When you first startup your Mac, and you’ve finished the startup-process in which you’ve been asked for an account name, your internet connection and some other questions you’ll end up at the default desktop of OS X (click to enlarge). The default desktop consists of the Apple Menu at the top left in the Menu bar, several status settings at the top right off the Menu bar and the Dock at the bottom centre.

The Dock items shown in this example may be different compared to your own. But the Dock is usually where you’re programs are located. I’ve pointed out the Trash can bcause that is one you’ll use often. As well as the Finder at the left hand side of the Dock.

Scrolling and iCloud
Before you’ve ended up at the desktop you might have gotten two pop-up screens: one for the way you’re scrolling in OS X Lion (10.7) and one about iCloud. Scrolling is pretty self-explanatory since it shows a movie in which it is explained. iCloud is a service provided by Apple that will allow you to create e-mail, sync you’re music using iTunes and much, much more. I will get back to iCloud in a different posting. I’ve been using it since the beginning and it comes in very handy for me as a small business owner.

The Dock
This is an array of icons which represent a variaty of programs. By default the Dock has the following set of programs:
- Finder: this program runs the Desktop, the contents of your harddisk(s) and your Mac’s folderstructure.
- Launchpad: this is a iPhone/iPad like interface in which all your Mac’s programs are displayed.
- Mission control: this will give you an overview of all you open windows and programs. It makes it very easy to navigate to certain windows.
- App Store: just like the iTunes Store, this is a place where you can browse and search for programs.
- Mail: Apple OS X’s default e-mailclient.
- Safari: Apple OS X’s default browser.
- FaceTime: chat program, met (of zonder) beeld.
- Addressbook: address databaseprogram
- iCal: calender and agenda
- iTunes: Apple’s default program to manage, store, buy all kinds of media
- Photobooth: a very fun program to take pictures in all kinds of settings or with funny effects
- iPhoto: -open, -bewerk- en -opslagprogramma voor je digitale foto’s en videootjes.
- System preferences: will be discussed in another section/post.
- Documents: this is a shortcut to you Documents folder.
- Downloads: this is a shortcut to you Downloads folder.
- Trash can: all the stuff you don’t want anymore.
If there is a blue-ish light beneath a program in the Dock, that means that that program is currently in use.

The Apple Menu (Menubar)
By default, with no other program running you will see the menu items of the Finder (Finder, File, Edit, View, Go, Window, Help). As soon as you open another program or switch to one the appropiate menu will appear at this position in order for you to work with that program. If you were used to Windows, one could close a running program simply by closing the program window. Of course you are able to close program windows in OS X, but that will not shut down the program. You’ll have to that via the Program menu or via the keyboard (CMD + Q).

Menubar (righthand side)
At the top right of your screen there are several items. By default you’ll find (from right to left): Spotlight, Current User, Sound level, Date/Time, Bluetooth, Time Machine, Wifi. I will go deeper into each of these in other parts of this course. But the items at this position may get altered when you install more programs.