tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22783006.post115923889998058599..comments2023-10-31T08:23:25.094-05:00Comments on HCI User Advocate: Switchback: Horrors of a Windows Power-user Trying to Switch to Apple OS XBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02454786440233720457noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22783006.post-6802653781268072872009-08-31T23:43:42.383-05:002009-08-31T23:43:42.383-05:00I use parallels and all the apple software and man...I use parallels and all the apple software and many third party apps with success every time.<br /><br />My MacBook Pro edits video, edits audio, runs parallels perfectly. It constantly amazes me how well windows works within it. It connects between my windows pcs beautifully every time.<br /><a href="http://www.gomammy.com" rel="nofollow">GoMammy Search</a>Anuphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03080537294777247789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22783006.post-4087723450643838902008-04-03T15:00:00.000-05:002008-04-03T15:00:00.000-05:00It's now a year and a half later and I tried again...It's now a year and a half later and I tried again, and things are definitely working better.<BR/><BR/>Leopard, Entourage and VMWare Fusion all add up to a solution that is workable for me. However, after spending a fair amount of time in Mac-land, I still find it to be significantly slower for every day tasks than Windows which has much better shortcuts and design for showing denser information displays - which makes things faster for me.<BR/><BR/>So, now I'm living with Outlook in Windows-land running in a VM. I can switch to mac-land when needed, but this approach works for me.<BR/><BR/>I'll have to write a follow-up poatBenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02454786440233720457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22783006.post-65437323303126767472008-03-12T21:17:00.000-05:002008-03-12T21:17:00.000-05:00Great post -- very helpful to someone like me who ...Great post -- very helpful to someone like me who is considering making the switch to a Mac. <BR/><BR/>What's the latest in this saga? Still problems or have they been resolved? I have had concerns about being able to integrate my data (contacts / calendar / notes / tasks) as seamlessly as Outlook does it. Eventually, I would want to wean myself off running two OS's. Not sure if that's possible though. Thoughts?cfiguyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10180853123547368504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22783006.post-31340462302636158342007-02-19T04:11:00.000-05:002007-02-19T04:11:00.000-05:00Hows it going now? I use parallels and all the app...Hows it going now? I use parallels and all the apple software and many third party apps with success every time.<BR/><BR/>My MacBook Pro edits video, edits audio, runs parallels perfectly. It constantly amazes me how well windows works within it. It connects between my windows pcs beautifully every time.<BR/><BR/>I'm on a first gen MacBook Pro. Hmm.<BR/><BR/>btw, this is my first mac since 1996. I have been windows since Win95.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07602255852452579696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22783006.post-762768826403331762007-01-11T08:18:00.000-05:002007-01-11T08:18:00.000-05:00"Where is the desktop? Oh, I have to go to my comp..."Where is the desktop? Oh, I have to go to my computer, documents and settings, my user name, and then I find it."<br /><br />You mean, C:, documents and settings, user name, desktop.<br /><br />Alternatively, type "Desktop" in the address bar. Or type "Desk" and use the autocomplete. Or type "C:" and press Up twice.r3m0thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05771496936276602155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22783006.post-31039793222501091532007-01-07T13:41:00.000-05:002007-01-07T13:41:00.000-05:00It's good to hear that another switcher has had si...It's good to hear that another switcher has had similar issues as I am . I too am very concerned about productivity and usability. I consider myself a power windows user of about 10 years.<br /><br />My opinions;<br /><br />1. mac osx is not necessarily better than windows xp<br />2. mac osx is not more stable than windows xp<br />3. apple should more consistently bring in context menus<br />4. mac osx has a more polished ui in a cosmetic sense<br />5. the close and minimize button on osx should be larger<br />6. program menu access should be better implemented on osx....but changes would be hard, since osx has already a large user base. Evolution is the key.<br /><br />7. Last but most of all: I personally think both OSes have their place and both apple and microsoft can learn from each other to improve their OSes in all aspects. Apple certainly take more bold moves and bring in innovative technology more quickly. They build the hardware and ship the OS, they have less risk than say Microsoft, that hold a good 90% something of the desktop computing market. They have a larger user base and must test their software to ensure it works with all the different possible hardware configs. That takes time. They look to other "smaller" and hence nimbler companies when it comes to new stuff. Certainly Microsoft has let themselves be inspired from other competitors, what's wrong with that? They do their bit too in innovation. They cater the larger market. NOT EASY. They have to be very very careful to what they put out in their products, cause once its out, it's not easy to take back. So please Apple fanatics, give microsoft a break. If apple and macs work for you, great, if microsoft and windows work for you, great. No need to look down on the competitor.<br /><br />I just hope my expectations on osx actually emerge soon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22783006.post-1163537619136041662006-11-14T15:53:00.000-05:002006-11-14T15:53:00.000-05:00Interesting story! I agree on a lot of things abou...Interesting story! I agree on a lot of things about the bad keyboard usability for Mac OS X. Also, the apple menu position is a nobrainer, agreed! Get rid of it, Apple! As a switcher myself and had a lot of problems with crashes but it really turned out to be bad memory! Please the first thing you should do before it screws up your new installation is to run the memory check that is included on the install DVDs. It turns out memory caused OS crashes that in my case corrupted the disk to the point of no return. On any new computer you should start run memory test before using it. That would have saved me countless hours. <BR/><BR/>After that I have not had a single crash. I now run parallells with XP and Linux all at the same time as the Mac OS X and it runs beautifully. (on MacBook w 2GB)<BR/>/switcherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22783006.post-1163052681322821442006-11-09T01:11:00.000-05:002006-11-09T01:11:00.000-05:00If you're a keyboard guru (espescially one with a ...If you're a keyboard guru (espescially one with a customization streak), you probably want to look into QuickSilver (http://quicksilver.blacktree.com/). To first approximation, it seems to be a launcher, but with the right collection of plugins it can be much, much more.<BR/><BR/>Essentially the plugins provide nouns and/or verbs, many of which can be composed in interesting ways, all in a system that is doing context sensitive incremental search.<BR/><BR/>For instance, the User Interface Access plugin provides access to menubars, via the "Show Menu..." actions that can be triggered off of any running application (including one that isn't the foreground). Or one can set a trigger key to bring it up off of the "Current application" proxy object. Or display them in a radial menu (go fitts law!) Or any number of other tricks :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22783006.post-1163048557983876132006-11-09T00:02:00.000-05:002006-11-09T00:02:00.000-05:00"And I agree that many of my problems come from: 1..."And I agree that many of my problems come from: 1) trying to keep a windows life on a mac"<BR/><BR/>Amen. Learn to use OS X software instead of trying to install Windows on OS X with Parallels et al.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22783006.post-1163045889586340192006-11-08T23:18:00.000-05:002006-11-08T23:18:00.000-05:00I "switched" to Apple a few years ago, and haven't...I "switched" to Apple a few years ago, and haven't had any problems integrating my Windows life into it. My Macbook Pro runs Parallels, which hosts my "work" laptop (i.e., a Windows image). When I go home I can have Parallels running fullscreen on the laptop, while using OS X on the external display. I think you really needed a larger adjustment period to the Apple way of doing things. Your software gripes are reasonable. Nothing is perfect, but the benefits from not using Windows often out-weigh the downsides to these glitches. Once you become assimilated a bit more, you will might become aware of the subtle ways Apple changes your perspective on using a computer. I found that going to work and sitting in front of a Windows workstation become quite painful...<BR/><BR/>.02 ...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22783006.post-1163032235499977292006-11-08T19:30:00.000-05:002006-11-08T19:30:00.000-05:00You have two complaints: my Mac doesn't work with ...You have two complaints: my Mac doesn't work with Microsoft's Exchange server, and it's slow to access menu items.<BR/><BR/>The first is probably true; I've never tried to use Exchange with OS X. However, with regard to your second point, I find OS X to be more keyboard-friendly than windows. Most important menu items have key shortcuts associated with them (look to the right of the menu item text). If you find you're using a shortcut-less menu item often, you can give it a shortcut through System Preferences (Keyboard & Mouse / Keyboard Shortcuts). Usually on the mac you don't use the control-f2 thing like you would on windows with alt.<BR/><BR/>Apple's menus are also designed with Fitt's law in mind - anything on the edge of the screen is effectively infinite in height. To get to the Mac OS menu bar, all you have to do is throw your cursor towards the top of the screen -- in windows, more precise targeting is necessary.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22783006.post-1162505771337119762006-11-02T17:16:00.000-05:002006-11-02T17:16:00.000-05:00Welcome to the Mac world. Good to have someone wit...Welcome to the Mac world. Good to have someone with a balanced perspective of the relative strengths of both platforms.<BR/><BR/>As a self-proclaimed efficiency nut, you may want to check out <A HREF="http://quicksilver.blacktree.com/" REL="nofollow">Quicksilver</A>, which is an indispensable add-on that allows you to access any application, bookmark, file or other record just by typing a few letters of its name. It's got a little learning curve but has made working with my MacBook Pro faster than just about anything I've used before.<BR/><BR/>More info on Quicksilver and other Mac efficiency tips on Merlin Mann's blog <A HREF="http://www.43folders.com/" REL="nofollow">43 Folders</A>, particularly his <A HREF="http://www.43folders.com/category/os-x/" REL="nofollow">OS X</A>-tagged posts.Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14237304919663347621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22783006.post-1161309507186552552006-10-19T20:58:00.000-05:002006-10-19T20:58:00.000-05:00A friend forwarded me the link to this post and I ...A friend forwarded me the link to this post and I have to say that really take issue with many of the ways you hold Apple to the fire. I won't "debunk" every single point you make (although I believe that might be possible), but I did want to point out just a few things.<BR/><BR/>Whenever people complain about beta versions of Windows or Microsoft development tools, I frequently see one message, repeated by several users: "It's beta software, what do you expect?". I believe this completely applies to your circumstance.<BR/><BR/>I don't own a Mac Pro - I own a MacBook Pro. I have heard about the issues you mentioned with regard to Parallels, but like I mentioned above - the bits you're using are beta bits. Parallels clearly states this. I use the released version on my MacBook Pro and I have literally not had a single problem. In addition, I run Boot Camp 1.1.1 and I've installed RC2 of Windows Vista. Again, it installed and worked flawlessly. And 1.1.1 is still a beta build. But even if things didn't work as they should, I'd have the right to be frustrated but not necessarily the right to complain. <BR/><BR/>I did install something called "Crossover" which is supposed to allow you to just run Windows apps without having to boot into Windows (or run Windows) at all. That product didn't do so hot :) But like I said, it's not a released product. So while I'm frustrated that I can't run the application I wanted to run, I don't feel like I have any right to complain.<BR/><BR/>With regard to that kids program you bought, I don't think it's right for you to hold your local Apple store's feet to the fire on that either. They didn't write it. They sell it, obviously, but dozens of PC stores sell software that doesn't work well (or at all) on Windows XP either. So I'm really not sure why you'd choose to make this point. Quite frequently I overhear people in stores trying to return opened software, and in each of those stores the managers virtually always tell them they can't get a refund.<BR/><BR/>With regard to your point about Apple's false claim that things are "available today", I'm not sure why you would make this "an Apple issue". Stores sell out of things. Before I became a Mac user I normally ordered Dell machines. Sometimes I'd have to wait just over three weeks for a shipment because certain things were out of stock. That's just life, man. If you think it's "an Apple problem" or a false claim by Apple, I wonder if you're probably in the heat of the moment due to your frustration surrounding your first Mac experience. You also mentioned "so much for 'it just works'". Although I have no experience with that particular application you mentioned, my experience has been absolutely fantastic. I haven't had any of the issues you mention.<BR/><BR/>You spend some time discussing the keyboard shortcuts and how they differ from Mac to PC, with Mac's keyboard shortcuts appearing as "somewhat of an afterthought". You talk about how in Windows you can type ALT+F A to do a save as. In Apple you don't have to do CTRL+F2, right arrow, right arrow, and then down 7 times. Just type SHIFT+APPLE+S instead of just APPLE+S. Unless, of course, you're using Microsoft Word for the Mac, where Microsoft decided not to put a keystroke in for the "Save As" command.<BR/><BR/>I think it's really unfortunate that you've had such a bad experience but I really feel like your blog post is quite unfairly weighted against Apple. But they're your experiences, and your words, and of course you're entitled to your opinion. My only advice would be to hang in there. There were some things that frustrated me about the Apple OS in the beginning, but that was simply (and only) because I hadn't used it and I was used to Windows. Now that it's been nine months, I actually find Windows FRUSTRATING to go back to. Even Vista.<BR/><BR/>Take care!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22783006.post-1161215191041606472006-10-18T18:46:00.000-05:002006-10-18T18:46:00.000-05:00Why do people insist on buying their kids expensiv...Why do people insist on buying their kids expensive technology that degrades life experience? You daughter should be outside, running around in a park, not turning into a vegetable on a damn computer. Buy her a bike instead.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22783006.post-1161197987595728702006-10-18T13:59:00.000-05:002006-10-18T13:59:00.000-05:00I would agree that OS X is slow, but i believe it ...I would agree that OS X is slow, but i believe it is going to be better.<BR/>Your comments were related to items that are not big concerns for everybody<BR/>Like myself, I never was concern to sync my contacts, and calender with Exchange server, because all of them on the web now.<BR/>What I really like about the mac, is the rich OS that is available for programmers.<BR/>Compare Apple pages to word<BR/>Apple pages is only 2-3 mgbytes, comparing to word which (with the common library with the whole office) close to gig.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22783006.post-1161186844424334792006-10-18T10:54:00.000-05:002006-10-18T10:54:00.000-05:00Solution to your problems: Repeat the following 10...Solution to your problems: <BR/><BR/>Repeat the following 10x every hour:<BR/><BR/>"The macintosh is superior to windows in every way."<BR/><BR/>Visit only macintosh loving discussion forums. Hang out with mac speaking friends. Do not, I repeat, do not attempt to quantify or qualify the statement with meaninful, measurable metrics.<BR/><BR/>After 30-60 days, you should be appropriately numb to the eccentricities and differences and the mac will, indeed, be better...<BR/><BR/>Ok, maybe not. Excellent, objective post. And one that parallels (heh) my experience, albiet 10 years later. I supported Mac OS 7 in college, but used PC's and windows 3.11 and/or DOS for all my CS major work. <BR/><BR/>Upon graduation, I sold the Mac Classic II the school gave me as part of my tuition, bought a PC, and became very confused. The machine didn't lock up daily. I wasn't forced to "reinstall the system" every couple months. I could get around quicker...<BR/><BR/>Odd. Very, very odd, thought I.<BR/><BR/>I think you nailed it with the observation re: the mac is designed for "the rest of us". Not power users. Not folks for whom 2 seconds of "move hands to mouse" time is begrudged.<BR/><BR/>Macs are beautiful. Macs are slick. They are not, however, the end-all-be-all. Something about design being a series of tradeoffs, I guess.<BR/><BR/>Anyway. Good post.aaronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17810303501299623878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22783006.post-1161185500551491662006-10-18T10:31:00.000-05:002006-10-18T10:31:00.000-05:00Wow. My experience with my Macbook Pro has been a...Wow. My experience with my Macbook Pro has been almost *completely* opposite to your own. I'll have to start a series of posts about it - it's not to discount your own experiences but it would probably be good to have a counterpoint.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22783006.post-1160486557346233812006-10-10T08:22:00.000-05:002006-10-10T08:22:00.000-05:00Ben, good article and sorry to hear about your tro...Ben, good article and sorry to hear about your troubles with the Mac. I only disagree with the comment about Windows experts staying away from Macs. I am a Windows "expert" (if there is such a thing) (an MCSE) and I administer my company's Windows network from a Mac Pro, a Mac PowerBook and a Mac mini. Not that I need all of those to do that, I just have them all. I too have had problems with Parallels, but the remainder of my Apple applications have worked as advertised.<BR/>BTW - your 7 year old will love the Mac. I have 5 kids who use our iMac and have no problems switching between the XP machine and our Mac, but they prefer the Mac.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22783006.post-1160482676249979062006-10-10T07:17:00.000-05:002006-10-10T07:17:00.000-05:00This is just one more rant of someone that is havi...This is just one more rant of someone that is having problems thinking about where the problems lie. If you are having issues with microsoft, which it seems most of your problems lie in the microsoft realm, then the problems are there, not with Apple. The fact is that you are deeply embedded in an information monoculture and can't escape because microsoft doesn't use standard, universally compatible file formats and systems. They don't want you to be able to use the full capacity of exchange server outside of their environment. You are 'locked in'. You are about as much of a 'power' user then as a 'slave'. I suggest you move to Unix and learn what being able to 'use' a computer, because you seem to be only able to use an interface, and... it is slightly different to be able to use a computer. Once you build out from there, with your expanded knowledge base, you'll easily see where the issues lie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22783006.post-1160419269488498632006-10-09T13:41:00.000-05:002006-10-09T13:41:00.000-05:00You can be fast on any machine but you have to let...You can be fast on any machine but you have to let go of your internal blocks (blogs?). I am a fast user of Mac OS X, Windows and Linux, and nothing stops me when I want to get stuff done fast. It is assuming that machines work the same which will slow you down. Yes, Mac OS X is somewhat mouse heavy, but so are aspects of the Windows explorer, definitely the CDE (Common Desktop Environment) on AIX, and so all you have to do is work your tyres and get the stuff one. They all freeze, they all are slow or fast - depends -, they all require constant backuping, and ultimately, they all excel at something particular which is what you should be working on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22783006.post-1159274034866632782006-09-26T07:33:00.000-05:002006-09-26T07:33:00.000-05:00There's no doubt that Apple routinely lies to its ...There's no doubt that Apple routinely lies to its customers (or at least deliberately misleads them) about the capabilities of its products, so I'm not surprised about your complaints. Customer support seems to be under instructions at times not to admit there are problems when there obviously are, which just adds to the hilarity. <BR/><BR/>A few responses to your post:<BR/><BR/>--To use an exchange server on a Mac, you need MS Entourage, which works really well. <BR/><BR/>--For everday academic use and music (the two things for which I use my Mac) I actually don't mind the slowness, and if you really wanted keyboard access in OSX, you could create your own keyboard map to accomplish it. Even with the lack of keyboard shortcuts (and I do use them when available) I find the interface much more pleasant to use than Windows.<BR/><BR/>--The stability stuff is just a lie. Macs crash all the time. There is, however, a good user group on Apple.com that's actually often much better than their paid tech support.<BR/><BR/>That's it. Good luck with it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com