This is the moment we've all been waiting for: Steam is finally coming to the Mac, and bringing the entire library of Valve games with it. The popular application is King of the Games on Windows, but now it has expanded its reign to include Mac OS X, too.

Steam is a digital games distributor, a social networking platform for gamers, a multiplayer host for huge frag fests, and one of the most essential pieces of software for computer gamers everywhere. And if you still have no idea what we're talking about, think of game titles like Left 4 Dead, Team Fortress 2, Half-Life, Portal, and Counter Strike--these gems will finally be available for Mac heads everywhere.

The availability of Steam for Mac gamers means that we'll finally be able to kick the butts of our PC brethern, without investing in a pricey gaming console, or a Windows PC. Additionally, game publishers will be able to distribute all of their latest game titles via digital downloads, and we'll be able to play all the various Valve titles across a multitude of different computers, regardless of operating system. We don't doubt that the Mac versus PC debate won't continue on for generations to come, but at least there's finally some common ground.

The Steam client for Mac beta will be available in April. To prepare you for the inevitable long nights of multiplayer game playing and trash talking, we've put together a comprehensive list of the most essential things you'll be able to do with the Steam client. Think of it as, a beginner's guide to a whole new world.

Create a personal gaming profile

The avatar you choose is the first important step to becoming an integral part of the Steam community. Choose wisely, and your future as an elite computer gamer will flourish. However, if you choose poorly, you may be susceptible to a variety of cruel gamer jokes.

See what your friends are up to

Valve has managed to virtually emulate those treasured times during our childhood, when you’d head outside just to see what the neighborhood kids were up to. In this instance, Steam shows you what everyone else is up to on your friends list. Your buddies can even invite you into the game they’re currently playing, so you can both engage in some Heavy against Scout combat in Team Fortress 2. And, in the new beta UI being currently tested with Windows Steam users, the story homepage now lists what your friends have bought or have been playing lately, so you can purchase games knowing your friends will be playing with you.

Join community groups

Making friends online is no longer limited to the confines of social networking, and now you can connect with people who enjoy playing the same games as you!



Get the latest Steam news on the go

This unofficial Steam iPhone app links to aggregated news from the official website, so you can always check when it’s time to update a game, if the Steam store is having a big sale, or if an essential patch has been released for your favorite title. For best results, begin the download process early in the morning so the game will be ready to play after a long day of school or work. 

View community gaming events in your RSS feed

Steam allows you to schedule gaming events and publish them to an RSS feed, so you can have your friends follow along in their Google Reader and make note of the next frag fest.

View gaming achievements

There’s more to those online multiplayer first-person shooters than a simple game of Capture the Flag. Team Fortress 2, Left 4 Dead and the Half-Life series all have a strong replay value because of their unlockable achievements, and Steam keeps track of these itty bitty medals of honor for as long as you keep your account active.

Digitally purchase games and downloadable content

Gone are the days of trekking to the brick and mortar video game store to pick up the latest copy of the next big first-person-shooter. With Steam, you can purchase your game directly from its publisher and the game code stays tied to your username, as long as you can remember your login password. You can also re-download any and every game you’ve ever played when you switch computers, so you never have to worry about keeping track of hard copies and key codes written down on loose pieces of paper. And, if you purchase a game for a friend, it’s also eternally tied to their Steam account.

Download demos and watch trailers

Just like Apple.com is the definite source for high definition movie trailers, so is Steam the go-to for previews and teasers of upcoming game titles. Stay in the know by watching a promotional video or download the demo and play it with your friends.

Add games to your library that aren't sold on Steam

Even if you’re knee-deep in a game that isn’t offered on Steam, you can still share that you’re playing that non-Steam game with your friends list. Simply link the client to the game's app and launch the game from inside Steam to have it show up as your status.