new mac user

How is the computer being used? The obvious thing to do if you want to learn a new operating system is to use it often. OpenOffice.org is available for OS X, although it isn't the most recent version. Mozilla is a very good package, especially for mobile platforms on which a high-speed network connection is not always available. I don't like flimsy bags for carrying a computer. I recommend getting a real case instead. They feature a lifetime warranty, water-resistance and shock-resistance, and they're Made in America.

 

The best thing to do is use the computer and get experience. Try doing the things you normally did on your previous computer and see if you can figure out how to do it. If you can't, the help files are pretty good, Apple's website is a good resource, the there's MacRumors. If you were competent on Windows then the switch to OS X is not too hard. Most things are done in the same way. If you get stuck, try to do it the way you would in Windows and it'll probably work. However, once you get comfortable with the OS you have to forget that Windows exists. When you have a problem or want to do something like delete an application "thinking Windows" will get you nowhere. That's when it's time to let your Mac be a Mac. But that's later, for now just try things out. You can't break the OS easily.

 

Make sure you do the necessary OS X maintenance. Since most people don't leave their computers running 24/7, the cron jobs do not run. Download a copy of MacJanitor (available at versiontracker.com) for these.