View Full Version : New owner of Macbook
adsl3g
26-01-2007, 03:47 PM
Need a welcome to the fold.... :o I just got my Macbook 2ghz c2d. Still fumbling through Mac OS X to find my way at the moment. First impressions are very good.
Was tough to decide between this and the iMac - the iMac's screen is WOW even the lowly 17" but decided I want to carry this around.
Just a quessy
Could not get a Mini DVI to VGA connector. Will a Mini DVI to DVI with a VGA adapter work? Those plugs with the DVI input one end and the VGA out at the other end?
bwana
26-01-2007, 03:52 PM
Need a welcome to the fold.... :o I just got my Macbook 2ghz c2d. Still fumbling through Mac OS X to find my way at the moment. First impressions are very good.
Was tough to decide between this and the iMac - the iMac's screen is WOW even the lowly 17" but decided I want to carry this around.
Just a quessy
Could not get a Mini DVI to VGA connector. Will a Mini DVI to DVI with a VGA adapter work? Those plugs with the DVI input one end and the VGA out at the other end?welcome to the club :)
Now go install quicksilver. http://quicksilver.blacktree.com/
Not sure about the dvi connector though - never tried it but I dont see why not.
adsl3g
26-01-2007, 04:00 PM
Now go install quicksilver. http://quicksilver.blacktree.com/
Waz it do?? DOES it replace the mac dock??
Not sure about the dvi connector though - never tried it but I dont see why not.
Just don't want to blow anything up....
bwana
26-01-2007, 04:04 PM
Waz it do?? DOES it replace the mac dock??
Just don't want to blow anything up....It's an app launcher and yeah - I use it more than the dock.
If you're planning on using frontrow much - and it is a sweet app - you'll be wanting this http://perian.org/ - I've got a few frontrow tips if you're going to be using it much.
adsl3g
26-01-2007, 04:41 PM
It's an app launcher and yeah - I use it more than the dock.
If you're planning on using frontrow much - and it is a sweet app - you'll be wanting this http://perian.org/ - I've got a few frontrow tips if you're going to be using it much.
Oh, I definately will be using it a lot, remember I got the Airport Express for
my HiFi and it is currently busy streaming to the Harman Kardon amp...
Frontrow is beautiful.....
bwana
26-01-2007, 04:44 PM
Oh, I definately will be using it a lot, remember I got the Airport Express for
my HiFi and it is currently busy streaming to the Harman Kardon amp...
Frontrow is beautiful.....I was wary of front row because of the limitations wrt xvid but a bit of tweaking and all is good :D Plus there is always VLC which also works with the remote. :)
BobJones
26-01-2007, 05:20 PM
Congrats on the macbook...
Try Flip for Mac (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/wmcomponents.mspx) for WMV support from within Quicktime and Safari.
Don't forget to configure the touchpad for two-finger scrolling and tapping. Its the coolest thing - no mouse needed.
I don't see why piggy backing the two video adapters shouldn't work... but I haven't tried it myself yet.
adsl3g
26-01-2007, 05:36 PM
Don't forget to configure the touchpad for two-finger scrolling and tapping. Its the coolest thing - no mouse needed.
I don't see why piggy backing the two video adapters shouldn't work... but I haven't tried it myself yet.
Done the touchpad config - very nice..
As for the DVI/VGA adapter, damn thing has extra pins compared to the Mac's plug so it don't fit. Will have to go see for another one tomorrow.
JStrike
26-01-2007, 05:42 PM
Glad to hear you have broken ranks
bwana : thanks for the the perian.org tip. Never seen it before, very nice
killadoob
26-01-2007, 06:16 PM
ok let me ask you guys something im a complete mac noob :)
but the new mac using conroe are they not just expensive desktops or laptops?
do they use the same parts now?
if so why buy a mac over a pc or laptop for operating system or what?
bwana
26-01-2007, 06:34 PM
ok let me ask you guys something im a complete mac noob :)
but the new mac using conroe are they not just expensive desktops or laptops?
do they use the same parts now?
if so why buy a mac over a pc or laptop for operating system or what?For me it's the OS and the build quality.
Glad to hear you have broken ranks
bwana : thanks for the the perian.org tip. Never seen it before, very niceGlad to be of service :D Got loads more titbits :)
For example this droplet is pretty handy http://dettmer.maclab.org/movie2itunes.html
jabulani
26-01-2007, 06:40 PM
ok let me ask you guys something im a complete mac noob :)
but the new mac using conroe are they not just expensive desktops or laptops?
do they use the same parts now?
if so why buy a mac over a pc or laptop for operating system or what?
I have used both Mac and PC for years ( except for a recent break from my Mac that I have dusted off recently ). I don't have a new Intel Mac. Some of the good things I would say:
- Macs are built very well and they are superbly designed. Recently upgrading my dual G4 was a pleasure - just find a flat surface, yank the side release handle, and the whole machine is exposed for working on.
- Macs just work. Unless you are trying to add in some weird card, they are just so damn simple. Add a hard drive and the Mac picks it up and guides you through setting it up. Add a DVD writer and it is just sommer there and working. No kerfuffeling around searching for drivers etc.
- The OS is just beautiful. So much easier on the eye than XP and way prettier than Vista. Apple have always emphasised the Human Interface, and woe betide the programmer who puts the OK and Cancel buttons in the wrong places - very consistent. Mac users EXPECT a new program to just be simple and obvious to use, and you have to develop for that. MS are always playing catch-up on the user interface, and then they cock it up anyway.
Bad things:
- For me the availability and choice of apps. For example, only recently is there a decent newsreader app for Mac - for years they were just dogs. And if you want a quick util to do something, you'll find 20 for the PC and 2 for the Mac.
- Desktop high-end Macs cost! I'd LOVE a Mac Pro, but R20k is a bit steep for me. And personally I prefer the bigger Mac boxes - can add stuff easily and they fly!
- Mac users. A Mac user prefers an app with a pretty look and ****e functionality to the other way round. They are often snooty about their Macs and evangelical in their loyalty to Apple. I mean - it's just a machine!!!
Anyway - IMHO of course!
bwana
26-01-2007, 11:18 PM
I have used both Mac and PC for years ( except for a recent break from my Mac that I have dusted off recently ). I don't have a new Intel Mac. Some of the good things I would say:lol - I think every mac user has the same credentials.
Welcome to the cult of Mac, we hope you enjoy your stay.
chopsuey
27-01-2007, 01:02 AM
Hi
I got my first Mac today, entry level 15" MacBook Pro, Damm nice hardware !
Probably won't joint the Mac Cult ... Linux cult will probably never let me go ;-)
bwana
27-01-2007, 01:06 AM
Hi
I got my first Mac today, entry level 15" MacBook Pro, Damm nice hardware !
Probably won't joint the Mac Cult ... Linux cult will probably never let me go ;-)At least give the os a shot - after all it has a heart of nix with a heap of refinement. ;)
chopsuey
27-01-2007, 01:39 AM
Yip, I digg OSX (thats why I'm still awake at this time playing with it) and will probably use it allot for normal desktop stuff.
Linux mostly for my job (system software development).
adsl3g
27-01-2007, 07:27 AM
Well, to start off, my new Nokia E70 did not want to work with iSync as it is not supported yet so no problem, googling showed me how to edit the iSync package and add functionality for support of the E70 :cool: and now its working fine - syncing perfectly. :D
Is this a foretaste of how OS X can work?
Also set up my N70 (virgin sim) as a modem via bluetooth - just click and select and off you go - no modem scrits or anything.
Just one question - is there a delete key combination as opposed to pressing backspace?
Found the paste and copy key combination quite easily - have not bothered to read the OSX manual yet - will get there.
bwana
27-01-2007, 07:30 AM
Just one question - is there a delete key combination as opposed to pressing backspace?try fn+backspace
adsl3g
27-01-2007, 07:53 AM
Ahh.. tks works fine.. Need to brush up on keyboard shortcuts.
bwana
27-01-2007, 08:00 AM
Ahh.. tks works fine.. Need to brush up on keyboard shortcuts.No worries - Shout if you have any more queries. :D
adsl3g
27-01-2007, 11:08 AM
OK, easy question. (for you guys)
How do i uninstall an app and recover the disk space. Whant to get rid of Office for Mac trial as I doubt that I will buy it at the price it is going for.
My gut feel says just send it to trash??
bwana
27-01-2007, 11:37 AM
OK, easy question. (for you guys)
How do i uninstall an app and recover the disk space. Whant to get rid of Office for Mac trial as I doubt that I will buy it at the price it is going for.
My gut feel says just send it to trash??Thats pretty much it.
Thats pretty much it.
I prefer Appdelete to get rid of those nasty's:D
bwana
27-01-2007, 12:00 PM
I prefer Appdelete to get rid of those nasty's:DNever needed it but by all means :)
alma-tadema
27-01-2007, 06:05 PM
ok let me ask you guys something im a complete mac noob :)
but the new mac using conroe are they not just expensive desktops or laptops?
do they use the same parts now?
if so why buy a mac over a pc or laptop for operating system or what?
Apple doesn't sell entry level hardware, if you do spec too spec comparison, they compete with Sony and HP, especially with the Pro laptop line.
adsl3g
27-01-2007, 06:27 PM
No worries - Shout if you have any more queries. :D
Hmmm... which one of these keys is the 'option' key. It does not appear to be the one with the "apple logo' on.
bwana
27-01-2007, 06:52 PM
The option (⌥) key usually rests between the ctrl key and the Apple/Command key (/⌘)
adsl3g
27-01-2007, 07:01 PM
The option (⌥) key usually rests between the ctrl key and the Apple/Command key (/⌘)
Thanks for all the help. Just managed to install Windows XP on a different partition and needed to get the OS option on start-up. No probs with installing Win XP on a separate partition. Running nicely as well.
Have installed NeoOffice for OS X - very nice office suite and reads all Office 2003 docs w/o problems.
bwana
27-01-2007, 07:21 PM
Thanks for all the help. Just managed to install Windows XP on a different partition and needed to get the OS option on start-up. No probs with installing Win XP on a separate partition. Running nicely as well.Yeah - it does run quite well - you can also select the boot partition from startup disk in the system prefs (which you can also invoke with quicksilver ;))
tibby.dude
27-01-2007, 07:26 PM
the build quality.
So how about that strange line showing up on your LCD then.
Apple feature ??? :).
bwana
27-01-2007, 07:54 PM
So how about that strange line showing up on your LCD then.
Apple feature ??? :).So after two years of some pretty hectic use I'm one of the handful of people who got a pixel wide line on the screen. Big whoop. I'm still going to buy another (when they manage to pry this one from my hands).
BobJones
28-01-2007, 03:54 PM
OK, easy question. (for you guys)
How do i uninstall an app and recover the disk space. Whant to get rid of Office for Mac trial as I doubt that I will buy it at the price it is going for.
My gut feel says just send it to trash??
Yep, you can do that, but the office for mac trial comes with an uninstaller located in the same application directory as all the other components.
Most applications that install using a installer program can be uninstalled by running the installer a second time in which case it will offer an uninstall option.
If you don't want the hassle of manually cleaning up preference files etc for applications that you move to trash, you can also try AppZapper (http://www.appzapper.com/). Its not free but seems to work just fine.
adsl3g
28-01-2007, 04:48 PM
Yep, you can do that, but the office for mac trial comes with an uninstaller located in the same application directory as all the other components.
Most applications that install using a installer program can be uninstalled by running the installer a second time in which case it will offer an uninstall option.
If you don't want the hassle of manually cleaning up preference files etc for applications that you move to trash, you can also try AppZapper (http://www.appzapper.com/). Its not free but seems to work just fine.
Thanks, I did find the uninstaller and it removed office fine.
Looking for a mini DVI to VGA connector for the macbook also a case - seems as if ZA Store do not have stock... will phone the other online shops tomorrow.
And No, the VGA converter on the mini dvi to dvi connector did not work... the plugs are different :confused:
bwana
29-01-2007, 10:48 PM
Just one question - is there a delete key combination as opposed to pressing backspace?Just came across this which will let you remap other keys to be a forward delete key.
http://doublecommand.sourceforge.net/
Synaesthesia
01-02-2007, 06:57 PM
Here is a link to a screencast which taught me to use quicksilver,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBvFUhTqKK4&mode=related&search=
My favourite site is also IUseThis, which is full of useful apps and information.
http://osx.iusethis.com/
bwana
01-02-2007, 07:03 PM
Here is a link to a screencast which taught me to use quicksilver,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBvFUhTqKK4&mode=related&search=
My favourite site is also IUseThis, which is full of useful apps and information.
http://osx.iusethis.com/MacBreak (http://www.twit.tv/MB) 12 and 17 also covered the app pretty well.
For general tips and tricks I suggest www.macosxhints.com