The Mac Lawyer Using Macs in Law Firms | Attorney Ben Stevens

Upgrading Your Computer :: Mac Style

By J. Benjamin Stevens on Posted in Mac OS X

Picture_4_1 I am a big fan of Rick Georges‘ FutureLawyer blog. I read it daily, and he frequently has interesting and informative posts about a wide range of legal technology issues. Yesterday, Rick wrote a post in which he lamented the fact that it took him three days to migrate all his software to his new Dell notebook computer. He also wrote an article, The Agony and the Ecstasy of the Laptop Upgrade, for Law.com today on this same subject.

Rick stated in his article that “Purchasing and configuring a new computer is an adventure. It’s somewhat like getting a root canal. You know it’s going to hurt, but you’ll feel much better when it’s over.” He went on to describe his “slow and agonizing” process as “two days and nights of file copying (the system stops every time it sees a file with the same name as the one being copied, requiring user intervention),” followed by “reinstalling all the software to get the essential files in the Windows folder.”

Picture_3_2 The worst part is that this agony is not necessary! Mac OS X Tiger makes moving all of your files, music, photos, documents, etc. from your old Mac to your new Mac a simple, quick, easy process. When you’re ready to make the “big move,” you simply connect the two Macs with a FireWire cable and run the Migration Assistant. Once you double click on this program, it asks you a series of screens with simple questions about what you want to do, and then it will make the move for you (including copying your settings for things like email, bookmarks and more).

When I buy a new computer, I don’t want to dread the experience or to compare it to a “root canal” at any time in any way. Fortunately, as a Mac user, I don’t have to. At the risk of sounding like I’m making a pulpit call, you don’t have to either, my brothers and sisters. Yes, you too can reap this and the other many benefits that Macs offer. Come join the flock — you too Rick! We Mac users will welcome you with open arms.

You can read more about the Migration Assistant at Apple’s Move All Your Stuff to a New Mac — Quick.

  • http://profile.typekey.com/rgeorges/ Richard Georges

    I would love to, Ben, but then how could we have these lovely colloquies about the relative advantages and disadvantages of the various operating systems? Unfortunately, ProDoc, HotDocs, Amicus, and other of my favorite legal apps won’t run on a Mac. Why don’t we compromise? Let’s both go to Ubuntu Linux? :-)
    Rick

  • http://www.themaclawyer.com J. Benjamin Stevens

    Rick,
    I used to use Amicus, Hot Docs, etc back when I was a PC guy. I have weaned myself off them and get by just fine now.
    However, if you are that attached to those programs, you can always run on the Mac using one of the many programs which allow you to do so.
    I plan to post on the current available options for doing so in the coming weeks. Stay tuned, and thanks for your comment.
    Ben

  • http://www.direct2dell.com RichardatDELL

    Hi Ben, I was reading your blog and could not resist the opportunity to mention a couple options that can make the transfer of information from an old PC to a new one pretty straightforward, although likely not helpful to Mac folks. However, like I said, I could not resist. The best solution I have seen is Intellimover which can be purchased from Dell. It consists of software and a special USB cable to facilitate the process. Of course a USB Key works fine too or you can also purchase an onsite install from Dell. If the info isnt helpful to you, it might be helpful to some of your friends :-)