Well.
I have now done 2 days with my new MacBook and I still love it. I got the thing set up in a matter of minutes and was on the internet almost immediately and making my previous post (with the scary pic) within a few seconds.
I have got my head round downloading and installing software on here too. Basically, you download DMG files which are a bit like ISO files on a PC, but when you launch them they mount like you have added a new drive to the Mac. No added “virtual drive” software needed here! You will commonly get a large pretty picture of the application you have downloaded shown and you then drag and drop this into the Applications folder to install it. You can then “eject” or “unmount” the DMG file and delete it. Pretty clever really. Nice not to see all those DLL files going everywhere for a change!
So far, I have installed:
- Adium X (a cute little substitute for MSN Messenger)
- Firefox (well… why not!)
- Transmission (for torrents! of course)
Apart from those I don’t really need to install anything else at the moment. The MacBook comes with a 30 day trial of Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac, but I can’t really see myself using it that much, but if it’s on the torrents I will probably get it sooner or later. I fired up my CV in Word and it looked the same - but the actual application itself is pretty ugly.
I love playing with the PhotoBooth application and iPhoto too. Most people slated the FrontRow application that you can use to turn the MacBook into a sort of Media Player using a bundled remote control. I have used it an found it to be excellent! It’s so smooth and playing an internet movie trailer over wireless works perfectly! Well cool.
It’s also nice to see a battery meter that does’nt go from 80% full to “beep beep!!! switch off now or die!” like my old ThinkPad laptop did. The infamous “Microsoft Minutes” are also banished. Files actually finish downloading when they say they are going to! I can also open the lid and be surfing the net by the time I have sat back down on the sofa! It is just a “sleep mode” and I need to establish what the battery considerations are when using this mode, but its nice!
Amazing.
“It just works!”
Well, it's not a giant lizard slaying robot and its not a new religion.
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
So I suppose even prawn is better on a mac?
WBB - you concur?
Envious :o(
I’m starting to get some of the discolouration MacBook owners have been moaning about on the leading edge of mine. Particularly around the right wrist and trackpad area.
It’s a bit annoying, especially as I use a USB keyboard and mouse most of the time.
As far as I know at the moment people who return their MacBooks with this as a ‘fault’ have the plastic replaced - but surely the problem comes back in a matter of weeks (days?).
Until I hear of a viable fix I’m trying to see it as a groovy patina of wear/love.
I’ve installed Adium - do you know what we need to do to get video messaging? I may need to sign up for Google Mail??
For video messaging (using iChat) you will need either a .mac account or an AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) account.
When you go into the application the first time it asks you what account to use.
You can create a free AOL account over at http://www.aol.co.uk
My AOL name is tschencks
As for the nice brown stains…..
Please! I don’t want them on mine! It’s too nice.
It bet it doesn’t take 4 minutes to shut down like my feckin PC does…….
Have you ventured into the hurdy gurdy nerdy world of Linux yet? The latest Xandros is apprently the nuts, or Vector linux is good but you will need to find a 3rd party app for iPod-ness
Adium is awesome. Out of all the chat aggregators that I have used, I feel it is the best. Kudos on the new piece of machinery.
Hmm, I bit the bullet and gave my details to AOL. Was directed to a page where I chose a username, password etc - tried to download AIM and get directed to the same fekkin page!
I’ve already filled it in twats! Grrrr.
Yay! Welcome to the fold brother.
To answer Ghone’s question - yes it does look better on a Mac, as does everything.
I need to get meself set up for video chat as well.
All you need to get is an “AOL Screen name” to use the iChat stuff.
You don’t need to download AIM itself.
1. Go to http://www.aol.com
2. Click the AOL & AIM Sign In link in the top right hand corner.
3. Click the Get Free Screen Name link - and off ya go.
4. Don’t download the shitty software!
I created an AIM Account yesterday and set myself up as CaptRickRipple. I’ve added you to my list of buddies, but you’d obviously gone to bed by then.
Oh, and I ain’t downloaded diddly.
I have added you to my “Buddy List” now and set iChat and AdiumX as startup items - so i should see you log in hopefully and we can test it.
Bob and Tao you will see me as “akugyaku”, I’ve added Bob and I intend to chat him up. In the fun way.
Holy mother of fuck no wonder I always hear the letters AOL in conjunction with words like useless, twat and cunts.
Once again tried to sign up for their AIM service and every fucking time I hit the download button it signs me out and asks me to set up a screen name and account!
I’ve done that! Twice. Cunty cunt cunts.
Why/what are you downloading?
AIM - or trying.
Yes, but what Tao is saying is that you don’t NEED to download anything. Once you have a user name, you’re golden. Unless I’m missing something, which is likely.
Yes, cheers fellas - I just got a little obsessive over how crap the site is, if I wanted to download the thingy.
I mean really.
You’re all freaks! Must….resist…..mac…. Can’t….join….dark….side…
Leave a Comment