A lot of people can get a bit confused when getting a Macintosh computer because they're used to the Windows interface. What to do when getting one?
1 - Enabling right-click
This is, for sure, the first thing you need to do if you've already turned your computer on. Go to the dock*, and click "System Preferences"
*: The dock is displayed by default on the very bottom of your Mac, along with the programs it came with.
A new window will appear, and a little blue dot will be added close to the icon on the dock, meaning the current program is active. In "System Preferences", click Keyboard & Mouse on the Hardware part. Now select mouse in the window. A Mighty Mouse picture will show up with some lines letting you adjust your buttons. This is the setup I recommend:
Put it like this so you don't get confused while reading this guide, feel free to change it later.
Now you've just enable your secondary click. What to do now?
2 - How to navigate on a Mac
First, there's a bar on the very top of your Mac used in ANY program. Sure it takes a while to get used, but you'll need it. The Apple icon is like the Start button in Windows. Here you can choose to turn off, restart or put you Mac in sleep mode, and some other settings. In the bottom, there is your dock.
[The Dock]
This is where your active programs and selected ones appear. If you recently got a Mac, there will be GarageBand, iCal, iTunes, iPhoto, etc. I suggest you to take these out. Click the Finder icon (the blue one with three faces) and select xxxxx's HD, (where xxxxx is your username) on the left menu (or simply select it at your desktop).
Alright, drag your Applications folder to the Dock, on the left side of the Trash. Now click on the folder you just dragged there. A list of programs is gonna show up - awesome! But we're not done yet. Right-click the Applications folder on the Dock and select "List" under "View content as". Click it again just to check it out. Reminds you of Windows right?
If you've never used a Mac before (which is pretty much the reason you're reading through this) you're most likely going to have a bit of trouble clicking the side button of your mouse. Don't worry, you're gonna get used to it. In fact, it will become second nature.
[Dashboard]
This is not exactly a way to "navigate" through your Mac, but it is very useful. Here you can put all widgets you want, from a Google search bar to a virtual aquarium, or even a lava lamp (awesome!). To enter the dashboard, middle click with the Mighty Mouse (if you've set the mouse settings like the image on title 1) and your programs will get darker, showing some little widgets like a calculator.
To remove an widget from Dashboard, enter Dashboard, click the "+" icon on the bottom left and there will appear an option to remove them (not permanently, just take it off of the Dashboard). To permanently delete them (only works with DOWNLOADED ones!), click the "+" icon and go to "Manage Widgets", then click the red+white icon (with a line in the center). A message will appear, then confirm it.
Spaces if an exclusive feature that allows your to simulate having multiple monitors. Sometimes, one desktop is not enough to handle 4 or 5 windows. You're always dragging windows around, minimizing and maximizing windows, it's just time effective. Thankfully, Apple developed Spaces. To access spaces, simply go to into System Preferences then select "Expose & Space".
Spaces allows you to create up to 16 virtual desktops. Yes, sixteen. Additional settings allow you to set which space you would like an application to launch in. For example, I can set Safari to launch in Space 3. This eliminates even more window dragging hassle. Here's a look an example set up:
I recommend switching the setting "To Activate Spaces" from F8 to F6. This way, you wont interfere with your iTunes music keys.
3 - Miscellaneous
[Software]
Getting software for Mac is harder than Windows, but it also has it's pros. Usually, the software you can get on a Mac are more well organized, clean, and, of course, faster. A lot of good apps can be found here
Recommended:
Music player - iTunes (comes with it)
Internet browsing - Safari (comes with it)
Video player - VLC media player (download)
Instant messenger client - Adium (download Torrent client - Transmission (download)
Image editing/creation - Adobe Creative Suite 3 (or 4)
.rar files expander - StuffIt Expander (download)
[How to install?]
When you download software in Safari, it usually comes as a .dmg file. After you've downloaded, open it (double-clickit ), maybe there will be an installer, maybe you have to open the Applications folder in Finder and drag it to your Applications folder. It's that simple!
[How to delete?]
Very easy. Just go to your Applications folder in Finder and drag the app you want to delete to the Trash Bin(right in your dock)!
4 - Miscellaneous of miscellaneous
[Renaming files and folders]
Just click them and press return on the keyboard. That would open the folder or file in Windows, right? But remember, it's the return key. Enter is near the numpad. You have to double click or get used to the enter key near the numpad to open stuff. Don't worry, almost every software still uses Return as the enter key. This may seems weird at first, but it makes more sense - less clicking.
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