In a comment, Gringo asked me whether I built the “Hackintosh” over concerns about the demise of Windows XP.
No.
I did it because in order to get the degree I want, I have to take a listed course to demonstrate what is called “computer literacy.” Among the listed courses was Adobe Illustrator, which I wanted to learn anyway. Problem is, the school’s computers are Macs, while mine is a PC. Which means that files are problematic. You’d think AI files would be fully transportable between PC and Mac. I can assure you that they are not. They totally mess up, for reasons that escape me. Also, the Mac commands are different, and I don’t like changing back and forth just to satisfy the whims and subsidize the expensive real estate of whomever it is who wants satisfaction.
So… I built this Hackintosh — without question the most difficult computer project I have yet undertaken — so I could take a class in which I enrolled to demonstrate what is called “computer literacy.”
It might be ironic, but I guess that’s above my pay grade.
Comments
7 responses to “Since you were nice enough to ask…”
A word to the wary about Illustrator. It is not user friendly, which you have undoubtedly heard already. Let me emphasize the point with force. IT IS USER UNFRIENDLY.
I have an old PC version of Illustrator 8, which is more than adequate for typesetting, line art, and other basic printing needs. But to get full on line use, you need a later version.
There are a number of books available that show you neat & unusual tricks. My old favorite is the Ullustrator 8 Wow! Book by Sharon Steuer from Peachpit Press.
Good luck!
When creating files that you want to transport between platforms, save to PDF instead of AI.
Frank,
The pdf creation language is basically Forth.
My partner was the computer guru, but since his death I’ve tried to make do. I work with Illustrator almost daily and often am forced to send files out to my service bureau for printing plates or separations. While they have capability to open both PC and MAC files, they have requested that I save in PDF format. A lot of my work is typesetting. As Eric will find out, type set in Illustrator and saved in a Post Script or Illustrator file requires the other computer to have identical fonts. Either that, or the fonts must be sent with the file, or saved to Outline which then effectively closes the file to corrections or additions.
I assume that PDF files work on both platforms since my service bureau and this link confirm it.
http://www.ehow.com/how_5876683_open-pdf-file-mac-version.html
Thanks Frank. My problem involves work in progress involving multiple layers. The pdf files are fine for a finished product, but in my experience they lose some of the working details, which also get corrupted by moving from PC to Mac. To transport work in progress, it’s just easier to have the same damn platform. I’ve been burned too many times, and the worst thing is to actually lose stuff I thought I had “saved.” The shift from Mac to PC can be deadly. You might think AI would work and save the same thing in both, but I think the problem is beyond AI’s control.
Yes, it is user-unfriendly. Corel Draw is better and easier. (But I am not allowed to say that to AI snobs!)
The standard for “computer literacy” has been considerably raised. Years ago I once interviewed for a job where “computer literacy” was basically defined as having looked at a website.
Corel Draw is better and easier.
And much less expensive.