kinda work question, switching to macbook

[Zoe Girl]

Right now I am wishing that I could just go back and instead of purchasing this used MacBook like I had many suggestions to, I wish I just bought another laptop, ya know the one I am used to.

I am simply trying to take a document off my flash drive and email it to someone who will give it to his HR department at his small school district. This is awesome, but somehow it is not working. I swear I am starting to think I am a technology bad luck charm, this simply don't work around me! So with the computers I am used to you plug in a flash drive and it pops something up to be able to see the documents,

I purchased the entire microsoft suite through work and I recall that it never seemed to install. I am going back to the email with the link and try again, I don't know how to do some of the basic things and it makes me feel stupid.

[Miss Cellane]

Zoe, this may just be an issue of getting used to the Mac Operating System, if you were using a PC before.

Click on the Finder. This is the equivalent of "My Computer" in Windows. If the computer is reading the flash drive, the flash drive should show up on the left side of the Finder window. Click on that, and the files on the flash drive should appear.

Then you can open your email software, and attach the file to an email.

[Zoe Girl]

Ohh that helps so much. I was looking for 'my computer' and knowing that is 'finder' solves some basic issues of getting around.

I did install Adobe player and reader, whew. I am just taking the day to learn this I think. I also found my flash drive, differently of course. If I get the applications done I am going to celebrate by figuring out my i-pod I got as a gift.

[Tradd]

Zoe, also, if you mount any type of external drive to your MacBook, it should also show up on the desktop itself.

[fidgiegirl]

Zoe Girl, this is not a commentary on your age or your intelligence, but the For Dummies website (you know, the yellow X For Dummies book people) has great computer tutorials and videos for beginners, especially in the "for seniors" section. I don't know why they say it is for seniors - they are the most clear, basic, helpful things ever, for anyone!

Here are their "Mac Basics" videos:
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/computers-software/macs-os-x/Mac-Basics.html

[Miss Cellane]

Along those lines, if you go to the Apple home page and click "Support" on the menu bar at the top, you will find videos and manuals about their products.

To get you started, here is a video comparing PCs to Macs. http://support.apple.com/kb/VI207?viewlocale=en_US