Thoughts from a former PC owner, on Apple, and my new iBook...

dallenbdallenb
Posted:
in General Discussion edited January 2014
I have now had my iBook for a few weeks, and here are my impressions to date.



So far, I am not as impressed as I had thought I would be, which is dissapointing I had the impression that because OSX worked on a Unix platform, it was far more stable. So far I have frozen my iBook more times than I can count. Now some of these freezes, are probably from my absolute lack of knowlege how OSX works. But my PC didnt crash this much!



Finding files is an absolute pain in the butt, as is finding your new program once installed. The filing system is so....cumbersome! I spent 20 minutes at one point trying to find the program I just installed, then another 15 minutes trying to figure out how to make a shortcut too it!!



How in the hell do you un-install programs that you dont want?? I installed that Weathertop program, which I understand is a work in progress but it always shows the sun out! I found another weather program which works much better, but I cant for the life of me find out how to uninstall Weathertop!



The help program is cumbersome as well, no matter how many different times I asked how to uninstall programs, it came up with nothing!



So far, the only shining moments my new iBook has had, was burning CD's like noone's business. This is one thing I could never get to work correctly on my PC, out of the 4 or 5 that I have owned. I really hate to think I just bought a $2300 CD burner!! I could have spent $200 and done it seperately!!'



Software...now this one is burning me up. How do you expect to lure people to buy your product, when it is much higher priced, and has 10% of the software available?? Worse yet, the same software is so godaweful expensive!! The only decent game is Warcraft III, and the laptop cant handle the graphics!



Sorry folks, call it buyers remorse, call it whatever you like. This could very well be because I know PC's better than anything, but I am so far disappointed. I saw Dell advertising a laptop with near identicalspecs, for 1/2 the price!!
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 30
    bodhibodhi Posts: 1,424member
    Wait a minute here...did you write <a href="http://www.bcentral.com/articles/komando/104.asp?cobrand=msn&LID=3800"; target="_blank">this?</a> <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />





    Anyway, realize that there is a learning curve and you may be frustrated not because the way things are laid out on the Mac is bad, you are just not used to it. Give it some time and be patient.
  • Reply 2 of 30
    mcqmcq Posts: 1,543member
    Before I get out to class real quick, a couple things:



    Find function is in the finder, File--&gt; find. Alternatively, there should be a search box in each finder window in case you want to search within the folder you're currently viewing.



    To uninstall most programs, drag it to the trash and empty it. There may be a small preferences file in Libarary/Preferences, but that shouldn't be a problem.



    Your programs should be all intstalled into your Applications folder, I don't know if you're using actual program installers or just disk images, in which case you should just drag the app from the disk image into your Apps folder.



    What software are you looking for that you can't find?
  • Reply 3 of 30
    kecksykecksy Posts: 1,002member
    Once you unlearn some of those backwards Windows habits, you'll find you can do pretty much eveything faster on a Mac.



    All Applications are installed in the Applications Folder on your hard drive.



    Removing a program is a simple as dragging it's icon from the Finder to the trash.



    Newbie Mac users often complain about freezes. Unless you can specify what you're doing when you crash, I can't really help you.



    Next time your computer freezes though, try this key combination: apple-option-esc. It will bring up a dialogue box you can use to kill a frozen app.
  • Reply 4 of 30
    themagiusthemagius Posts: 28member
    Some questions...



    1) What model of iBook are you running?

    2) What version of OSX are you running?

    3) What were you doing when you froze your iBook?

    4) What were you using to find your newly-installed files?

    5) What PC software are you looking for that the iBook cannot run?



    Trying to help,

    -theMagius
  • Reply 4 of 30
    giaguaragiaguara Posts: 2,724member
    How does it crash, more specificly?

    And how often?



    Mine did it too often.. Seems to be a problem with the logistic (?) card ... now to be repaired.. and i have to survive with an old linux - winzoz pc 2 weeks.. <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" />



    I don't know (and hope ) your crashings wont be that.. but.. describe a bit better the crashing--
  • Reply 6 of 30
    buonrottobuonrotto Posts: 6,368member
    [quote]Originally posted by Dallenb:

    <strong>So far I have frozen my iBook more times than I can count.</strong><hr></blockquote>



    Curious. You might want to do a "dirty" reinstall of the system software. By default, the OS X install CDs will not erase your HD files, they will just overwrite the system files, leaving your stuff alone.



    <strong>Finding files is an absolute pain in the butt, as is finding your new program once installed. The filing system is so....cumbersome! I spent 20 minutes at one point trying to find the program I just installed, then another 15 minutes trying to figure out how to make a shortcut too it!!</strong>



    Use the Finder to browse and search your computer. Applications normally go in the Applications folder, just inside your HD icon. You should by default have an Applications toolbar shortcut in your Finder windows, and you can place the Find and Search shortcuts there too. Making an alias is as easy as looking in the File menu of the Finder application. Always look in the menus -- that's where most if not all the commands are for an application.



    <strong>How in the hell do you un-install programs that you dont want??</strong>



    Uninstalling is as simple as dragging the application into the Trash and emptying the Trash. 9 times out of 10, an uninstaller isn't needed at all. If one is needed, check on the CD (or Disc image) your program came with. The installer would also have an option to uninstall if it's needed.



    <strong>Software...now this one is burning me up. How do you expect to lure people to buy your product, when it is much higher priced, and has 10% of the software available??</strong>



    We like the quality of the software we get more than the quantity of titles. I find Mac software is better designed than equivalent or comparable Windows software. It's how you use the stuff that make a difference.



    Macs aren't for everyone. I hope you will see how things are a little simpler to figure out and do on a Mac if you place some of your assumptions to one side.
  • Reply 7 of 30
    miami craigmiami craig Posts: 172member
    For some reason i dont think DarrenB will reply in his thread. Some people can locked into believing something and wont change their mind no matter what (even a few of us mac junkies are guilty of that).

    Im just tired of hearing this whole software thing that people cry about. Its actually NOT a problem but a GOOD thing that we have a fraction of the apps as the dark side. We have great apps, for everything you need to do ona computer and we have a choice, not a rediculously huge and confusing amount of choices, but a focused smaller amount that makes it easier to choose which ones we want. All those apps people are crying about... its unneccesary.

    Whatever you need to do, thers a good app to do it available on the mac.



    &lt;ArnoldSchwarzeneggerVoice&gt;

    Stop whining.

    &lt;/ArnoldSchwarzeneggerVoice&gt;

  • Reply 8 of 30
    crawlingparanoiacrawlingparanoia Posts: 443member
    Can't find your applications? Follow these steps and you shouldn't have a problem:



    1) Click the Finder icon in the Dock (smiley face, all the way on the left or top)

    2) A Finder window will pop up. Click the Applications icon in the toolbar.



    That should get you to all of your applications.
  • Reply 9 of 30
    overhopeoverhope Posts: 1,123member
    Okay, there are some valid points there, which Apple need to address if the Switch campaign is truly going to be a success.



    I seem to recall when I bought my first Mac that there was a tutorial application that started up the minute you got it home and turned it on, which taught you all the basics (I have a suspicion this goes back even further in time).



    Maybe we need something like that?



    Of course, having an open mind and being prepared to spend a little time on the learning curve wouldn't hurt.



    Miami Craig, dallenb's got 44 posts to his name, so I doubt he's trolling. It is nice to see that everyone's offering help, anyhow.
  • Reply 10 of 30
    spindlerspindler Posts: 713member
    You are right, OverHype. How about some simple video tutorials. They would go like "You do this in Windows here, and you do it on the Mac over here". They could even have a flash animation of the Start Bar. You click on the Search in the Start Bar and it shows you Find File in the Finder.
  • Reply 11 of 30
    brianmacosbrianmacos Posts: 548member
    Take the time to learn the system. I used windows for over 10 years and switched to the mac with no problems. Mine never locks up and to delete things all you have to do is drag it to the trash. As far as software titles go you can get any thing for the Mac. Not every thing is expensive either. You will see that you can do things faster on your mac and it won't crash half as much. I'm having a hard time even reading half of the stuff you said considering you had a thread before saying how much you liked it. If you don't want it you better return it while you can or sell it to some one that will know how to use it.
  • Reply 12 of 30
    buonrottobuonrotto Posts: 6,368member
    [quote]Originally posted by spindler:

    <strong>You are right, OverHype. How about some simple video tutorials. They would go like "You do this in Windows here, and you do it on the Mac over here". They could even have a flash animation of the Start Bar. You click on the Search in the Start Bar and it shows you Find File in the Finder.</strong><hr></blockquote>



    Yes! This could simply be tied into the setup assistant. Just ask one question:



    Are you,



    ? familiar with Mac OS X

    ? familiar with Mac OS 9 and earlier

    ? familiar with Windows

    ? familiar with unix or Linux

    ? new to computers



    There's already stuff in Mac Help for those users (with exception to unix/linux users), it's a matter of people actually finding Mac Help though. Pointing out the help system alone at first run would be a huge help for a lot of new users.



    And of course, things can always be easier. Even Apple has plenty of room to improve.
  • Reply 13 of 30
    dallenbdallenb Posts: 142member
    [quote]Originally posted by Miami Craig:

    <strong>For some reason i dont think DarrenB will reply in his thread.



    &lt;ArnoldSchwarzeneggerVoice&gt;

    Stop whining.

    &lt;/ArnoldSchwarzeneggerVoice&gt;

    </strong><hr></blockquote>



    First....its Dallenb.....second, you dont know me. My life doesnt revolve around this message board <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
  • Reply 14 of 30
    dallenbdallenb Posts: 142member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by MCQ:

    <strong>Before I get out to class real quick, a couple things:



    Find function is in the finder, File--&gt; find. Alternatively, there should be a search box in each finder window in case you want to search within the folder you're currently viewing.



    To uninstall most programs, drag it to the trash and empty it. There may be a small preferences file in Libarary/Preferences, but that shouldn't be a problem.



    Your programs should be all intstalled into your Applications folder, I don't know if you're using actual program installers or just disk images, in which case you should just drag the app from the disk image into your Apps folder.



    What software are you looking for that you can't find?</strong><hr></blockquote>



    Thanks for the tips....I knew about the finder window, but hadnt had much luck in making it work correctly. Apple has different names for stuff, so its harder to navigate sometimes



    <strong> What software are you looking for that you can't find?</strong>



    I have realized that while Apple isnt inundated with software like PC's are, they have a decent selection. I just need to take the time to read the descriptions better. Their names are so very different.
  • Reply 15 of 30
    dallenbdallenb Posts: 142member
    [quote]Originally posted by Kecksy:

    <strong>Once you unlearn some of those backwards Windows habits, you'll find you can do pretty much eveything faster on a Mac.



    All Applications are installed in the Applications Folder on your hard drive.



    Removing a program is a simple as dragging it's icon from the Finder to the trash.



    Newbie Mac users often complain about freezes. Unless you can specify what you're doing when you crash, I can't really help you.



    Next time your computer freezes though, try this key combination: apple-option-esc. It will bring up a dialogue box you can use to kill a frozen app.</strong><hr></blockquote>



    Thanks for the tips, i wrote down the apple-option-esc. I have been trying to figure out the combo that matches PC's cntrl-alt-delete



    Most of my freezes have happened when I open the book after it has slept. The other odd freezes were from either running, or navigating various programs. Since I dont know what is good, or what works well on Apples, I tend to download whatever I think looks cool to try it out. I will make a note of a particular freeze next time, and post how it happened
  • Reply 16 of 30
    dallenbdallenb Posts: 142member
    [quote]Originally posted by theMagius:

    <strong>Some questions...



    1) What model of iBook are you running?

    2) What version of OSX are you running?

    3) What were you doing when you froze your iBook?

    4) What were you using to find your newly-installed files?

    5) What PC software are you looking for that the iBook cannot run?



    Trying to help,

    -theMagius</strong><hr></blockquote>



    14" iBook, 256 ram, combo drive, it shows 10.2, which I am glad I checked now. I didnt think I had Jaguar Maybe this is why I have had freezes?



    Thanks for the reply's. Except for the unconstructive criticism by Miami Craig, this has been a learning experience



    I do believe my initial dissapointment was a combination of a few things.

    1) Zero knowledge of Apple, and their OS

    2) A huge lack of on-board support, by either help or even a "Welcome to Apple" disk that I could load to learn the basics.

    3) Over-simplified guidebook that came with my iBook, is absolutely worthless if your looking for help.

    4) Friends hyping Apple products until I felt my new laptop would be flawless.



    I do hope time will help me with all this. I guess I am still shocked having spent so much money. Apple does need to work on providing better support for those who have never used one of their products, especially for how different they are. I like some of the ideas above.



    Thanks again :cool:
  • Reply 17 of 30
    buonrottobuonrotto Posts: 6,368member
    Dallenb, have you seen the part of Mac Help that is supposed to orient Windows users to OS X? It's somewhat brief, but it might help with a general orientation if you need one. If it makes you feel any better, a lot of Mac users coming from OS 9 are in the same boat.



  • Reply 18 of 30
    nullptrnullptr Posts: 21member
    You also might want to upgrade to 10.21 (Just released on Tuesday). Go to "System Preferences" under the Apple Menu and select "Software Update". I was having some problems waking from sleep on my G4 Cube and this seems to fix the problem.



    Also David Pogue's book "Mac OS X: The Missing Manual" is a great book that will help bring you up to speed on OSX.
  • Reply 19 of 30
    brianmacosbrianmacos Posts: 548member
    This thread reminds me of Fellowship when he first got his iBook and look at him now he Loves it to death
  • Reply 20 of 30
    skipjackskipjack Posts: 263member
    [quote]Originally posted by Dallenb:

    <strong>

    I have been trying to figure out the combo that matches PC's cntrl-alt-delete </strong><hr></blockquote>



    I think ctrl-alt-del (WIN) is more like ctrl-apple-power (MAC): restart the computer



    opt-apple-escape (MAC) is more like ctrl-esc (WIN): force quit an application



    [quote]

    <strong>

    Most of my freezes have happened when I open the book after it has slept.</strong><hr></blockquote>



    Here are some things to look at as posted in an Apple KnowledgeBase article:



    "Use one of these methods to avoid the issue:



    * Disable "Wake for network administrative access" in the Energy Saver control panel.

    * If TCP/IP is set to Ethernet, set AppleTalk to Ethernet as well."



    Edit: reversed function labels to correct post as noted by followup (crawlingparanoia)



    [ 09-20-2002: Message edited by: Skipjack ]</p>
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