Many Sun City residents have asked Computer Club members, âWhat is a Mac?â It is not just a big hamburger, and itâs also more than just a computer. If, when you hear âAppleâ you think of a fruit, or the words âSafari,â âSnow Leopard,â or âLionâ make you imagine the continent of Africa rather than computers, youâre not alone. These words all also reference Apple (formerly Apple Computer, Inc.) in one context or another. For instance âOS X Lionâ is the newest version of Appleâs operating system â an upgrade from âSnow Leopardâ â that uses the latest âtouch padâ and âswipeâ technology as well as the more conventional mouse and keyboard.
The letter âiâ seen before most of the new Apple introductions has become widely recognized as a brand identity for products and programs including iMac, iPod, iPad, iCal, iTunes, iMovie, and iDVD. These, like all Mac productions, feature Appleâs generally known high quality for working with graphics and simplified ease of use.
As much as an Apple (Mac) is different from a PC (other brands of personal computers), there are also many areas of similarity and compatibility. Programs that accomplish like tasks (word processing, spreadsheets, slideshows, data base, publishing) are to be found on both PC and Mac systems. Those familiar with Microsoft Office programs such as âWordâ or âExcelâ will find Macâs âPagesâ and âNumbersâ comparable to these respective MS programs. Macâs âKeynoteâ is equivalent to âPowerPointâ used on MS Windows system.
âSafari 5â is Appleâs browser that takes you to all the places you may wish to visit on Internet websites. It works on iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Mac, and PC. Firefox, Google Chrome, and several other popular browsers work on Mac products as well.
Appleâs iPad is not just another tablet; it is a full-featured device that competes in several areas with desktops, laptops, and notebooks, and is comfortably portable with a battery life rated at up to ten hours between charges. An iPad allows you to surf the web, receive and send emails, watch movies, download and read books, magazines and podcasts, as well as keep up with breaking news events. The iPad has two cameras, making it easy to use for âFaceTimeâ and âSkypeâ video calls. Photos can also be stored for slideshows. If you are into gaming or a hobby, there is most likely an application (âappâ for short reference) for it, and you can go from app to app. Multitasking is smooth and easy. There are currently over 140,000 apps offered for iPad alone; many are built-in or offered free, while others are available for a fee.
All in all, it appears that there is much to learn about what all these âiâs mean with Apple: iPad, iPod, iPhone, iTunes, and even iGoogle. The best place to start is directly with Apple at www.apple.com or at an Apple retail store. Deer Park and Woodfield Mall are the nearest two locations and are well worth the visit. Also learn more about Apple and join other Mac users by contacting your Sun City Computer Club. The Mac User Group meets every Tuesday at 9 a.m. in the Game Room at Prairie Lodge.
Wouldnât it be fun to bite into a juicy Macintosh Apple this season while watching a movie about a Safari crossing Kenya? Maybe even imagine a close-up encounter with a Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard, and oh, that magnificent Lion! It all seems possible with these Apple products and programs.
