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Nancy's Guide To Mac Help Web Sites, Part II This week's column continues a look at helpful web sites for Mac users. Following last week's column, a couple of Observers sent in recommendations for sites they find helpful. Observer Zeya Alikhan suggested MacInstruct.com. This site presents a large collection of free Macintosh tutorials. The ones I checked out were very good. They were written with very clear, step-by-step directions and included graphics. Tutorial topics include Recently Added Tutorials, Basics, Help, Digital Video and Movies, Games, Internet, OS X, Networking with PC's, LAN and Corporate Networks, Audio, Beyond the Basics, E-mail, Creating Artwork, Laptops, iBook and PowerBook, Miscellaneous, Multimedia, and Guides for Creating Your Own Tutorials. There is also a Tip link and a venue for asking specific questions. The Tip link does not appear to have been updated since September, 2000, but the information there is good. The Ask sections truly does address basic issues. For instance: How to change your default browser, where to find support for Internet Explorer, how to delete favorites in Internet Explorer, how to open media files, how to turn older Macs into fish tanks, and how to turn your modem's sound down (but not off). Observer Brian V. Symonds is a member of the Sunshine Coast Macintosh User Group in BC, Canada. This organization keeps an ongoing list of recommended sites to share with members which Brian also shared with me. Among those recommended are the following. Mac-Upgrade offers free tech support and advice for Mac users. Visitors to this site are encouraged to ask upgrading, tech support, or troubleshooting questions. Visitors are also invited to discuss their latest upgrading success and to share technique secrets. Also, knowledgeable Mac folks are encouraged to answer other's questions. This site is sponsored by Todd Stauffer, who is the author of "Upgrading and Fixing Macs and iMacs for Dummies." For those long time Mac Observer readers with good memories, Mr. Stauffer also used to write for this publication when it was called Webintosh. In addition to offering help, the site is designed as a venue for selling Mr. Stauffer's publications. There are general categories of information including OS X Public Beta, Opinions, iMac/iBook Upgrading, Mac Upgrading, Troubleshoot, and General questions. The site features links to information about OS 9, OS 9 tips, iMac Network Basics, iMac Technical Articles, iMac Updates, G3 Technical Articles, QuickTime 4, and Software Updates. Also available is information on Error Codes, How to Modify Sherlock, Troubleshooting Startup Issues, Technical Information about Printer Drivers and Cables Style-Writer, LaserWriter, and Others. Of special use to new users is a guide explaining how to phrase things for search engines. This is a useful skill that can save you lots of time once you get the hang of it. For instance this advice is included:
Some people are not satisfied to just know how something works. They want to know why (or as we say in Texas "how come.") History of the Internet traces the development and growth of the internet from the beginning. I got so interested in reading this that I forgot what I supposed to really be doing so I guess I must fit the definition. Following is a small example of the information included on this site.
As the name implies, this site is designed exclusively for beginners who want basic information. The home page states:
They also note on their home page that they have been designated as one of the three best sites on the Internet for beginners. Topics include: The Internet, The Web, Getting Started, Safe Surfing, Viruses, Browsers, E-mail, Search, Locating Software, News groups, Chat, E-Commerce, Terminology, and Help. Do you know of a great online resource for Mac users? Tell me about it! If you have any questions, comments, or tips, let me know and I may include them in a future column.
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