Entering The World of Mac

“I hate relearning new software,” says Robin Williams, who has written more than 20 books on computers, including The Little Mac Book, Tiger Edition. “I usually end up screaming at the machine. I have to accept that it is okay, it’s new and I’m going to learn some new things. Understand that you’re going to whine for a few days. So what? It’s a pain in the neck to move to a new house too. Once you get over it, it’s great to be in your new home.”

Techno-stress expert Rosen suggests that the best way to get past this stress is to recognize your learning style and accommodate it. “There are lots of different ways that people learn to use technology,” he says. “Are you a visual learner? Auditory? Hands on? Find someone who can teach you how to use it in the style best fit for you.”

Finding the right learning style helped Brian from Brooklyn, NY, make the change. He had used a PC for most of his life before switching to the Mac, and watching online tutorials helped him adjust to the new operating system. “I didn’t have the attention span to sit and read a manual,” he says. “The simultaneous verbal and visual teaching helped me better understand the differences between PC and Mac. I feel more comfortable with the computer now.”

Another way to reduce stress is to learn all the tricks and tips. Keyboard shortcuts will make your switch immensely easier. Some users may be familiar with the old shortcuts from Windows, like “Control-X” to cut text. On Macs, it’s slightly different enough to be a nuisance.