Day 0

Hello, shalom, evenin' and heyup.

This post, right here, is what I plan to be the first in a series of posts intended to help you; the inveterate, crusty Windows user; see what it's like to finally give in and start working with a Mac.

Who am I? My name is Neil and I'm an SQL Server and Oracle database administrator. I work on Windows. All the time. Even though Oracle trains you on Linux boxen, all our servers run Windows. My brain works on Windows. I've played with Linux, sure. I can get my feet wet with vi (and nethack. SHHH!) But Windows is my bread and butter, and Apple Macs are a complete mystery to me. I've been kicking the tyres of Windows since 95 came out, and I've spent a ton of time with each release. I even bought Windows ME.

Yes. I know. I'm sorry :(

The thing is, I know the Windows way of doing things. I go to work and use Windows all day. I come home and use Windows. It's all bloody Windows.

But no more!

As of this week I have bought my very first Mac. A shiny, 13.3" Macbook Pro with a fairly respectable Intel Core i5 processor. My goal is to start using this Macbook as my main PC, and save the giant twin graphics card beast that lives under my desk for gaming and other bits and bobs. I want the Macbook to become as integrated into my daily life as my Android phone is. (Man, I love that phone!)

So here it is; hopefully the last post I'll be writing from a Windows box (as long as we don't count Boot Camp or VMs.) From here on out I'll be trying to get to grips with Mac OS X and letting you know how I get on, playing around with Mac features, moaning loudly when I screw something up, and all the good stuff that you might want to know if you're thinking about making the switch.

Godspeed.