[CompuD100]

Hi All:

I am new to the MAC thing having just bought a PowerMAC G5 using the Leapord 10.5.8 OS and am getting ready to dump my Windows box and I have several questions relating to the MAC OS and architecture that I would appreciate answers to.

1) Is there a good Forum and/or book that will give me a basic, ground up guide to using the PowerMAC?

2) I plan to use my HP 22" Hi Def monitor with my new computer and I need to know if it will work. The monitor has a VGA input as well as a Digital input. I currently have the monitor connected to my Windows box via a digital video cable with a DVI plug on one end and an HDMI plug on the other end. Will my monitor work with the G5?

3) I have a number of USB Flash Drives that I use to back up my Windows box. I believe they are FAT32 format. Will the G5 recognize and read these Flash drives?

4) I also have an external back-up hard drive that connects to my Windows box via a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed cable. I believe it is formated NTFS. Will the G5 recognize and read this drive?

5) I have a multi-format flash card reader that is USB 2.0 Hi-Speed. Will it work with the G5?

6) I need to install financial software. Can I use either Quicken or Microsoft Money with the G5?

7) Virus software, can/does the G5 use the Norton AV software?

8) I have a very large library of MP3's. Does the G5 have a built in MP3 player similiar to Windows Media Player or do I need to install one? Also, will I have any problems uploading my MP3's to the G5?

Thnaks for the help.

[AKcrab]

1) Apple - Support - Mac 101
2) Should work, depends on the G5.
3) Yes
4) You can read NTFS, but not write.
5) Should work fine.
6) Quicken - Yes (Assuming you buy the Mac version). Microsoft Money - No
7) Avoid Norton like the plague.
8) The G5 should have iTunes preinstalled, should be no problem moving MP3's from one to the other.

[Doc HM]

1) Yes - Mac OS for Dummies is a good start. A bit flippant but OK

2) Yes The G5 has DVI, it will plug straight in

3) Yes but only up to a maximum of 2GB per file. Just reformat them for Mac HFS using Disk Utility on your Mac

4) Yes. Again once you have transferred any files to the G5 reformat it to a more Mac friendly file system using Disk Utilities

5) Yes

6) Yes, as long as you buy the Mac versions as your G5 cannot run Windows in the way Intel Macs can

7) Yes but don't bother it's crap on the mac and not really needed. If you must run AV software try Clam, it's free and pretty good. And it's free

8) Yes that's what iTunes is for.

[AKcrab]

I'm glad we agree.

[reader50]

Nice answers there, guys. AKcrab for the win by 1 minute.