New Mac users switching from Windows often run into very infuriating problems. In Windows it worked one way, in the Mac it works another. Some things for the better, some things just different.
We talked in a previous article about Steve Jobs and his OCD tendencies for the way his company is run, and for the way his computers or software products are designed. The Mac changes many of the behaviors of the average computer user. Some of these changes are for the better, while are some are just simply a different way of doing things. In a few cases, they are changed for the worse. Ultimately, the old Apple marketing slogan “Think Different” certainly rings true. So let’s get started!
1) Closing an Application and thinking it’s closed
This has to definitely be the absolute most common issue I find with new (and even some relatively seasoned) Mac users. Their computer runs terribly slow so they reboot it and think its fast again. “Stupid Mac, even it has to be rebooted to go fast again!”, they say. But the truth is far different. The truth is, they clicked the little red x on several programs and they thought they were closed.
On the Mac, a program is not closed and removed from memory until you Quit it (with a few exceptions). This is done by right clicking the icon in the dock and choosing Quit, or by choosing its name in the menu bar and selecting Quit.
This is such a difference in thought process we actually wrote an article about this very problem a few months back: How to tell if a program is running on the Mac. Check it out if you want to learn more.
2) Double Clicking the Title Bar of a Window thinking it will Maximize
On Windows computers, when you double-click the title bar the window your are clicking will become full-screen, or maximize.
On the Mac, when you double-click an applications titlebar, it will minimize down to the dock! Exactly opposite of what you expected.
3) Pressing the Control key instead of the Command key
Yes, on Windows computers, all of your shortcuts are based on the control (CTRL) key. CTRL+V top paste, CTRL+C to copy.
However, on the Mac… most of these shortcuts are the same, but use the COMMAND key. COMMAND+V to paste, COMMAND+C to copy. Again, not better or worse, just different.
4) Downloading an App and running it from a disk image
I’ve seen it time and time again! A user downloads a new program, be it Firefox, Opera, or some other sweet daddy utility. But instead of copying it to their applications folder, they either run it directly from the disk image, or from a copy on their desktop.
When you download an application for the Mac, most of the time it comes in the form of a disk image. Think of it as a virtual CD-ROM, or virtual thumb drive. Usually, the image provides a shortcut to your apps folder for you to drag their app onto. Somehow I think this confuses people more than it helps. Dragging it onto your desktop is just as silly, but at least I understand why people get confused.
5) Not understanding the Dock icons
The dock icons (the ones at the bottom of the screen if you haven’t moved them) are confusing to some people. Although since Windows 7 now uses a dock clone this will probably get better over time.
The dock icons serve several purposes.
- They provide a shortcut to an application without visiting the Applications menu/folder in finder.
- They provide feedback if a program is running. If it’s running there is a glowing dot below it, if it is not there will be no dot.
- Provides a way of organizing frequently used applications and documents.
Conclusion
The Mac is different from the PC. Try to spend some time learning why Apple made these decisions and you’ll figure out why many people prefer the Mac.
I can certainly see me doing a part 2 or even part 3 to this article. Look for more to come!
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