MetaCatholic

At the end of my first week with the Mac, some comments are probably in order.

I’m still being driven mad by confusing the Command and Control keys in shortcut combinations. It’s not helped by continuing to use Windows.

I’ve by and large been impressed by running Windows in a VM (I’m using Fusion). This continues to be necessary for when I need the full power of Adobe Creative Suite, and also for using Bibleworks, and MS Publisher (an application I only use under sufferance!). If I had waited to be able to get all the software I needed when I bought the Mac, I’d still be waiting. WinXP actually runs faster in this virtual machine with a mere 512Mb RAM assigned than it did on my old hardware with 1Gb of RAM. Go figure! I have had problems with the printer driver. Printing from Windows disables the Mac driver and vice versa. I have a fairly kludgy workaround for that – printing everything in the VM to PDF and then dragging it over for a hard copy as needed.

I’ve set up the VM on another virtual desktop using Spaces. This is a great feature for running two OSs side by side and switching instantly between them with a keyboard shortcut: it’s almost instantaneous. Windows users who ned to go on using Windows have nothing to fear.

I’ve surprised myself by not yet buying MS Office 2008. I’m not yet sure what my word-processing solution will be. I have been taken aback by just how good Pages is: it is far more fully-featured than I expected, and is a real pleasure to use. I have played with Word 2008 in the Apple Store, and it is very good. Unfortunately it doesn’t have the same good language support as Office 2007 for Windows does. Pages seems to do enough for general work. I’m looking at download trials of Mellel and Nisus Writer Pro to see how they might pan out for me.

The fact that there is, in some ways, so little to say about the changeover says more about how much more alike the two OSs are than the “religious” wars of their fanboys might suggest. I am not having to change my ways of working that much. My use of dragging-and-dropping, always quite heavy, is increasing. I need to remember to use Spotlight, instead of drilling down through folders (as I would have to learn to use Search on Vista). I rather miss the Start button (a much better device than is credited: you could literally start doing anything by moving the mouse to the same place on your screen).

The Dock is better than the Windows Taskbar in many ways: being able to drag a file to an application without worrying whether it’s open or needs to open is a good move. You shouldn’t need to know: it’s your computer’s problem. The lack of feedback on things like which documents are open that the taskbar gave you is a bit of a minus.

Probably the thing that I notice most, and which I really like, is the almost instantaneous waking from Sleep, which means I can get going when I want, without wondering whether I’ve got time to switch the computer on to check for something before walking out of the door.

The first week: by and large, it’s been a good one.

written by doug

In the OS wars, the question of which is more “intuitive” gets asked a lot. Mac users claim that OS X is clearly more “intuitive” than Windows. My early experience would suggest that “intuitive” is a matter of what you’re used to. Windows seemed quite intuitive to me, and I’m sure that in a couple of weeks OS X will too.

Let me give a couple of examples. And the beauty of this is that eve if I’m wrong, and there is a better and easier way to do what I wanted, it proves my point about intuitiveness.

I wanted to add a graphic of my real signature to my email signature in Mail. I looked everywhere I could think of for an “insert picture” command, and failed miserably. OK, Mac is supposed to be famous for drag and drop, so I tried that and it worked. Different methods, and what you’re used to will be more intuitive. I don’t think either is quicker or easier than the other.

The signature graphic was a different size to what I wanted. How then did I resize it, short of zooming over to Windows and opening it in Photoshop. (NB When I say resize, I mean resize and resample the actual file, not make it look larger or smaller in the document.) The obvious answer, I thought, would be the famed iPhoto. Nope, there may be a way, but of so, I couldn’t find it. Almost by accident, while looking for something else, however, I discovered the option to resize and resample an image in Preview. (Incidentally, Preview is a real gem, and at the heart of some of the “must have” easy working features of the Mac.) Now call me old-fashioned, but I don’t think it’s remotely intuitive to be unable to resize files in a photo editor, but dead easy in an application intended for previewing them.

I have no idea how you could objectively measure “intuitiveness”. Everyone comes with their own habits, experience and preconceptions. The OS wars: when you take the passionate believers out, there’s still no neutral objectivity. Now where I have I heard that before?

written by doug

I’ve been continuing to get some helpful feedback on my series of posts on switching to a Mac. I still haven’t made the switch, though I’m still thinking about doing so. The reason I haven’t switched is one of the big culture switch issues, and what seems to me like a fairly big argument to drop in the PC side of the scales.

The machine I would be most likely to buy is the iMac. However, the current models are almost certainly reaching the end of their shelf-life. They were released in August 2007 – so they’re now eight months old and growing older by the day. Given the speed of technological development: that’s really old. Coming from the PC world, where one or other manufacturer is releasing something new every week in a constant round of catch-up and competition, it seems quite bizarre. When the aluminium iMac was first released, it was a good buy. I would guess that Apple’s profit margin was tending to low. Now, however, I would guess that the same hardware is bringing in quite a high profit, and the balance has tilted away from the consumer. Buying at this stage of a product cycle, when there is no discount or sale price is paying over the odds, and I can’t bring myself to do it.

A related issue is one of screen quality. There has been quite a stir among fanboys over this lawsuit, alleging that the screens in the 20-inch iMac are not as advertised. As far as I can see, Apple have walked a fairly thin line. Their advertising makes a claim that, while not untrue, is misleading in so far as unaware readers might well think the only difference between the screens is size. In fact there is a significant difference in quality as well. One can’t help feel that Apple are trading on their reputation for quality while delivering lower quality than one would expect at the price-point. The problem is, whereas again in the PC world, there is oodles of choice, in the Mac world it is very limited, and if one is looking for a Mac, the company has rather more power than the consumer.

Don’t get me wrong. I still think there are significant pluses weighing down the Mac side of the scale in my buying decision, but I’m not entirely comfortable surrendering quite as much consumer power and choice as any of Apple’s customers must.

written by doug

I’ve been stunned by the number of helpful comments on my most recent switching to Mac post, some very specifically answering my question about virtualisation, and others giving general encouragement. I think the enthusiasm and helpfulness is itself a reason to consider switching. In fact, I’ve decided to make a static page referencing these posts for those who want to follow my journey and offer further advice. It’s my intention that I will blog the process of switching when I finally do it.

Thanks especially for the links to discussion or Parallels versus Fusion, and the comments about that. It will matter for the first few months, since I can’t afford to change all my software at the same time as the hardware.

I want to respond to some of the many comments here a bit more fully, so that I can clarify one or two things, and why the reasons I’ve already given remain the main reasons for me. I’m sure other people will have other reasons which are more important to them.

Cost. I agree (and have said) that the costs like-for-like are roughly comparable. It is true, however, that it is possible to buy a really cheap PC that is adequate. If, for example, I suddenly developed a major and expensive problem with my car, I would be forced to go that route in the short term, and come back to buying a Mac when finances were again in a bit better shape.

Laptop or desktop. In the end, my particular pattern of working probably means both (not least so that two users can be active simultaneously). One of the things I’m waiting for is the release of a new iMac, which is probably due, and certainly heavily rumoured to be due, in the next few weeks.

Support. One kind commenter asked whether I could be sure I had enough support. If everyone around me was on Windows, did that mean I might be cut off from help if I had a problem. Well, the number of comments on that post suggest it won’t be a problem, but in any case, I’m usually the one who helps other people with their problems.

User experience. I expect using a Mac to be a good user experience, however, I can honestly say that I’ve found using Windows to be a good one too. I know people say that “With a Mac I can just get things done” but I’ve found that has been my normal experience on Windows, especially with XP. It’s also true that some of the graphics and DTP lists I subscribe to suggest that there are always times when whatever the OS, there’s a gremlin there waiting to trip you up. With anything as complex as a modern computer and OS, it’s actually amazing that this doesn’t happen more often.

Viruses etc. I know many people regard this as a big selling point for OS X. However, I haven’t had a virus problem, ever, on Windows, nor indeed a malware, spyware, trojan or anything else problem, mainly because I keep my security up-to-date. It’s not a big deal for me. The problem (which is a real one) is due, I think, less to the sheer number of Windows viruses in the wild, and more to the fact that there’s a very high percentage of computing novices and ignoramuses on Windows.

So thanks again everyone who’s commented to date.

written by doug

I’m trying to list here some reasons for moving towards a decision to buy a Mac, given that I’ve identified a number of issues, and no real killer applications or features. I am not claiming that any of them should be anyone else’s reasons.

Five I find very persuasive

• It will take up a lot less space, and I can reclaim a chunk of my study.
• I would like a machine that can run “Windows only” and “Mac only” software, to maximise my options.
• The power management looks better (presumably a feature of controlling OS and hardware)
• Preview looks really useful
• The consistent keyboard shortcuts and the simplicity of inputting non-English characters are a real benefit.

Five I find somewhat persuasive

• I need to upgrade my hardware, and Vista just doesn’t excite me, whereas Leopard does. (I could of course stick with XP, but that seems rather backward looking.)
• I would really like to be able to run Keynote.
• The integration between Mail, iCal and Address Book has one or two features that might help me get organised better than Outlook has.
• Cover Flow could either improve my way of working, or give me a fun way to waste time.
• Little add-ons like this are really cool.
• Style does have something indefinable do with it.

While I’m still open to changing my mind, cost is the only real plus of staying with a Windows box that I can see. That’s quite a big plus, which is why I still need to ponder my decision. Are there good reasons for sticking with Windows you think I should consider? Or reasons for buying a Mac that I haven’t thought of?

written by doug

I have noted before that I expect my next computer to be a Mac. I think that’s probably the most rational decision for me. But one of the things that has slightly held me back from making the decision earlier has been some of the swivel-eyed enthusiasm evinced by some diehard fanbois. Despite this, most Mac users have been (or at least seemed) quite normal people.

Yet it has been impossible to speak to even a normal Mac user without them trying to persuade you of the benefits that will accrue if you, too, get a Mac. As far as I can see this is nearly universally true. Mac owners can’t seem to stop themselves evangelising for their technology, both its style and substance. In a technological world where fashion and style are also prized, this may sometimes come over as a bit overbearing, or even over-boring, but it hardly ever (fanboi zealots partially excluded) comes over as unnatural.

Compare this to efforts Christians make for evangelism properly so called. By comparison there seems to be something studied about it. The language is often borrowed and artificial, the ideas seem to be someone else’s, the phrases are often hackneyed and inexplicable. Moreover, people quickly learn to avoid the enthusiast for God. Now, no doubt, some of this is due to the fact that God is more demanding than a Mac. But it seems to me also to point to a certain way in which God-talk has become unnatural and often uncomfortable in our society. Evangelism for God needs programmes, encouragement, mission plans and college training.

Intriguingly, it seems to me that I can detect that same dichotomy in clergy and layperson alike. If they are Mac owners their enthusing about their computers is always more spontaneous and natural than their enthusing for God. And it nearly always begins with “Did you know you can do …?” or “Have you seen this?”

I suspect that sort of practical, results-oriented amazement was part and parcel of natural Christian evangelism in the first few centuries, aided (as Mac owners are today) by the sense of being something of a beleaguered minority. It was then, as it is today in many cultures, as appropriate and natural as Mac evangelism is in ours, even if most people remained pagans (or Windows users today).

None of this is intended to point a finger at any particular theological or technological stance. But it does leave me wondering whether the difficulties most Western Christians have with evangelism owes far more to the cultural waters we swim in, than to any theological weakness, or enthusiasm bypass in today’s churches.

written by doug

“You will be persecuted” says the good Book, and I have barely reached a decision that I would be better off (though not financially) with a Mac as my next computer when David Ker gives me a taste of the persecution that I might face as a Mac owner. He is followed by Jim West (who learnt his persecuting skills from the murderous Zwingli), and the pot is well and truly stirred by James Crossley in comments, who quotes Charlie Brooker of Arse Screen Wipe fame. How anally retentive is that, to remember a newspaper article over a year old that rants against a make of computer.

As a Christian, I am assured that persecution only confirms that I am walking in the way of righteousness, and that the (Bill) Gates of Hades cannot stand against me. As a common-sensical human being, I can’t quite see how people get quite so worked up about their computing system. Apple fanbois are bad, but it looks like anti-Apple Window gazers are just as bad, if not worse.

It’s a sodding computer. Not a religion. Get over it guys, people will choose what they like. I like Windows. It so happens I think a Mac will suit me better next time, and there’s a lot to like about them too. I don’t think a consumer choice is a Damascene theophany, nor should it be treated like one.

And, Lingamish, please note Macs are beyond cool. When did you last see a movie in which someone saved the world with a Windows PC? But a Mac can even do easy-peasy networking with a vast alien spaceship that baffles the might of the US military super-computers, and it doesn’t even need a modem (and that was back in the nineties!). Add Independence Day to the list of movies you’re considering!

written by doug

I spent a happy hour last week in my “local” (most accessible) Apple Store. It was really quiet, so I managed to snag a passing “Genius” to answer a long list of questions. This was a pleasant change from my previous visit to another nearby store, where they couldn’t answer some questions, and I ended up showing a sales person how to turn off the translucency in the menu bar. I must say I now have a much clearer picture of what I will need to do to handle the transition from Windows to OS X.

I’m pretty certain that I will be buying a Mac as my next computer, most probably an iMac. Which model depends a bit on the finances. I still need to save a few more pennies, however, so it’s still possible that second thoughts will steal over me in the dead of night. In fact, waiting a little while makes very good sense. There seems to be good reason to expect that the iMac range will be updated soon. While there’s never a right time to buy, buying just after an update is always more satisfying than buying just before one. I’ll use some of that time to seek advice and reflect on which of the virtualisation options to go for, Parallels or Fusion.

I must say that I hope I don’t become one of the Mac cultists who live within Steve Jobs’ reality distortion field. If I do, please hit me hard over the head, and remind me that I have always quite liked Windows, and genuinely enjoyed XP. Since I will find myself using a virtual machine on a regular basis for the first few months, and booting the Mac into Windows from time to time, there will definitely be room for active comparison. I may end up making a whole bunch of switching posts.

written by doug

There are various pieces of software I use a great deal that I need a strategy for. The biggest beast among them is Adobe Creative Suite. This is a big expense, and there’s no way I’m going to be able to afford to upgrade it immediately after buying new hardware. Unfortunately I’m running CS2, so there’s no chance of a cheap/free cross-grade. It makes the small price of either Fusion or Parallels well worth it, just to be able go on running my Windows version seamlessly with newer software, and without rebooting. By the time I can afford the upgrade a) I might be a student again which saves tons of money and b) CS4 may well be imminent. So I put this down as a minor inconvenience. Equally upgrading to Vista has its own inconvenience of “known issues” for CS2.

This is where I’d appreciate some comments from anyone who uses either Fusion or Parallels.

One application I use intermittently is Visual Liturgy, which shows no sign of ever producing anything other than a Windows version. It may, however, well mutate into a Web 2.0 (or 3.0) subscription application in the future. Running this in a virtual machine will be no problem.

The one that does leave me with more of a decision is Bibleworks. I imagine I would end up running this in a virtual machine for a while, before considering my purchasing options. This is one piece of software I would regret leaving behind. Okay, Accordance users. This is where you can contribute to my decision making. It looks to me as though the two packages offer comparable functionality, although Accordance may make it more accessible. On the other hand, compared to what Bibleworks gives you in terms of versions and modules, Accordance looks seriously overpriced. I guess there’s also the forthcoming OS X version of Logos to throw into the decision making mix. I have become a fan of Bibleworks, and I certainly don’t want to do without it or an equivalent.

So, please, this is where I really could do with some constructive comments.

written by doug

In a comment on yesterday’s post Chris Heard draws attention to Apple’s iWork suite. (I’m really pleased to have this advice from an avid user.) I left Pages off my list of word processors, partly because I wanted a short separate post on office software, and partly because I have an aversion to its template based approach. (Having said that, I recognise that it looks like it provides a quality set of templates).

On the whole, word processing aside, my office needs are minimal. I use a great many of Word’s features; I’ve barely got beyond a handful of Excel’s. I suspect Numbers would be more than adequate for any task I care to put it to. When it comes to databases – not a part of iWork – just about any package on the market would meet my occasional needs. I’ve knocked up the odd quick and dirty solution in both Access and Filemaker on Windows. I don’t see this as anything that would make any real difference to me one way or another. Bento might be worth a look (and would hardly break the bank).

However, from what I’ve seen of it (whether trying it out on someone else’s machine, or seeing it delivered as an end product) Keynote, as Chris says, “runs rings around PowerPoint.” Now I will have to take into account that PowerPoint is regularly used by those who have no sense of design, and very few communication skills, to try to spice up something that is intolerably dull. A great many of the bad PowerPoint presentations around owe far more of their awfulness to the user than to the software. It is (he says modestly) perfectly possible to produce elegant and effective PowerPoint presentations. It’s just that they can be more elegant and effective, I think, using Keynote’s tools.

While I wouldn’t see it as the killer app which makes my decision for me, it is the one piece of Mac software I know I would like to be able to use, and that I would use a great deal in training, education and worship. The question is whether this software lust outweighs any other consideration.

written by doug