Discovering the Macbook.
I bought a Macbook on August 3, 2006. I've spent the past week customizing
it. Below is my Macbook checklist. You can follow my suggestions or not.
1) Run software update
When I ran mine there were several
updates! Don't move files around while this is happening or you'll
run into trouble.
2) Delete the demo
programs
I
don't require iWork. There are free alternatives to most of
the programs I need. Besides, I think it is rather silly to showcase
the 2004
edition of Word. If you are going to use a program that old then you
might as well run it via Windows emulation. Which segues over to...
3) Buy the
Parallels program
You'll have to pay $80 for this program, but it is well worth it. I
installed a pet Win98SE to run all those programs that never had a OS X
equivelent. I also installed Word on there. Read more about running Windows
98 in Parallels.
4) Install Useful
Freeware
The new intel Macs require their own version of a
program, they call it Universal binary. PPC programs will sometimes
work too, but
they
crash often. Anway, download
Extremely Useful Macbook Freeware.
5) Buy some
notebook essentials.
- A notebook lock.
- A padded sleeve or backback to protect it.
- Portable mouse. I am such a fan of right clicking. It will
work on the track pad when you click and press "ctrl", but whatever.
Optical mice are easy to use.
- A power converter for your car. I paid $30 at
Frys.
It allows
you to run normal household outlets from your cigarette lighter. No
more worries about dead batteries!
6)
Further Customize your
computer
Change the HD name and icon. I like the Macbook
icon set. Also, change your folder setting to show icon
previews. This
will make an image file its own icon. I reorganize my
applications into folders: Cool
Stuff, Image Programs, Internet Programs, Utilities, Video Programs,
and Editing Programs. If you want to watch Quicktime movies in full screen read about it here.
7)
Up Next:
Read my del.icio.us links on new freeware
I find for my Macbook.
Read Livejournal entries
about my other Macbook discoveries
Last
Updated: August 12, 2006
Oldest Version: August 12, 2006
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