ECS Basic Mac Guide

Logging In

If the Mac refuses to accept your password and you know you've typed it in correctly, reboot it. We all need a refresher sometimes.

Logging Out

Please log out of the Macs when finished! You can do this by clicking the blue apple in the upper left hand corner of the screen and choosing "Log Out." Please wait a few seconds to insure that in fact the Mac does log out and not, say, prompt you to save something. Important Note: Please save any data you wish to keep to the network, as the Macs erase all of their memory on logout.

Right-Click Functionality

Although Mac mice are only one button, right click functionality is supported in most applications by holding down the CONTROL key (below shift) and clicking the mouse button. Also, OS X Macs support two button mice. Just plug the mouse in.

Using the Internet

There are three browsers installed on the Macs- Safari, Firefox, and Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer has not been updated on the Macs for years and is very slow and very buggy. Instead, try using Safari (the compass) or Firefox (the flaming fox circling the world). These browsers are roughly equivalent in speed and features, and in general far more useful than Internet Explorer.

Microsoft Office

Word, Excel, and Powerpoint are available on the Macs (W, X, and P icons). Documents produced and edited on the Mac are compatible with their Windows counterparts. The features are mostly identical between Mac and Windows Office. The major change in Mac Office is the addition of the "Formatting Palette." The Formatting Pallete hangs to the right of the document window. By clicking the headings on this palette (Fonts, Alignment & Spacing, etc.), one is able to set bold, italics, double spacing, etc., without having to resort to a menu. Also, some of the options (such as fonts) which on Windows would be above the document window are included on the Formatting Palette.

Getting to Network Space

On the right side of the dock are two white icons that look like a scroll on top of a square. If you hover the mouse cursor over the icon on the right, it will reveal the name "Mount Network Drives." Click this icon. Enter your password and the network drives will appear on the desktop.

Volume

Volume control for the Mac is on the keyboard. There are three different buttons-> mute, sound down, and sound up. Look for the keys with speakers.