Sage advice for the new Mac switcher

[bongonajja]

You didn't need the anti-virus since Macs don't get viruses, at least not yet, and hopefully never. But, it won't hurt to have it, just in case.

Have fun with the Mac, as I'm sure you will. I've had my MacBook Pro 11 months and I love it!

 

[Diego1090]

Thanks Bongonajja. I will have fun and you do the same.
As far as the virus protection goes as you said it cannot hurt and for what the Mac's cost I would rather be safe than sorry. Be well.

 

[MacWannabeNTX]

I have had my refurbished MBP a week tomorrow and love it. It has been very easy to get used to. After reading this thread, I have a couple of questions.

1. Seems like early in the thread someone mentioned an ad blocker. Does this mean there is something I could get that would stop these very annoying full page popups for HP, Dell or Verizon as I scroll thru these pages? If so what?

2. In your tip on the first post you have a maintenance that leads to Mackeeper. I have read short statements in other places that say get rid of that, it causes problems.

 

[cwa107]

1. Seems like early in the thread someone mentioned an ad blocker. Does this mean there is something I could get that would stop these very annoying full page popups for HP, Dell or Verizon as I scroll thru these pages? If so what?

Yes. There are multiple Ad Blockers for most browsers. If you're using Safari, the one I recommend is called "Safari Ad Block". Ad Block Plus is available for Google Chrome and Firefox and is also recommended.

2. In your tip on the first post you have a maintenance that leads to Mackeeper. I have read short statements in other places that say get rid of that, it causes problems.

Correct, MacKeeper, though widely advertised (often aggressively so, through channels like spam and ads on popular Mac websites, including this one) is universally reviled by those "in the know".

We recommend the freeware "Onyx" for maintenance tasks - though you shouldn't need to do much maintenance. I run Onyx once or twice a year.

 

[chas_m]

I definitely do not endorse MacKeeper. Quite the opposite. I'll check the link but I imagine that was an ad for MacKeeper rather than where the link actually goes.

Diego1090: Norton Anti-Virus CAN and DOES hurt the Mac, it borders on malware itself IMO. I would strongly recommend uninstalling it, following Symantec's uninstall instructions TO THE LETTER to ensure proper removal.

I can't recommend ANY so-called "anti-virus" software, but if you really think you're gullible enough to fall for a phishing scam or trickware, I suppose you could install ClamX AV -- it's free and open-source (and easily removable). Apple's built-in malware protection should be more than enough for most threats, and the option to limited software installs to known developers only (or Mac App Store only) pretty much ensures no possibility of accidentally installing something you didn't intend to.

 

[MacWannabeNTX]

Thank you for the quick response. Safari Ad Blocker, I get that in the Mac App Store?

 

[chas_m]

No, but you can get it through Apple: Apple Safari Extensions

(however, I suggest adding Mac-Forums to the "whitelist" to allow their ads. We love this forum and want to support it. If you really hate ads, become a Premium Member)

 

[MacWannabeNTX]

No, but you can get it through Apple: Apple Safari Extensions

(however, I suggest adding Mac-Forums to the "whitelist" to allow their ads. We love this forum and want to support it. If you really hate ads, become a Premium Member)

Well, Im a newbie, remember. How do I become. Premium member? I love this site tho. It is my favorite because you experts seem so knowledgeable and helpful to us newbies and ya'll remember that we all had to start somewhere

 

[chas_m]

At the very top right of this page is a link to "Upgrade Membership." It's $25 bucks a year and I'm embarrassed to say I forgot to do it myself until this thread reminded me of it. Having just bought $800 in plane tickets I should wait till the next payday, but I'm publicly committing to becoming a member within the next week or two because for this forum I am happy to put my money where my mouth is ... well, typing hands are, but you know what I mean.

 

[Diego1090]

Diego1090: Norton Anti-Virus CAN and DOES hurt the Mac, it borders on malware itself IMO. I would strongly recommend uninstalling it, following Symantec's uninstall instructions TO THE LETTER to ensure proper removal.

Thanks Chas I removed Norton from my Mac and actually started playing around with Safari and started to enjoy it after a while. Any additional advise for a Mac newbie?
Regards.

 

[chas_m]

Thanks Chas I removed Norton from my Mac and actually started playing around with Safari and started to enjoy it after a while. Any additional advise for a Mac newbie?
Regards.

Just the rest of the essay at the start of this thread.

But in a nutshell, here's probably the best advice you'll find on keeping your Mac running smoothly.

1. Backups. You need them. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when.
2. Free space. You need it. When the drive starts getting full, move stuff, clean stuff, trim stuff. Keep a decent number of GB's available at all times.
3. Occasionally run OnyX or some other utility you trust that much. DO NOT run MacKeeper or anything like it.

Do these three things, and barring freak accidents or mechanical failure, your Mac will probably run smoothly until you finally get too far out of the "latest" curve and have to replace it.

 

[pigoo3]

Any additional advise for a Mac newbie?

- Avoid sharp sticks in the eye.
- Be careful with women who can benchpress more than you.
- Don't take a knife to a gunfight.
- Avoid drinking liquids around your laptop (if you have one)!

,

- Nick

p.s. "Advise" (as used above) is spelled a-d-v-i-c-e (advice)!

 

[Diego1090]

Hey Nick,
Thanks for the spelling lesson, and don't worry about any women benching more than I can hold my own. And as for guns and knives, those are for people who can't handle themselves.

 

[chas_m]

addendum for notebook owners based on what Pigoo3 said:

a. Never put the laptop of a "soft" surface like a pillow. This can block the vents. Get a lap desk if you need it.

b. NEVER put drinks on the same desk/surface as where you put the notebook!

c. Buying a riser (not one of those ones with the silly fans built in, just a plain old riser) will improve air circulation for your Mac notebook (all it should ever need, really) AND doubles to buy you a little time if you ever ignore point (b).

 

[MacWannabeNTX]

Do I have to take my MBP in, annually maybe, and have its insides cleaned of dust? My last laptop (toshiba) overheated and quit after 5 years because I didnt know to do that.

 

[chas_m]

This should not be necessary. If you have an exceptionally dusty environment, you might want to take the LONG extension of your vacuum cleaner and GENTLY clean the outside air vents. You should also consider investing in an air filter for the computer room, but if you do so be SURE to put it at the opposite end of the room from the computer!

 

[MinnieMouse9]

Your essay is really encouraging for a new Mac owner. Thanks loads.

 

[MinnieMouse9]

Sage advice for new Mac switcher

I stalled for years on the changeover from PC to Mac after being told it would be traumatic, take ages to learn, and I wouldn't be able to figure out even the simplest things. What rubbish advice was that! The switchover wasn't all that traumatic. Of course there is a lot to learn, but it's really helpful to read your very well thought out post. Thanks loads.

 

[vdubbeet]

Switched from Windoze 7 to Mac OS X 10.8, Mountain Lion in September on an early 2009 MBP 15". Upgraded RAM from 4 to 8GB and upgraded HD from 500GB to 1TB. I moved only what I thought to be the necessary documents, photos, videos, etc from former HP laptop to MBP and must have done something incorrectly as I only have just shy of 100GB available after I partitioned 250GB for iMovie and iPhoto! I've downloaded and run Twins mini under the suggestion of someone else and cleared many files however, there are files left which I'm unable to delete that are in the following type of directory: /users/shared/Files From c.localized/C/Users/User/xxx/D Drive 072607/D Drive 030906/Digital Photographs - there are at least 60GB of data in directories similar to above
with the error: Twins Mini was unable to permanently delete some files. Please check their permission for succesful removal. The files are left in your selection list. I should have permission as I am the only user and have been the only user. Are they 'stuck' in a windows part of the drive that might have accidentally been moved over from HP laptop? How may I get to that area of the MBP HD to delete those files manually or is there a permissions area I need to access or is there another program I should use to do the above cleaning? I very much appreciate your input! Thanks

 

[AWSPhotography]

Thanks chas,
i wont have my imac for another 3 days yet but i have learned alot from this thread to avoid making some very basic mistakes (such as installing an av....something i would do as a 1st option on a new pc)

going to leave my mac as i have bought (except for installing lr4 and ps cs5 both legit may i add ... im an ex coder so i dont do piracy) until i get proficient at os x and know what i am doing... that will come all the quicker with excellent threads like this one.

well done and keep adding the advice (just not for wow .... gnomes...uuugh!)