MacBook SUPPPER NOOB Question

Windows applications generally work in Windows, so unless you install Windows on your computer, then you would have to get a Mac version of CS3 to use in Mac OS X.

 

you may want to use openoffice

 

There's iWork that comes with Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. It's about $79.
There's also Microsoft Office for Mac and it comes with Word, Excel, Messenger, and Powerpoint (possibly more). It's more. About $130ish - I'm not sure.

I really like iWork '08. Most of my friends use Word for Mac and they like it. I prefer to keep anything Microsoft away - far away - from my Macs.

 

Except for the 360, which is the best gaming console on the market

 

I think NeoOffice would be a better choice, no need for that x11 and as for native its only in alpha.

 

you can probably find a good deal for all the software you're interested in through your university

 

a windows version of CS3 will NOT work on mac. You need to find the mac versions. Just because you find a way to convert the files doesn't mean you can install them. You need the actuall OSX platform versions.

I'm sure your university gives some sort of discounts. Find their university computer/tech center and ask around. They probably offer decent discounts. I can get iwork for only 39 through my school instead of 79. iwork is a great program for text and everything else. YOu can actual convert/save files into .ms (ms word) compatible files and keynote presentations into powerpoint files too if need be. I highly recommend it.

If you want free though.. like already mentioned open office or neo office are good alternatives and easy to find online.

As far as CS3 though you are out of luck with the current copy you have. You need to find a mac version... through your school they might have student packages for that stuff too.

If you don't want to do that, you could always get bootcamp and install a copy of windows onto your mac for when you NEED to use those.

 

Windows programs are dot exe. They can not be run under mac os X (except under parallels etc).

Mac programs are dot app (not .dmg). NOTE: to see the extension you will have "get info" on the file or set the finder preferences to show extensions.

Dot dmg is a disk image, a "virtual cd" used to disseminate many mac programs. You drag the application from the virtual cd to your applications file.

See http://guides.macrumors.com/Installing_Applications_in_Mac_OS_X

 

Depending on what kind of license you have for CS3, you may also be able to get a "crossgrade" from Adobe where you surrender your Windows license code for a Mac one for a small fee.... it might be worth it to contact them.

 

RE: word processor

Try Mellel
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/8712/mellel

You should also get Bookends, a superb bibliography program.
http://www.macupdate.com/search.php?arch=all&keywords=bookends&os=macosx

Mellel + Bookends is a must for writing papers. Way better than Word and Endnote, in my opinion.

 

ooh, running an office suite in java, against an alpha that hardly crashes at all

i prefer oOo over NeoOffice - i switched from NoO to oOo, when the alpha came out, and had no issue. until i moved to iWork 08, because it's just sexual.

WriteRoom is AWESOME.

 

If you contact Adobe, I think they off cross platform sidegrades. Swap your PC version for the Mac version for a small fee.

 

Cant he just run fusion or parallels and run the programs out of the windows there? I am sure it will slow down his computer, but that is an option right?

 

Photoshop on Parallels/fusion would probably be unbearable. Boot camp may be an option though if you can't get the OSX version