furryrabidbunny]

#4

Thats what iDVD is for.

 

[mduser63]

To change themes and icons on a Mac (Intel or PowerPC) use CandyBar and ShapeShifter (the Universal Binary version is a beta).

 

[baxterbrittle]

For themes check out shapeshifter. For icons check out pixadex and candybar and for dock replacements check out workstrip and dragthing. They are all very nice tools for customising your interface.

EDIT: mduser beat me to it.

 

[downhillboy86]

Thanks for all the posts guys, they really helped me out. Sorry again for this being a lame thread, but some of us newbs need some help. I love the forum, great learning spot. Thanks again.

 

[MacProGuy]

Thanks for all the posts guys, they really helped me out. Sorry again for this being a lame thread, but some of us newbs need some help. I love the forum, great learning spot. Thanks again.

Definitely get Onyx for your disk stuff...

But for the Icons, this is a good choice... makes it really easy:

http://www.panic.com/candybar/

If you want a good source for icons, try here:

http://interfacelift.com/icons-mac/