Discussion on:

10 ways to help your users switch from Windows to Mac

It's like a mechanic refusing to put square wheels on your company bus - and you're just dumb enough to fire him for it. Good luck with that.
A windows platform may not always be best for the job at hand (there's *nix, after all) but unless your job is spending daddies money at the itunes shop, it's NEVER gonna be a mac. NEVER.

with regards to what Macintosh and it's OS are not able to do for said IT mechanic in their shops.

Would you think a surgeon incompetent if they refused to sew a tail on to your ass?

If as a CEO you want to move all of your staff to iOS and Macs and iPhones and iPads, fine, everyone will absolutely love having that lovely kit, me included.... but don't come blaming me when your IT budget has quadrupled and the shareholders are asking hard questions about the profits falling.

"most Windows users are familiar with the need to navigate to applications or preferences by clicking a Start button and following a concourse of menus. Not so in OS X, which makes application access as easy as performing a simple gesture."
The middle finger?
Just kidding, but seriously, its just in a different menu, its still the same between Windows and Mac. And when you have 1000's of programs installed, the Start menu suddenly makes sense.


"Windows users are typically accustomed to purchasing software applications in a box or surfing a variety of manufacturer Web sites to load programs"
Windows users are also accustomed to feeling like they own the software, not renting it, and that there is a reasonable chance that their 15 year old program will still work.

"Users new to the Mac should also be given an overview, if brief, explaining how OS X is powered by UNIX, an OS widely held to be a more stable, more reliable, and more secure code base than is found in Windows. "
Powered by BSD, not UNIX, and no user actually cares.
.dmg files, LOL, "Find and run the damage file".
What other common commands are you talking about? CLi commands?

"you can show them how to open Safari, Apples stand-in for Internet Explorer. Most Web browser-accessed, cloud-based applications are compatible with Safari."
How come Apple doesn't get sued for this? Microsoft did.

"quires Mac users to open Finder (found on the Dock), click Go, select Go To Server, enter the host address (such as smb://FS01 or smb://192.168.1.2) into the Server Address field, and click Connect. Theyll be asked to enter an authorized username and password to connect to the target share. "
Wow... just wow, obviously Windows does this better as its Native, but Even in Ubuntu and Mint, you just click network and it shows you your windows machines and opens the shares. A normal user is expected to know how to do this on a Mac?

"Most users now know just to tap an application to select, access, and open the program. Apple brings such functionality to the computer desktop via Launchpad. Using a simple gesture (three fingers down and thumb up) on an Apple Trackpad or clicking Launchpad opens the OS X app. Each application appears as a single icon on the full screen display. Users just need to click an icon to launch the application. While the feature is now old hat for Mac users, Windows users (other than those whove already adopted Windows 8) will be unfamiliar with the practice on a laptop or desktop computer."
The only unfamiliar feature is the strange mouse crap you had to do, you might as well have the user tap their heels and repeat, "There is no place like email, there is no place like email, there is no place like email" to open their email app, its about as intuitive.
Did you know in Windows (and most Nix distros) you can just click on that pictographic representation of the application and it opens.

"Whereas Windows printer installation can test even the most seasoned technicians patience"
I think it really only tests the authors patience, anyone with two brain cells rubbing together and figure out how to right click a printer in the list and choose connect.

I can't picture what this means. What are 'down' and 'up' in this context?

a four finger pinch (three fingers and thumb = app/task/desktop view) Apple and Microsoft both support mulittouch, but I think Microsoft's is geared towards large displays (20+ points) with multiple users while Apple has focused on gesture navigation.

Yeah, that had me trying to figure out how on earth it could be comfortable having your thumb above three fingers. I figured out it meant "have three fingers on top, your thumb on the bottom, then drag them towards each other".

"Computer platforms sometimes mimic political affiliations or religious beliefs" Ah, yes the COOLNESS factor recently mentioned on Apple's UK website.

Having to relearn an OS every few years is extremely frustrating. Remember having to learn how to write in Palm? Gestures are NOT even that intuitive... Is it swipe left? twist the thumb? - All a bit like trying to use Windows without a pointing device - ALT-SHIFT-TAB anyone?

Let's think back to the real mission (make office work easier) of Xerox PARC the day Steve Jobs visited and saw the prototype mouse. My users are actually only interested in getting their own work done. They do NOT want to waste time fighting with a new GUI every few years. Apple is just as guilty as Microsoft when it comes to hiding the same functions in a new place. As a fellow FSE once said in the 1980's at a new product training class "Just tell us what you changed the name to and where you hid it this time"

I'm begging the cool GUI designers to at least remember to include a switch that lets us change the GUI back to the old look & feel for those users who will be retiring in the next few years.

I've been on a Mac at home for about four years. My next upgrade will be back to Windows because I can't customize the Mac to work the way I want to.

Mac's are pretty, and stable, and they might be great for the typical user, but they don't work for me.

By "typical user" I mean someone that just wants to web browse and use the supplied apps.

May just as well leave Windows for Ubuntu 12.
Its really easy to use now .
It has Firefox which most people know and have used.
It uses a side bar for the programs most used including the free office suite .
Can open word documents and excel documents
Recognizes networks out of the box and is just as easy as Windows to get up and running.
Also you can use the live CD for training purposes and let them play around a bit.
I had not uses Linux for the last couple of years because win 7 was working so well but I read an article saying how easy it had become so I downloaded it.
It really is as easy as win 8 to learn, maybe even easier

If you're going to switch from windows, forget Mac and the apple crapple go to Linux - its free for starters.... Mac SUCKS!!

I though Linux trolls concentrated their attacks on Microsoft products. Today I learned they'll go after their *nix brethren too.

Your comment was not necessary.
There is nothing wrong with comparing Linux or Windows with Mac.
It is part of the conversation.
To move from Windows to a Mac entails learning a different way of working.
The same applies from Windows to Ubuntu
The same applies from Apple to Ubuntu.
Certainly ,my point about Ubuntu was that it is now just as easy to learn as a Mac and probably easier than learning Win 8.
The One thing the Mac has going for it is Win Office and some accounting software (even that is up for debate ).
But for everyday web work which is all a lot of companies use machines for it would be cheaper and equally as good.
My situation is one Win 7 to do the bills etc and the other machines I use are just as useful with a free or really cheap distro.
Also you can actually load Linux on a Win machine without having to hack it.
Apple has it shut down to most people and it does not like its OS on old Windows Machines.

So Linux is part of the discussion even if it Upsets the Apple fans

No, there is nothing wrong with comparing operating systems or hardware platforms. Anyone using derogatory terms like 'crapple' and 'Apple sucks' as rosshiuk did (or 'sux', 'sheeple', 'Windoze', M$, etc.), isn't interested in making intelligent comparisons.

I do not know about every Windows users but my users typically do not go to the start button to finding application - They use the quick launch bar or shortcuts

How is the dock different then the quick launch bar (or now pinning something to the taskbar)
or the "launch pad" different than the "start button" you still have to click on something to bring up applications list. They are just different names -

Still however there is a trend of growing number of people switching to the Mac OSx-(often for misinformed reasons) it would be nice to see an unbiased article to help users make the transition - at the same time it needs to be realistic about somethings.
Such as in the small business world - QuickBooks prevails as the dominant accounting package, yet the windows and OSx version do not work together (well)- the business using OSx cannot send their QB files to a CPA that is using windows(easily). The Vast majority of CPAs will insist on using only Windows version of QB.
Solution for the business that insist on going Mac either install parallels with windows and QB for windows or go to one of the host QuickBooks providers (yet, either solution they would still be using windows seems complicated.
Businesses wanting to make this transition need to be couched or informed about this making sure they check with CPAs/Accounts first.
They need to be informed that not only is there a higher starting cost for the computer, but everything cost more if they want to run Parallels to run windows there is additional cost for both.
To run parallels or Bootcamp they will need to know or translate which key on the mac keyboard equates to which key in windows.
Home users that need to connect back to the company many not be able to depending on which remote and cloud services that company has chosen to invest in and support.
To me there is a lot more in transitioning to Mac than saying its better because it is based on unix.
Isolated Amazon Indian tribes do not get the common cold does that mean that they are healthier? No, when is it introduced to them they die from it. It just means they do not get it because they are isolated. The number of Mac Virus continues to grow along with the trend of growing users this they are safer argument is unfounded.

The greatest problem that has to be overcome is resistance to change.

The resistance to change can be easier to overcome when the reasons to change are explained.

assessment! It also helps if the software ecosystem is mature enough to work with existing enterprise infrastructure which happens to be Microsoft.

For the Apple crowd trying to conjure up parallels with Novell... Microsoft ate Novell's lunch in the enterprise due to a little thing called TCP/IP and the Internet.

I don't believe it is fear of change most IT admins have. It's not wanting to:
* Learn new systems
* Document new systems
* Learn the incompatibilities between the existing systems and the new
* Research solutions for the incompatibilities
* Document the incompatibilities
* Train your staff in the new system (or hire new staff)
* Find workarounds for things that don't work at all on the new system
* etc etc

Unless the payoff is large, it's not going to counter the significant cost of change. And when you're flat-out doing other, more productive work, that payoff had better be huge to make you stop and do all the above work just to support a system that is functionally basically the same, but just happens to be a personal preference of some employees because "it's what I use at home" or "it looks cooler".

There are two kinds of people in the world: People who like things to work and People who use Windows.
I know this statement can be antagonizing - but when you think about - it is more true than not.

I converted from Windows to MAC for my business and have had great success. I work with a team that can develop on MACs - tools are much more stable, deploy on Windows servers for testing and Unix servers for production - seamlessly.

A Unix platform is the most widely used and is considered the most secure. It also allows greater portability of applications from laptops to servers, and yes even to mainframes (even though for some this may be a dirty word )

The MAC OS X uses less memory and is faster (on average) than a Windows machine attempting to do identical work.

I applaud the author in encouraging people to move from Windows to MAC.

Better integration (technology and software), stability, and security - should be key drivers.

And yes I know there are purists that want to control every little thing in their machines from memory, to disks, to video cards, etc. And Yes I do know that a "Hackintosh" is cheaper to build than a Mac laptop.

However, from a business perspective - running support structures for my company - if I can reduce the cost of failures in software, reboots, constant security patches, and lower productivity in my employees due to these outages, then the cost of moving to a slightly more expensive (an possibly less flexible - from a hardware perspective) is worth it. The most expensive costs are people - reducing outages and support costs allow my employees to work better, be happier, and get their jobs done faster.

I just make economic sense.

Those who think there are only two kinds of people, and those who think trying to shoehorn everyone into one of two categories usually results in poor fitting.

Those that understand binary, and those that don't.

LMAO

Well said. I can't respect a post that starts off with 'There are two kinds of people in the world...'

Nothing like a Mac convert who tells everyone how bad it used to be, and how wonderful it is now that he has wised up and seen the light. I spent many years in a Mac-heavy office (publishing software developer) wondering why the Macs, who the users insisted never crashed, always ran perfectly and speedily, and were no-brainers to use, were always locking up, crashing, taking forever to reboot, refusing to print (while the little smiley face apologized), and being difficult to figure out when problems arose.

Then I volunteered in a third-grade computer lab full of Macs, and spent nearly the whole time rebooting locked up machines or troubleshooting errors. Returned a few years later and found an OSX-equipped Mac in the classroom, tried to access a simple record file, and guess what? Yep, crashed. Teacher said it happens all the time, no big deal.

Yep, nothing like a Mac convert-evangelist to tell you how great things are on the other side, at least in his dreams, after he switched from a 5-year-old worn down PC to a new, twice the cost Mac hot off the assembly line..

Butt Linux converts can be pretty preachy too.

I was a Microsoft Administrator for 10 years before focusing on Networking (CCNP stuff).
About a year ago my company asked me if I would like to use a Macbook Pro.
I said "Why not, let me try it". Now after a year, I don't want to touch a Windows Machine!! Luckily, I don't need MMC to manage my routers and Switches. I just love the MacBook !!

Since outlook for mac and Iphone calendaring will completely hose your outlook calendar. You have to remind them that any changes they make to calendar items, may or may not appear on their calendar.
And they need to hire an assistant with a PC to take over their calendaring.

Just curious, why would anybody in a good mind would do it? I have switched just to get taste of it and do some XCode development. Eventually I got back to PC for everything except IOS stuff.

.

I don't think it's that hard to move between any two modern GUI environments--apart from a few philosophical differences in how they treat the user. Windows, OS X, Ubuntu, et al.--it just doesn't matter as much as it once did.

I'm not the only person I know who doesn't use Apple products because Apple is Chinese. Obviously my Malaysian-made Dell has some Chinese parts, but it didn't drop ship from China right to my door. I'm serious enough about not supporting a country that cheats on trade, cheats on IP rights, exploits labor, enslaves its own citizens, etc., that I'll probably build my next computer, which I haven't done in years.

I'll have to compromise, of course. Some important components are no longer made outside China, and I'm not considering becoming Amish,

.

Prepare your user for a MUCH lighter wallet.

Tell them that PC users are pudgy clueless dorks, and Mac users are cool laid-back professionals popular with the opposite sex.

Tell them that PC's crash all the time and Macs never crash, ever. Compare the speed and smoothness of a brand-new, top of the line Mac with their 7-year-old PC running the original installation, including the bloatware that came with it.

Tell them that Macs are intuitive and easy to use and PC's are difficult and non-intuitive (never mind the 'rest of the story' which is that whatever system you're accustomed to is easier and more intuitive)

Tell them that the glowing apple logo is a sign of brotherhood with other members of the apple elite, and they'll be respected when others see it, not viewed as just another apple dork.

Tell them that they're paying for superior quality components, made overseas under strict standards.

Tell them how nice it is to go into a nice big white sparkling apple store so the genius can explain why the problem is your fault and you can either buy a refurb for a discount, or be a true apple-respected customer and just buy a new one, along with a couple of whatever new i-devices are handy.

And of course, tell them that money doesn't matter to apple lovers, because they are getting the best. (the best brainwashing marketers can provide, but leave that part out).

Our IT support resisted the use of Mac's initially, now they highly recommend them. We have a large external organization they have to support, the support time has been more than cut in half and is practically not necessary for the Macs. The do not have blue screen issues, we do not have hardware repair issues. The up front cost is higher, but the up time and savings on support side more than make up for it. Also the people we have given Mac's will not give them up. So the people with negative comments should dig in a little further before trashing the conversion.

No wonder some people switch to Mac. It must be infuriating having blue screens and hardware trouble all the time. All I can imagine is that they have very bad luck, or are doing something very wrong on their Windows machines. I work for a small company that is basically an outsourced IT department for other small companies. We support around 500 desktops across multiple clients. 80% would be HP corporate desktops, but there is a mix of clones and other brands too. I couldn't tell you the last time I was asked to look at a blue screen across any of them. I also don't see many hardware issues. One client bought a bunch of cheap Acer slimlines about 9 years ago. Most of their power supplies have died - they really are crappy machines. Beyond that though I can't recall any recent issues, which is surprising as some machines are very old, and some are in extreme environments.

I'm an advocate for choosing good quality hardware, and good quality software (particularly drivers). Mac provide both. The combination of Microsoft software and corporate hardware also provide both.

1. Lobotomy.
2. Double their salary.

Hmm... That's only 2.

... when TechRepublic publishes in depth advice on how to migrate to a Mac...

Kind of like the rats are leaving the boat, LOL...

I predict that by Christmas we'll see fire sales on all Windows 8 machines as people finally realize after trying them out how aggravating it is to use this 'thing' Microsoft insists is an 'operating system'...

"...we'll see fire sales on all Windows 8 machines..."

Just on conventional desktops and laptops. The tablet / portable media consumption device users will probably be very happy with their purchases.

...As usual, your remark is very astute, thanks for the correction

What's the motivation for this article? Seriously... not being sarcastic here. As good as Mac hardware is, I can't imagine an existing Windows enterprise migrating to an Apple Enterprise. I don't even see this as a blip on the radar.

I think this would have been better for the home user. There will be some migration away from "PCs" to the MAC hardware with the movement to BYOD. However you'll still be logging into a M$ VM... so... mabye it was just let people know that if you drag your Start Menu to the top you'll be on OS X while not working?