Mac OS X... I'm a complete beginner!
 

Erm... Hi!

I've recently upgraded my computer to Mac OS X, and so I'm a total beginner to linux (though I've been using earlier Mac systems for years). I'd quite like to get to grips with using shell commands and suchlike, as it seems like a very useful skill to have... That and there's a certain appeal to being able to use a computer through just a command line interface. =)


So I was just wondering if anyone here could point me towards any online primers or websites that could help me out! This seems like one of the best places on the web to ask.

Thanks a lot!

-- Xan

Have you upgraded to or from mac osx because mac os is a version of a version of unix warped to fit the mac computer, if you need help try a mac site or use a ppc version of linux such a yellow dog

try this site
http://www.ss64.com/bash/

it gives a lot of bash commands used in terminal mode
if you have any questions on the syatax Type "man" then the command that you would like to find out about

Not using OSX myself I don't know how unix like it is, but i'm sure it it's close enough that our daily use of commands would benefit Xanthine, if you can't help him save the keystrokes, would you like it if you asked a unix guy for a few commands and he didn't help you because you use linux, a warped version of unix to fit the pc...nope.

PS: nobody likes a wiseass, this site it to help people use it for that or don't use it at all.

The latest version of OS X, 10.3.3 comes with "bash" as the default terminal shell. This is probably the most popular of shells in the UNIX/Linux world. It comes with "tab completion" that helps look for a possible end to the command you've started to type. OS X in my opinion is the most complete, easy to use and trouble free OS I've ever used. I use OS X all the time to solve issues that crop up in XP Pro... you can do things such as mount the hard drive you where having trouble with physically on the OS X machine and work with trouble files (NTFS or FAT) You'll want to pick up the X11 app (located in applications > utilities) and an application called "FINK" which is basically a nice package to work with UNIX/linux complied apps. Applications like GIMP have now been ported to the MAC and run with X11. Any mainstream app you need that runs on windows is also on the MAC. Virtual PC is an x86 emulator that will basically in x86 compied OS on OS X (XP, 2000, Linux...) There is even a wine port in the works for OS X and and Darwin (a free version of the core of OS X for PowerPC and x86) The graphical interface, in my opinion is by far the most advanced as well... Good Luck.

don't get me wrong, share what knowlage is applicable, but i've had some really bad goes with macs, really really bad ones
http://www.bombich.com/mactips/commands.html

If your previous experiences were not in OS X, they are completely irrelevant. This one is based on BSD Nextstep and is incredibly stable

Here is a Slashdot article about OS X discussing a book.
Good Luck.