Final Cut Pro X - Mac Basics
Final Cut Pro X in CCTV's Training Room
http://www.cctvsalem.org/training
Part 1: Mac Basics
Getting around on a Mac is easy, so if you're more familiar with Windows systems let me assure you that this will not be a challenging transition. Let's start with the Dock and Finder.
The Dock is found along the bottom of the screen. You can use this to open Final Cut Pro or any of several other apps, or to switch between apps you currently have open.

Open the Finder window using the icon on the far left side of the dock. The Finder allows you to browse the contents of any hard drive connected to your computer. Some Final Cut X editors may not encounter the Finder much at all, but it's good to get familiar with it early.
Use the View buttons to change between list, column, and other views. In column view, you can click on a folder to see its contents in the next column.
On a Mac you will use the Command key (⌘) for all those handy shortcuts you're probably already familar with, like Copy, Paste, and everyone's favorite, Undo.

You'll find the key just to the left or right of the space bar. As with any keyboard modifier, to use the Command key you hold it down, press the keyboard shortcut you while holding the modifer, then release both. The other modifier keys you may use in Final Cut are Shift (⇧) and Option (⌥).
Everything you do on CCTV computers is saved to your own external hard drive. External hard drives come in a portable enclosure with USB or another type of connection.
Talk to a CCTV staff member if you have questions about what to get, but here's a very short checklist of specs to take shopping with you:
❑ Capacity: 1 TB or more recommended (500 GB minimum)
❑ Connection: Firewire or Thunderbolt recommended
(USB is also OK for single-camera projects)
Two important points: first, hard drives used for editing must be formatted for a Mac. Even if the box says "works for Mac", it still must be formatted with the Mac file system to work with Final Cut Pro. Ask a CCTV staff member for assistance.
Second, be sure to eject your hard drive before unplugging it, every single time. Right-click the name of the drive in the Finder and choose "Eject".
Always be sure you're using ONLY your hard drive, and not the "Macintosh HD" drive! CCTV's computers will automatically delete ALL editing files
saved to the Macintosh HD drive on a daily basis.