I’ve bought a new glossy MacBook so I can use its renowned applications to produce some great videos for my clients.
I found Vista pretty hopeless for publishing YouTube, but noticed how slick and effortless it was to do this from Geoff’s Apple Mac.
It’s totally different to what I have been used to, but I now feel totally reassured about making full use of its many applications after learning about their personal one-to-one training sessions, one hour a week for a whole year, for only £79. I didn’t think it was true, how could it be so cheap?
So I called their newly opened Grand Arcade store in Cambridge yesterday and Jason confirmed that it was true, and unsurprisingly, that it was very popular. Jason told me their staff are highly skilled and creative and include a film maker who will be able to guide me through any difficulties. I signed up on the spot and booked my first lesson for later this week. What an incredible bargain. I also signed up for one of their free workshops to learn how to make iMovies. I want to know more about iPhoto’s fabulous features too. And I also like the look of iLife.
What I would like to know is whether I should use NeoOffice as my main office software which I have downloaded, or use Microsoft Office for Mac users, which doesn’t seem to be highly rated.
If you have a Mac, what are your favourite features, and what office software do you use?
*P.S. I met a Microsoft exec at a recent social media event and he told me they have have three AppleMacs in his house – he owns one and his wife has two!!
Ellee…it all sounds brilliant to me 🙂
Many thanks for the link Ellee. I use Firefox and google email, reader & documents (includes word processor, spreadsheet and powerpoint).
zattoo.com works well for watching any UK TV programmes.
skitch.com is a must for getting screenshots
scribefire.com is a must have plugin for firefox for posting entries to your blog.
skype.com works brilliantly well for making calls etc especially with macs internal camera 🙂
Dear Ellee – I’ve read your blog from time to time via Welshcakes and was delighted you see you’re joining the Mac users. I have had a Mac for 13 years and I’ve always used Microsoft Office for Mac, which is fine. I am a writer and publishing has always used Macs, with Office as the software, so writers have no choice, but, having tried various PCs, like so many Mac fans I cannot see why anyone bothers. Welcome to our wonderful world
I am so envious I could spit. Lucky you. Rolls Royce of computers. Someday, please Lord.
Yes, I certainly do feel very lucky, and I am looking forward to learning how to use all its great features. I think I can easily become an Apple addict too, their products are so stylish.
Ellee, now you’ll find out how elegant computing can really be 🙂
Stick with Office 2008, I use it all the time and it’s very stable and so easy to use. As Sally said on an earlier post it’s publishing industry standard. Next it’ll be an iphone…the coolest bit of kit I’ve ever owned.
Any tips or help you need mail me offline….
p.s. Get the itunes cranked up…
Looks really cool, I hope the courses help you out lots 🙂 If you get any good tips on how to get a good quality You Tube video I would love you to share. I have not had the problems you have had, but anything I upload goes from something looking fairly sleek to something looking fairly tacky :-/
The comment about owning two apple macs. I don’t feel quite so bad now having a desk top machine and a lap top… I felt a little guilty before!
OH no not another one gloating over the rest of us. However it does sound what you need for the jobs you are trying to do. Those lessons are a real steal. Enjoy.
I’ve just had a reminder from the Apple store in Cambridge about my lesson there tomorrow, it is such excellent service. I’m very impressed so far.
Ellee,
have you thought about Open Office, which is available to download for the Mac OX?
I love my MAC – I have no idea about its features though really – I just stroke it and admire its beauty. I like to wear it in public places as a sort of sporren.
My sons do all sorts of fantastic stuff with theirs though – make videos and music and all sorts. But I have no idea how.
Thanks Geoff, for all that info, you’ll have to explain what it means when we meet up.
Curly, I’ll ask about this when I have my first personal lesson tomorrow, I’ve had two emails now reminding me about it.
And yes Reluctant Blogger, the white case is so soft and silky, I could just stroke it all day too!! I hope to match your clever sons with their music and video skills.
You have turned into a complete geek havent you? Really… Why not do apost about yer graphics card?
You lucky thing !
About the most technological portable thingy I have is a propelling pencil – and that’s run out of lead. Which reminds me, I need to google Viagra.
Hi Ellee, You’ve made a great choice! One thing to be aware of is that the new iMovie is not as good as the old iMovie, Apple took a lot of the more advanced editing features out to make it as easy as possible to use for people who just wanted to upload mobile phone clips and similar. If you find yourself bumping against its limitations try and get an earlier version – I think it’s iMovie 08 that was de-specced – and you will be able to do proper video editing.
Sheila, that’s timely advice as I am going to have a personal iMovie tuition session at their Cambridge store this morning. I’ll mention your comment. I personally want it to be simple, but slick and professional. I shall post my videos too so you will be able to check them out later.
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