OK, heres the deal. I work as an Apple repair tech, and one of the things my store does is one on one tutorials for people that want to learn anything and everything about Macs. Most of the people are 40+, and usually first time mac users, or sometimes even first time computer users.

Now, I've been working with/on Macs for a decade, and have all kinds of training and certifications on everything Apple. What I need to know is what people want to learn, from a novice point of view. If anyone here fits that description, or if you have parents/friends/roommates/etc that you've heard saying "I wish I could..." or "I want to know how to..." in reference to anything Apple (including windows stuff, like iTunes or Safari on Windows), please let me know. PM me if you want, but I need to know what people want to know.

Also, this isn't a thread for PC vs Mac arguments. There's enough of that shit in other threads. I need to know this for my job.

Originally Posted by reeves

Also, this isn't a thread for PC vs Mac arguments. There's enough of that shit in other threads. I need to know this for my job.

:(....

There are more applications then just what comes on the computer! Some of them are really helpful and fun!

Originally Posted by Dblomfield

There are more applications then just what comes on the computer! Some of them are really helpful and fun!

I know this. And just to clarify, Im talking about anything Apple. Including computers, software, Apple TV, Airport, iPods/iPhones/iPads, and other applications commonly used on macs, like Office, Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark, etc.

running windows on a mac? like boot camp vs. parallels?

Originally Posted by nila*

running windows on a mac? like boot camp vs. parallels?

This is what I need!

What specifically about it? Like if you were to walk in to my store, what would you ask me?

here are a few things i think beginners would like to know
- syncing mail
- suitable alternative to msn, my recommendation would be adium
- how to play various video files
- what the best browser is, definitely not safari
- introduce them to spaces
- introduce them to the multiple multi-touch gestures
- introduce them to expose
- how to maintain your mac's performance, i recommend onyx
-how to uninstall programs, this seems to be a commonly asked question for beginners as uninstalling a program on windows is a nuisance
-install rightzoom, it makes sure the plus button actually maximizes the window
- how to resize your dock and change its position
- introduce them to the dashboard
- for those moving from windows 7 they will miss the snap feature, have them install cinch.

Sweet. This is what I need.

My iPod Classic died on me 2 days ago. Had to google for a fix.. it wouldnt turn on no matter what. Battery was more than half, and it froze right after a song completed playing.

Originally Posted by blackdragon

My iPod Classic died on me 2 days ago. Had to google for a fix.. it wouldnt turn on no matter what. Battery was more than half, and it froze right after a song completed playing.

Time to open it up.

Originally Posted by Ownaginatios

Time to open it up.

Gotta love Apple.

i want to know how to click home and end from the keyboard like you do on PC's...
and i want to know if microsoft office for macs 2011 will look like microsoft office for windows 2007... because microsoft office for macs 2008 has like no features... its so hard to create equations and stuff

Keyboard shortcuts like Copy, Paste, "right clicking" (I know Macs don't have that) and Windows users get confused.

• Remember to run Software Update when you now get a Mac, there'll be tons of updates available
• How to set up, import and/or and sync Mail, Address Book and iCal with cloud account
• That Quicktime does not play most movie formats, and your best bet is almost always VLC
• Page up, page down, delete (not backspace, but fn+delete), and lots of common keyboard shortcuts
• Expose and Spaces
• Trackpad gestures
• How to get programs to run on start-up and hide them when launched at start-up (this may not be interesting to many, but I definitely use it)
• No need for an anti-virus, to defragment HDD
• If sensors start screwing up, how to reset the SMC (I had to do it because my charger wasn't working properly...it still isn't. Might carry it in to be looked at)

I had quite a few big ones but none come to mind at the moment.

Repair Disk Permissions!!!