From everything I've seen, it is a 'platinum' G3.

Frow what I've learned about computers, actually a good place to start is with something simple, and I've always found old machines to be the simplest. IF the thing I have works, the older the more simple it SHOULD BE to learn.

I did find an adapter. It's being shipped (should have been here yesterday).

I've also been able to download a couple of "Mac for Dummy" type books. They should make the transition from PC to Mac a little easier.

'Low End Mac' has been recommended by another member of another forum, so when I get more than one lead, it's probably good.

Thanks so far for all the help, but I'm sure I'm still gonna need much more. Just excuse me if my questions seem a bit simplistic (I'm a nOOb, don't ya know...)

Hopefully, it has some version of OS X installed. If it is a pre-X system, you'll not be getting a very good experience to learn in, since that would be a 10 year old+ OS and really not indicative of the current Mac usability. Feel free to ask questions. We're here to help in any way that we can. The only stupid question is the one not asked.

I'm doubting that it has OS X installed. If you bought books about switching to the Mac they will be for OS X.
If it has OS 9 or earlier then you have a bit of a problem. The books aren't going to help and you will be using an OS that hasn't had any development in 10 years. This means that the browser won't support lots of common internet functions of today. Now... some people have put OS X on G3s... it runs... slowly though.

For someone interested in learning Mac, System OS 9 would be the last place to start! I hate it when someone needs help and they're using 9. X is so much simpler. But if the Mac he has won't support X then there is no choice.


.

The first time I booted, it came up with an "error 11", and since I had no mouse to move around, I rebooted.

This time, it comes up with a dialog box, and nothing in it.

BTW, the box is loaded with Mac OS 9.2

Ancient and outdated OS. It won't give you a very good idea of how Macs are these days. It will give you a good idea of how they were 12 years ago. It will be like using a PII with Win95.

Now it says"Sorry, an system error occurred. unimplemented trap To temporarily turn of extensions, restart and hold down the shift key."

Ah, the good ol' Extensions conflict. We don't have those these days. Like I said, very old stuff.

I rebooted and it says now"

"The Finder could not start up because the following system library could not be found:

ThreadsLib

To start up, use the CD or floppy disks that came with your computer. Tos start up from a CD, hold the 'C' key while starting up, or consult the User's Guide that came with your computer"

The only CD I have is one I bought off eBay, entitled "Apple Macintosh CD"-power Macintosh G3.

Chances are it'll wipe out OS 9.2, right??