Simple Is Best (So Mac Guy Says)

001-2007-12-25.jpgI am starting to get the hang of my new Mac. I found a thing that takes care of the home/end issue I was having, and I did some research today about the major differences between Mac and Windows. So, I am no longer operating my new computer with all the skill of an ape with no hands.

By this afternoon I’m more like an ape with a prosthetic hand.

I read a list of the top mistakes ex-Windows users make the first time they work with a Mac computer. More or less they all boiled down to assuming things are more difficult than they are. There are a few things that I completely still don’t understand, like the fact that hitting return when I have a file selected merely allows me to rename it, and I have to use the hieroglyphic key + O to “open” it. I hate it that I can’t just hit “delete” to delete a file. But there is probably some “simpler” way, no doubt.

Now that I have gotten over my initial terror of the unknown, I think things are going to be all right, despite my general mistrust of things that aren’t complicated. I am pretty sure by now that I did not make a bad purchase. I think that since all the TV ads and commercials I saw stressed the ease of using a Mac, I thought this would be all smooth sailing. And for most people it probably is. I guess my problem is that I have been using Windows since 3.1 and so I know all the keyboard shortcuts and other little conventions by heart. Basically anything I would ever need to know how to do I can do in Windows. It is just going to take me some time to add this new, alien system to my computer related knowledge and muscle memory.

But I can work Photo Booth, and that counts for something.


2 Responses to “Simple Is Best (So Mac Guy Says)”

  1. Crystalis Says:
    December 28th, 2007 at 11:21 pm

    I’m thinking delete is like the hieroglyphic key plus T or D. Don’t quote me on that. I had a mac roomie for a while and watched as he used his mac from time to time. I’ve always been curious why they never went with a two (or more) button mouse system. I mean, they’ve got this GUI interface that is all shiny and pretty and looks better than windows, and they just expect the mouse to be the point and select device. Then you have to have either a monster hand to cover the entire keyboard at once while keeping the other hand on the mouse, or keep switching your hand from the mouse to the keyboard.

  2. Melissa Says:
    December 28th, 2007 at 11:26 pm

    I gave up on the stupid mouse that came with the computer. I’m using my Microsoft “Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 4000″ that I purchased for $40 last year. I am doing better now that I have right click. Seriously, that was basically killing me. I don’t understand why they don’t have the keyboard mapped more similarly. Granted, I haven’t even had it a week, but to me it seems natural for “home” and “end” to move you to the front and back of the line you are on. I am having a lot of trouble getting used to it. Especially since I’m still using a PC at work.

    Oh, and Microsoft wants $400 for Office 2004 for Mac. I’ve never actually had to pay for Office before. I haven’t made up my mind whether I can do without it. I actually use Office all the time. I downloaded Open Office but I am just really used to regular old MS Office.

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