Getting started with your new Mac

While putting the Applications folder into your dock is quick, pressing Shift + Command + A is even quicker... (granted, you have to be in the Finder for this to work).

The Mighty Mouse is one heck of a mouse, except for the fact that the scroll-ball breaks within a few months. But its great when working with Illustrator and Photoshop, as well as accessing Exposé and Dashboard with the 3rd and 4th triggers.

But eventually you adjust to hold the mouse differently (comfortably) with access to all of the buttons. It just takes time.

quicksilver is great if you know what you're looking for. if you are a new mac convert, you don't know what apps exist or even what apps are possibly for. quicksilver isn't the answer for everyone. i installed quicksilver and put the apps folder in the dock for my parents new macbook.

Since the mouse comment got everyone bugged, I'll add my opinion. I bought a wireless mighty mouse for my powerbook, to replace an old wired microsoft mouse that I had laying around. The mighty mouse is a piece of crap. The only people who like it are light computer users, and the people that design/sell them. Even using it with religiously washed hands, the ball gets gummed up about once a week if you're a power user, requiring washing with rubbing alcohol to return to usefulness. The tempermental right button behavior is unacceptable. The side squeeze buttons are useless except as a gimmick. The microsoft wheel mouse is much better. But what I replaced both with is even better - a logitech v270 cordless optical bluetooth mouse - beats the snot out of the mighty mouse, and only costs 45$ - compare THAT to the 69$ I paid for the mighty mouse. And it's bluetooth connection is fast, and rock solid - no waiting for the computer to recognize it - it's on immediately. And it comes with a really nice nylon zippered case - no case with the mighty mouse! Thanks for the great computers, apple, but you might want to take a better look at your competitors in the mouse department.

Have to agree with a few others here - I like my Mighty Mouse and it has always worked fine.
It would be nice to recommend apps that new Mac owners should download and use, e.g. AppZapper etc.

Good Tips. I am a recent switcher to a MAC. I must say, I'm loving it so far. However, there is one really annoying thing that I'm hoping can be changed. I figured this site could maybe help me, and hopefully let others know also. So.. here's the deal. I use Firefox RSS live bookmarks for most sites. I love how this works perfectly in windows. For example, a headline would read "Boot XP from external flash drive without BootC..." HOWEVER, Macs seem to show the beginning...then last of the headline. So on a Mac the same headline displays as "Boot XP from extern...out BootCamp"
Can I make my mac display the headlines like Windows? Please Help!

As for quick access to your applications folder, don't forget your good ol' friend Shift + Apple + A; or for the Utilities folder: Shift + Apple + U

what mean-spirited suggestions for noobs.

I got a mighty mouse when they first came out and returned it within a week. it was the only mouse that ever hurt me. now I use a big klunky Kensington Pilot mouse. it's ugly, but no more hurt.

why so many are so googly-eyed about Quicksilver? omg! squee! I can launch Safari with, um, lesse... a coupla keystrokes!! with a couple more!!11 and then maybe another one!!11!!1!1! or just click the icon in the dock. I can't decide. foisting this finger-tangling abortion on a noob would be cruel.

some people spend a lot of time trying to save a little bit of time than any time actually saved.

I think the best way to quick launch applications is to invoke Spotlight and type the name in there, no need for QuickSilver.

Wireless Mighty Mice are the coolest mice ever!