Mac computers and Apple
 

On 12/26/2013 11:50 AM, F.O.A.D. wrote:
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.


Too bad you don't have a porthole next to your office sink.

--
Americans deserve better.

Mac computers and Apple
 

On Thursday, December 26, 2013 11:40:40 AM UTC-5, 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.

He must have missed the word "disk", as in "time machine *disk* and CD". Pretty obvious you have an external hard drive and a CD, at least to me.

Mac computers and Apple
 

"F.O.A.D." wrote:
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.


But you still have to plug int he time machine disk and the CD.

Which part of 'and' is incomprehensible?

Mac computers and Apple
 

On 12/26/13, 4:06 PM, Califbill wrote:
"F.O.A.D." wrote:


But you still have to plug int he time machine disk and the CD.

Which part of 'and' is incomprehensible?


I leave my iMac "plugged in," since I have no reason not to do so. I do
have a cable coming out of my router with an Apple cable on it to plug
into my Macbook Air, which I back up on a sporadic schedule to my server
via SuperDuper! and to a folder on my server via Time Machine.

Interestingly, at least to me, is that I've yet to come up with an
occasion where I needed to use a CD/DVD drive with the Macbook Air. I
keep a bunch of movies on it for travel via a little plug in solid state
drive, and I have a backup/OS installer on a USB drive. I suppose if I
needed to install something via a CD/DVD drive, I could share one of the
ones I have on the iMac. I just don't see a lot of use anymore for these
CD/DVD drives, but I am sure some people still do.

--
Religion: together we can find the cure.

Mac computers and Apple
 

On 12/26/2013 4:22 PM, F.O.A.D. wrote:
On 12/26/13, 4:06 PM, Califbill wrote:
"F.O.A.D." wrote:


But you still have to plug int he time machine disk and the CD.

Which part of 'and' is incomprehensible?


I leave my iMac "plugged in," since I have no reason not to do so. I do
have a cable coming out of my router with an Apple cable on it to plug
into my Macbook Air, which I back up on a sporadic schedule to my server
via SuperDuper! and to a folder on my server via Time Machine.

Interestingly, at least to me, is that I've yet to come up with an
occasion where I needed to use a CD/DVD drive with the Macbook Air. I
keep a bunch of movies on it for travel via a little plug in solid state
drive, and I have a backup/OS installer on a USB drive. I suppose if I
needed to install something via a CD/DVD drive, I could share one of the
ones I have on the iMac. I just don't see a lot of use anymore for these
CD/DVD drives, but I am sure some people still do.



I just purchased two different audio to USB adaptors both of which had
their drivers, manual and operating software on a CD. I needed to borrow
my wife's Apple Smartdrive to install them. I could have downloaded the
drivers from the device manufacturer's website but not the operating
software.

Mac computers and Apple
 

On 12/26/13, 4:56 PM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 12/26/2013 4:22 PM, F.O.A.D. wrote:
On 12/26/13, 4:06 PM, Califbill wrote:
"F.O.A.D." wrote:


But you still have to plug int he time machine disk and the CD.

Which part of 'and' is incomprehensible?


I leave my iMac "plugged in," since I have no reason not to do so. I do
have a cable coming out of my router with an Apple cable on it to plug
into my Macbook Air, which I back up on a sporadic schedule to my server
via SuperDuper! and to a folder on my server via Time Machine.

Interestingly, at least to me, is that I've yet to come up with an
occasion where I needed to use a CD/DVD drive with the Macbook Air. I
keep a bunch of movies on it for travel via a little plug in solid state
drive, and I have a backup/OS installer on a USB drive. I suppose if I
needed to install something via a CD/DVD drive, I could share one of the
ones I have on the iMac. I just don't see a lot of use anymore for these
CD/DVD drives, but I am sure some people still do.



I just purchased two different audio to USB adaptors both of which had
their drivers, manual and operating software on a CD. I needed to borrow
my wife's Apple Smartdrive to install them. I could have downloaded the
drivers from the device manufacturer's website but not the operating
software.



As previously noted, I don't think it was a great idea for apple to stop
putting a CD/DVD burner/player in its desktop systems. But external
drives better (faster) and less expensive than the Smartdrive are
readily available. As far as I can tell, the decision was made strictly
on the basis of ergonomics.

I can "share" the internal CD/DVD drive on my iMac on my Macbook Air. I
don't know, however, if that is possible with an external CD/DVD drive.

I think my external CD/DVD drive is a Samsung or some other similar
brand. Cost me about $40 years ago. Connects via USB.



--
Religion: together we can find the cure.

Mac computers and Apple
 

On 12/26/13, 6:49 PM, F.O.A.D. wrote:
On 12/26/13, 4:56 PM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 12/26/2013 4:22 PM, F.O.A.D. wrote:
On 12/26/13, 4:06 PM, Califbill wrote:
"F.O.A.D." wrote:


But you still have to plug int he time machine disk and the CD.

Which part of 'and' is incomprehensible?


I leave my iMac "plugged in," since I have no reason not to do so. I do
have a cable coming out of my router with an Apple cable on it to plug
into my Macbook Air, which I back up on a sporadic schedule to my server
via SuperDuper! and to a folder on my server via Time Machine.

Interestingly, at least to me, is that I've yet to come up with an
occasion where I needed to use a CD/DVD drive with the Macbook Air. I
keep a bunch of movies on it for travel via a little plug in solid state
drive, and I have a backup/OS installer on a USB drive. I suppose if I
needed to install something via a CD/DVD drive, I could share one of the
ones I have on the iMac. I just don't see a lot of use anymore for these
CD/DVD drives, but I am sure some people still do.



I just purchased two different audio to USB adaptors both of which had
their drivers, manual and operating software on a CD. I needed to borrow
my wife's Apple Smartdrive to install them. I could have downloaded the
drivers from the device manufacturer's website but not the operating
software.



As previously noted, I don't think it was a great idea for apple to stop
putting a CD/DVD burner/player in its desktop systems. But external
drives better (faster) and less expensive than the Smartdrive are
readily available. As far as I can tell, the decision was made strictly
on the basis of ergonomics.

I can "share" the internal CD/DVD drive on my iMac on my Macbook Air. I
don't know, however, if that is possible with an external CD/DVD drive.

I think my external CD/DVD drive is a Samsung or some other similar
brand. Cost me about $40 years ago. Connects via USB.




Update: Just popped a CD into my non-iMac external drive that is
connected to the iMac via USB and I was able to read it on my Macbook
Air, which is using WiFi to connect to the LAN.

Therefore you would be able to access CDs in the device attached to your
wife's machine without moving the CD drive. I can also, of course,
access my server via WiFi, and just for the hell of it, I will try
backing up the Macbook Air via WiFi using SuperDuper! I haven't done
this previously via WiFi.


--
Religion: together we can find the cure.

Mac computers and Apple
 

On 12/26/13, 7:41 PM, F.O.A.D. wrote:
On 12/26/13, 6:49 PM, F.O.A.D. wrote:
On 12/26/13, 4:56 PM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 12/26/2013 4:22 PM, F.O.A.D. wrote:
On 12/26/13, 4:06 PM, Califbill wrote:
"F.O.A.D." wrote:


But you still have to plug int he time machine disk and the CD.

Which part of 'and' is incomprehensible?


I leave my iMac "plugged in," since I have no reason not to do so. I do
have a cable coming out of my router with an Apple cable on it to plug
into my Macbook Air, which I back up on a sporadic schedule to my
server
via SuperDuper! and to a folder on my server via Time Machine.

Interestingly, at least to me, is that I've yet to come up with an
occasion where I needed to use a CD/DVD drive with the Macbook Air. I
keep a bunch of movies on it for travel via a little plug in solid
state
drive, and I have a backup/OS installer on a USB drive. I suppose if I
needed to install something via a CD/DVD drive, I could share one of
the
ones I have on the iMac. I just don't see a lot of use anymore for
these
CD/DVD drives, but I am sure some people still do.



I just purchased two different audio to USB adaptors both of which had
their drivers, manual and operating software on a CD. I needed to borrow
my wife's Apple Smartdrive to install them. I could have downloaded the
drivers from the device manufacturer's website but not the operating
software.



As previously noted, I don't think it was a great idea for apple to stop
putting a CD/DVD burner/player in its desktop systems. But external
drives better (faster) and less expensive than the Smartdrive are
readily available. As far as I can tell, the decision was made strictly
on the basis of ergonomics.

I can "share" the internal CD/DVD drive on my iMac on my Macbook Air. I
don't know, however, if that is possible with an external CD/DVD drive.

I think my external CD/DVD drive is a Samsung or some other similar
brand. Cost me about $40 years ago. Connects via USB.




Update: Just popped a CD into my non-iMac external drive that is
connected to the iMac via USB and I was able to read it on my Macbook
Air, which is using WiFi to connect to the LAN.

Therefore you would be able to access CDs in the device attached to your
wife's machine without moving the CD drive. I can also, of course,
access my server via WiFi, and just for the hell of it, I will try
backing up the Macbook Air via WiFi using SuperDuper! I haven't done
this previously via WiFi.


Hmm. The WiFi backup worked.


--
Religion: together we can find the cure.

Mac computers and Apple
 

On 12/26/2013 7:41 PM, F.O.A.D. wrote:



Update: Just popped a CD into my non-iMac external drive that is
connected to the iMac via USB and I was able to read it on my Macbook
Air, which is using WiFi to connect to the LAN.

Therefore you would be able to access CDs in the device attached to your
wife's machine without moving the CD drive. I can also, of course,
access my server via WiFi, and just for the hell of it, I will try
backing up the Macbook Air via WiFi using SuperDuper! I haven't done
this previously via WiFi.




Good to know but you are way ahead of anything I'll ever have any need
in doing. Besides, if I ever set up Mrs.E.'s computers to file share on
the home network she'd have my head.

I mess around with it with my own computers just to learn how it's done
but it's just as easy to grab the drive from her computer when I need
it. I just have to remember what side is up.

One thing that I need to get soon and before I try to totally transition
to the iMac is a decent keyboard. I can't get used to the one they
include with the iMac. I realize it's the same general size with the
same spacing (minus the numeric pad) but I can't get used to the feel
of it.

I learned to touch type in high school and over the years of typing on
manual and electric typewriters for school projects, Teletype machines
in the Navy and and technical proposals and manuals on computers when in
business, I became a pretty decent typist. Last time I timed it, I was
still in the 60 words per minute range and sometimes faster. I don't
"hunt and peck" and don't have to look at the keyboard. I am typing
this right now while simultaneously watching Pawnstars on TV.

Anyway, the iMac keyboard just doesn't have the "feel" that even the
keyboard on a HP laptop that I am using has. I need one that feels
more mechanical with a deeper action if that makes sense. I've been
looking at what's available and it looks like Logitech makes some that
would be more to my liking. The iMac keyboard drives me nuts.

Mac computers and Apple
 

On 12/26/13, 8:15 PM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 12/26/2013 7:41 PM, F.O.A.D. wrote:



Update: Just popped a CD into my non-iMac external drive that is
connected to the iMac via USB and I was able to read it on my Macbook
Air, which is using WiFi to connect to the LAN.

Therefore you would be able to access CDs in the device attached to your
wife's machine without moving the CD drive. I can also, of course,
access my server via WiFi, and just for the hell of it, I will try
backing up the Macbook Air via WiFi using SuperDuper! I haven't done
this previously via WiFi.




Good to know but you are way ahead of anything I'll ever have any need
in doing. Besides, if I ever set up Mrs.E.'s computers to file share on
the home network she'd have my head.

I mess around with it with my own computers just to learn how it's done
but it's just as easy to grab the drive from her computer when I need
it. I just have to remember what side is up.

One thing that I need to get soon and before I try to totally transition
to the iMac is a decent keyboard. I can't get used to the one they
include with the iMac. I realize it's the same general size with the
same spacing (minus the numeric pad) but I can't get used to the feel
of it.

I learned to touch type in high school and over the years of typing on
manual and electric typewriters for school projects, Teletype machines
in the Navy and and technical proposals and manuals on computers when in
business, I became a pretty decent typist. Last time I timed it, I was
still in the 60 words per minute range and sometimes faster. I don't
"hunt and peck" and don't have to look at the keyboard. I am typing
this right now while simultaneously watching Pawnstars on TV.

Anyway, the iMac keyboard just doesn't have the "feel" that even the
keyboard on a HP laptop that I am using has. I need one that feels
more mechanical with a deeper action if that makes sense. I've been
looking at what's available and it looks like Logitech makes some that
would be more to my liking. The iMac keyboard drives me nuts.





There are a couple of high end keyboards that are very good. I'll look
up the names. I use a Macally MKEYE, about $20. I like it better than
the Mac keyboard.

--
Religion: together we can find the cure.