how do i find stuff help!

[saultopaul]

Hi I know this is a real no brainer but well i have always reckoned if i can suss out new computers or s/w anyone can! Well here i am completely stuck. I have just got my new imac Jaguar os- and can i work out how to do a find !!?? I have used both the fin under edit and the spy glass and entered part of the file name but never get anything! I mean for example i have on the desktop a few files with 2008 in the name. When i search for 2008 nothing is returned. Also when i say want to look for all image files on the whole of my mac , unlike in windows that is so easy to do, I am completely stuck. I love my mac but as far as searching goes it doesn't look at all as friendly as windows ( there, i knew i would swear)
Any simple advice would be most welcomed !
Paul

 

[saultopaul]

whoops had privacy on for my discs in spotlight preferences