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One of the things that has always surprised me about the Mac web is that computer migration doesn’t get more press. The ease with which you can move files and identities on Mac OS X is astounding, simply astounding. There’s just no way around that. When I think of how hard it used to be in Mac OS Classic, I picture my dad mowing the yard with that motorless rotary push mower. It’s archaic. Nay! Barbaric!

And brothers and sisters, don’t even get me started on what has to be done on the PC. Is there software out there that helps? I imagine there must be, but I’ve worked with people who have passed up significant computer upgrades at the office simply because the don’t want to deal with the hassle of copying files, reinstalling software, transferring their web and e-mail accounts, and losing their Minesweeper scores.

Yes, it’s true you actually have to do that on the PC (or get your IT department to do it for you). On the Mac, it’s as simple as connecting your new computer to your old with a Firewire cable, and…

Uh, wait. What did I just say? What kind of cable? Oh. Okay, well, it’s at times like this that I like to quote my favorite philosopher, Charlie Brown:

“Aaarrrgh!”

Ring of Firewire

See, I’ve got a new MacBook, which, as you all know by now, has no Firewire. I knew this going in, so I won’t freak. Honestly, I’m happier about the addition of a by-God graphics card than I am disappointed about the loss of Firewire. But what about migration? Can it be done without that beatiful, shiny, candy-like Firewire cable? Yes. It’s not quite as easy and not quite as fast, but it’s there. The good folks at Apple aren’t stupid, after all, and although we may never fully understand the method of their madness, we can at least always be assured it’s calculated madness.

I Walk the Ethernet

When I first turned on my MacBook, I was met with the familiar question about whether I want to transfer content from another computer. Only now, the choices for doing so are different. Do I want network migration or wireless migration? Maybe a Time Machine drive? I could’ve gone either network option, seeing that I’ve got a wireless network. But ethernet is faster, so there you go. I plugged the new MacBook into my router, and started the process. Only it didn’t start with me. I was instead told I had to install the DVD or CD Sharing Update on the old computer. So, I tried, but it wouldn’t let me; kept telling me I had a more recent version. Okay, so I went to look for it. Not in my Apps folder, and not in the Utilities folder. Meanwhile, the MacBook is still trying to find the other computer. Figuring there was a problem with the ethernet hook up, I started over and tried with the wireless network. Same thing. So, I hopped online with the iMac to see what’s up. Of course, I quickly realized I’m a fool. I knew about the Migration Assistant app, so why I forgot when I actually needed to use it is beyond me. Of course, you know, Apple could have been more up front about this instead of throwing passwords and install instructions in my face, but hey. Internal locus of control, and all.

So, I switched back to ethernet, started it up, launched Migration Assistant, entered my codes, and the two computer quickly found one another. I wonder how the iMac felt seeing that MacBook, having been on the other end just a few years before. To everything there is a season…

Don’t Take Your Viruses to Town

Migration Assistant offers many options for what you want to transfer. I never opt for a complete migration, although I couldn’t tell you why. I suppose it’s for the same reason that many people use Purell all day long when the human body (for most of us, anyway) is already equipped to combat all these germs. I’m afraid of transferring over some of the junk on that old system, and I find fresh software installs somewhat cathartic. The wonderful thing about Migration Assistant is that it can copy over your program preferences even if it doesn’t copy over the programs. So, fresh installs of Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Nisus Writer and more come with preferences and registration intact. How’s that for wonderful? This doesn’t happen with all apps, of course, but enough to ease the process. And, of course, Migration Assistant will pull over all of your web/e-mail accounts/settings, documents, and pretty much everything else you tell it to. If you have multiple identities, those come over, too.

Over the ethernet, copying everything except for programs and documents (manually transferring my documents forced me to dig in there to back stuff up and toss out the junk) took less than half an hour for a 250GB hard drive (transferring about 50%). When I came back, the MacBook was instantly familiar. Same old password, desktop image (thank you, Digital Blasphemy, iPhoto images, iTunes library, dock icons, etc. A brand new computer, and I’m back to work in 45 minutes from the moment I opened the box…and all without Firewire. It wasn’t as graceful, but it worked, and the loss of Firewire suddenly hurt a little bit less.

Man in MacBook

Of course, that was just one step. One step that likely won’t need to be repeated on this machine. Next, though, comes use. Will the Firewire omission hurt more there? Will I ever be able to get used to this tiny little screen? This tiny keyboard that’s soooooooo far from the edge of my desk? And where’s the number pad? How come I can see myself in my screen?

The odyssey continues…

• See previous article: Trading in your used Mac
• See Apple’s Migration Tips and Tricks