Who owns a Mac?

donrael

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Sep 26, 2005
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was wondering how many of you own Macs and if you guys have had to get it serviced on the island?
i cant imagine being able to find any form of tech support for Macs in DR.

thanks

also, I have some really great programs that you could get for free (or almost free) and thought I'd share it w/ my fellow Macsters of DR1:

one program i like a lot is:

viJournal
its a journaling program you can use to write personal everyday stuff, its password protected and you can also use it to post to your blog.
check it out at:
http://versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/22734

this one cost about $16 ( or free if you got the right contacts...)

just be aware that there are different versions depending on the version of OS X you have.

then there's measuring cup
which is a recipe application you can use to keep al your Dominican savories handy and organized. heck, I've put many recipes from Dominicancooking.com on measuring cup. it is just a great application.

http://versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/24641

this app is completely free, just download it and install it.

there are other real useful ones, let me know if anyone would like me to recommend a few more. they are all free or donationware...meaning you donate a few bucks if you really like it and find it useful.

enjoy
 

Robert

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Jan 2, 1999
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We use Macs here at DR1. This post was typed on a Mac :)

Service is available here via a couple of Apple authorized dealers.

The oldest dealership is owned by Mike Benson (American).

Email: mbenson@siscontec.com
 

DRshooter

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I have 2 macs. A 17" G4 powerbook and a 20" G5 iMac.

Here in Santiago we have a very good mac store called macpro. It is located at plaza Jorge 2 right across the street from Pola supermarket.

I switched from using PC's about 4 years ago and I will NEVER buy a PC again.

Hate Windows with a passion...
 

donrael

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Sep 26, 2005
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Ok so scratch that business idea. one more service spot might be too one too many since Macs arent everywhere, especially in a poor country like DR. very very few people will opt for the higher prices.

anyways, it would've been a unique business model....

by the way, I hate WINDOWZZZ w/ a passion too. every time I HAVE to use one othem things I find myself getting sooo aggrevated. after I am done using a PC you would think someone offended me.
 

Dolores1

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May 3, 2000
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I would think there is room for someone willing to do personalized service visits. Niche market that could be built up.
 

Chirimoya

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Dec 9, 2002
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Mac users here. We've been a little let down by the place we bought our first Macs from in terms of service and honouring guarantees, but there are several places to choose from now.

We have one iBook G4 14", a PowerBook G4 17", and a desktop. I was the last to see the light, and with the zeal of the converted I've never looked back. Windows? What's that?
 

leromero

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May 30, 2004
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When I travel I usually take my trusty Powerbook G4 with me. Haven't been let down yet. Even when I worked for Fedex I would tote my own laptop just so I wouldn't have to worry about it. Granted, there are more places that can service a PC, but really come on, how many times have you actually needed to get your Mac worked on? I have a PC desktop which is a lot newer and it's already been to the "shop" once.
 

rafael

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I have a Mac Mini which I actually brought down this trip, but I forgot the power supply in NY. I do dig the little guy but in less than 3 months I had to whack the darn thing and reinstall the OS. I am not even close to a windows fan but haven't had to reinstall and OS in ages.
 

Robert

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donrael said:
Ok so scratch that business idea. one more service spot might be too one too many since Macs arent everywhere, especially in a poor country like DR. very very few people will opt for the higher prices.

I think you'll be surprised how many Mac's in the market place :)
Like... How many people in a poor country can afford to drive a new or 2-3yr old 4x4? Come to Santo Domingo, your see 1000's :)
 

skavoovie1964

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Mar 2, 2006
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I am living in Puerto Plata... Does anyone know where I can buy an iPod? Every electronics store here is sold out.
 

donrael

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The list..some fav mac programs

for the chefs
"A Cooks Books"
i have this but havent used it much, but it looks ok. i prefer the measuring cup.
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/19831


"Measuring Cup"
nice one, i use this one, its free and a great recipe program
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/24641



dictionary/thesaurus

"Nisus Thesaurus"
name says it all...its a thesaurus
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/20677

"ClickAnswers"
just launch it and get answers to questions, it uses the asnwers.com database
http://download1.answers.com/pub/mac/1-Click-Answers-1.0.19.dmg


Graphic

"GraphicConverter"
free graphic program, why spend $900 US on photoshop
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/11559


Utility
"OnyX"
you mac has certain automatic clean-up scripts have to run every month, every week and every day. if its turned off they cant run, so use this every month or so to keep your mac up to date
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/20070


"Preferential Treatment"
looks for and fixes corrupt preferences files...corrupt pref files are a common cause when macs start acting up. sometimes you take your mac to a rep and they charge you to just trash some preferences, so do it yourself
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/22790


Productivity

"OpenOffice.org1.1.2"
alternative to MS office...FREE
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/10456


"NeoOfficeJ"
alternative to MS office...FREE
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/22021


Misc

"RadioLover"
record you fav internet radio shows..this is great, no need to wait for them to repeat certain shows
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/19547


"viJournal"
personal journaling app
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/22734


"NetNewsWire"
one program to get all the news from many sources using RSS
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/17557


Finance/small business
"iCash"
personal finance and small biz app
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/18308


"Accounts"
small business accounting & personal finance
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/13686


"macbusiness"
project time tracking & invoicing for small business
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/21614&vid=266511&mode=info


PM if anyone needs any help w/ any of these

also ADD your fav or most useful apps to the list.

ciao
 

donrael

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Sep 26, 2005
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skavoovie1964 said:
I am living in Puerto Plata... Does anyone know where I can buy an iPod? Every electronics store here is sold out.

why dont you try the internet and have it shipped USPS or something like that
 

rafael

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skavoovie1964 said:
I am living in Puerto Plata... Does anyone know where I can buy an iPod? Every electronics store here is sold out.

In the Acropolis Mall in Santo Domingo is a little booth on the first floor that sells all sorts of tech toys. They had iPods in stock 2 weeks ago when I checked. They even had the iPod boombox from altec lansing and some Sony PSP games and accessories.
 

BAMullins

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iDVD Help?

I need to reload iDVD. Does anyone have a copy of iLife 06 I could borrow? This is the first problem I've had with my 12" Powerbook G4 in two years, and it's probably something I did!

Brian
 

macocael

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Mac all the way. All graphics people use them. There is a dealer/repair shop over on BEnito Mencion 103, just behind the Bellas Artes, called Compusistema. Dont know if the repairs are any good, but he is authorized and talking to him I got the impression that he was reliable.

Btw. You can now run a Mac platform and all the software on a PC. IN other words if you want to build your own PC with all the bells and whistles here -- which you can do fairly cheaply --you can still have a Mac installed in it!!! And this is advantageous,because the cost of construction and the ease of repairing your "PC" make this an attractive option down here, where Macs would cost you a good bit more than they do in the States.
 

leromero

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macocael said:
Btw. You can now run a Mac platform and all the software on a PC. IN other words if you want to build your own PC with all the bells and whistles here -- which you can do fairly cheaply --you can still have a Mac installed in it!!! And this is advantageous,because the cost of construction and the ease of repairing your "PC" make this an attractive option down here, where Macs would cost you a good bit more than they do in the States.

Please give more information. Currently the only way this can be true is if you get a hacked version of Mac OS X 10.4.5 for x86. Even if you did get it there is still no guarantee that you will have anything like native speed or be able to use it all the normal programs on it. It might be possible to use it under emulation on a PC box but that will still slow down the system and is not practical. Just because the new macs use an Intel chip does not mean you can go out and build a mac.
 

Robert

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Jan 2, 1999
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macocael said:
Mac all the way. All graphics people use them. There is a dealer/repair shop over on BEnito Mencion 103, just behind the Bellas Artes, called Compusistema. Dont know if the repairs are any good, but he is authorized and talking to him I got the impression that he was reliable.

That's Mike Benson, I think he has been selling Mac's here for almost 15 years.
Yes, he's VERY knowledgeable and reliable.
 

Robert

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Jan 2, 1999
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macocael said:
Btw. You can now run a Mac platform and all the software on a PC. IN other words if you want to build your own PC with all the bells and whistles here -- which you can do fairly cheaply --you can still have a Mac installed in it!!! And this is advantageous,because the cost of construction and the ease of repairing your "PC" make this an attractive option down here, where Macs would cost you a good bit more than they do in the States.

Mac OS is still tied into Mac hardware and Apple are patching their OS in an attempt to slow down projects like http://maxxuss.konglish.org/.

Sure, you can run an emulator on your PC, but you can also run Linux on a Sony PSP 2.
The question is why? :)
 

macocael

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"Please give more information. Currently the only way this can be true is if you get a hacked version of Mac OS X 10.4.5 for x86."

I am not sure that this was what I looking at Leromero, but i suspect you are right -- i dont see what else it could be. But I will look into the details for you to confirm, because I am very curious myself to know just what is going on here, and whether this is a feasible option. Robert, it might be that this mongrel doesnt perform as well as the real thing, I have no doubt, but as a cheap alternative it might be worthwhile -- if the performance is adequate. That is why I would consider having such a system. I already have my laptop, which for my purposes, functions as my main machine. In addition I have an eMac I picked up cheap (400 US). But I have been wanting to get another desktop setup for various reasons, and I dont want to buy, ship and pay taxes on a new Mac, though I probably will. I could buy from Benson and avoid all that, but he is forced to sell macs at a high price.

I was over at Centu, and the whiz there along with a friend of mine from Listin Diario showed me their set up. This was probably a hacked version as you state, but I didnt bother to ask any detailed questions because I had no intention to act on any of this just yet, and I knew that I could always clarify the details later. However, now is as good a time as any.

We checked a variety of programs, some of which were copied from my G4 iBook, on the system and they all ran at what appeared to be normal speed -- I am talking about graphics programs. But I didnt batch process a series of RAW photo files, for example, which in my view would provide the ultimate test. So I agree, a more rigorous test is in order. I can return some time this week and have a chat with the prof. Give me a few days, and I will bring back the info.

The Intel chip could eventually make all sorts of things possible. For an assessment of the new chip and its performance, here is a good article:

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-7891-8185
 
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