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What are the first things you do when you get a new Mac?

First night, I cuddle it in my arms, give it loving gazes and then I wipe the hard drive clean, and re-install from scratch with the programs and apps that I want. Which means I throw out OS9 compatibility, throw away all the shareware crap and de-localize.
 
i guess you could call me an iSniffer as well. When my mom got her G4 14" Powerbook I did sniff it. Then I opened up iSync and synced her address book with my .mac address book beacuse we basically have the same people that we keep in contact with. Then i showed her how to import into iPhoto and changed all her icons for both her cameras so when she plugs them in there is actually her fuji camera, rather than just the generic desktop/finder pic. Then i set up a folder on her desktop labeled "folders" to drag extra things like work files, school files, home files and other things so they'd be at her fingertips, rather than having to look through the HD. After that we set up Office and got her Entourage setup for her pop3 address and that was about it. Rarely does she have any questions, and this is her second computer, 1st mac, and w/ XP she ALWAYS had questions. Now everything just works... enjoy your mac... you'll love it...
 
I just bought a new 15" PowerBook (1.67 GHz with 128 MB VRAM) tonight through the online Apple Store. The first thing that I'm going to do is erase the hard drive and do a custom reinstall of OS X. I'm going to do this to get rid of all of the languages, printer drivers, and some programs that I'll never use. This saves several gigs of storage space.

After the install, I'll hook up my old PowerBook and use Apple's transfer tool to move my home directory to the new PowerBook. After that, I'll install all of my apps from their CD's.
 
Speaking of installing software, here's something I do to make setting up a new system super easy.

- find a cheap HD (I got a Western Digital 120GB for $50 @ Best Buy)
- put a decent Firewire enclosue around it (also $50 @ CompUSA)
- create disk images of all your install CD/DVD's and put them on the drive
- as you download software updates and patches, put them on the drive
- of course, your data could also go on this drive

I rebuild my Mac every 6 months or so, and having this drive saves me a lot of time swapping CD/DVD's and downloading updates. Also, the software installs much faster than it does from a CD. Not to mention that it's just as important to have a backup of your software CD/DVD's as it is your data.
 
first thing is usually to install more ram. the way apple ships, i usually have my extra memory ready to go a full two weeks before the computer arrives 🙂 after the memory, crank it up and transfer files. i transfer files in a different room because of space issues...so while the files transfer i give my desk a good cleaning in prep for the new mac. once the files are transfered i give the new member of the family a good name and take it to its home and enjoy.
 
In 12 days time I shall be ordering my 15.1" w/128 vram. The first thing Im going to do is clean my room to make my new mac feel at home.

Also going to be buying an iskin to protect my precious little keys.
 
Thi first thing I do is partition the hard drive, because I like to have a second partition that I can use to run things like the Tiger Beta, or an older version of OS X, in case i need to use it for anything. Then i restore everything that I want from the restore disks, and start putting all of my stuff on it.
 
The kinda things i like to do is immediately customize my Mac.
1)Search for applications folder and drag it into the dock
2)install some apps and customize my dock
3)Change the view options/sort by/snap to grid kinda stuff
4) Turn on firewall e.t.c

and just enjoy, there is nothing like getting a brand new Mac, can't wait to order my new 12" Powerbook in August before Uni.
 
I pound the living hell out of it. Figuratively speaking of course. If it's gonna be a lemon I want it to show it's face REAL quick. I don't install any other hardware in it until I am happy that it is a fully-functional machine. Because if it doesn't work, you have to take out all the parts you have just put in. Call me a cynic, but I had an iBook that crapped the bed as soon as I got it. Logic board, Memory and Hard drive all dead one at a time.

So I'd say run it as hard as you can. Try everything. Try to make it bleed. and then smile when it comes through like a champ.

🙂
 
Blue Velvet said:
I erase the drive and do a clean reinstall from the supplied disks.

Next priority is to get online and download & install any updaters, security patches etc. This usually involves installing modem software and setting up network preferences and the like...

Then I sort out my email accounts to make sure I can send & receive mail.

After that, the clean installing of all major work-related applications and their respective updaters and patches. Usually some tweaking here in applications' preferences particularly Photoshop.

Only after that, do I move stuff over from the old machine...
Click to expand...

i would add, before I move my stuff over I create a CCC image of my disk (basically the system and all programs) on an external HD. then I move my data over and think about a backup strategy.

it's important to take your time, think about the name of you mac, how you structure your data, update all installed programs.

i also create an account with the password visible in the user icon. if my PB gets lost, the finder can log into that account and get my adress but nothing else.


andi

oh, yes and i put the wrapped and sealed manuals in a bookshelf and never look at them again 😀 . it's a mac after all.
 
goodtimes5 said:
I get the impression all of you do crack cocaine or something.
Click to expand...

Dude, have you ever smelt a new mac? It's addicting. In fact when I got my imac I put some of the packaging in ziplocks so I can preserve it.

Besides getting the new mac high I usually install office and transfer my files than I will have the ceremonial watching of a good dvd to crisen my new computer.

Anyone notice that is you leave your new mac running in a small room that the room will smell like a new mac in a few hours?

:take off nerd glasses:
 
I planned and organized an afternoon of martinis and other cocktails for my friends- it's like having a new born baby while they ooo and ahhh over my new G5 and 23" display. 🙂
 
I have usually have a fight with my partner, because I usually forget to tell her that I've bought something, and while she's stormed off I set it up and start installing apps.

An interesting side note when I bought her a Mac there were no arguments about purchasing computer hardware.
 
Palad1 said:
When I got my first PowerBook, after neraly 15 years of using a PC, the first thing I did were;
  • opening up the finder
  • clicking on 'Applications'
  • clicking on 'Internet Explorer'
  • dragging it to the Trash,
  • emptying the Trash.

God, that felt just right 🙂
Click to expand...

You don't *secure* empty trash? 😱 😱 😱 😛
 
CaptainCaveMann said:
Step 1: Unplug all cords connected to your current pc. Step 2: Walk over to the nearest window and open it as wide as it will go. Step 3: Walk back over to the pc and pick it up, gripping firmly with both hands. Step 4: While holding the pc, walk back over to the open window. Step 5 is the most important: Raise the pc above your head and with great effort, throw it as far out of the window as possible. Step 6: Be happy. 😀 😉
Click to expand...

'cause we all know that the best way to accelerate a PC is at 9.81 m/s^2 😀 😀
 
Thanks for the responses!

About the "smell" thing... very strange, but it did have a distinctive odor... kind of like "new car" smell.

As for me, I:

1. Did a clean reinstall
2. Downloaded all the programs from the 2 main software threads that I thought would be useful and put them in a separate folder inside Applications called "test" so I could trash or "promote" them to permanent status if warranted
3. Ran Delocalizer
4. Moved my music and other files over from my PC on a FAT-formatted external drive
5. Marveled at how fun using a Mac is compared to Windows
 
CaptainCaveMann said:
Step 1: Unplug all cords connected to your current pc. Step 2: Walk over to the nearest window and open it as wide as it will go. Step 3: Walk back over to the pc and pick it up, gripping firmly with both hands. Step 4: While holding the pc, walk back over to the open window. Step 5 is the most important: Raise the pc above your head and with great effort, throw it as far out of the window as possible. Step 6: Be happy. 😀 😉
Click to expand...

I'd follow the advice in this linkety , chucking it out the window just isn't original enough but I DO like the pun on Windows...
 
goodtimes5 said:
I get the impression all of you do crack cocaine or something.
Click to expand...

Nah. We use Macs. Same feeling, but you live longer and it isn't illegal (so long as Bill Gates isn't president)

whocares said:
You don't *secure* empty trash? 😱 😱 😱 😛
Click to expand...
You couldn't in Jaguar....
 
daveway00 said:
Dude, have you ever smelt a new mac? It's addicting. In fact when I got my imac I put some of the packaging in ziplocks so I can preserve it.
Click to expand...

I was talking to my wife about this......they need a car-air freshener that smells like this🙂
 
I'm going to be geting an iMac whenever they update them, what's the best way to transfer my files from my PC to my iMac?

I'd prefer to hook up firewire cables between the two of them, can this be done? Or do I need that move2mac program from detto?
 
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