Subject: What data file do I need? And, this is why we went to Macs.
On the PC, I go into C:\Lotus\Notes\Data… and what file am I looking for? I see a long list of files, and several more folders.
Now, with this data file, can I copy it to the Mac and then will it pull the data from the server? Any explanation of how Lotus works would be appreciated.
To answer why Macs… and why no support from IT…
We have been using PC’s for graphics for the last several years. Our IT has not been able to support any of the software that we use (Illustrator, Freehand, PageMaker, Quark, Photoshop… etc.). I cannot call our help desk and ask them how to do anything in any graphics software. No support on fonts either. I received a new PC a year ago that did not have Helvetica installed. I heard from the help desk, “What’s Helvetica?”. We have little support for our expensive color laser printer, except for giving us toner. Recently, upon shut down, the printer drivers on my PC would disappear. It took five IT guys 12 hours over 6 business days to fix the problem. I asked, why don’t you just reinstall everything? I was told, “Not with all of your graphics software.”. Each time that we have been moved, or have gotten a new black laser printer, I have to go into a long story about why I need a postscript driver installed, not a PCL driver. “Postscript?” I would hear, “That’s that Adobe thing. We don’t support that.”. I can’t create PS files with a PCL driver!
So, IT has not been offered much support for us in the first place. Why should it matter what OS that we are running? We prefer Macs, we learned on them, own them at home, and are faster on them. My year old PC crashed several times a day… everyday. Not a single one of our new Macs has yet crashed! We also exchange files with ad agencies that are all Mac based. Our commercial printer prefers receiving Mac files for color control and other issues.
Also, we setup somewhat of a private network for the Macs. They all have access to the network… but… we bought an ethernet hub that hooks into the Windows network. From there, all the Macs hook into this hub. We’re in a large company with a lot of wiring. Previously, we were using a server to store files on. Instead of this, we bought an external FireWire drive to do the same thing. This drive is hooked up to one of the Macs. By using this extra hub and tying the Macs together to the same hub… the transfer rate is up to 40 times faster then going through the Windows network. I am not kidding!
Now, to be fair about our IT… some of them had experience in dealing with Macs running OS9, which was a lot more work to get them to work on a Windows network. OS X was so easy to setup. To get them on the network, I literally plugged in the ethernet cable and turned them on. OS X automatically recognized the network and they were on line, just like any PC. To setup the printers, I didn’t have to load on a driver for each printer. I just typed in the IP address for each printer and told OS X what PPD to use for each. I have had problems with PC’s and the multitude of printer drivers causing problems. Plus, I can log in to the Mac from any PC… just as if the Mac was a PC. IT truly does not know how easy it has been.
And as far as getting Lotus Notes… They originally knew that there was a version of Notes for OS X before we did, but failed to tell us. Later, someone in IT slipped it out, and told us that they had a copy that they would bring to us. Then, someone above him told him not to help us, that we were on our own. So, we went out and found the free trail and were attempting to set it up to see if we can get it to work. AND HERE I AM!!
Last, this explains what we’re dealing with… A graphic artist in the department called the IT to obtain a password so that she could use the web version of Notes to check her email. Her password was sent back as “macsarejunk”.
