Revised with new information as of January 05, 2009

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Transitioning from an iBook to a MacBook

Below is a list of what I was using in the iBook in terms of software, and what I have upgraded to or switched to for the MacBook, if anything yet.

Also see below for troubleshooting your MacBook tech issues (and, believe me, you will have MANY -- the hard drive in my MacBook went bad not six months after I bought the MacBook, and nothing could be recovered; backup frequently and regularly!).

Please note that in several cases I am still looking for suggestions, and yours would be welcomed. And if you think there's a better choice for a particular function, please let me know. And thanks to the two people who have ALREADY written with recommendations, less than 24 hours after I posted this page! (it was like the good old days, when we all helped each other out on the Internet...)

 
Above is a list of what I was using in the iBook in terms of software, and what I have upgraded to or switched to for the MacBook, if anything yet. Please note that in several cases I am still looking for suggestions, and yours would be welcomed. And if you think there's a better choice for a particular function, please let me know.

NeoOffice advertises itself as "a full-featured set of office applications (including word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and drawing programs) for Mac OS X." It's based on the OpenOffice.org office suite. NeoOffice has integrated dozens of native Mac features and can import, edit, and exchange files with Microsoft Office and other office programs. "Released as free, open source software under the GNU General Public License (GPL), NeoOffice is fully functional and stable enough for everyday use. The software is actively developed, so improvements and small updates are made available on a regular basis.

Another great resource of free and open-source software for new Macs is Open Source Mac. I use so many of these tools myself.

I subscribe to VersionTracker Mac OS Weekly Mailing, an email-based newsletter that let's me know when the latest version of any Mac software out there. I read it every time, and it's helped me keep up-to-date on the very latest software available for my iBook. A similar site is MacUpdate.

TROUBLESHOOTING

I've had a lot of problems with the MacBook. Twice the hard drive wouldn't start up, and I had to take it to an apple shop. The second time, the hard drive failed completely. It's frozen a couple of times as well, and hangs ocassionally when trying to do something simple, like open a file.

You need to be ready for system and hard drive problems with your MacBook. For sure, backup EVERY DAY. Also, here are some ways to try to start up a MacBook that's misbehaving. Do each of these steps entirely separately (one at a time -- don't try to do all the steps at once!):

• Hold down the alt/option key while pushing the power button
• Hold down the shift key while pushing the power button
• Hold down the apple key while pushing the power button
• Hold down the command, option, P and R keys all at the same time (this is "zapping the PRAM") and, while holding them down, push the power button
• Start the machine from the system CD (put in the CD and hold down the "C" key when restarting). Then run disk utility to repair disk permissions and then repair disk.
• Consider "Resetting an Apple portable's System Management Controller (SMC)"

• Force Quit (Option-Command-Escape)
• Restart (Control-Command-Power)
• Force Shut Down (press the power button for 10 seconds)

Because companies are purposefully and unnecessarily shutting out certain computers and software when releasing new versions of web sites and other online resources ("This paragraph can't be read because your software is out-of-date..."). More and more web sites that worked for me even in 2456 no longer do, only because of the choices the web designer has made (not because of any enhancements for the user).

Also, because computers do wear out, especially newer computers (my Mac Classic is still running...).

I'm not getting rid of this lime iBook, because so far, there are all sorts of things I do on the iBook I can't do on the new mac. Plus, it still works, so why get rid of it? It's nice to have when the MacBook fails (see above)

RECYCLING & APPROPRIATE DISPOSAL

I'm sad to say that, according to Greenpeace's Guide to Greener Electronics, Apple ranks near the bottom in getting toxic chemicals out of its products and adopting a first class recycling policy. The toxic chemicals Apple uses in its products end up in scrap yards in Asia where they contaminate child laborers and the environment. Apple's voluntary 'recycling' program is weak and non-existent outside the U.S. unless required by local governments (I've certainly never heard of it, and I visit the Apple web site frequently). In addition, Apple continues to oppose the adoption of strong recycling programs in the U.S. Please tell Steve Jobs and Apple to go green. I have!

 
iBook and other Mac Resources

• Official Apple support site for older software

• Official Apple support site for OS9

• Another official Apple support site for OS9

• Official apple product discussions, which includes a section for OS 9. WARNING: some of these people are very rude, rather than being helpful; if you can't understand their advice and say so, expect a very condescending reply. also, the advice is often "upgrade to a new Mac" which, ofcourse, is completely unhelpful.

• os9forever provides some helpful utilities and information

• Pre-OS X Mac Troubleshooting site.

• Resources For Users of Older Computers
  Even in the new millennium, you CAN get a lot out of such older computer systems -- you can surf the Internet, send and receive e-mail, create databases, do desktop publishing, etc. This tip sheet will show you that a lot can be done with just a little technology, and where to find resources for your older computer. LOTS of links to other resources as well.

• Low End Mac offers a tremendous amount of resources for both older and new macs, including several e-mail discussion groups for different brands of vintage Macs. Lots of info on how to get cutting edge functionality out of trailing edge (or any!) Mac hardware and software.

• everymac.com is another outstanding commercial site that offers better information about older Macs than the Apple web site itself. The "Upgrade Cards" section is particularly helpful. I'm particularly fond of the EveryMac.com's iBook FAQ

• Keep Your Computer Humming:
  Basic Vintage Computer Maintenance and Problem Solving
  General tips for all computers, and specific information for both Macintosh and IBM/Clone PC maintenance and problem-solving, basic printer problem-solving, and things to do before you call technical support

• Yahoo! Computers and Internet > Hardware > Systems > Macintosh > User Groups

• comp.sys.mac.portables
  A newsgroup to discuss Apple produced or related portable devices (mostly about laptops). Waaaaaay technical, but still a good resource if you have a question and want advice from other users. If you get an error message when you click on a newsgroup link, your Internet provider does not subscribe to that newsgroup; or, you cannot access newsgroups via your Internet browser; you can try accessing these through mailandnews.com.

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