Former Windows user has basic questions...

Hey everyone:
I purchased my first Mac - a black MacBook laptop - last week. Up to this point, I've used Windows PCs. I am getting frustrated with my Mac because I can't figure out some basic navigational functions. Please help!
Is it possible to add a desktop icon to the Dock on my MacBook laptop? I frequently have to access items in the Macintosh HD. On my IBM I could just add a desktop icon to the bottom nav bar or double-click on the desktop itself to access it. On my MacBook end up having to hit F11 to get there. F11 is fine - except that I don't want to close all the open applications windows. Is there a way to either (1) add a desktop (or Macintosh HD) icon to my dock?
Also, is there a way to navigate open application windows easily (i.e. if I have 3 Firefox windows open and want to surf back and forth between them)? I though the apple key + the ~ key would allow that - but it's not working on my laptop.
Also, in Excel - if it possible to navigate to a cell with a formula and click something that highlights the other cells being referenced for the formula? On my IBM, hitting F2 shows the formula and highlights the referenced cells in different colors. My MacBook Excel only shows the formula...
Thanks!!
s

Scatterman,
For Photoshop, you might find this info helpful. Also, you might get everything you need from GIMP (open source, free software that does everything Photoshop will do), or one of the products based on it.
It sounds like you would benefit from some quality time spent just "feeling out" the OS X way of doing things, without necessarily jumping right in and trying to work, work, work. Take a bit more time, and pay attention to the little details that you might otherwise overlook.
For example, Expose. Pressing F11 will not close any windows, but it will quickly "wisk" them off the display so you can grab something on your Desktop. Once grabbed, another press of F11 brings all the windows back, just the way they were, and you can place your grabbed item where you like.
Also, drag and drop is more pervasive, goes way deeper, and is more flexible than in Windows. Items (files, folders, etc.) can be dragged into the Dock, but they can also be to either the Finder's Side Bar (left side) or Tool Bar (top) to create semi-permanent "shortcuts." Selected text in any application window can be dragged out of that window to your Desktop (or anywhere else in the Finder) to create "clippings" that work just like the clipboard (cut and paste), only creating semi-permanent "clipping files" that can be dragged into any other application window. I have entire collections of these "text clippings" that I use to populate my forum replies (instructions, links, commands, etc.).
In general, just about anything you are accustomed to in Windows is available in OS X, but it may look and/or feel different. In the end, however, it usually works better/easier/faster the OS X way. Keep looking, check Help, or ask here, and be patient in the meantime. Before you know it, you'll be an OS X wiz!
Scott

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Post that suggestion at http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphoto.html.
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Hi, I recently replaced my Windows machine with a Macbook. For the most part, I'm happy with the switch, but I can't help but feel there are a few things I miss from Windows.
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Hello,
I understand where you are coming from, I just switched from YEARS of PC use to my Macbook last month.
After fighting OS X for weeks, the best thing to do really is to get used to using F9 (or for your Firefox example F10 which will display just the windows from the program that is currently "active" instead of all windows with F9).
I know youre not a keyboard guy but trust me this works great. Also on my PC I used alt-tab like it was my job, and luckily apple-tab does the same thing. Another nice trick to go through your firefox windows is to use apple-`(right above tab).
As for the start menu thing, I havent missed it one bit. I recommend replacing the start menu with apple-spacebar. This will bring spotlight up and just start typing the program and it will appear at the top of the list in about 1/10 the time (seriously) as it would going through the start menu. But if you really want to stray away from the keyboard then moving applications to the dock is a good suggestion and you could also clutter your desktop with aliases (shortcuts). Use F11 (**** ANOTHER keyboard shortcut) to show your desktop.
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IBoughtaMac wrote:
1. If I load MS Exchange on Mac and run on my MacBook when in the Window XP environment, can I get to MS Exchange as I normally do on notebook PC, does it function in this situation ? Any experience with that?
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Generally Exchange has to be installed on a Windows Server.
When running Windows XP on a Mac in Boot Camp, it is the same (well a little faster) as a Windows PC.
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But if it runs on Windows then it can run on a Mac running Windows.
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I did get a reply about this item (no. 5) but it had buzz words such as NTFS and FAT VOL, I dont understand that,sorry,
A hard drive (the disk) in order to work with an operating system needs to be formatted.
Windows can use two formats, one called FAT and one called NTFS.
Generally NTFS is preferred when running Windows, but FAT is more compatible with OS X for reading and writing files.
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I really like my Pre, but I understand what you mean about somewhat baffling omissions in features. I think the Palm has a winning platform already, they just need to focus on hunting down and destroying bugs for a few months. Honestly, most of the things the Pre is missing should be provided by third parties except they're hesitant to invest because the pre and pixi haven't sold like gangbusters compared to Android and the iPhone. But really, if the price keeps dropping on palm hardware and they keep launching on new platforms (due soon on att), I think we'll be looking at a different view in a few more months. I'd wager that Palm has sold a bit less than a million devices, add Att and you'll end up around 1.2-1.5. If they keep fixing issues and making current customers happy, then launch a nice phone the end of this year, they'll be in good shape. You don't need to sell 15 million units to have a viable platform, just enough of a mass to ensure people want to take a risk developing. Notice this story http://www.technewsworld.com/story/69684.html?wlc=1270413481 .

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