After twenty years, I ditched Microsoft and embraced Apple. For a writer who is on the computer 24\/7, that was a scary decision. The change seriously interrupted my word output as I groped through new methods of managing my files, getting email and saving to my flash drives. But the pros outweighed the cons, and I made the leap from a flawed platform I knew very well to another I\u2019ve had to learn from scratch.<\/p>\n
Friends and family reminded me I hate to learn new stuff. I say old dogs can learn new tricks and keep their sanity. So far, that\u2019s a real maybe.<\/p>\n
First I tackled my email. Mac calls it \u201cMail.\u201d I had Outlook Express on my PC. Mac Mail wants me to sort messages fifteen different ways. Luckily, I was able to customize Mail into something I can live with. The delete button gets rid of problems I can\u2019t fix. Gone and completely forgotten, that\u2019s my motto.<\/p>\n
They call those of us who switched from PCs to Mac refugees. I feel like a refugee. Like someone caught in a flood, frantically trying to save my belongings (files) and not lose them in the transfer. Treading madly, I try to keep my head above water.<\/p>\n
Am I sorry I made the switch from PC to Mac? Not when the writing is going well. Not when I can get my headers to behave.<\/p>\n
At least I\u2019m not bored. I\u2019ve been scrambling, trying to learn all the bells and whistles of this Apple creature crouching on my desk. And have I done that? Learned everything? You\u2019re kidding, right?<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve barely scratched the surface. When I think of all I have to learn, I\u2019m scared spitless. Maybe challenged is more accurate. And righteous when I see that commercial where the cute Apple guy makes mincemeat of the old fashioned, fuddy-duddy PC guy. Because now that I live in Mackintosh Land, I consider myself mainstream and progressive. Color me proud as a peacock, cool as a cucumber, walking on clouds\u2014all those old clich\u00e9s I love and hate.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, I know what panic is. Picture this. I\u2019m typing along and realize I need to send my editor an attachment in about five minutes. And Ohmigod! I am lost in Apple Land and have forgotten everything. How do I send an attachment on this damned thing?<\/p>\n
Clearly, it\u2019s time to play my old lady card. I pull up Mail and write: Dear Editor, I have a doctor\u2019s appointment today. Attachment on it\u2019s way tomorrow. <\/p>\n
And it will be. I know a Mac aficionado who can walk me through this and make me feel great. Remember those old Beatle lyrics? \u201cI get by with a little help from my friends; I get high with a little help from my friends.\u201d Mac friends are simply wonderful. # <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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