andybarton Posted January 4, 2013 Share #61 Posted January 4, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have absolutely no problem using Office on both Mac and Windows. Apart from Office 2010 on the PC, which has completely buggered up the menu items that after 18 months it's still completely baffling. For long term Office users it's a complete nightmare. God help us when we eventually go to Windows 8 and the whole interface is buggered too Long live Office on the Mac. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 4, 2013 Posted January 4, 2013 Hi andybarton, Take a look here Switching to Macbook. Your thoughts please.. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
pj48North Posted January 4, 2013 Share #62 Posted January 4, 2013 There's no need to switch gears, you can change the scrolling direction in System Preferences. I think I paid around £80 for my copy of Mac Office 2011. 2013 is due out later this year. Thanks Stunsworth. I'm running Lion, could not find that in Preferences, is that only on Mtn Lion? I'm also running Office 2011, and paid for both 2011 and 2008, which was a train wreck. 2011 is better, but I've also talked with others who have switched back to Windows due to Excel and non-existence of certain special industry software. If someone asks "what's Excel?" then of course this is not an issue. Another quirk of Mac is that when you delete files from an SD card or flash drive, those files will only really be gone from that device after you empty the trash with the device connected. This is an annoyance for when you want to empty trash at irregular intervals. I have never heard of a work-around for this that wasn't extremely cumbersome. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted January 4, 2013 Share #63 Posted January 4, 2013 I have absolutely no problem using Office on both Mac and Windows. Apart from Office 2010 on the PC, which has completely buggered up the menu items that after 18 months it's still completely baffling. I worked with the 'ribbon' a couple of contracts ago. Hated it, absolutely hated it - and with the version of office the company used you couldn't switch it off. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted January 4, 2013 Share #64 Posted January 4, 2013 Typical Microsoft Human interface nonsense. No idea... Windows 8 is the pinnacle of this lack of any idea, from what I've seen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted January 4, 2013 Share #65 Posted January 4, 2013 Thanks Stunsworth. I'm running Lion, could not find that in Preferences, is that only on Mtn Lion? This link explains what you need to change for both mouse and trackpad... Change reverse scrolling in Mac OS X Lion | ITworld Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted January 4, 2013 Share #66 Posted January 4, 2013 Another quirk of Mac is that when you delete files from an SD card or flash drive, those files will only really be gone from that device after you empty the trash with the device connected. This is an annoyance for when you want to empty trash at irregular intervals I'm not sure how the files can be deleted from the trash when the device isn't connected. Having the ability to bypass the trash process - i.e. delete directly - would be useful, but it's not something I've ever missed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted January 4, 2013 Share #67 Posted January 4, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) For anyone who may be interested, here's a list of Mac keyboard shortcuts... OS X keyboard shortcuts Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted January 4, 2013 Share #68 Posted January 4, 2013 I'm not sure how the files can be deleted from the trash when the device isn't connected. Having the ability to bypass the trash process - i.e. delete directly - would be useful, but it's not something I've ever missed. Isn't it the same on a PC? Except the dead files go to the "Recycle" bin. (How they're recycled, I have never understood...) The recycle bin still needs to be emptied. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted January 4, 2013 Share #69 Posted January 4, 2013 Isn't it the same on a PC? Except the dead files go to the "Recycle" bin. (How they're recycled, I have never understood...) There's a key you can hold down when deleting files that deletes them directly rather than send them to the recycle bin. The name is probably just a way of avoiding litigation from Apple. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted January 4, 2013 Share #70 Posted January 4, 2013 Thanks K-H, I'm still learning on the Mac, I get the feeling I've only scratched the surface in terms of getting the most from it so far. I'll be honest and admit it's not been a trouble free ride, the DVD player on my Mini gives a slightly juddery playback - a common and erratic problem from what I've read - but I have some 'fixes' I've yet to try simply because I've not hooked it up as a media centre as yet. I've also just come across an issue on my new old MacBook which is refusing to install a new app (any pointers gratefully received!). But, having made the switch I can't see myself ever going back to a PC apart from having to use them at work. Hi James, You're welcome. Let's see, the first issue could be a performance problem, the second one may be maintenance related. Before we get into that let's discuss a few features/apps we would like to use to learn more about your Mac and the state it is in. So, hold your mouse down, top left, over the Apple sign and release on About This Mac. You will see something like this: Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Now, click on More Info... and you should see something like this: Now, click on System Report... and you should see the corresponding page of this: By now we already know quite a bit about the computer. Very useful information on the last page is this line: Model Identifier: MacBookPro5,2 It informs us exactly what model the computer is. If we now google MacBookPro5,2 we get to this page: Lookup Mac Specs By Serial Number, Order, Model & EMC Number, Model ID @ EveryMac.com Now we click on our computer's identifier and we get something like this: MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.93 17" (Unibody) Specs (Early 2009, BTO/CTO, MacBookPro5,2, A1297, 2272) @ EveryMac.com This is useful information as it informs us about a typical configuration and a maxed out one. Now let's go back to image 3 above and click on Serial-ATA, we get something like: Now, we know basic parameters of the computer like OS version, CPU, memory, and hard disk or in my case SSD model. So, once you have gone through this little exercise, would you please let us know the important parameters, like these: OS X Version 10.8.2 2.93 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 8 GB 1067 MHz DDR3 M4-CT512M4SSD2 More in my next post. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Now, click on More Info... and you should see something like this: Now, click on System Report... and you should see the corresponding page of this: By now we already know quite a bit about the computer. Very useful information on the last page is this line: Model Identifier: MacBookPro5,2 It informs us exactly what model the computer is. If we now google MacBookPro5,2 we get to this page: Lookup Mac Specs By Serial Number, Order, Model & EMC Number, Model ID @ EveryMac.com Now we click on our computer's identifier and we get something like this: MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.93 17" (Unibody) Specs (Early 2009, BTO/CTO, MacBookPro5,2, A1297, 2272) @ EveryMac.com This is useful information as it informs us about a typical configuration and a maxed out one. Now let's go back to image 3 above and click on Serial-ATA, we get something like: Now, we know basic parameters of the computer like OS version, CPU, memory, and hard disk or in my case SSD model. So, once you have gone through this little exercise, would you please let us know the important parameters, like these: OS X Version 10.8.2 2.93 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 8 GB 1067 MHz DDR3 M4-CT512M4SSD2 More in my next post. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/194633-switching-to-macbook-your-thoughts-please/?do=findComment&comment=2205916'>More sharing options...
pj48North Posted January 4, 2013 Share #71 Posted January 4, 2013 I'm not sure how the files can be deleted from the trash when the device isn't connected. Having the ability to bypass the trash process - i.e. delete directly - would be useful, but it's not something I've ever missed. Again, this is mainly just a different way of thinking and working. It is mainly a problem (or annoyance) when you are accustomed to a PC and switch to a Mac. On the PC, when you delete the files on a removable device like SD or flashdrive they do not go to the recycle bin, they are just deleted, similar to how files on a larger network never see a trash or recycle bin, they are unrecoverable. On the mac, lets say you have a full SD card, and copy all those files to the hard drive, then delete the files from the card. If you eject the card before emptying the trash, the files don't show up when you view in Finder, but if you put that card into a camera or use it somewhere else, the space is not freed up. I don't like to empty my trash every day, I like to do it on my own schedule. So for me this is an annoyance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pj48North Posted January 4, 2013 Share #72 Posted January 4, 2013 I worked with the 'ribbon' a couple of contracts ago. Hated it, absolutely hated it - and with the version of office the company used you couldn't switch it off. The ribbon was somebody's idea of a good idea. Most people dislike it, especially at first. I certainly don't love it, but its the tool I have to use, and in time it becomes second nature. It's easy to get off-topic, and I think the title of the thread was switching to Mac from PC. I'll just reiterate that the decision should be driven first by the applications you will be using the most, and are those available on either platform, and the rest is mainly preference. My college age niece switched from PC to Mac because it was what her cool friends told her she should do. And when that's a big factor, the truth about things gets pretty clouded. Everything Apple has a substantial cool-factor attached to it, and when you couple that with a fanatical following, all the warts get spun into the best thing you could ever want. And woe to you who might point that out. There's lots to love and hate about both Mac and PC. I'll keep my macbook around even after I get a new PC because there some things I love about it, but the bottom line for me is what works best for what I use it for. Its not a status symbol for me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted January 4, 2013 Share #73 Posted January 4, 2013 Most people couldn't give a rats about cool. They could give a rats about just getting on with what they want to do, rather than fighting against the System. You don't hear of many people going from Mac ownership to PC ownership, even if they've been PC owners in the past. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
-ph- Posted January 4, 2013 Share #74 Posted January 4, 2013 Thanks K-H, I've also just come across an issue on my new old MacBook which is refusing to install a new app (any pointers gratefully received!). That is most likely the "gatekeeper" feature, which by default blocks applications not loaded via the app store. The reason is to increase security, so that you do not install viruses/trojans. But you can change the behavior in the security settings. But by default, I would keep it at least on the middle level of allowing only app store and registered developers applications. Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted January 4, 2013 Share #75 Posted January 4, 2013 Again, this is mainly just a different way of thinking and working. It is mainly a problem (or annoyance) when you are accustomed to a PC and switch to a Mac. The first time you "Recycle" something from a card on a PC and realise that you wish you'd kept it, you'd wish you were on a Mac when you did it. I had assumed that this way the way my office PC works (i.e. moving stuff to Recycle, not just deleting from a card. ) I will be MUCH more careful in future. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted January 4, 2013 Share #76 Posted January 4, 2013 Hi James, If this is too basic I can stop anytime. I don't want to bore you to death! Now let's look at three useful applications I use a lot to see what's going on on my computer and to keep it healthy. They are: • Force Quit... • Activity Monitor • Disk Utility The first one can be fired up by going again to the Apple sign and releasing the mouse on Force Quit... . A window like this should appear: Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! This is an easy uncluttered way of finding out which applications are active. I very rarely actually kill an application this way, but one can. Activity Monitor is the application I go to if I need more detailed information. It looks like this: Now you can find out what is chewing up your CPU cycles, is a memory hog, etc. Typically running Adobe's FlashPlayer in a browser window is the culprit. Issue 1) Anyway, if I were to run a DVD movie I would make sure no other application is active. If that doesn't do it and one owns the DVD one could rip the DVD to Harddisk/SSD and play it from there. For PowerPC Macs MacTheRipper was such a utility. I would think there is an equivalent application for Intel Macs but I have had no need for it so far. So, I don't know about that part. Issue 2) One thing one has to make sure of is that the filesystem is not corrupted and the Disk Permissions are set correctly before one installs new software of any kind. Disk Utility is the tool for this. In this window one can click on Repair Disk. In the following window one can first Verify Disk. If the disk is corrupted, it has to be repaired first by booting from a different partition. If you are running Lion, you would have to boot your computer from the system DVD or equivalent. On my machine, running the latest OS, there is already a small partition just for this purpose. Once your disk is in good shape then you run Repair Disk Permissions, install new software, reboot, and run Repair Disk Permissions again. If that doesn't work have an Apple genius check your computer out. Please note, Apple keeps only diagnostic software for items at most 5 years old. At least that's the way the Apple store over here operates. Good luck. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! This is an easy uncluttered way of finding out which applications are active. I very rarely actually kill an application this way, but one can. Activity Monitor is the application I go to if I need more detailed information. It looks like this: Now you can find out what is chewing up your CPU cycles, is a memory hog, etc. Typically running Adobe's FlashPlayer in a browser window is the culprit. Issue 1) Anyway, if I were to run a DVD movie I would make sure no other application is active. If that doesn't do it and one owns the DVD one could rip the DVD to Harddisk/SSD and play it from there. For PowerPC Macs MacTheRipper was such a utility. I would think there is an equivalent application for Intel Macs but I have had no need for it so far. So, I don't know about that part. Issue 2) One thing one has to make sure of is that the filesystem is not corrupted and the Disk Permissions are set correctly before one installs new software of any kind. Disk Utility is the tool for this. In this window one can click on Repair Disk. In the following window one can first Verify Disk. If the disk is corrupted, it has to be repaired first by booting from a different partition. If you are running Lion, you would have to boot your computer from the system DVD or equivalent. On my machine, running the latest OS, there is already a small partition just for this purpose. Once your disk is in good shape then you run Repair Disk Permissions, install new software, reboot, and run Repair Disk Permissions again. If that doesn't work have an Apple genius check your computer out. Please note, Apple keeps only diagnostic software for items at most 5 years old. At least that's the way the Apple store over here operates. Good luck. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/194633-switching-to-macbook-your-thoughts-please/?do=findComment&comment=2205977'>More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted January 4, 2013 Share #77 Posted January 4, 2013 That is most likely the "gatekeeper" feature, which by default blocks applications not loaded via the app store. The reason is to increase security, so that you do not install viruses/trojans. But you can change the behavior in the security settings. But by default, I would keep it at least on the middle level of allowing only app store and registered developers applications. Peter Hi there, What you say is certainly true for the latest OS version. But does that also apply for OS Lion that James is running on his Mac? Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted January 5, 2013 Share #78 Posted January 5, 2013 Thank you K-H, I will check those points over the weekend. The Mini (DVD issue) has Snow Leopard, and is pretty much unused since I got it, the Macbook (app issue) I bought recently, and is about 6 years old but has Lion installed. Oh and they are apps via the app store. Thanks again for your time, much appreciated! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pj48North Posted January 5, 2013 Share #79 Posted January 5, 2013 The first time you "Recycle" something from a card on a PC and realise that you wish you'd kept it, you'd wish you were on a Mac when you did it. I had assumed that this way the way my office PC works (i.e. moving stuff to Recycle, not just deleting from a card. ) I will be MUCH more careful in future. Deleting data off cards accidentally "should" be less of a problem since you most likely copied the data over to a hard disk first, but... it certainly can happen. To be fair, Windows asks you if you are sure you want to 'delete' the data in this case, but in reality, most people won't notice the difference between this statement and the similar warning it gives you about 'moving this file to the recycle bin'. As for me, the only time I have wished I was on a Mac was before I owned one. To clarify the second part of your quote, anything on your PC hard drive will go into the recycle bin first, whether you are on a network or not. All of the corporate networks I have used don't have a recycle bin or trash for files stored on network drives, due in part, I presume, because the high volume of files created/deleted every hour would require massive storage overhead that is not economically feasible. And Andy, I'm sure you're well aware that selling 'cool' is a multi-billion dollar industry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted January 5, 2013 Share #80 Posted January 5, 2013 Thank you K-H, I will check those points over the weekend. The Mini (DVD issue) has Snow Leopard, and is pretty much unused since I got it, the Macbook (app issue) I bought recently, and is about 6 years old but has Lion installed. Oh and they are apps via the app store. Thanks again for your time, much appreciated! Hi James, It would be helpful if you posted the model numbers for your Lion and Snow Leopard Macs. There are just too many differences between the various generations of machines. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.