How do Mac's work?

Question

How does the Mac interface work, I'm a Windows user and I'm thinking about switching. I just want to figure out how to navigate around.

Answer 1

The most notable difference in the GUI is the File menu.



On Windows each window of an application has the File menu at the top of that window. And closing the window Quits the application.



In Mac the File menu exists at the top of the screen all the time, it never moves. Its contents just change to reflect what application is in the foreground.



Closing a document's window does not Quit the application. Much nicer, I think, because you're not relaunching apps all the time. They can stay open even if you don't have any of that app's docs open.



The File menu always being at the top of the screen means that you can sling your mouse up there and click on what you want to do without having to look at it. In Windows, because the File menu is IN each window, you always have to look at if before you can zero in on it with the mouse.



Another thing I prefer about the Mac OS is how it handles removable media, CD's, DVD's, USB flash drives, external hard drives, etc.



When you connect any of those devices the icon for it shows up on the Desktop. No more going to My Computer to access a device that you just connected. When you're done with it simply Right-Click on it and choose Eject.

Answer 2

Like switching to any new interface, there is a learning curve. There is an OS X equivalent to everything you do in Windows, it just may not be located in the same place.



OS X is BSD UNIX derviative. The interface is called Aqua, but don't be fooled, that's UNIX under there. Open the terminal to any UNIX shell (BASH is the default). Use shell scripts, PERL, Java without installing anything.



Apple's interface design philosphy is 180 degrees of Microsoft - if most people don't use it, no need to create a menu item or button for it. But that doesn't mean a power user can't go in and edit the profile for any app to customize things.



Microsoft had to come-up with "smart predictive menus" because they were cramming even the kitchen sink into every application. You won't find that in most OS X apps (except Office 2004).



There are plenty of books about using OS X. Go check one out from the library.

Answer 3

Operating System 9 looks alot different than 10. What do you plan to switch to?

OS 10, you have a 'dock' at the bottom of your screen with some of the programs you use. All other applications can be found on your hard drive. You save files here, etc.

Answer 4

Its really similair to windows if not a little easier. You get a scroll bar for your programs wherever you want on the screen. Icons are still on the screen and you get a search bar from anywhere you are. Its easy to adapt if your open to change.

Answer 5

here is how

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_OS