Just got my first Mac after nearly 30 years with Microsoft stuff.  It
is an Imac G5 20" and I love it so far.

I am a little like a duck out of water and would appreciate direction
leading to the best Mac links for software and hardware & any tips. 
Thanks

Perhaps one of these links will be useful:

1) A description of some of the features of the Mac operating system
(Spotlight and Dashboard might be of interest to you):

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/28/technology/circuits/28pogue.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5070&en=6d5f9a4e80d41340&ex=1136955600

2)If you have digital photos, this might give you a start:

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/20/technology/circuits/20stat.html?ex=1136955600&en=23c2c7313656ca72&ei=5070

3)This Apple site has a number of links to get you started:

http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/

The "Get me working and playing" link (second link) covers a number of
topics; you might take a look at Lesson 22: Spotlight and Lesson 4:
Dashboard - or any others that interest you.

You may also be interested in the first link,"Give me the grand tour
of the Mac interface," if you would like more familiarity with getting
around the Mac.