Transfer files from Mac to PC

Problem: Mac formats hard disks using HFS+. Windows uses NTFS as the default format. Apparently, you can use FAT or FAT32 formatted disks on both Mac and PC - there are some limitations on files sizes and number of files. But in Windows Vista Microsoft has introduced a new format called exFAT replacing/enhancing the FAT file formats. What a nightmare! I couldn't use my USB external hard drives (NTFS) with the Mac - it could read the contents but could not write anything from the Mac.

Simple solution: If you are having a Windows and a Mac on the same home network, there is a simple way to share files between the two - via FTP. Just go to your Mac system preferences and enable file sharing for the concerned user using ftp. You can then use a program like FileZilla on your PC to access files on your Mac. It will ask you for the Mac user name password of the person who shared the files. Once you get in, you can just drag and drop files from the Mac to the PC.

My new Macbook

I have been a DOS and Windows user for over 15 years. Not just an end user but have been a developer/user for that long. Including programming on Windows 3.1.

Over the past 2 years I have had to spend significant amounts of time "fixing" my home and work computer for seemingly trivial reasons. Fixing always involved going to see what are the unwanted softwares installed, looking at the process list to see what is consuming 100% CPU or memory, installing 3 or 4 software from various places to get 1 simple thing done.

That is when I started walking into the apple store at the local mall. Started looking at all their products and the hype around them. It took me a very very long time but I still couldn't spend the few extra $$ premium to buy a Mac.  Eventually, I bought an iPod touch. Just a few months after using the iPod touch, I realized that it is not about how much memory or CPU power the Mac had. It is not about the number of features that a computer has. I felt that in a small device like a music player the right design can significantly enhance the user experience. I officially became an Apple convert when my 3.5 year old daughter started using the iPod touch with no training.

So finally I made the leap and bought my first Macbook a month ago. So far it has lived up to my expectations and has been an amazing experience. I use the macbook as a home computer to browse the internet, photos, music, video, video chatting with family...

I have one advice for people on the fence - BUY A MAC.

I found a very useful blog by David Alison that gives tips on some of the quirks around keyboard shortcuts and other aspects of making the witch easier. I found it very useful.