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I am a switcher. HEAR ME ROAR!!

B

BrianSalts

macrumors regular
Original poster
Feb 25, 2006
185
0
LOL

I just got my blackbook today. My first mac ever. And I'm really enjoying the experience.

Now I have a few questions:
1. best program to use if i want to use the webcam on my macbook with msn messenger (i know it doesn't work on the official msn, but any other programs?)
2. cool widgets that everyone has
3. best mac browser (other than safari)
4. how come the function keys (f2, f3, f4) dont work with office excel as it does with office excel on a pc?

Thanks :D
 
Glad you're enjoying it!! :D You're part of the club now ;)

1. aMSN It's slow and glitchy, but it works for webcam. I use Adium most of the time, and then if someone asks for webcam, I switch over to aMSN.

2. Go Go Redball! Is pretty cool. Hula Girl 3 is pretty good fun too. I use widgets all the time, but I don't have that many...

3. Firefox! I personally think Safari is best.

4. You need to press FN+F10 (or whatever F key you want for that. If you want, you can change it so that the function keys work like normal in the KEYBOARD & MOUSE section in system preferences...
 
BrianSalts said:
LOL

I just got my blackbook today. My first mac ever. And I'm really enjoying the experience.

Now I have a few questions:
1. best program to use if i want to use the webcam on my macbook with msn messenger (i know it doesn't work on the official msn, but any other programs?)
2. cool widgets that everyone has
3. best mac browser (other than safari)
4. how come the function keys (f2, f3, f4) dont work with office excel as it does with office excel on a pc?

Thanks :D
Click to expand...
1. aMSn works, but can't handle video and audio together.
2. no, widget costs memory
3. firefox for extensions, 2.0 is really nice
4. ............
 
The last time someone roared on this forum, it was to proclaim their gender. :)
BrianSalts said:
Now I have a few questions:
2. cool widgets that everyone has
3. best mac browser (other than safari)
4. how come the function keys (f2, f3, f4) dont work with office excel as it does with office excel on a pc?
Click to expand...
2. I like the Dilbert cartoon widget, gives me a chuckle each morning to start my day.
3. Try Opera. It is fast and CSS compliant.
 
243487655_337c7e285a_o.jpg


a pic :D
 
for broswer, camino or safari
widgets i used to have about 30 but the memory..... i had a ho corner and when i accidenty went there it took about 3 minutes to load them up, so im down to 5 basic "helping widgets" that help me with school work.
 
BrianSalts said:
LOL

I just got my blackbook today. My first mac ever. And I'm really enjoying the experience.

Now I have a few questions:
1. best program to use if i want to use the webcam on my macbook with msn messenger (i know it doesn't work on the official msn, but any other programs?)
2. cool widgets that everyone has
3. best mac browser (other than safari)
4. how come the function keys (f2, f3, f4) dont work with office excel as it does with office excel on a pc?

Thanks :D
Click to expand...

1. no idea, i use aim
2. the movie times widget
3. well, safari is the fastest free mac browser
4. because
 
2. i just use istat pro and weather
3. i like camino

check out quicksilver. it has to be my most used free app.
 
fivetoadsloth said:
for broswer, camino or safari
widgets i used to have about 30 but the memory..... i had a ho corner and when i accidenty went there it took about 3 minutes to load them up, so im down to 5 basic "helping widgets" that help me with school work.
Click to expand...
I know you meant "hot corner", but that was really funny! :)
 
Get Little Snitch personal firewall at Version Tracker or MacUpdate.

Temperature Monitor is another handy mini application.

As long as your P/C friends have AIM, you'll be O.K. in iChat.

If you must converse with MSN download Adium.

Before you get rolling too far along, it's best for your security to run
all your normal functions on a secondary Super User account.

You're primary Administrative account should only be used for Installs and maintenance.

Your secondary Super User account should be set to allow anything you normally
do but with no install privileges.

Nothing can be installed without your administrative password.

Also each time you install an application, you need to repair permissions.
Use Disk Utility in your Applications/Utilities folder.

I absolutely hate the Dock shadow.

Go to Verison Tracker and check out Unsanity " Clear Dock "

It's also a good idea to read through the MacRumors Beginners Guide.

http://guides.macrumors.com/Mac_Beginner's_Guide
 
I fall into the category of those who prefer the Dock looking the way it's supposed to over the Clear Dock style. I like having a container, and I think it looks more "tidy" and under control, as well as making it clear that Dock icons are not the same as Desktop icons.

You should make up your own mind about that.
 
I have a dark desktop wallpaper and like my dock icons just floating there with
bright "application running" arrows.

To me it makes the desktop look less cluttered.

I also keep a STORAGE folder on my desktop to hold all the other loose unsorted
stuff I've accumulated until the folder size is large enough for me to burn what I want to save to disk or put it away in it's proper place in my Home Folder.

mydesktopwebzj8.jpg
 
1. aMsn or ichat w/ AIM users
2. iStat
3. Camino or Firefox
4. use fn + f1 or whatever or go to "system prefs">"keyboard and mouse" >check "use f1 - f12 for software features"
 
One thing I notice from those photos, which is extremely typical of a switcher, is the fact that you're running every window/app in full screen :D
I'm not having a dig, I've just noticed so many windows users reverting to that on a Mac, whereas I don't run any apps with the window taking up the whole screen (with maybe the exception of iPhoto sometimes)
Interesting!
 
MisterEd said:
One thing I notice from those photos, which is extremely typical of a switcher, is the fact that you're running every window/app in full screen :D
I'm not having a dig, I've just noticed so many windows users reverting to that on a Mac, whereas I don't run any apps with the window taking up the whole screen (with maybe the exception of iPhoto sometimes)
Interesting!
Click to expand...

That is exactly what I was going to say :D

I also noticed this when I was at work and PC tech guy had to fiddle with my mac (hes never used one before) he kept maximising the windows and then closing them again to get to the desktop. It was really funny to watch! I then spotted an opportunity of showing him the cool minimise effect which he really liked. Then I blew his socks off with exposé. :D
 
MisterEd said:
One thing I notice from those photos, which is extremely typical of a switcher, is the fact that you're running every window/app in full screen :D
I'm not having a dig, I've just noticed so many windows users reverting to that on a Mac, whereas I don't run any apps with the window taking up the whole screen (with maybe the exception of iPhoto sometimes)
Interesting!
Click to expand...

Thats interesting because I'm just after switching back to Windows (only until my MacBook arrives) and I run all my app's in full screen, because Windows just isn't as good for multi-tasking and when you don't run in full screen, a lot of information isn't being displayed and it just looks uncomfortable.
 
i onno i just find it uncomfortable to have so many windows open and not at full size. plus, tha macbook screen isnt that big and browsing the web full screen would be pretty dope so i do that.

i use expose a lot. i have a lot of windows behind :p
 
MisterEd said:
One thing I notice from those photos, which is extremely typical of a switcher, is the fact that you're running every window/app in full screen :D
I'm not having a dig, I've just noticed so many windows users reverting to that on a Mac, whereas I don't run any apps with the window taking up the whole screen (with maybe the exception of iPhoto sometimes)
Interesting!
Click to expand...

In general I think it is nice to make use of the full screen in an application. This is especially true on small screens. Most of the Windows floating around next to currently used one are not used anyhow.

One reason, why it is not done on a mac might also be the case that there is no button, which maximizes a window to the full screen.
 
stuartluff said:
I then spotted an opportunity of showing him the cool minimise effect which he really liked. Then I blew his socks off with exposé. :D
Click to expand...
Because a PC tech guy wouldn't know the MINIMIZE function on a PC? Come on now guys, minimizing really isn't an earth-shattering "Mac only" function...
 
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