04-01-2006, 12:30 AM

I feel so stupid.But how in the **** do you maximize browser window.I tried everything,is there anything I'm missing?
Also,how do you open .rar files on Mac?

04-01-2006, 12:54 AM

Maximize is a bit of a sore point for switchers new to Macs. There is no easy button to make a window take up the whole screen. instead, it *usually* acts more as a 'optimize' button, that is, it will make the window as large as it needs to be to fully show the contents. Some applications don't follow this rule, so it is a bit confusing at first. You can always use the bottom right corner to resize.

For rar, Stuffit Expander opens rar, as well as sit and sitx files. http://www.stuffit.com/mac/expander/download3.html You will probably run into sit and sitx files a good bit on the Mac.

I like to use UnRarX seperately for rar files though. http://unrarx.sourceforge.net/ I just feel it does a better job.

Oh, and since you are a switcher, you may get more responses and more exposure in the "Swither Hangout" area of this forum. Don't feel stupid, the Mac is new to you, we've all been there, but once you get to know how it works, you will love it!

Congrats on your first Mac!

04-01-2006, 01:03 AM

Originally Posted by claudius753

Maximize is a bit of a sore point for switchers new to Macs. There is no easy button to make a window take up the whole screen. instead, it *usually* acts more as a 'optimize' button, that is, it will make the window as large as it needs to be to fully show the contents. Some applications don't follow this rule, so it is a bit confusing at first. You can always use the bottom right corner to resize.

For rar, Stuffit Expander opens rar, as well as sit and sitx files. http://www.stuffit.com/mac/expander/download3.html You will probably run into sit and sitx files a good bit on the Mac.

I like to use UnRarX seperately for rar files though. http://unrarx.sourceforge.net/ I just feel it does a better job.

Oh, and since you are a switcher, you may get more responses and more exposure in the "Swither Hangout" area of this forum. Don't feel stupid, the Mac is new to you, we've all been there, but once you get to know how it works, you will love it!

Congrats on your first Mac!

I already love it20" with Intel Core Duo processor,never going back to pc.
And unrar works just fine,thanks for heads up

04-01-2006, 01:07 AM

Yeah, I have the 20" though mine is a PPC G5, but I will get an intel duo in due time. It's amazing that my G5 is a year old, but still fast and responsive, no real need to upgrade like on a PC that seemed to get outdated and basically unusable in a year or two.

Well good luck

04-01-2006, 02:21 AM

More on the maximize thing:

Apple's Designers felt that maximizing a window to cover the entire background is not productive. If you have two windows and one fully maximized, the only way to switch to the second window is by going to the Taskbar (in windows). But on the mac, Windows are really just "Windows" into the the program, and not every windows stupidly spawns a taskbar item. So when you close a window, you close the window, but not the application. This might sound stupid, but is quite useful, because this way you can listen to itunes without haveing any itunes window visibly around.

You'll get used to it. And then when you use a PC again, and have a maximized window in front of you, you'll feel lost. Really. Coz there isn't even exposé to help you out.

04-01-2006, 06:50 AM

Yeah, the amount of time I drag my mouse to the bottom left (where I have set exspose) on my work PC and nothing happens!

04-01-2006, 03:20 PM

Haha, same here. I try pressing down the scrool wheel (i've set my scroll ball to call exposé) and you jsut sit there, with that HUGE window just staring at you.

Also, I often end up frustrated because I'm trying to look for an App. I don't want to go to C:/Programs - Program Name - Program.exe to start my App! I want to just type Command-Space (Spotlight) and type in the name of the app, then go down and hit enter. I don't care WHERE the app is. I need it now, nd I need it fast.

04-03-2006, 01:56 PM

i love the fact that on itunes i can minimize to the mini player on the mac.. the pc doesnt do that.. if it does.. i'm missing something for sure.. its a pain at work playing with it

04-06-2006, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by yogi

This might sound stupid, but is quite useful, because this way you can listen to itunes without haveing any itunes window visibly around.

Just a niggling little point, you can do this in Windows too. Just have the iTunes window minimize to the system tray instead of the taskbar. But in general, yes you are right