Lancaster PA Real Estate Blog: This lady's got herself a MAC! Now what?

And so now you know why the business world uses windows.  Call your mac salesperson and ask your questions.  Also you need to contact all the real estate programs you use and see what they say - for example your mls may have guidelines and advice or info (hopefully not problems with mac).  Only your office technical person will be the one to answer you connectivity question.

I hate to say it as the MAC is a great PC. But the dell xps had more to offer for less $. Good luck on the MAC programs in point 2. I tried and failed!

Heath - thanks for your input.  I'm guessing that you are not a MAC user!  It's time for the business world to revolt, imo.

Laura - There was no way that I was going to get past my family by purchasing another pc.  They are all MAC users in my household, and I've been the last holdout.  This was a gift for mothers day, so I have to make good use out of it (and so far, I'm loving it!).  

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As an update ---

I heard back from top producer (wow, they were quick! - I just emailed them this morning!) and my tp7i account will work just fine with the Windows system installed.  Woohoo!  I'm certain from what I've been hearing that other programs that have not migrated into the new century will also work fine once I install the Windows software.  My MLS works just fine, my ActiveRain works just fine, I already have Office for the MAC and absolutely love the iWork trail that is installed -- much more up to date than Office for power point and word docs.  

Also the top producer tech guy said that they are working on tp8i working seamlessly with MAC OS and that should be available in the future.

I am using Parallels and I like it.  The reason I chose Parallels is because I can run both Mac OS and Windows XP at the same time with a  simply toggle between them.  Imagine Parallels and Windows as nothing more than a program on your Mac.  This works great for my Top Producer, Zip Forms and my Supra Lockbox.  Hope this helps.  The benefits of using the Mac far outweigh any PC I have ever seen including the higher end Tablets.  Once you get the hang of the Mac you will have some fun with the iSight camera and the video conferencing with other Mac users and top agents.  Did you set up your dot.Mac account yet?  this is another huge and ultra convenient feature you will enjoy because creating pages on the web is pretty much instant.  If you are learning to make online movies you will love the .Mac account.  Good times are ahead for you.  Biggest issue I had was learning to right click...once I got that down everything because REALLY simple.

Sam, thanks so much for your input!  I think I've pretty much decided that I am going with Parallels and not Boot Camp.  The thought of being able to continue using my Zip Forms - as well as my e-signature program, is exciting.  I am absolutely loving this computer.  I signed up for the .mac free trial account today.  I have to admit, I didn't know that I could right click!  I was excited to learn that, too.  I've realized that I love the Keynote program, and especially love that it is compatible with Power Point.  I think it has much better features, and I'm looking forward to making some killer listing presentations!  

A great alternative to top producer is daylite made especially for macs.  They have a wonderful real estate version.  It syncs with your contact list and iphone.  Highly recommend it to anyone searching for a contact management system for macs!

Lauren, thank you for the head's up!  I will definitely look into Daylite and it's real estate version.  Thank you!

I love everything about my mac except that there are programms that still need internet explorer. What give I mean can't the world catch on to Firefox or Safari??? I mean who doesn't use firefox nowadays?

Jeannie,

In my opinion buying a Mac is an excellent choice. After you get past the initial learning curve (which, in retrospect, is quite easy) you will most likely be a Mac user for life! I used PC's for years and got my first Mac 5 years ago and thought I made a mistake - everybody said they have compatibility issues. The new dual core processor eliminated that problem. You can work in Windows Explorer if necessary (my MLS requires that) and you can get software that allows to work both Mac & Windows environments at the same time.

Here are just a couple of the best parts of a Mac -

1. Virtually 100% virus free. I talked with a computer security guy (owns a large computer security company) and he stated that these are built on the same foundation as government users - DOD NSA etc. The PC side can get a virus but if you have Leopard you can set up "time machine" which consistently backs up your hard drive - it is brilliant! 

2. It IS the future for computer systems. Wait until you see what the IPhone is going to do in the next month or 2 - it will blow away any PDA phone on the market.

3. A very stable system - no crashing issues, bad freezes etc. I have 2 Mac's (desktop & laptop) and over the 5 years I had to call a Mac tech guy twice for help. The issue was resolved very quickly.

Get used to it and you'll love it!

Jason - I too have found some programs (like the back end of my website) will work only with Explorer.  I got the switcher for Firefox and that worked okay for some programs.  Then, I ended up getting Parallels and Windows -- wow, I am really impressed now!

Jeff - I get more and more amazed every day at what my MAC can do.  I should have switched years ago!  I had one minor setback today when I needed to install some updates for Windows, but was able to figure it out.  I haven't used the Time Machine (well, tried to today but I guess I didn't have it set up).  

I'm excited to see that there are some new things coming up with the iPhone - my Treo is just about dead (or will be soon) and I will need to get a new smart phone.  

I need to use Windows to get on the network at the office, but I do a lot of switching back and forth.  I just can't send to a printer that isn't on the network, and that can get a bit tedious - but so far that is my only complaint, and it has nothing to do with the Mac, it has to do with the Network.

I have found that I LOVE iWorks08 -- great flyers and presentations!  And today during a slow open house I fooled a bit with iMovie.  I'm sure I'll love that as well.

Glad you're loving your Mac! I had to have Internet Explorer too for my MLS and Point2 website. I went to Northstar Access and subscribed to their service so I could get IE. Now I can access MLS and my Point2 website with no problems - and I didn't have to install Windows XP on my Mac (like I believe you have to do with Parallels or Fusion).

Not to say that someday I might not go with Parallels or Fusion.

Enjoy!

Jeannie - I hope you are still loving your Mac.  Did you end up using Parallels for your Top Producer and Zip Forms?

Sam - Yes, I'm using Parallels - and I am still loving my Mac!  I love being able to easily switch back and forth through the "Spaces" program.  Love it, love it, love it!

Hi Jeanie,

I'm a devoted mac user and at this point you have to have windows or windows vista to use top producer for the drip letter system.

I've tried using virtual windows and it is slow and unsupported.  I spent about an hour with the top producer tech. They told me

TP 8i has no set time to support mac.  Basically it is about us complaing to get them to support mac.

Firefox seems to be better than Safari in the business world.  Glad you like your mac.

Cindy

I posted above, but had to add another comment again: I love my Mac!! Will NEVER go back to a Microsoft PC...Have an Imac, macbook and an ipod touch, after using Windows/Microsoft for years...my biggest concern was being able to use my MLS and Zipforms for real estate and I was very concerned about compromising the system by putting Windows w/ Paralells (sp) or Fusion on my Mac...so I found Northstar Access Network System which alllows me to subscribe to an online network to access Internet Explorer for my MLS and my Point2 website without ever having to put Windows on my Mac. I love it. No need for Boot Camp, Parallels or Fusion. I highly recommend it. I use Firefox all the time, and only IE for my MLS and Point 2 without ever installing any windows programs on my Mac....Northstar Access even supports Top Producer, although it is not a program I use. Zipforms for Mac are available so that should not be an issue either if you go to the Zipforms site.

Check them out at www.northstaraccess.net - I'm not connected in any way, just a happy user.

I'm so convinced with my Macs that I don't even want to convert any previous Word documents; I'd rather just start over with Pages.....the ease of a Mac is incredible....even for real estate!

Let me know if I can help you out!

Lisa, thank you for coming back and giving us some more information!  It sounds like I need to check out Northstar Access!  I have Parallels and Windows because I need windows to access the network at work - unfortunately.  It's a pain.  I'd love to just be able to get on Point2 and update things without having to go through Parallels ~ so i will definitely be looking into it! 

By the way, I am LOVING my Mac!

Jeannie,

I have complained to all the above mentioned companies for years for not being Mac compatible.  They get downright arrogant with me because I use a Mac...like I am someone stupid.  The biggest offender in being ugly to me when I complain is REALTOR.com  They tell me only 5% of the people use a Mac.  Anyway, I an not do any changes to my account without using IE on it and on my home tour site.  It is a pain, but I found a way to make the mouse go seamlessly from OSX to Parallels without having to release the mouse from windows.  This enables me to drag and drop a folder of pictures from one system to the other so I can work back and forth with them.  I have a MacBookPro which is my 5th Mac.  Once a Mac Addict, always a Mac Addict.  The rest of the world doesn't understand, but we do.

I am hoping that the iPhones will wake up some of these arrogant programmers in the world.  

Your comments are very timely and on the money.  I had a Mac when I first started in real estate in the 1970s!  I finally gave it up because I just couldn't get into anything real estate wise.  For my birthday, my husband is going to get me an aluminum MacBook ....I am still doing some real estate and I just have like Tons of stuff in Top Producer ...I had hoped they would wake up and be compatible for Mac...but it looks like I will still have to get Parallels or whatever....I will check out the Northeast site you mention. 

I signed up for new comments...good luck to you all....

Ann ~ good luck with your MAC!  Are you a member of AR and just aren't signed in?  If not, I'd love to send you an invitation to join!  There is a great MAC users group here that I would encourage you to visit.  I love my MAC, although it is a pain sometimes going back and forth with Parallells.  I don't use Top Producer much, but need Windows to get into the back of my Point2 Website. 

Let us know how the Mac works out for you!

Hi Jeannie...When the Air came out I was sure I was going to buy one but never got around to it.  I'm seriously thinking about it again, although not necessarily the Air.

I'm glad you're having such a good time with yours.

Kate

Hi Kate,

I'm sure you will enjoy your MAC once you get around to deciding on one!  The AIR is so thin, I'd be afraid that I would harm it!  I am pretty sure that Patricia Kennedy here on AR has an AIR ~ you might want to ask her about hers.  I think I recall that they don't have a CD input, and have very limited USB ports; something I would find annoying if I needed to use such items for uploading photos and such.  My opthalmologist has one, and complains about how limited some of the features are, although he loves it for travelling to seminars.

Let us know what you decide!

I am a longtime Mac user. The Mac is superior in just about every way to Windows; I do have to use Windows every day too because I have one application (RedX) that runs only on Windows.

I have progressively eliminated every requirement for Windows. Top Producer? Great product, but they're stuck on stupid by insisting on using proprietary Windows Java or .NET framework or whatever garbage they're using that keeps them locked into the horrible, buggy, insecure, and downright dangerous Internet Explorer browser.

So I quit using Top Producer and went to Realty Juggler. It works on a Mac, and on my iPhone, costs a lot less. Yes, there's a ton of stuff in TP that RJ doesn't have--and I never used any of it anyway. I'm happy. I have all I need, I can access it on the web anywhere and on any system, and I can work on my Mac.

I am now looking at eliminating RedX in favor of a Mac-compatible web-based alternative. I will probably go that way---and eliminate my last tie to an OS that I cringe to use, Windows.

Just a type note: It is not a "MAC." MAC is not an acronym. It's a Mac. Capital M, lowercase a and c. Trust me. Trust Apple. Mac, not MAC.

David,

...."Just a type note: It is not a "MAC." MAC is not an acronym. It's a Mac. Capital M, lowercase a and c. Trust me. Trust Apple. Mac, not MAC."....

Good point!  I don't know why I've always capitalized it ~ probably because I'm always so excited about it that I just want to shout it out!

Jeannie, I'm late to this party - but I LOVE MY Mac!!!!!!! Had it almost 2 years. I have boot camp which I try never to use but we have one MLS we belong to that requires it. I call it going over to the "dark side." It's a clunker compared to my Mac. Why do you think Vista is a copy of a Mac but one that doesn't work? We have a pc desktop and we have XP on it and no desire to load Vista. I just found a really cool new contact management that works with Mac that is internet based called Wise Agent. It is amazing and very user friendly. I'll check into that Northstar because we have point 2 and realtor.com and it is frustrating to be merrily working away changing something only to realize it doesn't work! I forget because so many applications work with a Mac these days. There must be more than 5% on Macs by now...

You want a MAC to work on MLS , Top Producer and Point 2 Agent, No Problem. Just install CROSSOVER. You won't even need to install Windows.  I love my MAC and Crossover allows me to not only run the above mentioned sites using Explorer , but I also installed MS-OFFICE PRO and it all runs as if I had windows installed.  So now you'll have the best of both worlds.

Bill

Bill - I am going to check this out right now! Thanks for the heads up. There is new stuff coming out all the time for Macs. I don't think it will be too much longer before they are mainstream and Top Producer, MLSs, Point 2 and others have to quite ignoring us! Our numbers are growing!

Hi -- I am a Realtor in Manhattan Beach and I use TP and Point2 -- you can do all via the Windows "side", but I recommend using Fusion instead of Parallels -- it is faster and easier to work networking issues out in my opinion.

Best,  

Lauren Perreault, MBA

Realtor, Licensed Broker, GRI, SRES, AHS, e-Pro

South Bay Brokers, Inc.

http://www.FabulousSouthBay.com

lauren@FabulousSouthBay.com

Hi Jeannie~

Adding to what Lauren shared, I, too, use Fusion on my Mac. The installation took very little time and it's worked like a charm ever since. Like some here, I've never known anything BUT Macs! Fortunately, hubby worked at Apple for years and though he's no longer employed with the infamous "fruit company", our entire home is still Mac based.

Hi Jeanne, someone told me about the Mac group so I joined, we installed Windows xp last night and Fusion and now I can go back and forth to the MLS and Point2. Someone mentioned to me that I can use the Mac with zipforms on line so that is good. Hey you're a pro now since this post was posted.

We had a Board of Realtors meeting last Wed and when I took my Mac out a few of the people were like No you've gone to the dark side. Weird huh?

Missy - welcome to the dark side!  LOL.  Some people are very afraid of a Mac, I don't know why.  Well, I guess I have been for years until I finally relented.  My first week was hard, but I'm so used to it now that I get confused when I have to work on a regular 'ol PC. 

I have Zipforms for Mac (just used it this afternoon!).  I don't have the online version, but it installed Citrix on my laptop and I can use it just fine.  I think their might be a Mac upgrade cost associated to switch over, but it's worth it.

Hi Jeannie, I just started using a Mac for the first time less than 3 weeks ago and, as a PC all-time user, I am more than impressed with the Apple company. If you require assistance, call their toll free number and voila within minutes you'll speak with an agent that actually understands the system and will guide you through any difficulties. The daylite real estate version does everything I require it to do and for the one time purchase of $470.00 without having a monthly fee for someone else to provide me with a database.

Ironically the biggest adjustment that I've had with the Mac is it's ease of use...things are so easy that you spend time hunting around for the difficult way to do things. ie. on a PC to remove a program from the harddrive you'll have to go into the control panel-add/remove programs...wait for the list to populate/then remove (providing that you don't recieve a message telling you that certain parts couldn't be removed and must be done manually.

How do you remove a program from a Mac harddrive? Just click on it and drag to the trash bin and you're done.