Mac Transition Week 2

So the transition continues. A couple of thoughts and recommendations.

I know all of those PC people out there will disagree with me, but the Mac OS just feels smoother. I enjoy the simplicity of design and ease of use. I know that the PC has gotten much better in it's over all design, but I just find the Mac to be somehow more user friendly.

Issues: Seems to be a small one under Boot Camp with Premiere, but only an annoyance and as such it does not preclude the work flow that I am developing until the full switch.

Programs:Here are a couple of programs that I have found on the Mac to be invaluable and have opened up new work flow possibilities that I had not discovered on the PC.

Handbrake: A great DVD ripper. I do not use this to rip movies, but often we record a backup DVD of the events we do. This program allows us to rip that file into the computer. I know there are PC programs out there, but I have not found any that are as fast and easy as this one.

Perian: This is a QT plug in that allows virtually any file to be played back including FLV. Very nice for attempting to open those pesky windows files. Now it doesn't support wmv, but that is what Flip for Mac is for.

So far so good and we are progressing well with the migration.

iPhone or whatever it is going to be called...

So this is an interesting post on a person who will be getting an iPhone hopefully in June when it is released. The interesting part is that it would appear Cingular does not have a concrete plan on what to tell people that may want to switch now. Revolutionary product, but no plans on how to handle things?

Build it and they will come... Okay couldn't resist.

The switch....

So a few weeks ago I spoke of a transition that I may make. Well I decided to do it.



Yes it is a Mac. We are needing a speed boost in our production and this seems to be a very good solution. The next photo shows XP being installed in Boot Camp.




Finally this is After Effects running inside OS X using Parallels. I will write a bit in the next few weeks about how this is working out.

Oh yeah and there is one more thing....

Steve Jobs on nightline last night. Is there anyone out there that is still doubting there is convergence today?

New media...

So a few things are going on in the world of media and I thought I would take a moment and give my 2 cents.

Apple TV Those of you out there know that I am a Mac fan. I would stop short of saying fanatical, but I admire what they have done. I really think this product will begin the next step in bringing internet content to you television. It is exciting to think of the opportunities that this device that is syncronized through iTunes can bring television shows, podcasts, and any other media you have in iTunes to your television wherever you have it plugged in. They have taken the time to develop a user interface that will be easy for the most people to use it. It will not require a geek and that is a distinct advantage.

CES: Being a geek I could go on for a day about all of the exciting products that are being unvailed, but some of the most interesting things are how the broadcast networks are showing up. They are beginning to realize that the model of television as we know it is has shifted and they need to begin to develop a new model for themselves. Time will tell, but I am excited because the next television will be the internet.

Interesting music stats

Interesting read today from Chris Anderson in regards to the recording industry.