Help! Old PC dog has to learn new Mac tricks

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges faced by a user transitioning from PC to Mac, specifically regarding the customization of desktop shortcuts and the usability of Mac features. Participants share their experiences and frustrations with the operating system's interface and functionality, particularly in relation to creating aliases and changing icons.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses frustration with the inability to change the icon of a desktop shortcut, claiming that common online solutions do not work as described.
  • Another participant notes that the "Make Alias" function is inactive, suggesting that Mac operates in different modes that affect functionality.
  • A user shares a method for changing the icon by copying an image and pasting it onto the shortcut icon, highlighting the non-intuitive nature of this process.
  • Concerns are raised about the lack of affordance in Mac's interface, particularly regarding the small icons and the process of replacing them.
  • Some participants discuss the similarities and differences between copy-paste functions on Windows and Mac, with a focus on the intuitiveness of the interface.
  • Frustration is expressed regarding the "magic mouse" experience, with a participant questioning the usability of the device and seeking alternatives.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express frustration and confusion regarding Mac's interface and functionality, with no consensus on the best methods for achieving desired outcomes. Multiple competing views on usability and interface design are present.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the variability of solutions based on OS versions and individual user experiences, as well as the dependence on specific modes within the Mac operating system that are not well-documented.

Who May Find This Useful

Users transitioning from PC to Mac, individuals seeking to customize their Mac experience, and those interested in discussions about usability and interface design in operating systems.

  • #91
What's strange is that, when I was on the PC side of the fence, the Mac grass looked so incredibly green.

I envied what I was led to believe was the pinnacle of user-centred design and functionality.

My motto used to be: "Someday (when I can afford it) I will own a Mac. Because for me a computer should be a tool not a hobby."

(By that I meant how much time one must spend configuring and troubleshooting software and hardware on a PC, whereas Mac was all built-in and just worked.)

But that was a long time ago...
 
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  • #92
I think that is the answer. Tabbing to an app will not un-minimize windows. So I just don't minimize apps.

The Mac is not as easy or consistent as it used to be, but I've seen no improvement from windows in 20 years. My friends that use windows still seem to have more problems and get a lot less done.
 
  • #93
Algr said:
I've never understood why Windows users say this. In this thread alone we have discussed four different ways to switch from one app to another.
(...none of which I have actually worked correctly for me, not to put too fine a point on it.)

Algr said:
I don't used tabbed browsing or minimize windows because I prefer other ways to do those things. I think you just don't know the Mac as well as Windows, and so assume that there is nothing left to know.
I have to acknowledge that this is possible. That I am the victim from "Mother Goose Syndrome" - the strong preference for whatever thing we learned first, regardless of whether it's objectively better.
 
  • #94
@DaveC426913 anybody switching from Windows to Mac and vice-versa especially due to a work mandate has my sympathy.

Ive gone thru this numerous times from GE timesharing to PC DOS to Topview to OS/2 to AIX to Taligent to Linux to MacOS and back to Windows with WSL. As I switched jobs and projects.

It’s painful, impacts your productivity and enhances your scripting survival skills in this new world of AI agent technology.

Jedi
 
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  • #95
DaveC426913 said:
(...none of which I have actually gotten to work correctly, not to put too fine a point on it.)

I can't really reproduce the problem you are having on my machine, other than windows being closed or minimized. If that happens, you just go to the dock. That is probably why I don't minimize programs, and instead just let windows overlap.

It would be nice if the red button would change to a Q when pressing it resulted in quitting the program.

jedishrfu said:
Ive gone thru this numerous times from GE timesharing to PC DOS to Topview to OS/2 to AIX to Taligent to Linux to MacOS and back to Windows with WSL. As I switched jobs and projects.
I've seriously considered Linux. How hard is it? Some people say that the interface is pure Windows-clone with no new ideas.
 
  • #96
DaveC426913 said:
Your suggestion of the F3 and a few other things was very helpful.

But if I am leading anyone to believe I am not taking advice and that I don't think this is helping me, then I have seriously misrepresented myself. That's at least two people now who seem to read this as if I'm just ranting and rejecting all helpful advice. It may be better if I just close this thread rather than do further damage. I will consider.

F3? That was someone else. I never use that feature.

Close the thread if you want or keep it going. It doesn't matter. There's no damage.
 
  • #97
Working with the linux GUI ala Gnome… is similar to the windows experience but with all the program names changing to their linux equivalents.

In windows there’s the Microsoft Office suite vs in Linux there's the Libre Office suite. Similar capability, different icons, labels and menu placement.
 
  • #98
JT Smith said:
F3? That was someone else. I never use that feature.
Got my features crossed. Sry
 
  • #99
That's a critical difference between Windows and MacOS. You shift from a right-leaning GUI window frame (minimize, maximize, exit) to a left-leaning window frame (exit, minimize, maximize features).

Its kind of like that Star Trek TOS episode with Frank Gorshen where the two protagonists are half white and have black split right down the center. The captain asks them why they are fighting still since everyone has died on their planet and one responds because he's white on the right.

1728012300003.png


and then there's the Mac vs Windows commercials:

 
  • #101
Algr said:
I've seriously considered Linux. How hard is it? Some people say that the interface...
There is no such thing as "the" interface for Linux. There are lots of options for desktops/window managers to choose from, some of which work very differently from either Windows or Mac. And there are apps, like Firefox, or LibreOffice which @jedishrfu mentioned, which try to have their own interface regardless of which desktop/window manager they are running on.
 
  • #102
jedishrfu said:
Working with the linux GUI ala Gnome… is similar to the windows experience
Actually I think Gnome was intended to be more like the Mac than Windows; KDE was intended to be more like Windows. But those aren't the only options.
 
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  • #103
  • #104
DaveC426913 said:
book
Book? What is this "book" you speak of? :wink:
 
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  • #105
PeterDonis said:
Book? What is this "book" you speak of? :wink:

It's an ancient technology that had to be burned because there was no way to remotely delete them from your device.
 
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