[Atheist]

I've often compared switching from a PC to a Mac to switching from left-hand drive to right-hand drive. Everything functions... it's just different. Immediately after making the switch, you keep turning on the windshield wipers when signalling a turn. Or walking up to the passenger door and getting halfway in the car before realizing the steering wheel is on the other side. The car gets you from point A to point B... but everything just seems funky. That was my experience when moving to a country with right-hand drive. It was also my experience when making the switch to a Mac. I knew it would do what I wanted it to do.. it was just in a different place. What makes matters worse is that, in general, the world is PC-centric. It's like I'm in my left-hand drive car, operating in a right-hand drive world. It's seems they drive on the right on the Internet Superhighway. And I'm trying to drive on the left. That's my biggest concern when it comes to getting my friends and family to switch. Pretty much everywhere you go on the net, they presume you're running IE on a PC. That can be frustrating for someone who has just made the switch.

My question is this: How do you help prepare people for the switch?

[RAILhead]

Assure them that most of their data is still viable on the Mac. I help transfer pics, bookmarks, personal files, etc.

[Atheist]

Originally Posted by RAILhead 

Assure them that most of their data is still viable on the Mac. I help transfer pics, bookmarks, personal files, etc.

I guess I'm more concerned with look and feel as opposed to content. The objections I receive most have to do with things just not feeling right. (Difficult to quantify).

[TETENAL]

Don't bother switching people to Macs. That's the job of Apple's marketing department.

[RAILhead]

I've never had anyone -- even seasoned Windows users -- balk at he UI and OS feel after spending a day or so with it. As long as the person knows how to access the apps their most interested in (Safari, Mail, etc.), most are good to go.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by Atheist 

I've often compared switching from a PC to a Mac to switching from left-hand drive to right-hand drive. Everything functions... it's just different. Immediately after making the switch, you keep turning on the windshield wipers when signalling a turn.

BTW, this is not a RHD vs LHD thing. Which side the indicator stalk is on and which side the wipers are on tends to be a manufacturer specific thing. LHD and RHD Porsches have the indicator stalk on the left, for example. Just a guess, but when changing to RHD did you move to Japan?

On topic: How do I prepare people for the Mac switch? I give 'em the Apple Store phone number.

[PowerPc = Pwnage]

"If you don't like it, just run windows on it." That always gets the PC supporter in the argument.