MAC users
 

Anyone out there.

My puter died.

I had to buy a new one.

I made the switch to a MAC Book Pro 17" Laptop.

It is a difficult transition after so many years, greater than 10, on a windows based platform.

My biggest problem right now is figuring out how to visualize my Word and Excel files in a format similar to the windows view. Right now all I have figured out is viewing them in some type of rudimentary tree list that looks like DOS from the 1980's.

I have this Microsoft Document Connection, but I don't know what it does yet or how it may help me.

I need to be able to view all my files in a format similar to Windows Explorer mode in an organized manner.

And in iPhoto, how can I organize my "events" into sub folders so every time I open the program you can't see all the pics, like the ones I don't want someone to see who happens to be looking over your shoulder at the time, see? I need to hide some folders within folders and it does not seem like there is a way to do that. All the picture folders are seen all the time.

Any MAC heads out there that can help it would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

First don't try to force the Mac to work like windows. It does the same stuff but it has a different underlying metaphor.

If I understand what you're asking for, you want to get comfortable with the finder. Switch to the finder and press command-comma to get to the finder's preferences. You might find what you're looking for there. If you can be more descriptive about what you want finder to do or how you want it to look, I might be able to help.

I also highly recommend you read through Mac OS X Snow Leopard: The Missing Manual. It's the best book for getting started on the Mac.

Thanks for the help.

I guess my problem is that I have all these really important word and excel files organized on my old puter where I can view them in really organized files like you see in windows explorer. I want to be able to view the saved files on my mac in an organized manner. It seems that the finder window has the files there but they are haphazard and abreviated so it is hard for me to see what I am actually looking at when I view a file. And they are all mixed up on the MAC, like the organization is just gone..

I have to deal with 3 states worth of Refs and the finances and it is so far not an easy transition.

And another thing.

How do I change my homepage away from Apple?

God I can't believe I have assimilated. Steve Jobs is trying to control my mind and bank account.

Damm You Al Gore!

Maybe if you do a screen shot (Contrl+Apple+3) we could see what you have, as compared with a screen shot in Explorer to see what you want.

The Finder (Desktop view) shows folders (directories), but if you double click the icon for "Macintosh HD" you may start seeing the similarities with MS. For each folder you can set it to a MS-like format by clicking on the middle icon above "View".

HTH

Ok, that helped a bunch. In the finder window I just changed it to a file view and it looked a lot more organized. In the list view it was completely disorganized and haphazard.

Now how do I change my home page away from apple to google?

In the second to leftmost menu (just right of the apple), presumably 'Safari' or some other browser, hit 'Preferences.' Under the 'general' tab, should be a setting for homepage.

I think what you are asking for is dependent on the application you are using to access the internet (Firefox, Safari, etc.) Try going into the Preferences of the application to see if there is a menu to set the "Home Page", and then a place to enter your link to Google. This is my setting in Firefox via Comcast.net

Use a business platform to do business.

Flint is absolutely right. And there's nothing more businessy than the BSD unix in the Mac.

Don't panic Merc. You should expect that it'll take you a couple of days to learn your way around. Do get a copy of that book. It'll speed up the process.

Always remember...drop the program icon in the applications tab.

That was my biggest realization when I switched to Mac. I downloaded handbrake video converter and thought I installed it correctly. The next time I restarted, it was gone...! I was pissed off and confused.

Then I actually watched a 3 minute demo and learned a thing or two.

When a program downloads, its placed in the finder under 'downloads'. Open the file and look for the programs icon. Click on the icon and drag and drop it into the applications tab. Baam!

I have never looked back.

BTW Honey... I know you are a PC and all... but Macs out sell PCs these day... want to see me be less of a computer retard ( totally not pc... forgive me, but it totally applies to me based on literal definition)... buy me a MAC...

No.

Gawd you're such a hard ass Papa

(stomps feet on floor and wines like a 3 year old).

Oh God--don't do that.

Folks, she doesn't really do that.



I'd slap the sass out of her mouth.



Edit: New Apple Friend Bar Gives Customers Someone To Talk At About Mac Products

Haha... no I don't ... but our 3 year old does... with differnt word choices of course.

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Apple clobbers competition in customer satisfaction survey

It's two year old data, but I doubt the numbers have changed that much.

Pete, in all fairness the lower scores of PC's was probably based on the VISTA OS which has been replaced with Windows 7.
Even the IT people early on recognized the OS "disaster" and planned to do something about it.

Windows 7 was a major improvement as documented here by one of the Dwellers.








;)

I don't have problems with vista. I had a major problem with my vaio but it's all better now... does what I want, when I want, every time.

I've had several ipods, I'd be hesitant to rely on anything i that's more complicated than the screwy but expensive mp3 players.

They are also a lot more money, but the fanboys would become apologists before they'd bad mouth apple.

Have you ever wondered why the Israli's and Hammas can't get over their problems. Maybe we should engage them in this PC vs Apple flap and the old Middle East problems would melt away.

I've used both Mac's and PC's professionally since the mid-80's and do not believe either side has yet won their battle... like the wars between Chevy's and Fords in years gone by. Name-calling doesn't win points with me either. I gotten now so I'd rather send a little poke ;) to which ever side starts the latest go-around.

I just got tired of watching all my kids, who have apple laptops for school, have absolutely no freaking software problems or hardware issues while the wife and I struggle every year with all of those problems as well as an endless stream of virus/worm issues, etc.

I am having a really hard time adjusting to the new platform but I think it will just take time to learn how to use it. So far I have had a total of about 4 full days of use so the jury is still out. I don't like the lack of and format of the windows explorer view. I don't like the way that iPhoto works. I am struggling with Safari but have hope. Not really all that jazzed about the Excel and Word programs for MAC. That is about as far in as I have gotten to date.

I don't like that the delete button is actually a back button, not a forward eating delete button.

The Finder has a pretty wide range of view options. I'm not sure what it is that you're missing about Windows Explorer exactly, but have you tried all the view options? In Finder, toggle on View -> Show Toolbar and View -> Show Path Bar, and then try the four buttons across the top ('View as icons, list, columns, cover flow.')

Toolbar will give you back/forward buttons, path bar will show you the directory tree to where you are, and columns gives a nice sort of 'contextual' sense of what's in a directory and where it is.

At some point, once things are starting to gel a bit for you, I'd encourage a skim through a list of keyboard shortcuts. There's all sorts of nifty little features that are under-publicized, like springloaded folders.

There are 2 keys marked Delete.
...one deletes to the left, the other deletes to the right
The former is next to the = key,
The latter is 3 rows below F14, and has a => symbol

My key board only goes to F12; my > symbol has a period below it = .

New Mac Book Pro

Sorry, I have the full keyboard and so may not be of help to you.
You might try (although it doesn't work on mine) to press the various Shift, Contrl, Option, Apple keys to see if they affect the DELETE action.

Also, trying HELP / keyboard / shortcuts on your Mac may uncover something of help.

Try this key combo: fn + delete

'fn' being the 'function' key probably in the bottom left of your keyboard.

If you want to make it permanent, this looks like a possible solution: http://doublecommand.sourceforge.net/

Thanks for all the help guys, the fn + delete worked.

Keep those suggestions coming. I am determined to learn this.

I need to watch a tutorial.

Good catch, Gvidas

Merc, I think the key is to relax.
There's not that much difference between PC and Mac.
...just many preconceived ideas no matter which side you're coming from.

I am trying hard to over come them, thanks for your support. It is just going to take time to grow on me.

Part of the problem is that I am so much more familiar with the other platform that I feel lost. But I am in for the long haul, considering the financial investment.

Macs also allow you to use most of the emacs control key combinations. So Ctrl + D will also do a delete.

You can get this stuff in dribbles, but you really ought to skim that book I recommended earlier. It's an easy read.

Ok, Thanks, another quick question.

I see a pic I want to save either on an email or just on the web. On PC I would just right click and hit save and then save to a file. There is no right click on this thing. How would I save a pic after I place my cursor over it?

Usually, you can just click on the pic and drag it to your desktop.

Once on your desktop you can double-click and see it in PREVIEW, and this gives you the option of changing the file-type (via SAVE AS), along with a few simple tools.

Cool. Thanks again!

I am really having an issue with bookmarks now. It is a total mess. Any pointers?

I have a file with all my previous "favorites" saved in a file. How do I migrate that file to the bookmarks of my MAC?

Control - click will give you contextual menus / most of the functionality of a right click.

COOL, thanks. Keep those tips coming. :thumb:

If you have an apple mouse, you can make it do right clicks, but it's not turned on by default. Open the preferences app and choose the mouse.

If you have a laptop, you can command (clover) click on something for a right-click. You also should look into the touchpad gestures. They are one of the best things about an apple laptop.

I got a regular mouse so I could right click - I can't stand the way Apple does it. As for favorites, Safari can import bookmarks, but I am not sure how or how well it works. I would just back them up in Firefox then restore them in Firefox on my Mac. Firefox will automatically bring over IE favorites, last time I checked.

You don't have to buy a different mouse. The regular apple mouse will do both left and right clicks. You just have to turn it on in the preferences.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB...co=MTMzNzYzMzc

Ok, I will try that.

Problems with Safari.

It's true. Apple programmers are fallable. OSX has flaws. And Steve Jobs is not God.

OSX has a few security advantages in that BSD was written with the internet and multiuser in mind. But a lot of its current shine in regards to security comes from the fact that virus and malware creators don't pay it much mind.

It's security through obscurity.

The more popular it gets, the less secure it will be.

Which is funny if its popularity is based on being more secure.

The Mac vs PC debate continues... and just to be fair and balanced... ;)

The bold emphasis below is mine
All of the links inside the quote below were deleted via the transfer to this post.
The fixes for the various problems have been snipped, but are available in the link to the original article

For the record: I use Mac's and I use PC's for both personal and professional purposes.
I fail to see the value to trying to beat up on either platform.
The computing world is what it is, and over time the differences between systems is narrowing.
So be it.

What kind of virus prevention programs are you guys using on your MAC?

None, It is not needed.

I am not sure that everyone would support that opinion.

I'm on the Comcast ISP and they provide free anti-virus software for both PC and Mac (via Norton). I tried out the Norton and it made everything (Firefox) run exceedingly slow.

Before Comcast I had used the ClamXav Sentry which is free and runs very fast... so I have removed the Norton and gone back to ClamXas Sentry. No problems at all.

Actually, I 've not had any virus problems on any of my Mac's since I started using them (MacPlus) in 1985 or there abouts.

FWIW, I always ran anti-virus programs on my PC's and kept them up to date... so my problems there have been minimal.

Thanks.

It can't last forever, but for now no one seems to be writing virii for the mac.