The Migration Journals, Part 2

Because I can’t do anything in half measures I’ve timed my attempted migration from PC to Mac (which has been painless, except for some niggles which I’ll list later) with a migration from desktop applications to web services. Practically, that means switching from Outlook to Gmail and Google Calendar, Word to Writely, Excel to Google Spreadsheets, etc. etc. I’m doing this primarily because I want to be able to switch between machines quickly and efficiently without leaving data lying around and secondarily, because I ought to practice what I preach. I preach that web-based services are the future (or even the present), so it makes sense to work that way.

JMJA word of advice to the wise: If you’re going to make a switch like this you need to allocate a good solid day of no interruptions and no distractions and get it done. I didn’t plan all that well, so at any given moment you could walk into my office and see me sprawled across the two opposing keyboards like a dodgy 80′s Jean-Michel Jarre performance. I still have open tags in Firefox on the ThinkPad I’m trying to blog and the rest of my apps all running from the Mac and preso’s and docs flying between them. To add a bit of insult to injury it seems the software on my external hard drive is only PC compatible (typical) – any advice from you skilled technicians?

I am keen to switch to Mac not because I am unhappy with PC, but predominantly because it was sold to me by a number of trusted mates that Mac would be an allround superior computing experience. So far I’ve yet to be amazed. Sure, everything is dead sexy on the Mac. I lick the screen often. But it just seems (*Mike cringes in anticipation of the tomato-flinging*) that Windows is easier to navigate. However, I’ll be the first to admit that having used Windows XP for 5 years and OS
X for 5 days would mean I’d most likely be more adept at the former. But still, I’m not seeing a multitude of cool Mac things jumping out and screaming at me… yet.

Also, where’s the frikkin’ delete key? I know it sounds stoopid but remember all you Mac junkies that the typical PC user might not find all these nifty Mac alternates so easy to find first time ’round. I have deliberately not sought help from the Web in an attempt to get a raw, unbiased feel for the new platform and navigation. I want a right click!!! I need a right click! I must be honest that I’d fallen in love with my IBM buttony navigation system (ugly as that little dirty red wart sticking out of my keyboard looks).

One last Mac complaint – the thing is shocking me! According to Carl (whom I trusted with the dubious admission that I thought my MacBook Pro was eating me alive) the two prong plug, combined with the titanium case adds up to some serious electrical love from the notebook through my innocent body. Bizarre. Apparently I’m not grounded. Stuff you Carl, I think I’m pretty grounded!

Look, all in all the Mac is beautiful. But I need it to be robust, functional and easy too. So far it hasn’t been mind-blowing. But there is still time, and I’m sure I’ll be subject to a flood of comments and suggestions from the Macheads out there. But if I had to choose right now, if my life depended on it…

ThinkPad :P

  • http://www.rongsheng.net rongsheng

    ????????????
    ????????
    ????

  • http://www.tnc.hk Cliff

    I would recommend using EditGrid instead of Google Spreadsheets, at least you can create some charts with it.

  • http://www.rafiq.za.net/blog/ rafiq

    Hmm mike, mayhaps a Your Web AddiCT migrates to SuSE Linux 10.1 along side your Apple Mac migration? One thing we’ll have in common is using web services as much as possible.

  • http://www.mikesolomon.net Mike Solomon

    Hey Mike

    you do know you can enable right clicking on the mousepad? simply go to system prefs and change under mouse + keyboard. you have to place 2 fingers on the trackpad for it to regsiter a right click – but you get used to it very quickly.

    also – no delete key – only Backspace. Why? who knows?oh and look for Neo Office – its a very nice, free office app for when you cant get online.

  • http://www.mikestopforth.com Mike

    Thanks for the help dudes and Rongsheng, whatever you said, I really appreciate it!

    I am a little more comfortable today :)