Mac newb help with help

I just got a imac 21.5, osx10.8.5 (late 2012) refurbished. My old windows xp died and I'm trying to learn this mac thing at least up to the level that I could use my old pc, that is not much, really. I only search around on the web and do some forums, like tractor stuff, welding, garage, timber etc... you get the idea. Definitely not a tech/gadget guy. I am really trying to be patient and work my way through this but when I hit the help button and select the help area, the message is that it (help) is not available now and that I need to be connected to the internet. I AM! This happens in all the "apps" not sure if that is the right term, but I get the same message in "help" @ iTunes, photo, safari (internet) etc. Those are the other things that I do on the computer, music & photo's. So far not impressed at all with the i tunes compared to windows media player. If anyone has any suggestions, please pretend that you are explaining it to your dog. I searched around here a little before joining looking for a similar issue as mine, and really did not understand most of the lingo used. thanks