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General discussion

For an "Almost" MAC User

Sep 1, 2007 8:28AM PDT

Hello --

I'm about to get my first MAC - how about some recommendations about books, magazines, internet sites and articles on the basic software that comes with a new MAC - and even if it's not basic, the wordprocessing (my biggest concern) that would come with it.

Thanks --

Tosca

Discussion is locked

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Do you know of any program...
Sep 23, 2007 2:59AM PDT

... that does high resolution screen captures from DVDs? My film writer client asked me to do screen caps for a magazine article about Hammer Studios' vampire movies that he was writing for a graphic novel fanzine. I ended up using VLC which worked fine but only produced 72 dpi captures. Maybe the DVD transfer was only capable of a low resolution since it was from a 1950s movie... I don't know. Anyway, if the need arises again in the future, do you know of any program that captures stills of DVD video at a higher resolution? Heck, maybe the Adobe stuff I have will do it but I will have to wait till I upgrade my equipment to use it.

thanks

grim

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Oh... So you did not use MacOSX, specifically,
Sep 22, 2007 3:53AM PDT

and whatever playback app it might use (QuickTime + Flip4Mac or VLC) - but Windows Media player on Vista through Parallels. Got it - thanks.

I have to agree with Bob - Vista and Windows Media Player have known, reported, problems. There are many reported issues, but this one appeared first when I Yahoo!'s ""windows media player" vista problem video stutter -plugin": http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/201551.aspx

Are all the friends you forwarded to on Vista, too? Most of the folks I know started to go to Vista... then went back to XP (or did not migrate at all).

I wish my Blackberry played video...

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video
Sep 22, 2007 6:22AM PDT

most of the friends have what it came with - if it came with Vista, that's what they are using. We are all "take it out of the box and turn it on people." Maybe a tweak here and there but make it work once by spending a little time with a support desk and then forget about it. Just use it. I don't have a great deal of time beyond reading and doing what it says in the set up instructions. My MacBook is the only one with problems. But I am the only one with a MacBook and the only one running Vista with Parallels.
Thanks very much for the help. I will look for and download the applications you suggested.

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So Sad
Sep 22, 2007 3:43PM PDT

Go back to the light which is fading. Windows are full of viruses and crashes. I dont what you did with your mac. My and million other mac user are not just dumb asses singing praises for mac, mac dont pay us. If you are computer challenge dont blame mac for that.

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Here's some suggestions from an "old timer."
Sep 21, 2007 1:33PM PDT

I am a senior citizen, definitely not a techie, but have taught people with mental disabilities the simple MAC operating system. Listen to the PC guy with a little skepticism. MACs are used by children in grades two and three in our school system, so one might wonder what his problem really is.
Anyway, another excellent source for suggestions/help if you have questions is:
www.dealmac.com.
Their forums are terrific. Also, it might not be kosher, but if you know someone with an older MAC, maybe you can borrow an install CD and get yourself a copy of the now discontinued AppleWorks, one of the simplest and easiest word processors ever invented.