Just how different is OSX?

[madmaxmedia]

I forgot that there was 'hibernate' and 'sleep' on the Windows side. I guess there must be some utility to hibernating, but it's not one tenth as useful compared to Mac OSX since it takes so long for the OS to get back up again.

The command keys are another big advantage of Mac OS. I'm so used to consistently using the same set of basic commands on Mac, that I'm surprised when in Windows ctrl-q doesn't quite most applications.

Although there is a bit of an adjustment, I never had to buy a book to learn Mac OS (I switched in December.) I actually never even read the quickstart pamphlet that comes with Macs! And I still don't know the command that is the equivalent of ctrl-alt-delete on Windows....I think it's alt-something or the other???

 

[Mechcozmo]

The command keys are another big advantage of Mac OS. I'm so used to consistently using the same set of basic commands on Mac, that I'm surprised when in Windows ctrl-q doesn't quite most applications.

Although there is a bit of an adjustment, I never had to buy a book to learn Mac OS (I switched in December.) I actually never even read the quickstart pamphlet that comes with Macs! And I still don't know the command that is the equivalent of ctrl-alt-delete on Windows....I think it's alt-something or the other???

I agree. Control, Alt, and WinKey all have various commands associated with them. Can't remember 'em all.

And it is Command+Option+Escape. I don't use it that often, but sometimes I get impatient and instead of letting something timeout and take its natural course (message box with an error) I just force quit the app.

 

[jayscheuerle]

Windows and OSX have far more in commonalities than they do differences. They are metaphorically the same. Spotlight promises to add a shift to this for those who embrace it, but there is no revolutionary OS out that I'm aware of, just evolutionary ones.

 

[mmmdreg]

maybe it's just me but I don't see the value in "learn to use your computer" books. I think the best way to go about learning a new environment is to just use it consistently for a while. Of course, there may be things that you don't know how to do but they will come to you through mucking around. If not, you can always ask. And generally, as you use it more, better ways of doing things just become realised by you and it's all excellent. So rather than being hesitant, just get a computer and use it!

 

[Mechcozmo]

maybe it's just me but I don't see the value in "learn to use your computer" books. I think the best way to go about learning a new environment is to just use it consistently for a while. Of course, there may be things that you don't know how to do but they will come to you through mucking around. If not, you can always ask. And generally, as you use it more, better ways of doing things just become realised by you and it's all excellent. So rather than being hesitant, just get a computer and use it!

Some people would rather have a book that tells them about their computer because they don't have a tech-savvy friend, don't live near an Apple Store, and they need the book to tell them how to get on the internet to get to a place to help them...

I agree, the best way to learn a computer is to use it, but oft times if you NEED TO DO WORK then a book can be helpful for taking the learning curve and cutting the corner a bit.

 

[Applespider]

I found that playing around with the Mac to pick up the basics and then glancing through books to get the more in-depth stuff worked well.

Of course, a book is an excellent suggestion for something to whet your appetite while you're sitting by your old PC clicking on the 'Track my Order' link...