More MAC help please!

[ayaandjudah]

So, my MBP has left Shanghai enroute to NY and ME!

I'm still panicking that I won't be able to figure it out and some things in the forum the past few days have raised more questions.

#1- unzipping. How do I unzip my files when I dl them from the site? I'm going out on a limb that WINzip doesn't work on a MAC

#2- all of my darcy fonts. Do I just load them onto my EHD and transfer them to my MAC? is there a font place on the MAC? Do Darcy's fonts work on a MAC?

I swear this is harder than I thought.

[BrattyMeg]

Originally Posted by ayaandjudah

#1- unzipping. How do I unzip my files when I dl them from the site? I'm going out on a limb that WINzip doesn't work on a MAC

#2- all of my darcy fonts. Do I just load them onto my EHD and transfer them to my MAC? is there a font place on the MAC? Do Darcy's fonts work on a MAC?

There's a built in Archive utility. If you use Safari I think it'll unzip them for you. (and maybe trash the zip too? not 100% sure about that) I use Firefox and have to actually click the zip for it to unzip but that works for me so I don't mind it.

As for the fonts you can just store them on your ehd and open up fontbook and install them into PS Easy peasy. It's way easier to install a font on a Mac I think than a pc you literally just click a button that says install font and voila!

[Nettio]

Yes, Safari will unzip the folder for you and move the zip file to the trash. It's one of my favorite Safari features.

Like Meg said, use Fontbook and if you use Safari, it'll unzip everything for you.

When I switched from a PC several years ago, I found the Switching to the Mac series of books super helpful because they explain the differences between Windows and Mac. This is the Lion version: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1449398537/

One of the best lessons you can learn is with the Mac, everything is easier. If it was a long drawn out process in Windows or required additional software, it's often like one click or less on a Mac. Once I stopped trying to make things more complicated than they needed to be, the switch became much easier.

[BrattyMeg]

Originally Posted by Nettio

Once I stopped trying to make things more complicated than they needed to be, the switch became much easier.

I could have said this myself. I had a Mac a year before I actually did a full blown switch (and I only switched b/c I cracked my hard drive on the PC moving it) NO clue what I was so scared of lol

[ayaandjudah]

A lot of my recent purchases from the store are still zipped because I haven't been able to use them, my PC is way too slow. So when I hook the EHD to my MAC I can just click on the zips that are there and it will unzip them?

And does fontbook come with the computer or do I need to buy it.

I really hope it's as easy as you guys say. Someone told me there's no right click on a MAC. What the heck????? :-)

[Nettio]

Yes, just click on the zips (double-click I think) and it'll unzip them. And Fontbook comes installed on the Mac. Easiest way to find it is to use Spotlight (the magnifying glass at the top right corner). Just type in Fontbook and it should show up as the top hit.

Reead my comment about not making it more complicated than it is, you're not in Windows land anymore.

Oh and you can right click, there just isn't a right click button on the laptops. But if you hold down the Ctrl key and click, it's the same thing.

[Julie Billingsley]

I don't use Safari, I use Chrome. When I download things, I just double click the zip file and it unzips. Yep, easy peasy. For fonts, you install your transfered fonts in the Font Book ap. For newly purchased fonts, after you've unzipped them, you just double click the font name and it pops up a box that shows you the font and asks if you want to install it. Hit yes and it's installed. Again, easy!!

[suladesign]

Actually, I think there is nothing easier than the switch to a macbook.
Most of it is just totally self-explanatory, esp. for people who know their way around a computer, and you being a digi-scrapper certainly do.

I actually switched my settings, and have safari keep my zip files. I have to manually unzip them. (Gives me a little more control.) Just right click, and then the Stuffit Expander does it for me. Easy peasy. Settings can be changed in the safari preferences, I think.

Fonts will go into the font book. I'm on Darcy's CT so working with her fonts is a must, and there's never a problem.

Installing on a mac is everything so much easier than with a PC. Usually all you have to do is double click on the file, sometimes drag it into the applications folder. For fonts, you just double click on the font. It'll open a little window where you can click on "Install", and that's it.

Easy peasy, really! No worries!

[taracotta7]

Yes Alisa......it seems like it would be a HUGE change but it really isn't. Just like the other ladies said.....Mac is so much more user friendly. Just take it one step at a time.

Unzipping....I don't use a program. I just double click on the zip file and it unzips it. No biggie. I personally don't use Safari but I have used them in a pinch and it does automatically unzip any zip files you download. It is an awesome feature. Safari comes installed on the Mac.

The Fontbook (also comes installed) is AMAZING! I love love love it! It is SO easy to install your fonts and it puts it in your PS/PSE automatically. LOVE IT!

This will all probably make more sense when you actually have it in front of you and you are able to play around with it. It did take me about a week to get use to where things were located on my Mac. It is different but not harder. KWIM?

I am excited that you got a Mac! You will be so glad that you did it!

[ayaandjudah]

I bought a mouse....will it have a right click?

I know, I keep telling DH that you girls say it's easy. It just seems so daunting. But between the two of us we have an iphone, itouch and iPad. So I think we should at least be able to figure it out.

[dana]

as far as i know, mac mouses do not have an actual 'right click' (but i haven't used a mouse in a long, long time - LOL - i use a touchpad) - BUT - you still get all your 'right click' features by holding the 'control' button while you click on your mouse (or click your touchpad) - that will bring up all the 'right click' options you are used to w/ your PC.

good luck! it REALLY is easy, i swear! like someone mentioned above, it's DIFFERENT, so you have to get used to it, but it's definitely not more difficult

[Nettio]

Is this the mouse you bought?

http://www.apple.com/magicmouse/

Because if so, it looks like you can set it up to right-click.

[suladesign]

I use a mouse. Everything works pretty much the same.

[Lyd]

My mouse has a right click. I would think if you got that Magic Mouse it would have it. And if not, just Ctrl click and you get the right click options.

[taracotta7]

I have the magic mouse and it has right click.

[BrattyMeg]

I use a mouse too and have it set up to right click. Once you get it just go into mouse preferences (I use the little bluetooth icon on the top and click and there's a choice to open mouse preferences) you can set it up for 2 finger use, etc..again super easy

[ayaandjudah]

Lynette, I was *this* close to getting the magic mouse but chickened out and got a logitech mouse. I might get the magic mouse later.

[ayaandjudah]

Another question or two from my MAC friends, help a sister out! LOL.

So you said that when I download from the site it will automatically unzip. Or that when I double click on a zip file I currently have that it will unzip for me....but where will it send the files?

Obviously I won't have windows explorer (What will I do without that program???), so how do i navigate to my files?

Is it done in folders like a PC?

[BrattyMeg]

I think with Safari it goes to "Downloads" which you can access from finder (works like explorer)

I download with Firefox and make a "To File" folder that I unzip to. Then I unzip, organize where I want it, then delete the zip on my own. I like that option better than automatic unzipping since I don't always file right then and there.

You can make folders and such. I just make new ones on my desktop as I need them.

don't freak yourself out It's really not a big change at all and the change that it IS..is for the better!

[Nettio]

You should check out this link from Apple. It explains a ton and has lots of visuals. There's even a Moving from Windows Explorer to Finder section: http://www.apple.com/support/switch101/

Like Meg said, don't go getting yourself psyched out before your Mac even arrives, haha. Yes it's different but it's not THAT different. You still have a desktop and a folder system and applications and all that. I always say its like driving a luxury car vs a basic car. Both cars will get you to your location and both have the same basics (pedals, steering wheel, etc) but where the luxury car shines is in the details and extra features. The magic of the Mac is in the details.

[Paula]

My MBP automatically unzips for me and keeps the files in the downloads folder until I move them. So, there's no worries there.

As for the fonts, I have had no problem using my fonts. I just installed them and was good to go.

I have a Mac mouse that I use on my MBP when I scrap and it has right click. It isn't a Mighty Mouse either.

I love my Macs and will never go PC again. I think you'll find you love yours just as much once you get used to it.