A few of the essentials to make it happen.
One of my life goals is to fully move my entire extended family to Apple-powered products. The chief motivation? That’s easy: For my own benefit.
I am the IT support technician for my family of 7 and since I do all the work of keeping their systems up and running, updated, and bug-free, it is in my best interest that I’m able to have a homogeneous environment instead of a heterogeneous.
This past week I had the time to make the most significant switch that would signal the beginning of the end for a Windows-dominated era – my dad.
My father had been in corporate america for nearly 4 decades using Windows-based software for all of it. The challenge that I faced was on multiple fronts, migrating GBs of data as well as the largest Outlook PST/OST file in the history of mankind – without losing a single byte of data.
Beyond the simple user experience challenges I had to recreate the environment on my father’s dated Windows machine on a 3rd generation Macbook Air that I picked up earlier this week. I also had complicated scripts that I had created specifically for him that would systematically backup his data to various media including cloud-based solutions.
I hoped that I could somewhat recreate my own killer home backup solution so as to make as much of the process “just work.”
After a week of grueling installation, demos, and daily sit-downs with my father about the very basics, I was able to get him to a point where he could start using the new Macbook Air as a primary computing station with comfort.
Here are a few points that I had to consider:
- Backup solutions local and cloud-based. I used Dropbox and setup some custom Automator scripts.
- Microsoft Office for Mac with a mega manual port from his Windows box.
- Bootcamp with Windows 7 for legacy Windows apps that have no native compatibility.
- Lots of coaching on the very basics of Apple usage. I could probably write a book about this first week and watching his use and the struggles he has doing very elementary things. My father is brilliant but it’s amazing how I take for granted my experience with the Mac.
- Other little things like UI/UX and workflow patterns. Lots of sticky notes!
The one thing that constantly amazes my father though is the multi-touch technology of the glass-based trackpad – he can’t get over how cool that is and every time he does it he says: “Wow… that’s neat.”
Whew. Now to convince my mother…
Have you ever had to migrate and educate a family member on a significant transition like this? Love to hear your story!
I have gotten seven folks at work to move over. My dad may soon, and my sister is saving for it.
Almost there!
I tried moving my mom to a Mac once. I stopped in the middle to go bang my head against a wall, and unfortunately never finished the migration.
Good times!
I started with the people that live in my house….my wife, my daughter, and my son has no problems using one of our Macs
That is so true about how even a tech-savvy person gets ingrained in their own work environment.
I’m a PC + Android person and look nearly computer illiterate the few times I’ve had to use my brother’s Mac…forget doing anything productive.
I completely understand. Back in 2007, I converted to Apple because it’s the best computer for musicians/creatives. Within two years, I had converted my entire immediate family who owned pc’s (two sisters and my parents), my grandfather (who runs his Mac Mini as a server, along with a MBP, iPad, and iMac), and an uncle. Now my entire immediate family (seven people) are running on Macs. My dad and I watch Keynotes together and try to guess what will be released. Everyone using Macs creates a cohesive, creative, and productive environment.
Great article John, thank you for taking the time & energy to write it.
I am an independent computer consultant, and have performed several Windows to OSX migrations, especially with older, retired individuals.
Sometimes they’re afraid of breaking the Mac; I think one of the most helpful things I have said to them is “there is nothing you can do to the machine (Mac) that I cannot correct (software wise).”
This gives them the courage to try the new programs & software
I remember many years ago trying to teach my mom how to use a mouse. She couldn’t get the concept of lifting the mouse off the table to adjust the position of her hand. She’d move her hand all the way to the end of the desk then get stuck. Argh! How frustrating that was.
How about some helpful resources?
Would you ever consider adopting a 49-year-old Aunt Jamie? I’ve yet to back up my blog EVER and well, let’s just say I have techno issues.
My Dad doesn’t know how to use it, but would still love to gift him a mac-book..
Interesting if he learns..
I spent 15 years teaching my dad how to use a PC. Several months ago he bought an iMac. I spent one night on setup and another night or two in the first week for training. After that, he’s been loving the Mac and suprisingly self sufficient!
My older sister won the battle a year ago and my parents “upgraded” to a PC laptop. I won on blogging, getting my mom to launch a blog. Funny, I spend most of my tech support with her getting her computer to work, not managing her blog.
My father moved over before I did! An iMac. I just got a MacBook Air last week. I never had to show him anything. He figured it all out for himself. Not bad for someone over 70! Now I don’t really have to provide any support at all. When he had a PC I was always having to provide support. Now, no longer.
I remember many years ago trying to teach my mom how to use a mouse. She couldn’t get the concept of lifting the mouse off the table to adjust the position of her hand. She’d move her hand all the way to the end of the desk then get stuck. Argh! How frustrating that was.