New Mac User Seeking Tips, Tricks, Resources, and Apps

By That Blind Canuck, 15 June, 2017

Forum
macOS and Mac Apps

Hello, as you can read by the subject I have recently taken the plunge and purchased a 2017 MacBook Pro 13" w/o touch bar. I've been a long time user of Windows and thought that it was time to dip my toes in the Mac pool. Now I know that Macs are not for everyone and have even heard some members bash Apple and others glorify them. Now I am not completely switching over as at my work, I have both a Windows desktop for my office and a Windows laptop for those occasions where I must work from home, as my home is about a 2 hour commute one way and I also have a lovable guide dog that accompanies me on my daily journey.

Now in preperations, I have purchased a USB-C hub with 3 USB 3 ports, 1 Ethernet port and a USB-C port. I have also purchased a USB-C to USB 3 adapter and a USB-C to Ethernet adapter for when I am travelling. I have even downloaded all the podcasts from David Woodbridge, those called Mac Basics, knowing well that they are a tad old but I am sure that the steps are pretty much the same.

I guess what I was hoping is whether others may have tips, tricks, resources, materials or even Mac apps they would strongly recommend for beginners and a little more advanced. I am also getting several hours of training from the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, here in Canada! I would appreciate any assistance from anyone on helping me make my first Mac experience a positive one.

Thanks to all!

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Comments

By david s on Monday, July 10, 2017 - 01:05

Hello,

I’m sure you heard this before but here is my suggestion.

Put away your Windows based PC and work only with the Mac at home. If you have to use the windows PC at work, that’s fine but when you get home, use only the Mac. I say this because if the Windows PC is close by and you get frustrated with the Mac, you’ll be tempted to use Windows.

HTH and good luck.

By Justin on Monday, July 10, 2017 - 01:05

Hi,
I agree with the previous poster 100%. I was a long time windows user, and finally made the switch to mac in 2010. I honestly haven't even thought about going back to the windows oS ever since. For my needs, the mac does what I need it to do. Personally, you'll either love it or hate it, and I can't do anything about it lol! Anyway, apple has a lot of good info on there accessibility page for using VoiceOver and other access tools. There's also the VO getting started guide that is used by pressing VO command+F8. that should open the tutorial, and you'll get the basic commands for navigating the VO environment.
There's also the VO user guide that is opened in the VO help menu, at the bottom, I think. I haven't had the need to use it much.

By Ekaj on Monday, July 10, 2017 - 01:05

I definitely agree here. I got my MacBook Air as a Christmas gift in 2013, after being a longtime Windows user and DOS prior to that. I also used the AppleIIE back in the day. At first I was rather skeptical about making the switch to a Mac computer, but I'm loving it. I am strictly a VoiceOver user, and have found it to be a very nice screen reader indeed. In addition, I'm impressed with the out-of-box accessibility. Apple has done a great job regarding accessibility, and their pages on the subject are very helpful. I have a sister who is also a VoiceOver user, but I can't seem to get her to register on here. Lol perhaps this weekend I'll have to do a bit more cajoling. But she too, is very happy with her Mac.