If you are brand new to computing, it’s helpful to set the stage a little bit. Computers are these boxes that do things. You’re probably comfortable opening up a browser and searching youtube, but there’s a lot that goes on in the operating system and it can be easy to get by without learning the lay of the land. I’ve got a few links to get you started.
The basic features you should strive to get a handle on are:
- Basic keyboard shortcuts
- How to right click and navigate with a touchpad
- Launching apps via dock
- Navigating the file system using finder
- Learning how to find and launch the installed applications using the finder
- The terminal
ThisIsE has a nice short tutorial video that gives you a tour of everything on the Mac. It covers important topics like the dock, finder, command shortcuts and configuring the system. It’s only 13 minutes and worth a view if you’re unfamiliar with the Mac:
https://youtu.be/egK5BKEn87c?t=27
Perhaps you don’t like videos and prefer to read. Apple also has a very nice e-book that covers the major features of the macbook air. This renders in the apple books app- so you can view it on an iphone and it has the nice property of being free 😀
https://books.apple.com/us/book/macbook-air-essentials/id1432979717
Additionally, we’re going to be doing a lot of work in the Terminal, so it is worth familiarizing yourself with this video explaining what the terminal is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfT8OfMpARM
UPDATE 2/16/22: This video is a speed run of helpful tips for the Mac Terminal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOrlYzqXPa8
Some self test questions:
- Do I know how to copy and paste on a mac from keyboard shortcuts?
- Do I know how to delete files from the UI?
- Do I know how to view a file?
- Do I know how to navigate to the “Documents” directory under my account?
- Do I know how to change system settings on a mac?
- Do I know how to add a program to the Dock?
- Do I know how to close a program that doesn’t respond?
- Do I know how to view a file from the command line?
- Do I know how to to delete a file from the Command Line?
- Do I know how to view a file’s permissions from the command line?