Your first day with a new Mac: the get-started guide for Windows users 20 handy OS X tips

TechRadar.com ^ | 12/25/2008

[Swordmaker]

Merry Christmas, Mac Ping List members. For those PC users who found a nifty new Mac under the Christmas tree this year, here is a handy set of hints to help make your switch from PC to Mac a bit easier.

Mac to PC switchers Ping!

If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.

[allmost]

ping to self.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Mac to PC switchers Ping!

Mac to PC switchers? Are there any such people?

[allmost]

I’ve been told they exist...

[Swordmaker]

It's 3 AM... typos are to be expectorated...;^)>

[Swordmaker]

• "So you just got your first Mac -- now what?"  The Unofficial Apple Weblog 8:51 AM

• "So you just got a MacBook Pro -- now what?"  The Unofficial Apple Weblog 10:15 AM

• "So you just got a MacBook -- now what?"  The Unofficial Apple Weblog 8:51 AM

• "So you just got an iMac -- now what?" The Unofficial Apple Weblog 1:36 PM

• "So you just got an iPhone -- now what?" The Unofficial Apple Weblog 3:18 PM

[allmost]

Sworwdmaker, I’d like to say a belated Merry Christ Mass to you. Hope you’re doing well...

[DainBramage]

bump

[markomalley]

And, of course, there is always this possibility: http://fedoraproject.org/en/get-fedora

;-)

Merry Christmas

[PreciousLiberty]

No Macs under the tree, but we bought two this last year to add to our 24” iMac. It’s great to have a better alternative to Windows!

I find the interface much cleaner and better suited to doing work. There’s a ton of software, and even the iMacs are darned snappy these days!

[PreciousLiberty]

“And, of course, there is always this possibility: http://fedoraproject.org/en/get-fedora";

As a software developer, and Linux fan, I can honestly say that Fedora’s a better deal if your time is worth $0/hr, and you don’t need most commercial software.

Happy New Year! ;-)

[GRRRRR]

Merry Christmas Swordmaker,

Mrs. GRRRRR is the surprisingly happy recipient of a 13” MacBook. She’s been playing with it more and more, since 4 am today doing the email address book update and surfing.

SO much lighter than the 17” widescreen HP laptop, she’s taking it into the kitchen for recipe use as well.

THE ONLY thing with this model, it doesn’t have the backlit keyboard on the 2.0gighz model...you have to get the 2.4ghz version to get the backlit keyboard...that upset me !!

I’m working still, to get her MB to access the iPhoto library stored on one of my iMac external disks..the security is so tight on my iMac I can’t seem to lower the shields so she can share pics as READ ONLY.

Printer sharing is UP and running!

Thanks for all you do for we Mac Users.

G

[i_dont_chat]

Now, would someone be so kind to do something equivalent to show the difference between Windows XP and Windows Vista?

I am getting a new computer with Vista, and I am anxious about it. I know XP backwards and forwards and I will feel lost using Vista.

Thanks, all

[tubebender]

"On Windows I used to... Safely remove hardware (such as external USB or Flash drives)

With the exception of external storage devices, you don't need to ‘safely remove hardware’ on a Mac. With external disks, just make sure you eject them – as for CDs and DVDs, except you don't use the eject key on the keyboard –before you unplug them."

I have a Canon A ??? and a Nikon D 80. The Canon has a way to eject but I don't know where the eject is for the Nikon and I always get the”THIS DEVICE WAS SHUT DOWN IMPROPERLY yada yada yada”. Give me a clue...

[Jet Jaguar]

Bump for reference.

[dayglored]

> Now, would someone be so kind to do something equivalent to show the difference between Windows XP and Windows Vista? I am getting a new computer with Vista, and I am anxious about it. I know XP backwards and forwards and I will feel lost using Vista.

I have used Windows since Windows 2.0 in 1991 or so, and EVERY major change has brought some concern and confusion, but eventually I got used to it. 2.0 => 3.1, 3.11 => 95 =>98, NT4 => 2000 => XP....

I consider the Win2000 interface to be the best (matter of opinion), so the first thing I do with a new XP system is get rid of the Fisher-Price loopy stuff and make it look like 2000 classic. I can use it -- it's familiar.

My Vista machine allows me to do the same thing -- it looks like 2000 with slightly different icons. I can use it -- it's familiar.

But put me in front of a stock Vista interface and I lose my mind.

I suspect you'll find Vista initially off-putting, until you find ways to beat the interface into familiar shape. Then all you have to get used to is the "Mother-May-I" so-called security stuff (UAC).

Vista was poorly executed. I have greater hopes for Win7 being more functional overall.

Unfortunately, Win7 (apparently) dropped the ability to revert the interface to older versions. This I consider a major problem, but that's just me.

[antiRepublicrat]

On Windows I used to - Have applications close automatically when I closed the last window

But really, why would you? This was a behavior I had to get used to on the Mac, and now gladly accept. They take up few active system resources because they get paged out, so why quit them under normal circumstances? It just means they'll open faster the next time you need them.

[I see my hands]

Swordmaker

Thanks for keeping this great list!

MERRY CHRISTMAS
Swordmaker