Monday, February 2, 2009

Mac-a-doodle-dooooo! (A Cry In the Darkness For Help)

As some of you may remember, ThatManILove bought me a MacBook Pro for Christmas.
And, believe it or not, I’m having Windows withdrawal symptoms. Or, Mac adjustment problems. I thought it was supposed to be an intuitive machine. To my credit, I've only been on it about 10 times since Christmas, due to mi vida loca and crazy schedule.

I can’t right click to copy.

I can’t copy and edit hyperlink with the click of a button and the drag of a mouse.

I can’t watch a wmv.

I can barely drag a post from Pages to my blog (though that is pretty cool!), and when I do, it loses format.

Help! Maybe I can call 1-800- Mac for Dummies??

Any suggestions for tutorials? I can’t be the first dummy to want to be Mac literate! Run to my aid, fellow bloggers! I don’t want to be stuck in the dark ages forever! And what the heck am I going to do with all my contacts in Microsoft Outlook?

Update: I went to Best Buy, to my local Mac expert. I told him all the above, and he said:

I've not utilized a Windows PC in 18 years.

And that's the expert that's supposed to help me? Where's my freakin' shotgun? I asked him if there were any tutorials other than the ones on the machine, and he told me to go buy a book on Leopard. You guessed it. My response: What's Leopard? Yuppers, I've got some homework to do.

I did spend another $300+ dollars for the Mac Airwaves wireless modem (because Mac doesn't like Linksys) and a cable to transfer data from my PC to my Mac ; all which leads me to believe if I spend enough money, I'll get it all down. Until then, I'll take all the help I can get.

33 comments:

nikkicrumpet said...

I wish I could help you...but I am a total computer dork!

Anonymous said...

My moms MacBook did the same thing (as far as the mouse) and it drove me nuts! I did find a solution. I forget exactly where it's located (it would be like the Control Panel on Windows) and you can format your mouse to be able to right-click and copy, etc. For some reason, they come formatted to where both sides of the mouse work the same way. I hope this helps!

Anonymous said...

For a right click to copy do Press Command and click the mouse. OR, if you prefer, hook up a two button mouse to your MacBookPro and go into settings and select the setting for a two button mouse. Either ome should work.

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Anonymous said...

Leopard is your Operating System, just like on Windows the Operating System is Vista or XP.

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Anonymous said...

Here is Apple's Help Page. You can find out a great deal here.

http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/

There is also Mac OS X The Missing Manual (Leopard Edition) Make sure you get the Leopard Edition because there is also one for their old operating systems ie: Panther and Tiger, which you don't want.

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Anonymous said...

http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596529529/index.html

Sorry to send so many comments... just want to make sure you have these tidbits at your fingertips. We are longtime Mac users in our home. Once you get the gist of it you will love it... I promise. :-)

Di

jill jill bo bill said...

I cannot be any help to you on this. I will shoot the geek for you.

Anonymous said...

Just spoke with Hubby and he said you shouldn't have to adjust any settings to use a 2-button mouse.... you should just be able to plug it into the MacBookPro and it should work. We here at our house use Razor 2 button mouses with a scroll button, we did have to download special drivers for them.... but just a regular 2 button mouse with no special functions on it should work automatically. Give it a try. Sure hope all this info helps as no one enjoys being stressed out by a new computer and Operating System... Computers should be fun, not frustrating.... Good luck and give me a shout if there is anything else I can help you with..

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Fragrant Liar said...

Okay, I always wanted to be a Mac user because it just seemed way cooler. But facts is facts: I'm a PC'er all the way. However . . . Vista sucks.

KJ

Lilly said...

Oh I used to use nothing but Macs for years because they are a designers best and most trusted friend. Then I gave them up and switched. How uncool of me - well I was making a bit of a political stance which is to long a story to get into now. Do a Google search and you should be fine. Its like driving a totally hotted up sports car after driving the famly sedan for years. You will get used to it and then the Mac addiction will creep in....trust me..

Anonymous said...

Excuse me while I bwaaaaaaaahahahahaaaaaaa!

Sorry - as a dedicated PC user, I've had enough of these Mac snobs.

confabulator said...

Janie

After I had the same problem as you I got one of these. It works like a charm, no cables, adapters just set it up in your Buletooth settings...
Logitech Mouse

Jenni said...

I begged my husband for a Mac and he refused because he said it would drive me crazy for all the reasons you listed! LOL! I bet you will get used to it quickly though!

La Belette Rouge said...

With a mouse you can right click for copy and paste. I made the switch from Windows to Mac in March and I love it. I did take the classes at the Mac store and that helped make the transition easier.

♥ Braja said...

You'll get used to the right click thing, but if you have a Supermouse you can right click; get one :)

Alpacamountain said...

Hee hee...wheres my gun! I'm a life long pc user.

Anonymous said...

That's just great!!! When I return to Texas this weekend I was planning to shop for a Mac. Now I have no idea what to do because if that Janie girl can't figure it out, then I'm surely doomed. BTW, I told about our parallel world over at my place, just in case you missed it. This whole Mas business is just another divot on the green of sameness.

Anonymous said...

Mac business......not Mas. Ugh.....I should go to bed.

Captain Smack said...

If you're having trouble with The Mac, it is a spiritual problem, not a technical one. The Mac is not a brand, dear, it is a religion. Obviously, you are not believing in The Mac hard enough. To become one with The Macness, say this prayer:


Dear Steve Jobs
Who art in iHeaven
Hallowed be thy apps
I giveth unto you
Thy heart
Thy soul
And thy credit card information
In hopes that you will show me
The error of my PC ways
And leadeth me from temptation
The temptation of using a much cheaper
And much more user-friendly product

For you are The One
And The Zero
And all the ones and zeros
The Alpha and Omega
Not to mention that iPhone thingy
Which really kicks ass
Though it is a bit pricey
But I digress

Anyway

Please give your commercially hip guidance
To me, my mouse, and my wallet
And show me The Way
The Way to copy a simple file from one folder to another, which really shouldn't be that hard, but for some reason is, like, a total freaking pain in the ass, what the hell???

*ahem*

I shall fear not
As I walk through the shadow of the valley
Of bad customer service
And confusing help menus
And toolbars placed in odd locations
For no apparent reason
For I know that at the end
Of this struggle
I will learn how to copy/paste jpegs
And even install some freeware
And then it will all make sense
For I can brag that I have a Mac
I am one of The Chosen Ones
And all those PC users
Can kiss my ass.

Whatever and ever
Amen

Vodka Mom said...

who invited Captain smack???

Vodka Mom said...

(Just kidding) I'm a a MAC lover- but you're gonna have to bring your mac over and we'll work together. I mix up some drinks.

Belle said...

You're speaking to the wrong geek my love. I wish I could help. You know I can't even help myself..

Anonymous said...

For the WMV problem try this:
http://www.telestream.net/flip4mac-wmv/overview.htm
The free version works just fine.

I've used Linksys in the past and have had no problems so it must be an setup problem.
Check System Preferences (Icon with gears on it)
Network (Gray Marble)
Click the advanced button - Click TCP/IP
Make sure IPv4 says "using DHCP" and IPv6 says "automatically"

That might work or get the "time capsule" deal from Apple and you get wireless networking and automatic backups all in one. It's very very easy to setup, so don't worry.

Travis Erwin said...

I have a little something for you over at my blog. Come check it out.

Karen Townsend said...

Well, the husband said my next one would be a MAC, though he is a longtime hardcore PC man. He thought it'd be a good idea for me. Now, I'm thinking maybe I'll wait to see how you transition.

Shotgun! There ya go.

Far Side of Fifty said...

Oh I think it might be just like sex..you just have to go with whatever feels the best:)

Pam said...

I don't get the whole thing with Macs...could be that TBO is such a PC person...sounds like you have had some good advice, though. You'll get it, I know.

Girl in Carolina said...

I would totally be having PC withdrawels too!! LOL But you are way cooler to have the MAC now :)

Marlos ACE said...

I agree with Carolina girl :) I know Mac is the way to go, we just haven't gone there yet :)

scotte said...

Silly Janie, call a kid. Nephews T OR A OR N For that matter ....call your kids. They can walk an old antiquated pcer into macdom quickly. They are bilingual.

Michelle said...

Hey Janie,
I bought myself a Mac Book 7 months ago and i've never looked back!! I love my Mac so much!! I actually did a geeky thing. I paid $99 for 1 years worth of lessons at Apple store. Yeah geeky!! Yeah dorky but i learned so much. You can literally ask any question and not get laughed at, well probably after you leave they all laugh (at me) but who cares. I am actually envious of your Mac Book Pro!!! Janie its a great thing, your MAC!!!

Everybody here gave you great info!!! I even learned stuff here so thank you for that!!!

HAPPY HUMP DAY!!!!

Debz said...

And if I had some to offer I would. I am a Mac virgin and have no clue about the system at all.
Good luck dahlin!

Christina said...

I just sent this post link and the next one as well to my friend who is a Mac freak! I admire you for going there because I just can't go gently into that arena...