More Mac updates!
Wed, Nov. 14th, 2007 04:05 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
oyceterThis will probably bore most people, but I wanted to document the stuff I was doing in case I have to replicate it. Plus, maybe it'll interest other people considering switching over to Mac?
Right now, I really like my shiny new computer, though I'm still stumbling over some pretty basic stuff. I managed to nearly delete my video folder before realizing that the right side of the dock was for folders and the left side was for apps. I'm confused about why installed software shows up as drives on my desktop, and I'm still debating whether or not I should save my downloads to my desktop or elsewhere. Also, is it safe to delete .dmg files after installing the software?
I've discovered that my beloved F2 key doesn't work in MacExcel, but googling has revealed that ctrl+u does the same thing (still, it'll be hard to break the muscle memory). I'm having a really hard time figuring out the logic behind the tab key -- instead of going to the next text field or button in a webpage, it makes my cursor go to the URL bar! WTF, Mac?
I've yet to implement the home/end key hack, though I'll probably do that as soon as all my files are transferred over.
I think I've managed to transfer most of my important files over, though I'm still struggling with rebuilding my iTunes library. It's too bad I found this after I had copied over all the files! I tried doing "add to library," but it doesn't seem to be grabbing my playlists, which is driving me crazy. So I deleted the entire folder and am starting over again.
Quicktime's choking on most of my video files. Normally, this wouldn't bug me, only Front Row uses Quicktime to play videos. Must download codecs (components?) later tonight. Yes, I've already downloaded VLC.
Speaking of which, I love Front Row so far! It's exactly what I've been trying to get my PC to do for AGES, ever since I got used to my ex's XBox media center set up. It's still not on my TV, but I've got a remote and the screen's big enough to see from my couch, which is all I ask for. Why yes, I am incredibly lazy! My current favorite thing about Front Row is being able to watch movie previews online on it. On the other hand, my least favorite thing about Front Row is the aforementioned Quicktime. It doesn't look like it's possible to make it use VLC instead, alas, so I will be downloading insane amounts of codecs, because I refuse to convert all my media to .mov.
I'm still getting used to the mouse -- I enabled the right click, but while the Mighty Mouse looks awfully pretty, I hate it already. The scroll ball is too small, half the time I accidentally right click when I'm trying to left click, and etc. Have already ordered a Logitech keyboard and mouse replacement. Also, cmd+c and cmd+v only seem to work half the time -- it's probably me highlighting the wrong stuff. Also, shift+select doesn't highlight everything in between in folders, which is irritating.
Minor pet peeve -- the Firefox tabbrowser preferences extension completely messes up my browser, so I will have to live with the tabs on the top. On the other hand, the only reason I had them on the bottom in Windows was because the task bar is down there and I hate mousing.
And soon I will get a copy of vidding software and play around with it! Am also considering Quicksilver or Launchpad to do even more keyboard-based stuff!
All this setup probably sounds insane, but I am very particular about my computer. I feel this is very justified, given how much time I spend on it.
ETA: Never mind about the tab key! I just found this.
ETA2: Why is it when I highlight folders or things and press "delete," they don't move to trash? Is there another way I can do this without right-clicking?
Right now, I really like my shiny new computer, though I'm still stumbling over some pretty basic stuff. I managed to nearly delete my video folder before realizing that the right side of the dock was for folders and the left side was for apps. I'm confused about why installed software shows up as drives on my desktop, and I'm still debating whether or not I should save my downloads to my desktop or elsewhere. Also, is it safe to delete .dmg files after installing the software?
I've discovered that my beloved F2 key doesn't work in MacExcel, but googling has revealed that ctrl+u does the same thing (still, it'll be hard to break the muscle memory). I'm having a really hard time figuring out the logic behind the tab key -- instead of going to the next text field or button in a webpage, it makes my cursor go to the URL bar! WTF, Mac?
I've yet to implement the home/end key hack, though I'll probably do that as soon as all my files are transferred over.
I think I've managed to transfer most of my important files over, though I'm still struggling with rebuilding my iTunes library. It's too bad I found this after I had copied over all the files! I tried doing "add to library," but it doesn't seem to be grabbing my playlists, which is driving me crazy. So I deleted the entire folder and am starting over again.
Quicktime's choking on most of my video files. Normally, this wouldn't bug me, only Front Row uses Quicktime to play videos. Must download codecs (components?) later tonight. Yes, I've already downloaded VLC.
Speaking of which, I love Front Row so far! It's exactly what I've been trying to get my PC to do for AGES, ever since I got used to my ex's XBox media center set up. It's still not on my TV, but I've got a remote and the screen's big enough to see from my couch, which is all I ask for. Why yes, I am incredibly lazy! My current favorite thing about Front Row is being able to watch movie previews online on it. On the other hand, my least favorite thing about Front Row is the aforementioned Quicktime. It doesn't look like it's possible to make it use VLC instead, alas, so I will be downloading insane amounts of codecs, because I refuse to convert all my media to .mov.
I'm still getting used to the mouse -- I enabled the right click, but while the Mighty Mouse looks awfully pretty, I hate it already. The scroll ball is too small, half the time I accidentally right click when I'm trying to left click, and etc. Have already ordered a Logitech keyboard and mouse replacement. Also, cmd+c and cmd+v only seem to work half the time -- it's probably me highlighting the wrong stuff. Also, shift+select doesn't highlight everything in between in folders, which is irritating.
Minor pet peeve -- the Firefox tabbrowser preferences extension completely messes up my browser, so I will have to live with the tabs on the top. On the other hand, the only reason I had them on the bottom in Windows was because the task bar is down there and I hate mousing.
And soon I will get a copy of vidding software and play around with it! Am also considering Quicksilver or Launchpad to do even more keyboard-based stuff!
All this setup probably sounds insane, but I am very particular about my computer. I feel this is very justified, given how much time I spend on it.
ETA: Never mind about the tab key! I just found this.
ETA2: Why is it when I highlight folders or things and press "delete," they don't move to trash? Is there another way I can do this without right-clicking?
(no subject)
Thu, Nov. 15th, 2007 01:00 am (UTC)I'm particular about my setup, too. I think each time I've reinstalled the OS (grr...you probably don't have to worry about it, almost every time it turned out either to be logic board issues) I've spent a couple hours tweaking my setup to the way I like it.
Are you going to be getting iMovie or Final Cut (Express or Pro--if the latter, how I envy you keyframing!)?
(no subject)
Thu, Nov. 15th, 2007 01:08 am (UTC)I think I'm getting Final Cut, though I have to check with my friend who is actually getting it. ZOMG. Must figure out how to rip source! Maybe I will make a teeny, very stupid vid to start with.
(no subject)
Thu, Nov. 15th, 2007 01:19 am (UTC)(no subject)
Thu, Nov. 15th, 2007 01:27 am (UTC)