Transition Issues Log - 1st stage

A list of system problems that a new Mac convert may face.

- Unnatural Mouse Tracking in OS X
http://db.tidbits.com/article/8893
Description:
(For many users), moving the mouse feels unnatural because of the way Mac OS X translates mouse motion into pointer movement (the "mouse acceleration curve"). This website describes the problem in detail and reviews and provides links to some recommended fixes.

NOTE: I used "USB Overdrive" with the settings >> Speed=80 dpi (fastest); Acceleration=20%

- Make Airport Express Stream Audio From Any App
Description:
By default Apple's Airport Express will only channel audio from itunes.
Rogue Amoeba Software has released Airfoil, which enables users to send audio from any application (instead of just iTunes) directly to an Air Port Express base station.

Note:
Live audio streaming has some lag time, causing video and sound to go off-sync.
The VLC player workaround seems to be to check the Advanced box at the bottom of Preferences, and under Audio set a manual “audio deynchronization compensation value.” With a little trial and error, you should get the sound in sync.

Currently no workaround for online videos

- Transferring and synchronizing bookmarks across multiple machines
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2410
"Foxmarks" a free Firefox browser plugin which backups and synchronizes bookmarks using an online server.

- Migrating/backing up old emails
Switch to Mozilla's free email client "Thunderbird" which will be able to import all emails from MS outlook and save as a set of local mail files.
Instructions: Copy files/folder and then Paste To
hope79/library/thunderbird/profiles/ID.default/mail/local folders/

Note: This only works for MS Outlook to Thunderbird migration. Still have not found a way to import from OS X mail program.

- Free Antivirus for MAC
www.clamxav.com/
Tho it is not necessary since there are no known viruses for MAC.

- Instant chat
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/6-alternative-chat-applications-for-msn-on-mac-os-x/
Description:
The Mac version of MSN is one generation behind, lacking many useful features which windows users are used to. Furthermore, Voice chats, video calls/conferencing will not work.
This website makes a list of five alternative chat MSN applications for Mac OS X that allows customization, and better functionality.

NOTE: I used Adium

Transition Issues Log - Bootcamp

- 'Disk error' during WinXP installation

http://forums.macnn.com/104/alternative-operating-systems/375413/macbook-pro-disk-error-press-any/

VERY IMPORTANT
1. When you first start installing XP, it asks you which partition to install onto. You select "BOOTCAMP" (if you didn't select the right partition, the Windows installer is stupid enough to try to install onto the Mac partition, which hoses the Mac OS).

2. Then, you must tell XP to FORMAT the partition (even though it supposedly already is). Quick format is enough. If I don't do that, I invariably get the "Media error. Press any key" message.

- Installing Drivers for XP
Bootcamp Intallation Guide
http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/

Apple Airport Express

Bought an Air Port Express. My home setup is now wireless.
This is another beautiful mac product. The primary function is a wireless router/base station, we can then plug in an USB printer as a shared network printer. Lastly (what I like most) it has an audio port to wirelessly stream sounds from the MacBook to connected speakers.

Before today, the only Apples I had were from the supermarket

visions of blue skies and green grass underfoot

So I bought a Macbook. Yes, an Apple computer. The folks were shocked. No one could believe that the greatest anti-mac critic has joined the Apple camp. I was the traitor, I was what Cain was to Abel...
===================================================================

Do not blame them. For they will not understand. For the 'Truth' is only for the chosen few. Perhaps someday some of them would be selected too, and I'll look forward to welcoming Them. To become one of Us.

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The Bundle
Now the elegant simplicity of the Apple family really gets to you, right from the start.

Apple laptops came in 3 categories > MacBook Air, MacBook, and MacBook Pro.

It doesn't take a scientist to figure out from a quick glance at the specs that Air is the light ultra portable series while Pro is the high end performance range.

MacBook is the intermediate and most common option. I got myself one of these with some rather high end specs for the current series.

13-inch: White
2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo.
4 GB memory
160GB hard drive1
Double-layer SuperDrive

Including a free sleeve, the bundled price came up to SGD 2,455 - quite a hefty sum.

=================================================================but its alright because its an Apple.
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Hardware Installation
Installation was a breeze, if there was even an installation to speak of. Just like what the sales pitch described, just plug anything in and they will work, automatically. The portable hard disk was detected instantly, and Printer model recognized once connected.
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Software
I hooked up the ethernet cable and came online. No setup needed. And then the system offered to update all the drivers and installed software. These were carried out faithfully with no fuss. I didn't even have to reboot once.

=================================================================

Functionality
Needless to mention, the MacBook was aesthetically pleasing, with all the ports conveniently located on the left hand side. The Mac power plug links to the MacBook magnetically, a creative marvel by itself. (I continued to be surprised at every step.)

The keyboard too, with its large and well spaced keys was a joy to type on. (This blog entry was written on the MacBook, can picture myself doing this in future at Bottles & Bottles, with a glass besides the MacBook)
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Overall Perception
All in all, I get the impression that Apple genuinely cares about the customer's experience. Everything was so well taken care of. Compared to OS X, the Windows Platform look hopelessly outclassed.
=================================================================
The only thing left to do now is to fetch some fuel and torch those worthless PC components.
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- Fanaticism is a sign of repressed doubt

Resentment, betrayal and heartbreak

Technology should have freed man from the burdens of life.
Instead, it imprisoned him.

Another system failure, another inconvenience. This time is was the Mainboard. The onboard audio to be specific. Two visits to the service center and problem NOT solved. It was really frustrating to learn that the "1st year 1-for-1 replacement" refers to refurbished sets of questionable quality. Imagine a pool of RMA circuit boards: "Here just throw yours back into the pile. We'll (randomly) pick another piece for you. If you're lucky it won't have the same problem. If you ain't satisfied, we can try again."

This is the final straw, have made up my mind to make that costly technology leap. To go ahead with the Migration Plan 2 years sooner than I intended.

The last decade spent with DIY systems has been an interesting ride full of thrills and spills. But that stage is over. 长痛不如短痛 Its time to move on.

FUN:
- Shopping trip in Sim Lim Center for components
- Watching your new system boot up sucessfully
- Savings from assembling your own desktop
- 'Arms race' with buddies to see who has the most powerful machines
- Overclocking to bring out more 'bang for buck'
- Learning from each mistake
- Troubleshooting and solving the problem

NOT FUN:
- Accepting for a fact that system may fail anytime.
- Windows blue screen of death that occurs ever so often
- Snifting carefully and praying not to detect the smell of burnt plastic everytime the computer crashes.
- Another tiresome trip to XYZ repair center.
- Machines that never boot properly*
- Forking out money every now and then for replacements.
- Cheap brands that turns out to be incompatible.
- Reliable (more expensive) brands that still fail.
- Troubleshooting and unable to solve the problem.
- Not knowing when any of the above will happen again.

Have done my homework and decided to invest in a Macbook. Reviews (online and personal) were good and consistent. It seems an Apple machine fits well with my criteria**

*I once had a setup that will only boot if I reached into the casing and wiggle the videocard at a certain angle, 2 seconds after I hear the first beep.

**easy servicing, low failure rate, portability, good battery life.