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Being a loyal Mac person since the time they were over the top expensive – I think I paid over $6,000.00 for my first Macintosh II – and there were about 2 stores in the entire Los Angeles area that offered them for sale – I’ve had some experience with some great applications and some not so great, but I’ve also been privy to the fantastic growth in the Apple Mac world. The dazzling transformation Apple has made over the years is brilliant- especially when finding software that was previously Windows exclusive –to be superior in the Mac version, makes me jump for joy, literally. Of course the fact that Mac’s now have the capability to interact with PC– is an occurrence that I waited years to have happen. Hallelujah!
Shopping for a Mac program, even 15 years ago was embarrassing, and the clerks in the stores such as Staples and Office Depot – looked at you like you were speaking Greek when asking for Mac software. I recall trying to find a decent word processing program – the choices were nil other than Apple works, and/or MacWrite, which were minimal word processing programs – Word wasn’t even available for Mac until 1995. And when it first came out, reading between Mac and Windows was non-existent without a converter of some kind. Not a single PC person could read my work, produced on Word.
Now, the almighty Apple has one of the best Word programs I’ve ever used. The newest, 2011 Microsoft Office is fantastic, and it includes a killer PowerPoint presentation program that is easier to use than the previous Mac versions, by a mile – as well as Excel – and it offers so much more than the previous version, it’s fantastic. Being a writer and author, this version has given me wings, literally. The best part is that the docs don’t need any conversion, or separate extensions. They can be read perfectly between Windows and Mac with no problem and I can’t tell you what a thrill that is for me.
One of the best desk publishing programs I’ve had the opportunity to work with on my Mac is QuarkXPress – this amazing program can be compared to Adobe iDesign, but with much more muscle, and ease of use, which is typical of Mac software.
It took a bit of reading to learn how to use it, not the typical poking around I generally do because of the lack of time, or the ease of Mac- however, it saved me hundreds when publishing my own newsletter for my home town, among other things – PR sheets and even the layout for a web page I was designing. It offers so much and even though it’s a little pricey – it will save you cash in the long run and time and energy.
You know, I have heard conflicting opinions on this program for web design, and I realize it is simple in its design and capabilities however I loved it. It helped me create a web page, including the ease of uploading it to the web, and becoming live within days of creation, that I have to give it thumbs up.
It doesn’t offer a ton of design patterns, backgrounds or other ‘high-end’ web design capabilities, as other programs do, but you can get more of a selection for a little extra through Rapid Weaver – and the ease in which this program is designed to create your own website is awesome. Even a non-technical simpleton, such as I, created a killer website.
This is a great task management application, or at least it works great for my purposes –and for anyone who sets appointments, needs a great calendar with to-do-lists, and to store notes and other linked information. It has the capability to sync with your iPhone and iCal, which keeps your tasks in the palm of your hand, for ease of setting appointments, and adding information from wherever you are.
I love that it allows me to schedule things in advance, and gives a reminder when the date is coming close so you can prepare. It’s totally powerful enough to keep track of your entire work or home life, and keep you sane because it’s easy to use.
WinZip used to be exclusively Windows – however a new version came out for Mac, and since I am in college, and continually dealing with the zipped files that come from academic presentations and lessons that I need to print and study is never ending. I really dislike having to unzip all of these files manually, find where I should put them, rename them, and sometimes even find them after down loading a few files at once – because they come in such crazy file names.
WinZip has been a real time saver in these situations; especially when I’m cramming for a test, or just plain do not feel like dealing with all of the steps for zip files. Not only does it unzip easily and efficiently, it gives you options for other types of compressed files, making this a one stop app for all compressed files – and allowing you to zip files as well, such as videos and photos when sending in email, or sending to colleagues or friends.
The fact that Apple Macintosh has come up in the world, to say the least – surpassing all the others is more like it, with so many great software, and hardware options it is highly encouraging – and a confirmation that I made the right choice in the desktop computer I chose, when they were undiscovered treasures.
About the Author: Krisca C. Te is part of the team that manages www.australiancreditcards.com.au, a blog about credit cards and personal finance based in Sydney, Australia. Before she joined ACC, she was an Associate in Deutsche Bank Group under Market and Instruments Control Services.
Your guest author needs to check his facts and history. Word wasn’t even available for Mac until 1995??? Funny, I was using Word to draft pleadings in 1986. I remember using v. 1. And then v. 3. And Word 5.1 (circa 1992) was GREAT.
I hate to pile on, but no one is using Quark these days. I’m a Mac consultant in NYC and almost all of my graphic design clients have switched to InDesign. First, it’s as powerful as Quark. The two programs are functionally similar, realistically. Secondly, and most importantly, for the price of Quark (a hefty $800+), you can juts about buy an entire license of Adobe CS5 ($1200) that includes Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, AND InDesign, all of which are very tightly integrated. Lastly, and this can not be stressed enough, Quark’s support is so horrific as to make Microsoft look like angels. Their history of dominance in the desktop publishing market made Quark indolent and insolent and they did not see their end coming in the form of InDesign until it was too late.
Of course, this is all just my opinion. YMMV.
Paul
I don’t know someone who uses quark these days, they weren’t upgraded just like the other.