Taking a Big Step…Going back to Basics… Switching to a Mac
Taking a Big Step… Going back to Basics… That is computer basics… That is becoming a Newbie “again”.
This time I am a Newbie computer user. I bought my first Macbook a few days ago and feel like I am almost starting from scratch. The only familiar and “safe” place right now is Mozilla and surfing the web, writing my blog, reading Bloglines, etc. There I know my way around…
I am more conscious of how someone might feel who does not feel familiar with a computer. It does give me a different point of view, that I will need to have present, when teaching or introducing others to new tools or technologies.
I am conscious of learning and practicing keyboard shortcuts, since I know that they will make me work more efficiently, once I know how to use them unconsciously. So far, the inability to right click and having to use the CTRL button in order to find out if there is the right option on a list available drives me the most crazy. I am also not happy with the delete button acting like the Backspace key on the PC keyboard. I am fumbling with the arrow keys to position the cursor to the right before I can delete something. It seems more convenient to me to be able to use the Backspace button when
I am to the right of the text and the “Delete” button when I am to the left of the text to be deleted.
So far I feel that a lot of the functions within the programs are not intuitive as I had expected. Or is it really only that way because I am seeing it from a PC mind?
Why did I choose to purchase a Macbook?
- In order to be more competitive in a job market, it is always of value to know and be comfortable with both Operating Systems. I would not want to ever be in a position where I had to scramble to learn how to do my job, because my employer only runs an OS that I am unfamiliar with.
- I am diving deeper and deeper into using iPods, podcasts and vidcasts in the classroom. No question about it, that the Mac was built with these applications in mind.
- Seamless integration within iLife applications.
I had to put together an under 10 minute video for a grant application about the Virtual Field Trip Experience to China at our school. I forced myself to entirely create the movie clip with my new Macbook. It took me double as long as it would have taken me to do it on my PC with Windows Movie Maker. It was hard not to throw the Macbook into a corner and just go back to the familiar. It felt awkward to not have my fingers fly across the keyboard and my mouse clicking faster than my mind can think. In the end all the frustration did pay off. The movie clip that I created “kann sich sehen lassen” (German: meaning something similar to “Can be shown off”).
I am really trying to play with the different applications. I know that is how I learn best. I will work on creating Langwitches’ next Podcast episode entirely in Garageband.
In the meantime , if any of the readers of this blog have a Tip or Trick for a Mac Newbie to share, be my guest…
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February 19th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
Good for you! It’s fun to learn new things. Let’s see if you are throwing your PC in the corner in a few weeks! I’m a PC user, so have no tips for you. I often think of wanting to get a Mac…
February 21st, 2007 at 8:35 pm
One quick tip that might make life easier. Most of your keyboard shortcuts will still work if you use the ‘Apple’ key rather than the ‘Ctrl’ key (eg: ‘Apple’+c = copy).
I think you’ll find it won’t be long before you are much faster on the Mac than you were on the PC (personal experience speaking here!)… And wait till you start playing with ComicLife in the classroom… your pupils will love it!
February 21st, 2007 at 9:01 pm
Congratulations!
I made the switch about 4 years ago and, although it was difficult at the start, I will never go back to PC. Yes, I can use them when I need to, but for my home use (and preferably with my students) it’s Mac all the way.
Enjoy!
February 22nd, 2007 at 10:06 am
I’m jealous! I have ONE Mac in my classroom and I found myself here till 5:00 with the janitors last night because I just can’t do what I needed to do on my PeeCee at home. iLife is definitely worth the price of Mac admission - I’m very easily turning still photos into a DVD for a trade show highlighting our students’ work (http://www.pahomeshow.com/).