I've decided to purchase a 20" iMac G5.

[asthmaticeog]

As much as I would like a dual-core G5 tower, my pitiful finances make that kind of expenditure a bad idea, since I'd need to buy a monitor as well, and the total cost will end up being about double. I will be expanding the iMac's RAM to 1.5 gig. I will also be purchasing the wireless mouse and keyboard; my desk is a mess of wires, and I think the trifling amount of extra money is well-spent on clearing that up a bit.

I'm sure looking forward to toying around with GarageBand, and my graphics apps will love the new processor and increased RAM, as well, I'm sure. They may even take me out for some "thank you" drinks.

[eyesroll]

1. Very cool.

I have one of those on my desk right now (at work) and aside from this stupid $#@$ InDesign conversion, I love it.

(The program itself is fine; the conversion from Quark is a nightmare. Anyhow.)

Enjoy!

[asthmaticeog]

5. Really?

We're about to convert to InDesign where I work. Could I bend your ear for nightmarish details at some point in the near future?

[eyesroll]

8. If you're going from OSX Quark to OSX In Design, it should be fine.

We're going from Quark 4 (!). We're not using InDesign native templates -- we're converting the Quark 4 ones. None of the fonts work, and when they do, it's just a teeny tiny little bit off. Enough off to screw up everything.

Gah.

I'll be happy to share the details -- but I would advise you to make some native templates, and after that, it's just learning-curve stuff, not "what the hell just happened to all of the apostrophes" stuff.

[asthmaticeog]

10. Oooof - we're going from Quark 4, too.

Thanks for the heads-up about the templates. I have no idea why we've stayed with OS9 for so long. (Actually, I know exactly why... cheapness.)

[eyesroll]

13. Ditto.

Yeah. Build some templates in ID. That's been my biggest problem by far.

You may want to time this with a redesign, even a minor one -- that way, if some things don't look quite right (you know how sliiiightly different leading, or even the serif rendering differently on a given font, will make the whole thing look weird?) at least it won't be obvious.

[asthmaticeog]

14. Funny you should mention it.

The publisher wants a redesign.

*I* want someone else to do it, but that's neither here nor there...

[NV Whino]

21. That's because Quark is a nightmare to start with

:hide:

[Rob H.]

22. Be happy you're not going from Quark 6 to InDesign

Quark, Inc., added a layer of encryption to QuarkXPress so that files created in 6 are impossible to open in InDesign without either MarkzTools or Q2ID, both from MarkzWare. As it is, I have to open a 6 document in 4 using the MarkzTools XTension, save it as a 4 document, then open it in InDesign. :mad:

We're getting Q2ID this year, so that should make it a lot easier--or at least easier.

[eyesroll]

23. That, I didn't know.

:scared:

[ghostsofgiants]

2. Bitchin'.

[asthmaticeog]

11. Indeed.

[gmoney]

3. I'd wait a week or two...

Doesn't Apple typically do new product announcements at MacWorld in January? There might be a processor upgrade or price drop or something cool that you can take advantage of.

I'm looking at getting an iMac to replace my eMac at home... I need something with enough horsepower to run Photoshop/Bridge at a decent speed.

But whatever you end up with, congratulations! The system you described sounds pretty great, plus you could hang the whole thing on a wall!

[asthmaticeog]

6. Yes, I'm holding off until I see if MacWorld holds any surprises.

But since they JUST released the new iMacs, I don't forsee anything that will affect me. Still, I'm waiting.

[Richardo]

4. Will you be getting into Photoshop??

We could always use more 'Shoppers here on the DU! :thumbsup:

[asthmaticeog]

9. Oh, TOTALLY!

I have all kinds of great ideas for things to stick the president's head onto, and funny funny captions to add! Bevel and Emboss, baby, it's all about the Bevel & Emboss...

[terrya]

7. I am, of course, insanely jealous

I'd LOVE to ditch my horrible piece of shite Dell with the mega crappy Windows ME that i'm stuck with now. I'm joining the Mac people when the finances are better....but I sadly can't right now. :cry:

Congrats, though. Enjoy. :-)

[asthmaticeog]

12. I'm using plastic and paying over time.

Which sucks, I'd rather be able to buy it outright, but my old G3 iBook is ready to retire. It has cute little ways of telling me so every day. :cry:

[Beware the Beast Man]

15. Welcome to the digital recording universe!

:hi: I have no beef with you being a Mac user. I almost drank the apple-flavored Kool-Aid myself.

[asthmaticeog]

18. Maybe if I can find the Mac version of the software you use

we can collaborate via the interweb! It sure would beat driving 25 minutes and actually practicing stuff!

[Beware the Beast Man]

19. As long as your machine supports .wav files, there should be no problem.

Most recording software deals with wav files, even mp3 (as long as the bit rate's high, for better sound quality).

[ZombieNixon]

16. Very cool.

You will love GarageBand...at least, I do.

[Rob H.]

17. I have one of the first-gen G5 iMacs

I know it doesn't have all the bells and whistles that yours will (I'm jealous!), but it was a nice step up from my old 500MHz G3-powered iMac DVSE. It's been a really reliable machine so far. *knocks wood* Hope you enjoy yours. :)

[GirlinContempt]

20. coo'