MacBook Update

As many of you know, I finally took the leap into the MacPool this month. For a writer who has struggled her whole life under the PC yoke, this was pretty much akin to achieving Nirvana.

It has not been a total walk in the park, however. I am having to get used to new software, plus converting email, address books and the gazillions of files I have on my PC -- well, let's just say it's a job that may never be finished.

My son took this shot as I was setting up the new beast a couple of weeks ago, and you can see single, all-seeing eye of the peripheral hard drive that I got at the same time. The hard drive works with Time Machine, and is a thing of beauty. When my machine is at home, I plug it in and it backs up everything new I've done while I've been away. If I can figure out how to back up the files in my PC onto this hard drive, it might save a bit of worry in case the old machine ultimately crashes (which I expect it to, daily).

I'm planning to start all new projects on the MacBook and go from there. I've also invested in new software called SCRIVENER, designed to help writers collect their scattered thoughts in one place, and particular to Macs. I'll let you know how it works.

In the meantime, if you have any tips or tricks for me --I'm listening!

~kc

Not THAT kind of sleep...

This is Delia - or more properly, this WAS Delia. She was a Cornish Hairless, and until a couple of months ago she ruled the roost at my friend Norma's house. She was at least 19 when she made her final visit to the vet, but she will live on in the new novel (first in a series of 5) I have been working on lately. I LOVED this cat -- her paws looked like the hooked claws of any respectable witch, and will do her proud as she cavorts through the new stories.


Her picture is here simply serendipitously, as I have managed to transfer only a limited number of my pix from my old computer. But somehow, her appearance suits the theme of today's blog in a morbid kind of way...

Today's MacLesson: like Delia (or perhaps unlike Delia -- I think she was ready for the journey when she finally left) my new MacBook does not like being put to sleep. Last night I did just that, only to find the patient completely unresponsive this morning. After much frantic calling of dealers and googling of troubleshooting techniques, I found a simple three-button re-boot solution (after a minute of unplugging) did the trick nicely. But from now on, to save myself (and my new machine) from apoplexy, I will simply turn it off at night.

In other news, I have to hie off to Surrey tomorrow for the monthly SiWC gathering. The faculty roster is almost in place and I'll be posting messages to the SiWC mailing list shortly. Lots of excitement for this year, guaranteed!

Had an exceedingly muddy walk through the woods with Meg Tilly and her dog Molly today. Molly is most excellently suited to thoroughly wearing out Silas and Seamus. And did I mention that Meg's latest book PORCUPINE has been nominated for a BC Book Award? We are keeping our fingers and paws crossed for her!

~kc

A New Era Begins...

...with the first post on my new MacBook Pro.

It is a beautiful thing.

Is it not?

I ask you. Look at those sleek lines, that nifty titanium-coloured casing.

I am in love.

It is so fast and so not a PC that I couldn't be happier.

Of course, now I have to learn to use the thing.

I've hooked 'er up to the internet, as you can tell by reading this post. I've moved a few files over and connected my new peripheral hard drive (in itself a thing of awesome power, which works with Time Machine to back up everything at the touch of a button).

I still have a lot to learn, but in the meantime am having great fun noodling. I'm sure there are other things of great import I am to blog about today, but I can't recall any of them at the moment. Remind me if they occur to you, okay?

~kc