Hello Everybody, i recently swapped my aging windows pc for the new 24" apple iMac (and i am loving it!!!!!!) and just need to know a few things that i cant work out. 1. How do i find out the MAC address of my wireless network adapter? 2. How do i create a shortcut on my desktop for a folder that is on my hard drive (i.e i want to leave the folder where it is but i want to just create a shortcut to it on my desktop? 3. Does anybody know of any FREE software that i can use to make backups of my DVD's? 4. Do MACS need anti-virus software? I know people say that MAC's don't get viruses, but i just wanted to find out, and if so is there any free anti-virus software that i can use like there is AVG for windows? Any answers would be greatly appreciated :-) slickblueman

1. Not sure, sorry. 2. CTRL-click (or right-click) on the folder, then choose "Make Alias" from the pop-up menu. This is equivalent to "Create Shortcut" in windows. The alias (shortcut) will appear in the same folder. Simply drag it to the desktop. 3. 'Handbrake' is good, free software for ripping DVDs, not so sure about burning a replacement copy. 4. In theory, a Mac *could* get a virus, but in practicality it's absolutely not necessary to have a anti-virus software. I don't know anyone with a Mac who also has anti-virus software.

MAC address - Open System Preferences then Networking. Click on Airport then on Advanced in the lower right corner. The MAC address will be displayed towards the bottom of the window. You can also find the MAC address by opening System Profiler (Applications/Utilities or under the Apple, About This Mac then More Info), Highlight the Network menu on the left side, choose the device in the upper middle and the MAC address will be listed in the bottom window. Shortcut - besides the previously mentioned, hold down the command and option keys and drag the icon where ever you want and the shortcut will be made at that place (you should see the shortcut arrow icon while dragging). DVDs -The best program for doing this on Macs is Mac The Ripper, it is not free however, but is not expensive. I don't believe Handbrake will remove the encryption on commercial DVDs. Anti-virus - As of this point it is really not needed, and I don't know of anyone personally that does when using a Mac. I'm sure this will change at some point. However, using an anti-virus program will help you not pass on viruses, for example in emails, on to your Windows using friends that it can effect. ClamXav is a free anti-virus program for OS X you can use if you feel the need.

Thanks very much guys - that answers all of my questions but now i have got one more.....is there a way to "lock" the mac i.e. instead of logging out just locking it when i walk away from it so that when i come back i have to re-enter my password like on windows you can lock it to prevent other people accessing it when you are away?? Thanks Heaps! Very Satisfied Mac user :-)

In System Preferences/Security: tick the box for require password to wake this computer from sleep or screensaver. Then, prior to walking away from the machine, either put it to sleep or activate the screensaver. You can set up hot corners to active the screensaver in the Desktop/Screensaver preference pane.

Thanks heaps!! Slickblueman.

I know a pretty good Mac DVD backup program and I'd like to share it with you here. it is very powerful yet easy to use.