Tips for a New Mac User
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Daniel is the producer of the Apple Universe podcast. He made this video for us, with his top five tips for beginning Mac Users.
- There is no “menu bar” on a Mac, like there is for Windows. On the left hand side of the Mac screen, you will see the Dock with your applications on it. At the top of the screen, you’ll see a thin white bar. This is Mac’s version of the “menu bar”. This includes things like the clock, view, edit, go, help, and the Apple icon.
- Get to know your applications. Both a Mac and a PC come with applications native to their Operating System. Many of them do inherantly the same things, but they work very differently. Take the time to get to know the programs, and how they run, before deciding which you like better.
- The User Interface on the Mac is much different than on a PC. In my opinion, the Mac UI is just sleek and gorgeous. An example of the differences though, is with the “close”, “maximize”, and “minimize” buttons in each. In Windows, you have the little cirlce with the red X at the top right corner to close a program, the square with the two smaller squares for maximizing, and the square with one line in it to minimize. In a Mac, “close” is a red light/circle at the top left, “minimize” is a yellow circle/light, and “maxmize” is a green circle/light. That’s just one of many small differences that take getting used to.
- There is a big difference in the way software updates work on each of the Operating Systems. Make sure you get to understand how this works on a Mac right away, so you can make sure everything stays up-to-date.
- A Mac is simply more stable, and virus-free. I have too many anti-malware programs on my Windows computer, which bogs it down. With a Mac… I simply don’t need them.
I’m glad Chris asked me to do this video for him. I wanted to share my tips with you all, and also promote a big event I will soon be at. From January 14th – 18th is the 2008 MacWorld Expo. On the 15th at around 5pm, I will be joining people like Robert Scoble, Cali Lewis, iJustine, and Jason Snell for a panel discussion all about Mac! I will be recording this discussion as my 100th episode of Apple Universe. I am very excited about this, and hope you’ll join the audience if you attend MacWorld 2008.
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49 Comments
Windows Vista Torrent
December 29th, 2007
at 9:40am
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imdashiz
December 28th, 2007
at 11:51pm
I was thinking of getting a Mac for myself but im not really sure if it is user friendly enough for me and my family.
Bryan
December 28th, 2007
at 11:52pm
Hey chris love your vids! Keep it going!!!
Bloomedis
December 29th, 2007
at 1:06am
Hi,
I think that the “Software Update Differences” point doesn’t deserve it’s own no. as Mac OS X AND Windows automatically tells you about it and people can just ignore the manual way.
Also, you should explain to people about how the green “Maximize” button doesn’t really maximize all the time. It either does maximize it, make it bigger, make it smaller, resize it and move it around and more. Just a suggestion.
“Bloomedis”
Qabandi
December 29th, 2007
at 1:10am
Looks better than windows, but im aleady good at windows, dont have the time to convert to mac and take another year just to get use to it.
Eminemdrdre00
December 29th, 2007
at 2:50am
Great tips, but I wouldnt expect a mac expert to call it OS”ex”
Bigbeckster
December 29th, 2007
at 4:00am
Reply to imdashiz -
dude it is totally user friendly, it may take a couple days to get used to it but you will love it or your family or both. Macs are totally worth every penny ask any mac user here in this blog
Mike
December 29th, 2007
at 6:06am
> In Windows, you have the little cirlce with the red X …
No it doesn’t. It’s a square.
> I have too many anti-malware programs on my Windows computer, which bogs it down
You have too many programs running on windows and that’s a windows problem?
I use my Mac and my Windows machines every day, and the Mac sucks. But I always say “The best OS for you is the one that works best for YOU.”
Just stop saying that “Mac is better”, because it just doesn’t have the features and customizability that windows does.
Ah crap, I just watched the video now, and realized that you’re just a kid. Keep up the good work! LOL
WizzKid
December 29th, 2007
at 4:56pm
Really good Video dan :) ,
I got my Mac way back, and I didn’t really do any research, just heard rumors that it was amazing, and I love working with new operating systems etc…
duane
December 29th, 2007
at 5:51pm
I agree 100% with the poster above -”Mike”
Right On!
Jeff
December 29th, 2007
at 6:02pm
Some alright tips for some one new to the Mac OS.
Also isn’t it Mac OS X(TEN) not Mac OS X(X). I found that funny because of the past post from you and the video you did awhile back.
Also his 5th thing he licked in Mac OS X was no need for Virus scanners and spy ware removers, and says Mac takes care of that for you. But I’m pretty sure there are a some viruses for Mac OS X, i know there are worms at least, maybe a small number but still a chance your computer should get a virus. So you should at least have some type of protection, I now Norton has a version for Mac and ClamAV (ClamWin’s Mac version) for a free virus protection, but as of right now only has one for Tiger not leopard yet.
I may be totally wrong about needing Virus protection in Leopard, but if I remember right even Chris did a video about Mac needed some type of protection even though the built in firewall and the OS itself is good it is nice to have a second line of defense.
ChrisMtP
December 29th, 2007
at 6:59pm
Hey. Gte a lavaliere mic or something. Can’t barely hear you when you are 3 feet off mic. Just a suggestion. Otherwise, you are spot on. Macs rock.
mwmarshall
December 29th, 2007
at 9:19pm
Great tips for people who are new to mac, I will be watching this video again in the future when I get my own mac book pro.
Nash
December 30th, 2007
at 4:40am
Rather non-technical, but useful introduction.
Although, your comment about “Mac is more stable” – may need some justification.
[Data?]
It really depends on what you are doing with the machine. For everyday stuff, there seems to be no observable difference in Mac vs Windows crashes when you normalize crash reporting with the market penetration.
Windows bashing is cool these days, so there is a lot of FUD out there.
Uh, no, it doesn’t kill virii by itself. There just aren’t too many written for Mac. Secondly, since Macs constitute only about 8% of the computers out there, for epidemiological reasons , virus spreading will be at an exponentially low rate.
Keep in mind, Macs have protection by isolation, NOT protection by immunity.
As Mac popularity increases, more and more Mac virii turn up. Most major vendors are already offering Mac virii security solutions. Just in case though : you can keep an eye on Mac virii here: http://www.macvirus.org/
Nash
December 30th, 2007
at 4:44am
I got curious and found out that the first Mac virus for discovered in Feb. 2006
http://www.sophos.com/pressoffice/news/articles/2006/02/macosxleap.html
David (coheed)
December 30th, 2007
at 2:54pm
Great tips! Just one more thing, this may be quite apparent to most people, but OSX IS NOT LIKE WINDOWS!!! A lot of people say “well where’s the start menu?” or “why is the “x” button a circle now?”. So, thats what I think people should know about OSX compared to Windows.
Outsanity
December 30th, 2007
at 3:37pm
i will be honest and say that i would never had thought i could be a Mac person but it seems like it’s so much fun than *sighs* Windows.
but, the one main factor that really sold me as a somewhat high computer user: no need to install all them antivirus/firewall programs
Kyle
December 30th, 2007
at 4:22pm
why does he say mac os X not 10?
so much for a geek
Josh (joshroxs123)
December 31st, 2007
at 8:22am
Cool tips, Daniel!
No fair you get to go to MacWorld!
:-P
Josh
Floker
January 1st, 2008
at 1:04am
i was thinking about getting a mac since years, but i wouldnt really use it since i consider myself a full on linux geek. well, i most likely will end up getting a used one from ebay.
Macminiowner
February 10th, 2008
at 3:31am
HOLLY SH!IT THATS SLOW!
Macminiowner
February 10th, 2008
at 3:35am
WAST OF TIME LOL
kelownian
February 10th, 2008
at 7:44am
I’m guess the dock’s that big so that we can see it in the video. But ya, you’re right about the other stuff.
AppleMacNerd1024
February 10th, 2008
at 2:56pm
OS ten!
elmejormexicano1
February 15th, 2008
at 8:39am
dude, u need a gurl
motion9041
February 15th, 2008
at 11:32am
the kid IS a girl
elmejormexicano1
February 15th, 2008
at 11:33am
r u 4 real or is it sarcasm
Joshrathmclain
February 16th, 2008
at 9:02am
Daniel is a boy you jerks, get a life instead of commenting rudely.
themacintoshguru
February 17th, 2008
at 2:18pm
Noob’s making video’s for Noobs’…. Truly sad.
ltsAboutJesus
February 17th, 2008
at 7:44pm
pretty beginner stuff but nice presentation
kappaz
February 23rd, 2008
at 1:42pm
gay
jbockmon
February 25th, 2008
at 11:30am
keep on keepin on
TIME2ROCK15
February 28th, 2008
at 4:44pm
When he said OS “X” I turned the video off right away. You have to learn how to say it correct before I’ll listen to you.
bedaman10
February 29th, 2008
at 10:16pm
lol definetly! it annoys me so much! its mac os 10!!!!! AHHHHHH
CowMuffins
March 17th, 2008
at 8:21am
The dashboard has “fun stuff”
bossforum
March 20th, 2008
at 11:38pm
what the fuck? he says “so” a lot, shit!
mac os x? mac os ten n00b
docking station? omfg
you don’t know anything about macs and apple and you have a podcast called apple universe?!
i own a PC and a MacBook Pro.. i know my way around
you don’t know shit about any of them.. try doing some other things… leave the computers for others! they’re not for you!
teckstuf
March 23rd, 2008
at 11:48am
Not to be mean but this drives me INSANE. Its OS 10 NOT X!
eddieflemingx
March 29th, 2008
at 11:08pm
come on guys back off.
good video
LadyElynn
April 1st, 2008
at 12:38pm
I enjoyed the Video, don’t ever listen to haters:-)
HyperionGamer
April 5th, 2008
at 4:54am
OS TEN! NOT OS ECKS!
funnyent
April 14th, 2008
at 7:37am
what? students use laptops to cary them around to classes.
imonurbus
April 19th, 2008
at 12:09pm
It sucks for twelve reasons…
One ~ DUH!!
Two~ Ten not Ecks
Three ~ put the dock on the bottom, easier for beginners to understand…
Four ~ Tell people how to use the menu bar, no shortcuts for beginners
Five ~ very very…
Six ~ Designy
Seven ~ Ten not ECKS
Eight ~ BIASED
Nine ~ The apple isn’t BIG…
ECKS ~ Fun Stuff
Eleven ~ It doesn’t kill you’re viruses for you, there just aren’t any…
Twelve ~ Too much time on his hands…
djcrawleravp
May 6th, 2008
at 9:19am
The dock is at the bottom you idiot!
dddaaannn360
May 12th, 2008
at 3:12am
os 10 not os x duh
plus
wat the fuck is docking station its just called dock
dddaaannn360
May 27th, 2008
at 11:27pm
he dont know jack shit
dddaaannn360
May 27th, 2008
at 11:31pm
you dont hear the prosesor u hear the hard drive and fans …..duh
iusemacdotcom
May 28th, 2008
at 6:21pm
nice :)
blautaloffen
May 28th, 2008
at 10:31pm
you’re mac are very slow ! xD