While we all know that our Mac's are just about perfect, they do now and then have teeny tiny problems. Well, OK, so sometimes they have big problems - but at least they are fairly easy to fix. I have researched some web sites that offer tips for dealing with problems to sites that offer tips for getting the most from your Mac. These sites assume a certain level of expertise so they may not be so helpful to the brand new user. However, for anyone with a few months under their belt, these should all be helpful.

Macintosh Crash Tips

This is a good place to visit if you are having problems with your computer crashing. It offers techniques to help solve the problem and also includes information about preventing problems in the first place.

The Crib Sheet lists the most common sources of crash troubles for machines that have been stable for some time--no recent virus opportunities, no new fonts, extensions, system software, applications, patches or hardware added recently. It identifies a situation and then walks you through step-by-step methods that you can try to solve the problem.

There are numerous links to address other problems. For instance, there is a troubleshooting flow chart that I found to be very clear and helpful. There are more than 20 different links for troubleshooting and it is easy to tell what each one addresses which helps you go directly where you need to go. There are 10 links from Apple itself, covering a range of topics. There is a whole section on dealing with freezes and a large section that discusses specific topics, such as PRAM, keyboard shortcuts, and helpful utilities. If keyboard shortcuts is of real interest to you, you may find a couple of columns I did last November to be of help. The first was November 8th and the second was November 15th. Macintosh Crash Tips also includes sections on rebuilding your desk top; virus'; and Error codes. I think you may find this site worth a visit.

ZDNet: Help and How-To

This site offers information for both the Mac and the PC platform. A section called "Fix It Now" covers areas based on the kind of problem you are trying to fix, i.e., desktop PC, Notebook PC, graphics card, processor, Macintosh, hard drive, RAM, printer, monitor, etc. Click on Macintosh and there is a second layer of topics including:   Basics, Getting Started, Extensions, Hard Drive, Internet Connections, Setting up TCP/IP Accounts, Mac OS, and Modems. Then there is a section on product help, a section on essentials, information on classes and tech support, sources for downloads and tips, a glossary, and web resources.

The next section is called Help Favorites and it includes:

• How-To: Perform a clean install - Install your new OS right with this helpful guide.
• How-To: Install a G3 upgrade card - Tips for a safe and successful upgrade.
• How-To: Use postscript printer files - Learn how to print within a networked system.
• Forum: Mac Solutions - Let our experts solve your Mac problems in our MacTalk forum.
  

Under the heading Macintosh Tip of the Day for February 6th was this:

• Ever wonder if your portable will be safe going through airport security? Find out in this tip.
• The airport security X-rays won't hurt your portable. Your data won't be harmed and your hard drive will not be erased. If you feel better having your device hand-checked, ask to have it done. But remember that it's not necessary.

Back on the first page you can find a second major listing for OS with its own sub directories. Under Macintosh you can find information that will walk you through the basics of your particular operating system step-by-step, and without all of the technical jargon. There is even more troubleshooting advice and tips.

Last, but not least, there is a section on different software applications with tips, fixes, etc. for each one.

This is a great site and one that I guarantee I have saved in my Favorites list.

Macintosh Computer Tips

Tips from A to Z. This easy to follow guide starts with Alias, ends with Zapping the Pram and in between covers subjects like: fonts, software updates, Get Info, definitions, preferences, and other equally important topics. There is also a large section on AppleWorks and ClarisWorks tutorials. (For new users, ClarisWorks and AppleWorks are basically the same program. ClarisWorks was the name of the productivity suite when it was run by Claris Corp, and subsidiary of Apple. The original name of ClarisWorks was actually AppleWorks, and when Apple restructured Claris into a company called FileMaker Pro, they brought ClarisWorks back in house and rechristened it once again as AppleWorks. Most of the consumer level Macs that Apple has shipped have included one version or the other of this product.) This site is created and maintained by Cindy O'Hora.

Macintosh Software Tutorials

I was really pleased to come across this site. The site is maintained by Iowa State University and is specifically designed around applications available in their computer labs. It specifically provides tutorials for Mac software. I am not familiar with all of these different applications, but the tutorials include: Director, Dreamweaver, Final Cut Pro, Flash, Form-z, Illustrator, ImageReady, InDesign, Infini-D, PageMaker, Photoshop, Premier, QuarkXPress, and AfterEffects. The tutorial for Photoshop starts with an explanation of the tools and then offers a basic, intermediate, and advanced tutorial. If you want to be nice to your PC friends, you can refer them to this site as it also has tutorials on PC applications.

Do you know of a great online resource for Mac users? Tell me about it!

If you have any questions, comments, or tips, let me know and I may include them in a future column.