Jewish World Review Nov. 8, 2002 / 3 Kislev 5763
By Mark Kellner
http://www.NewsAndOpinion.com |
The holidays are already around the corner --- is a new computer on your gift list?
I was just blessed with a new arrival, and it's becoming part of the
landscape here at "On Computers Central." But unlike previous upgrades, I'm
finding some differences - and the need for a plan.
The move is from one version of Apple Computer's iMac - with a 15-inch
screen and a 700 MHz processor - to the larger, 17-inch display unit, which
sports an 800 MHz processor. Not the biggest of upgrades (though the screen
is much nicer), but an upgrade nonetheless.
The other iMac has about six months' worth of work on it, not to mention a
raft of programs and doo-dads I'd rather not part with. How best to make the
move, and more important, how to make the move a success? Some strategies
have emerged in the past few days, and they can apply to both Windows and
Mac computers.
First, start in parallel, if you can. The older iMac is in one corner of my
desk; the new iMac is in another. (Apple kindly has let me hang on to both
while the transfer is going on.) If I can't find something on the new
computer, or want to compare the new with the old, the old is available to
me. It's also a good backup just in case the new system hiccups somehow.
Second, try to tie things together: Because I have a home network set up, I
can connect the two via Ethernet cables and a wireless router/network hub
that also supports Ethernet connections. In turn, this means I can access
each machine's hard drive on the other computer - that's good for
transferring files and programs. If you have your old and new computers,
either a direct Ethernet connection (using a crossover network cable,
perhaps) or connecting via serial port or Universal System Bus (USB) cables
might do the trick.
When using a USB connection, however, be sure you find a cable which will
support a computer-to-computer hookup; on the Windows side, such cables can
be ordered along with LapLink Gold software, which can be used to network
two computers without going through an Ethernet setup. More information on
LapLink software and cables can be found at www.laplink.com.
Third, take it step-by-step. "Rome wasn't burned in a bay," the wife of a
friend once said, and while that's not the original phrase, you get the
idea. It's best to transfer one program over, make sure it works, and then
add another.
This makes for easier troubleshooting, as well as providing the opportunity
to move just the things you really need and use, as opposed to all the stuff
one might have installed "just in case." Having a new computer with a larger
hard drive doesn't mean, of course, that you need to fill that hard drive in
one day!
Fourth, be ready for problems. I've had some annoying ones - involving
e-mail and access to files (I can't seem to easily attach documents and
other files to outgoing e-mail; what was a one-step process is now two or
three steps) - and I'm waiting for answers from the software vendors
involved. Meanwhile (see step one), my old computer stands ready for use in
a pinch.
The moral here is that problems will happen, even in the best of
circumstances. A good way to handle this is to expect difficulties and have
contingency plans.
Fifth, read up before making a move. If you're going from Macintosh to
Windows (or vice versa), there are steps you can take to make the switch
easier. Reading the user manuals for the operating systems, or an
introductory handbook (such as Windows XP for Dummies from HungryMinds
(stet) or Mac OS X: The Missing Manual Second Editionfrom O'Reilly), can
make for a smoother transfer.
Also good reading are Internet newsgroups and publications specific to your
computer choice, such as PC Magazine or Macworld; each has online editions.
With Internet newsgroups, you can also post questions and get answers from
others who may have been there.
Most important, keep a diary. As you upgrade, note what you did, what worked
and what didn't - so that you can solve problems now and avoid complications
the next time - and trust me, it will happen - that you upgrade again.
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JWR contributor Mark Kellner has reported on technology for industry newspapers and magazines since 1983, and has been the computer columnist for The Washington Times since 1991.Comment by clicking here.
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