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Noonster · Apr 21, 2005, 03:10 AM

Not sure if this is the right section... but couldnt find one for .mac.

Now that i have Tiger ordered, i have been reading that it works really well with .mac and that to get the best from Tiger having a .mac account is a good idea. Therefore i am thinking about buying it.

.mac is currently on offer in the uk (�20 off)
- IS it worth the money??

Basically what are the advantages of having a .mac account and what makes you want to shell out your money on it every year.

Any help and info on this would be great

Cheers
Darren

philm · Apr 21, 2005, 03:43 AM

It makes a number of things very easy such as syncing your Address Book. You can also easily move files into your iDisk using the Finder and they are then immediately hosted on the web. I find that very helpful. I believe that you can achieve all of the things .Mac offers using more protracted methods for less money. But for me, its simplicity and ease of use is worth the money. With �20 off, why not give it a go for one year.

Noonster · Apr 21, 2005, 03:48 AM

^^ So you just drag and drop files... can they then be accessed by anyone or do you need to log into .mac online to view them??

This could be very handy if you need a username and password to see them and access them.

Yeah i am very tempted mate with the money off - just trying to see if its worth the �50... because every year after that its going to cost me �70 right?

Thanks for the reply

- Anyone else?

Randman · Apr 21, 2005, 03:50 AM

There's been lots of threads on this. Half the people will say it's a waste of money and they get more value elsewhere, hosting their own web page, etc.

The other half will tell you it's worth the money for the ease and convenience (and with new .mac-related features in Tiger) and the extras.

I think .mac is worth the cost (though I've been able to get discounts on renewal). For my web needs, the email and the sync functions, it's well worth the cost, imo. I also like how you can use the @mac.com mail, address book, ical and Safari boomark features on any computer, even a peecee.

Best way for you to find out though, is try it out for yourself.

Randman · Apr 21, 2005, 03:51 AM

You can set your iDisk public folder to require a password or to be open to others. Also, very handy when you need to pass on a file and its too large for email.

Noonster · Apr 21, 2005, 04:22 AM

^^ Thanks for the reply...
- Yeah i know there are arguments for both sides.... thats why i asked what makes you have it and not is it good or not

Passwording iDisk - sounds good... always sending things from work to home etc... and its a pain through email

Having my home bookmarks with me at work would be handy... just shame i cant have safari on the pc

Maflynn · Apr 21, 2005, 05:57 AM

Like Randman said there' a ton of threads here for and against .mac. for me, I think its well worth the price. The intergration with OSX, the .mac email account and the storage all pay for themselves.

Others can rightly say that you can get a better deal, but I'm I was not looking for the cheapest but what fit my needs best.

Mike

Noonster · Apr 21, 2005, 07:30 AM

Is everything listed here
- http://www.mac.com/1/memberbenefits_nm.html

The same for the UK??

IE... would i get the version tracker subscription? and is this free EVERYTIME i renew my .mac subscription or just the first time??

bells0 · Apr 21, 2005, 08:11 AM

Does ical work on a PC? ie can i change my calendar?

Have my Powermac and ibook synced and then publish my calendar so i can look at work when on a pc, but cant seem to be able to change it from my work pc. Is a pain if i suddenly remember something whilst at work!

Cadaver · Apr 21, 2005, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by bells0

Does ical work on a PC? ie can i change my calendar?

Have my Powermac and ibook synced and then publish my calendar so i can look at work when on a pc, but cant seem to be able to change it from my work pc. Is a pain if i suddenly remember something whilst at work!

As of now, web-posted iCal calendars are view-only.

stuffedmonkey · Apr 21, 2005, 09:58 PM

In short - no. It's an almost pure profit addon. When i worked for The Great Fruit of Steve Retail - it quickly became about extended warranty whoring and then became about .Mac whoring. It's a bizarrely random collection of services too. Save the 100$ - if it's burning a hole in your pocket buy some more ram. That will let you get more out of your mac definately.

Macpilot · Apr 21, 2005, 10:47 PM

You get it for $70 with a new Mac. Refer others and keep getting the discount. The integration is very cool. I don't want to learn how to make a website. A lot of people don't. It does almost everything for you. For us, it is very cool.

So my answer is yes, it is worth it.

Apple sells a solution. To take the most advantage out of iLife, .mac is essential. Salespeople are just doing there jobs when they try to sell this and AppleCare. After all, Apple is a business and its purpose is to profit. Saying .mac is a ripoff is like saying everything Apple sells is a ripoff.

If you won't use it, then don't get it.

mattmarshall · Apr 21, 2005, 11:03 PM

Look, if you do it just on a cost basis, then no. But usually mac users look at things like ease of use, and design -- in which case, it's a good service. I think with Tiger, it is smarter and better integrated.

I do think the mac.com web site needs to be better, however. It's ok for checking mail, but when I'm away from my mac, I'd prefer it to be something more integrated. I think that end is ok, but not impressive.

- matt

Noonster · Apr 22, 2005, 02:27 AM

Thanks for all the replies so far...
- The money isnt burning a whole in my pocket and i have 1gb or ram and find that enough for what i do, If it cost �10 or �120 then i would still be asking the same question as i am just interested in what makes people pay for it.

I want to click a button and use programs like automator the rezise images and upload them to webspace without me doing anything more.... I also like the idea of my bookmarks being everywhere and that i can get to my callender and address work whereever i am.

At the moment i am thinking go for it.... but i am also thinking would upgrading iLife 04 to iLife 05 be better as that also works better with Tiger.

I definatly cant afford both

leperkuhn · Apr 22, 2005, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by bells0

Does ical work on a PC? ie can i change my calendar?

Have my Powermac and ibook synced and then publish my calendar so i can look at work when on a pc, but cant seem to be able to change it from my work pc. Is a pain if i suddenly remember something whilst at work!

If you're up for it, you could use phpicalendar to edit the ical files (/Library/Calendars/) so if you're on your mac you use ical, and if you're anywhere else you use the web browser.

I'll be setting that up very soon. Good idea to make backups regularly if that's the case. I'll be using automator to do frequent backsups.