MacKarl's MacHelp

Karl Bastian's Mac Tips and Tricks. See his main blog at www.kidologist.com

Saturday, June 18, 2005

Why I 'Switched' to Mac

The Day the MacHappiness Began

My PC* buddies love to give me a hard time about my beloved Mac (Powerbook G4) but the irony is, I was once as passionate as them, but I have to say, Apple's OSX (operating system ten) has changed everything. I was once a dedicated 'power user' of the PC. I knew how how to run Dos commands, alter the config sys, and fix the myriad of problems that myself and all those around me had nearly every day. In fact, my knowledge of how to fix problems was, in fact, one of my reasons to STAY WITH PC! I knew how to fix everything. Then one day, explaining that to a MacEvangelist over lunch at Friday (Dave Garda) he asked me a profound question, "But what if you didn't need to fix your computer?" That question changed my life. I would now add 'as often' to that question, for no machine made by man can be perfect, but I can say I've had about 5% or less as many problems, and none were the fault of the operating system. The biggest were human error (yes, me, I'll admit a few errors) and the other was non-Apple software problems. The journey to the Apple Side of the Force began with a donated PowerMac G4 donated to Kidology. I set aside a whole Saturday to set it up, and had it running in 30 minutes complete with printer, wireless Internet, and all! I was stunned.

The I discovered just how integrated everything was on this machine, and how my creativity was unleased with photos, music, and video editing all being integrated seamlessly - I was making videos for ministry in a fraction of what it would take me on a PC, that is IF I could even do it on a PC without lots of extra software, drives, equipment, etc.

By February 2004 I was convinced and bought myself a PowerBook G4 and have been so glad I did!!

Reasons I Love my Mac:

1) More time for WORK (ministry) less time fixing my computer.

2) No viruses, adware, spyware, dangerous downloads or attachments EVER. Sure my PC friends tell me I am vulnerable, but how many PC users can say they have had NO problems with Internet content? And without spending a dime on all the software and programs to keep safe?

3) Everything is easier and faster and integrated.

4) More Expensive? Hardly after you consider everything included as part of the operating system - including the ability to make PDFs with on PC requires an expensive Adobe program.

5) Compatible? Every major program is available on Mac and runs better on Mac. I lost a few games, but I can still play on my PC when no one is looking.

6) It fun - expose, widgits, iPod, etc.

7) Better results in less time in everything I create on this thing.

8) I no longer have to fix everyone else's computer problems, I can claim ignorance, "Man, I'm on a Mac, I don't have those kind of problems any more, I'm forgetting how to fix them."

9) I can make movies, videos, CDs, and online galleries of pictures with speed and ease and they look a zillion times better than I could do on a PC... if I'd bothered with the hassle before.

10) I enjoy a special bond with the others who have discovered the Mac Way of Life, and enjoy the heart heart thanks I get from those who I have helped show the way to.

I'll stop there! I have since encouraged three people to switch to mac, and bought one for my assistant so I can pay her to work rather than fix stuff all the time. I am a very happy customer.

Is everything perfect? My PC Buddies don't believe this, but I'm not a die-hard "Mac is Perfect" fanatic. To me, a computer is a TOOL to produce RESULTS. If anyone wants to use a PC (and deal with viruses, driver problems, blue screens of death, etc.) and they can get work done, fine. There are little things (very little) that annoy me or I wish Apple would fix/change, and I will report them here as well, but I want this to be a place I can post the things I learn about my Mac.

I've been a Mac User for about a year and half, and as I said to my assistant the other day showing her a cool new feature, THE COOLNESS JUST DOESN'T STOP!

I keep learning new things that my Mac can do. On my PC I kept learning new things it couldn't do, or ever new ways it made me mad, wasted my time, or messed up my life.

I hope this blog will serve both as a place for tips and secrets and advice for newer Mac users, and a place those contemplating the "Switch" can get some balanced insight into this thing called MAC. I won't be giving a one-sided view, I will give the good, the better, the awesome, the amazing, the cool, and the minor-ly irritating here. (but never ugly)

If you love life, you'll just love it more with a Mac.

* PC = Personal Computer, running Windows, not necessarily 'Politically Correct'

[Direct Link] posted by Karl Bastian @ Saturday, June 18, 2005

13 Comments so far

13 Comments:

Now that mac is making the switch to intel, some gross stuff could sweep in fast. A major outbrake of either good or bad is on the horizon.

By Anonymous, at Saturday, 18 June, 2005

I'm willing to bet on Good - since everything Apple does seem to be better than before... from the little i understand of the 'insides' of a Mac, it seems Apple is brave enough to do the right thing / best thing, even at the risk of tickin' off the die-hard mac fans... and that can only be good. (I hope)

By Karl Bastian, at Saturday, 18 June, 2005

I'm planning buying a laptop and I'm almost convinced of buying a MAC. I have some questions...
Does It burn Cd and DVD?

By Anonymous, at Tuesday, 21 June, 2005

yes, they burn CD and DVDs

By Karl Bastian, at Tuesday, 21 June, 2005

Let me add, IF YOU GET A POWERBOOK, some iBooks only burn CDs. Just look over the specs on apple.com before you make your choice.

By Karl Bastian, at Tuesday, 21 June, 2005

I've been thinking of switching to a MAC for many of the reasons you mention, I am getting sick of rebuilding PCs. Few questions for you if you have the time. Can the MAC be on the same router that several other PCs use? What did you do with all your old PC files? Can the MAC software import Word, Excel, ect.? Can files be shared between MACs and PCs - say for web development. Does the MAC come with something simular to Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc. I have more questions but I don't want to take up too much space.

By Anonymous, at Tuesday, 21 June, 2005

Sorry one more - have to ask question. It sounded like you implied that the MAC dosn't need to run anti-virus or popup blocker software, is this the case? Do they make anti-virus or firewall software for the MAC?

By Anonymous, at Tuesday, 21 June, 2005

great questions, will answer in a post.

By Karl Bastian, at Tuesday, 21 June, 2005

After going back and forth for years and getting answers to quite a few of my questions here... I did it. I purchased an iMac G5. So far I have been pretty happy with it, although I still feel some what clumsy with the keyboard and mouse, as I used more PC keyboard shortcuts than I realized.

All my PC friends muttered why.. why.. WHY? But then asked to check out the "New Toy". (Wish I was more up to speed on it so I could show them what it could really do)

I love the design of the iMac G5 and it should meet my needs perfectly once I get up to speed on how things are accomplished. One of the coolest things is that many commands are speakable, it will even tell you jokes.

Did you say that Adobe Acrobat is available on Apple computers? If so, how do I launch the application?

Is there a cheat sheet on keyboard commands, and how in the world do I right click with the Apple mouse?

Is there a list of must have Mac software, that doesn’t come bundled with the computer?

Thanks again.. (Strange I couldn't type an exclamation point, but the other shift keys like @, #, $, % work fine)

By Anonymous, at Wednesday, 20 July, 2005

comedy

By Anonymous, at Saturday, 15 October, 2005

comedy

By Anonymous, at Saturday, 15 October, 2005

hi karl.

i totally agree. i'm also using a powerbook G4. i switched november 2004. it was like being plucked out of darkness into marvelous light. : )

my name is paolo and i live in manila philippines. My friend is a pastor at GCF. i am a kids pastor at victory christian fellowship, fort bonifacio.

God bless.

paolo

By Anonymous, at Monday, 30 January, 2006

Must have software is:
OpenOffice and/or neoOffice and forget the micro$oft tax with word and excell.

By Anonymous, at Friday, 04 August, 2006

MacKarl's MacHelp

Saturday, June 18, 2005

Why I 'Switched' to Mac

13 Comments:

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