Computers seem to run on jargon. Many of the buzzwords and common terms used to work with Macs are exactly the same as those used for Windows: files, users, log on, log out, open, close, shut down, help, and most networking and Internet terms. Terms used to describe the graphical interface are mostly the same, too: menu, check box, dialog box, radio button, dragging, clicking, and double-clicking.
But some terms are different between the Mac and Windows PC. The following table provides the equivalent terms or types of programs for each platform.
| Windows | Mac OS X |
|---|---|
| Control Panel | System Preferences |
| Ctrl+Alt+Delete | Option+Command+Esc |
| Exit (Alt+FX) | Quit (Command+Q) |
| Internet Explorer | Safari |
| My Computer | Finder |
| My Documents | Documents folder |
| My Music | Music folder |
| My Pictures | Pictures folder |
| Notepad | TextEdit |
| Outlook Express | |
| Recycle Bin | Trash Can |
| Settings | Preferences |
| Shortcut icon | Alias |
| Taskbar | Dock |
| Hourglass cursor (busy signal) | Spinning beach ball (busy signal) |
| Windows Explorer | Finder window |
| Windows Update | Software Update |