Mac users! Where are you?
 

So...where are all the Mac users around here? I know there's got to be at least a few. What is everyone's setup? Experiences? Opinions?

Let's get something up and running here, fellow Mac users...we'll be the appropriately small "niche market" of this predominantly Windows forum.

^_^

Hello Orig !

Glad to see you again!

Welcome back indeed..

This Mac lover has for the time being switched sides to Windows, and soon to Ubuntu, that is probably as close as I'll get to Leopard on my pc's.

Have you tried the new Leopard system?

Good to see you both again also.

I've used, and am using, OS X Leopard. It's wonderful.

I'm actually waiting for the arrival of my brand new MacBook Pro...I think waiting for Apple products is the longest wait *ever*. Even overnight shipping is not quick enough when all you want to do is crack open that sleek desktop replacement and hear the first gong!

As for Windows...I could almost sort of deal with Windows XP. And I did for a few years before I switched. But Vista is a whole new ball game and, to be honest, it drives me up a wall. I initially was helping my Vista-burdened friends with their systems, but have since resorted to OSX86 because it's just easier. Hah.

Ubuntu is nice, I guess. I tried using it back in October just to see if I was skilled enough for Linux and the jury is in: I'm so not. I mean, it's got a lot of great stuff installed standard and you can make it do anything. That's great. It's just that I have so little time lately to dedicate to the kind of learning curve that Linux presents. Perhaps someday when I can make it a true hobby...but right now I'm working on finishing up my degree(s) and I don't need the stress of a command line :)

Curious, Cyberion: what made you switch back from Mac? Was it pre- or post-OS X?

Well, I guess you can now add me to the list of Mac Owners, too...Waiting for my mac book and Mac Pro to be delivered in the next day or 2, and am really excited at the prospect..

I've been a windows guy for 20+ years, and a beta tester for the last 15 for several companies, MS included, so I have been sort of an "expert" user at all things win-tel for a long long time..

Frankly, the fact that Vista was more of a downgrade than an upgrade, and it wont be long till XP disappears from the world, I decided that Mac really offered the best of all worlds, and since its really easy to run win-tel stuff on a mac now, it sholdn't be a problem dealing with the learning curve; plus, I am reading lots of Mac Books, Magazines, web sites/blogs and all, so It shouldn't take me more than a few days to be comfy working with it.
I just hope its 1/2 as sweet as most Mac fanatics seem to say it is!

Welcome back to B-1!

Mac ?? is verry interesst !!
 

Hello wase4711 (he, 4711 is german Cologne Water !!)

Hav you a cheeper Prise Offer for a little "Mac mini" with Intel Duo Core Prozessor for me ? The cheep hav s ee here in germany with 520 Euro. Is with Intel Duo Core with 2x 1,4 GHz.

I wish a Mac mini for Test the mac OS 10.4 (other the actuell to time).
Mac is another World of Computer Technolgy.

Ok when you hav a already needed Mac mini with cheep prise write me please a PN.

Greetings fritz122

Hi Fritz;

No, I do not have a Mac mini; I only have windows machines, until my new Mac pc's are delivered in the next few days..

Sorry!

Does 4711 smell good?

Take care!

Wase4711

Well, my MacBook Pro just arrived on Tuesday. It is by far the nicest, fastest, most awesome laptop I have ever used. Did you order the 15" or the 17" model? I find the 17" is a bit too big to be considered "portable" which is ultimately what I need, so I went with the smaller model. You can really feel the superior build quality to this machine...and the speed is blistering.

Switching isn't too hard. I used to read TUAW and the MacRumors Forums in the lead-up to my switch a few years back. By the time I got my Mac, I knew more than I realized and it was easy to learn.

I'd advise you to resist installing Windows as long as possible (or forever) so that you're forced to learn OS X and form new (more efficient) habits.

I'll expect a full report once your order arrives. Don't wear out your "refresh" button on the FedEx tracking page ;)

Well, its the UPS page that is getting worn out, so Fed Ex is safe!
I actually am getting just a plain old Mac Book; the 13 incher, and a Mac Pro desktop...
Interesting observation on not installing Windows on it as well. I guess I never really thought about windows as a "bad habit", but you make a good point about being forced to learn OSX and rid myself of the windows "demons"..So, you dont reccomend installing VM Ware or Parallels, just to avoid the temptation"?
I guess I am most concerned about finding good programs that can use the windows data that I have accumulated over the years; things like flashfxp data files, and making sure its easy to import email contacts and calendars.
I have been doing tons of research and I think I am comfortable with most things, but simple things like opening the cd tray and "right clicking" are things I am still unsure about.

I know a week from now, I will be laughing at myself because I was even concerned about some of this stuff!

Just checked UPS and its out for delivery today!

Well feel free to ask any questions you might have. I've done the migration myself and most of it is pretty easy. Importing Mailbox into Apple's Mail client is pretty easy, although transferring FlashFXP files might be a bit more difficult or you might have to start over. Not sure. But in any case, I'm here to share the wealth!

yes, so far its been pretty easy..
one quick question; have you or anyone else found a osx compatible webcam that is reasonably priced?

Apple no longer sells it, but you can find an iSight webcam on eBay. I would really recommend the iSight.

If you want something else, you can buy almost any USB webcam and download "enablers" which will allow OS X to use an external USB webcam.

But like I said, the iSight is still the way to go, even though Apple has decided to stop selling it.

well, the isight is more expensive than most 10 MP digital cameras now a days!
I am tempted to use my nikon d40 as a webcam; i understand its pretty easy on a Mac..

Hey, Wase, is the 4711 on your screen name an allusion to the famous eau de Cologne? Wow, what memories I have of that. Spent 5 years in Germany in the late 50's--early 60's.

My 13" MacBook is great and am happy I made the plunge last a week. It is replacing my very nice but slow Sony T-140 I use when traveling.

I'm seriously considering an iMac to replace my desktop. After 20 years of IBM standard stuff it's a big change. I found a utility for $10 to convert my Outlook Contacts to a form importable by Entourage.

My sister has a new 15" MacBook due to arrive in a few days.

no, i think the 4711 is either my IQ, or my current weight!!

Glad to hear you are getting along with your macbook; we love ours, for surfing while watching tv, or for using when sitting outside in the back yard.
My Mac Pro is simply awesum, and my wife now wants one of those new Imacs too!
yes, that utility to convert your outlook stuff works perfectly; i used it when I first converted too!

have you found alot of good Mac websites and boards yet?
If you need some, let me know...

Still looking for a couple good sites. If you have a suggestion or two, I'd be very pleased to have them.

Thanks for your help.

pm me, and let me know what kind of sites you are looking for ok?

Hey, Wase,

'Scuse me for answering so late. I'm doing a lot of "discovery" fooling around right not with my MacBook. Joined a Mac Forum and learned some things. Mine btw is OS 10.5, 2.4 GHz.

I'd installed Fusion from get go on the theory that I wanted to be able to run an XP VM if the need arose. No needs so far, but then I decided I wanted to try out Boot Camp and install XP as a dual boot, mainly to see if it really works. Well, I've had quite a lot of wheel spinning. I'm getting a "hal.dll" missing error message at the end of the install. Very common experience with newbie OSX users. Read a lot of posts and now suspect it could be because VMWare Fusion does something to the the HD, so un-installed Fusion with the uninstall app contained in the Fusion dmg install file. This seems to be the problem and the boot camp install of XP is near it's end now.

I bought this machine to travel with and don't want to be OTL at a critical time if I can't do something I want to do with it. Main travel to my daughter in Italy will need a lot of PC maintenance, updates and stuff. :)

I gave her a new ACER Ferrari on my last trip and I would guess it needs a lot of sprucing up.

NP with the "late answer", man...we all have lives to attend to!

Anyway, I have to reassure you that you CAN travel with just the MAC OS on the machine...I have been able to do EVERYTHING I could in windows, and LOTS MORE, so, for me, there hasn't been any desire to crap up my Mac HD with ANY version of Windows..
Isn't that the whole reason for going with MAC insted of WINTEL?

We have a laptop as well as the desktop, and its a blast to use; awesum battery life, faster in every aspect to a comparable win-tel laptop, and even though I haven't had to travel with it yet, its nice size and weight will make that a pleasure as well..

Almost 3 months into it, not a single blue screen, crash, or major disaster, and probably only had to do a force restart about twice in that time.
I leave it on 24-7; it goes to sleep when not in use, and wakes up automatically in the am at the time i set it for.

My mom recently got a Apple Air. Its very pretty and quick to boot. The only thing I don't like about it, doesn't have a DVD drive nor a built-in ethernet. However with adapters and external drives everything works like a charm.

I've recently taken a little break from my Linux exploration, re-doing the wintel on the laptop, and cleaned up the icons on my desktop, I swear its just fragmenting the HD.

I got tired of no right click and used BootCamp to put XP on my MacBook. I admit to being lazy. Maybe too much for my tired brain. I do like WinXp, but if it's going to be mac or xp, then maybe I'll take Mac. :)

I use ctrl-left click, which brings up your right click menu.

you can enable right click in the system preferences, or, do like I did, and dump that crappy Apple-supplied mouse, and use a REAL one!

Hey, that crappy mouse is beautiful, those curves, buttons and shineyness.. That being said.. When I use a Mac, I use my three button mouse. :)

I use my Logitec MX

An AirMX.. I love it, its great great great for standing up away from the PC, and moving the arrow around.

How is the sensitivity on that thing Cybie? I was tempted to get one, but I thought it would be hard to exercise detailed control with it..plus its 150 bucks here if I recall!

It was 149 (CAD).

You control it with micro movements, little gestures.. don't forget that it has a very sensitive giro(sp?) in it. All you need to go up and down is to give a slight twitch.. easy for me. (chuckle) It also has laser point for on the pad photoshop detail too. The Air stuff is great for distance computing, presentation, and the battery life is pretty long, and its shiney.. nice and shiney and comes with its own paired bluetooth usb adapter already, no need to pair it. (works out of the box).

The cons are..
For the price its 150 dollars?!
Its a little small on the hand, I'm using my normal mouse for everyday computing (a cireo something)
Its not heavy, and doesn't have any wirers so it can get lost easily.. I've learned to put it back in the base, or near the base when I'm finished using it.

this one looks really interesting too..

http://www.wow-pen.com/new/products/wow_pen_joy.htm

A month ago, I helped my sister upgrade her 10 year old Toshiba laptop to a Macbook and now a few weeks later her 5 year old Desktop setup running XP is crashing. She's PC moxy and has done all the right things. We agreed she needs to upgrade equipment, so I'm helping her with a 3 GHz iMac 24" with 4 GB of ram. Been shipped (she lives in the boonies in Montana). You can't drive to the local Apple Store. :)

Another happy convert. The jury is still out for me. I like my 13" MacBook, but I also like my custom assembled desktop with infinate hardware reconfiguration possiblilities--part of the fun. Yet, now that I'm getting on in age, it might be better to get rid of those dozen shoe boxes of IBM compatible PC parts I have collected over the past few years.

I just bought my wife one of those exact Imacs, and its truly awesum..the hi gloss screen is stunning, and, its almost as fast as my Mac Pro!

You need to dump those shoeboxes dude, and just take the plunge..I haven't missed Wintel crap at all, and I haven't had a single instance when I couldn't find a Mac proggie that wouldn't do what I needed done...
I reboot about every 10 days, just because I think I should, NEVER a hang up, there is no BSOD, no Virus, no spyware, no registry issues, little if any maintenance, the list goes on and on..

This is a great reply wase. Gave me a good chuckle. I know I'll go the big 24" iMac, but for silly reasons I'm taking my time getting there.

I'll visit my kids in Italy in August and was planning on dropping off my 2 month old Lenovo Thinkpad (upgraded to a MacBook chez moi) to replace an Acer Ferrari I left my daughter in 2004. My daughter, unlike my sister, isn't interested in new stuff. Nor is my son-in-law who has his own WinXP desktop. They just got DSL last month, for crying out loud. They live in a small village in the suburbs of Catania, Sicily. About 3,000 ft elevation on the foothills of Mt. Etna.

Question Wase.

Do you consider the iMac servicable by yourself. For example, replacing a HD or Optical drive?

Did you buy the Apple service coverage?

make sure you take pictures, and post them via your .nac account so I can see them!!:lol: :lol:
learning all this new stuff keeps our minds acitve, and I know that is important for old farts like us!!

As far as servicing an Imac, NO, all you can do is add memory; the rest has to be done by pros...

We bought service plans for my Mac Pro, and the Imac, but not for the laptop..

You should probably get a Mac Pro, as it is TOTALLY serviceable by you or me, and its so easy to replace stuff, or add stuff, you wouldnt even believe it..
It took about 20 seconds to add a Terrabyte Hard drive to the thing, and there was NO CONFIGURATION WHATSOEVER...I Turned on the machine, and it was there, and recognized...no screws, no rails, it just slid in and clicked, and that was it..
memory is even easier..

I can't believe I didnt do this years ago...

Moving this to All things Mac

Whoa! I had not bothered checking out the Mac Pro. Wow! That's a nice piece of gear. I don't really want a big 24" iMac. I'd rather have a computer box, plus a big screen. But, the bux for the Mac Pro is too much for me at this time. Undeterred, today I bought a Mac-Mini. The upgraded version: 2 GHz Core 2 Duo, 2 GB RAM, 120 GB SATA drive. It's got wi-fi, bluetooth, 4 usb ports, and DVD burner all in a box the size of an external USB drive case. I'm using it with my wireless Logitec KB/Mouse and my external 19" LCD monitor via a 2 port KVM, so that I can also run the WinXP box that will eventually be decommisioned. I've got it pretty much setup and am totally impressed by this little 2.5 pound box that makes a pretty nice small footprint computer. After I digest buying my sister a MacBook and the 24" iMac, along with my own MacBook, I'll figure out the next step, if there is one. I'm going to be getting rid of 3 xp boxes and all those shoe boxes of parts I've collected over past years.

The Apple Store really hums here. Full all the time with people, whereas the Sony Store is like a morgue. :)

yeah, my wife wanted the compact size of the Imac, and its really nice and small for her; for me, I have a 30inch Dell monitor, so I wanted a seperate box to hook it up to.

That mini sounds really cool; can you add RAM to it, or is it sealed up?

Its amazing how much faster, and how many things you can run with no slow down at all on these things. My wife only has 2 gigs of RAM, but yesterday she had Photoshop, light room, Iphoto, Ilife, I tunes, email, 12 web Browsers, and all sorts of other shit running, and you couldn't even tell on her machine..imagine doing that with Vista!

Plus, we bought the cheapo laptop, and its SO MUCH faster than my high end windows Toshiba I sold, plus the battery life is 3 times as long..

I gotta believe if 100 people actually tried out Mac stuff, 85 would dump windows in a heartbeat...

The Mac mini has 2 GB max.

Got all my Outlook Contacts into the Mac Address Book OK.
Still fussing with my BookMarks which are all in acqURL.

Apart from that things are looking pretty good.

never heard of acqurl, but it should be easy to import them..

Used acqURL for years, but exporting is a problem.

I bought a WD Book 1 TB drive today to use as the Time Machine back up. I'm thinking to put all my jpg, music and doc archives there so they can be easily kept up to date.

All my archives are on NTFS HD's. If I understand, Mac can read NTFS, but can't write to it. I've always synced my archives to a redundant backup with Vice Versa, a great program. Second Copy is perhaps better known.

Is there a similar program for Mac? What I mean is, suppose you keep all your new jpg's, mp3's and other items in your personal files on the Mac, then want to back them up to an external disk, but update only the files that have changed. Is that a Time Machine job? or some other program?

Anyhow, I'm totally converted to email on the Mac and have put my favorite ACDSee program into a Virtual Machine in Parallels, just in case. I like Parallels better than Fusion, btw.

iTunes will sync with Address Book, but I doubt my HP 614c PDA will. Still some rought edges to figure out.