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Agg · May 25, 2005, 11:53 AM

Just bought my first ibook. Great little machine. It came with Panther installed but an upgrade DVD for Tiger. I'm guessing a clean install is the best option but thought I'd check first.

Thanks

DarwinX · May 25, 2005, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by Agg

Just bought my first ibook. Great little machine. It came with Panther installer but an upgrade DVD for Tiger. I'm guessing a clean install is the best option but thought I'd check first.

Thanks

If you just got it and there is nothing on it, I see no problem in doing a clean install. There is also nothing wrong with doing an "Archive and Install" also. Either way you should be good to go.

Agg · May 25, 2005, 11:57 AM

Great. Thats what I figured.

I have always been pretty handy with PCs. I look forward to getting to know my mac a little better and contributing to the forum in the future.

Millennium · May 25, 2005, 11:59 AM

If there isn't anything on it except the Apple bundle, you should be able to do a plain upgrade without any trouble, but this isn't an opinion many people here share. I haven't tried a plain upgrade with Tiger yet (I'm waiting on the Cisco VPN client, and then I'll try it on my PowerBook) but I've done it with previous OSX versions without any problems.

Agg · May 25, 2005, 12:21 PM

I read through a few posts this morning regarding the Tiger install. Seemed as though it was a split decision by most members. When I posted, I was leaning towards fresh install unless I got flamed for wanting to do something so PC-esk

I pulled it directly out of the box. Started the OS, and then did a complete reinstall. I have extra time this morning and figured its better to be safe then sorry.

Thanks again.

CaptainHaddock · May 25, 2005, 03:11 PM

Welcome to the Mac club!

I'm pretty new too. When I bought Tiger, I just did a regular upgrade (too many files and settings to risk losing), and it worked out just fine.

Gee4orce · May 27, 2005, 03:51 AM

If it's a clean machine then the best option is a clean install.

I've run every version of OS X from Public Beta onwards, and I've always done an upgrade rather than an archive and install, and this has never caused me problems.

westrock · May 27, 2005, 04:22 AM

I've been a Mac'er for about 1 month now. Its kinda easy learning the new ways. If you were intuitive on the PC, you should be able to figure out stuff on the Mac.

One thing to remember, alot of stuff that was on PC as ctrl- is now command- (that little curly thing next to the space). Like ctrl-c for copy is command-c.

However, I heard this bit of advice and it seems to be the best. Don't look at it as how can I do something I use to do in Windows, look at it as How can I solve the problem.

However there is one thing that kills me still. You can't cut and paste a file in Finder. The cut option is there, but its greyed out. I was told you just can't do this in OSX, and now I just open a new Finder and drag and drop. But still the ability to cut and paste a file should be a no brainer.

Oh and hitting enter in Finder will allow you to rename the file...a nice touch.

Gee4orce · May 27, 2005, 04:37 AM

Originally Posted by westrock

However there is one thing that kills me still. You can't cut and paste a file in Finder. The cut option is there, but its greyed out. I was told you just can't do this in OSX, and now I just open a new Finder and drag and drop. But still the ability to cut and paste a file should be a no brainer.

Gah ! Don't open that can of worms !

Basically, Cut'n'Paste is not an appropriate metaphor for file management, but it's one that Windows has used and people have got used to. The real problem is that it's non-deterministic. ie. you can't be sure exactly what will happen until you use it. For instance, try cut-n-pasting different kinds of files and applications between different folders, and folders on network volumes, etc. The idea of 'cutting' a file is ridiculous - what happens if you never paste it again - what happens to the file ?

This is a big bone of contention between Mac and Windows users. My advice is to leave this topic well alone !

westrock · May 27, 2005, 05:29 AM

Good point, as your argument is good. And in describing it I think you gave me an alternative. I'll just drag to the desktop, make my way to the other folder, and then drag back. Though Command-N works OK too.

Like I said its not "How Do I mimick Windows", its "How do I solve the problem".

mitchell_pgh · May 27, 2005, 06:37 AM

I think you will see that everyone has their preference and some may argue that one is better than the next... that being said, you will probably get the same results either way.

Catfish_Man · May 27, 2005, 07:08 AM

Originally Posted by westrock

Good point, as your argument is good. And in describing it I think you gave me an alternative. I'll just drag to the desktop, make my way to the other folder, and then drag back. Though Command-N works OK too.

Like I said its not "How Do I mimick Windows", its "How do I solve the problem".

NeXTStep, which OSX is derived from, had an interesting solution to this issue; specifically it had a "shelf" for temporary storage of items. I believe some shareware (and possibly freeware, not sure) apps provide features similar to this, including XShelf, and PathFinder. Haven't really looked at it in a while though.

Oh yes, spring loaded folders also help; hover a drag over a folder, and it will open the folder, allowing you to "drill down" into subfolders.

JKT · May 27, 2005, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by westrock

Good point, as your argument is good. And in describing it I think you gave me an alternative. I'll just drag to the desktop, make my way to the other folder, and then drag back. Though Command-N works OK too.

Like I said its not "How Do I mimick Windows", its "How do I solve the problem".

There are actually a few ways to achieve the equivalent in a less laborious fashion. The easiest is to use the Spring-Loaded folders feature - drag your file over a folder or disk icon in e.g. the same window or in your sidebar or on the desktop (but not your Dock where this still doesn't work, grrr), and hover it there. After a second or so* that folder will open automagically. You can repeat this and tunnel your way up or down numerous folders to the desired location.

If you use Exposé, you can open the target folder, drag your file(s), press the shortcut for show all windows or show windows of the frontmost app and drag to the target window, hover for a while and that folder's window will spring to the fore so that you can drop the file(s) in it.

* You can set the delay using the Finder preferences, or automatically induce the spring by pressing space as you hover.