The Apple software is mostly compatible with the Windows software. Only problem I found is that Power Point and Key note are not compatible. Other Office programs for the most part like their Apple equivalent. I did have to add “Flip4Mac” to be able to view windows generated videos.

Support at the Apple Store is fantastic. I have been stumped with making some applications meet my need and got great help. Problems were semantic and a lake of understanding of apples digital structure. My 14 year old grand son is also available!!!!

I am satisfied with my purchase. I still use windows and have a desktop in the shop that is partitioned for both Windows and Unix.

Just thought I’d update Y’all!

I decided to try to totally stop thinking Windows and approach the Apple as if it was my first computer. It was a good decision. I also decided not to buy the Microsoft Office software for the MAC. I have had to approach each function with an open mind. I did buy a copy of “The missing Manual” for this MAC OS. That too was a good decision. Finally i popped for Apples “One to One” training.

I waited to sit down with an Apple Trainer until I had a couple of weeks experience with the MAC. I was able to go in with some basic operating skill but at least 7 specific cases of being baffled. Their trainer was very good. He made me push the keys while he told me how my issue would be solved. He directed to me to two applications on the App Store that would support my drawing needs. He explained how to organize documwnts in files and folders. (different than the Microsoft OS.)

Bottom Line! The MAC is so intuitive it is scarey. It found my network printer, an old HP, the first time I tried to print. Same with my canner. My Windows systems have had issues in finding same from time to time. It connects seamlessly with my networked storage drives. I have never liked track pads but the MAC touchpad is big and responds to “clicking right and left” and to movement of one, two or three fingers. As for cost, by the time I got a basic system with a large screen, fast processor and enough disk space plus the software for the things I want to do, the cost differential between a Windows computer and an apple was minimal, Admittedly some of my software was old and would not run on Windows 7.

So far the Apple appears to be an awesome decision. Thanks for all your opinions.

Lots of changes in the past 4 plus years! If I list out the features and specs of my M90 and shop for a near equivalent machine within both the apple and PC models now available, the results are most interesting. First, for those who believe there is a phenomenal difference in price between a full featured pc and an iMac pro that is a myth. Including a service plan, 2yrs Dell and 3 years Apple, the cost difference is under $100.00. The tempting low PC prices seem to barely include an on/off switch. Once you select a PC you find that you have to buy the software to fit your needs. Some can be moved from your old machine, some might need some sort of upgrade and some needs to be replaced. 5 years is a long time in the world of PC software.

So, I compared the apple imac pro to the M90. The screen size is a bit smaller, the machine is fast and it comes loaded with software. Admittedly some software I will never use. If I can break my addiction to Microsoft Office, I will only add about $110 worth of software to an apple. The battery technology is technically awesome. Apple has to change the battery when it dies but that is expected beyond 5 years out. Operating time on a full charge is 8 to 9 hours. My PC is good for 2 hours and I have now replaced the battery twice in 5 years.
Currently you end up with a free HP printer in the package.

Yes sitting down at the Apple Store is a pre requisite to a decision. I spent an hour in there on Friday working some of the searches I do, connecting to remote sites and systems I have to support and checking out general configurations of the imac that would support my needs. You bet! The functionality is indeed different but having lived through all the Microsoft iterations from 3.1 to Windows 7, I think I can work it out. (I started out with a Radio Shack Model III and it took me a week to figure out the word processor. I ended up more than paying for that machine selling what I wrote)
Being very conservative, I haven’t made a decision yet. I’ll go back and talk some more, exercise the floor models again and then . . .! I do see that if you are a so called power user, there is little difference in price. If you are afraid of changing your habits, stay with what works. If you have time and inclination to learn, the decision gets a little harder.

My apologies for not posting this sooner, we had to deal with my lovely manager (wife) breaking an arm and surviving some rotten weather. Look forward to Chapter 3 shortly.

Thanks

Nice price, fairly clean in an unproble store.

I’ll sounl like Brian Meeks if I say that Mr. Saw Stop was happy to see me when we got back but then! After eating Thanksgiving dinner at son Bob’s I spent tonight in the shop. We have a large closet in our condo and to add an extra hang up rod and partition off my tool storage corner. So I need to build a partition. So I am “pre fabbing” a 22” by 8 ft partition that will fit in the car and can be assembled away from the shop. Tonight I got all o the frame pieces cut and rabbited for the front and back of the partition. Also cut pieces for a book, (hymnal) rack to be mounted in the condo bedroom. Dug out some maple from an old chest of drawers to make a simple TV stand with room for the DVR.

Working in ths shop is great therapy, most restful. Oh the title of this Blog? If you forget to turn on the dust collector, even the Saw Stop gets dusty. I figured it out about half way through what I did. Dumb!

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Back to Milwaukee this week. Have some things that might be of interest in the LJ group. Hope Martin doesn’t want to kill all personal comments, nice to see into LJ personalities, trials and tribulations.

Any sources??

Over in Wisconsin at the Waukesha Antique Mart, a number of cases of wooden planes. Curved to work on wheels, moulding planes and some strange that I have never seen before. I have pictures which I will share if anyone wants to take a look sends me an email.

Amazing what is ending up in antique shops these days.

When I check in nightly to read posted LJ posts, many detail new tools resulting in moving existing layouts around. Adding electrical outlets: building new workbenches: evicting the car from workshop space: adding wall sheathing: re-building shelves: etc etc. It seems that woodshops are never finished.

So maybe there should be a warning on books and tools stating that if you are becoming a woodworker, be prepared to manage a maelstrom of wood, tools, plans and ideas. That seems to be what a woodshop is . . .a creative maelstrom!

These are called “Chain Pliers”. Nifty!

Like most of us, I have a collection of various sundry hardware. Hinges, screws, electrical parts etc, etc, etc. I mounted these bins in my shop in Milwaukee, and was faced with moving them when we moved to Michigan 2 1/2 years ago. The larger bins are installed on a wall between the shop and laundry.

The smaller bins are located on a wall next to the computer workstation. These hold primarilly nuts bolts washers and screws. Small hardware! Below the bins are 56 small drawers holding uncommon or very small screws and bolts. These are two numbered units I picked up on the bargain/shop surplus counter at a local aCE hardware store. Mounted next to these, left and right, are two larger 3 drawer units found at a garage sale. A board on top of these, below the tilt out bins provides space to sort hardware needed for a project.

The sorting space is carpeted which keeps small pieces from bouncing off to the floor. (Oblivion)

So I had a number of boxes of new hardware, some left from a couple projects. And a little clutter. Saturday’s time in the shop was spent doing some sorting and a little re-organizing. About ready for an excel spreadsheet with a positive inventory. On some snowy night. More shop info coming later.

Hope we get left alone and have time in the shop this weekend.

I finally hooked up with one of the local woodworkers after we missed each other for a week. He had need for a delta contractor saw tune up kin and I had the kit but passed the saw on before we moved to Michigan. Glad to help out whenever I can.

Today I got the back door frame painted. Earlier this year, maybe it was last fall we changed the back door. Put in a door that opens out, not in. The old door opening in blocked access to the basement. So lumber of any size had to go to the kitchen first, then we closed the door and took it down stairs. Pani! Everybody thought we were a little daft, obviously we couldn’t put a storm door on it so we got a well insulated door. Funny thing! Now no one notices the change.

Going to spend the rest of the day sorting some hardware and puttiong it away, replacing a dial on an antique, 1941, desk phone, painting the shell on the phone, it is heavy metal. Maybe a picture and a bit of history later.

Still working on a shop tour to post, pictures are all sized now i have to write a bit of narrative that will convince readers that it is all in a 22 by 25 fuuo area of the basement.

I haven’t used this computer to blog before,. I rescued this machine just before it got toppled into a dumpster. Cleaded out the spider colony and the mouse poop and it makes a good addition for the shop. Get to find answers by just stepping a few feet to the side of the shop.

Bill

Also now have a set of pictures of my shop and will finish a narrative, hopefully tonight, so I can share with Y’all!

Bill

Interesting!

I did finish tuning the band saw. New tires, cool blocks, cleaning and alignment sucessful. A good deal of goey oil and fine sawdust cleaned out.

Look for shop pictures soon.

Anybody remember this post???

Bill