Hi OP
I totally understand you. I just bought a mac for the first time last week, and I'm having the same issues... lots of 'there must be a better way to do this' or 'it shouldn't be this hard' moments.
I think the answer to those two questions is; there is, and it isn't. It's just a matter of learning - and thats not going to happen in a week. So, Google is your friend, and each problem encountered is a chance to learn
As thejadedmonkey said, OSX isn't neccesarily more 'user friendly' than windows. In my limited experience though I much prefer the 'workflow' (that's my new buzzword) on the mac to windows - Windows is very vertical - you go down to the task bar and open a window upwards - Mac is horizontal; swipe between desktops/full screens. As my mate said, OSX is intuitive like a book.
One thing that really bugged me at the start was having windows open (for instance a Word document) that weren't 'maximised'. Now I am getting used to how OSX is more 'window-centric' (ironic really), and really liking it. I also love the way OSX somehow encourages keyboard shortcuts, and of course the track pad gestures are the bees knees.
The one thing I can't get used to is the menu bar paradigm. Although I'm getting quite good at command-Q'ing, it still annoys me that when I close a window the menu bar for that app is still floating round in cyber-space somewhere.
The other thing that bugs me with OSX is the desktop - I find it kinda underpowered compared to windows - I guess I miss being able to click in the bottom right corner - but then as I type that I remember this hot-corner things, I imagine they can be set up to perform that function...
Oh, and by the way, trying opening pictures files by pressing spacebar and then using the arrow keys.
Bottom right? Or left? (windows...for 'start' button I'm assuming....not time, date, network or your 'anti-'whatever'-ware, right? From the desktop, click CMD N, get a new Finder window. It's immediate. And makes sense (=intuitive)---right? CMD N (for 'new'). I was there. Eight years ago now. After over two decades of continuous Windows usage, there are a couple of hurdles. But they're simple, easy...and the more literate you are with Windows, the quicker you'll figure out OSx.
Gestures are your friend. Four fingers up, all your open apps. Four down, back to the app you were in...or, while they're 'up' pick the one ya want (or from the dock) and click. You're in. Doesn't matter with OSx'es memory compression and utilization as far as apps being 'open' or closed. The longer they're unused, they'll cache and 'nap' freeing 'active memory' for apps demanding it
One BIG thing that helped me, if it's on the left on Windows, it's on the right in OSx. Dyslexic. Don't 'overthink' your 'task'. If you want to remove or uninstall an app, throw it in the trash. Empty it. It's gone. No control panel. No population of install/uninstall programs. Windows on a boot camp partition is smart. Training wheels as you're getting used to OSx. That said, a few tutorials....using the program. Finder. Terminal if you want to really get into OSx. It's powerful....but simple and intuitive at the same time. I found myself continuously 'over-thinking' tasks when coming from Windows. But that doesn't mean OSx isn't 'powerful' under the good. With Automator, Terminal, XCode (free) as well as the iWork and iLife apps, free...it's tough to beat!
As a die hard PC(Win) fan...latest nVidia GPUs, building gaming rigs, troubleshooting even my 'stock' Compaq, Dell and HP rigs...both lap and desktop got to be a real pain. Within a year, maybe 18 months...the machine would just steadily decline in speed and performance. As well, rapidly decline in value. Almost 180° opposite experience in OSx. No more spyware, security threats and software, background (taxing) updates, bad trackpads... All. History. With a Mac, you can SPEND the week or two it'll take you (honestly, if you're proficient...a month if you're not) to become 80-90% as efficient as you were in Windows. From there it's experience. The more you play (in OSx), the faster you'll learn the 'keyboard' shortcuts, gestures (these are HUGE, & IMHO as important as the keyboard s/c's). Photos have been discussed (there are another half dozen one click solutions to do what you want, especially it you've chosen a 'library' program, LR or Bridge, Aperture or iPhoto)---it'll open immediately give you all the shots and allow you to scroll through immediately. That said. Preview is EXTREMELY powered for 'what it is'. And when it comes to having Windows either on BC or a VM (Parallels, Fusion, et al)---never a bad thing. Best of both worlds. Sounds like you're getting the hang....and it's cool to 'know both', but a couple decades experience in Windows, some things have to be 'un'forgotten or re-thought with OSx. Good. Bad. Indifferent. Both are killer OS'es. Both are powerful. But when it comes to stability, free and supported and updated software (not bloat from a manufacturer), lack of service, virus/malware/spyware and weird Trojan worms infecting and slowing down your system...no concerns. Complete confidence using it day in and out and two, three years down the road, want the latest model? Sell the old, get some real cash back (tough to sell a three year old Windows box) and apply it towards the new rig. I've found the lack of time, energy and expense to protect the computer, included software for documents, templates, spreadsheets and invoices...receipts, iPhoto (again, ANYone can learn this program) is exceptional for organization and simple editing of pics. RAW support. Order cool photo books, art...iTunes stands alone. iMovie is exceptional as is GarageBand. Mail works great. Keynote IMHO has ALWAYS been better, cooler, hipper and easier to use and engineer a killer 'Power Point' presentation. It's weird... But with a couple of free apps and add ons, plug ins...I'm not finding anything anymore I can't do on my Mac...in OSx that I could in .windows (now that Adobe has finally released Audition for Mac
)
Google, baby!
I also just now setup a keyboard shortcut to my desktop (command D). Why is it that OSX seems to encourage keyboard shortcuts so much?
Keyboard shortcuts ROCK! And they're straight forward. They make sense. And many follow their Window's counterpart. However on a Mac Command = Control on a traditional window's box. CMD-C, copy. CMD-V, paste. CMD-N, new. Etc. learn gestures too. You'll use gestures and your trackpad more often than keyboard shortcuts for things like a 'shortcut to the desktop'
. Four fingers up. Boom, desktop.
I am not saying that I only like the hardware (though I do like the design and quality feel to it - especially when I compare it with my terrible work PC - Lenovo X220).
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Thanks, will try this later. Is there anywhere a nice summary of all shortcuts out there?
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I did find the Command-A trick via google, but I just thought, do they really need to add in that extra step (I am still under the naive assumption that under Ios all is 'intuitive' which this is clearly not).
It really is. You're just trying to unlearn a significantly 'harder' way of doing simple things. You don't have to select all. Set the four choice 'view' box? Select thumb nails. Drag up or down on the bar as to the size you'd like, presto, your arrows will do what you'd like. Or just go full frame. (CMD F if I'm not mistaken)
Don't mean to sound pompous. But give it some time. It's more trying to unlearn a different OS....than it is trying to learn the new one. You already know how to do everything in OSx. You just haven't figured it out yet. When you do, it's typically a face palm moment.
It. Really. Honestly. TRULY. IS 100% intuitive and 'fun' when it comes to a UI, the gestures...speed, apps, and 'depth' if you're a 'power user'
Good luck. Don't give up. Within a month, I was a complete and total convert. Haven't had a Win partition in four years. Love OSx and the hardware it runs on. Each and EVERY choice. There's a reason they don't make 'cheap'. And when you add up money saved on simple forward. Future OS updates. Now Anti-Virus or protection packages, incomparable resale value, unquestionably and unequivocally OSx is the 'better buy' today. Unless you NEED Windows. And NEED workstation or server performance demands to meet....OSx. One Mac, turned into a dozen over the years for me. The Surface pro intrigued me....for about a half hour. Other than that, not a day over almost a decade has gone by that I longed for my Window's box!
