If you've recently made the switch from PC to Apple, you might think it's hard to find Macintosh software help. The truth is that it's not as difficult as it might seem. While there are certainly fewer help services available for the Mac, that's only because it generally has fewer issues than its PC counterpart and requires a smaller number of help services.

The people who support Apple Macintosh computers are truly dedicated to their jobs. While you can find general Apple software help in a number of places, more specific software help may be more difficult to find. When looking for support, remember:

1. An Apple software help provider may not support the specific software or features you need supported.

2. Apple makes more than just the operating system that sits on your computer. They are also the brains behind the iLife and iWork software suites.

3. Mac support specialists generally only support Apple software.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find Apple software help information for Mac OS

The most important piece of software that Apple produces is their operating system (Apple Mac OS X). Think of it as the brains behind the computer. It allows the computer to run other applications, keeps track of all the running software and makes sure all operations execute properly.

I recommend: One of the best references for Mac OS X support is macosX.com. It's a support group that offers you the ability to ask a tech directly or take part in the many forums available. Progent also offers Mac OS X consultation services, including emergency online and phone support.

Use a Mac software help provider for assistance with iWork

In the past few years, Apple users have found that the iWork productivity suite is a great replacement for the more expensive office suites available for their system. With more and more people making use of it, the demand for additional support has risen.

I recommend: A great tutorial site to help you learn all the features contained within iWork is Marrutt Software Training. They offer a number of tutorials on most of the features offered through iWork. You can find a more advanced tutorial through Hyperteach Online Computer Training.

Find Mac software help for iLife

The iLife suite of software that comes installed on every Apple computer allows everyday users to organize digital photographs, make movies from video, create DVDs from the movies they just made and build a website to showcase their movies and photos. As more and more people make the switch to Apple computers, the need for iLife support grows.

I recommend: Apex offers a great site for online tutorials involving iLife. If you don't want to do it online, you can buy a DVD that contains the training as well. As people move from film to digital cameras, the ability to make use of photo processing suites for the consumer becomes more important. LearningElectric.com offers an amazing tutorial on the features contained within iPhoto and how to make the most of the software.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't jump straight to Mac software help information if you find yourself questioning how to make a particular Apple software application function properly. Apple software is intuitive. Try to determine what the easiest way to do something would be and it's quite likely you just figured out the solution on your own.