mac

One thing that has been missing on my new iMac is a good image editor like Photoshop.  I’m a little strapped for cash right now, so I did some searching for free image editors for the Mac and currently it seems that GIMP is the closest thing to Photoshop for free.  So, if you don’t want to shell out $649 for a copy, follow these instructions and use GIMP instead.  This install is for an iMac using OS X 10.4.10.

First, install X11.  If you have your Mac OS X install DVD, you can pop it in, close the first window that opens and open the finder window.  Select the CD/DVD icon and double click the Optional Installs application to the right.

Click continue, agree to the software license agreement and choose the hard drive you want to install on.  Next, click the arrow next to Applications and select the checkbox that says  X11.  Then click the button on the lower right corner (mine says “Upgrade” but yours should say “Install”).

You will then be prompted to enter your password to finish the install and you should be good to go with x11!

Now, all you need to do is download GIMP and install that like you’d install any other Mac application.  I went to this Gimp.app site to download the “self contained application bundle of the GNU Image Manipulation Program for OS X”.  I installed GIMP like as normal and then was ready to go…or was I?  For some reason GIMP didn’t run on the first try.  But, when I closed X11 and tried again it worked fine.  Not sure what that was all about.  There are other ways to install GIMP, but this seemed to be the easiest way.

The funny thing is that I’m not too excited about GIMP as it reminds me of Windows.  You can’t use the command key when copying and pasting… you have to use the control key.  But, it is packed full of features and is a pretty close contender to Photoshop.

Now that I have it installed, I’ll probably play around with it a bit, but so far my free graphic editor of choice is GraphicConverter.  But, I discovered another image editing program that I believe will blow them all away whenever it gets released.  It is called Pixelmator.  It is a closed beta, and it is going to be agonizing to wait over the next few months until they release it.  Check out this video of Pixelmator in action.

Sorry, Adobe… if you’re going to charge $649 for photoshop, people like me are going to look for alternatives… and find them! 

Well, after many years of using a PC, I’m finally making the transition back to Apple with a brand new, shiny, brushed steel looking 20″ iMac.

I must say that I am VERY GLAD I BOUGHT THIS IMAC!

It is so clean, sexy looking and much more enjoyable to use than my clunky old Dell. I actually use to be a Mac user and still have my old Mac in the closet, but the last time I was a Mac user was probably in the mid 1990’s…maybe around 1995 or so? The main reason I switched to PC back then was the huge amount of software available and the fact that the PC industry was on fire with new stuff every month. And, they were a lot cheaper than Macs.

Since that time viruses, spyware and buzz about how much Windows Vista sucks made me realize I did not want a new PC for my next computer. I’m done… toast. In one word, Windows is annoying, and the last thing I want to do is mess around with hardware and software compatibility issues after investing in a new PC.

I got this 20″ iMac for $1,199 and it comes with a 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 1 GB memory, 250 GB hard drive and more. I’ve only been using it since Monday and it is amazing how quick I am remembering how to use a Mac after a good 10 years or more of being away from one. My favorite part of this iMac is the display. It is bright, sharp, crisp and clear… stunning to say the least. I treasure it so much I put a towel over it to protect it from my cat.

Actually, I think it would be a good idea if Apple provided some kind of display protector to put on when you’re away. Until then, I found this site which sells iMac screen covers or ScreenSavrz. I’ll probably buy one in the near future or have my fiance or someone maybe knit me one? Wouldn’t it be cool to have a knitted cover with an Apple logo on it? Hmm… sounds like a good money making idea to me!

So far I like everything about this iMac. It boots up in no time, makes my online experience much more enjoyable and best of all I don’t have to worry about viruses and spyware! Right? Well, I must admit I’m not totally up to speed on Mac security, but do know it is far less of a worry compared to PC’s.

My only dislikes so far is that I didn’t do my research and take notice that Mac OS X Leopard will be out soon (I think in October). So, I could have waited a little longer and more than likely got an iMac that shipped with Leopard. Oh well, live and learn. My other complain is that it would be nice if OS X shipped with some kind of Photoshop like graphic editor. I installed GraphicConverter for now and it does the job pretty well. Maybe I can save up a few hundred bucks and buy Photoshop down the road, or get an older copy on eBay.

That’s all for now… I’m still just scratching the surface and have much left to explore. I think I may start posting Mac Tips & Tricks on this blog to help other new Mac users out. To be continued…

I recently ordered an Apple iMac and finally got a FedEx tracking number today.  I logged on to check the shipment status and my jaw dropped when I saw the shipping origin.  Shanghai, China?!  WTF?!  With the bad rap China has been given over the last few months regarding exploding laptop and cell phone batteries, lead in Dora the Explorer toys and even chemical burns on feet I think maybe Apple should think different about this.

Yeah, we all know their products probably come from China, but we don’t want to think about it or be reminded of it.  Sorry, but I had a fantasy of my iMac coming from near the coveted headquarters on 1 Infinite Loop, or at least somewhere near there in California.

We pay a premium for these awesome computers…so Apple, please don’t ruin our fantasies by shipping from China.  Kthxbye.