Avenue C & Eagle Drive

I’m currently typing this on my Linux-based netbook, but my home desktop experience is now mostly a Mac affair. I’ve really enjoyed it so far, so I thought I would talk about what programs have really made me happy with the whole experience.

First off, the entire setup process was super easy. With Windows and Linux, I’m used to at least two days of interface and program installation and tweaking. I simply plugged my mini in, turned it on, did my “mac dance” ritual during the opening video, went through the initial setup, and I was done in no more than ten minutes.

It also goes without saying how cool it is that they give you gobs of software for free with iLife. Even though the programs are not anything really special, they’re very useful and fun to use. I can’t wait to play with Garageband to eventually make a podcast.

With the money I saved by buying the mini on sale, I also purchased iWork. I haven’t really played with Numbers, but Keynote and Pages are great. It take a while to get used to the interface, but once you do it’s a pretty powerful office suite. Still no comparison to Microsoft Office, but still pretty darn good. It’s also nice that Helvetica is the default font is Pages. Now every paper I write looks like a Target ad.

I’ve also added some freeware I’ve always heard about to my Mac. Some good, and some not-so-great. First, I’ve always heard folks raving about Quicksilver, a application launcher that you use via the keyboard. This was almost my first freeware download on the Mac, and I found it fairly disappointing. I just find it quicker to get to my frequently used programs via the dock. I guess I just think more visually. I’ve never been really into keyboard shortcuts.

For NaNoWriMo, which I’m currently failing miseribly at, I tried several different programs. I finally settled on WriteRoom, since it has zero distractions from my writing. All it is is a black screen with green text. You simply type. Really cool. Only thing is that it’s a 30-day demo, with the full program costing $24.95. I understand paying for software that’s as good as this, but $24.95? For a black screen with green text? Give me a break. I probably won’t be purchasing this after the demo is over.

As for music players, it’s been kind of difficult. I’ve always hated iTunes, for either Windows or Mac, because of the almost communist nature of how it wants to control every aspect of your library and music player. So, I decided on trying Songbird. Songbird was pretty good for an open source program based off of Firefox, but it’s tragically lacking in podcasting support, and it also grabbed my entire music library and renamed every last file. Turns out automatic library management is turned on by default. Awesome idea, Songbird team! Good thing I had a backup! I have now switched back to iTunes for the moment, but I hope for something better to come along soon that allows for adding my music library that resides on my Linux server without fucking it up.

Other than those programs, I’ve also installed Celtx for future screenwriting, and the obligatory Firefox install.

Overall, my experience so far has been great. I feel that once I put more memory in this guy, it’ll be even better.