Moving to a Mac

There is a renaming application called "A Better Finder Rename"

http://www.publicspace.net/ABetterFinderRename/

that I used to use to rename files  although I never renamed the files to include location information I kept the files in directories that are date related and used tagging Digital Asset Management database to enable me to search for pictures taken in specific locations at at specific events. 

I have not used the renaming application for several years now and I believe it has been significantly updated.

Thanks, but the app I have set up in Automator does exactly what I want.

Dungassin do you not know it is heretical to criticise an Apple machine in any way.  Just look at the way that the Apple fanboys don't say Windows, it is always Windoze - is that childish or not?  I tell you something; that says more about them than it does about the speed of a Windows PC.

Thank you for that prompt.

I am (literally - yes, literally) jotting down some of the classic forum warning signs, words and phrases and had, momentarily (I hope) passed over that one.

A sneak preview of a forthcoming attraction:-

1. "When I was managing director of a firm which handled submarine acoustic isolation ..."
2. "Gentlemen .....
3. I happen to speak Swahili.

   15.    "Even my wife, dog, friend with a much more expensive 'rig' noticed ...."

   16.     Rig

   17.     Windoze

   18.     The Interweb

   38.   Bulleted lists

   39.  Self-referential 'jokes'.

   40.   Ironic inverted commas

   97.   Fanboys/bois

I have proudly used a few of them but:

• when I was managing director of a firm which handled submarine acoustic isolation I used to take my dog out for a walk at lunchtime and tell him how I would never use bulleted lists
• is that an ironic inverted comma in 39?
• my dog had a much more expensive rig than my friend though.

You forgot one.  It has been said that on forums after a certain number of posts someone will always mention Hitler but I haven't seen that one yet on this site, because if I did, I would say "Gentlemen ....."

Later I can refer back to my jokes here.

Seriously though I do find it very childish when the Apple fanboys refer to Windows as Windoze, especially as it is not true!

Think that covers all your points plus a Hitler bonus.

the 'doze bit came about because it was slow and names stick.

Well, I was (and still am a Windows user).  I often refer to things in that realm as Windoze, Microsloth, Microsloth Turd etc.  Perhaps it's because I reluctantly moved to Windows years ago due to lack of software on my beloved Acorn RISC machines?

I just think I am a realist about the various operating systems' pros and cons.  Never been tempted by Linux, although I understand the attractions of that system.

Oh no, I haven't triggered a possible thread removal by daring to criticise Apple Macs - even though I own one!   After all, I have been pretty scathing about Windows PCs as well.  No ... I don't think I've insulted anyone personally, so it can't possibly be my fault.

Oh, and surely it should be "t'interweb", not "interweb".  Peter Kay rules!  

Now ... back to mangling my Jazz arrangement of 'Moonlight In Vermont' for solo guitar ...

actually the progress of the ex gas man in resolving an issue had is more a statement of validation for the Mac rather than a criticism. He had an issue, he resolved it - job done - so why the bitching.

Some cars have the windscreen wiper stalk on the left side of the steering wheel, some don't

Some cars have the ignition key by the gear change lever, some on the steering wheel column

Some cars require the boot or tailgate be lifted by hand, others have buttons and motors to open and shut the gate. - You do not complain you get on with it.

My move to Mac was prompted by a Windows driver problem which seemed to be recurring.  In retrospect I could probably have cured it by 'upgrading' to Windows 7, but chose not to.

Funny thing about cars.  Like most, I spend the majority of time driving my own, but occasionally have a hire car, and I'm having the usual problems switching back to my own car.

We've just returned from Malta (SWMBO family 'pilgrimage'), and I now keep putting my BMW in 6th gear rather than reverse.  Probably take me a few more days to stop doing that!   As usual, when using a different car, I'd forgotten to check which side the petrol cap was on the hired Fiesta, and pulled up to the pump on the wrong side, then nearly compounded the error by initially picking up the diesel pump thingy.  etc, etc.

Funny you say that about drivers.  One of the things that I find worrying about Macs is the number of driver issues you read about.  I have been looking at one of those 'recording studio' boxes that have a USB connection to connect to your computer (well what else would it do? DOH).  The number of people who were reporting that the drivers were incompatible with Mavericks or whatever version of the OS they had just installed on their Apple was alarming.  They then had the gall to blame the makers of the 'recording studio' box.  Would you Adam and Eve it?

Do you think Apples are quicker that WinPCs?  Quicker at doing what?  What benchmarks have you run.

For Dungassin

The CNET website keeps a list of applications for Mac as well as other platforms. It is possible to sign up to receive a weekly email covering "all" changes to applications on the Mac platform plus the ability to search for specific types of applications.

See

http://download.cnet.com/new-m...;ttag=e781&ftag=

I suspect that there some applications not covered for one reason or another. 

Enjoy

Thanks.  I've bookmarked it in Safari

This new iMac is quicker than my high end PC laptop was, and so it should be given it has a higher spec!  One of the things I disliked about Windows was that as the Windows updates accumulated, the machine got gradually slower and slower.  Hopefully that problem won't arise with the Mac, but only time will tell

The main driver problems I was having with the Windows 8.1 laptop was that it was not working properly with the Twain drivers for my Canon LiDE700 scanner and Epson XP-700 all-in-one, therefore I had lost access to MPNavigator for the Canon, and Epson Scan for the Epson.

I did have identical problems with Mac in this regard, but have managed to solve it for the Canon, but Epson Scan is still not working.  Internet search shows that I am not unique in having this problem.

I also have a Logitech Harmony 885 remote, and I have my suspicions that I may have problems with this when/if I have to reprogram it, as multiple Mac users seem to report problems with the Harmony software on Mavericks.   I may even have to replace it, as my iMac does not have a USB 2.0 port, and this particular remote is apparently (from PC users and Harmony website) not compatible with USB 3.0 ports!   Up to now I have been reprogramming it using the one USB 2.0 port on my Windows 8 laptop.  Hopefully SWMBO's Toshiba laptop has a USB 2.0 port so that I won't need to actually replace the remote, as I'm not sure what I would replace it with!

As far as drivers for any computer go, I am not sure who's responsibility it is to make drivers compatible with the latest versions of operating systems.  I suspect that both Apple and Microsoft consider it the responsibility of the manufacturer of the item requiring a driver.

Re Epson scanner

does it work with Image Capture - which is part of OSX or with Vuescan which is a free to use for basic functions but a paid fee unlocks a lot of function.

When Mavericks was first shipped my Epson Perfection 4490 scanner  did not work with the Epson Scan program but worked with Image Capture and Vue Scan, after a while an OSX update arrived which fixed the Epson Scan program. 

Yes for image capture.  No idea re Vuescan.  Just doesn't work with any app requiring the TWAIN interface.  The latest versions of the appropriate TWAIN driver and Epson Scan are installed.   Not a great problem, as I prefer the Canon scanner for use with Photoscore anyway.  According to Epson, the problem has been fixed, but it still doesn't work for me.

The other main reason for the move to Mac as that the driver interface for my Roland A-500 wouldn't install under Windows 8.1, although it was supposed to be compatible.  That works fine on the Mac, and MIDI input availabilty into Sibelius is a big plus.

Haha, I look forward to the full 97 (or more).

The incredibly frustrating issues with Windows grinding to a halt over time now seems largely addressed by the latest OS's. Having said that, the only Windows machines I now use are administered by our very competent IT department at the office.

I've never noticed any slowdown issues with our at-home Macs. We have replaced two laptops since we have been Applephiles. Each was about 5 years old. The replacement was due to hardware failures (screen on one and an internal board on the other). They were both working great up until when they weren't. Could have repaired them, but wanted the upgrade anyway.

The driver issue is similar to the malware issue.

Less malware is created because it is a small market.

Companies don't prioritise OSX drivers because it is a small market.

I was going to challenge the "small market" claim, but I looked it up and Mac OS is at only 7.4%. I was surprised. I was perhaps expecting around 25% - 30%. They just seem so ubiquitous. The "coffee shop" subset market share must be close to 80% in my observation.

I much prefer Macs, simply because the GUI is much more pleasing to navigate than any Windows, although I have not used the latest version Of Windows.

But I have to say that my MacBook Pro, almost top spec, has had issues since purchasing it at the end of 2010. It starting slowing up after about 6 months and Safari is now constantly stalling and crashing, the spinning wheel of doom is a regular feature on my MacBook.

I have also attempted twice to update to Maveriks, but both times failed and I had to revert back to a previous version of my Mac via Time Machine. Time Machine is superb and has saved me twice. I would go far as to say that an Apple computer should always be accompanied with a Time Machine for back-up and restore duties.

So I don't know what's wrong with my MacBook, probably issue specific to me and a minority of users.

Jason.

p.s. I also run a Windows 7 machine for specific software and I like/liked to use Safari, but has anyone else noticed how slow and crap it is on Windows? Or is that just a conspiracy.

Jason.

Jason - take the Macbook to a Apple shop and get the Genius bar to check out the machine.

Have a MacBook Pro that has been very reliable, but I too experienced Safari slowdowns and hangs. Usually only took a force quit from the Activity Monitor to resolve/restart, but I still switched to Firefox. Was impressed, so I also switched to Mozilla's Thunderbird for email, and that too has been very reliable.

Must admit that it is the hardware that keeps me on Apple. I love the Pro's back-lighted keyboard, and the track pad interaction is extremely smooth and intuitive. My business system is a Toshiba laptop running Win 7, and it is crap by comparison.

ATB.

Hook