why .mac?

[Scott Sherman188952]

I am coming from the dark side to join the other 3% of computer users. I am trying to figure out why buy .mac for $100 since most everything but the virus protection is on Panther. Does .mac add some funtionallity to the mail program or any other programs packaged with Panther.

Jaguar, Panther... sounds much sexier than XP or Win 2000 doesn't it? Love the MAC!!!!
--
Scotty
http://www.interactivephotos.com

 

[mbryda]

I am coming from the dark side to join the other 3% of computer
users. I am trying to figure out why buy .mac for $100 since most
everything but the virus protection is on Panther. Does .mac add
some funtionallity to the mail program or any other programs
packaged with Panther.

I got it for the one click publishing from iPhoto. Other than that, unless you need an E-mail account or a webhost it's not much more than that. They do have some training sessions that may be worthwhile.

Jaguar, Panther... sounds much sexier than XP or Win 2000 doesn't
it? Love the MAC!!!!

I made the switch in '02 and havn't looked back - the first couple weeks were hell unlearning the Windows way, but it's 1000x better now and I cringe when I work on Windows.

 

[Ian Eisenberg]

iDisk is also a really nice feature. Auto syncing lets you get those important files updated without a thought.

What is really nice is being able to get to those files from anywhere with net access... even from a PC when youabsolutely have to. I carry around the XP iDisk client on a thumb drive so I can get to my files anywhere.

There are also other free apps and discounts for third party software and hardware.

I am coming from the dark side to join the other 3% of computer
users. I am trying to figure out why buy .mac for $100 since most
everything but the virus protection is on Panther. Does .mac add
some funtionallity to the mail program or any other programs
packaged with Panther.

I got it for the one click publishing from iPhoto. Other than
that, unless you need an E-mail account or a webhost it's not much
more than that. They do have some training sessions that may be
worthwhile.

Jaguar, Panther... sounds much sexier than XP or Win 2000 doesn't
it? Love the MAC!!!!

I made the switch in '02 and havn't looked back - the first couple
weeks were hell unlearning the Windows way, but it's 1000x better
now and I cringe when I work on Windows.

 

[Danny M.]

If you have multiple Macs, iSync is a godsend...syncs your bookmarks, address book, and calendars. iPhoto integration is nice, The .mac web publishing templates are high-quality; you don't have to know a lick of HTML if you want to put together an online album quickly. Lot's of other stuff...webmail, access to your bookmarks and address book even if you're not on your own computer, on and on....

To me it's a good value, although I've seen and debated with myself the arguments of getting my own domain and replicating all or most of the functions offered by .mac.

Your best bet is to try it out for free for 30 days. And, since I believe you mentioned that you have purchased a new Mac recently, you can get a discount (either edu or new mac purchase).

I am coming from the dark side to join the other 3% of computer
users. I am trying to figure out why buy .mac for $100 since most
everything but the virus protection is on Panther. Does .mac add
some funtionallity to the mail program or any other programs
packaged with Panther.

Jaguar, Panther... sounds much sexier than XP or Win 2000 doesn't
it? Love the MAC!!!!
--
Scotty
http://www.interactivephotos.com

 

[jkabbe]

I believe that to use Backup you have to be a .mac subscriber. Backup now even allows you to Backup to external firewire drives (or even your iPod if it's big enough

I find backup very useful. There probably is no one single thing that makes .mac worthwhile but as a whole (including things others have mentioned) it is very compelling (to me at least).

 

[Joel Dabrowski]

.Mac is basically a series of remote services for you to use or view online and that integrate with various Apple applications. There are other perks too but the main advantage is that your Address Book contacts, iCalendars, Mail messages, Bookmarks, etc., are all available online when you're away from your ocmputer but also synchronize and integrate with the respective Apple-made (and a few third-party) applications on your computer. Each of these things can be found piecemeal and often for less, but you're paying a bit more for the convenience of the package and the better way the whole thing is managed by your Macintosh.

If you want, for example, your calendars, contacts, personal e-mail and bookmarks available to you at work, .Mac is a nice service where your Mac is basically your home base and everything gets "published" for you to find online.

Ther are some other perks, third party applications for free or discounts on some. More recently, they're been either some online services like versiontracker.com or some downloadable applications that also can publish your stuff online, e.g., Contribute, iBlog, etc.

So if you want your stuff available online and remotely, then .Mac is your cup of tea.

 

[Joel Dabrowski]

blah.

 

[Charles Bandes]

I really don't understand why anyone pays for .mac

There are cheaper ways to get your own web storage (there are many good, free webhosts out there, and many more that offer killer hosting for $30-$100 annually)

The virus protection isn't real useful, neither is the backup software

The added isync capabilities are nice, but there are shareware/freeware apps to do the same thing.

Basically, I don't get it.

Plus I'm mad at apple for initially saying .mac email was "Free for life" and then deciding just a year or two later to charge $100 annually for it. Bleah.

I am coming from the dark side to join the other 3% of computer
users. I am trying to figure out why buy .mac for $100 since most
everything but the virus protection is on Panther. Does .mac add
some funtionallity to the mail program or any other programs
packaged with Panther.

Jaguar, Panther... sounds much sexier than XP or Win 2000 doesn't
it? Love the MAC!!!!
--
Scotty
http://www.interactivephotos.com

--
Charles Bandes
http://www.bandesphoto.com