A new toy...

[buffster]

As some of you know, my PC crashed a few weeks ago. I lost a lot of vital information. I figured this was a good excuse to finally switch back to the Mac.

My new "toy" arrived on October 26. I'm still in a learning mode; but, so far, I'm loving my new iMac.

I'd be interested to hear from other Mac users who have tips, tools and suggestions that will improve my time on the computer. And, if anyone is interested, I'm happy to share tips and tools as I become reacquainted with the Mac and the Leopard operating system.

Mike

 

[hooverwheelaway]

**Jealous**

Ooh... Pretty!!!



~Fred

 

[swestoyz]

When I was very young - I always believed the computer was actually all built into the screen (pre Apple II days). So thoughtful that Jobs would bring my childhood misconception to reality!

Beautiful iMac there, I've been lusting after one myself. Let us know how it goes ~

Ben

 

[buffster]

Fred...

Did you see my note to you under my thread of the same title on Vacuumland? I'm hoping as a fellow Mac enthusiast (I'm assuming), you'll share all your wisdom--tips, tricks and tools. I haven't used a Mac in 11 years, so I'll be relying on the kindness of others to give me the proper guidance. Are you using Leopard yet? Very pretty. Lot's of nice widgets and razzle dazzle. BTW, what are you using? I thought I saw a PowerBook in one of your pics.

(I should have turned on the iMac before taking the picture.)

M.

 

[buffster]

Ben and Fred...

Ben, I will do my best to keep you posted. I too had been debating about getting one for the past couple of years. I'm glad I waited. I really like the brushed aluminum case. One of the best features, in my opinion, was the ability to eliminate the need for so many cords and the tower sitting under my desk. Yay!

Now I'd like to get a bluetooth headset (not ear piece) that will work with iTunes and the iPhone (the next item on my wish list). I want to go totally wireless. Any ideas Fred??

I'm also looking for a bluetooth or DECT 6.0 headset that works with an analog phone. (I don't want VOIP.) The only things I've found so far are the Plantronic type headsets with the cumbersome handset lifter and the Calisto Pro, which was just released in September. It's also kind of pricey--$250. I can't believe that it's the only one of its type--cordless handset and Bluetooth/Dect 6.0 earpiece. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'd also like to find a phone with a really good speaker phone feature. I like the Polycom desk phone, but it's kind of bulky. And, I'm not sure the speaker phone feature on Polycom's desk phone matches its high-end speaker phones used in numerous conference rooms of corporate America.

 

[toggleswitch]

oooooh that's purrrrrty!

"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's ass."

Fine; all well and good, that computer however, I'm coveting!

Enjoy your new toy.

 

[jasonl]

So were you working and all of a sudden it went "Beep beep beep beep beep!"?

 

[hooverwheelaway]

Heya Mike!

Here's what I posted on VacuumLand:

What a pretty machine that is! I drool all over those any time I go into an Apple store. I'm a laptop guy, myself; but wouldn't go with anything but a Mac! I'm on my second, and have had one for about 6 years now!

The only thing I would recommend outright is to get the AppleCare protection plan for the computer. I'll never buy another Apple without it! My first computer had an issue just a few days outside of its warranty - thank god I was able to bitch enough for them to cover it - but, I learned my lesson. Now, of course, that I have the protection plan, I haven't had any issues!

I'd love to talk Mac anytime!

*******

I have a PowerBookG4 that's going on 2 years old... it's my second PowerBook. My first was still fine, but showing signs of age.. and was getting kinda slow. So, while I had the money I went ahead and got another!

I've not yet upgraded to Leopard... but can't wait to do so!

These new macs have a very different feel than they did 11 years ago, but you'll find a lot of small things that are the same - only improved.

I'm not a die-hard mac guy, I just use it and appreciate it for its ease of use. But I'd be glad to let you pick my brain if any questions arise!

Not at all sure about the whole bluetooth headset or phone thing; there are quite a few Mac discussion boards (sound familiar, anyone?) out there in cyberspace... I'm sure if you do a bit of poking around, there's bound to be something.

Happy Macing!

~Fred

 

[maggie~hamilton]

"Once you go Mac, you'll never go back."

 

[alexb1186]

finally I can have my say and why you must have Applecare!

I've had Macs for 2 years now as I had to have one for the J-School when I was wanting to be a journalism major, but now a finance major. My first one was an iBook 1.33Ghz. Couldn't live without it but had some issue under warranty back in Feb. 2006, non HD related hallelujah.

Fast forward to Friday, Oct. 13th, 2006, it's the "Midwest Vac Gathering" at Tarantula Arms and my mom is down in New Orleans getting married. My iBook decided to go gray screen again, and it turns out the monitor and later the logic board both blow and since it's out of warranty at this point it's $780 out of my pocket.

Out of frustration and impulse while my iBook is being fixed, I buy a Macbook black on fleaBay with a 1.25GB memory upgrade and a 160GB HD upgrade, and one of the cool things about Macs is the FireWire, where you can transfer all your settings and files from your old mac to your new Mac. And I discover soon afterward I bought the AppleCare for my iBook, but DIDN'T REGISTER IT!! Oh was I steamed! But I was able to register the Macbook on it.

So I get my iBook fixed, put it on fleabay, and enjoy my new Macbook until Friday 4/13/07 the hard drive blows, the logic board blows, and the memory causes a kernel panic. All my pics and movies gone and all my vacuum schematics and references gone. The logic board got replaced, the memory was bojack and Cody, the MacXprts guy put in original 512MB memory, and my HD was a non Apple brand but under warranty so I got that swapped and only paid $30 for the HD installation.

The Today show did a bit on this and Macs and LCD/Plasma TVs are the only things you should get extended warranties.

Mike, yours I believe is the newer "green" Mac made from recycled aluminum and has a new spreadsheet program called Numbers. I don't know much about Leopard yet cause I don't have it yet but be sure to set your Software Update check to "daily" to keep on top of things.

 

[maggie~hamilton]

Moral of the above story:

[size=+2]BACKUP, BACKUP, BACKUP.[/size]

If I lost the client files stored on my computers (I have both Mac & PC), I may as well go live under a freeway because my professional life would be over.

I use a two-level backup system -- locally with an external USB drive as well as remote (online) backup through

There are plenty of free backup programs. A terrific one for the Mac is SilverKeeper -- www.silverkeeper.com.

I don't know of any free remote backup services but you can shop around for a good deal. Google "remote backup mac" and you'll find a long list to peruse.

 

[alexb1186]

Charles I have plenty of backup too

-a LaCie 80GB external HD, chock full of pics, threads and Oprah shows
-a free 5GB online X Drive you get through AOL
-512mb and 4GB flash drives

 

[buffster]

Thank You...

I want to thank everyone who responded, for your words of wisdom.

Fred, I'll contact you shortly to pick your brain.

Charles Richard and Alex, thankfully, I backed up most of my work. I've recovered almost everything except 20 year's worth of music (OUCH!) and my address book. At some point, I'll take the old hard drive to an IT geek to see if those files can be retrieved. I'd happily pay a few hundred to get all my music back. The CDs are long gone. I now have a Seagate 250 Gig USB drive and a .mac account that will allow me to store up to 10 gigs online--remotely. I've designed enough business continuity plans for clients to know the importance of backing up remotely. You'd think I would have known better. Oohwee! Some lessons are very painful.

BTW, yes I have AppleCare.

Mike

 

[wringer_clean]

Nice Work Setting !!

Hey Mike,

Very nice work space. The mac is fantastic, very sleek design, and of course, the wonderful intuitive nature of the machine. Great purchase. I always say, if I'm pressed to by a personal laptop, it would definitely be a mac. Corporate issue is Dell, which is fine, they're not as fun and entertaining to use and also it's very locked down being a company machine. Just got a new Dell Latitude D630 to replace my D600. The new one has a smaller foot print with a more rectangular screen and it's lighter; great when I'm schlepping through airport security, you know, the cavity search routine.

I really do like your work setup. I can see you being very productive with your new mac. (Still pushing on my end, would be great to work with you!!)

Heading outside to do one final swoop on the yard in preparation for the next season. Fall has been beautiful here. Great color and nice temps, but it's pretty much over. Thanksgiving is in less than 2 weeks. YIKES!

Take Care and Enjoy MACing!!

Pat