My Year of Living Digitally

Almost a year ago, I finally got a computer, a MacBook Pro.  Since then, I have done so much more with my life than I could imagine.  However, I still feel that I haven't gotten the best out of it yet.  For starters, let's take the apps.  I have barely touched the surface in using most of them.  Finder, the default app, is used only to access some files that I could easily do elsewhere, if I knew how.  I mainly use it to send things to the Trash.  I have never used Siri. I just feel better doing things on my own, rather than using that.  Of course, Safari is my main search engine, even if I have to use another one for certain other web sites for better functionality.  Still not sure of every function on it, but I'm getting there.  Launchpad helps me access the secondary apps, a few that I will mention later.  I don't really use Mail, going straight to my main outlet instead.  I don't have any Contacts to mention.  Barley use Calendar or Reminders, mostly to keep tract of school assignments and when to check books back in.  I don't remember ever using Notes.  Maps hasn't been used too much.  Photos has been used rather infrequently, mostly involving uploading images for the store. (It hurts not having a smart phone, but that could change by the end of the year.). I have never used Messages or FaceTime, as I don't have anyone to connect with.  I am not sure I have even activated them correctly yet. I have gotten the most use out of Pages.  I use it for all of my assignments; I just have to convert them first before turning them in.  Not enough people use Mac formats, I guess.  Don't use Numbers (spreadsheets) or Keynote (slide presentations) as I don't need therefor anything.  News is so new, I keep forgetting to read it.  iTunes still hasn't been used, which is good because when Apple upgrades to Catalina this fall, I might get more for my free trail.  I did get a free instruction manual through Books, but that has been all, since the service is technically still my competition for a little longer, at least.  I have gotten a few games through the App Store, but I only play one of them frequently.  Of course, I use System Preferences, even if I don't understand all of them.  I guess I use Photo Booth the most of the secondary apps, again for the ability to upload images/movies for the store.  (It hurts not having a disk reader yet.). iMovies and GarageBand have been played with, but barely.  I have used the Dictionary, mostly when a site said I spelled something wrong, even when I know I'm right.  I played Chess a bit, but it really isn't my thing anymore.  A few apps, such as Preview, get some play when needed, but mostly I don't have much use for the others, until I really understand them.  I mentioned News earlier, which is one of the new apps that got added when I upgraded to High Sierra.  Most of the others haven't been touched, such as Home and Voice Memos.  I have used Snapshot though, mostly so I can add an icon to my blogs.  Unfortunately, they keep being rejected because they are one pixel off from being "square," even when the are.  I need an art or icon creation app, but I have yet to find a free one that I like.  I keep asking for suggestions, but so far I haven't gotten any.  Until then,  I will have to add the image to a post every few weeks.  Next time, as I have tweaked my design and I don't have the pic available today.  My biggest problem is that the wifi at work is terrible.  It can takes minutes for a site to download.  Many games won't finish downloading to the point where I can play them.  I have to go elsewhere and use a different computer just to play.  At hope, I get so distracted that I sometimes forget to do things.  Ah well, I am still new to all of this.  It should get easier.  Until the next download and upgrades, then all bets are off.