PC --> Mac

i n c u b u s

Thanks to everyone who helped me out with my iTunes question last week. So I should be getting my new Mac today or tomorrow and I know nothing about how a mac works compared to a PC. Would anyone like to share preferably some videos on switching platforms? I've already read through Macrumors.com and what not. Also if you guys just have any personal tips or advice, lay them on me. Thanks in advance guys, the people here in PA never fail to assist me when I ask.

Lewisham

http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/

EggyToast

use your thumb instead of your pinky when you use hotkeys. since you're using command instead of control for most everything, just slide your left thumb over instead of taking your hands off the home row.

Otherwise just poke around and see where stuff is.

The_Glad_Hatter

If you read up a bit on the aforementioned website, you shouldn't come in to any big surprises.. the switch is pretty smooth...

Most people would recomment a shitload of software regular mac users use, but as a beginner, the only things i'd recommend are:
VLC or Mplayer, which can open any video file you come across...
transmission, a very very VERY small and light torrent client that does everything

on shortcuts, like mentioned by eggytoast, they're all done with command instead of control. so cmd + C = copy etc
most descent software has "command + ," as the defaut shortcut to go to settings.

EggyToast

Oh, on the "list of apps" thing, it's usually better if you just get in the habit of searching for things via google and throw "mac" on the end, which does a good job of filtering out Windows-oriented solutions.

LoneIgadzra

This topic has come up tons of times on this forum, so if you can design the right keyword search you should come up with a lot more information. The Mac thread in the technology subforum has links to useful programs.

As regards UI paradigms, you will notice that the Dock is a lame duck task switcher and doesn't show all open windows. So the OS X answer to this problem is Expose, which you can easily bind to screen corners or mouse buttons in System Preferences. Corners is the best way to work a laptop with only a trackpad.

i n c u b u s

Thanks guys! I'm just reading up on applications and whatnot now.

Frog

I made the switch recently as well, and still go between my PC and Mac. Probably the best thing to do is whenever you find yourself unable to do something on the Mac you would normally be able to do on the PC is just google it. Chances are there is some information out there which will help you.

As for applications, I find myself using Growltunes, VLC, Tofu, Jomic, Audium and Evernote the most. Keep in mind that if you want to do video messaging you need to use something other than Audium. The Mac will come with a lot of programs you will use a lot regardless, and you should familiarize yourself with the system preferences.

Another reminder that in order to delete most items you either need to use Command + delete or drag into the trash (which is annoying to me). This works just as well for Applications though there are some programs out there that will probably be able to delete all the information much more thoroughly than just delete via drag and drop into the trash.

Have fun on your Mac and do not be afraid of messing anything up since a quick call to Apple will clear everything right up. Oh, and beware of lyric widgets as the first time a song is played there may be a slight skip at the start of the song as the program looks up the song data and inserts lyrics into the actual MP3 or whatever.