Ten first-or-so impressions about Mac OS X and the PowerBook, all of which are likely to change:
- Applications don't exit just because you close the window, if you're not careful you end up with a bunch of programs running in the background.
- While Command-Q is much easier to reach than ALT-F4 is, I sometimes accidentally exit the program instead of closing the window (Command-W).
- The PowerBook trackpad isn't as feature rich as ones found on PC laptops are, but I've already stopped cursing it, and started to wonder if its simplicity isn't quite intentional.
- I've read all over about how you need to repair permissions before and after every update, and repair your disk once in a while. I don't know if that's an exaggeration, but I noticed that, when repairing the permissions, they were set incorrectly every time.
- Yesterday I was a PC power user, today I'm a total Mac OS X noob! I wonder how long time it will take before I'll consider myself knowledgeable on my new platform as well.
- All of a sudden I'm a second class user; I went to Logitech.com to find out how to make my scroll button function as button number 3, only to find that the support section assumes you're using Windows. I have a feeling I'm going to have to get used to this.
- I'm sure BBEdit is great, once you get to know it. But right now I can't even figure out how to make it convert text to HTML entities. Hat tip to Bare Bones Software: stop adding features.
- Certain characters aren't in the familiar places on the keyboard, but when I guess where they ought to be at, my first guess tends to be correct.
- If I can't start controlling my PowerBook induced drooling soon, I'm going to have to get an apron.
- Mac OS X is faster than it seems to be; the interface is less immediately responsive than that of Windows XP, but it seems that the lack of snappiness is only skin deep.
Comments
For more trackpad features, try SideTrack. It takes a little while to get used to but now I find its scrolling ability indispensable.
As for translating text to HTML entities in BBEdit: Markup > Utilities > Translate...
Welcome to the fold, so to speak.
Comment by mudge at 16:29, 18 Aug, 2004 #
Ditto on Sidetrack. And by the way, drop everything you're doing right now and download LaunchBar. It is probably the best navigation enhancement ever invented. Quicksilver is a free knockoff of LaunchBar, that you may also want to try, but I've found LaunchBar to be a bit slicker.
Again, drop everything and download. Indispensable. You'll never use your mouse or the Dock again.
Comment by Mike D. at 16:40, 18 Aug, 2004 #
Although Launchbar is excellent, I prefer Quicksilver, as I find it more flexible. You can use it not only to launch apps, but also perform tasks like dictionary lookups and initiating processes in the terminal. It also has a clipboard history which I find to be extremely helpful.
I don't worry about running multiple applications in the background, as idle apps will not bog down the sytem. OS X handles resource management much more gracefully than Windows.
Comment by Michael Bester at 17:09, 18 Aug, 2004 #
mudge: Thanks for the tips.
Mike: I tried a Windows imitation of LaunchBar before, didn't like it much really. Navigating via the keyboard just feels wrong; but perhaps it works better on Mac OS X. For now though, I'm quite content with just using the Dock and HimmelBar.
Comment by Tomas Jogin at 17:11, 18 Aug, 2004 #
Regarding #1: Some applications *do* exit when the last window is closed--it's totally up to the application to decide whether that makes sense or not. Historically, on the Macintosh, the close button on windows has been construed to apply to the window, not the app (this gets to the heart of the fundamentally different thinking behind the Mac and Windows UIs). Both of the Cocoa apps I've released do close when the last window is closed, since they are single window, not document-based, apps.
Regarding #3: If you do decide to try Sidetrack, be advised that it is a hack kernel extension that has, in the past, caused issues (read: kernel panics) after changes in software updates, and could well again.
Regarding #4: This is a known issue (you're probably seeing the ISO 9660 blah blah permissions error), but it's purely a mastering problem, and nothing to be concerned about. Just ignore the error, and it will likely go away after a future update.
As for the necessity of doing that, I personally think it's become a bit of a superstitious ritual. It has fixed certain specific problems in the past, but I personally never do it and never have any problems. Then again, I don't monkey around with things like my umask using TinkerTool, or run any "haxie"-type programs, like a lot of people do.
The best piece of advice I can give you about software updates is this: do *not* do *anything* while the update is going on (in particular, do not plug or unplug hardware devices or open or close apps), and if the update asks you to restart, for God's sake, do it immediately! You'd be surprised how many people ignore Software Update's request that they restart and then go on working, only to encounter bizarre problems later.
Comment by Buzz Andersen at 17:19, 18 Aug, 2004 #
#7: HTML entities in BBEdit are found in Markup > Utilities > Translate...
Navigating via the keyboard just feels wrong; but perhaps it works better on Mac OS X. For now though, I'm quite content with just using the Dock and HimmelBar.
No, my friend. Navigating via the keyboard just feels right. And faster.
Comment by Trenton Davies at 17:37, 18 Aug, 2004 #
I close and sleep my computer every night (and am about to during the day as I need to mow the lawn). However, it's useful to log out every now and then, then log back in.
OS X does some housekeeping during logout and if you don't do it for a long while (and don't restart) various small issues can crop up.
Permission and prebinding issues used to be bigger than they are now. I doubt you'll need to run disk first aid to check your HD often if at all.
You might find Carbon Copy Cloner useful. I use it to mirror backup onto an external hard disk and there is a pref in it that will rebuild permissions before the backup each time. Simple tool and has worked for me since the beta days of OS X.
I totally agree re: BBEdit, it's a UI mess. Why don't you offer to help make it clean and simple. And, by the way, it's about time they dumped carbon layer support and went to native with drawers instead of pallets, etc. Dang, it's starting to suck!
Comment by Richard at 17:52, 18 Aug, 2004 #
I have to agree with Mike D. and say that LaunchBar is the most useful piece of software I have ever used.
I tried QuickSilver out but I didn't like it very much; I found it a little too intrusive and clunky. However, a lot of people are big fans of it and I didn't stick with it very long so it might be worth a try.
Regarding SideTrack being a "hack kernel extension": I'm not sure this is true. In the words of its developers (having been asked "is this a hack?"), "No. SideTrack is simply another driver for the trackpad. It uses the standard kernel interface for mouse drivers. This is exactly the same interface used by all third party mice." However, it is beta software which means that kernel panics etc. may well happen. It has never caused me any problems however.
Another piece of advice is not to install updates when they immediately become available. This is something I only recently starting paying attention to but should have done for a while. Wait a few days, read what people are saying about the new updates on sites such as MacFixIt before you take the plunge. Apple has been known to mysteriously pull updates in the past so it's better to be safe than sorry.
Comment by mudge at 19:41, 18 Aug, 2004 #
Looks awesome. I have been a hardcore Windows user ever since I got into computers and even despising macs for a long period of time, but I finally decided to purchase myself an iBook (I would have gone powerbook, but I was on a tight budget). I've had it for about a week and a half and I can't tell you how much I love it. I have no idea how I dealt with Windows for so long.
Oh, and Sidetrack is a MUST HAVE if you aren't using an external usb mouse. I have become completely addicted to it.
You might also want to check out Inquisitor, it's very nice for google searching.
Comment by Zach Hale at 20:23, 18 Aug, 2004 #
A bit off topic perhaps, but, a note on Quicksilver and the Finder on my blog.
Comment by Malte at 20:50, 18 Aug, 2004 #
Second class user is right. And you will have to get used to it unless you are dealing with Mac people or vendors. It sucks but that's the pain of owning such an elite laptop.
Comment by Greg at 00:10, 19 Aug, 2004 #
mudge:
Regarding Sidetrack: perhaps "hack" was too strong of a word, though I personally would still exercise caution in installing *any* third party kernel extension on my machine (this includes the ones used commercial software like Norton Internet Security and StuffIt 8), let alone one that appears to be in perpetual beta.
Just to clarify, I have nothing against things like Sidetrack, or even Application Enhancer, per se. What I have a problem with is that people install all manner of third party system mods on Macs, and then complain about how *Apple's* software update broke their system. Users don't know that their machine won't boot because one of the dodgy kernel extensions they installed was improperly depending on something that might change in a future update.
I had a pos about this on my own weblog awhile ago. My conclusion there was basically this: it's fine to mod your system, but you have to be ready to tolerate a certain amount of potential weirdness if you do.
Comment by Buzz Andersen at 03:35, 19 Aug, 2004 #
Re. #4: I've personally never had any problem that was fixed via Repair Permissions. In fact, I've only ever run it once, in 3 years of using OS X, and although it found and fixed some stuff, AFAIK they hadn't been causing any actual problems. As for repairing the disk, OS X runs a disk check on boot up, so I just reboot before doing a system upgrade.
Re. #6: Get USB Overdrive for all of your mouse (and joystick) configuration needs.
Comment by Karl at 15:07, 19 Aug, 2004 #
Its interesting to watch this, from the perspective of someone who is considering the big switch.
I currently have an old Pentium-II 266, running Windows XP Pro. Its slow as, but it gets my by. But I need to get myself a new system soon.
I love the angle-poise iMacs (I really hope the new G5 ones take a similar form) and I like the look of OS-X (though my experience of it is limited to a demo in PC World), but I'm slightly worried about a few things.
Is there a CSS/HTML editor thats on a par with Bradbury TopStyle for instance?
Whats the games situation like? Can I get UT2003? Doom3?
How easy is networking with Windows? Can I access the net via ICS on my flatmate's Windows XP PC?
So its nice to see how a recent switcher getting along. And its nice to see so many people popping up with suggestions on how you can get along better.
Comment by Olly Hodgson at 18:51, 22 Aug, 2004 #
I totally agree with everything you refer about your new Mac. I'm experiencing exactly the same situation. I bought a new PowerBook in July but haven't had the time to work with it until I left office for the summer holidays.
To your observations I want to add that the nice aluminum finish feels rather fragile for a portable. My most positive impression comes from its easy integration with bluetooth cell phones and the most negative from its wireless airport extreme card. It simply cannot keep the connection with the airport extreme base station when go over 5 meters from it.
Comment by Lefteris at 22:20, 29 Aug, 2004 #
Every year or so I try to justify to myself why I should buy a mac. But I just can't, the few significant advantages don't outweigh the disadvantages. But of course this is all IMHO/personal preference
Comment by Steven Marshall at 03:04, 31 Aug, 2004 #
Steven: You're quite right. However, if you should ever need to get a laptop, I think you'll find that Macs all of a sudden get much more attractive.
With PCs you have freedom over your hardware, right? Great stuff, except it doesn't apply to laptops. That's really what made me sure that I wanted an Apple, because the hardware freedom was taken out of the equation.
Even though I've "switched", I still have a hard time picturing myself ever buying a desktop Mac (such as a PowerMac or an iMac).
Comment by Tomas Jogin at 09:09, 31 Aug, 2004 #
The discussion has been closed on this entry. Thanks to everybody who participated.