What to do first?

Well, I'm yet another switcher...and my MBP gets here today! I'm so excited...Especially since I'm immobilized and in bed due to a badly sprained ankle. Well I've started thinking, and I was wondering what the first things I should do when I get it are. Like I know with windows you have to get rid of bloatware if its there, update windows, ,install anti-virus, etc. I'm not sure as to what would be best to do first with the MBP...Should I go ahead and apply the new update that apple recently released? All suggestions are welcome.

 

Well, you can customize your desktop and stuff, install Quicksilver, install You Control Tunes, Opera or Firefox or Camio or all three, set up your bookmarks, set up your Dashboard widgets, set up iCal, Address Book, iSync, and other istuff, set up your Mail.app to work with your E-mail, install Boot Camp, play some Big Bang Board Games, install software that gets rid of OS X annoyances (like that UUUNNNGGG sound when you boot up the computer), install some useful software like Azureus or NeoOffice, play around with iTunes coverflow, get used to Finder, play around with the settings in System Preferences, play around with Exposé, play around with Alt+any key and Shift+Alt+any key, play around with Ctrl+Alt+Cmd+8, etc. etc.

 

Thanks a lot...I will be sure to look into all that stuff. Waiting for the delivery guy to get here is just...excrutiating(sp?)

 

What is the point of the invertes colors when pushing Ctrl+Alt+Cmd+8?? Is there a purpose to using this or just for aesthetics?

 

I think its just a random thing Apple does. Its nice for designers though to quickly see what their image would look with inverted colours. I use it a lot before I go Photoshopping the image.

And deathbyevilspoon, these two links might be helpful in your switch to OS X:

http://www.apple.com/support/switch101
http://www.apple.com/support/mac101

 

One thing will remain the same, run Software Update. There will probably be loads of updates for your Mac.

Other than that, you can just start using it. There is no "bloatware".

 

Read the Stickies and any other threads that interest you on the Notebook Review - Apple & Mac OS X Forum. The links Sam posted are very useful too; you'll notice a trend if you read some of Sam's other posts .

Also, check out Mac Rumors and Apple - Support - MBP (including the User Discussions) and the CNET Mac Resource Guide (some good videos here).

 

Check out this thread for a useful list of cool software to check out. Also scour the web for other threads similar to the one mentioned.

 

Inverting colors is actually an accessibility feature, so I imagine it'd be for some people who need it?

Here's what I suggest, since you're a switcher.

Install and try everything, including iLife, the trial stuff on your Install CDs, etc. Play around with things. Break things (on the software side - don't go breaking hardware). Experiment. Especially try out iMovie and GarageBand.

Then, after you've had your fun, filled up your HDD with stuff you'll never use, reinstall OSX from scratch, with only the items you know you'll need (i.e. get rid of all those printer drivers except for the one you use, don't install GarageBand and its loops and themes unless you know you want to use it etc.). You'll save a lot of space and have a fresh system to play with

 

What is the program to take out that UNGHHH sound when booting up? Why is it even there? LOL

 

psssst! or something like that

search for chime in versiontracker or ask zadillo

 

I want to know this too please.

 

Well, I found http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~arcana/StartupSound/BETA/index.en.html
works fine for me

 

Psst 2.1.

 

Nice to do list. Dont all of that what's next

 

Well for every computer, there comes a point of diminishing return when you simply can't really tweak it anymore unless you try something radically different (e.g. install Linux and play with it all over again) or spend a lot of money (i.e. buy some super expensive software that'll keep you interested for the next 6 months).

That said, you can try downloading the alpha releases and nightly builds of what you're using now, or alternatives to what you're using now just to see what else is out there.

If you get really bored, you can install Boot Camp and play around with the Windows side of things, although I'm not sure you'd want to after getting used to OSX.

You only have to last 2 months - then Leopard's out and you can play with everything all over again