I am a big fan of online tutorials myself. Try typing in iMac tutorials into Google - it brought up over 2 million sites for me. Of course most will be useless but there will be a significant number written in a style you are comfortable with.

Sorry to rain on your parade, Linux (Unix) could have saved you a lot of $$$$$$ as it will run on most PC architectures and is totally immune from W*doze viruses, pests, malware and so on. Above all, it is free to download (DSL) or if you have a dial-up link to your ISP, on CD for a few $.

owbist - thanks for the tip - I will check that out now that we have found the web access button.

menantol - its the pity of impulse buying, I guess. My Dell crashed & it would have been pricey to have a techie upgrade all the outdated portions, as well as installing a new hard drive. We are not tech savy, but I rely on computers heavily for my work. I have heard good things about Linux, but it was not on my radar screen as I was racing dedlines and needed to get up and running.

If I didn't have to use a PC for work, I'd still be using a Mac and now that they have Intel chips and can run Windows on a partition, you can bet I'm going back.

See if David Pogue is still writing the "Macs for Dummies" books. His older "Macs for Dummies" books were very funny, informative and even taught long-time Mac users a few new tricks. I used to buy one every time a new OS came out so we could "tweak" the computers. Just buy his book for your Mac OS and you'll be good to go.

Unfortunately, I haven't used a Mac full-time in about 5 years so I can't be more helpful. I have one of the first (pre-ordered) Bondi blue iMacs sitting here with the intent of turning it into a server. It still works just fine. It was, I think, the 3rd Mac I bought.

I switched five weeks ago after 15 years with PC. Inasmuch as you have access to Apple Store, I would recommend their $99.00 "ProCare" program. Provides one-on-one instruction hour-per-week for the next year by appointment. What I've done is to note down my confusion-points during the the week and then bring them up during the next one-on-one session. I even bring my own iMac along with me so I'm working with my own machine and my own files when I do it. I've found the program VERY helpful.

Gee, thanks for your encouragement, tuezday1 and asolo. I asked the Apple check out person about lessons, but she was not tracking with me at that moment, so I'll go back and inquire again. And the Dummy books - so glad to hear they are good in this category - we will find one.

We are really looking forward to becoming mac competant.

annaleef...

Disappointed to learn of your check-out person "not tracking" with your question. One of the reasons I went ahead with my switch (I'm a skeptical, cynical coward!) is that after going into the store numerous times over a four week period and talking with, perhaps, a dozen different employees there I was mightily impressed with both their demeanor and their knowledge -- every single individual. At my location I have yet to encounter a dumb or careless one. Their apparent character was part of my motivation. Hoping your next experience may vindicate. Please advise.

Congratulations on your new iMac! I bought a new iMac a month ago, and love it. I've used Macs for over 15 years, but OS X is new to me. When I've had questions, I've gone to the forums at http://forums.macosxhints.com/ and have usually found what I needed. Apple has extensive support on their site and has support for those who have converted from Windows: http://www.apple.com/support/switch101/. Macs are so intuitive I'm sure the transition will be easy for you. Have fun!

Gee, I'm envious. I'm in total agreement with you and wish I had the cash to switch.

Tuezday's recommendation of David Pogue is a very good one. He 's a New York Times Online (and print) columnist for their "Technology" weekly magazine section called "Circuits" and a hip Apple-loving affectionado.

I'm a Times subscriber, so I'm not sure there's a fee for getting Circuits weekly or not in your email. Its worth it, whether anyone is an Apple lover or not. His weekly Times video column as well as his forum is always a hoot.

In the past, ususally you had to sign up to read any article from the Times Online, I don't know what they are doing now, but David Pogue alone is worth it. Also, they now provide articles, without extra charge (of his), published from 2004.

I showed one of my Apple-loving cousins my 84 updates (most of them security) on my Add-Remove program list and they were shocked. They said their Mac's need nothing of that magnitude to remain secure.

As far as Linux, I don't understand it and I could not get a retailer to install it for me on a new hard drive. That is a very unfair business practice. My broadband also stated that they will not "support" Linux, whatever the nebulous definition of support currently may be.

Mac is probably the best choice at the moment.

congrats!

Marf

Here is a link that might be useful: David Pogue's Web Page

asolo, marthapartha and az88:
good to hear of your experiences and thanks for the additional recommendations. We've been away for a week, so we are anxious to get back to our new "baby" and to really get acquainted. The iMac did not work with our older HP printer, so we ordered new printer driver software which arrived while we were away. Will definitely order the David Pogue book - all our iMac relatives have echoed your endorsement. We'll take a spin through http://forums.macosxhints.com/ as well.

Again, many thanks!

OK - I got the David Pogue Mac OS X Tiger Edition: The Missing Manual, so I have about 850 pages to go before I know anything!

Books are always good for reference but I think you'll find it much easier than that. I've had my iMac for seven weeks -- after 15 years with PC's. After two weeks, I never turned the PC on again for any reason. I have a Tiger book but haven't opened it yet. Visits to Apple Store and a some one-on-one via ProCare there got me well and truly launched and are keeping me moving. I'll be surprised if you aren't quickly converted.

Belated congrats Annleef...I hope you are doing well with yours. I am still doing the bi-lingual life with my pc at work and mac at home. I may never get over the auto need to right click!

I think I will finally get round to attending a local Apple slice users group here. That may be an idea for you too...and get you out of the office a little earlier...hint hint. ;-) Maureen