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Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:06 pm Post subject: Mac software

The new Intel Macs have me wanting to purchase one - there is software that I must use on Windows which is the reason why I have not switched.

I have a totally noobie question: when I buy the Intel based Mac, is there any software I will need right away?

For example, a Windows PC must have anti-virus. In addition, I use freeware like SpyBot, Adaware, EditPad lite, Acrobat Reader, and so on. Do I need anything similar to this?

Also, how is Office for Mac? Or does OS X come with a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation tools and an e-mail/calendar program?

Please don't laugh - like I said, I will be totally new to this world.

For Astronomy programs, I found out I can run IRAF and there is a nice planetarium software called Voyager 4.

Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 8:20 pm Post subject:

If you have an Apple store near you, or one that sells Macs (like best buy) go and give it a try. Most likely the software they already have loaded on it is what you get out of the box.

There are anti-virus and spyware scanners for Macs, but it's kind of a moot point because most of those baddies out there don't target Macs. More importantly, there was a lot of heat against McAfee because their anti-virus program for Macs screwed up people's system. I've owned a Mac since the 10.1 days and never encounted viri or spyware.

Acrobat Reader, absolutely. But Mac OSX supports PDF/Postscript natively, you can view PDFs even without Acrobat Reader. People just prefer it over the built-in viewer because of the familiarity and extra features.

OSX does come with a basic text editor, an email client, and a calendar program. iSync is a companion to all those as it makes synching email/contacts/calendar to various other sources (cell phone/PDA) very easy. There use to be iWorks which is sort of like a light-weight office suite, word-processor and spreadsheet programs.

I would advise you to not just base your decision simply on the Intel processors. Many people will tell you that the real incentive for Macs is the OS. Simply put, it's not Windows. Plus you get access to a lot of Unix tools if Linux is too much for you.

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 4:45 am Post subject:

Always be careful when getting the software for something relatively new -
and be careful if you think going crossplatform is going to be a cake walk.
If you have old documents you need to update - you may need a little bit of patience. ok - it may take a LOT of patience if you lose a lot of styles and spacings.

Quote:
If you have an Apple store near you, or one that sells Macs (like best buy) go and give it a try. Most likely the software they already have loaded on it is what you get out of the box.

Personally - I skip that and go to mac user sites - and FIND someone experiencing the software I am interested in. It's the best way to find the bugs and whether or not they have been worked out -

Quote:
There are anti-virus and spyware scanners for Macs, but it's kind of a moot point because most of those baddies out there don't target Macs. More importantly, there was a lot of heat against McAfee because their anti-virus program for Macs screwed up people's system. I've owned a Mac since the 10.1 days and never encounted viri or spyware.

Mac is a pretty peaceful existance...
I do have spyware on mine but I am always flitting around and downloading a plethora of freeware fonts and images (downloading free fonts is notorious for inviting trouble) - and the days of being immune to viruses are short lived now!

Not only is there is the issue with McAfee - but Dr Norton slows the system down to an utterly painful pace. It's diabolically insane - but we are currently running 7 macs without virus protection right now.

Quote:
Acrobat Reader, absolutely. But Mac OSX supports PDF/Postscript natively, you can view PDFs even without Acrobat Reader. People just prefer it over the built-in viewer because of the familiarity and extra features.

Yeah - we got the viewer. I hate that thing - but I can't even tell you why.
I prefer Acrobat because it's reliable - and in the Areader you have more options. But I also do a lot of graphic work I package for print using pdfs.
I like to preview them in reader~
It makes me feel safe. As stupid as that sounds.

Oddly - only version 5 (Can't remember the decimal equivalent) of Acrobat Professional can save a file that can handle transparencies. It doesn't sound like it will be an issue for you tho.

Quote:
OSX does come with a basic text editor, an email client, and a calendar program.

Text edit can do basic Word functions and can export as word documents. That's the extent of my experience with word processors. Watch out for the e mail tho. I'm still archaic and write out my calendar of events and schedules and runs.

Quote:
I would advise you to not just base your decision simply on the Intel processors. Many people will tell you that the real incentive for Macs is the OS. Simply put, it's not Windows. Plus you get access to a lot of Unix tools if Linux is too much for you.

For me the incentive is Macs ability to handle high end graphic work - video inclusive. I use whatever is put in front of me.
I don't notice much diff either way - except the PC world is NOTORIOUS for the programs crashing. (That would be the programs I use to render).

I think a mac would make me nuts for word processing and spread sheets - and it DOES make me nuts for surfing - I just updated Firefox and can't do the chat through the LBD chat now... (hosed the java client stuff)
Oh - and as many have said to me: get a real chat client!
Drop SAFARI and get a real browser too.

I dont have as much of an internet issue on the Duelie G5 as I do with my Duelie G4. But they are still there. But again - I'm not here to surf - I'm sposed to be making pretty pictures.

I don't do many of the above (spead sheet etc)... they might make me nuts in general due to lack of experience.
And if Intel brings about a faster more reliable system - bring it on.

This report has been brought to you by:
The number 5
and the letter B

I really have no idea what I am talking about.

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:06 am Post subject:

There is always openoffice at: [url]openoffice.org[/url]

also if you need anti virus we use Sophos but it is not free.

Be aware that there are programs that do not run well/or not at all on the intel platform. Most do but there are some that need to be revised for the intel platform.

Tail-Wagger Joined: 10 Aug 2003 Age: 24 Posts: 2202

Browser:
-camino (http://www.caminobrowser.org/)
Launcher:
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Word Processor:
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-x11 (for open office) http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/apple/x11formacosx.html

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