If you are used to getting to the Programs file in Windows by going to the Start Menu, you will need to make a small adjustment with your Mac. Your Mac stores all your programs in the Applications folder, which by default is in the Finder Sidebar, and at the top level of your hard drive, or Macintosh HD. In reality, it is only in the hard drive; the Sidebar location is just a short cut.

If you want that feeling of the Start Menu popping up with a list of programs, first drag the Applications folder to the side of your dock by the Trash (usually the right side). That puts a shortcut in your Dock like the Finder sidebar. Now try Control-clicking (Right Click) on the Applications folder in your Dock. This will pop up a menu with all the contents. This actually goes for any folders you put in your dock.

Compared to Windows, installing programs on the Mac is said to be much easier. Unfortunately, it's not perfect, yet.

When you download a new program, often you will get a compressed version of the files in a .sit, .dmg or .zip file. Once you open, or uncompress that file, you often get a Disk Image that sometimes opens in the Finder on its own. If not, you can click on it to open the window.

If it contains an Installer Package (it looks like an open box), you then click on that and go through some install screens until installation is finished. Other times, instead of an Installer Package, you get the program icon ready to use in the window.

The problem is that the Program is still on the Disk Image, and it needs to be copied to your Applications folder. You do this by dragging the program onto the Applications folder in the Dock or Finder Sidebar. You can also drag it onto the Applications folder if it happens to be open in a window already. Some software companies with insight provide you with a shortcut to the Applications folder right in the same window.

Once your program is installed, you can move the .sit, .dmg or .zip files to the Trash and Eject the Disk Image by choosing eject or dragging it over the Trash icon. The basic idea is that once you have the program in your Applications folder, you can get rid of all the junk you acquired on the Desktop in the process.

There are a few reasons why your Mac may be slowing down. The most obvious one is that you don't have enough RAM for how you are using your Mac. The bottom tier of each Mac product family usually ships with just enough RAM to get it turned on and do the basics. It's a shame really, but all the computer companies do the same. I think it's fair to hold Apple to a higher standard, though.

You can find out how your Mac is using the RAM in it by opening Activity Monitor (in Applications>Utilities) and clicking on System Memory near the bottom. If you don't have much free (in green), think about adding more RAM.

Another time the Mac seems slow is when coming out of Sleep mode. It lights up quick, but sometimes interacting with it takes some time. This is especially true if you have additional external hard drives. Give it half a minute to get up to speed.

Lastly, sometimes the Mac just gets bogged down. I don't know if "memory leak" is the right term, but sometimes it just gives you the SBBOD (Spinning Beach Ball of Death) for everything you try to do. I find that a restart in this case usually clears everything up.