New Macbook Pro user with questions

[Ivanhoe]

I used to know macs many many moons ago (mid 80's) but have been on the pc side since then. A few questions:

Now that I have a non windows OS do I still need a virus protection program/ malware program ?

I've always used Firefox, should I sh#t can Safari?

Is there a good site to visit to get the basics out of the way? I am almost an hr away from the closest Apple Store so that kind of rules that angle out and my internet (clearwire) at home is a dog for watching video. (Even with the latest upgrade to CLEAR 4G)

Any tips or apps that you might recommend would be great as well!

Thanks,

Rod

[Casual_Shooter]

I would not worry about virus protection, although there is ClamXAv.

I use Firefox. Safari worked fine for me too.

Which basics are you looking to go over? The apple site has tutorials for their programs.

Apps will be a personal decision depending on what you need to do. Give us some ideas and we can offer more advice.

[Ivanhoe]

I would not worry about virus protection, although there is ClamXAv.

I use Firefox. Safari worked fine for me too.

Which basics are you looking to go over? The apple site has tutorials for their programs.

Really, basic navigating... I still don't know how to toggle between windows (like the simple alt-tab pc operation) or maybe just a list of keystroke shortcuts

Apps will be a personal decision depending on what you need to do. Give us some ideas and we can offer more advice.

yea, the apps question was pretty vague. Just anything that will apply to the mac itself in its everyday usage.

[Casual_Shooter]

I think the "toggle between windows" topic has come up here before. I don't think there is a way - short of using Expose- to do it. The command-Tab combination toggles between applications, if that helps at all.

I'm not sitting at my MBP and can't remember the key to activate Expose, but that will probably be an ok alternative for you.

As far as everyday apps, nothing really special leaps to mind. Safari or FF for web browsing. Mail or Thunderbird for email.

One thing I've found is that I prefer to use the Office for Mac bundle instead of the Mac's alternative found in iWork. I think this is important if you are going to be sharing word processing or spreadsheet documents with people using PC's. Although I have not spent a lot of time with Pages or Numbers so I might be under the wrong impression.

Auto back-ups are important. I don't use Time Machine. I use Crashplan.

[DaveInOroValley]

Don't forget that Apple has always had very clear and comprhensive help files built into everything as well as other third party software. These are invaluable for everything from basics to advanced.

If you really get stuck PM me, I just recently quit Apple after a ten year run in support.

[sastark]

To toggle between windows in an application use command-grave-accent (the accent key to the left of the "1" on the top of the keyboard).

I'm not making a statement about your intelligence, but the Mac for Dummies site has some good, basic info for using a Mac: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/conten...eat-sheet.html

[DougJ]

I have my lower left corner set up for expose rather than using F3, slide the mouse down there and all your current programs / windows pop up, then click the one you want. Super quick and easy. I also have Spaces set up on the lower right so switching between desktops and items on those desktops is seemless.

I've been using Google Chrome lately and like it alot. Safari, Firefox, and Chrome all have different advantages. Try 'em all...

[Casual_Shooter]

To toggle between windows in an application use command-grave-accent (the accent key to the left of the "1" on the top of the keyboard).

Nice!

[dchang0]

Leave Safari alone. You might never use it, but it is important for the OS. Also, it is always a good idea to have multiple browsers on a Mac--I 've seen Safari, Firefox and other browsers such as Camino and Opera fail, and you'll need a back up browser for those situations.

[Ivanhoe]

Great tips so far folks! I appreciate them all. And no, mac for dummies isn't an insult to my intelligence.

I've begun some of the tutorials on the Apple web site from work as video is much quicker here than at home. (fortunately it is very slow right now at wk)

[Ivanhoe]

Leave Safari alone. You might never use it, but it is important for the OS. Also, it is always a good idea to have multiple browsers on a Mac--I 've seen Safari, Firefox and other browsers such as Camino and Opera fail, and you'll need a back up browser for those situations.

Sorry - I didn't mean to actually get rid of it. I should have worded that differently... thanks for the advice!

[sfwdiy]

I recently dumped Firefox for Chrome. It's got a few little issues and feels a bit less polished, but it's noticeably faster and uses less memory.

Safari just bothers me for some reason and always has. I don't even know what it is, I just can't put my finger on it.

Switching windows was mentioned earlier and someone else covered the "cmd-`" shortcut. On the new Macbook Pro if you swipe downward on the trackpad with four fingers it'll open Expose and show you all the windows you have open, too.

The new Pros are nice pieces of hardware, I'm typing on one now. Welcome to the party.

--B

[lazyworm]

If you have time, make an appointment at the genius bar at your local apple store. Tell them you're switching from PC. They will patiently step you
through and answer your questions.

[Ivanhoe]

I recently dumped Firefox for Chrome. It's got a few little issues and feels a bit less polished, but it's noticeably faster and uses less memory.

Safari just bothers me for some reason and always has. I don't even know what it is, I just can't put my finger on it.

Switching windows was mentioned earlier and someone else covered the "cmd-`" shortcut. On the new Macbook Pro if you swipe downward on the trackpad with four fingers it'll open Expose and show you all the windows you have open, too.

The new Pros are nice pieces of hardware, I'm typing on one now. Welcome to the party.

--B

Thanks - just found the four finger swipe!

[TakeFive]

I've been a Mac user since the first iMac and everything posted so far is good info. It's way easier than you think, just be sure to run Disk Utilities repair permissions every time Software Update changes your software. Oh, and for the future, don't let Software Update change the operating system. Download and install the OSX Combo Update from the Apple website and then run Disk Utility repair permissions. You'll be better off than you were with windows.