A 'Switcher's Tale'

[houltmac]

@Chip: Weird, I'll have to look into that!

[Chipell]

Houtmac,
If you do find out anything, let us know!

[Chipell]

Stardate: unknown. I think it's day 15 or so.

I have tried folks, really tried. I can not get the hang of Quicksilver. I downloaded the PDF users guide, followed it to a letter, and end up in Timbuktu somewhere, when all I was trying to do is send an email.

<giant sigh>

I will keep trying........ and trying............. I know this is just me, because I read rave reviews on this wherever I go.

So I'm off, to try again.

[baseballboy828]

Quicksilver is extremely powerful. It saves me tons of time a day. Once you understand the way it works, Quicksilver will be your favorite app on your mac. It does have a fairly steep learning curve, so it may take a while to get used to it. I highly recommend the Quicksilver: The Guide (here at TAB). It is a collection of articles and screencasts that will help you understand Quicksilver.

[Yuiichi]

I fully agree with BBB on recommending the guide from TAB. TAB actually got me using QS - I'd be lost without it. It is a really powerful app, although you don't have to be afraid of just starting out with simple things. In fact, I only use it for launching apps. I don't really do all that much else with my Mac other than use NewsFire and Safari right now, anyways, and it provides those and more in just a few key presses. Also, my dock is clean (and empty) because of it.

Start simple - if you crave more, QS can provide more!

[houltmac]

@Chip: To be the one to create the moment...

Don't be afraid of thinking you are the only one who couldn't get used to it either. I have tried using Quicksilver a number of times but never had it work for me. I know how powerful it is, and every time I see the developer demo it (check out Google Video) I feel like I want to use it, but overall there are too many reasons not to for me.

Just to point out a couple: I use many different machines each day, only a few of which are under my complete control and so I can't get used to having something and then not again; it's just too weird. Another good reason is that having been using computers and the Mac OS for so long, I feel like I am pretty darned quick at completing most tasks that Quicksilver can help with simply by using the Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts. I don't see a reason to learn everything again and be so slow doing so when I am so competent with these tasks anyway.

There certainly is a place for Quicksilver, and it's an amazing application, but it's not for everyone. Don't think you aren't part of the club if it doesn't work for you. I often compare it to the One-hand Keyboard which I have always wanted to learn to use for when I am on the phone etc. but the learning curve just isn't happening.

[philbowell]

Ah, the legendary QS debate.

I was a fan of it, but since my upgrade to Leopard QS has ended up in the trash. I found it very buggy towards the end of using it and in all honesty Spotlight in Leopard is good enough for me.

I did use it extensively on Tiger and did find it quite quick for certain things. The best way to get in the habit of using it is to force yourself to launch apps from it. Then when that becomes second nature you gradually begin to expand your knowledge of it. Sending an email becomes very simple with QS as long as it's purely text. If you WANT to use it then keep plugging away, but it's not the be-all and end-all some make it out to be.

[Ginamos]

I've used it on and off, I found QS handy when using a cramped laptop keyboard and trackpad mouse. Normally I use a full size keyboard and mouse at a desk, and I don't really find a great need for QS.

I can see why people like QS, it's one product I've been surprised that Apple haven't purchased and incorporated into OS X, but it's never really suited the way I interact with a computer.

[lucamacis]

I downloaded it also after reading several threads from TAB Community and the watching the screencasts. It seemed like a wicked app so i got going and began using it. After a couple of weeks though i just went back to using the mouse.

I personally think its more for the laptop user (as Ginamos said) as the trackpad can be so much slower to use instead of a mouse. I will definitely be QS when i get a Macbook until then though ill be using the mighty mouse with my desktop.

[Chipell]

Hi all!!

I have been absent, but only in typing, not in spirit!

I am now, fully, truly and forever a Mac person. I haven't touched a windows pc in, well, like a month. And I don't miss it at all!

My iMac keeps me very happy, it hasn't crashed yet, is quick, and the software is wonderful. I am so pleased by its UTTER SILENCE!!

I am now trying to settle on a website program and an FTP program. I just downloaded the trial for Transmit from Panic. Anyone else have anything to suggest?

I used to use Frontpage for my personal website, but I don't know if there is anything like that out there for Mac. Any suggestions?

Just to update:

Still can't get the Logitech Keyboard and mouse to work. I like the mighty mouse, but it's a little buggy from time to time. It seems to pick up dust and lint which is the main cause of the bugginess. (No, my house is NOT dirty, thank you very much!)

I have gone with SuperDuper! and Time Machine. I purchased a 1TB Lacie backup drive and it works seamlessly with my iMac. I really recommend SuperDuper for anyone wanting a realiable, easy backup.

I have been reading the reviews here and on MacWorld, and I agree with their take on Office vs. iWork. I use pages much more than word, but Entrourage much more than iMail. I also like Excel over Numbers.

I like Adium much more than MSN Messenger for Mac.

I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but it seems that Photoshop Elements is a much more full featured program than Aperture.

Popular Mechanics did a review of Mac vs. Windows, and Mac won!

Oh well, that's just about all that's new, other than we have rescued another lab. This time a female from Tennessee. She's about 1 year old and very sweet. We now have a 'boy and a girl' black lab. Our senior lab, 'Buddy', died about 3 weeks ago. We had rescued him 12 years ago. It broke my heart, but "Murphy" and "Molly" are doing there best to help me piece it back together again.