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Posted by Franz Grieser
Apr 17, 2008 at 05:29 PM
Hi.
>I’m also a bit confused about the relative merits of
>the different Mac models (let’s assume all using Leopard). What models are people
>using, and why?
- Mac Mini (Intel DualCore) - because I already had an excellent 20” display and wanted a (relatively) cheap and silent computer;
- iBook G4, 12” screen - because I wanted the smallest Mac portable as I only use it for writing when out of the office and do not need a huge display; the Macbook Air was not available when I got my iBook but I wouldn’t have bought it as I wouldn’t carry around such an expensive machine.
Franz
Posted by Stephen Zeoli
Apr 17, 2008 at 05:59 PM
I appreciate the input from all. Here’s what I’m leaning toward now:
- for composition: Scrivener
- for general all-purpose note taker: Circus Ponies Notebook (because I like OneNote in the PC world)
- for information collection and management: still thinking about this but top contender would be DevonThink
I also think I won’t be able to resist OmniOutliner and Opal.
But keep the suggestions flowing. It is always fun to be starting from scratch!
The MacBook I’m getting was the top model from 2007—black, thank goodness.
Thanks!
Steve Z.
Posted by Stephen Zeoli
Apr 17, 2008 at 06:03 PM
Franz Grieser wrote:
>You surely know you can use Parallels or VMware to install Windows and Zoot on your Mac. Dragging notes or
text snippets from Zoot to a Mac application (or the other way round) works. I think there was a thread on using Zoot on the Mac on the Zoot mailing list.
Franz,
I am aware of this, but one thing I’m unsure of is, do I also have to buy a copy of Windows to do this or is it enough just to get Parallels or VMware?
Thanks!
Steve Z.
Posted by Stephen Zeoli
Apr 17, 2008 at 06:22 PM
David Dunham wrote:
>I naturally use Opal for outlining, and will
>give you a discount if you decide to buy it. (Do download the 30 day trial!)
>
BTW, David, I am not entirely new to the Mac world. I owned a Mac II back in the day and was an ACTA customer. I’m looking forward to trying Opal.
Steve Z.
Posted by Hugh
Apr 17, 2008 at 06:33 PM
Stephen Zeoli wrote:
>I appreciate the input from all. Here’s what I’m leaning toward now:
>
>- for
>composition: Scrivener
>- for general all-purpose note taker: Circus Ponies
>Notebook (because I like OneNote in the PC world)
>- for information collection and
>management: still thinking about this but top contender would be DevonThink
>
>I also
>think I won’t be able to resist OmniOutliner and Opal.
>
>But keep the suggestions
>flowing. It is always fun to be starting from scratch!
>
>The MacBook I’m getting was
>the top model from 2007—black, thank goodness.
>
>Thanks!
>
>Steve Z.
A couple of points:
- you may not be aware that a few of the best new Mac apps (e.g. Together) only work on Leopard - and obviously not all 2007 MacBooks come pre-loaded with it
- OmniOutliner basic flavour comes with the OS (as distinct from the Pro flavour, which is the one I referrred to above)
- before settling on a data collector and manager it’s worth reading Ted Goranson’s columns about outliners and datastores in About This Particular Macintosh, since say 2005, and Melodie Neal’s six parter on “litter collectors” in her Deep Litter blog starting 5th March 2007 (http://melodien.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2007-01-01T00%3A00%3A00%2B11%3A00&updated-max=2008-01-01T00%3A00%3A00%2B11%3A00&max-results=29) - both aged sets of reviews, but many of the points they both make about individual apps are not out-of-date
- DevonThink is now regarded as long in the tooth and somewhat clunky, as we await Version 2.0; but some of us keep the faith because we think that the development team who came up with the then-innovatory Version 1 can’t fail to turn up something good and clever for 2.0 (a bit like Zoot’s development, I suppose). BTW, I think for serious use DT Pro is the minimum version to get.
H