Poll: How experienced are you with the Macintosh? [Archive]

alset

Aug 3, 2003, 11:54 PM

Tough to distinguish between Intermediate and Expert. I know the OS inside and out on the GUI side, plus a few Unix tricks. In that sense (the very Mac sense) I would fall into the Expert category. Then again, anyone who knows more of the Unix side my call me a fraud and bump me down to Intermediate.

As a 12 year Mac veteran with a solid understanding of multiple versions of the OS, I'll call myself Expert until disputed.

Dan

Wonder Boy

Aug 4, 2003, 12:02 AM

I guess I am intermediate. I can fix and troubleshoot a lot of issuess, (software and hardware) but like the first post, im using about .04% of the OS.

Bunzi2k4

Aug 4, 2003, 12:10 AM

intermediate

mac15

Aug 4, 2003, 12:26 AM

I was an OS9 genius, but hey its not that hard but in OSX I'm intermediate

Golem

Aug 4, 2003, 12:29 AM

Under os 9 I would have said expert but under os X a bit more complex so I would guess only intermediate. Someone had a problem after a kernel panic while accessing the net and every browser+ Entourage was quiting immediately on starting up even after a restart. I was forced to tell them to do a archive and reinstall when I am sure it was just a preference file somewhere needed trashing. If I was expert I would know what to trash:)

Nermal

Aug 4, 2003, 12:35 AM

I first used a Mac in 1994 at school and was most definitely a beginner back then. I remember fiddling around with HyperCard in 1997 and loving it.

I picked up an emulator in 1998, and bought OS 8.1 somewhere down the line (1999?). I bought my first real Mac in February of this year. I'd have to call myself "intermediate" at this stage. I've learnt the Mac equivalents of a lot of Windows functions, but there's still a huge amount I don't know, especially on the Unix side of things, and with scripts. I see quite a few posts on here about how people set up scripts to do this and that, and use cron to run them - I've got no idea how to do stuff like that.

Not really the place to ask but not worth making a new thread for - on some older OS X screenshots I've seen an icon on the dock which I think looked like an @ symbol on a spring. What did that do?

RHutch

Aug 4, 2003, 12:45 AM

Originally posted by Nermal

Not really the place to ask but not worth making a new thread for - on some older OS X screenshots I've seen an icon on the dock which I think looked like an @ symbol on a spring. What did that do?

Clicking on the symbol takes you to Apple's OS X page, www.apple.com/macosx/

Squire

Aug 4, 2003, 01:51 AM

I'm a beginner- very much so. In fact, I think I'll order .Mac just to get the OSX tutorials.

But, I have to admit, I'm learning new stuff every time I sit down in front of my iMac.

Squire

scem0

Aug 4, 2003, 06:04 AM

Intermediate.

I don't know all that really detailed stuff people like AlphaTech knows. But I have been using macs my whole life.

scem0

beez7777

Aug 4, 2003, 07:14 AM

Originally posted by Nermal
Not really the place to ask but not worth making a new thread for - on some older OS X screenshots I've seen an icon on the dock which I think looked like an @ symbol on a spring. What did that do?

you can actualy put a link in your dock by dragging that little icon thingy next to the url into the right side of your dock. i think new macs come with a link to the OS X page in there, as RHutch said.

Jerry Spoon

Aug 4, 2003, 07:31 AM

Originally posted by mac15
I was an OS9 genius, but hey its not that hard but in OSX I'm intermediate

My situation exactly.

Powerbook G5

Aug 4, 2003, 08:18 AM

I know the feeling, I am still using OS9 and I have to say I am an expert on it, but I have had such a limited contact with OS X and I know nothing about how to use Unix, so I am a beginner. It sure sucks to once have been able to call yourself an expert and now having to desperately look things up to figure out how to do the simplest things, but once I upgrade I'll be running OS X as my primary and we'll see how long it takes for me to be able to say I'm an expert.

mactastic

Aug 4, 2003, 08:45 AM

Well, if I knew how to talk to my computer through the terminal, or if I routinely booted up in the non-gui mode I might consider myself an expert, but I don't. I have been using a mac since oh... the mid 80's but OS X is so new. I'm guessing intermediate, but I'm not sure what criteria I should be judging this on. :cool:

Mudbug

Aug 4, 2003, 08:52 AM

I am the master of the master. :D

I put expert down, but as others have said, if a unix guy comes in here and disputes it, I'll back down. But if it's on the GUI side of things, (not to break my arm patting myself on the back) I'm pretty good.

iLilana

Aug 4, 2003, 09:07 AM

This is a very vague question.

Ambrose Chapel

Aug 4, 2003, 09:12 AM

I was pretty expert in the Classic Mac OS (always the troubleshooter for my friends), and I'd fearlessly root through System Folders til everything was running smooth. Under OS X however I am much more apprehensive about messing with it. I guess after 10 years or however long I worked on the old OS I'll be an expert in OS X too ;]

tpjunkie

Aug 4, 2003, 09:17 AM

As many people have said, I too was undoubtedly an expert under os 9 and earlier..by that I mean I could make the computer do whatever I wanted and could fix any software and some hardware related problems (but when my logic card fried itself on power computing power center pro, even I couldn't diagnose the problem and had to take it in to the shop) Under OS, I have so far been able to handle any problems that have come my way, and made my computers do what I want, so I too am calling myself an expert until proven otherwise.

bograt

Aug 4, 2003, 09:20 AM

Originally posted by mactastic
Well, if I knew how to talk to my computer through the terminal, or if I routinely booted up in the non-gui mode I might consider myself an expert, but I don't. I have been using a mac since oh... the mid 80's but OS X is so new. I'm guessing intermediate, but I'm not sure what criteria I should be judging this on. :cool:

Same here, I haven't even touched this stuff (except the crash thing in single user mode) then again I wouldn't class it as part of OS X. I know the GUI back to front and some short cuts - however I don't think it's fair to call yourself an expert unless you reach the ultimate level of expertise - being able to talk someone through something without being near a computer at all. I can't do this because I don't have the patience so class myself as only intermediate.

thebossisback

Aug 4, 2003, 09:22 AM

I would say I am intermediate. I started out with an LC III and then went to the original iMac and then went to an iBook 500mhz

scem0

Aug 4, 2003, 09:47 AM

Well, I was in a bind because I don't use a mac but at the same time I'm an intermediate mac user ;).

This is a very vague question.

This is very true. ;)

scem0

irmongoose

Aug 4, 2003, 09:52 AM

As others have said, for the GUI side I would say I'm an expert. As bograt said, I can walk people through OS X on the the phone, and I know the basic troubleshooting stuff you have to do in the Terminal, open-firmware, or single-user mode. But I'm not a Unix/Linux guy so I still do prefer to stay in the GUI. But isn't that the beauty of OS X, that you got all that UNIX power underneath, but you never have to even touch the Terminal if you don't want to?

Yes, I'm an Expert at the Mac OS. But not for Unix.

irmongoose

-hh

Aug 4, 2003, 10:36 AM

Originally posted by Ambrose Chapel
I was pretty expert in the Classic Mac OS (always the troubleshooter for my friends), and I'd fearlessly root through System Folders til everything was running smooth. Under OS X however I am much more apprehensive about messing with it. I guess after 10 years or however long I worked on the old OS I'll be an expert in OS X too ;]

This is why I voted "Intermediate"....basically comes down to Expert for the Pre-X OS's and no experience (yet) with X...

-hh

wdlove

Aug 4, 2003, 10:52 AM

I voted Intermediate. I've been a Mac user since 1984. I can trouble shoot and fix most problem, but I don't have a deep knowledge. There are times that I need help.

Mallardx

Aug 4, 2003, 11:09 AM

tpjunkie

Aug 4, 2003, 11:50 AM

I find it interesting that most of the people chose between Intermediate and expert. I for one have been using MACs since 2000 and in no way feel that I have a complete picture of everything my MACs can do.

Well, many of the intermediates and experts here have for the most part been using macs since the mid 80s :) After only 3 years on a mac you probably have a good feel for what you can do, but after about 16 (in my case) you know what you can't do, and figure out ways to do it anyway.

bwintx

Aug 4, 2003, 12:05 PM

Have been using Macs since 1984, when I bought one of the original "skinny Macs." Sadly, had to sell it a couple of years later for needed cash and have never owned one again; fortunately, have been able to keep using Macs on the job wherever I went. Currently using 2000-model 450 MHz dual-G4 Power Mac.

matthew24

Aug 4, 2003, 01:34 PM

I consider myself an intermediate and with the stabilaty of OSX I wonder if I will ever get the chance to become an expert! ;)

Mudbug

Aug 4, 2003, 01:48 PM

Originally posted by tpjunkie
you know what you can't do, and figure out ways to do it anyway.

Sounds like a hobby of mine.

johnnowak

Aug 4, 2003, 01:51 PM

I wonder how many people voted 'expert' and don't even know their way around a UNIX system. :rolleyes:

Java

Aug 4, 2003, 02:35 PM

Originally posted by Macrumors
Vote: Poll: How experienced are you with the Macintosh? (http://www.macpolls.com/?poll_id=241&ref=forums.macrumors.com)

I voted advanced because I use OS X throughly, and have actually managed to crash the machine on a couple of occassions. All thanks to that wonderful app called "The Terminal". It's a love/hate relationship.

But as one person mentioned earilier, I think this is a vague question. I could be an intermediate or a beginner in the right context.

Eniregnat

Aug 4, 2003, 02:44 PM

I can't answer the poll.
There are two questions here.
1.) How experienced are you with the Macintosh? Very
2.) How experienced are you with the Mac OS X? Beginner.

Which Boolean operator does '/' stand for, 'and' or 'ex.or'?

It looks like the majority of people are taking the question as How experienced are you with the Macintosh and Mac OS X?

Good, I found something to wank about today. :)
Generally I find that hard to do.

eyelikeart

Aug 4, 2003, 04:21 PM

Intermediate with OS X...even though I've yet to call tech support for anything I couldn't get straightened out on my own. OS 9, I was pretty experienced with.

I can take them apart, change parts out, troubleshoot & resolve most problems, etc, etc.

Overall, I say intermediate...period. ;)

wdlove

Aug 4, 2003, 04:59 PM

Originally posted by bwintx
Have been using Macs since 1984, when I bought one of the original "skinny Macs." Sadly, had to sell it a couple of years later for needed cash and have never owned one again; fortunately, have been able to keep using Macs on the job wherever I went. Currently using 2000-model 450 MHz dual-G4 Power Mac.

It makes me sad to hear that you no longer have a Mac at home. You are very lucky to have a job that allows you to use a Mac. Does that satisfy your need for a Mac?

Mblazened

Aug 4, 2003, 06:50 PM

i repair macs all day
so i am a "professional" but no expert
but i learn something new every day.

MrMacMan

Aug 4, 2003, 07:48 PM

Yeah intermediate, but it is very vague question to begin with...

I know a few *nix commands, but not as many as I need to know, I have compiled my own source, but I suck at it... :rolleyes:

NavyIntel007

Aug 4, 2003, 09:29 PM

I'm between intermediate and expert. I think if you're a beginner you're always asking questions or referring to a book. If you're an intermediate you are comfortable using all the basic aspects of the machine. If you're an expert you know everything there is to know. There should be like a Novice vote. That's what I am.

iPC

Aug 4, 2003, 09:31 PM

Define expert.

I would rate myself intermediate.

fritch

Aug 4, 2003, 11:13 PM

I personally have found Apple's platinum phone tech support to be useless - but I'm certainly not an expert - I just know more than the ppl who answer the phone there. I'm not sure where that puts me, but my first computer was a Mac SE II back in 1988.

r

wdlove

Aug 5, 2003, 10:27 AM

Originally posted by Mblazened
i repair macs all day
so i am a "professional" but no expert
but i learn something new every day.

I like that, you are humble. It is a part of life to learn something new every day. The day that we stop learning is the day of our death. Also reminds me of the "ex" used in expert. :p