I'm new to Mac

colinmcr · 1 Mar 2012 at 21:20

Hi all,

I've taken the plunge and bought a 27" iMac. I've never used a mac before and trying to learn my way around.

Can anyone recommend a good introductory book or online tutorials to help me get started with the basics.

I'm looking to use it purely for storing photo's, my many mini-DV tapes from a Sony camcorder and my music collection. Would like to edit the movies and burn to dvd or blu-ray (if possible).

Thanks in advance

Buchanan0204 · 2 Mar 2012 at 04:16

Blu-ray... need a PC for that

Joking aside. Youtube is great for online tutorials, and of course it's free. Just stick in OSX tutorials and there should be plenty to read up on. The other thing is just to get stuck right in and learn yourself, have a play and don't be afraid of it.

Blackhawk47 · 2 Mar 2012 at 09:03

Buchanan0204 said:
The other thing is just to get stuck right in and learn yourself, have a play and don't be afraid of it.

Totally agree. Just have a sunday afternoon off and spend some alone time with it.

Ben Cole · 2 Mar 2012 at 09:19

Blackhawk47 said:
Totally agree. Just have a sunday afternoon off and spend some alone time with it.

Should he get some body oil and some tissues?

LordSplodge · 2 Mar 2012 at 11:41

You can get FireWire/USB Blu-ray burners if you want to burn them.

Oh and SCO Tutor from Screencastsonline.com is good for those new to the Mac. You could just have a play around as OS X is fairly straightforward once you get rid of your old Windows habits.

hyper_piper45 · 2 Mar 2012 at 12:06

http://support.apple.com/videos/

Apple provides plenty of tutorials online.

colinmcr · 4 Mar 2012 at 11:27

Thanks guys I'll check out your suggestions, but I better avoid the body oil, in case I get the screen all mucky !

Pricey_2 · 5 Mar 2012 at 16:17

colinmcr said:
Can anyone recommend a good introductory book or online tutorials to help me get started with the basics.

Did you buy it from an apple store?

colinmcr · 5 Mar 2012 at 18:53

Pricey_2 said:
Did you buy it from an apple store?

Yes I bought it online direct from Apple.

Dmack · 5 Mar 2012 at 19:07

Ben Cole said:
Should he get some body oil and some tissues?

Pricey_2 · 6 Mar 2012 at 00:46

Cool, then you should have had the option for the One to One lesson thing, basically its an opportunity to go in to a store ( apple world wide ) and take lessons from a creative, which would speed your progress with editing your media. plus it will allow you to polish of bits and pieces regarding being a new mac owner. for £79 quid definitely worth the money for unlimited lessons and an online portal with recorded vids =p my 2cents

IxD3ViiLx · 6 Mar 2012 at 21:17

I had a new iMac for xmas and just got used to it. I didn't read the manual because I am a bad ass. However, I have only just learnt how to rename a file.

Blackhawk47 · 7 Mar 2012 at 11:29

IxD3ViiLx said:
I had a new iMac for xmas and just got used to it. I didn't read the manual because I am a bad ass. However, I have only just learnt how to rename a file.

Isn't it the same process in windows? Just click click on the name part/icon and rename it?

Marky · 7 Mar 2012 at 11:50

Blackhawk47 said:
Isn't it the same process in windows? Just click click on the name part/icon and rename it?

No you have to select the file and hit enter as far as I know

Definitely prefer the way Windows does renaming files. But to be honest, I find the Finder to be the worst thing about Macs

Blackhawk47 · 7 Mar 2012 at 14:12

Marky said:
No you have to select the file and hit enter as far as I know Definitely prefer the way Windows does renaming files. But to be honest, I find the Finder to be the worst thing about Macs

Well on my Macs I can just move the cursor over the file name text, one click, then edit/change it to what ever and then enter or click away. Its not too hard lol.

Marky · 7 Mar 2012 at 14:14

Blackhawk47 said:
Well on my Macs I can just move the cursor over the file name text, one click, then edit/change it to what ever and then enter or click away. Its not too hard lol.

Hmm... gunna try this when I get home

Last time I tried it didn't work

LordSplodge · 7 Mar 2012 at 16:37

Marky said:
But to be honest, I find the Finder to be the worst thing about Macs

Path Finder is your friend...

However, personally I don't have a problem with Finder. However with a bit of Automator love (and some Hazel rules) it can do plenty...

Marky · 7 Mar 2012 at 17:20

LordSplodge said:
Path Finder is your friend...

However, personally I don't have a problem with Finder. However with a bit of Automator love (and some Hazel rules) it can do plenty...

Ooo thanks! I'll give it a try!

Blackhawk47 said:
Well on my Macs I can just move the cursor over the file name text, one click, then edit/change it to what ever and then enter or click away. Its not too hard lol.

Well it appears you're right

Can't believe it didn't work last time

IxD3ViiLx · 7 Mar 2012 at 21:19

Enjoy your mac!

colinmcr · 7 Mar 2012 at 21:47

Thanks guys looking forward to getting back home and actually getting to try it out some more. I will have my new firewire cable so will be busy importing my old video clips.