iMac Newbie - Loads of questions

Hey Bill. Mac doesn't have a right click that you would be used too but if you click on a file or folder while pressing control key on ur keyboard it brings up a window that simulates the right click on a windows.


Just going out to check my dads imac keyboard for you. It should have a delete button. It will be up the top of the keyboard on the righthand side. Just by clicking on the file then pressing delete wont work. You have to press command delete. The command button is right down near the space bar on the bottom of ur keyboard.

Hope this helps a bit.

iconindustries

 

Hey Bill forgot to mention that Macs are fantastic for dragging stuff around. If you want to delete a file you can just click on it and drag it into trash. Easy as.
Also if you wanted to put a image into iphoto that is in a folder or on the desktop all you have to do is click on it and drag it down onto the iphoto icon in ur dashboard and iphoto will import it. Get used to dragging stuff around.


Ps. Have you set up 'spaces' yet?


iconindustries

 

Hi Bill! Welcome to a Mac! I am sure after a few days you will really, really enjoy it.

Let me expand on icon's answer. The right click is not activated by default, but you can have it (just like in windows) if you go to "System Preferences", mouse and check on "secondary click". If you got one of the new iMacs and it came with the Magic Mouse, then you will have to press only with one finger on the right side (do not rest your left finger on the left side of the mouse while you do that, in order of the sensor to understand you want to do a right click).

About the delete key, there is on on top of the ] and \ symbols (the second row above the return key. In a Mac, most programs, including the Finder, you need to press "command" and delete at the same time (when you want to delete an item).

If you want "delete to the right" or deleting to the right of the cursor, you have to press "function" and delete at the same time to register as delete to the right.

If you are interested, there is a way to also add a "delete" icon on the icon-bar of the finder window. Let me know if you want to do it and I will explain the process.

I remember when I got my first Mac 8 years ago, I was so frustrated at the beginning. After a month, I knew I couldn't go back to windows.

Don't hesitate to ask if you need more info about how to use your new Mac.

There is a universal spell check. It will work even if you are writing on a text frame inside of a web page (like the one you used to write your post). Misspelled words should have a red underline.


Gus

 

Bill, listen to your pals in here. Have a glass of sherry with your lunch and take your time. You've got some great teachers in here.

 

Good source of info

Bill, if you are coming from a PC, Apple has a great document where you where you can see the "mac equivalent" to any PC action. It is short, but a very interesting read.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2514

Otherwise, the Mac community is always around to help.

 

Welcome to the Mac again.

Gus

 

Bill, the only time I have problems with the little scroll ball thing is when it gets clogged with dirt - the solution is to press down on it with some force and roll it up and down really quickly a few times - that should free it up and allow you to scroll as normal.

 

Oh right I've just got the ordinary basic mouse so I have no idea how to fix your problem!

Re the original install icons: If it's a program downloaded from the Internet then I normally just delete them or copy to external hard drive or CD if it's something important. You'll want to unmount the install program first by ctrl+left click (or just right click) on the icon and choose Eject "program name". You'll then need to locate the original file which might be in downloads (should be a shortcut to this at bottom right of your dock) and delete/burn to CD/leave it where it is.

 

Hehe this happened to me recently, had me confused for ages!
You've probably accidentally enabled VoiceOver (as I did) by pressing command-F5. Just press command-F5 again to disable it.

Check this page for some useful keyboard shortcuts: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1343

 

Usually right clicking is disabled by default, you can turn it on in system preferences>mouse and also check out many other setting there.

 

Another vote for The Missing Manual. Bill, since I was born into Apple computers, for me using a PC was (and still can be) very confusing. I bought a book called "Crossing Platforms: a Macintosh/Windows Phrasebook" it's a two way reference put out by O'Reilly and written by Adam Engst and David Pogue. I bought it when I had to run Parallels and learn Windows... I highly recommend it to you as a quick and very helpful reference.

 

Wow, please report back on the tortilla! I'm excited by new time saving methods when it comes to almost anything. The real question is does this iMac do pet hair, as in vacuum? We already know it does windows.

 

Hi Bill

Like others I too find the Missing Manual useful. However, it's a long, heavy and very detailed book. If you are comfortable with computers, then the book I would recommend is Leopard Killer Tips, by Scott Kelby. Each page focuses on a specific thing that will really get you up to speed very fast.

http://www.amazon.com/Mac-OS-Leopard-Killer-Tips/dp/0321501934/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1269098781&sr=8-2-fkmr1

That's a link to the US version - you should be able to pick it up almost anywhere. You will notice also that this book is for Leopard, whereas you probably have OS X 10.6, Snow Leopard. For the purposes of find your way around this book is still fine.

I would also urge you to explore your Mac. A couple of things:
1. Open System preferences. Open each preference in turn and spend some time exploring. You will learn a lot about your Mac.
2. Most mice, including those from Microsoft, work fine with a Mac, including the right-click you are used to.
3. Explore the videos on Apple's site. Very useful
4. remember one of the core differences between the Mac OS and the Windows OS. Apple's philosophy is to focus on the user. The engineers and designers come after that. This means that things are often found where you feel they should be, rather than where they would be convenient for those building the system.

Finally, keep asking questions.