You just bought a shiny new Mac. If you're like most former Windows users, your first thought is, "Now what?" Fortunately, a Mac is very easy to use, maybe even too easy. Windows folks tend to overthink how to do things on a Mac.

Starting with the keyboard, the Mac keyboard looks different from that of Windows. The Apple/Command key replaces the Windows key. But it works like the Control key on Windows machines. You'll use it with shortcuts.

Incidentally, many shortcuts are similar to those in Windows. Just use the Command key in place of the Control key. For example, use CMD+C to copy, CMD+V to paste and CMD+X to cut. Shift+CMD+A opens the Applications folder. Option+CMD+M minimizes all windows. Press the Command key as you drag an item to a different folder to move it.

One shortcut to learn fast is CMD+?. It opens the Help menu.

You won't use the Control key much for shortcuts. However, holding it while clicking opens the contextual menu. This is the equivalent of right-clicking in Windows.

The Alt/Option key isn't used much with shortcuts either. Use it with the arrow keys to skip words.

THE MAC SCREEN

The first thing you'll notice is that your Mac OS X doesn't have a Start menu or taskbar. Instead, you have the Dock. It sits at the bottom center of the screen awaiting your every command.

The Dock contains icons for programs on your Mac. To add a program's shortcut to the Dock, drag the program from the Applications folder. To open a program from the Dock, simply click it once.

Minimizing a window sends it to the Dock between your shortcuts and the Trash.

SETTING UP YOUR MAC

Odds are, you'll need to configure your Mac to your environment and liking. Here's where you'll use the Apple menu. It provides quick access to system commands. Always visible, it resides at the top left of the screen.

Use the Apple menu to turn off your system or restart it. Or, open System Preferences from the menu. Like Windows' Control Panel, it provides access to network, printer and other computer settings.

Macs check for software updates automatically. You'll receive a notice when updates are available. To check manually, select Software Updates from the Apple menu.

To change your wallpaper, select System Preferences from the Apple menu. Click Desktop & Screen Saver and then Desktop.

Click a folder on the left to see the images it contains. Click one to set it as your wallpaper.

Macs include wallpapers. You may want to select your own. IPhoto albums are listed below the other folders.

You can also change your screen saver when you change your wallpaper. Click Screen Saver in the Desktop & Screen Saver box.

In the box on the left, you can select from screen savers. You can also opt to use a folder of photos, a Word of the Day or an RSS news feed for your screen saver.

FINDING THINGS

The Finder is another important program on your Mac. Like Windows Explorer, it lets you navigate through files and programs. It is always running.

Click File, then New Finder Window on the Finder menu to open the Finder window. Or use the CMD+N shortcut key. Click the desktop if you don't see the Finder menu.

In the left pane of the Finder, you'll see shortcuts. Click Macintosh to access the hard drive. Clicking Applications opens your program folder. There's also a shortcut to documents.

If you need to search your Mac for files, use the spotlight feature. Use the CMD+Space Bar shortcut key to access it.

Enter your search term in the box. Spotlight searches for files, applications and folders that contain the term. It also searches the contents of files for the search term.

You can also search by file extension. For example, enter ".MP3" (less quotes) to find all MP3 files on your computer.

The Mac places window controls on the left side of windows. The green button changes the window size. The yellow button minimizes windows. The red button closes windows.

USING SPACES

Spaces lets you create virtual desktops that hold different applications and windows. You can then switch between desktops. This will help you reduce windows cluttering your workspace.

Click Spaces on the Dock. You'll be prompted to set up Spaces. Click the Enable Spaces checkbox.

Use the "+" buttons to create up to 16 desktops. Programs can automatically open in a particular desktop. Click the "+" button under Application Assignments. Select the program and click Add. Use the pop-up menu to assign it to a desktop.

You can also specify other options for Spaces, like the shortcut for switching between desktops.

Finally, like Windows, Mac OS X freezes occasionally. When this happens, just press CMD+ALT+Escape. Select the frozen program and click Force Quit.

Reach Kim Komando at gnstech@gns.gannett.com.