Searching for MacOS user course (new user here!)

[DAppleYlan]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for a (maybe free) course to learn how to get everything out of MacOs. I hope for an interactive course like you have for Excel, Word etc. Where you learn via real life use cases. From beginner to expert. I want to go through all three stages (beginners, intermediate, expert). Payed courses are welcome too! I’m willing to spend money if the course is great!

I’m new to MacOs as student and find myself struggling to utilise the power and functions of my Mac. I’m having problems with having a smooth workflow of which I think I’m being productive. It feels like I’m constantly alt + tabbing to switch between apps or sometimes all windows are behind each other or it’s on a different desktop and it feels like I’m going all over the place lol. It feels like I have no system at all and I never learned how the structure your computer. I came from windows 7 years ago and still struggle to feel productive in MacOS. Even though I didn’t know so much about windows too.

Also it feels like I only know 1% of the power of safari and the interlink options with iPhone or iPadOS Pro.

Also I don’t know how to keep it organised at all or what to do when programs won’t run properly or annoying sounds keep on beeping. I have never learned a file organisation system for my administration. I never learned some basic computer rules that will help with workflow, multitasking, file management, solving errors, shortcuts and probably lots of handy things you can apply on every device.

I want to get more into MacOs and eventually iOS and iPadOS and connecting the three workflows together. But I really don’t know where to start after searching the internet and chat GTP not giving such good answers.

I also want to learn more about general computer rules and organisation overall. Because I’m not using my Mac really at the moment because I feel so overwhelmed and stressed because of this, while I know it can be a super productive machine when you know how to use it the right way!

I have a MacBook Pro M1 Max with the newest MacOS.


Anyone any good suggestions? Anything is welcome.

Please let me know & thanks for helping out!


Dear regards,
Dylan

PS: I’m still recovering from severe Long COVID (A.K.A. Dysregulated Nervous system). So I’m currently able to only follow online since movement triggers my fight or flight still pretty quick. Despite that, courses that require physical attendance are also welcome. I will list these too, so I can possibly follow when further healed!

 

[russell_314]

I’m not sure about a specific course, but look up a YouTube channel called macmostvideo. He has a whole bunch of very good tutorials that are available for free.

I know he also has paid content and courses, but I’ve never tried those so I can’t tell you if they’re good or bad. I would just check out the free content and you can learn tons of stuff.

 

[DAppleYlan]

I’m not sure about a specific course, but look up a YouTube channel called macmostvideo. He has a whole bunch of very good tutorials that are available for free.

I know he also has paid content and courses, but I’ve never tried those so I can’t tell you if they’re good or bad. I would just check out the free content and you can learn tons of stuff.

I have subscribed to the channel and will be going through some playlists. I hope he updates those regularly. Thanks for helping me out man, much appreciated!

To other forum members: if you know some courses or ways to learn more about how to use a Mac, computers in general and getting the most out of ‘em. Please let me know!

 

[bogdanw]

Apple's documentation can be very useful
MacBook Pro Essentials
https://support.apple.com/guide/macbook-pro/
Mac User Guide for macOS Sequoia
https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/welcome/15.0/mac/15.0

 

[GFS]

I have subscribed to the channel and will be going through some playlists. I hope he updates those regularly. Thanks for helping me out man, much appreciated!

To other forum members: if you know some courses or ways to learn more about how to use a Mac, computers in general and getting the most out of ‘em. Please let me know!

I've been a Mac user for ~35yrs and I'd say that MacMost is pretty much unique. Gary is really thorough and explains things simply and clearly.

As for where to start...

• I always advise to start with a 'plain vanilla' Mac. No OS affecting utilities / add-ons. Learn the macOS 'as designed', then after ~6months if you want to expand, fine. But at least you'll know what you're doing and FWIW, you may end up like me, with no extras at all. There's always a way. (I used utilities for many years).

• *Learn the Trackpad gestures*. Thoroughly. Contextual Menus are really important. 2 and 3 finger taps. 4-finger grab for Launchpad (no, it doesn't have to be a thumb).

• Go through macOS Settings slowly, meticulously and with a fine toothcomb. Read the Help and explanations (i).

• Print out this page and stick it on a wall.

• Don't forget that app Menus exist. Go through them and.. apropos:

• The Option key. Lots of hidden 'options'. Go through app Menus 'toggling' the Option key to see what it affects. Try dragging Windows from corners/sides/top/bottom or double-clicking them with and without the Option key.

• Try all the different UI options, e.g. Stage Manager, LaunchPad, Spaces/Desktops... Give them all a *minimum* 2 week trial to see if you like them. Remember.. you're looking for the long term.

• Shortcuts are good, but there's very little help for them and Apple choosing to call them 'Shortcuts' made it virtually impossible to search the web for them. Automator and Applescript are very powerful, but have lost some of that power over the years, due to security measures, which is a shame. They can still do lots though and MacScripter website is a really useful resource with some really helpful people.

That should keep you busy. 😊

 

[MajorFubar]

I think you need to decide what you want to use the machine for, and structure your learning accordingly. It's only a tool at the end of the day, and you don't need to learn absolutely everything about it. You just need to know enough to be able to efficiently do what you want to do, without feeling as though you're crawling through mud to get there.

I've been using Macs for 15 years, primarily for music production at the digital-end of my home studio. There's a ton of stuff in the OS I don't know how to use, because I don't need to. Applescript? Not a clue; I don't need to know. Haven't got the foggiest idea what the ColorPicker app is for; I don't need to know. They're just two things of many. But I absolutely know how to configure multiple audio interfaces as Aggregate Devices and/or Multiple Output Devices so that Logic Pro and other apps see them as one device.