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The year of computer issues!

At least thats what I’ve had so far! Please cross your fingers that they will be over for me soon!

I’m in the process of switching everything from Windows format to Mac format as I switch computers. My PC crashed and I was working in bootcamp on my Macbook for awhile, but that is no longer cutting it. Luckily for me, I do back up all my files on an external drive. Unlucky for me, you can’t access the external drive simultaneously on both Mac and Parallels. So, at the moment with half my programs in PC format and half in Mac format I’m running into issues accessing all my files. Yikes!

This means I’ll be taking the leap and ditching everything in PC format and getting all Mac based programs. Talk about a big step!

So please forgive me if I’m a little slow these next couple weeks as I deal with running the dual OSs on my computer while trying to wade through the compatibility issues between them. Its working, its just a PITA to get around!

Also, a big bonus to some lucky individual…
Since I’m switching over to Mac everything I have a copy of Adobe Creative Suite Premium CS2 (Windows) for sale. Normally $1200 and includes: Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat Professional, Bridge, ImageReady, InDesign and GoLive. I’m willing to part with this, a full LEGAL version with serial key included for a HUGE discount if someone really wants it. Its currently not installed on ANY computer. If your just dieing to have this CS2 Premium Suite contact me for details.

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Back it up, Thunderbird and Firefox

Recently I’ve been having all kinds of issues with my PC. Its incredibly unstable. So I started making plans earlier this year to transfer everything to a new computer. The part that was really keeping me from going ahead with it was that I’m dependent on my old emails. If you are like me you have thousands of emails that you use as references for projects and clients. Its your backup to the paper files and doc files. I’ve had clients come to me saying their computer crashed and they lost all their emails, panic sets in.

I realize I need to learn to backup my email files and learn to transfer them to another computer if necessary. I found many tutorials but they were kind of confusing. If you’ve followed my previous advice, you’re using Thunderbird email and Firefox browser. If you’re not, go get them now! They are free and easy to use, much better than Outlook and Internet Explorer.

I found this tutorial and used it to start the process, I’ll translate it to easy to understand directions. While I was at it I figure I may as well backup my Firefox as well so I didn’t have to re-bookmark everything.

Step one: Clean out your emails! Trust me, you’ll be kicking yourself later if you skip this step and are waiting on the large file download. Empty your trash and remove any emails you don’t need. For me this was something like 4,000 emails!

Step two: Locate your Applications Data folder. It is a hidden folder so the easiest way to do this is to got to Start>run> and type %APPDATA% (Click ok)

Step three: Locate the “Mozilla” (FireFox) and “Thunderbird” folders depending on which one you want to backup. Copy these folders in their entirety and paste to a portable device you want to backup on. This could be a CD, USB drive or an External Drive.

Thats it, you have a backup of your emails and browser links! To install these if you loose your information just find the Applications Data folder again and use your backup to overwrite the files. (Copy and Paste and click “yes to all” when prompted) You can use this as a backup on your current computer or a new computer, as in my case. Either way, its a good idea to make backups every once in awhile to ensure you don’t lose your important information!

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Web Site Chat Software

When you have a web presence and sell a product, customer service is very important! One way to allow instant conversation between you and your potential customers is to allow them to contact you online and in real-time using a chat program. These allow you to receive and answer questions as your customers have them. Most programs allow those customers to leave a message if you are not online as well.

There are a lot of powerful chat programs that allow for multiple operators, logs, canned replies and more. What if you don’t want to pay for a chat program and don’t need all the fancy options? If you don’t mind a bit of advertising or link back to the chat provider you have several options.

Because I am focused towards small business and work at home moms I will focus on the free software available. For information on the pay type of chats with all the extras just do a quick Google search for “chat program” and you’ll have lots of options. Here are a few that I have used and would recommend. We’ll touch on Chatango, Volusion and Crafty Syntax Read More…

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The Mac Experience

I was faced with an issue recently regarding my computer setup. My desktop computer needed serious upgrading soon. As a designer I use software that requires a lot of resources. My desktop PC is nearing the ends of it’s days. One program, great. Two programs, ok. Three, pushing it. More? Ha! I get in the habbit of just opening whatever program I need, why should I worry if it will run slowly? I need it, I open it! Anyone who has run an outdated system will be able to tell you why this is not ideal. Slow as sludge.

But that’s ok, I have a PC laptop that’s less than a year old! *cough* Yeah, I wish that were a good alternative! I’ve owned my laptop for less than a year. It was a great setup when I got it. Then I started really using it. For simple things like on the go internet, email and updating of websites, great! For any intensive designing, not so great. Open up 2 Adobe programs and BAM! Hello blue screen of death. My PC laptop is now a fancy media player. I gave up trying to do anything serious on it. It’s a great backup computer for bringing with for an interactive portfolio, helping do updates on sites (on-site) and staying in touch on the go. That’s about it.

So what do I do? I could upgrade my desktop PC, buy a new PC or step outside my comfort zone and buy a Mac. The next logical step is to buy a Mac. So, desktop or laptop? Another logical choice, laptop. If I’m going to have a Mac I need to be able to bring it with! So I log onto Apple and order my new MacBook. Then I sit and patiently wait for the FedEx truck to deliver my package. Patiently? Ha!

So today my MacBook arrived. New toy! But I had work to do. I don’t think my clients would have appreciated it much if I put their sites on hold to play with the new toy. Finally, I’m done! So I get into the package and pull out my new Mac.

First impressions:

  • White looks better than I thought it would, classy! And no way was I paying extra for a black MacBook.
  • Where’s the CD tray? Ah! That’s cool, just like in the truck/car/SUV! No more worrying about bumping the tray or accidentally ejecting the disk while in use.
  • Only 2 USB ports? Ok, I guess I can manage that.
  • Love the magnetic plug! With 3 small kids running through my office this could come in really handy!
  • That’s a camera? Holy crap that’s small. But I was amazed to see it worked much better than any web cam I have owned!

I turn it on and the first issue I run into is connecting to the internet via my wireless. Not Mac’s fault. (grumbles under breath, “stupid router”)

Then I get to start playing! Now I have to tell you, I’m impressed with all the software thats INCLUDED with the computer. Things I’d pay several hundreds for on the PC counterpart! Dashboard/Widgets has got to be my all time favorite already! Weather, phone directory, stickies and more… right there! Normally I’d have to open up a web browser and hit my bookmarks to look up each one individually. This is sweet! Then I set up my e-mail accounts. Easy as pie and the layout is very intuitive, digging the search feature for emails. I also like the feature that allows me to leave a copy of the email on the server so my other computer can download them as well. Very handy. I start visiting other applications and I notice iTunes. Oh yeah, that’s an Apple product. I gave up on it while using my PC because it ran crappy on XP, slow running and froze often. I open it on Mac and see how it’s supposed to run! Niiice.

So I haven’t had time to really get into it but from what I see so far I really like it! Only issue I have now is that I have a ton of Windows software! I really don’t want to buy things like CS2 Suite, Dreamweaver, Flash, Office and more all over again to get the Mac versions right now. But, there’s one more feature that will make the loyal Mac lovers roll their eyes at me. Mac can run XP! Once you install Bootcamp (free!) you can install Windows XP to run on the Mac as well and can switch back and forth. What a great idea! I have a feeling I’ll be using the Mac OS more but at least I can continue to use my favorite programs without having to switch them all out right away.

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