In this document we will concentrate primarily on acquainting ourselves with the Mac environment and its components. OS 9 offers a number of improvements over earlier versions of the Mac OS, but it looks and feels much like OS 8.5 and 8.6. OS 9 is the latest “classic” version of the Macintosh Operating System. The Mac operates on the principle that your computer should act essentially as a metaphor for your desktop, a place where you can easily manipulate, store and retrieve information, just as you would at your desk at home or at the office. In the past few years Apple has revitalized its image and its hardware line by introducing such stylish and powerful machines as the G3, the G4, the G4 multiprocessor cube, and the iSeries (the iMac and iBook). Basically, the GUI eliminates the need to remember the complicated syntax of command line interfaces such as MS-DOS or UNIX.Īpple Computer's ( ) Macintosh was originally designed to be the computer "for the rest of us." Back when the Macintosh first came out, it was the first popular personal computer to use a graphics-based interface rather than a command-based one (e.g. To alleviate this difficulty, a Graphical User Interface (often known as a GUI, pronounced "gooey") was developed, and it replaced the command interface with one in which the user chooses commands by selecting them from menus of available commands or pressing "buttons" (we'll explain these later) on the screen. These commands were long, arcane, and confusing, especially for the non-specialist. To use a computer, the user used to issue commands or instructions by typing them in. How Does a Graphical User Interface Work? In very little time, you can acquire the skills you need to use many popular programs and to be confident in front of the computer. Modern personal computers, including both Macintoshes and PCs, are exceedingly easy to use.
If you've put off learning to use a computer because you were afraid of having to learn a strange set of complex commands, or if you've put it off because you thought you needed to be an engineer to understand all the inner workings of a computer, relax. What Do I Need to Know to Use a Computer?
Like with all software RTFM counts (RTFM = Read That Fucking Manual). Master the basics before trying the fancy stuff.ĩ.
Learn in your spare time, not just before a deadline.Ĩ.
Know how to take care of your Mac and diskettes - and do it.ħ. It helps to know how to type, but it’s not necessary.Ħ. The mouse is tough: you don’t need to treat it as if it were fragile.ĥ. There are no keys you can press that will destroy the Mac or your files.Ĥ. You don’t have to know a lot about Macs to use one and have fun with it.ģ. Your inexperience with the Macintosh is not an indication of your intelligence.Ģ. 9 Things You Should Know Before You Actually Get Startedġ.