If you really want to programme C++ I can recommend setting up a BeOS system. The API is really nice to work with, it's well documented, and there's several good books and pages to get you started.
But then I'd recommend that everyone get a BeOS system, cos it's great
If you're using an old Mac, though, you really should put in the effort to learn some assembly. The 68k is one of the nicest processors to write assembly for (and it actually makes sense to do it, as opposed to the PPC, where it doesn't really). Get yourself Fantasm and teh Beginner's Guide to Assembly. Also, Macsbug and some cracking tutorials to get your hands dirty... You will learn things about how a computer works that will be invaluable later on - if you start with C++, you might get the idea that the object orientatedness is actually real...
But then I'd recommend that everyone get a BeOS system, cos it's great
If you're using an old Mac, though, you really should put in the effort to learn some assembly. The 68k is one of the nicest processors to write assembly for (and it actually makes sense to do it, as opposed to the PPC, where it doesn't really). Get yourself Fantasm and teh Beginner's Guide to Assembly. Also, Macsbug and some cracking tutorials to get your hands dirty... You will learn things about how a computer works that will be invaluable later on - if you start with C++, you might get the idea that the object orientatedness is actually real...