The return of Macintosh Basics

[Veljo]

Does anyone remember the old application that came with System 7 called Macintosh Basics?

For those who don't know, it was an application that had many lessons you could go through at your own pace. There was an animated man that taught you the basics of using a computer, from clicking and dragging to more advanced techniques like opening and using some basic applications.

I seriously think Apple need to bring a program like this back for Leopard. There are so many people out there who are clueless with using computers, and I thought this program was invaluable. I guided my parents through it when I was about 8 years old, and they went from knowing nothing at all to having a basic feel for using a computer.

Anyway, just an idea. Personally I think it's one of the best things they could add to Leopard.

[texanpenguin]

I agree. That's an awesome program (black and white, IIRC).


I still have it on floppy: I wonder if it runs in Classic?

[Mikuro]

I remember it (and also Mouse Basics) well, and I've been very annoyed with Apple for not including it ever since I bought my first Mac without it.

People take these things for granted, or assume people will "just pick it up", but let's face it: computers are bloody complicated. No, a little red gumdrop in the upper-left does not magically communicate that it will close the window when clicked (more like the opposite, actually). Finder icons do not magically communicate that they will open only when double-clicked. And menus do not magically communicate what their listed shortcuts actually mean (or even that they're shortcuts at all).

My mother is a perfect example. She hardly ever uses computers. She just uses word processing and email every month or so. And every time, I see her struggling to control the mouse when she needs to use a menu, and utterly clueless as to how to determine keyboard shortcuts. And she never knows when she's supposed to single-click and when she's supposed to double-click.

These things do NOT come naturally. I'll bet you had these same problems when you first used a computer, too. I know I did. But Macintosh Basics and Mouse Basics made things a lot easier for me.

[f_h_petrone]

I remember my first Mac (Macintosh SE 256Kb Ram 20 Mb HD) came with a funny app that tought you how to "Point, Click & Drag" I don't remember exactly but you were supposed to point some numbered dots on the screen, when you pointed the first, it dissapeared and revealed a little white dove underneath. Once you discovered every dove they all flew away over a park or something like that. Then in the clicking part you were supposed to click on some windows to raise the blinds. I remember that behind one of those blinds there was a man using a mac just like mine. I was 6 or 7 years old and I thought that was myself!
I learnt how to use a GUI the Cupertino way. We want that back! I don't think that a child 7 years old today would learn how to use the OSX GUI as fast as I did back then. I mean I had to learn again when I switched from OS9 to OSX.... and I'm still not confortable with it....

[JetwingX]

Wow, I remember this from my system 7.5 days on my performa. That was THE most useful program when i was was learning to use a computer at 6.

[adambyte]

Got it with the Mac Centris 660AV... System 7.1... by then, it was in color.

It'll probably run in classic. It's a very simple Macromedia Director-based application.

I agree. And the new Macintosh basics should ask you if you're A) New to computers or B) a "Switcher." That would be spiffy.

I believe the earlier program that simply introduced using the mouse was called "Mouse skills"... but I could be wrong.

[fryke]

In Colour? Macintosh Basics? I don't think I've ever seen that...

[Veljo]

I had it in color on my LC 575. Loved it.


Well, after reading all of the replies so far, all I can see is positives. I honestly do think reviving it is a great idea, considering computers are becoming more complex. I just wish there was a way to get this back to Apple