Apple - newbie!

[Guest WearTheFoxHat]

Ok, I've just got my advent 4211, upgraded it to 2GB RAM and 250GB hard disk. I've also just got the Three broadband modem. So I'm good to go.

I've been wanting to get a machine up and running with OSX for some time, to force me to get to use it. Coming from a Windows background, what are the must have Apple tools/software to install?

Obviously OSX

But what about iLife? Microsoft Office? etc

I'm guessing safari or firefox are the browsers of choice.

What about email client? Is the built in one sufficient for my hosted exchange?

Media players etc?

Just after some basic info on which apps to use, and which ones to replace!

Cheers

[Guest Paul (MVP)]

Oooh, what a question!

iLife is nice for iPhoto, iMovie etc, and Office 2008 is nice for me as I use Exchange... Entourage is what you want for hosted exchange.

I'll do a post when I get a chance about the software i'm using on my Mac atm! But here's a few FREE essentials to get you started... any specific app type requests, hit me up below.

Browser: Firefox

IM: Adium and Palringo (see you in channel 'modaco' :D)

RSS: NetNewsWire

Terminal: iTerm

Cool backgrounds: Desktoptopia

Benchmarking: Geekbench

Screenshotting: Skitch

Skype: Skype (duh!)

Bittorrent: Transmission

Video playback: VLC

Edited July 25, 2008 by tsutton
bad url

[Guest WearTheFoxHat]

Oh cheers Paul, nice list.

Ok few more questions ....

1) Microsoft Office for Mac ... OR iWork? I assume they do the same thing, but one is MS.

2) Aperture ... is this good for photo's ... or should I stick with Photoshop/iPhoto? I'm talking about editing photo's, keyworking, adjusting and cataloguing.

3) Remotely controlling a Windows PC ... does this work from Apple Remote Control?

4) Parallels? Good/bad ... alternatives?

I'm really looking forward to trying these out ... and my Dell 1490 card should arrive tomorrow or Monday!

[Guest Paul (MVP)]

1) If you're using Exchange, Office is worth it for Entourage. iWork is good value, but since I need Office for the former, then that's what I use.

2) Aperture is good, but see if iPhoto fulfils your requirements first. I use Pixelmator for editing (rather than PS) due to cost... I got Pixelmator in a bundle.

3) Use LogMeIn.

4) Parallels = great, that's what I use. I've also used vmware fusion, but find Parallels the best.

Don't forget you can install without the wifi card, just use cabled Ethernet :D

P

[Guest WearTheFoxHat]

Ok cool

1) office it is then ... Im sure I have that somewhere ... technet subscription here I come!

2) will try iPhoto, no point buying something if the built in one works!

3) hmmm yeah will work, but do really like proper remote desktop ... could use it under parallels I guess.

4) Will give parallels a bash too.

... ok if I install without wifi card, and then put it in when the card arrives, will it just install? Or do I need to do a full reinstall of the os ?

T :D

[Guest Paul (MVP)]

Oh, there IS a proper remote desktop client for mac from MS, just remembered :D It's called Remote Desktop 2.0.

Yeah, it'll automagically pick up the card when you put it in.

P

[Guest WearTheFoxHat]

Installed and working fine :D

[Guest Paul (MVP)]

Excellent :D

P