MAC people, please help...
 

Ok, I just got a new Mac for school, and so far its pretty cool. Theres only a few things so far that I can't figure out for the life of me.

1. How do you rename files?
2. Is there anything comparable to the 'My Computer' funtion in Windows?

Its a PowerBook G4.
Thanks! :D

Rename files by click on the file name, and let the cursor start blinking. You can also go up to "edit" and then rename file.

As for the my computer, the drives are usually listed on the desktop. You can also find them in your control panels. Alternatively, I'm assuming you are in OS X, use the shell. Since OS X is based off of BSD Unix, it comes complete with a unix shell that is very handy.

Sorry, maybe I should have clarified. I meant that I cannot rename files inside a folder. I'm trying to rename an audio file inside a folder on my desktop, but I can't seem to do it. Theres nothing in the edit menu, and it doesn't change to cursor if I just click on it like you would in windows.

Also, how can I set up a small home network so that Windows can read my Mac, and my Mac can read Windows? (So I can trasfer files between).

I already have each hooked up to the router in working order.

*bump*................

Well if the above method did not work, right click on the file and select get info then under name and extension change the name.

Oh and about networking...

OS X can read NTFS but cannot write to it. OS X has only read AND write ability for Fat 32... So the best bet would be if you can partition your existing pc hard drive and create a Fat32 partition both computers will be able to access them.

I also think that you can set up a samba windows share on Mac, so its hard drive can be shared with the PC, but I don't know the read and write functionality of windows with that share...

NTFS filesystem has nothing to do with network shares. Don't change from NTFS on your NT X.X box. You should be able to access your Windows box from OSX simply using smb - and you can set up Windows Shares in OS X under System Preferences / Sharing. You can create restriction on a share via NTFS restrictions, but that doesn't control the share permissions.

Try this: Click on the file name, then hit return. The file name should highligh and you should be able to change it.

As for transferring files between Windows and Mac, depending on what version of Windows you're using, this thread may help you.

If the machines are both on the router (and I'm assuming therefore on the inernet) and you want a simple way to transfer files use AIM. I move files around with it all the time when I don't have access to something better, or get a flash USB memory device. Easier to do if you are not technically inclined to take any of the other excellent suggestions.
:crazy:

portwineboy = lifesaver! Thanks so much for suggesting that! I was about to give up on the whole thing, but that works!

And thanks to everyone else who tried to help me, I really appreciate it.

So far I LOVE this mac. Its surprising, I was so anti-mac before I got mine, but I really like it so far. I'm really diggin the whole built in net-radio, and the OS X looks so slick. Anyways, I love it.

L8er.

Welcome to the light side. :D You will want to spend some time at these webpages to keep up on what is going on in the Mac world:
MacInTouch
MacFixIt - Troubleshooting Solution for the Macintosh

You'll see a lot of system configuration in System Preferences from the Apple menu. System Profiler in Applications/Utilities will provide hardware details. All the stuff that My Computer does with Windows.

You can enable File Sharing from System Prefs to connect to Windows machines. It's all very easy - moreso than Windows IMO.

I've been using a PowerBook G4 for about a year and it's the best computer I've ever used. I use Windows 70% of the time for my consulting business but I keep moving closer and closer to Mac because of the network compatibility.

The Mac platform gives me far less configuration and maintenance hassles than Windows.

You can also use FTP for file swapping if you're using the router.