6 tips for moving from Windows
By Gene Steinberg
Gannett News Service
Apple has given shoppers a number of reasons to consider Macintosh computers. They're stylish and ergonomic. Some models, such as the $999 iBook, are priced less than or competitively with their Windows counterparts. And, then, there's the Mac OS X operating system, which is secure and stable.
But if you're a Windows user considering a Mac, the switch can seem daunting.
Relax. Learning the new system and moving files can be easy — if you follow these tips.
Use special software to transfer your files to a Mac. You can back up your files by burning them to a Windows CD and then loading them from the Mac's CD drive (yes, it reads Windows discs). But Detto Technologies Move2Mac ($59.95, www.move2mac.com) software is easier. First you install the software on your PC and select the files you want to transfer. Then you move over to your Mac and install the application there, too. The final step involves connecting the supplied Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable between the two computers and initiating the file transfer process.
Discover Mac versions of your Windows favorites. Many of the most popular programs you used with Windows are available for the Mac. If you're a regular user of the Windows version of Microsoft Office, you'll find that the Mac version of Office (www.microsoft.com/mac) looks nicer, with a more open, friendly interface. If a Mac version of your favorite software isn't available, you may find an equivalent program. Check out http://guide.apple.com/index.lasso for a listing.
Run Windows applications on your Mac. There are thousands of Mac applications, but you won't always find ones that will replace the Windows software. A program called Virtual PC ($99 to $249, www.connectix.com) mimics an Intel processor and lets you run any PC-based operating system on a Mac. Virtual PC was designed to deliver decent performance for business applications, but it isn't compatible with 3-D graphics.
Share files with Windows PCs on a network. The latest Mac operating system, Jaguar, lets you access files on your Windows computers and vice versa. To turn on this capability, enable file sharing on a Windows PC. How to do this depends on the version of Windows you have, so follow the Help menus or appropriate Setup Assistant. You'll find more information, including online tutorials, at www.apple.com/switch/questions/sharing/sharefiles.html.
Use your AOL or MSN account on a Mac. AOL has a Mac version that's fully compatible with Mac OS X. When you install the Mac software, indicate in the Setup screen that you already have an account, enter your user name and password, and your account will be activated. Your online e-mail and Favorite Places should be there, but information you previously saved to your Personal Filing Cabinet won't translate. MSN doesn't have a Mac version, but you can access your e-mail at www.hotmail.com.
Take advantage of Windows peripherals. Most recent printers and scanners ship with Macintosh software. If you can't find it, check the publisher's Web site for the latest drivers. For older printers, you might want to experiment with a set of free drivers, called GimpPrint.
Two options can help you connect a scanner. One is VueScan, a shareware program from www.hamrick.com. SilverFast, a program from LaserSoft Imaging AGs, works with more than 175 scanners. A demonstration version is at www.silverfast.com.
