All About Me, a Mac Addict, and this Website

OK I admit it I am a total Mac Addict! I love everything about Apple Mac computers and Mac OS X. Apple's products tick all of the boxes for me.

Welcome to the Mac Guides and Solutions website and my little part of the Internet. Thank you for taking the time to visit my website and for having a nosey at who created it and why!

Let me take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Gary Jordan and my ugly mug is captured in the photograph on the right.

I live with my beautiful wife and two great kids in the heart of the UK, just outside the beautiful Peak District National Park.

Which is a great place to wind down and relax after a stressful week! Particularly when I have been away on business for a few days.

I have been working and playing with computers now for over 30 years. Doesn't time fly when your having fun. I have always been interested in how computers work, building my first computer when I was just 17.

A few years later I moved on to my first 'Real' PC, a 386sx running Microsoft Windows 3.1. Computers have certainly developed rapidly since those early days. I never cease to be amazed, even today!

As well as messing around with computers as a hobby, I have also had the pleasure of having a career that has revolved around electronics, computer systems and software development.

I worked for Rolls-Royce, the worlds best aero-engine manufacturer, for over 23 years. I installed, tested, serviced and repaired computers on their engine test beds, and later performed Hardware/Software Integration testing on their engine control systems and software.

Now I work as a Consultant working with clients in the UK, Europe and the US.

Many of the computers that I worked with in the 80's and 90's ran a version of the Microsoft Windows operating system. Over the years my satisfaction with using Microsoft Windows diminished.

I hated the blue screen of death, as it became known, and problems with drivers and crashes etc. I just wasn't getting a buzz anymore.

As a result of my techie background I found it both easy, and enjoyable, to try alternative operating systems to Windows. I managed to switch to Linux for several years, which eventually led me into discovering Apple, their Apple Mac computers, and of course Mac OS X. As they say the rest is history.

Why Am I so Passionate About Apple Mac Computers?!

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2003 was a very important year for me, it was the year that I bought my first Apple Mac computer, the PowerBook G4 Titanium. I was immediately impressed. The build quality, the styling, the sharpness of the display, the battery life, and of course Mac OS X!

I now have a 13" MacBook Pro, one 20" iMac and one 21.5" iMac. It's amazing in 2011 to see just how far Apple has come - the latest Intel processors, new stunning designs, state-of-the-art technology, even better batteries and truly incredible software and accessories. Hence the reason …

"… I am as passionate about Apple Mac Computers, Software and Accessories today as I was back in 2003. I strongly believe that Apple products are the best in the world and I have never had a single regret at leaving my Windows PC behind …"

Even the buying experience has improved. Over 300 Apple stores have sprung up all over the world. Many major cities have their own Apple store, or Apple Premium Reseller, and you may even get to buy your next computer in an Apple store like this …

The Apple Store - New York, 5th Avenue Image courtesy of Apple

I frequently have discussions with people about the pros and cons of buying an Apple computer. The most common argument against is "Apple's products are expensive" my response to that is always "You get what you pay for!".

Which happens to be high quality, good looking, well designed and powerful computers that will keep you and your family entertained for years to come.

Over the last few years I have spent many hours understanding what makes a Mac tick. I have learnt about the Mac OS X internals and how it gets the best from the hardware it runs on. Which has resulted in me becoming a total Mac Addict!

I am a member of the Mac Dev Center which gives me previews of the latest Mac OS X updates and all of the resources that I need to develop applications or understand a problem.

I get a lot of fun from trying out new Mac software, and currently have the following favourites. In addition to all the bundled applications in Mac OS X;

• OS X Mountain Lion (Due to be released in summer 2012)
• OS X Lion
• Mac OS X Snow Leopard
• Mac OS X Leopard
• OS X Lion Server
• iWorks - Pages, Numbers and Keynote
• iLife'11 - iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand
• Aperture
• Apple Remote Desktop
• BBEdit
• Sublime Text 2 (gradually becoming my favourite editor!)
• XCode
• Scrivener
• Cyberduck
• Pixelmator
• Screenflow
• OmniFocus
• OmniPlan
• Parallels Desktop
• VMWare Fusion
• Things

This list tends to grow on a daily basis as I find new software to try!

I have plenty of ideas for this website which will be implemented over the coming days, weeks and months.

I would be very satisfied if this website helps people make the move from Windows to the Mac. But I am equally keen to help the experienced Mac user, and even to provide a quality reference source for the Mac expert.

I hope you enjoy the site! Feel free to contact me if you have comments, or suggestions, about the site.

I would like this site to have a reputation in the Mac world for quality and accuracy …

Best wishes

Gary Jordan