The Fancy Bastard Forum

I'd recommend My First Mac. It can be difficult to navigate at times, but you can usually find useful information.

Also, Lifehacker doesn't tag their articles as they really should, but they still have a lot of cool information about stuff with Macs.

I find that the official Apple community and support forums are usually a waste of time, sad to say.

Free Alternatives to 10 Popular Commercial Mac Applications

Also, use AdiumX for Chat.

Familiarize yourself with Expose. It will become 2nd nature after a while.

I've asked for advice from a few people who have macs and Expose has been regularly mentioned, so that'll definitely be the first thing i start learning and using.

This is my first post from my new mac, snazzy little thing it is. Definitely a learning curve and adapting after being with windows for so long is a nice challenge from established habits. I'd say the biggest thing slowing me down is the loss of a traditional mouse and just learning how to use the touch pad correctly. Installed a few apps which is easy as hell and maybe i'm missing something really obvious but i can't expand any app i have open to full screen, what is the really obvious keyboard shortcut i'm missing to do that?

Most mac apps dont run "full screen" in that they dont have a background. They just kind of float on your desktop. Use expose to quickly switch between the apps and docs you are using.

Two finger scroll on the trackpad is your friend. You can also enable "right click" in the preferences so you can hold down two fingers and click.

Maybe i'm just to set in my ways but safari isn't worth a damn compared to firefox. I need my addons and i'm just so used to the functionality of firefox that i had to go grab it, so the apple browser has failed on both windows and its native soil.

Posted By: FerrosMaybe i'm just to set in my ways but safari isn't worth a damn compared to firefox. I need my addons and i'm just so used to the functionality of firefox that i had to go grab it, so the apple browser has failed on both windows and its native soil.Never go with a hippie to a second location.

Through a series of completely unanticipated wacky high-stakes adventures I am now the dubiously proud owner of a gently used Macbook Pro. :) I haven't spent substantial time on a Mac since, like, elementary school? It's all shiny and different.

Posted By: TindomielThrough a series of completely unanticipated wacky high-stakes adventures I am now the dubiously proud owner of a gently used Macbook Pro. :) I haven't spent substantial time on a Mac since, like, elementary school? It's all shiny and different.Normally, this is that part where you'd say a prayer. For me, however, speaking those words has the unfortunate side effect of setting me on fire.

Posted By: TindomielThrough a series of completely unanticipated wacky high-stakes adventures I am now the dubiously proud owner of a gently used Macbook Pro. :) I haven't spent substantial time on a Mac since, like, elementary school? It's all shiny and different.Normally, this is that part where you'd say a prayer. For me, however, speaking those words has the unfortunate side effect of setting me on fire.

I actually recently sold my Macbook Pro and as a result abandoned OSX completely. I found the machine too bulky for my mobile use (as I've migrated to an Acer Aspire One) and I prefer to build my own desktop systems which rules out getting an iMac or Mac Pro. All in all, I found that the OS was okay...but I couldn't help but feel it wanted to hold my hand through everything when I just wanted to do things my way.

Posted By: PattmynI actually recently sold my Macbook Pro and as a result abandoned OSX completely. I found the machine too bulky for my mobile use (as I've migrated to an Acer Aspire One) and I prefer to build my own desktop systems which rules out getting an iMac or Mac Pro. All in all, I found that the OS was okay...but I couldn't help but feel it wanted to hold my hand through everything when I just wanted to do things my way.

Quick question, should I be using iWork or Office 08 on my new Mac? If I use iWork is it compatible with Office?

Posted By: RerunQuick question, should I be using iWork or Office 08 on my new Mac? If I use iWork is it compatible with Office?

Posted By: joel

Posted By: RerunQuick question, should I be using iWork or Office 08 on my new Mac? If I use iWork is it compatible with Office?

I use OpenOffice.org.Artist and Creator of HijiNKS Ensue

Posted By: Rerun

Open Source office software? (just a guess, I'll check it out now)...

Is it up to speed with the standard office programs?

Posted By: Dram

Posted By: Rerun

Open Source office software? (just a guess, I'll check it out now)...

Is it up to speed with the standard office programs?

It's about as good as MS Office, but free and without all the MS.Rimshot: The shit baby was malformed, and in that time there was only one thing to do with the miscreated: leave them to the wolves.

Open Office has its flaws, but for $0 and ease of use you cant really complain. it does everything an office suite should do and doesnt do most of the stuff that bloats word and excel that no one ever uses.

I've been a fan of open office for ages. Used it on my PC well before i got my mac and now i'm using it on mac as well. At work and other places i've used MS office products and while Open office has issues i think the trade offs against MS office make it superior.

Posted By: RerunQuick question, should I be using iWork or Office 08 on my new Mac? If I use iWork is it compatible with Office?

I mean really, who uses Outlook/Entourage anyway?

Posted By: Kristi

1. Sadly, that's what we use for e-mail at work. Stupid outlook.... it never works.

Posted By: Dram

Posted By: Kristi

1. Sadly, that's what we use for e-mail at work. Stupid outlook.... it never works.

When I accidentally click on an email link and outlook opens, I shriek.

If you live near an Apple store, I highly recommend going to one of their iWork workshops. It's different for every store, I think, but ours does a free hands-on workshop every week. I went to one of their Aperture classes to see if I wanted to use it instead of iPhoto, and while I decided I didn't need the software, I learned a hella lot about the product and how to use it. I hear tell they also have great getting started workshops tailored for switchers.

It's surprising people worry about Office working properly on Macs, considering the software was originally released on the Mac OS.

But back to iWork. You can try it here for free and see if you like it.

Oh and most important quick keys? Command-Q to quit; command-P to print; and command-T to make a new tab appear in the web browser. I use those constantly.

Shift-command-3 will take a screen cap
Shift-command-4 will let you take a screen selection
Control-eject will take you to the shut down/restart/sleep option

Here are a few more.

I love the Apple website. Maybe it's my fascination with all things Mac.

A few other good pages on the site:

Ridiculously easy to follow getting started tutorials for damn near everything Mac
Warranty Status Check
Refurbished and clearance Mac, iPods, and Whatnot
Tech Specs on most Apple products

/end applesplosion

Posted By: larnsturtOh and most important quick keys? Command-Q to quit; command-P to print; and command-T to make a new tab appear in the web browser. I use those constantly.

Shift-command-3 will take a screen cap
Shift-command-4 will let you take a screen selection
Control-eject will take you to the shut down/restart/sleep option

Hereare a few more.

I love the Apple website. Maybe it's my fascination with all things Mac.

A few other good pages on the site:

Ridiculously easy to follow getting started tutorials for damn near everything Mac
Warranty Status Check
Refurbished and clearance Mac, iPods, and Whatnot
Tech Specs on most Apple products

/end applesplosion

Money's in! I'm purchasing tonight! First thing I'm doing when I get it is downloading Firefox...

Granted, I am typing this on my Dell XPS, but I have a 20" iMac that I adore. I wish, now, that I would have gotten a Macbook Pro, as I require a little more mobility now in my efforts, but the Mac has never failed me. I still aim to get a Macbook Pro in the future, when I come across a little more disposable income (which is tough without any income at all).

Ok, impressions time...

1. I love this thing, it's the shit. Everything just seems to work so goddamn seamlessly. I tweeted that I'm constantly saying to myself "Why didn't my PC do that?" I'm so glad I didn't get another Windows PC...

2. I've had a few problems with file migration/time machine, turns out I'm going to need an external HDD for both things. Not a problem, just means I'll have to miss out on SFIV for a while... =(

3. I'm not a huge messenger fan but when I use it I want it to work. I downloaded Windows Messenger for Mac but it's atrocious, akin to the really early versions of Windows Live Messenger. I tried Adium as well but they're too simple. I basically want something that is on par with the current version of WLM. Any suggestions?

Posted By: RerunOk, impressions time...

1. I love this thing, it's the shit. Everything just seems to work so goddamn seamlessly. I tweeted that I'm constantly saying to myself "Why didn't my PC do that?" I'm so glad I didn't get another Windows PC...

2. I've had a few problems with file migration/time machine, turns out I'm going to need an external HDD for both things. Not a problem, just means I'll have to miss out on SFIV for a while... =(

3. I'm not a huge messenger fan but when I use it I want it to work. I downloaded Windows Messenger for Mac but it's atrocious, akin to the really early versions of Windows Live Messenger. I tried Adium as well but they're too simple. I basically want something that is on par with the current version of WLM. Any suggestions?

Posted By: Flanked

Posted By: RerunOk, impressions time...

1. I love this thing, it's the shit. Everything just seems to work so goddamn seamlessly. I tweeted that I'm constantly saying to myself "Why didn't my PC do that?" I'm so glad I didn't get another Windows PC...

2. I've had a few problems with file migration/time machine, turns out I'm going to need an external HDD for both things. Not a problem, just means I'll have to miss out on SFIV for a while... =(

3. I'm not a huge messenger fan but when I use it I want it to work. I downloaded Windows Messenger for Mac but it's atrocious, akin to the really early versions of Windows Live Messenger. I tried Adium as well but they're too simple. I basically want something that is on par with the current version of WLM. Any suggestions?

Maybethis thing? Try browsing around the Downloads page on Apple's site, I go there maybe once a month and find a cool new app that improves my life. I've also had great luck just going to Google and enterering "os x and ..." whatever I'm trying to find.

Trillian is my favorite all-in-one IM client. The old client was Windows-only, but the new one - Trillian Astra - is now in beta testing for OS X. I haven't signed up for beta testing myself, but if it's not too much of a pain I'd give it a strong recommend.

Posted By: Rerun3. I'm not a huge messenger fan but when I use it I want it to work. I downloaded Windows Messenger for Mac but it's atrocious, akin to the really early versions of Windows Live Messenger. I tried Adium as well but they're too simple. I basically want something that is on par with the current version of WLM. Any suggestions?

Thanks guys, I'll check them out later tonight after work...

Ok, clearly i'm having a brain deficiency or something is more complicated than it should be. I'm trying to burn some data files to a blank DVD and i've got no idea how to do this. I've checked the apple website and tried the usual help stuff but it just won't let me burn these two files to a dvd. What am i missing?

Edit: Don't mind me, figured it out. Wow, that's just stupidly more complicated than it should be.

Posted By: FerrosOk, clearly i'm having a brain deficiency or something is more complicated than it should be. I'm trying to burn some data files to a blank DVD and i've got no idea how to do this. I've checked the apple website and tried the usual help stuff but it just won't let me burn these two files to a dvd. What am i missing?

Edit: Don't mind me, figured it out. Wow, that's just stupidly more complicated than it should be.Never go with a hippie to a second location.

I didn't know i needed to open it in Finder was all, keep screwing around in disk utlity thought it was in there because it has the burn symbol at the top.

Posted By: FerrosI didn't know i needed to open it in Finder was all, keep screwing around in disk utlity thought it was in there because it has the burn symbol at the top.Never go with a hippie to a second location.

Posted By: joel

Posted By: FerrosI didn't know i needed to open it in Finder was all, keep screwing around in disk utlity thought it was in there because it has the burn symbol at the top.Never go with a hippie to a second location.

Burning in Disk Utility is for burning ISO's and DMG images.Artist and Creator of HijiNKS Ensue

Thinking of bootcamping some form of Windows (purely for games). I hear that there's a problem with adjusting fan speeds, can anyone shed some light on this issue?

Posted By: RerunThinking of bootcamping some form of Windows (purely for games). I hear that there's a problem with adjusting fan speeds, can anyone shed some light on this issue?

Posted By: joel

Posted By: RerunThinking of bootcamping some form of Windows (purely for games). I hear that there's a problem with adjusting fan speeds, can anyone shed some light on this issue?

Ive virtualized windows but never bootcamped. sorry.Artist and Creator of HijiNKS Ensue

Posted By: Rerun
Through which program? That would be better...

Posted By: joel

Posted By: Rerun
Through which program? That would be better...

As I understand it, Virtualization isnt great for gaming (at least it wasnt). Because it requires so much system resources to run one OS on top of another one.

I used Parallels. I think Crossover has a package designed just for windows gaming on a mac. Check them out first.Artist and Creator of HijiNKS Ensue

This may work for some games. Your mileage may vary. Looks like it does well enough with source, don't know about Unreal Engine 3 games.

BTW, big plus: does not require a copy of Windows.

Posted By: FlankedThis may work for some games. Your mileage may vary. Looks like it does well enough with source, don't know about Unreal Engine 3 games.

BTW, big plus: does not require a copy of Windows.

Ok that codeweavers thing isn't great. Thanks anyway man. I've decided to boot Windows on the MB. Sorry to be a huge noob but is there a Mac program that will let me make an image of XP or am I going to have to DL Nero or something?

Guh ... if you find that out, let me know as well. Imaging is beyond me. I'd like to learn as I think it's relatively simple.

Posted By: FlankedGuh ... if you find that out, let me know as well. Imaging is beyond me. I'd like to learn as I think it's relatively simple.