Questions for Mac users

[Kefka Jr.]

So, I gotta PowerBook G4 to take with me to college. It's cool as hell, but I'm still getting used to it. Getting to know all the hot keys and ergonomic stuff. I don't find it as approachable as a PC - having to deal with a Shift key, an Option key, a Command key, AND a Function key is a lot to get used to - and I probably should've gotten a Mighty Mouse, or something with a scrolling module of some sort. But I wanna know how programs are STAPLE for someone who's gonna be using a Mac for a long time.

Like, what browser do you Mackies use? I've been using Safari, 'cause I understand that IE for Mac blows. I like it, it's smooth. But like Firefox, some YTMNDs just don't work with it.

What abouts media players? I mean, yeah, I've got iTunes, and it came with Quicktime. I installed Windows Media Player to see the Leeroy Jenkins WoW video. Do those two suffice?

And while I'm at it, should I stick with just plain old AIM? There are programs that can communicate with OTHER IM programs, right?

I dunno why I should bother asking, I should probably just use what I'm already comfortable with. But, y'know, I'm on a computer, and I was thinking.

[Czechs Mex]

Re: Questions for Mac users

Nice topic. I've got the same questions, as I just did the same thing (switched over to a G4 powerbook from PC) about a week ago. I absolutely love the dashboard. I'm not going to waste time explaining if you already know how great it is, but I certainly will if you're unaware.

As far as your questions, iChat has been working just fine as a messenger service for me. You can probably find it on your dock. The other questions, I'm not too sure about yet.

Also, I don't know how much you've read the instruction manual / help sections, but here's a few shortcuts I've found useful, that are probably incredibly obvious to everyone who's owned a mac for more than a week:

F12: bring up your dock
F11: show your desktop
F10: show all windows of running application, in thumnail form
F9: show windows of all applcations, in thumbnail form
In Safari, click Safari>Preferences>Tabs to enable tabbed browsing.
"Apple"+T opens a new tab.
option+up/down = page up/down
"Apple"+up/down = home/end

Hold ctrl and click: equivalent to a right mouse click.
Put two fingers on the mousepad and move them up/down to scroll.

These are all very basic tips, but I'm just learning, too.

[Loki]

Re: Questions for Mac users

I would recomend getting a mouse with a right click and a scrollwheel.

I use Safari. I love its streamline simplicity. I use AIM or (more oftenly) nothing at all. iTunes is really powerful and nice, and quicktime will work most of the time, I also have window's media player.

Just realize that Mac's arn't really gaming machines. If you want to play a lot of games, keep your old PC.

[Denmo]

Re: Questions for Mac users

iChat is your best bet as far as IMs. Very nice interface.

Keep both browsers, IE and Safari.

Mac's kinda blow on media scope, because they usually don't support .avi format. I think WMA for Mac works, but I'm not sure. I know that DivX.com doesn't have a version for the Mac.


As far as games go, you won't find many, but Warcraft III, any Myst game, and Unreal Tournament 2004 are all solid Mac games.

[Alex]

Re: Questions for Mac users

Oh man.


You're used to right clicking and scrolling, so I'd recommend a Mighty Mouse, or another USB mouse for the Mac.

I use Firefox 1.0.4. It's great. Safari... Well, no real difference than Firefox. I just want to be using the standard.

iTunes is the best music player/organizer/importer you'll ever use. Be sure to change the importing preferences to MP3 to AAC. Proprietary Apple compression isn't that great.

Quicktime... Don't really watch movies. You'll want to get the newest Divx codec for viewing AVIs. Yes, there is a Divx.com codec, here. This is the best player I've seen for the Mac, though. VLC It's cross platform and open source, I believe.

I'd recommend getting rid of Windows Media Player after downloading VLC. Surprisingly, Microsoft software usually causes me problems on the Mac.


I use iChat. Better than AIM. Though a MacOsX port of Gaim would be lovely. I'd recommend turning off the "bubbles" and just using standard messaging. Again, with iTunes, this is a little fun. Zero Status.. Displays your current playing song next to your name in AIM/iChat.



Extra, super cool stuff:

Expose... Man. Use it.

If you're going to be using iTunes, Sizzling Keys is essential. Keyboard shortcuts all around... Right now for me, F8 hides/reveals iTunes. Command+space pauses the playing song. I can also skip tracks, and man...

Tomato Torrent is more reliable than BitTorrent. Lovely.

iScrobbler is great with Audioscrobbler. Again, iTunes stuff.

I love my computer. Customizing OSX is half the fun. Widgets... 99% of them suck, but I like "Flidget" for Flickr.com, TypeCast for font-checks, WikityWidget as a wiki-styled notepad, and Dashblog for blogging.




Oh yeah, as for IE, don't listen to Den. Trash it. Instantly.

[Caciss]

Re: Questions for Mac users

I really love Mac, it's just the game support is what kills the purchase for me.

[RPGD]

Re: Questions for Mac users

I second everything Smurtor has mentioned.

[Nash got banned. lol]

Re: Questions for Mac users

I use a chat medium called Adium. It is completely free and runs MSN,AIM, and Yahoo messenger along with tons of others at the same time. However for voice chatting or movie chat u should use iChat. VLC is good for playing most vids but I use Quicktime and WMV too.

I prefer Safari for net navigation. iPhoto for pics, iTunes for music is a "duh".

[Kefka Jr.]

Re: Questions for Mac users

Wow, thanks Smurtle. I pretty much got all of those programs now. Sizzling Keys is the bees' knees!

And Exposé is super cool. Man, look at those windows go! Woo!

[Pandacon]

Re: Questions for Mac users

congrats on getting a mac. I personallly use my mac for production stuff such as making music and graphics, so I really havent done much as far as downloading apps for the internet. I use Safari which works great, I have yet to download WMP since I dont want anything Microsoft on my mac.

But yeah, sounds like you got a pretty good thing going there, have fun.

[None]

Re: Questions for Mac users

Sorry this is off-topic, but omg i didnt even notice, but Kefka, that is a pic from Six-string samurai huh?! i love that movie!

[Kefka Jr.]

Re: Questions for Mac users

It is, but I was only able to watch the first twenty minutes of the movie. I just loved the concept.

Oh, I forgot to mention was that the factor that made me decide to get a Mac was the professional copy of Final Cut Pro HD that my uncle got me as a graduation gift.

Man, that thing's got THREE manuals.

[Alex]

Re: Questions for Mac users

Ha. I did my Senior Project on Final Cut Pro.

Delicious program. What kind of camera do you have?

[Magus]

Re: Questions for Mac users

Sorry this is off-topic, but omg i didnt even notice, but Kefka, that is a pic from Six-string samurai huh?! i love that movie!

Yeah, I loved the concept too but the movie itself is pretty ****ing disappointing/annoying.

[IRC]

Re: Questions for Mac users

Final Cut Pro, I'm impressed. I have yet to gather the balls to even think of learning it yet.