Just ordered my first macBook

prospect

Hi all,

I have just ordered a new macbook today.
It is the 13.3" 1.8Ghz and 1GB RAM.

Up to now I have been using PC's and PC Laptops. But I have been experimenting with linux, etc. Also, I use Open Office and Mozilla Firefox quite a bit.

I haven't really used a Mac before, but I figured the best way to learn is to dive in the deep end and buy one. (i was replacing my home pc anyway).

So have you guys got any advice, top tips etc.

I am assuming I can use:
Internet - Mozilla Firefox
E-Mail - Thunderbird
Office - Open Office or Star Office

Cheers,
Can't wait.

Richard

prospect wrote:

I am assuming I can use:
Internet - Mozilla Firefox
E-Mail - Thunderbird

Yes - I use Firefox. Don't use Thunderbird, though, but it should be the same as the PC version

Office - Open Office or Star Office

You can do, but there is also a MacOS 'port' of OpenOffice, which is NeoOffice - http://www.neooffice.org/

THis should be identical except it integrates better with the Mac OS that OpenOffice does.

And if you need to use Windows occasionally, you can download "Boot Camp" from the Apple website which lets you install Windows XP.

As for other tips - you should be able to download drivers for any peripherals you have. Note that some USB Broadband modems don't work with Mac OS on Intel yet.

You should also be able to install Linux though I don't know too much about that.

chicken_food

download a program called quicksilver.All you hae to do is press ctrl+space then type in the program name. It just makes everything easy to use. check out macrumours and macupdate.com-loads of handy apps and stuff.

xebec

chicken_food wrote:

download a program called quicksilver.All you hae to do is press ctrl+space then type in the program name. It just makes everything easy to use.

You can use spotlight to do that too! Command+space then type the name of the program - no need for download for that.

Zapp Brannigan

Im gonna ask this in here as it'd be a waste of space creating a new thread.

Im the same as the OP, just ordered a Macbook. My concern is can I hook my mac up to my windows pc and tranfer all my music from the windows machine to the mac? Its just I have thousands of songs and I dont really wanna go through the process of Cd's etc.

savemejebus

yep it's no problem. This link has a good guide to networking pcs and macs
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=54704

Zapp Brannigan

savemejebus wrote:

yep it's no problem. This link has a good guide to networking pcs and macs
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=54704

Cheers dude.

prospect

Hi all, thanks for the tips.

Just one or two more questions (3 actually EDIT now its 4).

1. I have UTV BB, and it is running through a wireless router. I assume that connecting the laptop wirelessly is not going to be an issue.

2. I have already copied all my PC files (mostly pics and music) to CD's and a USB key. These should easily upload, yes?

3. I currently use Avast home edition A.V. I know Macs are less risk in terms of viruses, but what software do you recommend.

EDIT 4. I also have a cambridge audio amplifier in my living room. Is there a wireless option that I can send music from itunes to it? What would I need to buy?

Thanks again.
P.

Thumper Long

1 Airport should pick it up immediately

2 Yes

3 ClamXav http://www.clamxav.com/

4 Airport Express very handy for streaming music, can also hook up a remote printer etc. http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/

K.O.Kiki

ClamXav is *NOT* for protecting your Mac OSX machine from virii -- it's for scanning files you want to send to Windows machines!
Remember: there are no virii for OSX yet.

There is a firewall in the System Preferences, though.

Sad Professor

prospect wrote:

I am assuming I can use:
Internet - Mozilla Firefox
E-Mail - Thunderbird
Office - Open Office or Star Office

I've never used Thunderbird but Apple's Mail app is excellent. I've never had any reason to use anything else.

Urban Weigl

I've extensively used Firefox, and tried Thunderbird briefly.

I prefer Safari over Firefox by a small margin, and Mail over Thunderbird by a big margin. YMMV (Your mileage may vary).

Zapp Brannigan

Got the Mac today (its great!!) but Im having troubles networking it!! Any other guides apart from the one already posted? I need to put all my music on it!

Bunnyhopper

There might be some useful info here:

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

savemejebus

when using the guide i posted make sure that your firewall is set to accept the incoming connection

Creamy Goodness

what are the battery times on these bad boys like?

thinking of picking one up soon.
also when is lepard out?

sorry for hijacking but i didn't think it deserved another thread.

Zapp Brannigan

savemejebus wrote:

when using the guide i posted make sure that your firewall is set to accept the incoming connection

The firewall on my XP machine? I am supposed to connect the two with an ethernet cable right?

savemejebus

yep, the firewall on your xp machine. If you're connecting the two directly you need a crossover cable rather than a normal network cable. Mine is connected through my modem/router so I can't really comment on machine to machine setups

Zapp Brannigan

Oh ok. My mac connects to the router wirelessly and my XP machine is connected through the ethernet cable, so it should work as is, right?

EDIT: Got ti workin Thanks for the help.
Now we play the waiting game....