Becoming MACinized

Well it’s been 1 week since starting up my new iMAC,  transferring files from my PC and getting to work. My first impression was “What the hell did I just do”? I was completely lost in a very strange land. I couldn’t find my way from one file to another. In fact I couldn’t find a file. And no anti-virus software? I felt naked. What was I thinking?

I initially set up the system with my PC habits and know-how. Even tough I read the Switch to MAC and MAC 101 articles  on the apple web site, I was holding on to my PC habits. I even configured my mouse with a right click. But MAC offers smoother and easier OS. So I started trying some of these out and getting tips from a few MAC experts. You know what, I like it. I’m even starting feeling secure without antivirus software. It turns out Snow Leopard the new apple OS has spyware/malware protection. So I guess the transition is going smoothly.

The differences in using Office for MAC vs PC are minimal. Entourage vs Outlook is the biggest difference with more custom preferences with Outlook. I guess Microsoft likes their PC customers better than their MAC customers. Anyway soon I’ll be trying Quickbooks and Quicken for MAC, I’ll let you know how that turns out.

Going back to MAC

For the past 11 years I have been a PC user. I switched from MAC in 1998 because at the time a PC offered me more software options. My current Dell computer (my second one) is 7 years old has 1GB of RAM and crawls and stalls. I have Windows XP and my Office software is from 2002. Now I’m going back to MAC, here’s how it happened. [Read more →]

How to get your clients to pay on time

There is more to a freelance career than providing your special service. You need to be a good businessperson too. Negotiating fees, managing your receivables, and collecting payments are now all part of your job. And not getting paid on time is one of the freelancer’s biggest headaches. Most freelancers I know are uncomfortable about calling when payments are late, myself included. But it’s part of the job and has to be done. Below are a few tips that may help for getting paid on time. [Read more →]

Tips for working from home

Ten years ago I left my job in advertising to begin a freelance career from home. I never looked back. I am often asked how I do it. People who work in offices assume that it must take a lot of discipline, expecting there to be too many distractions at home. I treat it just as I did when I went into an office, except my commute and boss are a lot better. Here are a few things I did that may help you: [Read more →]