Apple/Mac People

Candace&Kevin

For Christmas I got a Mac laptop .... I really love it but feel like I am not taking advantage of it.  I have been a PC person my whole life and for some reason can't seem to get Mac logic. 

Number one example of this is finding a file on the computer?  Using a PC I just go to My Computer and find it where I saved it.  Problem is all my pictures are imported via iPhoto and when I am trying to find that file to email to someone (can't use the iPhoto/share/email feature because trying to email through my yahoo account and don't want to pay for the POP feature) it is no where to be found?!?!

I know the apple store offers classes but I was wondering if you ladies knew of any other resourse?  Online tutorials? etc?

ammorgado

I have taken a couple of courses through the apple store and really enjoyed them!  Also, when we first bought our MacBook, I hired a friend to come and give us a tutorial on using our laptop, and he organized out home screen to things we use most often.  It was totally worth the money for us.  I've had my macbook pro for 3 years now and I still don't think I use it to it's fullest potential.  But I love it!  

Use your "finder" the same as you would use "my computer"  The "finder" icon is square and looks like a smiley face.  Also, when sending attachments through Yahoo, your finder should open up when you hit the "attachment" button.  You should be able to find the picture you want there.  Does that make sense?  Sorry, I'm not great at technical explanations  

rmbm10607

I use a MAC at work and also have a laptop at home.  I love my MAC!  You don't need to import pictures using IPhoto.  I usually, don't I am not a fan.  I usually just exit out of that and then create a new folder on my desktop name it whatever I want and then click and drag the photos from my cameras memory card into that folder and then I have large folder that I place all my photos in.  It makes it easy to find.  

Also and easy short cut to find things you save and can not find it to go up to the right hand corner of you screen, the little eyeglass thing.  You can type in anything or part or a word and it will give you everything in you computer that has something to do with that.

I have never taken the classes at Apple, I used MACs all during college so thats how I learned and then just messing around with them while home and at work.  I would say take the class at Apple, could be lots of fun.  In fact I should look into something like that, even tho I use them every day there is always something new to learn!

good luck!  

sajigirl

I am all apple in all forms (iphone, ipad2, macbook pros and imac) and I love love it!!  Ditto that your Finder (a square icon at the bottom of your screen with a face) is your "my computer" button that was on the PC.  From there you can get to your programs (applications in Mac language) documents, downloads, etc.  Everything is in your finder.

Also, ditto on the magnifying glass in the top right corner.

Just a note on the photos, you actually do NOT want to save them to your desktop.  In fact nothing of importance should be saved on your desktop.  Instead they should be saved to your hard drive.  This can be found in the finder under devices.  You can simply create a new folder on the HD entitled "Pictures" and then do subfolders within that (I split mine up by months but I also don't use iphoto at all - just Photoshop and Bridge, the organization software that comes with it).  The reason for this is that if your computer crashes what is on your desktop is not recoverable.  But what is on your hard drive is.

I think a class would be great for you at the Apple store - they are amazingly knowledgeable there.  Some if it going to be "duh!" moments but the other stuff they know is crazy (and very useful!).

Candace&Kevin

Thank you for your advice!

I figured out the "finder" thing and can find most things but the pictures in iphoto give me the most grieve.  It seems like iphoto saves them in wierd places under like several names depending on if there is a "face" or "event" assoicated with the picture.  I might want to stop using iPhoto.

The other thing I really would like to learn how to use is the video editing.  I have taken a whole bunch of small clips of Gabrielle and would love to put together a DVD or something that makes sense and can save somewhere to watch later.

I def need to just suck it up and sign up for a class at the apple store.  I am some how become a typical RIer and providence is just too far away

AmyRI

I can't stand using iphoto because of how it saves files. Even if you find where it originally put the picture, it doesn't save any edits to the original file. It saves the edited files to some other directory. It was way too confusing to me, and I didn't want to always have to upload or email from iphoto.

I use Picasa (free product from google) which is a very similar setup to iPhoto, except it saves edits to the original location and has a backup file stored of the original somewhere else on your hard drive. That way, if you have pictures in the Pictures folder, and you email someone one of those files, it's the most current edit. 

I just drag and drop files from my camera into organized folders, and Picasa scans for new photos when it opens.