SoKy Local Business or "SoKybiz": Macintosh Migration SoKybiz Small business in Southern Kentucky Ky.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Macintosh Migration

My move from a Microsoft Personal Computer (PC) to and Apple Macintosh (Mac) has not been without some frustration; mostly due to literally 20 years using a PC. I started using PC’s when the biggest hard drive on the IBM PS2 was 10 meg and Windows had only been on the market for a couple of years. I have never regretted learning the PC in the days of MS DOS. The command prompt in not unfamiliar and those basic skill are still in use today; even if rarely.

My decision to publish a print magazine forced me into the world of commercial printing, professional print layout, graphics and Adobe software. I tried to hold onto my PC but due to incompatibilities, lock ups and slow loading of the large files, I was “encouraged” by a good friend to try the Mac. I did, and didn’t like it, but in the end, the Mac (and my friend), won out.

I am what you would call a fan of Microsoft (MS); and that’s not so popular in some circles, especially in the land of Apple, Adobe and even the web development community. I have been a professional web developer since 1998. My first and biggest client was a large international organization whose entire information technology infrastructure was based on Windows NT servers, Windows PC’s and Microsoft Office.

I developed a web structure that would work well in their environment and would be easy to train editorial staff to contribute. I defaulted to Windows IIS and Microsoft Front Page compatible web services to shorten the learning curve of staff who were already familiar with MS Word and other MS software.

Since that time, I’ve focused on MS Active Server Pages, MS SQL database servers and Windows based software for development. I was so entrenched with MS that I became a partner per se and have promoted and sold their technology quite loyally. Even considering the move to a Mac made me feel disloyal to all that I had recommended over the years.

It’s my opinion (now), that the combination of the Mac hardware and Adobe software is more productive in a graphics environment. My impression was, and still is that the graphics and print industries are typically devoted Mac users. This also weighed on my decision to move to a Mac because as I work with my commercial printer and pre-press departments, having compatible files is important. Also, as I consider expanding my own creative staff, I cannot deny that they are typically trained and experienced on the Mac and Adobe software.

My best friend brought me a Mac and gave me some pointers. I struggled a good deal with menu items and terminology. Even after 3 issues of my magazine gone to press, all created on my friend’s “spare” Mac, I still have trouble finding some of the tools I’ve grown accustomed to on my PC and Windows software.

The need for the capabilities of the Mac outweighed my frustration and persistence has paid off. Now I find myself shopping for a Mac Pro and the CS3 suite from Adobe. It’s a very expensive combination; but it is one of those necessary expenses of business.

The new Intel based Mac computers have been promoting the fact they can run Microsoft and Mac software. I’ve always avoided a duel operating system environment due to conflicts, but my needs for more speed and power have me reconsidering my old dog rules once again.

This morning I stumbled upon a website that has eluded me for the past 4 months. I was reading a blog by the creator of SimpleViewer where he described is move to Yahoo and the need to change from a PC to a Mac. Apparently, Felix Turner was hired by Yahoo and moved to CA where their creative department was all Mac and he has been in the throes of switching to a Mac environment.

In a comment on his blog post, someone offered a link to myfirstmac.com. I clicked it and wondered where the heck this had been hiding for the last 4 months. It’s an informative and entertaining website that helps people get started on the Mac.