iPod and iTunes makes it easy to be both a music fan and a gadget guru. You'll find it's the same with the Mac. Apple engineers create astounding software that turns you into an expert just by using it. If you know iTunes, you know how to use Mac software.
Apple designers spend countless hours debating the right way something should work. So when you interact with your Mac and the programs on it, you'll find they follow consistent guidelines. Learn how to do something in one program, and chances are it'll work the same way in another.
Many programs feature the same sort of library collection, playlist and search functionality as iTunes, though they may go by different names. So you'll see groups of addresses, albums of photos, folders of mail, types of calendar and so on. All with the powerful and near instantaneous search mechanism you've grown accustomed to in iTunes.
And if you get stuck, you can always turn to the Mac for help. In the same place, of course, in the menu bar. You can print out keyboard shortcuts or let Help guide you through a task. Though the Mac won't lead you through an endless conversation with a so-called wizard or nag you to clean up your desktop.
