Apple Mac

[muskegman]

I'm pretty much sold on the idea of getting a Mac next time around... it's about time for a new computer. I understand you created this forum and blog using the Mac. What software did you use and how do you accomplish blogging with the mac? I have a very simple client called w.bloggar that I use to publish so I don't have to log onto www.blogger.com ever time I want to post. I would be interested in the whole process. Even the abridged version.... TIA.

Jeff

[iacas]

Quick Answer: I personally post to the blog with ecto . There's a Windows version available, but it's really not the same thing. It's just got the same name.

The forum is the forum. I used an FTP app , the Terminal (included in the OS), and a few other things to get it up and running. Photoshop, BBEdit (note: TextWrangler 2.0 is free, and is BBEdit's sibling, a great text editor, so get that when you get your Mac), etc.

I run a Mac software company , so if you need anything there (PulpFiction in particular), let me know. I'm looking to do some golf statistics software soon too...

[ehawk]

Being a golf coach and math teacher, I love stats. I would be very interested in the statistics software you mentioned, for myself and my team. I'm also an avid mac guy (great day today!), so count me in as a future sale.

Muskegman...congrats on your future switch. You will never look back. I switched two years ago and I have no regrets. They make wonderful products, great software, and an excellent operating system. I love it and I think you will too.

[muskegman]

I was super impressed with the Mac Mini that came out today... the flash iPod looks sweet too. I might just get the Mini Mac because I have a nice keyboard, marble mouse and a giant screen just waiting for something as tight as that.

[iacas]

Just two quick things to note about the Mac Mini: it's a G4 processor and you'll want to upgrade the RAM. I recommend RAMJet . I've got a dual 2 GHz G5 with 2.5 GB of RAM, so I'm not too keen on it, though, so don't let my opinion slant your own. It's a great machine. I wish I could find a use for one... but I'd have to add AirPort and BlueTooth (it'd be great as a media server hooked up to my TV), but for just that I couldn't justify the $708 or whatever it racks up to.

I'm quite interested in iWork and iLife '05, though.

[muskegman]

You have a beast Mac. I'm not prepared to spend the kind of money required to get a hold of a monster of that caliber. Yes, I want one, but I'm looking to do some light video editing, surfing, email, minimal web editing and the like. I think the mini might get me by... the other idea would be saving up for a powerbook so that I could do some of my music recording on it. We'll see. I don't think I can wait too much longer to get a Mac which means I've got to go cheaper.

[iacas]

You have a beast Mac. I'm not prepared to spend the kind of money required to get a hold of a monster of that caliber. Yes, I want one, but I'm looking to do some light video editing, surfing, email, minimal web editing and the like. I think the mini might get me by... the other idea would be saving up for a powerbook so that I could do some of my music recording on it. We'll see. I don't think I can wait too much longer to get a Mac which means I've got to go cheaper.

For all of that, the Mac mini is good. Just get the bigger HD. You'll probably want the 80 GB one. Of course, you can always hook up accessories later.

PowerBook/iBook might be overkill for you, unless you need the portability.

[muskegman]

I have heard some complaints about the lack of sufficient video ram in the mini. I believe it was 32mb. Would that be a major drawback in getting a mini? I'm thinking of the video editing I would like to do.

[iacas]

Well, video editing and video RAM are really very different things. VRAM is important when gaming and using large, high-resolution displays. Real RAM is important when editing movies. As is a fast hard disk.