Any Mac-heads out there?

[knowhowe]

I wondered if any of you in the forums were Apple Macintosh users? Especially in light of the scary postings I'm reading here about viruses and the like- which don't affect us (so far).

If there were enough of us here, it may be good to have a thread where we can discuss Mac stuff and perhaps offer help and advice to those coming over from 'the dark side' and owning a Mac for the first time.

And even of it's just me- I'll still be more than happy to oblige!

[b4mmy]

I'm mac based. I run a company that has got about 50 odd macs, an xserve and quite a few powerbook/airs etc... I'd be happy to help you out.

[Kev]

In use a Mac in work and still don't know how to highlight text, cut and paste as there is only one mouse button.....

[b4mmy]

In use a Mac in work and still don't know how to highlight text, cut and paste as there is only one mouse button.....


ctrl click is the right mouse equivalent :)

double click on text, or click/swipe it to highlight

apple-c = copy

apple-v = paste

apple-x = cut

[Kev]

Cheers, I'll try that :PDT_Piratz_26:

[macateb]

I got my MacBook Pro about 3 months ago. (I'd previously used Macs about 10 years ago at my old job).

I think Mac people who pass on files to PC users should keep some sort of anti-virus software as viruses can still be passed on. Those Mac users who use a dual boot system containing Windows Vista should definitely use something.

I only have Mac OS on mine, so the only thing I'm worried about is spyware / key loggers etc... Does that affect Macs with OS X 10.5 and if so what software do you suggest is best to find and remove any? (any freeware?)

I use my Mac for Video work so any software that runs in the background would have to take up low resources and not scan while I'm working.

[b4mmy]

I got my MacBook Pro about 3 months ago. (I'd previously used Macs about 10 years ago at my old job).

I think Mac people who pass on files to PC users should keep some sort of anti-virus software as viruses can still be passed on. Those Mac users who use a dual boot system containing Windows Vista should definitely use something.

I only have Mac OS on mine, so the only thing I'm worried about is spyware / key loggers etc... Does that affect Macs with OS X 10.5 and if so what software do you suggest is best to find and remove any? (any freeware?)

I use my Mac for Video work so any software that runs in the background would have to take up low resources and not scan while I'm working.

things are changing with mac's these days they are much more prone to attack than they used to be. I can't recommend any spyware as I don't think there are many but you can set up your own personal firewall and disable cookies etc if surfing strange places on the net... http://macscan.securemac.com/

check out zdnet as well, it's informative:
http://www.zdnet.com.au/blogs/securifythis/soa/Symantec-s-OS-X-spyware-prediction-in-flames/0,139033343,339271367,00.htm

I find with the macs are that you must have Symantecs Norton and Anti-Virus on the machine for simple things such as corrupt files etc... this is pretty essential for professionals - disk aid won't do everything.

Apple users should log in to the apple support site regularly:
http://www.apple.com/support/

Hope this helps.

[macateb]

Thanks b4mmy :PDT11

[snappel]

I still think 'Apple C' when I copy something, even though I haven't used a Mac since about... 1995?

[b4mmy]

lol, and i have to work out which one is the apple key on a pc keyboard...

[knowhowe]

In use a Mac in work and still don't know how to highlight text, cut and paste as there is only one mouse button.....

That's not a problem- there are lots of alternative Mac-friendly mice available now with extra programmable buttons, scrollwheel, the works. I've not used a one-button one for years.

Lots of stuff posted here, I note, about anti-virus measures. Could I ask- have any of you, as Mac users, ever been infected? No, I thought not. Potential new users should, I think, be much more cautious about snake-oil salesmen peddling miracle cures than about unfeasable threats. Bull****ters are platform-independent. I've been a Mac owner and user since the mid 80s and online for most of that time, much of it running businesses, and have never- repeat- never had a problem. And I know for certain I'm not alone. Sounds good, doesn't it?

New- or potential- Mac owners, especially all of you who are fed up with the nonsense that is all things Microsoft, just get yourselves to a decent Apple dealer or, much better, a pal who's an experienced user, and find out for yourselves just how little hassle and how much productive fun computing can be. Thank the lord, it happened to me- it can happen to you too.

This is the last time I'm going to bang on about Mac/PC differences/superiorities etc. It's boring. I have to use PCs occasionally too, when I can't avoid it, and I hate them. That's it. We're here to talk together about Liverpool, share photos and the like, not to spend hours pissing about with stupid computers. I never have to do that!

[b4mmy]

This is the last time I'm going to bang on about Mac/PC differences/superiorities etc. It's boring. I have to use PCs occasionally too, when I can't avoid it, and I hate them. That's it. We're here to talk together about Liverpool, share photos and the like, not to spend hours pissing about with stupid computers. I never have to do that!

eh? ...why did you start the thread then?

http://www.sophos.com.au/pressoffice/news/articles/2006/02/macosxleap.html

[knowhowe]

This is the last time I'm going to bang on about Mac/PC differences/superiorities etc. It's boring.

The point was, I intend not doing this for its own sake. Banging on about 'my computer's better than yours' is pointless.
But if there was a place on Yo Liverpool where interested people could get help and information about Macs it could be a good thing, that's all.

=====

Many here on the forums will doubtlessly be on a budget and may be considering investing in one of those £300-odd laptops that seem to be evrywhere at the moment. My daughter got one a while back and it proved to be a nightmare. She's now using my old G3 700 iMac and is much happier because it just works and doesn't keep telling her 'you can't this' or 'such and such will need to be re-installed' or God knows what. A pal of ours was so impressed he acquired one from eBay for £50.00. I put fresh system software on it for him and he's happily doing his website, mixing music and chatting on the web with no problems at all. Because Apple make the hardware and the software, Macs have a reputation for lasting for a very long time. I have one from the 80s that's still going strong.

Also for those on a budget- and who already own a decent monitor and keyboard- consider the Mac Mini which costs about the same as those rubbishy laptops. The excellent all-in-one iMacs are also great value.

See them all here- http://www.apple.com/uk/

I've heard there's going to be a huge Apple store in the new shopping development.

[bluchilli]

The Mac store in LiverpoolOne is still being fitted out but you can still buy Mac stuff in John Lewis' store (3rd floor I think).

I use a mac in work as I use multimedia software and I find the Mac OS far far superior and easy to use than Windows. I have a PC at home for the odd bit of designing but mostly for playing online games - Call of Duty 4 anyone? Macs have never been supported well in the gaming area.

I think the mac vs PC argument will always go on but its not so much what is in the box nowadays (they're almost identical now - intel chips, etc) but their operating systems. Unfortunately for me I have to use Vista at home and I must admit - I find it quite terrible - even compared to XP!

At the end of the day its horses for courses, whether you use office software or image/video editing.

[knowhowe]

The Mac store opens in Liverpool One this Saturday, 26th July at 9 am.

Free T shirts for the first 1000 visitors I hear!

Definitely worth popping in if you're passing just to see the breathtaking quality of the products and, of course, to try them out.

I know the idea of switching to a weird new operating system is daunting, but, if you're fed up with Microsoft- and thousands are- go and check it out. You DO have a choice!

Bear in mind also that there are cheaper places to buy Macs (also iPods and iPhones) than the Apple store. Get yourself a copy of MacFormat in Smith's and check out the prices in there. (I've happily dealt with Computer Warehouse for years) But it'll probably be the best place in Liverpool to view their fab gear and talk to some enthusiastic and knowledgeable people about switching.

[naked lilac]

I just switched.. It takes a little getting used to, but they do have open classes to go to and find out the different ins and outs of the MAC.. I like it for traveling about.. I like my PC at home.. I hear the Mac has better security, and that was a plus in buying it..

Well, I bought mine from the Apple store.. I think its wise to buy a machine, from the dealer..That way, you are sure to be able to go anywhere in the world and they will honor your MAC...

[knowhowe]

Well done! It won't be long before you're feeling completely at home and wondering why you didn't do it years ago.

Apple have a great help site for those switching from PCs-

http://www.apple.com/support/switch101/

Also, you'll find lots more from those who've done it by putting 'Mac switcher' into your search page...