Mac computers and Apple
 

On 12/24/2013 9:28 AM, John H. wrote:
On Tue, 24 Dec 2013 07:44:48 -0500, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

A few weeks ago I purchased a 27" iMac for Mrs.E. as an early Christmas
gift. This was after months of "hints" being dropped after she saw my
daughter's iMac.

Mrs.E. isn't stupid. Three days ago she reciprocated and bought another
iMac for me ... this one a 21.5" but with the upgraded memory, cpu and
video driver. I know she figures that I'll dive into it, figure it all
out and then be able to support her in the use of hers.

I've come to realize that Mac computers are ideal for those who:

1. Have and regularly use an iPhone and or iPad or:
2. Have never used PCs and Windows and therefore have not been
indoctrinated in the Microsoft mindset.

I've been using PCs and Windows for so many years that making the
transition is not as easy as I thought it would be. I am making
progress but simple tasks that I can do in minutes on a PC like loading
third party software isn't quite the same on the iMac.

Examples that I am learning: (this probably sounds stupid to many)

Software for a PC is usually called a "program" and typically is
installed in the Programs folder.

Software for a Mac is called an "application". There is no "program"
folder. It took me over an hour last night to install some music
editing software and make it work on the iMac because I didn't know you
had to drag it and any plug-ins associated with it from the download
place to the "applications" page. Took me 15 minutes just to figure out
where *that* was.

And passwords. Holy Crap! Apple has passwords for everything ...
iTunes, iCloud, their Apple Store, and for the computer itself. I have
an account for iTunes that I used on the PCs. Think I could make it
work on the Mac? Seems like everything you do on the Mac results in a
request to enter your password. Problem is, I don't know *which* of the
several passwords it wants. I enter one and the stupid box starts
shaking, meaning I put the wrong one in.

I admit, once you begin to understand the architecture of the Mac, it is
very simple, so simple that Apple doesn't provide much in the form of
instructional information. Again, I can see that if you never used PCs
and Windows, it would be very intuitive. My problem is I have Windows
burned into my brain.

The jury is still out.


One of these would have provided much more satisfaction:

http://tinyurl.com/pw2fqfy

Never mind, it's not MA compliant. BTW, does that mean you are not allowed to own one in MA, or they
just can't be sold there?




John H. -- Hope you're having a great day!



Pretty much both for guns manufactured after 1998. Illegal to purchase
and illegal to own. Non-compliant guns made before 1998 are legal to
own and/or purchase as long as the gun has always been in MA since new.
In other words, I can't purchase a non-compliant new one, nor a
non-compliant, pre-1998 model from a source or owner outside of MA.

Mac computers and Apple
 

On 12/24/2013 9:48 AM, wrote:

On Tuesday, December 24, 2013 8:38:09 AM UTC-5, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 12/24/2013 8:12 AM, Hank� wrote:


I was trying to set up network file sharing so I could transfer some

files from my PC laptop to the iMac. Finally got it so I could access

the PC files, but only the ones stored in the "Public" folder. If I

tried going anywhere else, the iMac stopped responding and I'd have to

do a "force quit". Still working on that one.



Place I work built a new building, and decided that there would be no PCs in the conference rooms, instead folks would bring their laptops and hookup to the flat panels via HDMI. Unfortunately, some older laptops had just VGA, some had HDMI, and some just have display ports (HPs). Now we need adapter cables, and some laptops just wouldn't output the required resolution.

After a few weeks of wasted time and frustration, the decision was to put Apple Mac Mini's in each conference room. Great, except... we're a PC shop, with just a handful of people having Macs. More frustration and wasted time.

After having a chance now to use one, I don't see any positives to them. Different, cool looking, but no better. Macs? Meh.


Yup. Like I mentioned before, the jury is still out in my mind. I'll
give it some more time and effort to see what the big deal is other than
maybe a social status thing about being a "Mac" person. That is
meaningless to me.

Both of my PC laptops have HDMI outputs built into them. The new iMacs
don't. The have four USB ports, a headphone jack and something called a
"Thunderbolt" port that I have no clue what it would be used for.

The iMacs don't even have a CD/DVD disk drive nor a audio line input.
Like someone mentioned here, I am starting to get the feeling that an
iMac is nothing more than an expensive iPhone on steroids.

It *does* have a phenomenal display however.

Mac computers and Apple
 

On 12/24/13, 1:13 PM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 12/24/2013 9:48 AM, wrote:

On Tuesday, December 24, 2013 8:38:09 AM UTC-5, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 12/24/2013 8:12 AM, Hank� wrote:


I was trying to set up network file sharing so I could transfer some

files from my PC laptop to the iMac. Finally got it so I could access

the PC files, but only the ones stored in the "Public" folder. If I

tried going anywhere else, the iMac stopped responding and I'd have to

do a "force quit". Still working on that one.



Place I work built a new building, and decided that there would be no
PCs in the conference rooms, instead folks would bring their laptops
and hookup to the flat panels via HDMI. Unfortunately, some older
laptops had just VGA, some had HDMI, and some just have display ports
(HPs). Now we need adapter cables, and some laptops just wouldn't
output the required resolution.

After a few weeks of wasted time and frustration, the decision was to
put Apple Mac Mini's in each conference room. Great, except... we're
a PC shop, with just a handful of people having Macs. More
frustration and wasted time.

After having a chance now to use one, I don't see any positives to
them. Different, cool looking, but no better. Macs? Meh.


Yup. Like I mentioned before, the jury is still out in my mind. I'll
give it some more time and effort to see what the big deal is other than
maybe a social status thing about being a "Mac" person. That is
meaningless to me.

Both of my PC laptops have HDMI outputs built into them. The new iMacs
don't. The have four USB ports, a headphone jack and something called a
"Thunderbolt" port that I have no clue what it would be used for.

The iMacs don't even have a CD/DVD disk drive nor a audio line input.
Like someone mentioned here, I am starting to get the feeling that an
iMac is nothing more than an expensive iPhone on steroids.

It *does* have a phenomenal display however.

My iMac, which is a few years old, has a CD/DVD burner drive, but I use
a much faster external one. My guess is that Apple removed the internal
burner because it wanted to make the display...thinner. I've read that,
and simply don't understand it, since the damned thing was already thin
and sits on a desktop.

Thunderbolt is Apple's new, faster port technology. The port can be used
for many devices and purposes. For about $12 you can buy a Thunderbolt
to HDMI connector. I use the Thunderbolt port on my MacBook Air to
attach a LAN connector cable.

--
Religion: together we can find the cure.

Mac computers and Apple
 

On Tue, 24 Dec 2013 13:03:58 -0500, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 12/24/2013 9:28 AM, John H. wrote:
On Tue, 24 Dec 2013 07:44:48 -0500, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

A few weeks ago I purchased a 27" iMac for Mrs.E. as an early Christmas
gift. This was after months of "hints" being dropped after she saw my
daughter's iMac.

Mrs.E. isn't stupid. Three days ago she reciprocated and bought another
iMac for me ... this one a 21.5" but with the upgraded memory, cpu and
video driver. I know she figures that I'll dive into it, figure it all
out and then be able to support her in the use of hers.

I've come to realize that Mac computers are ideal for those who:

1. Have and regularly use an iPhone and or iPad or:
2. Have never used PCs and Windows and therefore have not been
indoctrinated in the Microsoft mindset.

I've been using PCs and Windows for so many years that making the
transition is not as easy as I thought it would be. I am making
progress but simple tasks that I can do in minutes on a PC like loading
third party software isn't quite the same on the iMac.

Examples that I am learning: (this probably sounds stupid to many)

Software for a PC is usually called a "program" and typically is
installed in the Programs folder.

Software for a Mac is called an "application". There is no "program"
folder. It took me over an hour last night to install some music
editing software and make it work on the iMac because I didn't know you
had to drag it and any plug-ins associated with it from the download
place to the "applications" page. Took me 15 minutes just to figure out
where *that* was.

And passwords. Holy Crap! Apple has passwords for everything ...
iTunes, iCloud, their Apple Store, and for the computer itself. I have
an account for iTunes that I used on the PCs. Think I could make it
work on the Mac? Seems like everything you do on the Mac results in a
request to enter your password. Problem is, I don't know *which* of the
several passwords it wants. I enter one and the stupid box starts
shaking, meaning I put the wrong one in.

I admit, once you begin to understand the architecture of the Mac, it is
very simple, so simple that Apple doesn't provide much in the form of
instructional information. Again, I can see that if you never used PCs
and Windows, it would be very intuitive. My problem is I have Windows
burned into my brain.

The jury is still out.


One of these would have provided much more satisfaction:

http://tinyurl.com/pw2fqfy

Never mind, it's not MA compliant. BTW, does that mean you are not allowed to own one in MA, or they
just can't be sold there?




John H. -- Hope you're having a great day!



Pretty much both for guns manufactured after 1998. Illegal to purchase
and illegal to own. Non-compliant guns made before 1998 are legal to
own and/or purchase as long as the gun has always been in MA since new.
In other words, I can't purchase a non-compliant new one, nor a
non-compliant, pre-1998 model from a source or owner outside of MA.


Wow. That is some heavy 'Big Brother' ****.

John H. -- Hope you're having a great day!

Mac computers and Apple
 

On 12/24/2013 2:56 PM, John H. wrote:
On Tue, 24 Dec 2013 13:03:58 -0500, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 12/24/2013 9:28 AM, John H. wrote:
On Tue, 24 Dec 2013 07:44:48 -0500, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

A few weeks ago I purchased a 27" iMac for Mrs.E. as an early Christmas
gift. This was after months of "hints" being dropped after she saw my
daughter's iMac.

Mrs.E. isn't stupid. Three days ago she reciprocated and bought another
iMac for me ... this one a 21.5" but with the upgraded memory, cpu and
video driver. I know she figures that I'll dive into it, figure it all
out and then be able to support her in the use of hers.

I've come to realize that Mac computers are ideal for those who:

1. Have and regularly use an iPhone and or iPad or:
2. Have never used PCs and Windows and therefore have not been
indoctrinated in the Microsoft mindset.

I've been using PCs and Windows for so many years that making the
transition is not as easy as I thought it would be. I am making
progress but simple tasks that I can do in minutes on a PC like loading
third party software isn't quite the same on the iMac.

Examples that I am learning: (this probably sounds stupid to many)

Software for a PC is usually called a "program" and typically is
installed in the Programs folder.

Software for a Mac is called an "application". There is no "program"
folder. It took me over an hour last night to install some music
editing software and make it work on the iMac because I didn't know you
had to drag it and any plug-ins associated with it from the download
place to the "applications" page. Took me 15 minutes just to figure out
where *that* was.

And passwords. Holy Crap! Apple has passwords for everything ...
iTunes, iCloud, their Apple Store, and for the computer itself. I have
an account for iTunes that I used on the PCs. Think I could make it
work on the Mac? Seems like everything you do on the Mac results in a
request to enter your password. Problem is, I don't know *which* of the
several passwords it wants. I enter one and the stupid box starts
shaking, meaning I put the wrong one in.

I admit, once you begin to understand the architecture of the Mac, it is
very simple, so simple that Apple doesn't provide much in the form of
instructional information. Again, I can see that if you never used PCs
and Windows, it would be very intuitive. My problem is I have Windows
burned into my brain.

The jury is still out.


One of these would have provided much more satisfaction:

http://tinyurl.com/pw2fqfy

Never mind, it's not MA compliant. BTW, does that mean you are not allowed to own one in MA, or they
just can't be sold there?




John H. -- Hope you're having a great day!



Pretty much both for guns manufactured after 1998. Illegal to purchase
and illegal to own. Non-compliant guns made before 1998 are legal to
own and/or purchase as long as the gun has always been in MA since new.
In other words, I can't purchase a non-compliant new one, nor a
non-compliant, pre-1998 model from a source or owner outside of MA.


Wow. That is some heavy 'Big Brother' ****.

John H. -- Hope you're having a great day!



It's annoying because the ones that are MA compliant have excessive
safety features that nobody wants. Long, 10 pound trigger pull,
safeties upon safeties, etc.

I've mentioned before that the problem in MA is that there are *two*
governing agencies that determine if a firearm is MA compliant or not.
One is a testing lab, the other is the Attorney General's office. In
order to be MA compliant, the gun must be approved by *both*. In many
cases the testing labs approve a certain model but the AG's office does
not ... probably for reasons other than safety issues.

Mac computers and Apple
 

"Mr. Luddite" wrote:
On 12/24/2013 9:48 AM, wrote:

On Tuesday, December 24, 2013 8:38:09 AM UTC-5, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 12/24/2013 8:12 AM, Hank� wrote:


I was trying to set up network file sharing so I could transfer some

files from my PC laptop to the iMac. Finally got it so I could access

the PC files, but only the ones stored in the "Public" folder. If I

tried going anywhere else, the iMac stopped responding and I'd have to

do a "force quit". Still working on that one.



Place I work built a new building, and decided that there would be no
PCs in the conference rooms, instead folks would bring their laptops and
hookup to the flat panels via HDMI. Unfortunately, some older laptops
had just VGA, some had HDMI, and some just have display ports (HPs).
Now we need adapter cables, and some laptops just wouldn't output the required resolution.

After a few weeks of wasted time and frustration, the decision was to
put Apple Mac Mini's in each conference room. Great, except... we're a
PC shop, with just a handful of people having Macs. More frustration and wasted time.

After having a chance now to use one, I don't see any positives to them.
Different, cool looking, but no better. Macs? Meh.


Yup. Like I mentioned before, the jury is still out in my mind. I'll
give it some more time and effort to see what the big deal is other than
maybe a social status thing about being a "Mac" person. That is meaningless to me.

Both of my PC laptops have HDMI outputs built into them. The new iMacs
don't. The have four USB ports, a headphone jack and something called a
"Thunderbolt" port that I have no clue what it would be used for.

The iMacs don't even have a CD/DVD disk drive nor a audio line input.
Like someone mentioned here, I am starting to get the feeling that an
iMac is nothing more than an expensive iPhone on steroids.

It *does* have a phenomenal display however.

My wife likes it as it is all self contained, and wires not running around
pretty much. But you still have to plug int he time machine disk and the
CD.

Mac computers and Apple
 

On 12/24/13, 3:55 PM, Califbill wrote:
"Mr. Luddite" wrote:
On 12/24/2013 9:48 AM, wrote:

On Tuesday, December 24, 2013 8:38:09 AM UTC-5, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 12/24/2013 8:12 AM, Hank� wrote:


I was trying to set up network file sharing so I could transfer some

files from my PC laptop to the iMac. Finally got it so I could access

the PC files, but only the ones stored in the "Public" folder. If I

tried going anywhere else, the iMac stopped responding and I'd have to

do a "force quit". Still working on that one.



Place I work built a new building, and decided that there would be no
PCs in the conference rooms, instead folks would bring their laptops and
hookup to the flat panels via HDMI. Unfortunately, some older laptops
had just VGA, some had HDMI, and some just have display ports (HPs).
Now we need adapter cables, and some laptops just wouldn't output the required resolution.

After a few weeks of wasted time and frustration, the decision was to
put Apple Mac Mini's in each conference room. Great, except... we're a
PC shop, with just a handful of people having Macs. More frustration and wasted time.

After having a chance now to use one, I don't see any positives to them.
Different, cool looking, but no better. Macs? Meh.


Yup. Like I mentioned before, the jury is still out in my mind. I'll
give it some more time and effort to see what the big deal is other than
maybe a social status thing about being a "Mac" person. That is meaningless to me.

Both of my PC laptops have HDMI outputs built into them. The new iMacs
don't. The have four USB ports, a headphone jack and something called a
"Thunderbolt" port that I have no clue what it would be used for.

The iMacs don't even have a CD/DVD disk drive nor a audio line input.
Like someone mentioned here, I am starting to get the feeling that an
iMac is nothing more than an expensive iPhone on steroids.

It *does* have a phenomenal display however.

My wife likes it as it is all self contained, and wires not running around
pretty much. But you still have to plug int he time machine disk and the
CD.


You back up your desktop to a CD? That must take a long time.

--
Religion: together we can find the cure.

Mac computers and Apple
 

F.O.A.D. wrote:
On 12/24/13, 1:13 PM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 12/24/2013 9:48 AM, wrote:

On Tuesday, December 24, 2013 8:38:09 AM UTC-5, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 12/24/2013 8:12 AM, Hank� wrote:


I was trying to set up network file sharing so I could transfer some

files from my PC laptop to the iMac. Finally got it so I could access

the PC files, but only the ones stored in the "Public" folder. If I

tried going anywhere else, the iMac stopped responding and I'd have to

do a "force quit". Still working on that one.



Place I work built a new building, and decided that there would be no
PCs in the conference rooms, instead folks would bring their laptops
and hookup to the flat panels via HDMI. Unfortunately, some older
laptops had just VGA, some had HDMI, and some just have display ports
(HPs). Now we need adapter cables, and some laptops just wouldn't
output the required resolution.

After a few weeks of wasted time and frustration, the decision was to
put Apple Mac Mini's in each conference room. Great, except... we're
a PC shop, with just a handful of people having Macs. More
frustration and wasted time.

After having a chance now to use one, I don't see any positives to
them. Different, cool looking, but no better. Macs? Meh.


Yup. Like I mentioned before, the jury is still out in my mind. I'll
give it some more time and effort to see what the big deal is other than
maybe a social status thing about being a "Mac" person. That is
meaningless to me.

Both of my PC laptops have HDMI outputs built into them. The new iMacs
don't. The have four USB ports, a headphone jack and something called a
"Thunderbolt" port that I have no clue what it would be used for.

The iMacs don't even have a CD/DVD disk drive nor a audio line input.
Like someone mentioned here, I am starting to get the feeling that an
iMac is nothing more than an expensive iPhone on steroids.

It *does* have a phenomenal display however.

My iMac, which is a few years old, has a CD/DVD burner drive, but I
use a much faster external one. My guess is that Apple removed the
internal burner because it wanted to make the display...thinner. I've
read that, and simply don't understand it, since the damned thing was
already thin and sits on a desktop.

Thunderbolt is Apple's new, faster port technology. The port can be
used for many devices and purposes. For about $12 you can buy a
Thunderbolt to HDMI connector. I use the Thunderbolt port on my
MacBook Air to attach a LAN connector cable.

Could you still afford to buy your new computers if you paid all of your
taxes and debts or are WE subsidizing your toys?

Mac computers and Apple
 

"F.O.A.D." wrote:
On 12/24/13, 3:55 PM, Califbill wrote:
"Mr. Luddite" wrote:
On 12/24/2013 9:48 AM, wrote:

On Tuesday, December 24, 2013 8:38:09 AM UTC-5, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 12/24/2013 8:12 AM, Hank� wrote:


I was trying to set up network file sharing so I could transfer some

files from my PC laptop to the iMac. Finally got it so I could access

the PC files, but only the ones stored in the "Public" folder. If I

tried going anywhere else, the iMac stopped responding and I'd have to

do a "force quit". Still working on that one.



Place I work built a new building, and decided that there would be no
PCs in the conference rooms, instead folks would bring their laptops and
hookup to the flat panels via HDMI. Unfortunately, some older laptops
had just VGA, some had HDMI, and some just have display ports (HPs).
Now we need adapter cables, and some laptops just wouldn't output the
required resolution.

After a few weeks of wasted time and frustration, the decision was to
put Apple Mac Mini's in each conference room. Great, except... we're a
PC shop, with just a handful of people having Macs. More frustration and wasted time.

After having a chance now to use one, I don't see any positives to them.
Different, cool looking, but no better. Macs? Meh.


Yup. Like I mentioned before, the jury is still out in my mind. I'll
give it some more time and effort to see what the big deal is other than
maybe a social status thing about being a "Mac" person. That is meaningless to me.

Both of my PC laptops have HDMI outputs built into them. The new iMacs
don't. The have four USB ports, a headphone jack and something called a
"Thunderbolt" port that I have no clue what it would be used for.

The iMacs don't even have a CD/DVD disk drive nor a audio line input.
Like someone mentioned here, I am starting to get the feeling that an
iMac is nothing more than an expensive iPhone on steroids.

It *does* have a phenomenal display however.

My wife likes it as it is all self contained, and wires not running around
pretty much. But you still have to plug int he time machine disk and the
CD.


You back up your desktop to a CD? That must take a long time.


Read for comprehension.

Mac computers and Apple
 

On 12/26/13, 11:40 AM, Califbill wrote:
"F.O.A.D." wrote:
On 12/24/13, 3:55 PM, Califbill wrote:
"Mr. Luddite" wrote:
On 12/24/2013 9:48 AM, wrote:

On Tuesday, December 24, 2013 8:38:09 AM UTC-5, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 12/24/2013 8:12 AM, Hank� wrote:


I was trying to set up network file sharing so I could transfer some

files from my PC laptop to the iMac. Finally got it so I could access

the PC files, but only the ones stored in the "Public" folder. If I

tried going anywhere else, the iMac stopped responding and I'd have to

do a "force quit". Still working on that one.



Place I work built a new building, and decided that there would be no
PCs in the conference rooms, instead folks would bring their laptops and
hookup to the flat panels via HDMI. Unfortunately, some older laptops
had just VGA, some had HDMI, and some just have display ports (HPs).
Now we need adapter cables, and some laptops just wouldn't output the
required resolution.

After a few weeks of wasted time and frustration, the decision was to
put Apple Mac Mini's in each conference room. Great, except... we're a
PC shop, with just a handful of people having Macs. More frustration and wasted time.

After having a chance now to use one, I don't see any positives to them.
Different, cool looking, but no better. Macs? Meh.


Yup. Like I mentioned before, the jury is still out in my mind. I'll
give it some more time and effort to see what the big deal is other than
maybe a social status thing about being a "Mac" person. That is meaningless to me.

Both of my PC laptops have HDMI outputs built into them. The new iMacs
don't. The have four USB ports, a headphone jack and something called a
"Thunderbolt" port that I have no clue what it would be used for.

The iMacs don't even have a CD/DVD disk drive nor a audio line input.
Like someone mentioned here, I am starting to get the feeling that an
iMac is nothing more than an expensive iPhone on steroids.

It *does* have a phenomenal display however.

My wife likes it as it is all self contained, and wires not running around
pretty much. But you still have to plug int he time machine disk and the
CD.


You back up your desktop to a CD? That must take a long time.


Read for comprehension.


I did. To me it reads as if you use the Time Machine app to back up to a
CD. I back up my iMac locally to a server using SuperDuper! backup and
Time Machine, and also to a 1 GB hard drive wired on a high speed port
via Time Machine. I run the SuperDuper! backup nightly, the Time Machine
backup weekly, and when I remember, I also run a Time Machine backup to
my server. Once a week, I also backup my iMac data files to the "cloud."
I don't mine the cables, since I have a porthole in my desktop that
leads to a pathway to an underdesk cabinet with my server and other
wired backup gadgets and suchlike live. All but one of the backups are
automated.

--
Religion: together we can find the cure.