Some basic questions from a Mac newbie =)

[marcus2704]

After years of using windows based OS's Im trying to get to grips with my new Mini Mac and am having a few ... 'teething problems' ...

Im hoping you can ease my stress by helping out with a few newbie questions I have. Currently I have Panther, whilst I await Tiger.

1) PRINTING - My mac connects to my printer, I want my windows PCs to be able to print through this. My Mac has windows sharing for this printer enabled, but none of the windows printers are able to see it.

2) NETWORK - Each time I load my Mac, I need to reconnect manually to Windows shares, entering in my Windows Administrator password for each share which is rather annoying. Any way to make these shares permanent? Typically Id browse the Network, and select my server/share.

3) TABBED BROWSING - Is there any way to get a new tab button, or do I need to use the File menu or Apple+T?

4) BROWSING - Say I open up System Preferences, and click on the Network option, then I want to change the Screensaver prefs, why do I have to close and then reload that window again - am I able to simply go 'back' on myself?

5) INTERNET EXPLORER - I downloaded and installed the Mac version of this, Id expect it to show in Applications but it doesnt - it installed to my Mac Hard Drive but as the installation appears not to be Folder Specific I have no idea how to start it?

 

[36183]

2) use keychains

3) go into the safari preferences and enable tabbed browsing

4) there is a "back arrow" in the system preferences (well at least in tiger)

 

[yellow]

3) TABBED BROWSING - Is there any way to get a new tab button, or do I need to use the File menu or Apple+T?

Unless there's a plug-in that will do what you want, you'll have to use Cmd-T/File pull-down, or, if you hold down Cmd when you click on a link, it'll open the link in a new tab.

4) BROWSING - Say I open up System Preferences, and click on the Network option, then I want to change the Screensaver prefs, why do I have to close and then reload that window again - am I able to simply go 'back' on myself?

If you're not using Tiger, you can click the "Show All" button. However, you might not be seeing any of these buttons. If not, click the oblong blue button in the upper right hand corner of the System Preferences window.

5) INTERNET EXPLORER - I downloaded and installed the Mac version of this, Id expect it to show in Applications but it doesnt - it installed to my Mac Hard Drive but as the installation appears not to be Folder Specific I have no idea how to start it?

Don't bother. IE hasn't been updated for the Mac in a very long time, and it never will be again. Every second brings it closer to death and being less and less secure against modern websites. However, if you insist, after installation, it should be in /Applications. If it's not, why not search for it? Also, I don't know if it's compatible with Tiger (if you're running Tiger).

 

[dejo]

3) TABBED BROWSING - Is there any way to get a new tab button, or do I need to use the File menu or Apple+T?

Check out a Safari add-on called Ollie's Tab. It places a "new tab" button in Safari.

But I'd recommend learning and using as many shortcut keys as you can: Cmd-T for a new Tab, Cmd-H to hide an app, Cmd-Q to quit an app, etc. These can be your friends.

 

[blodwyn]

2. You might want to check out Supinfo Share Manager (free) to see if it helps with your Windows shares

 

[m-dogg]

Check out a Safari add-on called Ollie's Tab. It places a "new tab" button in Safari.

But I'd recommend learning and using as many shortcut keys as you can: Cmd-T for a new Tab, Cmd-H to hide an app, Cmd-Q to quit an app, etc. These can be your friends.

Cool - THis is something I wish Safari had. I'm going to download it when I get home tongiht and try it!

 

[wrldwzrd89]

After years of using windows based OS's Im trying to get to grips with my new Mini Mac and am having a few ... 'teething problems' ...

Im hoping you can ease my stress by helping out with a few newbie questions I have. Currently I have Panther, whilst I await Tiger.

1) PRINTING - My mac connects to my printer, I want my windows PCs to be able to print through this. My Mac has windows sharing for this printer enabled, but none of the windows printers are able to see it.

2) NETWORK - Each time I load my Mac, I need to reconnect manually to Windows shares, entering in my Windows Administrator password for each share which is rather annoying. Any way to make these shares permanent? Typically Id browse the Network, and select my server/share.

3) TABBED BROWSING - Is there any way to get a new tab button, or do I need to use the File menu or Apple+T?

4) BROWSING - Say I open up System Preferences, and click on the Network option, then I want to change the Screensaver prefs, why do I have to close and then reload that window again - am I able to simply go 'back' on myself?

5) INTERNET EXPLORER - I downloaded and installed the Mac version of this, Id expect it to show in Applications but it doesnt - it installed to my Mac Hard Drive but as the installation appears not to be Folder Specific I have no idea how to start it?

1. Windows printer sharing on a Mac requires BOTH Windows Sharing AND Printer Sharing to be enabled. I'd check that first.

 

[Yebot]

3) TABBED BROWSING - Is there any way to get a new tab button, or do I need to use the File menu or Apple+T?

I've always been a fan of Control + Clicking the tab bar ... > 'New Tab'




PC right-click = Mac Control+Click

 

[mactastic]

Right clicking works fine on a Mac if you get yourself a two-button mouse.

 

[wwooden]

Check out a Safari add-on called Ollie's Tab. It places a "new tab" button in Safari.

But I'd recommend learning and using as many shortcut keys as you can: Cmd-T for a new Tab, Cmd-H to hide an app, Cmd-Q to quit an app, etc. These can be your friends.

That is by far one of the best add-ons for safari yet. Such a simple solution and solves a very annoying problem. Thanks for the link.

 

[James Philp]

Try reading (and preferably buying) a book called "Mac OS X: The Missing Manual".
This will answer all your newbie questions and also has a lot of stuff for switchers in there. Enjoy

EDIT: It also covers all the apps bundled with OS X (and may have stuff about iLife too, but not sure as i have an old edition).

 

[dotdotdot]

For the number 1, windows and mac printer sharing, download Bonjour for Windows from Apple.com and OS X already has rendezvous/bonjour (same thing, different name) and run in Windows...

 

[baummer]

1) PRINTING - My mac connects to my printer, I want my windows PCs to be able to print through this. My Mac has windows sharing for this printer enabled, but none of the windows printers are able to see it.

Make sure your printer is shared and Windows should see it. If it doesn't, download Bonjour.

2) NETWORK - Each time I load my Mac, I need to reconnect manually to Windows shares, entering in my Windows Administrator password for each share which is rather annoying. Any way to make these shares permanent? Typically Id browse the Network, and select my server/share.

Try adding this information to the keychain. I think there was an automator task or AppleScript that I saw somewhere that would automatically connect upon startup.