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Help stop ignorance!

K

KrazyKidd

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 25, 2003
20
0
Hey, this is my first post so let me introduce myself

I'm 17 and on my way to college soon. I currently work part time at Best Buy in the computer department. I know a lot about the ipod but not much about apples. I have been using PCs with Windows for the past 8 years. Before that, I had a Mac Performa. I don't know anything about apple but I know a ton about PCs. I built both of my computers at home so i am familiar with computer components (RAM, hard drive, etc.) and the windows OS. I have used a Mac Performa before, but other than Fine Artist, Clarisworks and emptying the trash, i don't remember much since i was so small.

for college, if all goes well i hope to end up with the new 15" powerbook that is supposed to come out (the one with DDR ram). I think they call this the aluminum and not the titanium. I have been browsing the powerbook forum at apple.com but i havent learned much. After looking through the stupid PC user questions thread, I realized how much i have to educate myself. i really like (and need) to do research thoroughly before i buy something of this much value.

I know most of you will see these questions as dumb, I just have found it hard to find someone who can help me learn about apples. It seems like it is 2 different worlds between Wintels (i hope that lingo is right) and apple. Although i am closed off in the wintel world, i would like to open up and learn more about apple.

Let me start off with some questions and hopefully i will get some good responses:

1. Windows and Apple hard drives are formatted differently. OSX and windows are totally different from what I hear. Is there a way to sum up this difference. Also how does OS9 relate to OSX. If you can use examples from the WINtel world, it might help me understand.

2. "where's the c: drive" I guess that has to do with the format of the hard drive. How is the hard drive partitioned.

3. Is the regular airport card the 802.11b and the extreme card is 802.11g?

4. What is the standard internet browser that most Apple users use? Can you use Internet Explorer?

5. After briefly using a powerbook at the Apple store near me, i found that exiting programs is a little different from windows. Xing out a program just puts it in the dock. TO exit the program you must pull down the menu from the top and exit. Am i right?

6. how can i uninstall [insert name of program here]...again sorry for the dumb questions

7. how do you change screen resolution?

8.How does the dock in OSX function?

9. There is only 1 mouse button. How does this work? I am very used to a left click and right click. I know that you can buy a usb 2 button mouse to use with an apple but what would the right click button do in that case?

Sorry if i seem hopeless...but i really want to switch over from PC to mac. It seems like i have a lot to learn but I am very willing. Thanks for any help.

-naveed

p.s. is there a mac for dummies book somewhere?
 
Hello KrazyKidd (from Sydney Australia here!)

Welcome to Macrumors and all that...

Here we go:
1. The difference between OS X and Windows - this is a good one to start conversation. Essentially they do exactly the same thing - allow you to run programs and manage your files. Mac OS X just does it in a more elegant way than Windows, for various reasons I'll explain in other answers below. I still like Windows - I use and manage 9 Windows XP machines at work. Yes the drives are formatted differently but for functionality it does not matter - you can read/write files on your Mac from your PC over your network connection (ethernet, Airport etc)

2. You don't have a C: drive on a Mac. It's "Macintosh HD". Yes it does depend on how you partition, but from the factory you get just one huge partition (80GB in my case).

3.You're right about the airport cards.

4. I use Safari ( http://www.apple.com.au/safari ) Mac's also come with Internet Explorer installed but it's a fairly slow browser compared with Safari and Camino

5. You're right about exiting programs. It's a good feature. I hate it when I accidentally close a program in Windows. The quick is is CMD-Q (that's Apple key and Q to the un-initiated!)

6. To uninstall a program, find it in Finder (it'd usually be in the Applications folder) and drag it to the Trash. Empty the Trash. Yes, it's THAT easy.

7. To change screen resolution go to System Preferences and click on Displays

8. The dock is.. sort of like the Taskbar in Windows. It shows the programs you've got open (they have a black arrow underneath the icon). You can also store files in the Dock (on the right hand side of the separater), and you can store shortcuts to programs (that aren't open) in the Dock.

9. There is only one mouse button. To access the right click functionality, you hold down 'control' on the keyboard as you click whatever you want to click. If you buy a USB mouse with a second (or third button or wheel) it 'just works' No drivers needed. Same goes for the Apple Pro mouse - it just works on a PC.

Hope all that helps. Happy switching :) I'm happy I switched last September!
Derek.
 
Re: Help stop ignorance!

[edit: sorry, just noticed that this is kind of a double post. looks like we were typing at the same time.]

Originally posted by KrazyKidd
3. Is the regular airport card the 802.11b and the extreme card is 802.11g?
Click to expand...

correct.

Originally posted by KrazyKidd
4. What is the standard internet browser that most Apple users use? Can you use Internet Explorer?
Click to expand...

yes, you can use internet explorer. if that works best for you. there are lots of browsers to choose from. personally i use safari - that works for me. some people like camino or mozilla, too. that all comes down to personal preference and what you feel most comfortable with.

Originally posted by KrazyKidd
5. After briefly using a powerbook at the Apple store near me, i found that exiting programs is a little different from windows. Xing out a program just puts it in the dock. TO exit the program you must pull down the menu from the top and exit. Am i right?
Click to expand...

yes. use cmd+q to quit, as well. or right click on the program icon in the dock and choose quit. or click and hold with the left mouse button on icon in the dock and choose quit.

Originally posted by KrazyKidd
6. how can i uninstall [insert name of program here]...again sorry for the dumb questions
Click to expand...

drag it to the trash. really. that's it.

Originally posted by KrazyKidd
7. how do you change screen resolution?
Click to expand...

this can be done in system preferences (access this quickly by going to the apple menu and choosing system preferences) - it's in the display menu.

Originally posted by KrazyKidd
8.How does the dock in OSX function?
Click to expand...

hmm. kind of like the little taskbar just to the right of the start menu in windows. it enables you to have quick access to programs. to add a program to the dock, just drag it's icon into the dock where you want it. to get an icon off the dock, when the app is closed, just drag the icon off the dock and poof! its gone. you can also drag files and folders into the dock for easy access - drag them just to the left of the trash. i have my applications folder in the dock for quick access to everything.

Originally posted by KrazyKidd
9. There is only 1 mouse button. How does this work? I am very used to a left click and right click. I know that you can buy a usb 2 button mouse to use with an apple but what would the right click button do in that case?
Click to expand...

you don't necessarily need a two-button mouse. i personally have one, though. it works for me. it functions the same as a two-button mouse would in windows.

Originally posted by KrazyKidd
p.s. is there a mac for dummies book somewhere?
Click to expand...

i would suggest mac osx: the missing manual by david pogue.
 
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okay great responses...thanks a lot


a few more questions

For P2P applications, is there a version of Kazaa that i can use on OSX?

Why would someone boot into OS9 if they have OSX?

What is the Finder?

Is the dock like a quick launch and taskbar put together?

More of an indepth difference between windows and OS x???
 
Originally posted by KrazyKidd
For P2P applications, is there a version of Kazaa that i can use on OSX?
Click to expand...

no. but there are some other p2ps. try limewire or direct connect. there's more than that, though.

Originally posted by KrazyKidd
Why would someone boot into OS9 if they have OSX?
Click to expand...

some programs that are specifically for os9 work a bit better if you booted from os9. some super old programs wont work at all in classic mode, which is what you'd run from os x.

Originally posted by KrazyKidd
Is the dock like a quick launch and taskbar put together?
Click to expand...

yes, but more robust. for instance, you can control itunes from the dock by right clicking on the icon or left click and holding on the icon. you can control most programs like that from the dock - like in mail, you can check new mail or compose new mail just from clicking in the dock - left click and hold or right click.

i would really suggest attending a "getting started on a mac" class at your local apple store. they're usually on saturday mornings, but can vary. check it out on apple's website, they have a schedule for every store. the classes are free, no registration required. you can really learn a lot from them.
 
ok...

10. There is no Kazaa for OS X. There may or may not be alternatives, but it's generally frowned upon to speak about applications that promote piracy on forums such as this.

11. The only real reason people boot into OS 9 is to use programs that (a) only run in OS 9 or (b) because they have programs that they haven't bought the upgrade to OS X for.

As an aside, it's "OS Ten" not "OS ex"

12. The finder is like Windows Explorer. You use it to manipulate files

13. Yes, the dock is a bit like the quick bar and taskbar combined.

14. From a useability point of view, there is no significant difference. If you can use Windows, you can use OS X. It might take you a day or two to learn how things are different, but my parents who are 'Windows only' people have no trouble using my computer if they're here. They do end up with every program imaginable open across the dock though!! I should teach them the CMD-Q shortcut ;)

Derek.
 
I've always found that one of the biggest differences between any Mac OS and any flavor of Windows was the save menus. In Windows, it always has some archaic file name and location to save to, whereas with the Mac OS, you get to name the file anything you want, and you know the name of the HD or folder you are putting it in. Oh yeah, OS X is built upon UNIX as well.

That and the whole left-side of the screen, right-side of the screen bit. I've always thought that it was a funny thing.

With Mac OS X, you can run both OS 9 and OS X at the same time. 9 is running in the background, and only comes up if it is needed by an older program. Just think of it as any other application. Booting into 9, as others have said, is only necessary with a few programs that need a specific set of extensions. For example, some older TWAIN-driven camera drivers, the music notation program Finale doesn't play back well in "Classic" (that's what it is called when you are running OS 9 within OS X, NOT booted into 9), and some other older apps that require a boot.

I'm sure others will chime in as well. Good luck with the PowerBook.

Regards,
Gus
 
Another really cool thing about OSX that you probably don't know...

If you want to open up a file in a certain application, instead of changing that document's default application (which you can also do of course), you can just drag that document to whatever program in the dock that you want to open it. Pretty snazzy! I use this for opening images up in Photoshop all the time.

Arigato,
brook
 
Originally posted by DeKa
ok...As an aside, it's "OS Ten" not "OS ex"
Click to expand...

ga? i'm an idiot. i've been calling it "ex" for two years now.

krazzykid-
you asked about a book for dummies? there is an "OS X for dummies" and a "Mac for dummies" but your best bet is right here. knowlegable people, quick answers, etc. you should be able to learn as you go in OS X, and when yr stuck, come here and ask a question...hope you switch soon.
 
Re: Help stop ignorance!

Originally posted by KrazyKidd

5. After briefly using a powerbook at the Apple store near me, i found that exiting programs is a little different from windows. Xing out a program just puts it in the dock. TO exit the program you must pull down the menu from the top and exit. Am i right?
Click to expand...

"Xing" out of a program as you say doesn't "just put it in the dock". Basically all open applications are in the dock. "Xing" out will do different things depending on the program. In a small app, it will quit. In a larger app, it will close the window and leave the app in the dock as it is running, it doesn't "put it" there. It seems more logical that windows where closing a window closes the app, and different documents of the same app open basically in different instances of the same app. Like why would you turn a page to close a book, or close a book too turn a page, as an analogy to closing windows for the app. Also, note that the "Zoom" button does not maximise but sizes the window so that it's contents are all displayed within it adequately. Personally, I don't think you should get a book. It's better just to sit down for an hour and figure out how the thing works.
 
With regards to the difference between os 9 and OS X. In windows terms Think of OS 9 as Win 95 and OS X as win XP. programs that were written for 95 don't run to well in XP(for the most part) same is true with 9 and X
 
Originally posted by KrazyKidd
Why would someone boot into OS9 if they have OSX?
Click to expand...

Apple completely redesigned the architecture of it's OS with X. One of the many affected groups is the audio industry. Apple built in all new core level systems for us. Great, when drivers are written to take advantage and software supports it. Not great when companies are slow to get something out the door. Many audio-heads that I know still use 9 for software that hasn't been ported to X.

Just an example.

As a new user Mac user, I can't really see any reason why you would ever use 9. It's really about compatibility with legacy apps. You aren't planning on buying any software for the old system, are you? :)

Dan
 
Hey, thanks for all the advice.

I don't think i would ever need to boot into OS9 or use it in "classic" mode. to tell you the truth, i will be using iapps, internet, office x, and playing some mac games (like soldier of fortune 2) in my spare time. Also, i will probably use it as a dvd player. I also really need the s-vid/dvi outputs so i can watch dvds on a bigger apple display or a TV.

btw, do apple displays have tv tuners on them?

now all i gotta do is wait for the 15" aluminum to come out. i almost got enough $$ saved up for the purchase and hopefully i will be able to get a bigger discount through my college. i consider myself a quick learner, i just need someone to teach me ;]

as for kazaa, im on the other side of the piracy issue...after i download good songs from an artist i usually purchase the album...if it sux i just trash the mp3s. its also a good way to back up my albums on an ipod if i already purchased the album (instead of ripping the cd). but i do understnad that most ppl dont do this

-KrazyKidd
 
Originally posted by KrazyKidd
as for kazaa, im on the other side of the piracy issue...after i download good songs from an artist i usually purchase the album...if it sux i just trash the mp3s. its also a good way to back up my albums on an ipod if i already purchased the album (instead of ripping the cd). but i do understnad that most ppl dont do this

-KrazyKidd
Click to expand...

Be glad that soon you won't have to buy the whole album. The iTunes Music Store allows you to buy on a song by song basis.

P-Worm
 
http://www.xvsxp.com/ compares the strengths and weaknesses of Windows XP and OSX and tries to determine which is best. Its very detailed and is a good read if you're interested in the technical differences between the two. It covers everything from the Dock vs taskbar, fonts, and even how dialog boxes should perform. A good read, for everyone! And incase you're curious, OSX is currently winning.
 
It will take you roughly two days to a week to feel comfortable using OS X. In a month, you'll be wondering how you ever got by with Windows. In a year, you'll be an X expert.

This can vary depending upon the user, but you seem to be inquisitive enough to research all the tweaks of a Mac and always take your computing experience to the next level.
 
I found that hands-on learning got me a long way, and then after about 5 months I got an OSX manual. With a working knowledge of the terminology I picked up some extra neat tips and a broader understanding of what I had picked up intuitively. I would say that OSX is an absolute cinch to learn and it is a deep and very quick learning experience. Because of the integrated software.

And for me, the best thing about OSX, apart from being almost crash-proof, it is still a baby with an extremely bright future. In my non technical opinion, OSX development is tight, as almost all the interfaces on the better working utilities and apps are the same. So if you can use iTunes or other iApps the chances are you can use the exact same principles to become quickly productive on any other downloaded 3rd party package.

Enjoy the ride.
 
I guess the only help i need now is trying to start calling it OS ten instead of OS ex. eh, maybe i'll start a new trend.

do you think that a new 15" will be out before september...i really dont want to go to college w/o a laptop. i'm also thinking about getting safeware insurance (safeware.com) for the laptop...any feeback about that?

-KrazyKidd:D
 
the others can answer your specific question better than me but let me just say that if you already know windows really well, your not going to have a hard time with the mac. but you will need to be open to change. youve picked up PC habits that exist only in the windows world. now you must be open to the mac way. hope you enjoy your new computer, when you get it that is.
 
Originally posted by KrazyKidd
I guess the only help i need now is trying to start calling it OS ten instead of OS ex. eh, maybe i'll start a new trend.
Click to expand...

i like calling it osX myself. it sounds cooler that ten.
 
My very constructive response...

Originally posted by beatle888
i like calling it osX myself. it sounds cooler that ten.
Click to expand...

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

:eek:
 
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