Learning about using a Mac

[dadwithoutaclue]

Hello, yes im really new to this, i need some advice, long story short, my son got me a macbook pro, as a thank you gift, because i helped get him through college, im a 42 year old carpenter, i can remodel, rebuild or create just about anything, now ask me how long its taking me to peck at this key board lol, im new to this, i promised my kiddo id figure this out, before he left, well the good news is i just learned about itunes, now the bad part, i downloaded some music thing from some where, had no clue what i was doing, had a million windows? Open? , and it broke this, i just turns off then turns back on,

i want to show my kiddo i can handle this, it was just me and him for 22 years, so its a big deal to me, its time for him to live his life and not worry about me ya know, i tried some other sites, and they were pretty rude, im not a stupid person, i do well as a contractor, just dont know alot about this,

heres my question: Do they have classes for this stuff, or books or something? These websites take me to one ad after the other, if i could get pointed in the correct direction, or any advice for instruction, id really be thankful, mean that. Checked at the local college, nothing on mac, so there it is, well thanks for the time. And any help ,
cheers, bye, lol,

whats the proper way to end a post? Lol thanks

 

[cradom]

Lots of books. I recommend the Sierra for dummies (nothing personal).
If you don't want to use Amazon try some of the local, larger book stores.
Also right here is a very good place to get answers for specific questions. That's what forums are about.

https://www.amazon.com/Macintosh-Operating-System/b?ie=UTF8&node=377537011

 

[badshoehabit]

Welcome to MBP and this forum. We all started off knowing nothing. In a few weeks you will wonder how it seemed to difficult. The forum is a great resource for information - just type your subject in the query box at the top right of the screen and see what pops up. I've learnt such a lot from reading other people's Q&As.

No idea where you live but Apple do free one-hour workshops at their stores in a range of subjects. https://www.apple.com/retail/learn/

The Support page on the Apple website also leads to various tutorials. https://support.apple.com/mac/macbook-pro

You Tube is a fantastic resource for 'how to' videos. I typed in mac basics to get these: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mac+basics

Most people get along with random finger typing but if you want to get a real head start with any computer, I'm sure your local college will do a touch typing class.

Good luck.

 

[ferrarr]

Apple has Mac Basics setup in their Apple Support Communities. It has a lot of information for new to Mac users.

https://www.apple.com/support/macbasics/

 

[Rod]

and it broke this, i just turns off then turns back on,
Lol thanks

Hi, can you clarify the above, do you still have a problem? What just turns off then turns back on?are you talking about an Application you downloaded or the iTunes application itself.
I just want to make sure you start the learning process minus problems.
There is no such thing as a stupid question on this forum.??

 

[MacInWin]

Welcome to the forum. In addition to all the other greetings, let me also say that over time, usually pretty quickly, you get the hang of it. And as Rod so cogently put it, there are NO stupid questions here, we answer them all. Mostly from experience, we've been there. Congratulations on the new machine, enjoy it!

 

[pigoo3]

...i tried some other sites, and they were pretty rude...

Welcome "dadwithoutaclue". That can't be your real name...right??

We do not tolerate rudeness around here. For habitual violations...it's the boot! Maybe a little bit of snarkiness from time to time from folks that haven't had their morning coffee...or stay up late answering a lot of questions. We like to keep things "Disney Friendly"...and don't allow foul language (how does this help answer questions anyway). Of course with any internet forum...there's the occasional difference of opinon.

We have a very helpful, respectful, friendly, and professional membership. Hang around...and you'll learn a lot!

If you have some questions...post them ASAP. I'm sure you will get some great answers...and you will get those answers quickly.

Welcome again,

- Nick

 

[sllewk]

Hi, this might be a case of "the blind leading the blind" here because I am new to Apple as well but, how did you close iTunes? Did you go to the top lefthand corner of your monitor, left click on iTunes and then scroll down the small notice board to quit iTunes then left click Quit iTunes? I know my answer is simple but you can make a mistake quite easily. As I say, the blind leading the blind and I am sorry if I am completely off the right track.

Very best regards from Keith in Derby England.

 

[KevinJS]

It's worth remembering that not all of us are office-bound types with degrees in computer science.

As time goes on, you'll be amazed at the depth of understanding coming from people in similar walks of life to yourself. Everyone has something to contribute and, often, the answers will come from the most surprising source.

One of the best pieces of advice I can give as far as using forums goes is always to come back with feedback. If your problem was solved, let the people know who helped to solve it, or tell them if you found different advice that worked. If your problem is ongoing, don't be afraid to come back. You won't annoy anyone. People expect to spend a bit of time working through a problem. If it was easy or obvious, it probably wouldn't have been posted in the first place.

 

[toMACsh]

If you live near an Apple Store, there might be classes available there. Also, if you have difficulties, the Genius Bar is there for help.

 

[Ember1205]

If you live near an Apple Store, there might be classes available there. Also, if you have difficulties, the Genius Bar is there for help.

+1, and welcome.

You'll find all kinds of folks here, but mostly those that are happy to help. I've made a career out of technology, and I am where I am today because I always enjoyed taking the time to help someone understand pieces of technology that they thought they would never figure out.

 

[pm-r]

Originally Posted by dadwithoutaclue
and it broke this, i just turns off then turns back on,
Lol thanks

Hi, can you clarify the above, do you still have a problem? …

This also concerns me and still no reply from the OP.

One sure can't learn much properly if their Mac isn't even working properly.





- Patrick
======

 

[dadwithoutaclue]

wow, thank you for all the help, glad i came to this site, i forgot the site that i tried to download the music from, lol, was trying to find a copy of RUSH 2112, great album, but when i clicked the down load, it brought me to a different looking page with the download information, so i clicked on that, then another page, and so on, then this window popped up that said i had to call mac support because my computer was infected, and i could not get out of that screen, so i called the number, it was foreign and he wanted my info, right there i backed out hung up , and shut the computer off, a few days later , i turned it back on , no issues, but since then its been getting worst and worst, if i try to open and viewers, such as quick time, netflix, iPhotos, etc, it crashes and restarts, then i get a white screen , states something to the effect of " your computer was restarted because of an error, then another window asking to send the report to mac, I think i downloaded every virus software and malware none to man, lol, but says theres no virus, im at a loss, any suggestions?

 

[dadwithoutaclue]

and sorry guys, my name is Joe

 

[dadwithoutaclue]

great lead, will check it out, thank you

 

[KevinJS]

wow, thank you for all the help, glad i came to this site, i forgot the site that i tried to download the music from, lol, was trying to find a copy of RUSH 2112, great album, but when i clicked the down load, it brought me to a different looking page with the download information, so i clicked on that, then another page, and so on, then this window popped up that said i had to call mac support because my computer was infected, and i could not get out of that screen, so i called the number, it was foreign and he wanted my info, right there i backed out hung up , and shut the computer off, a few days later , i turned it back on , no issues, but since then its been getting worst and worst, if i try to open and viewers, such as quick time, netflix, iPhotos, etc, it crashes and restarts, then i get a white screen , states something to the effect of " your computer was restarted because of an error, then another window asking to send the report to mac, I think i downloaded every virus software and malware none to man, lol, but says theres no virus, im at a loss, any suggestions?

You just found some malware. Not surprising really, given that the kind of sites that offer downloads of Geddy's awesome voice are rife with the stuff.

Pull the plug on your internet connection, close all open tabs, clear your Safari history and cookies, reconnect your Internet connection and all should be good.

Don't forget to bookmark this site before you leave. Then we can talk about 2112 and other interesting stuff.

 

[KevinJS]

When you have cleared your browser issues, you should download Malwarebytes and run it. That should deal with anything that's left kicking around your system.
https://www.malwarebytes.com/antimalware/mac/

Next. download OnyX. Make sure you get the correct version for your operating system. Download it ONLY from the developer's website http://www.titanium.free.fr/onyx.html Use only the Automation button. Don't mess around with any settings. If you don't know what something does, leave it well alone.

Other sites offering downloads cannot be guaranteed to be providing the official version, and may be infecting you with malware.

Don't worry about antivirus. There aren't any Mac viruses.

And before you thank me for this information, don't. I learned all this stuff from this forum, so thank just about everyone else who is active here.

 

[MacInWin]

Joe, as Kevin said, you got hijacked, but there isn't anything that permanently harms the Mac in that. As he said, clear out the browser crap you picked up in the hijack by following his directions in post 16, get the malwarebytes software and Onyx from the two sites he gave links for (get the right version of Onyx for your version of the OS) and you should be good to go. You can also look for Ghostery ( https://www.ghostery.com ) and set it to block everything. Then stay away from dodgy sites (freeware, pirates, porn) and notorious download sites (CNET, Download, Softonic, pretty much any site with "Soft" in the name). I stick with the Mac App Store and the developer websites that I trust or that people I trust, trust.

 

[toMACsh]

great lead, will check it out, thank you

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